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KBTC's Weekly Public Affairs Show - Friday at 7:30pm

Northwest Now is KBTC's weekly public affairs television show hosted by veteran journalist Tom Layson. Now in its 16th season, Northwest Now takes a closer look at the issues and people who are part of Western Washington. 

 

WATCH LIVE| Friday nights at 7:30pm on KBTC and the KBTC Livestream.  

STREAM | Available here and on-demand on the free PBS App.  

LISTEN | Listen here, download, or find episodes at Apple Podcasts.

 

Explore the Northwest Now Collection  

Northwest Now Digital Extra | Northwest Now Digital FirstOpen Government | Saving the Salmon |Specials

Federal Funding Update (6/13):  The House just passed a bill to take back already approved funding for two years of funding for public media. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who raised their voice to stand by PBS and KBTC. The bill now moves to the Senate which has until mid-July to act. Here's how you can help – voice your support by contacting your senators at ProtectMyPublicMedia.org

Northwest Now Host - Tom Layson 

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Tom Layson is KBTC's Managing Editor and worked in Yakima, Terre Haute, Louisville, Sacramento, Columbus, and New York-New Jersey. Tom anchored 13 hours of live coverage in the NY/NJ market during 9-11 - just one example of the many thousands of hours he’s been on set or in the field covering politics, natural disasters, courts and crime, economic development, personal finance and the environment the past 40 years. Tom grew up in the Maple Valley area and is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University.

Friday at 7:30pm

The Western Flyer

A local crew of boat builders restores a long-lost piece of Western Washington history that will serve to educate a new generation of scientists about the health of our oceans

The latest from Northwest Now

Real Estate 2025 - May 9

Sellers still in control.

Northwest Now
Port of Tacoma - May 2

Managing through a trade war.

Northwest Now
D.C. Reaction - April 25

Local lawmakers wrestle with uncertainty.

Coming Up

6/20 | Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release (Encore) A look at the Northwest's guitar-making industry. Find out how local enthusiasts ply their trades to make those musicians you love sound so good. Stream now >

6/27 | The Lost Salmon (Encore) A discussion with a local producer of a documentary that looks at the danger of losing Spring Chinook salmon forever. Stream now >

7/4 | Racing into the Past (Encore) A local group of classic racing enthusiasts race for sport, hobby, and community. Stream now >

Northwest Now's 2024-25 Season

Real Estate 2025 - May 9

Sellers still in control.

Port of Tacoma - May 2

Managing through a trade war.

D.C. Reaction - April 25

Local lawmakers wrestle with uncertainty.

Scott Stulen - April 18

Leading the Seattle Art Museum.

Vanishing Seattle - April 11

Documenting the people and places of the past.

Tuition Guarantee - April 4

A pathway to college.

Ryan Mello - March 28

Meet the new Pierce County Executive.

Street Drug Chemicals - March 21

A bad problem getting worse.

Open Government 2025 - March 14

Your Right To Know In Jeopardy.

Karen Fraser - March 7

Women's History Month 2025.

Opportunity Knocks - February 21

Reality TV leveraged for good.

Brandon Bird - February 14

Putting history into context.

Cyber Security - February 7

Fighting a losing battle?

Germ & Worm - January 24

Battling the real travel bugs.

Tacoma-Pierce Economy 2025 - January 17

A trade war looms.

JM Simpson - January 10

Documenting the unhoused.

Puget Sound Revels - December 13

Culture and history come together in theatre.

Dark Tide - December 6

Ted Bundy's cousin speaks out.

Community College Bachelors Degrees - November 22

Combining the practical with the intellectual.

Makers On The Tide - November 15

The legend of the Willits canoe.

Pat Cashman - November 1

A Northwest television icon.

Saving The Source - October 25

Salmon recovery starts at 14,411 feet.

2024 Election Roundtable - October 18

Discussing the races to watch.

Let's Go Washington Ballot Initiatives - October 11

Progressive victories in the crosshairs.

Governor Race 2024 - October 11

Will the race for the Governorship in the state of Washington be competitive this time around?

6th Congressional District Race 2024 - October 4

Meet the candidates.

Attorney General Race 2024 - September 27

Who will lead the state's legal team?

Puyallup Japanese Remembrance Gallery - September 13

A memorial of remembrance.

Back To School 2024 - September 6

The race for Superintendent of Public Instruction

Joel Gamoran - August 30

The host of Homemade Live!