KMAS Morning News with Jeff Slakey

Jeff Slakey

Local news for Mason County and the South Puget Sound from KMAS — the Voice of Mason County since 1962. Host Jeff Slakey brings you the morning's top stories, weather, and what's happening around Shelton, Belfair, Hoodsport, and the Hood Canal. Miss the live broadcast? Catch up here weekday mornings.

  1. Jul 21

    Morning News — Tuesday, July 21, 2026

    In today's headlines: Mason County Commissioners reviewed contracts, public works bids, and the county's mid-year budget at their Monday briefing, with the general fund taking in just under $26 million through June against a $48 million full-year target.Commissioners are set to approve two North Mason Regional Fire Authority mobile health contracts on August 4 — one extending services into South Mason County at $175,000 a year for three years, the other continuing wound care, hepatitis C testing, and opioid-use-disorder treatment at $86,000.The countywide burn ban remains in effect until further notice as the fire danger rating rises to high, banning all outdoor burning including campfires, charcoal, and torch weed-burning.A National Weather Service heat advisory runs through tomorrow night with highs near 95 — stay hydrated, check on elderly neighbors, and dial 211 or visit WA211.org to find a cooling center.In local sports: The Mariners blanked the Reds 8-0 last night after Cincinnati intentionally loaded the bases to bring up catcher Cal Raleigh, who answered the very first pitch with a grand slam; George Kirby earned the win to move to 8-8 on the season. Tonight, Luis Castillo starts for Seattle against Cincinnati, with KMAS pre-game coverage beginning at 5:30. Got a news tip? Email jeff@kmas.com or call 360-426-1030. For long-form interviews with local leaders and community voices, subscribe to KMAS Radio at kmas.transistor.fm. Listen live weekday mornings 6–10 AM on KMAS AM 1030 and FM 103.3 — the Voice of Mason County since 1962. Stream anytime at kmas.com.

  2. Jul 13

    Morning News — Monday, July 13, 2026

    In today's headlines: Hood Canal remains closed to shellfish harvesting after state sampling near Union found lethal levels of paralytic shellfish poison, and the Department of Health won't lift the closure until tests show it's safe.Mason County Republicans hosted a candidate debate at Kneeland Park in Shelton featuring the races for Commissioner District 3, Auditor and Clerk, with ballots for the August 4th primary going out this week — watch it back at masonwebtv.com.Twanoh State Park is closing its day-use area, beach and pier for several weeks this summer for a shoreline and creek restoration project aimed at improving salmon habitat, with no reopening date announced yet.Shelton School District is serving free breakfast and lunch to any kid 18 or younger through the 23rd, Monday through Thursday at Shelton High School and Mountain View Elementary — no paperwork, no cost.Downtown Shelton's West Railroad filled with hundreds of classic cars, trucks and motorcycles Saturday for the annual Wheels for Hope Cruisin' Through Time car show.Mason Health has named Lacey Eveland, a registered nurse on the medical-surgical pediatrics floor, its Employee of the Month for June.It's a beautiful day with a high of 83, and the warm stretch continues all week.In local sports: The Mariners closed the first half with an 8-2 win, the bullpen shutting things down after starter Emerson Hancock left in the second with a bruised finger, sending Seattle into the All-Star break on a high note. There are no games today — the All-Star Home Run Derby streams on Netflix, and the Midsummer Classic is tomorrow. Got a news tip? Email jeff@kmas.com or call 360-426-1030. For long-form interviews with local leaders and community voices, subscribe to KMAS Radio at kmas.transistor.fm. Listen live weekday mornings 6–10 AM on KMAS AM 1030 and FM 103.3 — the Voice of Mason County since 1962. Stream anytime at kmas.com.

  3. Jul 7

    Morning News — Tuesday, July 7, 2026

    In today's headlines:- Mason County Commissioners heard an update from Habitat for Humanity's Stephen Hufford on the nonprofit's 30 years and 41 homes built, plus early plans for a community land trust that drew pushback from at least one commissioner over homeowner equity- Commissioners opened a 2027 budget workshop, projecting a year-end fund balance of $19 to $24 million and looking for $2 to $3 million in savings next year- The county approved loan terms for the Shelton Road paving project — about $210,000 financed at under 4 percent, to be billed to property owners this fall- Forest Service Road 24, Lake Cushman recreation sites, and the Staircase area reopen tomorrow, a year after the Bear Gulch Fire closure; Staircase campground reservations open tomorrow at recreation.gov- Shellfish harvesting remains closed through Hood Canal after a paralytic shellfish poisoning detection near Hoodsport, with the closure now expanded to Port Townsend, Oak Bay, and Marrowstone Island- Mason Health hosts its 30th annual Quality Care Open golf tournament Friday at Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club, benefiting the Mason Health Foundation- Clouds this morning, then a nice afternoon with a high near 76 In local sports: The Mariners had the day off yesterday and open a three-game series in Miami against the Marlins today, with Bryan Woo on the mound — pregame at 2:30, first pitch at 3:40, right here on the radio. The U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup yesterday, falling 4-2 to Belgium in the round of 16. Got a news tip? Email jeff@kmas.com or call 360-426-1030. For long-form interviews with local leaders and community voices, subscribe to KMAS Radio at kmas.transistor.fm. Listen live weekday mornings 6–10 AM on KMAS AM 1030 and FM 103.3 — the Voice of Mason County since 1962. Stream anytime at kmas.com.

  4. Jul 3

    Morning News — Friday, July 3, 2026

    Morning News — Friday, July 3, 2026 Your Mason County news briefing for Friday, July 3, 2026. In today's headlines:- The Washington State Department of Health has closed all of Hood Canal from Foulweather Bluff south, plus Port Townsend, Oak Bay, and Marrowstone Island, to recreational shellfish harvesting after lab tests found dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning near Hoodsport.- Olympic National Park announced the Lake Cushman and Staircase recreation areas — including the campground, ranger station, and several trailheads — will reopen July 8th after nearly a year of repairs following last year's Bear Gulch Fire.- The Mason County Sheriff's Office and Fire Marshal are reminding residents that fireworks remain illegal inside Shelton city limits, with legal discharge hours outside the city running 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth, and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the 5th.- Expect sunny skies today with a high near 72, warming into the mid-70s Saturday and near 80 on Sunday. In local sports: The Mariners won 1-0 at T-Mobile Park last night to improve to 45-43 on the season, and they open a series against the Toronto Blue Jays tonight with pregame coverage on KMAS starting at 6 and first pitch at 7:10. The Seattle Storm dropped a 90-67 decision to the Phoenix Mercury and are now 5-16, but they're back home tomorrow night hosting the Portland Fire at 6 at Climate Pledge Arena. Monday brings a big one to Seattle, with the United States facing Belgium in the World Cup. Got a news tip? Email jeff@kmas.com or call 360-426-1030. For long-form interviews with local leaders and community voices, subscribe to KMAS Radio at kmas.transistor.fm. Listen live weekday mornings 6–10 AM on KMAS AM 1030 and FM 103.3 — the Voice of Mason County since 1962. Stream anytime at kmas.com.

About

Local news for Mason County and the South Puget Sound from KMAS — the Voice of Mason County since 1962. Host Jeff Slakey brings you the morning's top stories, weather, and what's happening around Shelton, Belfair, Hoodsport, and the Hood Canal. Miss the live broadcast? Catch up here weekday mornings.