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Campaign ads, tiny houses, and whale watching this week

caption: Kevin Schofield, Monica Nickelsberg, Bill Radke, and Angela Garbes
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Kevin Schofield, Monica Nickelsberg, Bill Radke, and Angela Garbes
KUOW PHOTO/SARAH LEIBOVITZ

Bill Radke reviews the week's news with Kevin Schofield, writer and editor for Seattle City Council Insight, Monica Nickelsburg, civic editor at Geekwire, and Angela Garbes, author of "Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy."

The Washington state general election is just over a week away, and political advertisements are out in full force. And they're getting into trouble.

A staffer at the Stranger filed a complaint about an ad that ran on his own paper. Grindr users logged on to find anti-Kshama Sawant campaign ads. And Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook won't fact check political advertisements. Should Washington require companies to regulate campaign ads?

Speaking of regulations, should we regulate political action committees? And should presidential candidates be commenting on local city council elections?

Also, the city is looking into providing childcare for workers at town hall. Is it a business' responsibility to provide childcare for workers?

Plus, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that state employee birth dates are public record. Is that a breach of privacy? Or a tactic for weakening unions?

City Council member Kshama Sawant proposes moving money from the city's navigation team to more tiny house villages. Is that an effective strategy for fighting homelessness?

Finally, the federal government is considering stronger regulations on whale watching. Why haven't we already banned whale watching, and what would it take for us to do so?

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