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Retired USGS geologist Brian Atwater on Seattle's Duwamish River at dusk. He often explores the area at low tide looking for signs of geological activity.
Parker Miles Blohm / KNKX

Decoding earthquake history: How geologists find fossilized clues in sediment

Twenty years ago this Sunday, the Nisqually earthquake rattled the region. It registered 6.8 on the Richter scale and shook for 40 seconds. The damage was significant. Bricks flew. It caused cracks in the Capitol dome in Olympia and sealed the fate of Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct as well as many older buildings in Pioneer Square. But it was nowhere near as drastic as some of the other possible geological scenarios that could lead to truly devastating shaking.

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The facade of the building that housed the Fenix Cafe in Seattle's Pioneer Square crumbled following an earthquake Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2001, in Seattle.
Elaine Thompson / The Associated Press file

LISTEN: Reporters 'rock and roll' through 2001 Nisqually earthquake

Vials for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are displayed on a tray at a clinic set up by the New Hampshire National Guard in the parking lot of Exeter, N.H., High School, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021,
Charles Krupa / The Associated Press

Seattle creates standby list to distribute extra COVID-19 vaccine doses

In Puget Sound area, not all students will return to classrooms this school year

By • 20 hours ago
Secondary students in the Lake Washington School District will continue with remote learning for the rest of the school year, the superintendent said this week.
Lake Washington School District

Some districts in the Puget Sound region say they will not be expanding in-person learning to all students this school year. That includes the Edmonds and Lake Washington districts.

Black History Month: Robert Flack and Quiana Lynell's "Trying Times"

By • 21 hours ago
Roberta Flack, 1976
By Atlantic Records / Public Domain

In 1969, Roberta Flack debuted with her album “First Takes.”  It included her version of a song written by Donny Hathaway, “Trying Times,” which addressed the civil disorder of the era.

What happens next? The fallout from controversial remarks, resignation of Mariners CEO Kevin Mather

By • Feb 26, 2021
Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press

It was a stressful first week of spring training for the Seattle Mariners. The team's president and CEO Kevin Mather resigned Monday after controversial comments he made to a Bellevue Rotary club went viral. KNKX sports commentator Art Thiel talked about the fallout with Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick. 

What could you do with a few seconds warning that an earthquake was coming?

By • Feb 25, 2021

Smartphone users who opted in to a test of the West Coast earthquake early warning system got an early taste on Thursday of what is to come. Mobile phones from Seattle to Olympia blared with an alarm for imaginary incoming shaking. The earthquake warning system -- already operational in California -- will launch for the general public in Oregon on March 11 and statewide in Washington in May.

Law enforcement needs 'culture change,' says King Co. Council chair

By • Feb 25, 2021
Kyle Fox / KNKX

This is part two of a conversation KNKX had with Claudia Balducci, chair of the King County Council. Listen to part one, which focuses on housing and homelessness.

In November, voters approved a change to the King County charter. The sheriff would be appointed, not elected. Under the change, the county executive will appoint the sheriff, and the King County Council will confirm the appointment.

Inslee presses pause on rollbacks in reopening plan, offers no info on Phase 3

By Rachel La Corte; The Associated Press • Feb 25, 2021
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during a news conference on Nov. 30, 2020, at the Capitol in Olympia.
Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said none of the state’s regions will revert back to more restrictive COVID-19 requirements under the state’s economic reopening plan under a pause in potential rollbacks the Democratic governor announced Thursday amid dropping case counts.

State Supreme Court strikes down felony drug possession law

By • Feb 25, 2021
Small baggies of suspected crystal methamphetamine.
Miami Police Department / The Associated Press file

In a decision with implications for tens of thousands of cases dating back decades, the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the state’s felony drug possession law because — unlike the laws of every other state — it did not require prosecutors to prove someone knowingly or intentionally possessed drugs.

Quincy Jones discovered love of music in Bremerton, and the city wants to honor him

By • Feb 25, 2021
Quincy Jones speaks at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Chris Pizzello / Invision/AP file

Legendary musician and producer Quincy Jones might have a street named in his honor. The City of Bremerton is seeking public input on the proposal.

Jones lived in Bremerton in the 1940s in a racially segregated wartime housing project. That's where his love for music began.

Black History Month: Maceo Parker's idol, Ray Charles

By • Feb 25, 2021
Maceo Parker at the Liri Blues Festival, Italy, in 2009.
Simone Quattrociocchi

Maceo Parker had many influences growing up, but Ray Charles was number one.


Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: 'This Isn't Altruism'

By • Feb 25, 2021

Costco plans to edge up its starting wage to $16 an hour starting next week, CEO W. Craig Jelinek said on Thursday, revealing plans that would propel his company ahead of most of its retail competitors.

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