Two years ago, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed two exclusion laws into effect in Seattle.

SOAP and SODA were meant to deter drug use and prostitution. 

Lately they haven’t gotten much use.

KUOW digital reporter Cornelius Hocker will explain why.

Read more of his reporting here.

Register or learn more about UW’s First Responder Wellness Summit.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

Two years ago, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed two exclusion laws into effect in Seattle.
SOAP and SODA were meant to deter drug use and prostitution.&nbsp;
Lately they haven&rsquo;t gotten much use.
KUOW digital reporter Cornelius Hocker will explain why.
Read more of his reporting <a href="https://www.kuow.org/law/2026-08-19/seattles-soda-law-once-hotly-debated-is-now-barely-being-used-city-leaders-weigh-in-on-what-that-means">here</a>.
<a href="https://adai.uw.edu/first-responder-summit-2026/">Register or learn more</a> about UW&rsquo;s First Responder Wellness Summit.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at <a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now

Two years ago, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed two exclusion laws into effect in Seattle.  SOAP and SODA were meant to deter drug use and prostitution.   Lately they haven’t gotten much use.  KUOW digital reporter Cornelius Hocker will explain why.

SOAP and SODA were supposed to improve public safety. Are they?

Fall is an underrated time to travel, and solo travel is on the rise.

We’ll hear why the Pacific Northwest is a top destination for female solo travelers from local travel writer Susan Stephens.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

Fall is an underrated time to travel, and solo travel is on the rise.
We&rsquo;ll hear why the Pacific Northwest is a top destination for female solo travelers from local travel writer Susan Stephens.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at <a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

The PNW is a hotspot for female solo travel

Mayor Wilson unveils budget proposal, Seattle bans algorithmic grocery pricing, and Seattle's World Cup matches brought in nearly $900 million dollars.

It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

Mayor Wilson <a href="https://www.kuow.org/topics/politics/2026-09-22/seattle-mayor-wilsons-first-budget-proposal-adds-cops-trims-departments-with-no-new-taxes">unveils budget proposal</a>, Seattle bans algorithmic grocery pricing, and Seattle's World Cup matches brought in nearly $900 million dollars.
It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

Mayor Wilson unveils budget proposal, Seattle bans algorithmic grocery pricing, and Seattle's World Cup matches brought in nearly $900 million dollars.

Wednesday Evening Headlines

Seattle Public Schools is further restricting screen access for some children, more Microsoft layoffs are coming in the XBOX division, and the Washington state GOP wants to hold a special session on rising gas and diesel prices.
 
It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

Seattle Public Schools is further <a href="https://www.kuow.org/education/2026-09-21/k-2-students-no-longer-get-personal-ipads-seattle-superintendent-says-pledging-less-screen-time">restricting screen access for some children</a>, more Microsoft layoffs <a href="https://www.kuow.org/technology/2026-09-22/microsoft-lays-off-another-300-employees-in-washington-state-targeting-xbox">are coming in the XBOX division</a>, and the Washington state GOP wants to hold a special session on rising gas and diesel prices. &nbsp; It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at <a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

Seattle Public Schools is further restricting screen access for some children, more Microsoft layoffs are coming in the XBOX division, and the Washington state GOP wants to hold a special session on rising gas and diesel prices.   It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy.

SOAP and SODA were supposed to improve public safety. Are they?

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