KIRO Newsradio Headlines: UW tests male hormonal contraceptive gel

The University of Washington Medicine is seeking additional couples to participate in a study of a male hormonal contraceptive gel.

The trial has enrolled more than 420 couples across the United States, Europe, Africa, and South America.

Men in the study apply the gel by hand to both shoulders every day. The clear gel, which looks and feels like hand sanitizer, contains testosterone and progestin — a combination of hormones that suppresses sperm concentrations.

“We know that these methods can be effective for 95% of men, if they’re used as directed,” said Dr. Stephanie Page, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the lead investigator at the Seattle trial site.

Seattle area housing market continues to soften.

Homes prices are still up from a year ago but continue to fall from their peak last spring, according to new data released Thursday by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

In King County, the median single-family home is selling for just under $900,000, $750,000 in Snohomish County, and $550,000 in both Pierce and Kitsap Counties. The figures underscore that the latest trend is more than a typical fall slowdown.

Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate Matthew Gardner appeared on Seattle’s Morning News Friday.

“We saw some markets drop mainly in Snohomish County,” Gardner told KIRO Newsradio’s Dave Ross. “With mortgage rates doubling, it impacts people’s ability to afford a home,” Gardner said that most mortgage rates are between 5.5% to 6%.

Gardner noted that people are willing to move further out because many just go into the office a couple of days a week. That has made the suburbs more appealing.

Rents continue to climb, however. Gardner said rents are going up between 14% – 20%. He said that is especially true for single-family homes, which are in much smaller supply.

KIRO Newsradio Headlines: Bonney Lake fire extinguished after closing in on shopping center

WA sees an uptick in DUI-related crashes

An increase in DUI crashes has created a deadly atmosphere on state roads.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Robert Reyer told KIRO Newsradio’s Micki Gamez some drivers have misinterpreted a new law. “The word on the street is that we are not allowed to pursue cars anymore,” Reyer said. That is only partially true. Reyer points out that the troopers can still chase vehicles they suspect the drivers are under the influence with supervisor approval.

Combined, Pierce and Thurston Counties have seen a total of 2,082 DUI arrests last year and more than 1,500 so far this year.

Warming of Bering Sea potentially cancels Alaskan King Crab season

For the second year in a row, there may not be a fall harvest of Alaskan King Crab … and the population of mature male snow crabs – also a favorite of fishermen – continues to struggle.

The Seattle Times looked at the latest survey from federal scientists … and it does not bode well for Pacific Northwest crabbers.

The decline in the “prize catch” is blamed on the warming of the Bering Sea.