It's our fall fund drive; we hope you'll take a second to donate to show how much you love Sound Politics.

This week, we answered your questions -- in front of you! -- at our first live taping of Sound Politics, hosted in partnership with Seattle CityClub.

Initiatives, state Supreme Court races, AI -- you brought some really great questions. We quizzed you about Washington state political history. And we got a little spicy talking about the Stranger and its sway over Seattle voters.

Also: a quick update on that natural gas initiative (it's dead) from two years ago and the Bite of Seattle press conference delay story that won't go away.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

It's our fall fund drive; we hope you'll take a second to <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/Donate/soundpolitics">donate to show how much you love Sound Politics</a>. This week, we answered your questions -- in front of you! -- at our first live taping of Sound Politics, hosted in partnership with Seattle CityClub. Initiatives, state Supreme Court races, AI -- you brought some really great questions. We quizzed you about Washington state political history. And we got a little spicy talking about the Stranger and its sway over Seattle voters. Also: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/law/2026-09-17/natural-gas-initiative-ruled-unconstitutional-by-washington-state-supreme-court">a quick update on that natural gas initiative</a> (it's dead) from two years ago and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/crime/2026-09-16/seattle-police-texts-show-confusion-about-command-process-following-bite-of-seattle-shooting">the Bite of Seattle press conference delay story that won't go away</a>.
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics">https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics</a>
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. There’s a lot to wade through when it comes to Washington State politics. The drama, the facts, the money, and the movers and shakers. In Sound Politics KUOW host Libby Denkmann and politics reporter Scott Greenstone go beyond the ballot to guide you through what’s happening in local politics, why it matters, and how you can use your vote to make a difference.  

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. There&rsquo;s a lot to wade through when it comes to Washington State politics. The drama, the facts, the money, and the movers and shakers. In Sound Politics KUOW host Libby Denkmann and politics reporter Scott Greenstone go beyond the ballot to guide you through what&rsquo;s happening in local politics, why it matters, and how you can use your vote to make a difference. &nbsp;

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. Produced by KUOW in Seattle.

Sound Politics

This week, we answered your questions -- in front of you! -- at our first live taping of Sound Politics, hosted in partnership with Seattle CityClub.

Sound Politics LIVE

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has staked a lot of her political project on the fact that Seattle is majority renters: she’s trying to make life more affordable for them. 

She’s promised to build a lot of housing over her term, and to set Seattle up for a better-housed future. We’re going to check in on that… and to do that, we’re going to the one-bedroom apartment she still rents.

Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions.

Find tickets and more information here.

Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out this survey. 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jason Pagano. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Paige Browning and Scott Greenstone.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has staked a lot of her political project on the fact that Seattle is majority renters: she&rsquo;s trying to make life more affordable for them.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s promised to build a lot of housing over her term, and to set Seattle up for a better-housed future.&nbsp;We&rsquo;re going to check in on that&hellip; and to do that, we&rsquo;re going to the one-bedroom apartment she still rents.
<hr>
Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions. Find tickets and more information <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voters-guide-live-with-seattle-cityclub-kuow-tickets-1997055496750?msockid=112017218d7a6b221a0f001b8c5c6a92">here</a>. Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out <a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uMFXPa70OUatsTMSrjvIJ8dxXCZ64uVPr3a6Hq33899UNTBVVlBZVDlNUjc4U0pVWTlMRjVRVExQQS4u">this survey. </a> Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics">https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics</a>
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jason Pagano. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Paige Browning and Scott Greenstone.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has staked a lot of her political project on the fact that Seattle is majority renters: she’s trying to make life more affordable for them. 

Seattle’s mayor lives in a one-bedroom apartment. Can she help fellow renters afford to live here?

This week on Sound Politics, we’re talking about breakdowns in communication. 

First: a Seattle public school strike averted at the 11th-hour, and one very unconventional communication might’ve averted it. 

Then, over at city hall, Mayor Katie Wilson is really trying to show us she is fixing communications with her office and the public after the mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle. 

Lastly, in voting news, there are new concerns about vote-by-mail ahead of the November election. 

Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions.

Find tickets and more information here.

Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out this survey. 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer this week is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

This week on Sound Politics, we&rsquo;re talking about breakdowns in communication.&nbsp;
First: a Seattle public school strike averted at the 11th-hour, and one very unconventional communication might&rsquo;ve averted it.&nbsp;
Then, over at city hall, Mayor Katie Wilson is really trying to show us she is fixing communications with her office and the public after the mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle.&nbsp;
Lastly, in voting news, there are new concerns about vote-by-mail ahead of the November election.&nbsp;
<hr>
Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions. Find tickets and more information <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voters-guide-live-with-seattle-cityclub-kuow-tickets-1997055496750?msockid=112017218d7a6b221a0f001b8c5c6a92">here</a>. Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out <a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uMFXPa70OUatsTMSrjvIJ8dxXCZ64uVPr3a6Hq33899UNTBVVlBZVDlNUjc4U0pVWTlMRjVRVExQQS4u">this survey. </a> Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics">https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics</a>
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer this week is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

This week on Sound Politics, we’re talking about breakdowns in communication. 

Voting fight update, school strike averted, Katie Wilson's pledge

Music legend Dolly Parton died this week, and her legacy can even be felt in Washington state, through a reading program she brought to all 39 counties.

But then, the state defunded it.

This week on Sound Politics... what does that say about our education funding at a time when kids are heading back to school, and a lack of funding is causing tension between teachers and school administrators?

Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions.

Find tickets and more information here.

Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out this survey. 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. This episode was edited by Cat Smith. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts were Scott Greenstone and KUOW's Sami West.

Music legend Dolly Parton died this week, and her legacy can even be felt in Washington state, through a reading program she brought to all 39 counties.
But then, the state defunded it.
This week on Sound Politics... what does that say about our education funding at a time when kids are heading back to school, and a lack of funding is causing tension between teachers and school administrators?
<hr>
Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions. Find tickets and more information <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voters-guide-live-with-seattle-cityclub-kuow-tickets-1997055496750?msockid=112017218d7a6b221a0f001b8c5c6a92">here</a>. Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out <a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uMFXPa70OUatsTMSrjvIJ8dxXCZ64uVPr3a6Hq33899UNTBVVlBZVDlNUjc4U0pVWTlMRjVRVExQQS4u">this survey. </a> Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. This episode was edited by Cat Smith. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts were Scott Greenstone and KUOW's Sami West.

Music legend Dolly Parton died this week, and her legacy can even be felt in Washington state, through a reading program she brought to all 39 counties.

Sound Politics LIVE

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