Latest news with #KUOW
Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
States are trying to keep disasters apolitical in the new Trump era
'This decision was petty. This decision was partisan, and this decision was punishing.' Moore said. And after the Los Angeles wildfires in January, California Gov. Gavin Newsom was quick to propose that politics could play a role in Trump's approval or denial of funding for his state. 'He's done it in the past, not just here in California,' Newsom said on Pod Save America. 'The rhetoric is very familiar, it's increasingly acute, and obviously we all have reason to be concerned about it.' A review by Seattle-based public radio station KUOW in June found that FEMA denied six of the 10 major disaster requests that Democratic states filed between February and June, while denying just one of 15 requests from Republican states. Asked about the analysis, a White House official said that 'Democrat state requests were denied in the first six months because they were not disasters. In the past, states have abused the process. President Trump is right-sizing FEMA and ensuring it is serving its intended purpose to help the American people.' Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs became the rare governor to criticize the federal government's disaster management in mid-July when she called for an investigation following a destructive fire on federal land that burned down a beloved Grand Canyon lodge. Hobbs said that she does not intend her call for an investigation to be viewed as a criticism of the Trump administration. 'I don't, and I think it's really important,' Hobbs said in an interview, adding that good working relationships between officials managing tribal, federal and state land are key. 'This is not intended to undermine that collaboration, but … we need to look at what led to that decision being made.' Steve Ellis, former deputy director of the Bureau of Land Management who worked for the agency and the U.S. Forest Service under multiple administrations, said that any federal agency involved in managing a fire of the magnitude and destructiveness as the one in the Grand Canyon should be launching an investigation without a governor's need to call for it.
Axios
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Washington public media faces funding challenges
Seattle's local public media stations pull in millions of dollars in donations a year, but farther out, other Washington outlets rely more heavily on federal support, according to new data. Why it matters: Public media outlets like KUOW, KCTS and KEXP play vital roles in community journalism and emergency alerts, but the Trump administration and others on the right have long accused them of left-leaning bias — and federal funding cuts could threaten their viability. By the numbers: Federal CPB grants made up just 10.3% of public TV revenue and 4.1% of radio revenue in fiscal 2023 — and an even slimmer slice for some of Seattle's biggest stations, per data compiled by former NPR staffer Alex Curley on his blog, Semipublic. Yes, but: They're a lifeline for smaller stations across Washington. In Seattle, CPB covers 7.6% of KCTS' budget, 4.2% for KUOW, and 3.5% for KEXP. Outside the metro area, CPB funds cover 34.3% of KSVR's $299,000 budget in Mount Vernon, 19.6% of KSPS's $6.8 million in Spokane, and 14.3% of KBTC's $5.8 million budget in Tacoma. How it works: The funding breakdown is based on 2023 data collected from station websites by Curley. Location and financial data comes from station filings with the CPB. Some may be physically located elsewhere in Washington, or operate as part of a larger regional group. What's happening: Amid uncertainty over federal support, several stations like KUOW, KCTS, and KSPS have ramped up fundraising campaigns.
CBC
09-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Fewer Canadian Blue Jays fans are crossing the border to watch the Seattle game
Kim Malcolm, the host of All Things Considered from NPR affiliate station KUOW, says plenty of Canadians usually cross the border to see Seattle-hosted baseball games between the Blue Jays and the Mariners, but Seattle residents are seeing less Canadian tourist traffic for the May 9 game. She tells BC Today host Michelle Eliot about businesses that have spoken to her about a decline in tourism that is coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump's border rhetoric.
Newsweek
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Pro-Trump Green Card Holder Was Arrested by ICE After Over 30 Years in US
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sergey Kostenyuk, a green card holder who has been living in the U.S. for over three decades and has been a supporter of President Donald Trump, was arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for two months. Newsweek has reached out to Kostenyuk and his partner Mary Loisate via Facebook Messenger on Friday. Newsweek has also emailed an attorney at the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project and ICE for comment on Friday. Why It Matters Kostenyuk's February arrest and subsequent two-months long detention came amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, during which people with valid documentation—including green cards or visas—have been detained and face legal jeopardy. President Donald Trump vowed to prevent illegal immigrants with criminal histories or backgrounds from entering and staying in the U.S. He has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history and has detained and deported thousands of people in recent months. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) says that a green card holder has the right to live permanently in the U.S. provided they do not commit any actions that "would make you removable under immigration law." This includes breaking laws and not filing taxes. Kostenyuk is a vocal supporter of President Trump, with his partner, Mary Loisate, telling local NPR affiliate KUOW that he owns numerous Trump flags and posters. What To Know Kostenyuk came to the United States over thirty years ago, telling KUOW he arrived as a child refugee from Ukraine. He has since held a green card making him a legal permanent resident. The couple have two sons and live outside of Spokane, Washington, where they make and sell backyard sheds and chicken coops. In mid-February, some Facebook users had messaged and inquired about seeing sample coops. However, when those individuals arrived, they turned out to be undercover ICE officials, Loisate told KUOW, and subsequently arrested Kostenyuk. Loisate is a U.S. citizen. "Sergey was picked up from immigration Saturday February 15, 2025," a post on what appears to be Kostenyuk's Facebook page reads. Loisate, who faults Trump and his immigration policies for Kostenyuk's two-month detention, says her partner was a Trump supporter, telling KUOW: "You should see his garage, there's nothing but Trump flags everywhere and posters everywhere. I took them all down out of the yard. I'm not happy about it at all." (L): An aerial view of Detainees exercising in an outdoor recreation area at the Northwest ICE Processing Center on May 2, 2025 in Tacoma, Washington. (R): President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in front of... (L): An aerial view of Detainees exercising in an outdoor recreation area at the Northwest ICE Processing Center on May 2, 2025 in Tacoma, Washington. (R): President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in front of the West Wing of the White House, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Washington. More/AP Photo/Alex Brandon She said he was specifically supportive of the president's immigration policies, saying "he's against people coming in illegally." Kostenyuk was convicted in 2018 of two felony theft charges involving a stolen television and tools that he later pawned. He pleaded guilty, was ordered to pay restitution, served six days in jail and received three years of probation, according to KUOW. Loisate described the difficulties of living and managing the family without Kostenyuk. He was held in detention at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington. Loisate expressed fears over if he was deported to Ukraine, a place his family left decades ago and is embroiled in a war with Russia. Amanda Ng, an attorney with Northwest Immigrant Rights Project who was representing Kostenyuk told KUOW that "he shouldn't have been in proceedings at all." Kostenyuk was released in late-April. What People Are Saying Amanda Ng, an attorney with Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, said about the case: "The bigger picture here is that, with these new arrest quotas, it's kind of indiscriminate. I think Sergey was fortunate to get out, but there are many people who are still in detention and shouldn't be." Michael Mehr, an attorney for Cliona Ward, a green card holder who was detained for two weeks, told Newsweek on Thursday: "This is an example of the overreach of the new Trump deportation plan which sweeps up even lawful permanent residents like Cliona Ward. She was not a danger to anyone. She was, in fact, the primary care-giver for her chronically ill son and a long time and valued employee at a Christian conference center. She had resided in the U.S. since she was 12 years only thing Trump's administration did with this escapade was to tarnish our image abroad and at home." Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin previously told Newsweek: "The Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws—something the previous administration failed to do. Those who violate these laws will be processed, detained and removed as required." What Happens Next There have been several incidents of green card holders being released from detention, including Cliona Ward, who was released on Wednesday after two weeks in ICE detention. Many have raised concerns about the Trump administration's detention and deportation practices, saying the process often lacks due process protections for individuals. Supporters say the crackdown is necessary to deter illegal immigration and remove criminals.
CBC
11-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Washington state feels the impact of dwindling Canadian visitors
Kim Malcolm, host of All Things Considered from the NPR affiliate station KUOW, says some businesses in Washington state are fielding cancellations from Canadian travellers. She tells BC Today host Michelle Eliot that Canadians can make up to 80 per cent of tourists in Seattle and King County, and the lack of international visitors could result in economic challenges.
