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Review: Michelle Obama, unplugged (kinda) in ‘Becoming’ doc


In the lovely new Netflix documentary “Becoming,” set around Michelle Obama’s book tour for her memoir, the former first lady makes a comment about the massive venues she’s speaking to. “What I experience in these big arenas is the power of gathering,” she says. “The shared experiences.” Not everything in film has me reflecting on […]




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Tom Hanks, who survived COVID-19, calls graduates ‘the chosen’


DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Tom Hanks says graduates of an Ohio university that named a film center after him are “the chosen ones.” The Oscar-winning actor delivered a surprise virtual speech Saturday to the graduates of Wright State University’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures. The video was posted shortly before the ceremony began. […]




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Now streaming: ‘Star Wars’ movies, ‘The Eddy,’ ‘Bloodshot,’ ‘Solar Opposites’ and more


Looking for something to stream? Here are this week's highlights.




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Maple Valley’s Zan Fiskum picked by judge John Legend to move to next round of ‘The Voice’


Fiskum destroyed an updated, slow-fast version of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” on the NBC singing competition show on Monday night.




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TV broadcaster Sinclair fined $48 million over Tribune deal


The federal government has fined Sinclair Broadcasting Corp. $48 million, largely because of actions the TV broadcaster took in its failed attempt to acquire smaller rival Tribune Media. Sinclair in 2017 proposed a $3.9 billion deal for Tribune’s TV stations, attempting to extend its reach into new markets. The deal fell apart that August, and […]




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Celebrate Mother’s Day and more with these weekend activities


Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.




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Twitch is developing talk shows and dating programs for gamers


Twitch, the online video site popular among gamers, is looking for its version of “The Bachelor.” The company plans to fund a slate of original, unscripted series that would be live and interactive, airing two to three times a week, according to an internal document seen by Bloomberg. Its preferred genres are game shows, dating […]




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The ‘woman in the red dress’ started a Mount St. Helens climbing tradition on Mother’s Day that endures today. Meet trailblazer Kathy Phibbs


Every Mother's Day, climbers flock to Mount St. Helens in festive dresses in the continuation of a tradition started by 'the woman in the red dress.' This Mother's Day, a new mini-documentary from OPB tells the story of Kathy Phibbs, a gifted alpinist who paved the way for a more inclusive outdoors community — and pink flamingos on mountain summits.




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Hunt is on for giant, bee-killing hornet in Washington state


The Asian giant hornet, the world’s largest hornet and an invasive species first documented in the state late last year, can attack and kill a honey bee colony in a few hours. The Washington Department of Agriculture confirmed the first two sightings of the predator in December, and also reported two unconfirmed but probable sightings. […]




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Aircraft to spray insecticide for invasive moths in Everett, Woodway


The $300,000 effort could take place between now and June depending on weather conditions and the moths' hatching season, officials said.




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U District, Ballard farmers markets will reopen this weekend despite coronavirus


The markets, which had been closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, will open with new rules.




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Farm unions sue Washington state in push for safer work conditions amid coronavirus pandemic


The suit, filed Thursday in Skagit County Superior Court, seeks an injunction requiring state agencies to expedite and toughen their oversight through emergency rulemaking.




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Trump Announces a $19 Billion Bailout for Ailing Farmers


(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump announced a $19 billion bailout package for farmers hurt financially by the coronavirus crisis. The aid plan includes $16 billion in direct payments to farmers to boost their incomes, along with $3 billion in government purchases of meat, dairy products and other foods, the president said Friday at a White […]




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As coronavirus cases in Yakima Valley agriculture spike, advocates for growers and workers react differently to new state guidelines


Yakima County health officials said they have identified 70 COVID-19 cases among farm and fruit-packing workers. Growers consider new state safety guidelines reasonable but unions say they give employers an easy out.




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Tyson Foods idles largest pork plant as virus slams industry


IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Tyson Foods suspended operations Wednesday at an Iowa plant that is critical to the nation’s pork supply but was blamed for fueling a massive coronavirus outbreak in the region. The Arkansas-based company said the closure of the plant in Waterloo would deny a vital market to hog farmers and further […]




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Severe coronavirus outbreaks stagger some meat-packing plants in Washington


The toll on the meat processing industry has stunned some of industry's biggest players, and prompted an urgent push to redefine workplace protections needed to keep products flowing into grocery stores amid the global pandemic.




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Through coronavirus pandemic and two world wars, this Des Moines nursery keeps people planting and believing


Zenith Holland Nursery has seen times like this before — and survived. The Des Moines nursery opened in 1907, survived two world wars and remains open during the coronavirus shutdown.




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Inslee: Washington state parks, recreational fishing, golf courses to reopen May 5, amid coronavirus outbreak


Gov. Inslee announced Monday that golf and recreational fishing could resume on May 5 and many state parks and public lands will reopen as well.




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In one month, the meat industry’s supply chain broke. Here’s what you need to know.


With closures in meat processing plants across the country because of the spread of the coronavirus among workers, food analysts are forecasting shortages of beef, pork and poultry on store shelves. Here's a Q&A on what is happening to the food supply chain.




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‘Just glad we can help’: Free Idaho potatoes are feeding people at home, across U.S.


Like many farmers and ranchers in Idaho, Ryan Cranney began feeling the effects of COVID-19’s disruption in the restaurant supply chain in mid-March. What was supposed to be a good year for Cranney Farms’ crops quickly turned into a surplus he couldn’t sell. That is when he took to Facebook and put out a call […]




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Trump declares meat supply ‘critical,’ aiming to reopen plants


While companies have been drawing on stockpiles of meat in cold storage, they have warned that supplies to supermarkets could soon dwindle as plants remain closed amid illnesses. Pressure has been mounting on the Trump administration to take action.




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Early test results suggest widespread coronavirus infections at Washington state’s largest beef plant, Tyson


The plant, located in Walla Walla County, largely shut down last week amid a major outbreak that already had resulted in more than 125 workers sickened, including one who died. Since then, 56 more have tested positive, with more test results to come.




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In french fry heartland, spring turns bitter as coronavirus cuts into global demand


As global demand for french fries has slumped, potato farmers in Washington state are trying to figure out what to do with millions of pounds of tubers and avoid financial disaster.




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County has highest rate of COVID-19 cases on West Coast


SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The highest rate of coronavirus cases of any county on the U.S. West Coast is in Washington state’s Yakima County. Health experts point to a large number of essential workers, a large number of cases in long-term care facilities and a large agricultural workforce living and working in close quarters as […]




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You can still get Pike Place Market flowers for Mother’s Day, thanks to the Drive-Thru Flower Festival


Twenty of the farmers who sell at Pike Place Market are participating in Saturday's event, with pickup sites in Seattle and Renton.




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In Japan, the ‘murder hornet’ is both a lethal threat and a tasty treat


In the mountains of rural Japan, “murder hornets” are known for more than their aggression and excruciating sting. They are seen as a pleasant snack and an invigorating ingredient in drinks.




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Are you paying extra for eggs? Lawsuits accuse producers of price gouging


With Americans cooking much more at home, demand has grown for eggs — to scramble, fry, bake or crack into any number of meals. But it will cost you. The tripling in price of a dozen regular eggs in many parts of the country — to an excess of $3 — has prompted various lawsuits […]




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Pike Place Market’s Hmong flower farmers adapt during the coronavirus pandemic


“My parents have been through worse,” one farmer said. “We'll get through this.”




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Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth endures ‘second offseason’ before first season thanks to coronavirus


Sitting at his home in Florida, new Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth can only wait, like everyone else, for a return to normalcy while monitoring pitchers that are spread out across the country.




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With MLB shut down due to coronavirus, Mariners host video roundtable on Jackie Robinson Day


The Mariners have 10 African-American players on the 40-man roster — the most in MLB.




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Mariners’ Manny Acta remains mindful of Latin minor-leaguers’ plight amid coronavirus outbreak


Acta spoke candidly is issues in Dominican Republic and MLB players complaining about the proposed restart plan.




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Charitable works earn Mariners infielder Dee Gordon the 55th Hutch Award


Gordon is active in a variety of charities and community work, including victims of domestic violence.




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Get to know Jordyn Brooks, the Seahawks’ first-round NFL draft pick from Texas Tech


Instead of trading down to add more picks, the Seahawks selected linebacker Jordyn Brooks out of Texas Tech with the No. 27 overall pick. Wait, who? Allow us to explain.




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As 49ers and Cardinals impress in NFL draft, Seahawks’ road to NFC West title gets tougher


It wasn't going to be easy for the Seahawks. The NFC West was already considered the toughest in the NFL in terms of balance and strength. And Thursday's NFL first round made winning a division title just a little more difficult for Seattle.




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Get to know Darrell Taylor, the Seahawks’ second-round NFL draft pick out of Tennessee


Taylor, who has drawn comparisons to Clark by several draft analysts and scouts could bring a level of explosiveness that the defensive ends on the roster simply don't possess.




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Get to know Damien Lewis, the Seahawks’ third-round NFL draft pick out of LSU


With the 69th pick, Seattle selected guard Damien Lewis from the NCAA champion LSU Tigers. He becomes the 19th offensive lineman on the Seahawks' roster.




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NFC West roundup from Day 2 of the draft: Cardinals and Rams improve, while 49ers watch from the sidelines


Here's a look at how Day 2 of the NFL draft shook out for the rest of the NFC West.




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NFC West Day 3 roundup: Division gets scarier for Seahawks as 49ers trade for star tackle Trent Williams


The San Francisco 49ers didn't have a draft pick on Day 2 of the NFL draft, but general manager John Lynch made up for it on Day 3 by acquiring Washington Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams in a trade.




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Get to know Colby Parkinson, the Seahawks’ fourth-round NFL draft pick from Stanford


The Seahawks taking lanky tight end Colby Parkinson out of Stanford with their first fourth-round pick addresses a future and possibly current need




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Get to know Alton Robinson, the Seahawks’ fifth-round NFL draft pick from Syracuse


After trading up to take Darrell Taylor of Tennessee in the second round, the Seahawks added another defensive end with their fifth-round pick of defensive end Alton Robinson.




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Here’s what golfers should know as Washington courses prepare to reopen after coronavirus shutdown


Any course planning to reopen must comply to guidelines developed by the governor's office. The most notable will be the limit of two people per group instead of threesomes or foursomes in groups. The only exception: If all the people are from the same household, a foursome is acceptable.




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Coronavirus shutdown feels ‘kind of like the start of a lousy retirement’ for Mariners’ Tom Murphy


Murphy was supposed to be a month into an important season, his first as the Mariners' main catcher. Instead, he waits in a sort of baseball purgatory. “Yeah, I'm definitely struggling with it,” he said.




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Mariners announce ticket-refund process for games impacted by coronavirus shutdown


Single-game ticket buyers will get a refund while season-ticket holders will get credit.




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Kyle Russell is Washington’s top prep baseball player, but MLB draft may not be an option due to coronavirus shutdown


As one of the Northwest's top high-school players, he’s accepted a scholarship to play for Washington State. But under a normal circumstances, Russell and his family would be weighing another option more closely — the 2020 Major League Baseball amateur draft.




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Mariners mailbag: Not a fastball, but guessing baseball returns on July 1


Money will be the motivation to return but if anyone tells you they know what's going to happen or when the season will start, they are just guessing. Flexibility remains the best option for Major League Baseball right now.




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Mariners players to face off against fans in MLB The Show video-game tournament


Sixteen players will face 16 fans in the first round of the video game tournament, which starts on Tuesday morning.




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MLB reportedly is finalizing proposal to start season in early July after coronavirus shutdown


Major League Baseball is reportedly considering a plan of restarting spring training in early June with the season starting in early July.




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The Korean Baseball Organization is back from the coronavirus shutdown. Is this what Mariners games will look like?


The quality of the games, which include a handful of former big-league players, isn’t great. But it’s real, live baseball being broadcast by ESPN. Beyond the joy of watching baseball, these games provide a glimpse of what Mariners games and other MLB matchups might look like if/when they return.




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‘I feel so much faster this year’: High-school seniors hoping coronavirus doesn’t take their final shot at glory


The WIAA hasn't canceled the spring postseason, but if schools remain shut down there will be no state tournaments.




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All-State Basketball: Mount Si’s Jabe Mullins, Cashmere’s Hailey Van Lith named top players by Associated Press


Garfield sweeps the Class 3A state players of the year with Tari Eason and Meghan Fiso.