Eviction cases hit an all time high in King County last year. It’s the latest data point in an ongoing trend. Since the Covid era eviction moratorium ended in 2022, the number of people facing eviction proceedings has risen every year. 

This is happening even as rents have remained relatively flat. 

Hanging over all of this is budget tightening in Olympia state lawmakers are planning a multi million dollar cut to legal assistance for tenants. 

Are we at a crisis point when it comes to the number of evictions in our state?

Links:

Seattle Times: King County, WA eviction levels hit an all-time high, again 

Guest:

Alexis Weisend, real estate reporter at the Seattle Times

Eviction cases hit an all time high in King County last year. It&rsquo;s the latest data point in an ongoing trend. Since the Covid era eviction moratorium ended in 2022, the number of people facing eviction proceedings has risen every year.&nbsp; This is happening even as rents have remained relatively flat.&nbsp;
Hanging over all of this is budget tightening in Olympia state lawmakers are planning a multi million dollar cut to legal assistance for tenants.&nbsp;
Are we at a crisis point when it comes to the number of evictions in our state?
Links:
Seattle Times:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/king-county-wa-eviction-levels-hit-an-all-time-high-again/">King County, WA eviction levels hit an all-time high, again </a>
Guest:
Alexis Weisend, real estate reporter at the Seattle Times

Soundside

Since the Covid era eviction moratorium ended in 2022, the number of people facing eviction proceedings has risen every year in King County. 

Evictions cases continue to rise in King County, even as rents stay relatively flat

The retail operator for Eddie Bauer’s North American stores has filed for bankruptcy.

Depending on how things turn out, the outdoor gear brand could see the closure of nearly 200 stores across the United States and Canada. The Seattle Times also reports that the company's store operator plans to close its headquarters in Seattle and lay off 60 workers. 

This isn’t the first sign of trouble for the Seattle-based business, which faced bankruptcy proceedings in 2003 and 2009. 

This latest filing won’t affect the company’s wholesale, manufacturing or online operations -- so it’s not like the brand’s going away completely.

But the news still feels pretty big…. 

Because once upon a time, not too long ago, Eddie Bauer was a premiere spot for outdoor gear. It outfitted the first American to summit Mount Everest.  

And there was a time when it was quite the fashion statement to walk into work with an Eddie Bauer puffer. 

As the company faces an uncertain future, we decided to reflect on its legacy. 

Guests: 
Clara Berg, a fashion historian and Curator of Collections at MOHAI.

Related links: 
Our Story – Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer to close its Seattle headquarters, lay off 60 workers | The Seattle Times
Eddie Bauer: From Outdoor Staple to Bankruptcy Watch - Business Insider
Retail operator of Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy, will keep stores open during restructuring | AP News
Eddie Bauer store operator files for bankruptcy, seeks sale | Reuters

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 retail operator for Eddie Bauer&rsquo;s North American stores has filed for bankruptcy.
Depending on how things turn out, the outdoor gear brand could see the closure of nearly 200 stores across the United States and Canada. The Seattle Times also reports that the company's store operator <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/eddie-bauer-to-close-its-seattle-headquarters-lay-off-60-workers/?block=ebwhatsnew&amp;utm_source=marketingcloud&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Evening+Brief+02-09-26_2_9_2026&amp;utm_term=">plans to close its headquarters</a> in Seattle and lay off 60 workers.&nbsp;
This isn&rsquo;t the first sign of trouble for the Seattle-based business, which faced bankruptcy proceedings in 2003 and 2009.&nbsp;
This latest filing won&rsquo;t affect the company&rsquo;s wholesale, manufacturing or online operations -- so it&rsquo;s not like the brand&rsquo;s going away completely.
But the news still feels pretty big&hellip;.&nbsp;
Because once upon a time, not too long ago, Eddie Bauer was a premiere spot for outdoor gear. It outfitted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eddie-bauer-bankruptcy-retail-1f4168dca0060353b3766f0924d9c7da">the first American to summit</a> Mount Everest.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And there was a time when it was quite the fashion statement to walk into work with an Eddie Bauer puffer.&nbsp;
As the company faces an uncertain future, we decided to reflect on its legacy.&nbsp;
Guests:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Clara Berg, a fashion historian and Curator of Collections at MOHAI.</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-files-subpoena-enforcement-action-against-nike"></a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.eddiebauer.com/pages/our-story">Our Story &ndash; Eddie Bauer</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/eddie-bauer-to-close-its-seattle-headquarters-lay-off-60-workers/?block=ebwhatsnew&amp;utm_source=marketingcloud&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Evening+Brief+02-09-26_2_9_2026&amp;utm_term=">Eddie Bauer to close its Seattle headquarters, lay off 60 workers | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eddie-bauer-outdoor-retailer-store-closures-loom-history-photos-2026-2">Eddie Bauer: From Outdoor Staple to Bankruptcy Watch - Business Insider</a></li>
<li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/eddie-bauer-bankruptcy-retail-1f4168dca0060353b3766f0924d9c7da">Retail operator of Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy, will keep stores open during restructuring | AP News</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/eddie-bauer-store-operator-files-bankruptcy-seeks-sale-2026-02-09/">Eddie Bauer store operator files for bankruptcy, seeks sale | Reuters</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.

Eddie Bauer long reigned as an outdoor gear giant. The retail operator for the company’s North American stores just filed for bankruptcy, so we looked back at the legacy of this Seattle-based business. 

Reflecting on the legacy of Eddie Bauer

Like many private companies, Nike has implemented diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its workplace. The Trump Administration has long been a vocal critic of such policies.

On the first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order, titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.“

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently disclosed it's investigating Nike for “systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination” against white workers.

Nike does have regional ties – with headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. But... this is Nike: “Just Do It” and Air Jordans. We’re talking about a global entity, and this investigation could have wide ranging implications for employment practices nationwide.

Guests: 
Rebecca Davis O'Brien, a labor reporter at The New York Times

Related links: 
EEOC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against NIKE | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Nike, Accused of Bias Against White Workers, Is Under Federal Investigation - The New York Times
What to Know About the Federal Investigation Into Nike - The New York Times
Nike and Trump’s Supporters Have Been on a Collision Course for Years - The New York 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.

Like many private companies, Nike has implemented diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its workplace. The Trump Administration has long been a vocal critic of such policies.
On the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/">first day of his second term</a>, President Trump signed an executive order, titled &ldquo;Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.&ldquo;
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently disclosed it's investigating Nike for &ldquo;systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination&rdquo; against white workers.
Nike does have regional ties &ndash; with <a href="https://about.nike.com/en/company">headquarters</a> in Beaverton, Oregon. But... this is Nike: &ldquo;Just Do It&rdquo; and Air Jordans. We&rsquo;re talking about a global entity, and this investigation could have wide ranging implications for employment practices nationwide.
Guests:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Rebecca Davis O'Brien, a labor reporter at The New York Times</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-files-subpoena-enforcement-action-against-nike">EEOC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against NIKE | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/eeoc-nike-white-employee-discrimination.html?smid=tw-nytimes&amp;smtyp=cur">Nike, Accused of Bias Against White Workers, Is Under Federal Investigation - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000010692316/donald-trump-discrimination-nike.html">What to Know About the Federal Investigation Into Nike - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/business/nike-and-trumps-supporters-have-been-on-a-collision-course-for-years.html">Nike and Trump&rsquo;s Supporters Have Been on a Collision Course for Years - The New York 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&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.

The EEOC disclosed it is investigating the company, which is headquartered in Oregon, for “systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination” against white workers. 

Nike's under investigation for allegedly discriminating against white people

If you’re a Seahawks fan, Sunday’s big game was glorious domination.

For the rest of the hundred-and-thirty-million plus viewers the defensive showcase was maybe a bit of a snooze.

But football fans had other ways to amp up the excitement:

Betting cold hard cash.

It’s impossible to avoid hearing about betting when you’re watching most sporting events in the US these days -- let alone the biggest game of the year.

According to the American Gambling Association, Americans were expected to wager $1.76 billion dollars on this year’s Super Bowl. That’s a near 27% increase over last year.

Now, sports betting is still illegal in Washington state outside of tribal casinos. 

But, as the mobile betting market has expanded legally into more and more states, alternative means for placing bets have become increasingly popular - even in states like Washington.

And according to my next guest, that market isn’t just shaping how we watch the game. It’s changing the game itself.

Guest:
Danny Funt covers sports betting as a contributor at the Washington Post, and he’s the author of the new book “Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling”

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.

If you&rsquo;re a Seahawks fan, Sunday&rsquo;s big game was glorious domination. For the rest of the hundred-and-thirty-million plus viewers the defensive showcase was maybe a bit of a snooze.
But football fans had other ways to amp up the excitement:
Betting cold hard cash.
It&rsquo;s impossible to avoid hearing about betting when you&rsquo;re watching most sporting events in the US these days -- let alone the biggest game of the year.
According to t<a href="https://www.americangaming.org/americans-to-legally-wager-estimated-1-76-billion-on-super-bowl-lx/">he American Gambling Association</a>, Americans were expected to wager $1.76 billion dollars on this year&rsquo;s Super Bowl. That&rsquo;s a near 27% increase over last year.
Now, sports betting is still illegal in Washington state <a href="https://wsgc.wa.gov/tribal-partnerships/sports-wagering/sports-wagering-requirements-and-rules">outside of tribal casinos</a>.&nbsp;
But, as the mobile betting market has expanded legally into more and more states, alternative means for placing bets have become increasingly popular - even in states like Washington.
And according to my next guest, that market isn&rsquo;t just shaping how we watch the game. It&rsquo;s changing the game itself.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Danny Funt covers sports betting as a contributor at the Washington Post, and he&rsquo;s the author of the new book &ldquo;<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Everybody-Loses/Danny-Funt/9781668062029">Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling</a>&rdquo;</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.

The rise of sports betting isn't just  shaping how we watch the game. It’s changing the game itself.

Evictions cases continue to rise in King County, even as rents stay relatively flat

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