The Conversation Podcast

Seattle's LGBT commission's purpose is to provide information to the Mayor, City Council, and other City departments, about issues of importance to lesbians, gays and other sexual minorities. What is the commission currently working on? Ross Reynolds talks with commission member Mac McGregor.

In his thirteenth novel "In One Person", John Irving tells the story of a bisexual man's life as a "sexual suspect," from his youth at a boys school in the 1960s to old age in 2010. It's one of his most political novels yet. Ross Reynolds asks Irving about his newest book and 44–year career.

Mitt Romney's foes say he's not a true conservative. Well, who is? What defines a conservative in 2012? Social policy? Fiscal policy?

The Seattle area is home to a large Iranian–American community — around 50,000 according to one estimate. Why did so many Iranians decide to settle in the Seattle area? What holds the community together? Dr. Nassim Assefi joins us. She's a physician specializing in women's health, a novelist and an Iranian–American.

What's it like to be a Muslim teen in the United States? Dilara Hafiz and Imran Hafiz are a mother and son team that has written a guide. They'll join us to share their valuable tips.

Businesses React To New Background–Check Proposal: Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell has sponsored a proposal to prevent employers from conducting background checks before they meet with job candidates. George Allen of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce responds on behalf of concerned Seattle business owners. Criminal Allegations In The Race For State Auditor: James Watkins, the Republican candidate for Washington state auditor, has accused his Democratic challenger Troy Kelley of fraud and theft. Watkins has launched a new campaign website with links to court documents involving Kelley and his businesses. Austin Jenkins reports. Safety At Western State Hospital, Part II: Western State Hospital in Lakewood is the largest psychiatric institution in the Pacific Northwest. In part two of KUOW's investigation, John Ryan looks at safety improvements Western has — and has not — taken in the wake of two patient deaths in April.

Jenny Durkan joins us to talk about the crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries in Seattle, shootings on the rise, and the settlement with Seattle Police over use of excessive force.

ProPublica's Paul Kiel talks with Ross Reynolds about the money behind the bank and auto industry bailouts of 2008, and how worried we should be about repayment. Then, Felix Salmon and Russell Roberts compare the economic policies of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in light of the new job numbers.

Powerful Washingtonians Address Democratic National Convention Crowd: Washington Senator Patty Murray and Costco co–founder Jim Sinegal were among a group of high–profile individuals that addressed DNC convention–goers. What did they have to say? City Councilmember Wants To Help Ex–Cons Get Jobs: A Seattle City Councilmember has proposed a new law that would make it easier for job–seekers with a criminal history to get hired. Councilman Bruce Harrell said he wants to level the playing field for ex–cons who've already served their time. Ross Reynolds talks with Harrell about his new plan. The State Of Water Quality In The Puget Sound: A new report released today brings together the best data on the environmental health of Puget Sound. So, what's the status of Washington's waterways? KUOW's Ashley Ahearn has more. The Future Of Global Health — In Math: The US is going to spend nearly $9 billion next year combating global health epidemics around the world. That may seem like a lot of money, but one of the biggest battles health workers face abroad is knowing what to fight, when to provide aid, and where to focus their attention. Ross talks to Abraham Flaxman, a UW professor who is trying to use mathematical formulas to answer these questions.

Seattle City Council Proposes Campaign Legislation: The Seattle City Council is considering legislation to curb fundraising by its own members. Backers say these measures would help restore public trust in politics. Opponents say the law is a solution in search of a problem. KUOW's Amy Radil has more. A Look Inside The Death Of Megan Templeton: In the past decade, a dozen Western State Hospital patients have killed themselves. KUOW's Jon Ryan investigates the death of Megan Templeton, a mental health patient at one of Washington's mental hospitals. Do You Have To Be A Family Man To Be President? Both candidates for president are acknowledged to be good family men. Do you have to be one now to be electable? Ross Reynolds talks with Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton.

The number of women choosing to have a midwife assist their birth is at an all–time high in the US. What does the word "midwife" conjure up for you? Do you picture women assisting a home birth? Ross talks with Michelle Grandy, director of the midwives clinic at Northwest Hospital.

Yesler Terrace Plan Passes City Council: Nearly 1200 residents of Yesler Terrace are going to be relocated after plans to tear down low–income housing and build market–rate housing were passed by the City Council. KUOW's Derek Wang reports on the future of those individuals. Wolves Back On The Chopping Block: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has re–issued the kill order for four wolves in a pack in the Northeastern corner of the state. KUOW's Ashley Ahearn reports. Japanese Government To Help American Tsunami Clean–Up: For the first time, the Japanese government says it will help to cover some of the cost of cleaning up tsunami debris on American and Canadian shores. KUOW's Tom Banse reports on the ongoing effort. Turning Troubled Schools Around: A few years ago, three struggling Seattle public schools got a huge federal grant to improve student achievement to the tune of $5.8 million. Across the country, the federal government has now awarded $4.5 billion to what it calls the nation's "persistently lowest–achieving schools." Two years into Seattle's three–year grant, KUOW's Ann Dornfeld has this progress report.

The state Auditor's Office serves the people of Washington by holding state and local government agencies to high integrity and transparency standards in accounting. Washington state has only had four state auditors over the last 108 years. Ross Reynolds talks to Troy Kelley and James Watkins, the two men running for the position.

Josh Henderson helped start Seattle's street food movement when he bought an old airstream camper and converted it into Skillet Street Food. He's been serving happy customers for five years and opened two brick and mortar restaurants. And he invented bacon jam. Ross Reynolds went to the Skillet food truck last week and talked with him about the adventures of street food.

City Council To Vote On Yesler Terrace Plan: The City Council is expected to vote this afternoon on the fate of Yesler Terrace, Seattle's oldest public housing development located on First Hill. The Seattle Housing Authority is proposing to demolish and replace Yesler Terrace with a new, dense, mixed–income development. Gas Consumption Declines In The Northwest: A survey by the website GasBuddy.com found that gasoline prices at the pump were stabilizing in the Northwest ahead of Labor Day Weekend. Unfortunately, they're stabilizing right around $4 per gallon for regular unleaded on average statewide. If it's any consolation, a study by a think tank in Seattle finds gasoline consumption in Oregon and Washington is "on a gentle downward slide." Correspondent Tom Banse reports. Scuba Diving Ban In Crater Lake National Park: Southern Oregon's Crater Lake sits in a caldera created by the collapse of a huge volcano more than 7,000 years ago. It's the nation's deepest and clearest lake, and the National Park Service is trying to assure the waters stay pristine by closing the lake to scuba divers. They say they need time to develop rules to keep invasive species out of the lake. Mark Buktenica, an aquatic ecologist at Crater Lake National Park, joins Ross to talk about the diving ban and Amelia Templeton of Earthfix shares her report. Ramtha Channeler Donates To State Democratic Party: JZ Knight of the Ramtha School of Enlightenment in southwest Washington is perhaps the Northwest's most famous new age spiritual leader. Now Knight has a new role: major political donor. She recently wrote a $50,000 check to the state Democratic Party. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins spoke with the self–described channeler. John Cage's 100th Birthday Celebration: Wednesday would have been the 100th birthday of experimental and innovative composer John Cage. Cage lived in Seattle for many years and came up with much of his music here. Ross Reynolds shares some of Cage's music, his musings on composing, and ways in which Seattle is honoring his legacy.