Comics publisher Fantagraphics is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It began as “The Comics Journal” – one of the first magazines that reviewed comics with a critics eye. At the time, it took an adversarial role against the big players in the comic industry: DC and Marvel. It tried to push comics into the realm of art instead of idle time waster for kids. And then it grew into so much more.

Guest:

Gary Groth, co-founder and president of Fantagraphics

Relevant Links: 

KUOW: Seattle comics publisher Fantagraphics celebrates 50th anniversary

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.

Comics publisher <a href="https://www.fantagraphics.com/">Fantagraphics</a> is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It began as &ldquo;The Comics Journal&rdquo; &ndash; one of the first magazines that reviewed comics with a critics eye. At the time, it took an adversarial role against the big players in the comic industry: DC and Marvel. It tried to push comics into the realm of art instead of idle time waster for kids. And then it grew into so much more.
Guest:
Gary Groth, co-founder and president of Fantagraphics
Relevant Links:&nbsp;
KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-comics-publisher-fantagraphics-celebrates-50th-anniversary">Seattle comics publisher Fantagraphics celebrates 50th anniversary</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.

Soundside

Fantagraphics co-founder and president Gary Groth spoke with Soundside about the 50th anniversary of the publisher

Fantagraphics wanted comics to be treated as art. It changed the publishing industry.

One of Washington’s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.

For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats. 

For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign. 

The first of four interviews is with Keith Scully, a Shoreline councilmember and a lawyer. He’s also Shoreline’s former mayor. 

He lives in Richmond Beach with his family. 

Guest

Keith Scully, Shoreline councilmember, lawyer

Related Links

Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District- The Daily Herald

Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls - The Washington State Standard

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.

 

One of Washington&rsquo;s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.&nbsp;Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.
For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats.&nbsp;
For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign.&nbsp;
The first of four interviews is with Keith Scully, a Shoreline councilmember and a lawyer. He&rsquo;s also Shoreline&rsquo;s former mayor.&nbsp;
He lives in Richmond Beach with his family.&nbsp; Guest
<a href="https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/elected-and-appointed-officials/shoreline-city-council/scully">Keith Scully</a>, Shoreline councilmember, lawyer Related Links <a href="https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/07/03/six-candidates-vie-for-open-house-seat-in-32nd-district/">Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District</a> - The Daily Herald <a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/16/seattle-area-state-house-race-draws-crowded-field-of-democratic-hopefuls/">Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls</a> - The Washington State Standard
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.
&nbsp;

The 32nd includes some of northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.

Primary Elections 2026: Keith Scully, candidate for Position 1, Legislative District 32

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: KUOW newscaster Paige Browning

Related Links:
KOMO: Seattle records first homicide-free June since 1970
Seattle Times: Seattle’s population boom has hit the brakes, new data shows


The Athletic: Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended
The Athletic: ‘Thank you FIFA for reversing a great injustice!’ How Trump, teammates reacted to Balogun’s ban reprieve

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: KUOW newscaster Paige Browning
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/nyregion/mamdani-politics-influence.html"></a><a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-had-no-homicides-in-june-for-the-first-time-since-1970-chief-shon-barnes-police-department-spd-law-enforcement-real-time-crime-center-visitors-international-events">KOMO: Seattle records first homicide-free June since 1970</a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/nyregion/mamdani-politics-influence.html"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattles-population-boom-hit-the-brakes-in-2026-new-data-shows/">Seattle Times:&nbsp;Seattle&rsquo;s population boom has hit the brakes, new data shows</a></li>
<li>
The Athletic: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7423410/2026/07/05/usmnt-folarin-balogun-red-card-available/">Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended</a>
</li>
<li>The Athletic: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7423606/2026/07/05/fifa-world-cup-balogun-ban-trump/">&lsquo;Thank you FIFA for reversing a great injustice!&rsquo; How Trump, teammates reacted to Balogun&rsquo;s ban reprieve</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.

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: The boys are back in town ... and facing controversy. Plus, are the boom years behind Seattle? 

The Enchantments are on the up and up. 

Or at least, things are looking better than last year.  

The 18-mile stretch in the Cascades has long been a popular destination for hikers and backpackers in Washington.

But federal cuts and staffing shortages last year made the Enchantments pretty disenchanting.  

In 2025, only one ranger was in charge of patrolling the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - which spans 900 miles. 

That made trail maintenance really difficult.

We’re talking trash on the trails, overflowing garbage cans, and overflowing toilets. 

It didn’t help that last summer, the area saw record-shattering crowds - with 2,400 people visiting on one day during the July Fourth weekend. 

It’s been a year, and while some things have improved, there’s still a lot of work to be done in the region.

Guest:
Gregory Scruggs, outdoors reporter for The Seattle Times

Related Stories:


Here’s where the Enchantments stand for WA summer hiking season | The Seattle Times


The Enchantments face dire conditions amid staffing shortage | 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.

The Enchantments are on the up and up.&nbsp;
Or at least, things are looking better than last year.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The 18-mile stretch in the Cascades has long been a popular destination for hikers and backpackers in Washington.
But federal cuts and staffing shortages last year made the Enchantments pretty disenchanting.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In 2025, only one ranger was in charge of patrolling the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - which spans 900 miles.&nbsp;
That made trail maintenance really difficult.
We&rsquo;re talking trash on the trails, overflowing garbage cans, and overflowing toilets.&nbsp;
It didn&rsquo;t help that last summer, the area saw record-shattering crowds - with 2,400 people visiting on one day during the July Fourth weekend.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s been a year, and while some things have improved, there&rsquo;s still a lot of work to be done in the region.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Gregory Scruggs, outdoors reporter for The Seattle Times</li>
</ul>
Related Stories:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/heres-where-the-enchantments-stand-for-wa-summer-hiking-season/?utm_source=marketingcloud&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Morning+Brief+06-24-26_6_24_2026&amp;utm_term=">Here&rsquo;s where the Enchantments stand for WA summer hiking season | The Seattle Times</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/the-enchantments-face-dire-conditions-amid-staffing-shortage/">The Enchantments face dire conditions amid staffing shortage | 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.

The popularity of The Enchantments in the Cascades has many asking... how should we manage Wilderness Areas? 

Fantagraphics wanted comics to be treated as art. It changed the publishing industry.

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