Health

Environment

Can Seattle take the heat? Officials say area is better prepared this summer

It takes about 10 days for a person to adjust to heat. It could take years to make the region thoroughly heatproof.

Health

Some Seattle doctors are ditching the scale. They say focusing on weight drives misdiagnoses

Doctors have long emphasized their patients' weight and blamed the health problems of anyone with a larger body on the number on the scale. Now, some Seattle-area providers are trying a new approach: throwing out the scale, and never recommending intentional weight loss.

Health

It's cloudy, but don't skip the sunscreen

Happy summer! It’s been cloudy, but there’s sun on the way. People in the NW spend a lot of time outdoors - it’s easy to be active when it’s not too hot. But all of that time outside means a lot of exposure. And rates of skin cancer are going up in Washington. Axios reporter Melissa Santos is here to talk about skin cancer risks in our region and the best ways to protect yourself this summer and year round.

Environment

Are smoke-free summers a thing of the past in Washington state?

The Washington Department of Health says June 12th-16th is the perfect time to prepare for unhealthy air that will likely arrive this summer due to wildfire season.

Crime

Seattle City Council strikes down drug enforcement policy

The city council narrowly rejected a proposal that would give the city attorney the power to prosecute public drug use and possession. The slim margin suggests there’s a lot of division in the city about how to approach the crisis. Publicola journalist and editor Erica C. Barnett will tell us how the vote went down and what happens next.

Health

This Pride Month, Seattle advocates call for more protections for LGBTQ+ youth

Young people who identify as queer or trans are at a greater risk of experiencing homelessness and being victims of violence.

Rising cost of groceries drives more need

Seattle residents are paying a lot for groceries. It adds up to about $75 more a month than the national average according to cost of living database Numbeo.com. And that’s putting increased demand on food banks. We’ll talk to Rainier Valley Food Bank Executive Director Gloria Hatcher-Mays about how the organization is working to manage the growing need.

Unhoused and out of sight on King County's Eastside

Some people experiencing homelessness in King County often try to stay hidden to avoid dealing with police. Outreach workers say that also means these people aren't being connected to support services.

Health

WA’s new budget includes money for a unique vending machine

Ones that sell emergency contraception and pregnancy tests at public colleges and universities.

Government

King County gets new, five-year plan to address homelessness

It took some revising but King County’s Regional Homelessness Authority has a new, five year plan. The Authority’s Governing Committee unanimously approved the plan on Thursday after months of public input.