Men are reading less and less, and the literary world is increasingly seeing this disappearing demographic as a crisis.

What's going on with men and reading?

I'm Katie Campbell, and on the latest episode of KUOWW's Arts and Culture podcast, Meet Me Here,

the Boys in the Boat author Daniel James Brown tells me where he goes to find compelling stories exploring masculinity,

stories that just might get men reading again. Listen to meet me here on the KUOWW app or wherever

you get your podcasts.

Hey good morning. I'm Patricia Murphy. It's Wednesday. This is Seattle now. Sometimes a hot dog isn't just a hot dog. King County Public Health says the number of

unpermitted food carts is going up with no signs of slowing down. Seattle Times food writer Jackie

Varyano is here to tell us why. But first, let's get you caught up.

We're going to start with some breaking news from Seattle now.

The show reached a big milestone this week.

Three million downloads across our episodes in 2025.

That's really something.

Now more than ever, we appreciate your support of public media and local journalism.

Honestly, we couldn't do what we do without you. So thanks for listening to Seattle now. And here's to 3 million more.

In other news, the cost of construction could be going up in Seattle. Seattle City Council Committee voted this week to increase the cost of a permit by 18%. The Seattle Times reports the move is partly a response to changing trends in development.

Fees from large developments had been subsidizing smaller projects, but those bigger projects have

been drying up. If the full council approves the new fees, it would bring in $8 to $9 million in 2026 and 27.

And Washington, Senator Maria Cantwell is asking tough questions of the Big Ten about its proposed $2.4 billion deal with a private investor.

The College Sports Conference wants to spin off its media rights and other properties

into a separate business with the investors holding a stake. Cantwell says that could have

implications for the school's tax-exempt status. She's asking a joint committee of Congress to consider

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