Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is receiving criticism from lawmakers in his own party over his shifting economic reopening plan, with a group of Pierce County Democrats threatening the possibility of a special legislative session following the governor’s recent implementation of a pause that left their county stuck in a phase with tighter COVID-19 restrictions.

In another sign that life is slowly inching its way back to normal, the Washington state Department of Corrections has announced the public will once again be able to visit their loved ones in prison, beginning on May 9.

Saxophonist Cade Sando from Cascade Christian High School in Puyallup will join Abe Beeson as virtual guest DJ tonight (May 6) on Evening Jazz. He is a sophomore and in the school's jazz band. Cade plays alto and soprano saxophone, although he prefers soprano when it comes to jazz.

The new trio W.R.D. is keyboardist Robert Walter, guitarist Eddie Roberts and drummer Adam Deitch. Their debut album, The Hit, on Roberts' Color Red Records was released last week, and you'll hear their gritty, greasy, pulpy grooves this Friday night on the KNKX modern jazz show The New Cool.

KNKX presents our next virtual School of Jazz studio session with the Tritone Jazz Trio from Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma and their mentor, saxophonist Tracy Knoop. This is a free live streamed Zoom event on May 13 at 7 p.m.  REGISTER HERE.

The King County Council took no action on a measure to prohibit the use of facial recognition technology at a committee meeting Wednesday morning, choosing to defer for two weeks.

The King County Council has solidified a plan for dramatic action against climate change. Councilmembers unanimously approved the Strategic Climate Action Plan, which paves the way for sweeping changes by 2030.