It’s election season.

So today, we’re bringing you the first in a series of candidate debates hosted by KUOW.

This week, we’re looking at the candidates running for King County Executive

Whoever wins this race will lead one of the largest regional governments in the United States. 

And, for the first time in 16 years, there isn’t an incumbent on the ballot.

Two county leaders are vying for the job. Soundside’s Libby Denkmann hosted the two candidates — Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay — for a debate at the KUOW studios.

Listen to debates and more from KUOW's Soundside here.

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.

It&rsquo;s election season.
So today, we&rsquo;re bringing you the first in a series of candidate debates hosted by KUOW.
This week, we&rsquo;re looking at the candidates running for King County Executive
Whoever wins this race will lead one of the largest regional governments in the United States.&nbsp;
And, for the first time in 16 years, there isn&rsquo;t an incumbent on the ballot.
Two county leaders are vying for the job. Soundside&rsquo;s Libby Denkmann hosted the two candidates &mdash; Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay &mdash; for a debate at the KUOW studios.
Listen to debates and more from <a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/soundside">KUOW's Soundside here.</a>
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.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>.

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

It’s election season..   So today, we’re bringing you the first in a series of candidate debates hosted by KUOW.  This week, we’re looking at the candidates running for King County Executive  Whoever wins this race will lead one of the largest regional governments in the United States.   The King County executive oversees the sheriff’s department, manages public health, transportation, public housing, and jails.   And, for the first time in 16 years, there isn’t an incumbent on the ballot.

Weekend Listen: The candidates for King County Executive square off

Seattle is hosting a major international sporting event next month.

But the FIFA Men’s World Cup isn’t Seattle’s first rodeo.

Back in 1990, the city hosted the Goodwill Games.

Daniel Beekman is here from the Seattle Times to tell us about the games and what they can teach us about the upcoming matches.

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.

Seattle is hosting a major international sporting event next month.
But the FIFA Men&rsquo;s World Cup isn&rsquo;t Seattle&rsquo;s first rodeo.
Back in 1990, the city hosted the Goodwill Games.
Daniel Beekman is here from the Seattle Times to tell us about the games and what they can teach us about the upcoming matches.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> 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&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>.

Seattle is hosting a major international sporting event next month.  But the FIFA Men’s World Cup isn’t Seattle’s first rodeo.  Back in 1990, the city hosted the Goodwill Games.  Daniel Beekman is here from the Seattle Times to tell us about the games and what they can teach us about the upcoming matches.

Decades before the World Cup, Seattle hosted the Goodwill Games

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom…

First, public defenders are looking to reform Washington's bail system, but not everyone is on board.

Next, we visit the Yakima Nation, who say they feel pushed aside for energy development.

And finally, beavers have a complicated relationship with Washington landowners. But they’re learning to coexist.

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.

Today, we&rsquo;re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom&hellip;
First, public defenders are looking to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/public-defenders-ask-wa-supreme-court-to-put-new-limits-on-cash-bail">reform Washington's bail system</a>, but not everyone is on board.
Next, we visit the Yakima Nation, who <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-05-11/the-yakama-nation-says-it-feels-pushed-aside-for-energy-developments-theyre-working-to-protect-sacred-sites">say they feel pushed aside for energy development</a>.
And finally, beavers have a complicated relationship with Washington landowners. <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-05-13/landowners-conservationists-finding-new-ways-to-deal-with-beaver-problems">But they&rsquo;re learning to coexist</a>.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> 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&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>.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom…  First, public defenders are looking to reform Washington's bail system, but not everyone is on board.  Next, we visit the Yakima Nation, who say they feel pushed aside for energy development.  And finally, beavers have a complicated relationship with Washington landowners. But they’re learning to coexist. 

Weekend Listen: Public defenders spark debate about changing Washington’s bail system, the Yakima Nation says it feels pushed aside for energy developers, and landowners and conservationists are trying to deal with beaver problems

Undocumented foster kids are suing Washington state, Seattle installs public toilets ahead of the World Cup, and Starbucks lays off more employees.

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.

Undocumented foster kids are suing Washington state, Seattle installs public toilets ahead of the World Cup, and Starbucks lays off more employees.
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://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a>&nbsp;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&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">&nbsp;leave us feedback online</a>.

Undocumented foster kids are suing Washington state, Seattle installs public toilets ahead of the World Cup, and Starbucks lays off more employees.

Weekend Listen: The candidates for King County Executive square off

In 1 playlist(s)

Seattle Now

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips