KNKX | Your Connection To Jazz, Blues And NPR News

Take the Mic: A Tacoma 7th-grader shares a day in the life of online school

Roll out of bed, turn on your laptop, wander to the kitchen to get food during class – online school during a pandemic is pretty different from regular school. And while some districts are in the process of bringing the youngest kids back to classrooms, the majority of older students will continue learning from home for the time being.

Smoke rises as police clash with protesters during a protest near the Seattle Police East Precinct headquarters in Seattle on July 25, 2020. — Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press file

Reports: Seattle police violated policies at summer protests

A nurse administers the COVID-19 vaccine to a patient at a recent clinic. — Urban Indian Health Institute

COVID vaccine greeted with suspicion among some indigenous groups

Orcas return to British Columbia spot where they haven't been seen since 1995

By Craig McCulloch • 10 hours ago

A5 pod is seen with a new calf on Jan. 4, 2021. — Jared Towers / Fisheries and Oceans Canada

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Craig McCulloch reports on orcas' return to Fife Sound in British Columbia.

A pod of orcas has returned to a part of British Columbia where they have not been seen for years.

National Guard and private companies like Starbucks, Microsoft to help speed vaccinations in WA

By Austin Jenkins • 23 hours ago

The state of Washington, hamstrung as many states have been by a slow distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, will deploy the National Guard, set up mass vaccination sites and create a new public-private partnership to lead a renewed effort to get the vaccine into the arms of people.

The move comes as the state prepares to immediately advance to the next phase of people eligible for a vaccination beyond health care workers, first responders and those living and working in nursing homes.

Join Us For Our First Virtual School Of Jazz Studio Session

By KNKX Public Radio • Jan 18, 2021

Some of the most resilient musicians finding ways to keep music alive during COVID-19 are local jazz students. The kids are alright—and KNKX is proud to bring you our first virtual School of Jazz studio session with the Red Combo from Seattle Academy (SAAS) on Thursday, January 28 at 7 p.m., hosted by Abe Beeson. REGISTER HERE. The event is pre-recorded and will be live streamed on Zoom. We invite you to join the live chat during the event.

Bringing Martin Luther King's legacy to life through poetry

By Erin Slomski-Pritz • Jan 18, 2021

The Washington State Historical Society is collaborating with Write253 on a poetry event to honor Martin Luther King Jr. — Washington State Historical Society

In Tacoma, the observation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day is typically marked by celebrations, workshops and performances across the city. But this year, civic-minded organizations are finding ways to engage participants from a distance. The Washington State Historical Society, in collaboration with literary arts organization Write253, is doing this through poetry.

New Ryan Burns album debuts on Jazz Northwest

By Jim Wilke • Jan 17, 2021

While the pandemic precluded most live music last year, Ryan Burns recorded seven singles over six months with a variety of personnel and locations. The singles have been collected in an album titled "Postponed Parade." Ryan Burns composed all the music and plays piano, electric keyboard and organ on various tracks in the album issued on vinyl and CD. Two selections from the recent album are featured on this week's Jazz Northwest. Also, on this week's show are selections by The Endemic Ensemble. Kelley Johnson, Steve Treseler Group and others.

Report lays out bleak picture of Northwest salmon 'teetering on the brink of extinction'

By Courtney Flatt & Bellamy Pailthorp • Jan 15, 2021

Coho salmon spawn on the Salmon River in northwestern Oregon. — Bureau of Land Management / Courtesy University of Washington News and Information

Washington’s salmon are “teetering on the brink of extinction,” according to a new report. It says the state must change how it’s responding to climate change and the growing number of people in Washington.

Loren Culp drops election fraud suit after sanction threats

By The Associated Press • Jan 15, 2021

Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp smiles while greeting supporters at a rally Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Mount Vernon, Wash. — Elaine Thompson / The Associated Press

Losing Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp has withdrawn his lawsuit against Secretary of State Kim Wyman that alleged widespread election irregularities and fraud.

Mile-long line of cars as drive-thru vaccination clinic opens for seniors in Sequim

By Tom Banse • Jan 15, 2021

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Hundreds of elderly drivers put their cars in line way before dawn for the opening day of a first come, first serve drive-thru COVID vaccination clinic in Sequim, Washington. The scene provided a dramatic illustration of eagerness among many seniors to get the coveted shots. Hospitals in other medium-sized and smaller Washington communities that have opened vaccination appointment lines to all seniors in recent days report being swamped as well.

Federal probe to examine whether Seattle Schools failed special ed students during pandemic

The U.S. Department of Education has launched a probe of what it called “disturbing reports” regarding Seattle Public Schools’ alleged failure to provide specialized instruction to students with disabilities during the pandemic.

Overdose deaths hit new two-week high in King County

By Bellamy Pailthorp • Jan 15, 2021

Health officials say fatal overdoses in King County have increased sharply over the last two weeks. The Medical Examiner's Office has identified 42 suspected or confirmed overdoses for the period ending Jan. 9.

Officials say it’s the highest number ever recorded in a two-week period in King County.