Back in 2021, following calls for police reform after the murder of George Floyd, Washington state did something unique.

Legislators created a state-funded agency to investigate instances of serious or fatal police use of force – even ones that had happened in the past.

Many believe the Office of Independent Investigations has potential to improve trust between marginalized communities and law enforcement. 

But some say it’s taking the office too long to get going. So far, the OII hasn’t officially launched a single investigation.

Melanie Henshaw, an Indigenous Affairs reporter at InvestigateWest, spoke to reform advocates and agency officials about the obstacles that are keeping the office from quickly meeting its intended purpose. 

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

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

GUEST:
Melanie Henshaw, Indigenous Affairs reporter for InvestigateWest

RELATED LINKS:
Three years, no investigations: A slow start for Washington office tasked with probing police violence - InvestigateWest

Back in 2021, following calls for police reform after the murder of George Floyd, Washington state did something unique.
Legislators created a state-funded agency to investigate instances of serious or fatal police use of force – even ones that had happened in the past.
Many believe the Office of Independent Investigations has potential to improve trust between marginalized communities and law enforcement.  But some say it’s taking the office too long to get going. So far, the OII hasn’t officially launched a single investigation.
Melanie Henshaw, an Indigenous Affairs reporter at InvestigateWest, spoke to reform advocates and agency officials about the obstacles that are keeping the office from quickly meeting its intended purpose. 
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Melanie Henshaw, Indigenous Affairs reporter for InvestigateWest</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.investigatewest.org/investigatewest-reports/no-investigations-opened-no-complaints-taken-a-slow-start-for-washington-office-tasked-with-probing-police-violence-17720975">Three years, no investigations: A slow start for Washington office tasked with probing police violence - InvestigateWest</a></li>
</ul>

Soundside

A first of its kind state agency faces a slow start, and pushback from police reform advocates

Seattle has a rich jazz history -- and you can’t talk about it without mentioning legends like Ray Charles and Quincy Jones. Both artists knew each other, as they grew their music chops right here in Seattle. Of course, we can’t forget to mention Kenny G.

In the 1920s and 1930s jazz clubs were an escape during prohibition, and many of them lasted long after prohibition ended. For almost 45 years, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley has not only been one of the preeminent jazz clubs in Seattle, but also in the country.

Whether you’re someone who likes to go out to the club or not, you’ve probably heard of Seattle’s Jazz Alley. Tucked away down a literal alley, the all ages jazz club has showcased performances by jazz greats like Tower of Power, and American Blues Musician Taj Mahal, who will be returning for his annual Thanksgiving residency.

Soundside host Diana Opong caught up with Ari Dimitriou and his father, John Dimitriou – who is still running the club at 75 years old. They discussed the origins of Jazz Alley and the future of the iconic family business. 

Plus... while Jazz Alley is undoubtedly the face of the genre in Seattle, it isn’t the only establishment looking to keep jazz alive. 

Seattle has a wealth of new talent – local high schools like Bothell, Garfield, and Roosevelt are regular finalists in national competitions. But the journey from a local school band to a big stage like Jazz Alley is long and difficult. 

One local organization – the Seattle Jazz Fellowship – is looking to change that. Soundside producer Alec Cowan visited a jam session to hear about the importance of local bandstands for musicians and jazz-enjoyers alike. 

Guests:
John and Ari Dimitriou, who founded and operate Jazz Alley in Seattle. 
Thomas Marriott, jazz trumpeter and founder of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship, a nonprofit supporting mentorship and playing opportunities for local jazz musicians. 
Roman Goron, local jazz pianist. 

Related Links: 
How Seattle’s Jazz Alley, now 43, became a premier destination | The Seattle Times
Jazz Has a New Home in Seattle. One Caveat: The Place Is ‘For Lease.’ - The New York Times
3 Seattle-area high schools make finals of 2024 Essentially Ellington jazz band competition | The Seattle Times

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

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

Seattle has a rich jazz history -- and you can’t talk about it without mentioning legends like Ray Charles and Quincy Jones. Both artists knew each other, as they grew their music chops right here in Seattle. Of course, we can’t forget to mention Kenny G.
In the 1920s and 1930s jazz clubs were an escape during prohibition, and many of them lasted long after prohibition ended. For almost 45 years, <a href="https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/">Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley</a> has not only been one of the preeminent jazz clubs in Seattle, but also in the country.
Whether you’re someone who likes to go out to the club or not, you’ve probably heard of Seattle’s Jazz Alley. Tucked away down a literal alley, the all ages jazz club has showcased performances by jazz greats like Tower of Power, and American Blues Musician Taj Mahal, who will be returning for his annual Thanksgiving residency.
Soundside host Diana Opong caught up with Ari Dimitriou and his father, John Dimitriou – who is still running the club at 75 years old. They discussed the origins of Jazz Alley and the future of the iconic family business. 
Plus... while Jazz Alley is undoubtedly the face of the genre in Seattle, it isn’t the only establishment looking to keep jazz alive. 
Seattle has a wealth of new talent – local high schools like Bothell, Garfield, and Roosevelt are regular finalists in national competitions. But the journey from a local school band to a big stage like Jazz Alley is long and difficult. 
One local organization – the<a href="https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/"> Seattle Jazz Fellowship</a> – is looking to change that. Soundside producer Alec Cowan visited a jam session to hear about the importance of local bandstands for musicians and jazz-enjoyers alike. 
Guests:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">John and Ari Dimitriou, who founded and operate Jazz Alley in Seattle. </li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://thomasmarriott.net/">Thomas Marriott,</a> jazz trumpeter and founder of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship, a nonprofit supporting mentorship and playing opportunities for local jazz musicians. </li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.romangoron.com/">Roman Goron</a>, local jazz pianist. </li>
</ul>
Related Links: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/how-seattles-jazz-alley-now-43-became-a-premier-destination/">How Seattle’s Jazz Alley, now 43, became a premier destination | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/arts/music/seattle-jazz-fellowship-for-lease.html?searchResultPosition=1">Jazz Has a New Home in Seattle. One Caveat: The Place Is ‘For Lease.’ - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/3-seattle-area-high-schools-make-finals-of-2024-essentially-ellington-jazz-band-competition/">3 Seattle-area high schools make finals of 2024 Essentially Ellington jazz band competition | The Seattle Times</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Jazz has a storied past in Seattle. But what about its future? 

Bird flu has spread at astonishing speed and with little discretion for what it infects.

Since first emerging, the strain of H5N1 has infected wild birds, commercially raised chickens, seals, dairy cows, and, yes, even humans.

Late last week, Woodland Park Zoo announced that a red breasted goose died in a suspected case of bird flu. The zoo quickly isolated birds and restricted access to them. 

Meanwhile, just north of Washington in British Columbia, a teenager was hospitalized in critical condition after contracting bird flu. The teen had no known contact with infected animals.

This comes after 11 Washington farm workers contracted the virus in October. 

As the Northwest sees notable bird flu events, how much do we need to be concerned?

Guest:

Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, professor, physician, and director of the University of Washington’s Center for One Health Research.

Relevant Links:

KUOW: With the U.S. bird flu outbreak uncontained, scientists see growing risks

KUOW: Bird flu is now spreading to cattle. Should Washington dairy farmers be worried?



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

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

Bird flu has spread at astonishing speed and with little discretion for what it infects.
Since first emerging, the strain of H5N1 has infected wild birds, commercially raised chickens, seals, dairy cows, and, yes, even humans.
Late last week, Woodland Park Zoo announced that a red breasted goose died in a suspected case of bird flu. The zoo quickly isolated birds and restricted access to them. 
Meanwhile, just north of Washington in British Columbia, a teenager was hospitalized in critical condition after contracting bird flu. The teen had no known contact with infected animals.
This comes after 11 Washington farm workers contracted the virus in October. 
As the Northwest sees notable bird flu events, how much do we need to be concerned?
Guest:
<a href="https://deohs.washington.edu/faculty/peter-rabinowitz">Dr. Peter Rabinowitz</a>, professor, physician, and director of the University of Washington’s Center for One Health Research.
Relevant Links:
KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/with-the-u-s-bird-flu-outbreak-uncontained-scientists-see-growing-risks">With the U.S. bird flu outbreak uncontained, scientists see growing risks</a>
KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/bird-flu-is-now-spreading-to-cattle-should-washington-dairy-farmers-be-worried">Bird flu is now spreading to cattle. Should Washington dairy farmers be worried?</a>
 
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

With notable cases of bird flu in the Northwest, how concerned should Washingtonian's be?

In the aftermath of the 2024 election, Democrats are confronting a possible existential threat: The erosion of support among important demographic groups, particularly Latinos. 

An example close to home helps illustrate the shift: In the 14th Legislative District, in the Yakima Valley, a newly redrawn map was supposed to strengthen Latino representation in the state House and Senate. 

Republicans even challenged the map in court, alleging it was built to win seats for Democrats. 

But as the dust settles, Republicans are poised to sweep the 14th District, new map and all. 

So what’s happening here, and what’s driving changes in Latino voting patterns?

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

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

Guests:


Sophia Jordán Wallace is a political science professor at the University of Washington. She specializes in Latino politics and politics of race and ethnicity, among other things

Relevant Links:


The role of the Latino vote in the 2024 election - NPR


In a purple Pacific Northwest pocket three Latina candidates face tough House races - NPR


Late hardball from the WSRP - Washington Observer

In the aftermath of the 2024 election, Democrats are confronting a possible existential threat: The erosion of support among important demographic groups, particularly Latinos. 
An example close to home helps illustrate the shift: In the 14th Legislative District, in the Yakima Valley, a newly redrawn map was supposed to strengthen Latino representation in the state House and Senate. Republicans even challenged the map in court, alleging it was built to win seats for Democrats. But as the dust settles, Republicans are poised to sweep the 14th District, new map and all. 
So what’s happening here, and what’s driving changes in Latino voting patterns?
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>
Sophia Jordán Wallace is a political science professor at the University of Washington. She specializes in Latino politics and politics of race and ethnicity, among other things
</li>
</ul>
Relevant Links:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/11/06/nx-s1-5179835/the-role-of-the-latino-vote-in-the-2024-election">The role of the Latino vote in the 2024 election</a> - NPR
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/10/30/nx-s1-5162179/trio-of-latina-freshman-in-congress-face-tough-re-election-fights-in-pacific-northwest">In a purple Pacific Northwest pocket three Latina candidates face tough House races</a> - NPR
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/late-hardball-from-the-wsrp">Late hardball from the WSRP</a> - Washington Observer
</li>
</ul>

A first of its kind state agency faces a slow start, and pushback from police reform advocates

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