Monday, February 6, 2012 @ 12:58pm

Latest developments in Josh Powell case

The Sunday explosion at Josh Powell's home brought yet another twist in the very public scandal that began when Susan Powell vanished in 2009. The case had since spiraled into a salacious saga of finger-pointing and accusations of sex and lies, and now the unthinkable loss of two young lives caught in the crossfire.

"For every time you think there's something strange in this case, something stranger occurs," said Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer, in an appearance on 97.3 KIRO FM Seattle's Morning News.

97.3 KIRO FM has heard from attorneys, law enforcement and others involved in the developing Powell case. Below are the latest details as investigators and authorities look into the most recent tragic turn of events.

Chuck and Judy Cox appear on Today Show

Chuck and Judy Cox, parents of missing woman Susan Cox Powell, and grandparents to the two young boys killed by thier father Josh Powell, appeared on the Today Show Tuesday morning.

"They were becoming more and more happy," said Chuck Cox of his grandchildren in an appearance on the Today Show. "We're missing them."

Cox tells Today's Ann Curry "We knew what he [Josh Powell] was capable of."

Josh Powell left voicemail for family prior to igniting blaze

ABC News obtained what it says was a voicemail Powell left for his family members. In the recording played Tuesday on "Good Morning America" Powell also said he was calling to say goodbye and apologize.

"I'm sorry to everyone I've hurt," he is heard saying. "Goodbye." Listen to voicemail obtained by ABC News.

True-crime writer Ann Rule: Josh Powell among worst killers

Seattle true-crime writer Ann Rule, author of dozens of books detailing crimes of serial killers, and murderers who kill their family, tells 97.3 KIRO FM's Tim Haeck that Josh Powell's crimes are among the worst. Read full story.

Medical examiner determines causes of death

A Pierce County medical examiner determined the cause of death for Josh Powell's two young sons was carbon monoxide poisoning.

Melissa Baker, investigator with medical examiner's office determined the cause of death Monday evening, adding that Charles, 7 and Braden, 5, had chopping wounds on their necks. Read the full story here.

Photos of Charlie and Braden, the room in the Cox house

Brandi Kruse sees inside the home where Charles and Braden lived with their grandparents, and Chuck and Judy Cox, share recent family photos of the boys at home. See the gallery here.

Check and Judy Cox grieve for their grandsons

Chuck said they believed the boys would finally be safe in their custody. "We suspected that if he had the boys in his control, with him, living with him, and he felt the police were closing in on him, that he was capable of killing the children," Chuck described to reporters outside his house. "But we thought we were safe because we had the children and his visits were supervised." Ready the full story here.

Gas used in home explosion

Fire crews have recovered two five gallon gas cans used to ignite a fire that killed Josh Powell and his two sons in a murder-suicide plot investigators say was planned well before a home explosion Sunday afternoon.

Pierce County Sheriff's Sgt. Ed Troyer said it appears one of the cans was ignited in the center of the house near where the bodies of Powell and his sons, 5-year-old Braden and 7-year-old Charlie, were discovered. Read the full story

Nation reacts to Josh Powell murder-suicide

The tragic story has captured the attention of the entire country. Outside eyes are providing different perspectives as we learn more about 'the how and the why' of the Graham house explosion.

From ABC to Fox News, how is the national media examining the tragic deaths of Charles and Braden and the suicide of their father, Josh Powell? Read the full story

Sheriff: 'It is inappropriate to blame everyone'

Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor didn't soften his words when asked about the murders of two young boys and the suicide of their father Josh Powell. He said the case wasn't a tragedy it was "an act of pure evil."

News Chick Linda Thomas asked Sheriff Pastor to expand on that. Read what he wrote...

Josh Powell sent multiple emails before explosion

Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer tells 97.3 KIRO FM's Ross and Burbank Show that authorities are working to recover three or four emails Josh Powell sent before setting fire to this home.

"Some of them are a little bit longer and more detailed," said Troyer, adding that none so far offer any explanation. "They're not going to be anything that explains why this happened, not so far." Read the full story.

Listen to Det. Sgt. Ed Troyer on Ross and Burbank

Attorney: Susan Cox Powell's sons had begun verbalizing details of her disappearance

The lawyer for Susan Cox Powell's parents says the children had started talking to their grandparents about things they remembered from the night their mother vanished.

"They were beginning to verbalize more," said attorney Steve Downing, whose clients, the parents of Susan Powell, Chuck and Judy Cox, had custody of the children. "The oldest boy talked about that they went camping and that Mommy was in the trunk. Mom and Dad got out of the car and Mom disappeared." Read the full story.

Prosecutor: Murder-suicide was Josh Powell's confession

The answers to what actually happened to Susan Cox Powell may have vanished, along with her sons, in a home explosion officials say was planned by her husband Josh Powell. But the Pierce County Prosecutor says Powell's guilt is certain.

"I don't know what goes on in the mind of somebody as sick and evil as Josh Powell, but I do think it's fair to call that a confession to the murder of Susan Powell," said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. Read the full story.

Listen to Prosecutor: Murder-suicide was Josh Powell's confession

Could Washington have done more to protect Powell boys?

State authorities can expect tough questions about whether more might have been done to protect a missing Utah woman's two children, who died along with their father after authorities say he ignited his home in an inferno Sunday.

"It's so hard to say that there are signs you should be aware of," said Josh Powell's attorney Jeffrey Bassett in an appearance on 97.3 KIRO FM. "Like any father he seemed to me to be very concerned about the welfare of his children. I would talk to him every day." Read the full story.

Listen to Josh Powell's attorney Jeffrey Bassett

People gather to remember Powell children

People gathered at candle-light memorials for the two sons of Josh Powell and Susan Cox in Puyallup and West Valley City, Utah, where the Powell's lived when Susan was reported missing. View full photo gallery.

Powell home a 'haunting' scene

97.3 KIRO FM reporter Brandi Kruse is one of the first reporters on the scene. Kruse tells 97.3 KIRO FM's Ross and Burbank Show the Powell home was a 'haunting' scene.

Listen to Reporter Brandi Kruse describes scene at Powell home explosion

The AP releases photos from scene of the fatal explosion.

Police: Josh Powell intentionally killed two sons in house explosion

A missing Puyallup woman's two children, died along with their father after police say he ignited his home in an inferno Sunday. The fire at a home near Graham killed Josh Powell, the husband of a missing Puyallup woman, Susan Cox Powell, and their two young sons. Read the full story.

Timeline: Backstory in Powell case

This story dates back to Dec. 8, 2009 when Susan Powell went missing. Review full timeline of events.

Friday, February 3, 2012 @ 5:38pm

MyNorthwest's guide to Super Bowl Sunday

What are you looking forward to on Sunday? The Patriots-Giants match up? The food? The commercials? The comradery?

Whether it's only about the football, or the get together has just as much meaning, here is your Super Bowl Sunday guide from MyNorthwest.com

Listen

Rob Gronkowski's impact on Patriots offense

David Boze

I love Super Bowl commercials. Even if the game is boring, I'll wait around to see if a commercial is a hit. Bathroom breaks are during extra-points, not commercial breaks.

GoDaddy.com commercials consider "seductive" to be, "HEY! Large BREASTS are on our website!!!" LAME!!! This next commercial used sexuality to much greater effect....

See all of David's favorite 2012 Super Bowl commercials here.

Geekwire

The big game is almost upon us, and of course, there is an app for that.

A new app called "Super Ads" is available on iTunes for $1.99 where you can watch every Super Bowl commercial from as far back as 2006. As new commercials are aired during Super Bowl Sunday, the app will be updated with each ad from the broadcast.

Although Todd Bishop listed it as his "App of the Week", he says the price might be a bit too steep considering you can find all the ads online for free.

"I was actually reluctant to recommend it for that reason," said Bishop. "If you really want to see the ads you can go on YouTube and in fact that's where they get most of their content, even though they supplement it with some extra descriptions."

>>>Listen to Geekwire

Jim Moore

If you've ever tuned into "The Kevin Calabro Show," I'm sure I've mentioned pointspreads and betting on football from time to time.

I don't bring it up all that often because it still strikes me as a "taboo" topic even though it's a multi-million-dollar industry in Las Vegas and on the Internet. Part of the mega-interest in the NFL comes from fans who love to bet on the games.

The Super Bowl is the biggest sports-betting event of the year. Most everyone knows the line on the game -- the Patriots are favored by 3. The "smart" money will be on the Giants. I'm calling it "smart" money because that's where my money will be. If the Patriots win by 4 or more, my wager on the Giants will henceforth be called "dumb" money or money that has completely disappeared.

Ready all of the Go 2 Guy's betting guide here.

Listen

Brock Huard schools Dave Ross about Super Bowl XLVI

97.3 KIRO FM

Super Bowl Parties are fun ... but they can also be costly if one of your guests gets into an accident afterwards ...

"If someone get hammered at your Super Bowl party and you know it and you let them leave your home and drive, you could be negligent," said Karl Newman with the Northwest Insurance Council.

Negligence is key in liability suits that could reach into the millions if someone gets in a serious accident.

Newman suggests not being afraid to cut people off if they've had too much ... and make alternate arrangements for people to get home ... and maybe even offering them a place to spend the night.

-Report by Bob Larson

TBTL

Other than football this Sunday, you should only have two other concerns, commercials and food.

The host of the Sporkful podcast, Dan Pashman, is a football fan also concerned with being an excellent host. He says it's important to make sure your food is something you can prepare in advance and something people can serve themselves.

"Mi casa es su casa!" Pashman tells TBTL. "Take whatever you want, the kitchen is yours, there is hot soup or stew on the stove."

Whether it means sandwiches that are pre-made or sliced up, or if it's chili or stew in a crock pot, you should put out the bowls and plates, silverware, and serving utensils before guests arrive at the party.

Find Pashman's Red, White and Blue nacho suggestions and listen to his interview with TBTL here.

Ross & Burbank

Heading into Super Bowl weekend, it's important to brush up on your Super Bowl ad knowledge. See how well you do with the Ross and Burbank Super Bowl ad quiz.

1. The famous 1980 Coke commercial with Mean Joe Greene - was the first Super Bowl commercial to:

A) Star a Pittsburgh Steeler

B) Inspire a Made-for-TV movie ("The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid" 1981)

C) Lead to a lawsuit

D) Use a new Dolby Sound Enhancement system

2. Super Bowl ad prices have reached a new high water mark this year -- advertisers paid an average of $3.5 million each for 30-second spot. What year did Super Bowl ads break the $1 million mark?

HINT - It was the year the Budweiser Frogs ad debuted.

Take the entire quiz and listen to the answers here.

Halftime

Beginning on Friday morning, "Give Me All Your Luvin'" is scheduled to premiere simultaneously across 95 radio stations and on more than 1,600 digital billboards in the United States, France, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, Belgium, Finland and the United Kingdom, as well as on demand at iHeartRadio.com, Clear Channel's customized online radio service.

Madonna is expected to perform "Give Me All Your Luvin'" and three other tunes at her Super Bowl halftime performance Sunday in Indianapolis. Her new album "MDNA" is set to be released in March.

- The Associated Press

Read more about the material girl here.

In Indianapolis

East Coast fans are finding Indy's charm quite disarming. And that's by design: Indianapolis took the potential clash into account in recent weeks, stressing the need for a human touch as it trained taxi drivers, hospitality workers and volunteers in the ways of nice. Their tips? Make eye contact at 20 feet. Smile at 12 feet. And be sure to urge visitors to "have a super day."

-The Associated Press

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 @ 3:03pm

Video: Midnight Lights at CenturyLink Field

Posted by Alyssa

With as many cloudy days as we get in Seattle, you know the weather is going to be good if you're gazing southward at CenturyLink field and can see Mount Rainier in the background.

You can do just that in a video directed by Jimmy Diebold; the lights of the Seahawks and Sounders' home turf sync up with beats by PatrickReza.

It's a great way to look at a stadium - after the game day fans have gone home. The field seems much more majestic than from your car window on SR 99.

_

Wednesday, February 1, 2012 @ 9:23am

John Curley reenacts shooting over karaoke

Who knew karaoke could be so dangerous? (YouTube)

A man in Redding, Calif. was reportedly shot four times after refusing to shut off his karaoke machine.

The Daily Mail reports 70-year-old William Oller Sr. is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting his son William Oller Jr. in an argument that stemmed from Oller Jr.'s karaoke singing.

"Investigators did not reveal what specific song Oller Jr. had been singing along with that caused the argument," says the Daily Mail report.

97.3 KIRO FM's John Curley Show broke down the case in a live on-air reenactment.

Listen to the John Curley Show reenact a karaoke shooting

Curley concluded the shooting couldn't have been entirely rooted in the karaoke dispute.

"Have you ever heard someone sing karaoke to the point you want to shoot him?" said Curley. "I would say going into this, long before the kid cued up his song in karaoke, there was some tension between the father and the son."

Subscribe to The John Curley Show podcast

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 @ 12:56pm

Obese kids won't have school lunches or C-sections to blame for weight gain

Don't try and link obesity in children, a new study disproves earlier findings that C-sections contributed to early weight-gain. (AP Photo)

Research that seemed to provide an easy answer for why more and more kids are becoming overweight has been debunked. Apparently, there just isn't a substitute for healthy foods and playtime to ensure that kids don't become obese.

The original findings from a Brazilian study said that children born via C-section were more likely to be fat, stating obesity could be linked to the "hygiene hypothesis." It suggests a person's immune system develops differently when they're not exposed to beneficial bacteria (from the birth canal) early in life.

The correlation with a child's weight was disproved in a second study when researchers accounted for factors that could have influenced the results, such as family income, birth weight, schooling and the mother's weight, height, age and smoking habits.

Of course, who doesn't love a set of chubby cheeks? The problem isn't necessarily baby fat, it's when obesity continues through childhood.

Fully aware of the continuing obesity epidemic is First Lady Michelle Obama, who has been out promoting the healthy school lunch.

The first lady and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the new guidelines during a visit last Wednesday with a group of elementary students. Mrs. Obama, joined by celebrity chef Rachael Ray, said youngsters will learn better if they don't have growling stomachs at school.

Those growling stomachs, however, will be filled with healthier ingredients. Under the new rules, pizza won't disappear from lunch lines, but will be made with health in mind. Entire meals will have calorie caps for the first time and most trans fats will be banned. Sodium will gradually decrease over a 10 year period and milk will have to be low in fat and flavored milks will have to be non-fat.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sunday, January 29, 2012 @ 12:06pm

Girlfriend dumps man for having cancer, still wants Super Bowl tickets

Posted by Michael

Usually when somebody is diagnosed with cancer you're supposed to console them, not kick them to the curb. But for a television writer from Nashville who went through the trouble of purchasing Super Bowl tickets as a way to propose to his girlfriend, cancer was only the start of his problems.

Upon being diagnosed with bladder cancer, Jason Elia decided to notify his girlfriend of the bad news. Instead of being there for him during such a difficult time, she dumped him on the spot, saying she couldn't be with a man who was stricken with cancer.

Now, she's claiming that Elia owes her the Super Bowl tickets considering he purchased them with her in mind. Instead, Elia is auctioning the tickets to the person who gains him the most Twitter followers by the end of Sunday's Pro Bowl.

If you'd like to enter the contest, make sure to be creative. As of 12:00 p.m. Sunday, "webcam girl" has sent approximately 250 followers Jason's way by promising five minute shows to anyone who follows Jason's Twitter account: @notjasonelia.

Jason: 1 Ex-girlfriend: 0

(H/T Deadspin)

Friday, January 27, 2012 @ 4:59pm

Happy National Chocolate Cake Day!

Posted by Alyssa

Along with my other favorite food holiday, National Waffle Day (August 24) National Cake Day is holiday worth celebrating.

Tonight, let's go home and make something like this, courtesy BettyCrocker.com.

Just ...

1. Heat oven to 350 degree F (325 degree F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. In large bowl, beat cake mix, butter, egg and milk with spoon or electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Spread batter in pan.

2. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until center is set (top may appear dry and cracked). Cool completely, about 1 hour.

3. Brush 2 tablespoons liqueur over cake. Let ice cream stand about 15 minutes at room temperature to soften. Spread ice cream over cake. Freeze about 3 hours or until firm.

4. In medium bowl, mix frosting and 2 tablespoons liqueur; spread over ice cream. Freeze at least 1 hour. Store covered in freezer.

Voila! Mudslide ice cream cake!

Friday, January 27, 2012 @ 11:46am

Staff picks: If you could marry a Seattle building...

A woman plans to marry a partially demolished building on Sunday, saying that she's in love. Read the story

The woman's true love, the 10th and Union Warehouse in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, is less than spectacular, in our opinions. So we went to the newsroom with this question: "If you could marry any building in Seattle, which would it be?"

"Smith Tower" - Luke Burbank, co-host Ross & Burbank Show

"Smith Tower, the one and only" - Tom Tangney, co-host Seattle's Morning News

"Pike Place because I'd never have to make dinner" - Jamie Griswold, MyNorthwest.com editor

"I got married in the Smith Tower" - Lisa Brooks, 97.3 KIRO FM anchor

"Space Needle because it soars with optimism into the future" - Bill Radke, co-host Seattle's Morning News

"Has to be something beautiful and classic...so Smith Tower" - Josh Kerns, 97.3 KIRO FM reporter, MyNorthwest.com editor

"King Street Station. She's been around the block" - Chris Sullivan, 97.3 KIRO FM reporter

"I like Smith Tower because it's old school" - Bill Swartz, Sports editor

"B&O Espresso because I want to save it" - Andrew Walsh, Ross & Burbank Show producer

"I would want to know what the sex is like first" - Dave Ross, co-shot Ross & Burbank Show

"Dicks, the one on 45th, I love it" - Jake Skorheim, Dori Monson Show producer

"EMP because I've always found her hot in a quirky sort of way" - Dori Monson, host of Dori Monson Show

"Columbia Center because I like 'em big and chunky" - Jessica Gottesman, 97.3 KIRO FM anchor

"Obviously, you go to the biggest one. Columbia Center" - Linda Thomas, co-host Seattle's Morning News

"St. Mark's Cathedral because I'm a good girl" - Stephanie Klein, MyNorthwest.com editor