U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan, New Seattle Snow Plan and Scroogenomics

12:00 p.m.

Microsoft and State Taxes

Is Microsoft dodging state taxes? Former employee Jeff Reifman thinks so. He says Microsoft may be violating the law by recording its estimated $18 billion in licensing revenue through a corporate office in Reno, Nevada.

Dealing with Nuisance Properties

The Seattle City Council is poised to get tough on businesses or motels where there have been many cases of drug dealing, prostitution and weapons violations. Under the proposed law they would be designated "chronic nuisance properties," and subject to tougher sanctions. The ACLU objects to the ordinance. We hear from both sides.

Dashing Through the Snow?

Seattle's Department of Transportation unveiled its new plan to deal with snow removal to the city council this morning. Councilman Tim Burgess will fill us in.

12:20 p.m.

New U.S. Attorney

Jenny Durkan is the new U.S. Attorney for Western Washington. She will lead an Attorney General's subcommittee on cybercrimes and intellectual property. We'll hear from Jenny Durkan about her priorities as the top federal prosecutor for 78 percent of Washingtonians.

12:40 p.m.

'Scroogenomics'

Economist Joel Waldfogel sees Christmas as a large and organized institution for value destruction. He purports to show that the satisfaction we get from holiday gifts is much less than the money spent. Waldfogel outlines his theory in a new book called "Scroogenomics." He also offers solutions he thinks can make gift giving a force for good. Tell Scrooge what you think.