This year, Washington voters will decide if they want to ban transgender girls from participating in girls' sports. Initiative 638 has become one of the state's most contentious topics and it reflects a broader cultural divide on this issue across the country.

Parents, lawmakers and more share their thoughts on what this initiative would mean for girls' sports. 

Guests

Verónica García, a former high school athlete 
Elizabeth Wilson, a parent who supports I-638
Lauren Hipp, a parent who opposes I-638
Senator Yasmin Trudeau, a lawmaker who opposes I-638
Representative April Connors, a lawmaker who supports I-638

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

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

 

This year, Washington voters will decide if they want to ban transgender girls from participating in girls' sports. Initiative 638 has become one of the state's most contentious topics and it reflects a broader cultural divide on this issue across the country.
Parents, lawmakers and more share their thoughts on what this initiative would mean for girls' sports.&nbsp;
Guests 
<ul>
<li>Ver&oacute;nica Garc&iacute;a, a former high school athlete&nbsp;</li>
<li>Elizabeth Wilson, a parent who supports I-638</li>
<li>Lauren Hipp, a parent who opposes I-638</li>
<li>Senator Yasmin Trudeau, a lawmaker who opposes I-638</li>
<li>Representative April Connors, a lawmaker who supports I-638</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to<a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes"> donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
&nbsp;

Soundside leads the Puget Sound conversation with smart questions, lively debates, and direct access to the region's most influential voices. Timely, insightful, and unmistakably local, it's where the Pacific Northwest comes to dig into the news.

Soundside leads the Puget Sound conversation with smart questions, lively debates, and direct access to the region's most influential voices. Timely, insightful, and unmistakably local, it's where the Pacific Northwest comes to dig into the news.

Soundside

Washington voters could ban transgender girls from girls' sports if they vote "yes" on Initiative 638. Parents, lawmakers and more weigh in on what this would mean for the future of girls' sports in Washington. 

Trans girls in sports, on the ballot. The arguments for and against I-638.

Front Page - Monday Oct 26

I-001: Parents' Bill of Rights

Medicare Advantage changes

Credits

Washington voters will weigh in on three initiatives this year: a repeal of the high earners income tax, a ban on trans girls competing in K-12 girl's sports, and a Parents' Bill of Rights. That last initiative, I-001, is probably the least understood. At its core is this question of how entitled parents are to know about their children’s lives while they’re at school.

Plus, Microsoft announced it is offering buyouts to nearly 60,000 employees, what does that mean for workers in Redmond? 

Guests
Melissa Santos, reporter at Axios Seattle

Courtney Normand, Director of Washington State Planned Parenthood Alliance

Travis Reep, fifth grade teacher

Relevant Links:

Axios Seattle: What's at stake in Washington's parental rights initiative

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

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Washington voters will weigh in on three initiatives this year: a repeal of the high earners income tax, a ban on trans girls competing in K-12 girl's sports, and a Parents' Bill of Rights. That last initiative, I-001, is probably the least understood. At its core is this question of how entitled parents are to know about their children&rsquo;s lives while they&rsquo;re at school.
Plus, Microsoft announced it is offering buyouts to nearly 60,000 employees, what does that mean for workers in Redmond?&nbsp;
Guests Melissa Santos, reporter at Axios Seattle
Courtney Normand, Director of Washington State Planned Parenthood Alliance
Travis Reep, fifth grade teacher
Relevant Links:
Axios Seattle: <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/10/26/washington-2026-ballot-parents-rights-school-medical-records">What's at stake in Washington's parental rights initiative</a>
<hr>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to<a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes"> donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside talks Microsoft's buyout options that were announced today; I-001, aka the Parents' Bill of Rights, and upcoming changes to Medicare Advantage.

The access question at the center of WA's parents bill of rights initiative 

Front Page - Thursday Oct 22

Snohomish County

LD 29 House Position 1 - Krista Perez

Weekend Warmup!

What's going on with Snohomish County's charter proposals? Five proposals to amend the county charter are on the ballot this year. The usually sleepy process has gotten more attention this year. That's in part due to a conservative advocacy organization's vocal support for each proposal. The group is called Future 42, and this year's votes could have implications for the county's government for years to come. We got into it with a reporter covering the story.

Plus, we check in on the close Democrat on Democrat race for Washington's 29th Legislative District

Guests
Jamie Holter, a reporter for MyEdmondsNews

Krista Perez, candidate for WA's 29th LD

Related Links

Snohomish County Commission Charter proposals mired in controversy as voting begins

Statement from Future 42's co-founder and co-leader, Dann Mead Smith


"It’s always exciting when people volunteer to serve their community like the 15 individuals who were elected by voters last November to serve on the non-partisan Snohomish County Charter Review Commission, which takes place every ten years in the county.

This election, the same voting public will have the opportunity to decide whether or not to approve the propositions placed on the ballot by the citizen-elected commissioners.

A “YES” vote is a vote to bring greater accountability, tax relief, and financial transparency to Snohomish County Government."  

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

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

What's going on with Snohomish County's charter proposals? Five proposals to amend the county charter are on the ballot this year. The usually sleepy process has gotten more attention this year. That's in part due to a conservative advocacy organization's vocal support for each proposal. The group is called Future 42, and this year's votes could have implications for the county's government for years to come. We got into it with a reporter covering the story.
Plus, we check in on the close Democrat on Democrat race for Washington's 29th Legislative District
Guests Jamie Holter, a reporter for MyEdmondsNews
Krista Perez, candidate for WA's 29th LD Related Links <a href="https://myedmondsnews.com/2026/10/snohomish-county-commission-charter-proposals-mired-in-controversy-as-voting-begins/">Snohomish County Commission Charter proposals mired in controversy as voting begins</a>
Statement from Future 42's co-founder and co-leader, Dann Mead Smith 
"It&rsquo;s always exciting when people volunteer to serve their community like the 15 individuals who were elected by voters last November to serve on the non-partisan Snohomish County Charter Review Commission, which takes place every ten years in the county.
This election, the same voting public will have the opportunity to decide whether or not to approve the propositions placed on the ballot by the citizen-elected commissioners.
A &ldquo;YES&rdquo; vote is a vote to bring greater accountability, tax relief, and financial transparency to Snohomish County Government."&nbsp;&nbsp;
<hr>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to<a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes"> donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

What's going on with Snohomish County's charter proposals? We dig into it.

The battle happening on Snohomish County's ballot

Front Page - Wednesday Oct 21

Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans pt 1

Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans pt 2

Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans is nearly one year on the job. Just this week, she announced a new sentencing alternative “Connections Court.” Her office has also been in the midst of heightened community concerns about sex trafficking and violence on Aurora. Soundside’s David Kroman and Cat Smith sit down with Evans and take your calls. 

Plus: David and Cat discuss their top stories of the day.

Guests:
Erika Evans, Seattle City Attorney
Jenna Robert, Criminal Division Chief at the city attorney's office

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans is nearly one year on the job. Just this week, she announced a new sentencing alternative &ldquo;Connections Court.&rdquo; Her office has also been in the midst of heightened community concerns about sex trafficking and violence on Aurora. Soundside&rsquo;s David Kroman and Cat Smith sit down with Evans and take your calls.&nbsp;
Plus: David and Cat discuss their top stories of the day.
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Erika Evans, Seattle City Attorney</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jenna Robert, Criminal Division Chief at the city attorney's office</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to<a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes"> donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Trans girls in sports, on the ballot. The arguments for and against I-638.

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