You're listening to NPR. You care about local politics. But it can be hard to keep track and

understand how it affects you. I'm Scott Greenstone. And I'm Libby Dankman. And on sound politics,

we talk about this and the other Washington like normal people. As normal as we can pretend to be.

We get beyond the headlines, ask the tough questions, and tie the big stories back to our own backyard.

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Good afternoon on a dreary Friday from the KUOW Newsroom. This is Seattle now. I'm Paige Browning

with a roundup of today's top stories. We're nearly at the end of January. It's Friday, January 30th.

A nationwide protest against the Trump administration is visible throughout Seattle today. Students from elementary

school on up to college walked out of classes to protest at noon. About 200 students rallied at the

University of Washington's Red Square earlier this afternoon. They called for ICE activity to stop. And student organizer

Brea Lewis says protesters also want to ensure Udub does not give student records over to ice.

Universities all across the nation, including the University of Washington, will often say things

publicly to make themselves look good and they won't actually

follow up on it. And part of our job is to keep them accountable. We'll update when UW officials

give a response. Across town, dozens of businesses in Seattle are closed today as part of the broader

national shutdown protest. Hood Famous Bake shop, Pegas's book exchange,

and the clothing store Glasswing are among those closed, and the Seattle Art Museum, which planned

to stay open today and let people in for free, but it was forced to close because of staff shortages.

Nearly 100 other businesses have said they are donating a portion of today's

profits rather than shutting their doors, including Spice Walla, Cafe Flora, and West Seattle Grounds.

The founder of a popular Seattle baking club is using his passion for pastries to bring local

businesses together in a push to raise money for immigrants.

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