Sami West
@samiwest.bsky.social
Online editor/reporter at KUOW, Seattle's NPR station. 📧: [email protected]
It’s official: Seattle Public Schools has hired its next superintendent, a district leader from Michigan, to begin working on Feb. 1.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Seattle Public Schools’ new superintendent will start in February with $425,000 contract
It’s official: Seattle Public Schools has hired its next superintendent, a district leader from Michigan, to begin working on Feb. 1.
www.kuow.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:06 PM
It’s official: Seattle Public Schools has hired its next superintendent, a district leader from Michigan, to begin working on Feb. 1.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
BREAKING: An experienced district leader from Michigan is set to become the next superintendent of Seattle Public Schools.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Seattle School Board names lone superintendent finalist, a district leader recruited from Michigan
An experienced district leader from Michigan is set to become the next superintendent of Seattle Public Schools.
www.kuow.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:46 AM
BREAKING: An experienced district leader from Michigan is set to become the next superintendent of Seattle Public Schools.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Reposted by Sami West
Congress has cut federal funding for public media, putting your access to local news and programming at risk. This is the moment to join our community of supporters. You’ve depended on KUOW and NPR across the decades. Today, we’re counting on you. bit.ly/3UgOIc9
July 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Congress has cut federal funding for public media, putting your access to local news and programming at risk. This is the moment to join our community of supporters. You’ve depended on KUOW and NPR across the decades. Today, we’re counting on you. bit.ly/3UgOIc9
Reposted by Sami West
Today, Congress voted to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding for public media that had been approved earlier this year. This funding was intended to support public broadcasters through fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
KUOW statement: Congress votes to rescind public media funding
Today, Congress voted to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding for public media that had been approved earlier this year. This funding was intended to support public broadcasters through fiscal year...
www.kuow.org
July 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Today, Congress voted to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding for public media that had been approved earlier this year. This funding was intended to support public broadcasters through fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
I have a bit of ✨personal news ✨ to share: After two incredible years in Seattle, covering education at KUOW, I'm shifting gears. I've moved back home to the Twin Cities area to be closer to my family.
May 20, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I have a bit of ✨personal news ✨ to share: After two incredible years in Seattle, covering education at KUOW, I'm shifting gears. I've moved back home to the Twin Cities area to be closer to my family.
NEW: WA state's governing body for school athletics has determined that proposed rule changes for transgender student athletes would violate state law.
That means, even if the proposals pass next month, they won't take effect.
www.kuow.org/stories/prop...
That means, even if the proposals pass next month, they won't take effect.
www.kuow.org/stories/prop...
Proposal to limit transgender athletes' participation in sports blocked in Washington state
Washington state’s governing body for middle and high school athletics has determined proposed rule changes limiting how transgender students can participate in sports would violate state laws.
www.kuow.org
April 1, 2025 at 2:05 AM
NEW: WA state's governing body for school athletics has determined that proposed rule changes for transgender student athletes would violate state law.
That means, even if the proposals pass next month, they won't take effect.
www.kuow.org/stories/prop...
That means, even if the proposals pass next month, they won't take effect.
www.kuow.org/stories/prop...
Sat down with Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones, who reflected on his tenure leading Washington's largest public school district over the last four years, and why he says it's time to leave.
More here:
www.kuow.org/stories/poli...
More here:
www.kuow.org/stories/poli...
Politics and change: Why Seattle Public Schools' superintendent is stepping down
When Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones announced he’s leaving the district this fall, he said the decision came from a desire to spend time with family.
www.kuow.org
March 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Sat down with Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones, who reflected on his tenure leading Washington's largest public school district over the last four years, and why he says it's time to leave.
More here:
www.kuow.org/stories/poli...
More here:
www.kuow.org/stories/poli...
Reposted by Sami West
Reykdal called Trump's order "a cruel chaos that has been intentionally designed to promote a school privatization agenda and undo a 60-year commitment to equity and civil rights that lies at the heart of our democratic system." Read more from @samiwest.bsky.social via @kuow.org 👇
Washington schools chief blasts 'cruel chaos' of executive order to eliminate the Department of Education
Washington state’s top education official is speaking out against President Donald Trump’s long-awaited executive order calling for the dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education.
www.kuow.org
March 20, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Reykdal called Trump's order "a cruel chaos that has been intentionally designed to promote a school privatization agenda and undo a 60-year commitment to equity and civil rights that lies at the heart of our democratic system." Read more from @samiwest.bsky.social via @kuow.org 👇
Reposted by Sami West
In case you missed this over the weekend: Former Senior Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell described what it was like working for Mayor Bruce Harrell.
Monisha Harrell is breaking her silence for the first time since she left her uncle’s administration in 2023. She describes the mayor’s office as being a dog-eat-dog environment where white male advisors vied for power and influence.
Monisha Harrell breaks silence on her uncle – and former boss – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell
Monisha Harrell describes the mayor’s office as being a dog-eat-dog environment where white male advisors vied for power and influence. She said her experience, as a high-level woman ignored by the ma...
www.kuow.org
March 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
In case you missed this over the weekend: Former Senior Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell described what it was like working for Mayor Bruce Harrell.
Big news today: The leader of Seattle Public Schools is stepping down this fall.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Seattle Public Schools superintendent to step down this fall
After "much reflection and heartfelt conversations," Superintendent Brent Jones announced he's leaving the top job at Washington's largest public school district.
www.kuow.org
March 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Big news today: The leader of Seattle Public Schools is stepping down this fall.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Washington state has joined a coalition of 20 other states in a lawsuit seeking to stop President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
www.kuow.org/stories/wash...
www.kuow.org/stories/wash...
Washington state joins lawsuit against Trump's mass Department of Education cuts
Washington state has joined a coalition of 20 other states in a lawsuit seeking to stop President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
www.kuow.org
March 13, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Washington state has joined a coalition of 20 other states in a lawsuit seeking to stop President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
www.kuow.org/stories/wash...
www.kuow.org/stories/wash...
WA educators/school staffers/students/families: Have you noticed any changes — concrete policy changes, or a chilling effect — since Trump took office and began his crackdown on DEI? We want to hear from you!
www.kuow.org/stories/how-...
www.kuow.org/stories/how-...
How is Trump's crackdown on DEI affecting your school? KUOW wants to hear from you
In his first month back in the White House, President Donald Trump has already made strides toward fulfilling his campaign promise to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in American schools.
www.kuow.org
February 24, 2025 at 4:49 PM
WA educators/school staffers/students/families: Have you noticed any changes — concrete policy changes, or a chilling effect — since Trump took office and began his crackdown on DEI? We want to hear from you!
www.kuow.org/stories/how-...
www.kuow.org/stories/how-...
Washington’s top education leader says schools shouldn’t make any changes in response to the Trump administration’s recent edict to axe race-based initiatives by the end of the month.
www.kuow.org/stories/we-a...
www.kuow.org/stories/we-a...
‘We are not going backward.’ Washington schools chief tells districts to maintain DEI programs despite Trump threat
Washington’s top education leader says schools shouldn’t make any changes in response to the Trump administration’s recent edict to axe diversity initiatives by the end of the month.
www.kuow.org
February 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Washington’s top education leader says schools shouldn’t make any changes in response to the Trump administration’s recent edict to axe race-based initiatives by the end of the month.
www.kuow.org/stories/we-a...
www.kuow.org/stories/we-a...
The results from the latest “nation’s report card” are out — and it’s not pretty.
Washington students have not bounced back from the academic declines of the pandemic, and the state’s achievement gaps are worsening, according to 2024 NAEP scores out Wednesday.
www.kuow.org/stories/the-...
Washington students have not bounced back from the academic declines of the pandemic, and the state’s achievement gaps are worsening, according to 2024 NAEP scores out Wednesday.
www.kuow.org/stories/the-...
Nation’s report card: WA student achievement gaps widen, Covid struggles continue
The results from the latest “nation’s report card” are out — and it’s not pretty. Washington students haven’t bounced back from the vast academic declines of the pandemic, and the state’s achievement ...
www.kuow.org
January 30, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The results from the latest “nation’s report card” are out — and it’s not pretty.
Washington students have not bounced back from the academic declines of the pandemic, and the state’s achievement gaps are worsening, according to 2024 NAEP scores out Wednesday.
www.kuow.org/stories/the-...
Washington students have not bounced back from the academic declines of the pandemic, and the state’s achievement gaps are worsening, according to 2024 NAEP scores out Wednesday.
www.kuow.org/stories/the-...
As schools across Washington brace for a crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump, the state’s top education official has issued new guidance on state and federal protections for immigrant students.
New from me today: www.kuow.org/stories/wash...
New from me today: www.kuow.org/stories/wash...
Washington schools chief issues new guidance on protecting immigrant students
As schools across Washington brace for a crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump, the state’s top education official has issued new guidance on state and federal protections for immigran...
www.kuow.org
January 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM
As schools across Washington brace for a crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump, the state’s top education official has issued new guidance on state and federal protections for immigrant students.
New from me today: www.kuow.org/stories/wash...
New from me today: www.kuow.org/stories/wash...
Parents and staff from schools that had been on the chopping block say they're relieved. But they're nervous for what's ahead — whether it's closures in years to come, or their beloved schools being gutted by budget cuts.
www.kuow.org/stories/with...
www.kuow.org/stories/with...
With school cutbacks in the air, Seattle parents embrace neighborhood schools
As several Seattle schools faced the threat of closure this past year, KUOW decided to look at the role schools play in a neighborhood, and the sometimes hidden ways they knit together a community.
www.kuow.org
January 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Parents and staff from schools that had been on the chopping block say they're relieved. But they're nervous for what's ahead — whether it's closures in years to come, or their beloved schools being gutted by budget cuts.
www.kuow.org/stories/with...
www.kuow.org/stories/with...
I've heard lots of chatter-- and I'm sure you have too -- about what happens if President-elect Donald Trump makes good on campaign promises to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
I dig into that issue and what Trump 2.0 might mean for education in WA here:
www.kuow.org/stories/what...
I dig into that issue and what Trump 2.0 might mean for education in WA here:
www.kuow.org/stories/what...
What Trump's second term could mean for education in Washington
President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House has raised a lot of questions about how policies he’s pushed could affect public education.
www.kuow.org
December 12, 2024 at 9:23 PM
I've heard lots of chatter-- and I'm sure you have too -- about what happens if President-elect Donald Trump makes good on campaign promises to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
I dig into that issue and what Trump 2.0 might mean for education in WA here:
www.kuow.org/stories/what...
I dig into that issue and what Trump 2.0 might mean for education in WA here:
www.kuow.org/stories/what...
Reposted by Sami West
Do you have trouble seeing the road at night in Seattle when it's dark and wet?
Seattle Now is working on an episode about road visibility.
Tell us about your experiences and what the culprits are!
Give us a call at 206 616 6746 and leave us a voicemail.
@kuow.org
Seattle Now is working on an episode about road visibility.
Tell us about your experiences and what the culprits are!
Give us a call at 206 616 6746 and leave us a voicemail.
@kuow.org
December 6, 2024 at 6:19 PM
Do you have trouble seeing the road at night in Seattle when it's dark and wet?
Seattle Now is working on an episode about road visibility.
Tell us about your experiences and what the culprits are!
Give us a call at 206 616 6746 and leave us a voicemail.
@kuow.org
Seattle Now is working on an episode about road visibility.
Tell us about your experiences and what the culprits are!
Give us a call at 206 616 6746 and leave us a voicemail.
@kuow.org
Updated story: The Seattle School Board has unanimously approved Superintendent Brent Jones' withdrawal of plans to close four elementary schools. Parents at those schools are celebrating.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Seattle Public Schools drops contentious closure plan following months of waffling amid backlash
Seattle Public Schools’ plan to shutter four schools next fall is dead — at least for now.
www.kuow.org
November 27, 2024 at 4:54 AM
Updated story: The Seattle School Board has unanimously approved Superintendent Brent Jones' withdrawal of plans to close four elementary schools. Parents at those schools are celebrating.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Reposted by Sami West
The United States now has:
• 45,020 reporters
• 275,550 public relations specialists
For every reporter, there are now six PR people.
(data via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• 45,020 reporters
• 275,550 public relations specialists
For every reporter, there are now six PR people.
(data via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
November 18, 2024 at 5:10 PM
The United States now has:
• 45,020 reporters
• 275,550 public relations specialists
For every reporter, there are now six PR people.
(data via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• 45,020 reporters
• 275,550 public relations specialists
For every reporter, there are now six PR people.
(data via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Breaking: Seattle Public Schools’ plan to shutter four schools next fall is dead — at least for now.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Seattle's school closure plan is dead — for now
Seattle Public Schools’ plan to shutter four schools next fall is dead — at least for now.
www.kuow.org
November 26, 2024 at 2:50 AM
Breaking: Seattle Public Schools’ plan to shutter four schools next fall is dead — at least for now.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
So this happened last night: In a stunning reversal, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said Tuesday he may not recommend closing schools, after all.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
Seattle may not close elementary schools, after all
In a stunning reversal, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said Tuesday he may not recommend closing schools, after all.
www.kuow.org
November 20, 2024 at 11:39 PM
So this happened last night: In a stunning reversal, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said Tuesday he may not recommend closing schools, after all.
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...
www.kuow.org/stories/seat...