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Nicole MacMaster says she still has unanswered questions about the death of her mom, Frankie "Ellen" Schmitz. She says her mother didn't get the death investigation she deserved. — Parker Miles Blohm / KNKX

Coroners in Washington lack clear oversight, leaving some families without closure

Nicole MacMaster remembers her mom, Frankie "Ellen" Schmitz, as a doting grandmother who loved to crochet. Christmastime was her favorite, and she always kept her house spotless. Nicole says she can practically smell bleach just thinking about her mom’s home, even all these years later. “She had a really good heart,” she said. Mother and daughter had their ups and downs, but they spent time together right up until the end. Nicole says she wouldn’t trade her for anything.

Republican U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Democratic challenger Carolyn Long are vying to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington. The race is seen as "flippable." — Don Ryan / Rachel La Corte / The Associated Press (file)

Climate clash: Herrera Beutler vs. Long in Washington's 3rd Congressional District

The race for state superintendent of public instruction comes at a critical time for the state’s 1.1 million schoolchildren. Pictured above: incumbent Chris Reykdal and challenger Maia Espinoza.

Pandemic-era schooling is an issue in the race for state superintendent

Artists Among Us: Tacoma artist was nurtured early on, and she wants to pay it forward

By Tracy Rector • 8 hours ago

Paige Pettibon is a multidisciplinary artist with an insatiable desire to explore all the facets of her creativity by boldly diving into wildly varied mediums. And she intends to never stop learning more. — Parker Miles Blohm / KNKX

Paige Pettibon wants Tacoma to do more — and be more — for artists.

But we’ll get back to that.

Pettibon (Salish and Black) is a multidisciplinary artist, working in mixed media, jewelry design, graphic arts, Lushootseed language and creative writing – and that’s just the beginning. She has an insatiable desire to explore all the facets of her creativity by boldly diving into wildly varied mediums. And she intends to never stop learning more.

Scientists remove first nest of 'murder hornets' in Washington state

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS • 20 hours ago

Sven Spichiger, Washington State Department of Agriculture managing entomologist, displays a canister of Asian giant hornets vacuumed from a nest in a tree behind him Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Blaine, Wash. — Elaine Thompson / The Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Workers from the state Department of Agriculture managed to destroy the first nest of so-called murder hornets discovered in the U.S. without suffering any stings or other injuries, the agency said Monday.

WA election officials bracing for last minute misinformation campaigns

By Austin Jenkins • 21 hours ago

State and local election officials in Washington sought to reassure voters Monday that robust security measures are in place to protect against interference with the general election, even as they acknowledged the likelihood that bad actors will try to sow distrust and undermine confidence in the national election results.

Group pushes for clean-energy stimulus, as fast-growing industry is hit hard by pandemic

By Bellamy Pailthorp • 22 hours ago

Gen Nashimoto, of Luminalt, installs solar panels in Hayward, Calif., on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. From New York to California, the U.S renewable energy industry is reeling from the new coronavirus pandemic — Ben Margot / The Associated Press (file)

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The clean energy sector was one of the fastest growing parts of the economy before the pandemic, and it’s been one of the hardest hit. But researchers say jobs in energy efficiency or solar or wind power are still some of the best paid.

The Fight Over Snake River Dams Is Likely Going Back To Court

By Courtney Flatt • Oct 26, 2020

The fight over salmon and dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers could be headed back to the courtroom. Conservation and fishing groups say the federal government’s newest plans to manage dams and protect salmon is inadequate. Now, they’re ready to sue.

'Hey, don’t tax our beer!' With a budget shortfall looming, WA beer lobby goes on the offensive

By Austin Jenkins • Oct 26, 2020

Coronavirus cases are spiking. A major election is looming. And Washington’s legislative session is still two months away. But Washington’s beer lobby has a message for top elected officials that apparently can't wait.

Pianist Overton Berry remembered on Jazz Northwest

By Jim Wilke • Oct 25, 2020

Pianist Overton Berry played all over the world but he always called Seattle home, and Seattle jazz fans were proud to call him one of our own. When he passed at the age of 84 last Monday, he was one of the last of popular Seattle jazz artists from "The Jackson Street Era" that included Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Floyd Standifer, Buddy Catlett, Jabo Ward and others. His career developed around the time of the Seattle World's Fair, when he played at The House of Entertainment, Dave's Fifth Avenue, the Marine Room at the Olympic Hotel and the Doubletree Inn.

Music, Vol. 6: Sound Effect, Episode 214

By Kari Plog • Oct 24, 2020

This week on Sound Effect, it’s all about music. We take a look back at some of our favorite stories about musicians, their work and what inspired it. First, we meet a software engineer who created a map of Seattle bands and their connections. Then, a bassist for the band Great Grandpa discusses the intersection of nursing and art.

An indie-rock essay on dementia from Seattle-based band, 'Great Grandpa'

By Gabriel Spitzer & Allie Ferguson • Oct 24, 2020

This story originally aired on November 16, 2019.

The sheer physicality of aging and dying are things we try not to think about, so it’s especially striking when these subjects turn up in unexpected places — say, your indie rock playlist.

Bullying motivated this country star to excel on the field and on the stage

By Kevin Kniestedt • Oct 24, 2020

This story originally aired on November 22, 2019.

At first glance, “hidden” is not the word you’d use for Chance McKinney’s talents. As an athlete in high school and college, he got plenty of recognition.

“I got a track scholarship to throw (javelin), and went to a Pac-12 school...I mean I kept qualifying for the Olympic trials,” said McKinney.

But this very capable guy has a whole other set of gifts that weren’t so obvious. They emerged years later, when he was teaching high school math in Mukilteo.

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Featured Studio Session

Nate Wood of Kneebody. — Parker Miles Blohm / KNKX

Kneebody gets comfortable in the KNKX studios

Having just flown in that day from Vancouver, the four men of Kneebody settled into the KNKX studios to briefly catch their breath and play a few songs. Their new album Chapters comes out Oct. 18, and their world tour is kicking into gear.

Recent Releases By Northwest Artists On Jazz Northwest

A sampling of new and recent releases by resident Northwest musicians is featured on Jazz Northwest this week. One of the most unusual is Recording Ban by Jacob Zimmerman. The title refers to the musicians' union strike against the recording companies 1942-1944. The Recording Ban occurred at a time when jazz was evolving from Swing to Bop and as a result some significant music was not played in recording studios during those years. Jacob Zimmerman zeroed in on that period for his debut...