Izzy Ross
@izzyjross.bsky.social
Editing, reporting + digital news managing at KNKX for Seattle + Western Washington. Views my own/reposts≠endorsements. Reach out! iross@knkx.org / izzyjross.02 follow: https://go.bsky.app/7mqjANC
The World Cup starts today, and the first game in Seattle is Monday. We asked you to send us your thoughts. Some people are thrilled. Others, not so much.
KNKX listeners share their World Cup thoughts. Some say they don't give a 'duck'
The World Cup starts today, and the first game in Seattle is Monday. Some people are thrilled. Others, not so much.
knkx.org
Researchers spent years developing pitches for World Cup stadiums across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. These fields are almost all natural grass. But they also have a small amount of synthetic blades to help withstand the foot traffic of the games.
Always greener? Digging into the World Cup's grass pitches
Researchers spent years developing pitches for World Cup stadiums across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The fields are mostly natural grass reinforced with artificial blades.
knkx.org
University of Washington astronomers have published evidence of a possible planetary collision that could inform our understanding of how celestial objects like the moon form.
'How worlds are created': UW astronomers find evidence of planets clashing
University of Washington astronomers have published evidence of a possible planetary collision that could inform our understanding of how celestial objects like the moon form.
knkx.org
An excited crowd gathered at the Museum of Flight in Seattle to watch the NASA rocket blast off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center base.
Washington space enthusiasts cheer NASA's historic Artemis II launch
An excited crowd gathered at the Museum of Flight in Seattle to watch the NASA rocket blast off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center base on Wednesday.
knkx.org
Nearly three months after devastating floods tore through Western Washington, volunteers are helping people rebuild damaged homes. But the money is about to run dry.
Volunteers face long road to flood recovery in Whatcom County
Nearly three months after devastating floods tore through Western Washington, volunteers are helping people rebuild damaged homes. But the money is about to run dry.
knkx.org
Started writing the weekly @knkx.org newsletter and you can read more by subscribing www.knkx.org/newsletters#/ 🗞️🎧📻
The City of Bellingham is launching an independent investigation in response to public records uncovered by KNKX and @cascadepbs.org that show a city employee asking ChatGPT for help tipping the scales to ensure a preferred vendor would be awarded a large city contract last year.
Bellingham staffer asked ChatGPT to ‘exclude’ vendor from city contract
Public records uncovered by Cascade PBS and KNKX show a city employee asking ChatGPT for help tipping the scales to ensure a preferred vendor would be awarded a contract.
knkx.org
first story for KNKX filed just in time
KNKX Public Radio@knkx.org · 8mo agoDriving down I-5, a sign illuminated with red lights comes into view: Tacoma Self Storage. But every year on Black Friday, it becomes Tacoma Elf Storage. The tradition of turning the sign from "Self Storage" to "Elf Storage" began one fateful day in 2007.
Gov. Bob Ferguson announced $3.5 million in state assistance, which is meant to help families affected by the floods pay for things such as groceries and hotel stays.
WA flooding among the 'most devastating' natural disasters in state history
Gov. Bob Ferguson told Washingtonians to brace for a lengthy recovery, and announced $3.5 million in state assistance for short-term needs such as groceries and hotel stays.
knkx.org
There is a Flash Flood warning from the National Weather Service in Seattle. People living in Tukwila and Kent along the Green River need to evacuate immediately. There is a failure of the Green River levee. Get to higher ground as soon as possible. This is a life threatening situation.
Washington's congressional delegation is urging the Trump administration to move quickly to approve the state's request for help responding to the storm system currently wreaking havoc on the state.
Flooding impacts tens of thousands as Washington requests federal assistance
Unprecedented flooding is driving tens of thousands of people from their homes. Local authorities are sharing resources, and the state is asking for federal aid.
knkx.org
Federal officials have not responded to the October deadline for the tribe’s permit for a traditional summer/fall subsistence hunt of eastern North Pacific gray whales, covered by the Makahs’ 10-year waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Makah Tribe’s treaty-protected whaling rights remain blocked after more than 25 years
Federal officials have not responded to the October deadline for the tribe’s permit for a traditional subsistence hunt of eastern North Pacific gray whales.
knkx.org
North Helpline, which serves residents in North Seattle, shares how people can help food banks after funding for the federal food assistance ran out over the weekend. #snap #foodbanks #seattle
As SNAP funding confusion continues, a Seattle food bank’s tips on how to help
North Helpline, which serves residents in North Seattle, shares how people can help food banks after funding for the federal food assistance ran out over the weekend.
knkx.org
Federal lawmakers continue to debate whether to extend tax credits driving down Affordable Care Act insurance costs. Without them, many Washingtonians may risk going uninsured.
Washingtonians weigh the cost of ACA health insurance as price hikes loom
Federal lawmakers continue to debate whether to extend tax credits driving down Affordable Care Act insurance costs. Without them, many Washingtonians may risk going uninsured.
knkx.org
Less than 20% of registered voters across WA had returned their ballots as of 5 p.m. Monday. That puts the state on track for record low turnout. Data shows returns lagging even in places with high-profile contests for offices like county executive and mayor. Voters can return ballots until 8 p.m.
Good morning, Washington voters! For your ballot to be counted, if you still have it, is to bring it to a drop box by 8 p.m. 🗳️ We will have some updates during our jazz programming tonight, after the first round of results is released. And we'll have more early results tomorrow morning on KNKX.
Voters in Washington will cast ballots for state and local offices and ballot measures in this off-year election. Here are the key races and ballot measures we'll be watching:
What to expect in Washington on Election Day 2025 - and how to tune in
Voters in Washington will cast ballots for state and local offices and ballot measures in this off-year election.
knkx.org
Housing is being built quickly in Lynnwood, but the City Council candidates largely agree that more is needed. Prices are rising, and people are getting priced out. Whoever voters choose in this election will help determine how the city moves forward.
Lynnwood Council candidates have big ideas for their fast-growing city
Lynnwood is one of the region’s fastest-growing cities, and a second light rail station slated to open by the city’s Alderwood Mall promises further expansion.
knkx.org
Two years after a wildfire took everything, Maui homeowners are facing a new threat: Foreclosure. grist.org/housing/two-... #Maui #Hawaii #Wildfire #Homes #Housing
Two years after a wildfire took everything, Maui homeowners are facing a new threat: Foreclosure
A Native Hawaiian mother’s fight to keep her family in Lāhainā despite soaring costs, mortgage limbo, and land-hungry investors eager to own a piece of Hawaiʻi.
grist.org
It's the first day of the fall fund drive and we want to meet our goal in just *one hour* so we can reduce interruptions and keep you connected on the news you need and the jazz you love. Best of all, every gift is matched! Help us speed through this drive with a gift now. www.knkx.org/donate
The City of #Olympia plans to reopen the building by 2027 and provide affordable rental space for eight nonprofit organizations.
Olympia renovating Armory building to house local nonprofits
The City of Olympia plans to reopen the building by 2027 and provide affordable rental space for eight nonprofit organizations.
knkx.org
We got big project out today about Chicago’s lead pipes. The news is we mapped them all. The big idea is that Chicago residents are living through a public health crisis, and we wanted to help them visualize their place in it. @grist.org @wbez.org @insideclimatenews.org @chicago.suntimes.com
another installment in the incredible Chicago lead series is up - from @juanpab.bsky.social @compatibilism.bsky.social @keertigopal.bsky.social et al. Clear, revelatory reporting + tools for people living there to find out more and get tests. (@grist.org @insideclimatenews.org @wbez.org)
Grist@grist.org · 11mo agoChicago has the most lead pipes in the nation. We mapped them all. Here's what the data reveals about who's most at risk. grist.org/accountabili... #Maps #IL #Chicago #Illinois #Lead #Toxic #Pollution #Health #Children
A warning coordination meteorologist in Gaylord walked us through some of the basics of weather alerts in MI (for @iprnews.bsky.social and @grist.org)
How severe weather alerts work in northern Michigan
After the deadly floods in Texas, a National Weather Service meteorologist explains how northern Michiganders get warnings and alerts when bad weather strikes our region.
interlochenpublicradio.org
Please share. You could save a life! 🥰 Extreme Heat 101🥵: Your guide to staying safe and keeping cool Advice on keeping kids, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers healthy and happy in a heat emergency. grist.org/extreme-heat... #Heat #Health #Wellness #Midwest #Climate #Weather #Environment
Extreme Heat 101: Your guide to staying safe and keeping cool
Advice on keeping kids, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers healthy and happy in a heat emergency.
grist.org
Public comment ends June 30 for the Army Corps’ draft environmental review of the Line 5 tunnel. (teamed up with the incredible Teresa Homsi for this brief overview @iprnews.bsky.social / WCMU / @grist.org )
A guide to the federal review of the Line 5 tunnel
The review is a major step toward a permitting decision on the controversial proposal to build a tunnel underneath the Straits of Mackinac. The last day for the public to comment is June 30.
interlochenpublicradio.org
The Trump administration has quietly proposed closing the Chemical Safety Board. “Closing the CSB will mean more accidents at chemical plants, more explosions and more deaths,” a former board member said. veritenews.org/2025/06/13/t...
Trump plan to shut down chemical safety watchdog could mean ‘more explosions, more deaths’ in Cancer Alley - Verite News New Orleans
The proposed closure of the Chemical Safety Board follows several other moves by the Trump administration to slash EPA staffing levels and ease federal health and safety regulations.
veritenews.org
The first of this week’s listener qs about energy, climate and how it fits into our lives for @iprnews.bsky.social / @grist.org (running on local airwaves during @npr.org climate solutions week)
Climate Solutions Week: Utilities
Today we have a question about what's getting in the way of municipal utilities doing more around climate.
interlochenpublicradio.org
It’s the latest in a series of smoky springs/summers here brought on by wildfires in Canada (this cover pic is from Traverse City in 2023).
Smoke expected to lift in northern Michigan, but more could be on the way
This is the latest in a series of intense wildfire seasons in Canada — and smoky springs and summers in the Midwest.
interlochenpublicradio.org
