About "I Wonder Why ...?"

Is there a song, a person, a place, a thing, a word, a phrase, a type of music or an idea that is unique to the Pacific Northwest?  What do people find odd, endearing or irritating when they move here or visit the area?

Beginning November 18, KPLU News will explore the quirks, unique attributes, and icons of our corner of the world.  “I Wonder Why…?” airs Fridays at 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. during KPLU’s Morning Edition.

Stories will run the gamut from funny and sad, to thought-provoking and controversial.  They’ll be generated by KPLU news reporters and from ideas submitted by listeners. 

KPLU Law and Justice reporter, Paula Wissel is the lead reporter on “I Wonder Why…?” She kicks off the series this Friday by delving into why Seattle has the loudest football fans (they invented “The Wave” and once caused an earthquake at a Seahawks game).  Subsequent episodes will look at why pedestrians here don’t cross against the lights, why we buy so many sunglasses and why we talk the way we do.

“We hope the series will get people to think about things they see every day with fresh eyes,” Wissel said.  “We also want to reflect back what makes this region special.”