These days, there's so much news.

It can be hard to keep up with what it all means for you, your family, and your community.

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Listen to the Consider This podcast from NPR. Hey, good morning. It's Patricia Murphy. It's Thursday. This is Seattle now. Since Link

Light Rail began service in 2009, more than 30 pedestrians have been hit by trains after stepping into a

crossing. Less than two weeks ago, there was a collision near Othello station in the Rainer Valley.

The next week, just blocks away another collision between a light rail train and a car.

In a minute, KUOW reporter Casey Martin will explain what makes the light rail so dangerous in South Seattle and what sound transit is doing to try and make things safer.

But first, let's get you caught up.

Federal cuts imposed by the Trump administration have led to some trail closures in the northwest.

Franklin Falls and the Denny Creek Trailhead near Snowqualmie Pass are both closed. A sign posted to a barricade says it's due to the, quote, large-scale termination of Forest Service employees. Seattle Times reports 30% of the workforce in the Mount Baker-Snow-Palmy National Forest have been let go.

Later today, state lawmakers will take up a proposal to move local elections to even-numbered

years. Proponents of the chain say it will increase voter turnout and align local elections with

federal and state races. Currently, in Seattle and other cities, City Council and mayoral races are held in odd

number years. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is opposed to the change. He says it would put

too many races on a single ballot leading to voter drop-off. Today's hearing is at 4 o'clock on TVW.

And if you want your dog-o to have some more room to run around, Seattle could be getting

two new off-leash areas in existing dog parks, Athello Playground in the Rainier Valley, and West

Seattle Stadium. Seattle Parks and Rec is holding an open house later today to get neighborhood

...