It’s election day … officially. 

But don’t hold your breath, everyone. We’re still possibly days away from knowing the results of many races, both local and national. 

Even so, we wanted to get a sense of how voters in Washington have been feeling and thinking about the choices on the ballot this season. KUOW has been speaking with people across the political spectrum, to get their takes on what’s driving their decisions.

Guest:
Alex Rochester, KUOW digital community outreach producer 

Related links:
What do Democratic, Republican, and Independent Washington state voters think about the 2024 ballot? - KUOW

It’s election day … officially. 
But don’t hold your breath, everyone. We’re still possibly days away from knowing the results of many races, both local and national. 
Even so, we wanted to get a sense of how voters in Washington have been feeling and thinking about the choices on the ballot this season. KUOW has been speaking with people across the political spectrum, to get their takes on what’s driving their decisions.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Alex Rochester, KUOW digital community outreach producer </li>
</ul>
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/how-washington-voters-across-the-political-spectrum-plan-to-cast-their-ballot">What do Democratic, Republican, and Independent Washington state voters think about the 2024 ballot?</a> - KUOW</li>
</ul>

Soundside

Election day has arrived, here's what's on the minds of WA voters

The Trump Administration is changing federal cannabis policy.

On Thursday acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying medical marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. 

That puts the drug in the same category as substances like ketamine and anabolic steroids.

Now, this doesn’t mean cannabis is legal nationwide, and people with convictions related to marijuana won’t see their charges dropped. But officials say it’ll allow for more research into cannabis for medical use.

For distributors in the 40 states that have medical marijuana systems already in place, it could mean tax benefits and less hoops to jump through when selling cannabis.

This reclassification does not impact recreational marijuana. But advocates say it could be a sign of bigger changes to come.

Guest:
 Dr. Susan Ferguson, Director of the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington

Related links:
Justice Department Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana Subject to a Qualifying State-issued License in Schedule III, Strengthening Medical Research While Maintaining Strict Federal Controls
Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Will End Discrimination In Housing, Healthcare And Employment For Medical Cannabis Patients (Op-Ed) - Marijuana Moment
SAM CONDEMNS IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ILLEGAL DIRECTIVE ON MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING - Smart Approaches to Marijuana

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.

The Trump Administration is changing federal cannabis policy.
On Thursday acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying medical marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug.&nbsp;
That puts the drug in the same category as substances like ketamine and anabolic steroids.
Now, this doesn&rsquo;t mean cannabis is legal nationwide, and people with convictions related to marijuana won&rsquo;t see their charges dropped. But officials say it&rsquo;ll allow for more research into cannabis for medical use.
For distributors in the 40 states that have medical marijuana systems already in place, it could mean tax benefits and less hoops to jump through when selling cannabis.
This reclassification does not impact recreational marijuana. But advocates say it could be a sign of bigger changes to come.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;Dr. Susan Ferguson, Director of the Addictions, Drug &amp; Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington</li>
</ul>
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-places-fda-approved-marijuana-products-and-products-containing-marijuana">Justice Department Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana Subject to a Qualifying State-issued License in Schedule III, Strengthening Medical Research While Maintaining Strict Federal Controls</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-marijuana-rescheduling-will-end-discrimination-in-housing-healthcare-and-employment-for-medical-cannabis-patients-op-ed/">Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Will End Discrimination In Housing, Healthcare And Employment For Medical Cannabis Patients (Op-Ed) - Marijuana Moment</a></li>
<li><a href="https://learnaboutsam.org/2026/04/sam-condemns-in-the-strongest-possible-terms-the-trump-administrations-illegal-directive-on-marijuana-rescheduling/">SAM CONDEMNS IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION&rsquo;S ILLEGAL DIRECTIVE ON MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING - Smart Approaches to Marijuana</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

On Thursday acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying medical marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug.  Advocates say it could be a sign of bigger changes to come.

Marijuana research may reach new heights as Trump Administration reclassifies medical cannabis

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest: David Kroman - Seattle Times City Hall Reporter

Related Links:
Lawmakers call for dissolving King County homelessness agency following audit
Seattle, county officials demand reform to homeless authority, file for dissolution
Analysis adds to debate over Seattle’s delivery driver wage law
Spokane Valley teen takes it upon himself to create sensory aid for blind classmate

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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/david-kroman/">David Kroman</a> - Seattle Times City Hall Reporter
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/audit-critical-of-king-county-homelessness-agencys-fiscal-practices/">Lawmakers call for dissolving King County homelessness agency following audit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-county-officials-demand-reform-to-homeless-authority-file-for-dissolution/">Seattle, county officials demand reform to homeless authority, file for dissolution</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/analysis-adds-to-debate-over-seattles-delivery-driver-wage-law/">Analysis adds to debate over Seattle&rsquo;s delivery driver wage law</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/apr/24/its-incredible-spokane-valley-teen-takes-it-upon-h/">Spokane Valley teen takes it upon himself to create sensory aid for blind classmate</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

Front Page: KCRHA, gig worker pay, and high school accessibility aids

In less than two months, Seattle will begin hosting matches for the 2026 World Cup. 

And, like in the 10 other U.S. host cities, there is a lot of excitement here about this mega international sporting event coming to town.

... But there's likely some trepidation, too, as people think ahead to the congested streets, possible transit hangups and big crowds. 

Seattleites could be tempted to ask, how did we get roped into this and will it be worth it?

We called up a sports economist for answers. 

Guest:
Victor Matheson, a professor at College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts

Related links:
"The Economics of the World Cup" by Victor Matheson
The World Cup is around the corner. Are cities and states prepared? • Stateline
Why Host The Olympics When History Shows It's Likely A Money Pit? : The Indicator from Planet Money : NPR
KUOW - Will this summer's World Cup be an economic win for Seattle?

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.

In less than two months, Seattle will begin hosting matches for the 2026 World Cup.&nbsp;
And, like in the 10 other U.S. host cities, there is a lot of excitement here about this mega international sporting event coming to town.
... But there's likely some trepidation, too, as people think ahead to the congested streets, possible transit hangups and big crowds.&nbsp;
Seattleites could be tempted to ask, how did we get roped into this and will it be worth it?
We called up a sports economist for answers.&nbsp;
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Victor Matheson, a professor at College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts</li>
</ul>
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://crossworks.holycross.edu/econ_working_papers/180/">"The Economics of the World Cup" by Victor Matheson</a></li>
<li><a href="https://stateline.org/2026/03/31/the-world-cup-is-around-the-corner-are-cities-and-states-prepared/">The World Cup is around the corner. Are cities and states prepared? &bull; Stateline</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/08/05/1025310133/why-host-the-olympics">Why Host The Olympics When History Shows It's Likely A Money Pit? : The Indicator from Planet Money : NPR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/will-this-summers-world-cup-be-an-economic-win-for-seattle">KUOW - Will this summer's World Cup be an economic win for Seattle?</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seattle has been buzzing with excitement over this year's World Cup. But does all of the preparation, financial investment and fanfare pay off for host cities in the end? 

Election day has arrived, here's what's on the minds of WA voters

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