Week in Review: Atomic weapons, masks, and Daylight Saving Time

Bill Radke reviews the week's news with Crosscut's Knute Berger, Seattle Met's Allison Williams, and the Seattle Times Amanda Zhou.

On Saturday, masks became optional in most places in Washington State. Individual businesses are still allowed to require masks and check for proof of vaccination if they choose. How did it go for you, and what have you noticed? Are there many businesses still requiring? Some teachers and students are protesting; other people feel ready to end restrictions. How might all this play out if another variant arrives?

This week, we switched to Daylight Saving Time, and this week, the US Senate voted to make DST permanent. WA Senator Patty Murray is one of the sponsors. How would that affect us in the Pacific Northwest? This failed in the 1970s, why would today be different?

The Pacific Northwest nuclear presence could potentially make the region a target. How do we prepare for a worst-case scenario? Should businesses have to make a radiation plan like they post fires/earthquake exits?

The Russian war and the sanctions on Russian oil are getting some of the blame for the rise in gas prices here, though they were already rising. Now, gas theft is becoming an issue. Is this on the increase, or are we hearing about it now because gas is in the news cycle because of Ukraine and inflation? Does this and catalytic converter theft affect whether you drive, where you park, etc.?

You might recall the Bellevue home that slid down a hill back in January. Now the homeowners are blaming a pipe, and the city of Bellevue, for the cause of the damage. They are suing for $5 million. Why did the city pipe fail? Do we know for sure the slide was caused by the municipal water, and not rain-saturated ground or a combination?

Our state transportation department has a new tow plow, and they are letting the public name it. Do we have to keep doing this?