The Enchantments are one of Washington State’s most popular hiking destinations. But right now, the alpine wilderness area is far from the pristine escape visitors are hoping for. Bathroom pits are overflowing, there’s garbage on the trails, and it’s overcrowded. There’s only one forest ranger to patrol more than 900 miles of terrain in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The problems stem from federal budget cuts. Seattle Times outdoors reporter Gregory Scruggs is here to tell us more.

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Only a King County Council vote can make First Hill's proposed behavioral health center a reality, last week's rain slowed the Bear Gulch Fire, and the first WNBA statue is in Seattle and is of Sue Bird.

It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

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Meaningful Day was a Washington State program that was considered a major success since it started ten years ago. It provided outings, workshops and other enriching activities for about a thousand residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

But the need for severe budget cuts erased all of Meaningful Day’s funding. We look at what that means for caretakers and residents.

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Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

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