This election season we’re taking a dive into the big races and big initiatives on your ballot this November. This week we’re taking a look at Initiative 2066 – the "Natural Gas Policies Measure." 

For a quick refresher, this initiative aims to keep natural gas as a consumer option as building codes, state policies, and utility companies begin a pivot to green and clean energy. 

Yesterday, Soundside heard from Leah Missik, who opposes the initiative to repeal provisions in this year’s natural gas law.

Today, Soundside heard from a supporter of the initiative: Greg Lane, the executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Washington, which is the main sponsor of the initiative. 

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

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

Guests:
Greg Lane, executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Washington.

Related Links:
Washington's Energy Choice Initiative (protectenergychoice.com)
Measure to prevent phasing out of natural gas in WA is on track for November ballot • Washington State Standard
City Inside/Out: Gas or green? Debate over natural gas heads to voters | seattlechannel.org

This election season we’re taking a dive into the big races and big initiatives on your ballot this November. This week we’re taking a look at<a href="https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/Documents/Initiatives/2024/2066%20initiative%20summary%20-%20final.pdf"> Initiative 2066 – the "Natural Gas Policies Measure." </a>
For a quick refresher, this initiative aims to keep natural gas as a consumer option as building codes, state policies, and utility companies begin a pivot to green and clean energy. 
Yesterday, <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/initiative-2066-why-opponents-say-you-should-vote">Soundside heard from Leah Missik</a>, who opposes the initiative to repeal provisions in this year’s natural gas law.
Today, Soundside heard from a supporter of the initiative: Greg Lane, the executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Washington, which is the main sponsor of the initiative. 
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>Greg Lane, executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Washington.</li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.protectenergychoice.com/">Washington's Energy Choice Initiative (protectenergychoice.com)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/07/02/measure-to-block-was-natural-gas-phase-out-on-track-to-qualify-for-november-ballot/">Measure to prevent phasing out of natural gas in WA is on track for November ballot • Washington State Standard</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlechannel.org/CityInsideOut?videoid=x159478">City Inside/Out: Gas or green? Debate over natural gas heads to voters | seattlechannel.org</a></li>
</ul>

Soundside

Initiative 2066: Why proponents say you should vote 'Yes'

It’s been a tough few months for many local IT departments.

Last week, hackers posted a handful of files stolen from SeaTac airport on the dark web. A ransomware gang is attempting to sell a trove of stolen Port of Seattle data for 6 million dollars in Bitcoin – after the Port refused to pay up. 

The cyber-attack a little over a month ago snarled travel when it took down ticketing, baggage, and other SeaTac services.

But that’s just the highest profile ransomware case in the Seattle area in recent months.

A few weeks ago, the Highline School District canceled classes because a cyberattack had wormed its way into the local system. There was also a crippling ransomware attack on Seattle Public Libraries back in May, which put their book checkout and online systems in limbo for months

For more on what’s happening – and how organizations can protect themselves –Soundside caught up with Robby Winchester, the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company. 

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:
Robby Winchester on the line. He’s the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company. 

Related Links: 
Hackers demand $6 million for files stolen from Seattle airport operator in cyberattack | AP News
Highline schools closing Monday because of cyberattack | The Seattle Times
Why did ransomware hackers target Seattle Public Library? – GeekWire

It’s been a tough few months for many local IT departments.
Last week, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/seattle-airport-cyberattack-ransomware-rhysida-95cd980a9f45112f0fdce488233eec9c">hackers posted a handful of files</a> stolen from SeaTac airport on the dark web. A ransomware gang is attempting to sell a trove of stolen Port of Seattle data for 6 million dollars in Bitcoin – after the Port refused to pay up. The cyber-attack a little over a month ago snarled travel when it took down ticketing, baggage, and other SeaTac services.
But that’s just the highest profile ransomware case in the Seattle area in recent months.
A few weeks ago,<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/highline-schools-closing-monday-because-of-technology-breach/"> the Highline School District canceled classes </a>because a cyberattack had wormed its way into the local system. There was also<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/why-did-ransomware-hackers-target-seattle-public-library/"> a crippling ransomware attack on Seattle Public Libraries</a> back in May, which put their book checkout and online systems in limbo for months
For more on what’s happening – and how organizations can protect themselves –Soundside caught up with Robby Winchester, the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company. 
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" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Robby Winchester on the line. He’s the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company. </li>
</ul>
Related Links: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/seattle-airport-cyberattack-ransomware-rhysida-95cd980a9f45112f0fdce488233eec9c">Hackers demand $6 million for files stolen from Seattle airport operator in cyberattack | AP News</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/highline-schools-closing-monday-because-of-technology-breach/">Highline schools closing Monday because of cyberattack | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/why-did-ransomware-hackers-target-seattle-public-library/">Why did ransomware hackers target Seattle Public Library? – GeekWire</a></li>
</ul>

From SeaTac to the public library, high-profile hacks are plaguing the region. Why?

Washington state has officially closed the chamber where executions took place, marking the end of capital punishment here in the state. The journey to decommission this chamber involved a lot of moving parts across all branches of government.

First, Governor Jay Inslee put a moratorium on executions in 2014, then the state Supreme Court declared the practice unconstitutional four years later, and finally, the legislature outlawed the practice last year. 

Guest:

Nina Shapiro, Seattle Times reporter covering social issues

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: WA death penalty chamber officially closes, ending tumultuous history 

Washington state has officially closed the chamber where executions took place, marking the end of capital punishment here in the state. The journey to decommission this chamber involved a lot of moving parts across all branches of government.
First, Governor Jay Inslee put a moratorium on executions in 2014, then the state Supreme Court declared the practice unconstitutional four years later, and finally, the legislature outlawed the practice last year. 
Guest:
Nina Shapiro, Seattle Times reporter covering social issues
Relevant Links:
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/wa-death-penalty-chamber-officially-closes-ending-tumultuous-history/">WA death penalty chamber officially closes, ending tumultuous history </a>

The legacy of capital punishment in Washington

Classes at the University of Washington are back in full-swing. And as students try to find their classes, and figure out what to avoid at the dining hall – the university’s administration and faculty are trying to figure out their own conundrum: How to address artificial intelligence– chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini.

For some students and teachers, AI programs can be a useful tool. While for others, it’s another way to cheat on exams and classwork.

KUOW web editor Stephen Howie took a deeper look at the complicated relationship between AI and higher education. 

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: 
KUOW web editor Stephen Howie

Relevant Links:

KUOW newsroom: Learning tool or BS machine? How AI is shaking up higher education

Classes at the University of Washington are back in full-swing. And as students try to find their classes, and figure out what to avoid at the dining hall – the university’s administration and faculty are trying to figure out their own conundrum: How to address artificial intelligence– chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini.
For some students and teachers, AI programs can be a useful tool. While for others, it’s another way to cheat on exams and classwork.
KUOW web editor Stephen Howie took a deeper look at the complicated relationship between AI and higher education. 
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" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a> Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 
Guest: 
<ul>
<li>KUOW web editor Stephen Howie</li>
</ul>
Relevant Links:
KUOW newsroom: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/learning-tool-or-bs-machine-how-ai-is-shaking-up-higher-ed">Learning tool or BS machine? How AI is shaking up higher education</a>

Initiative 2066: Why proponents say you should vote 'Yes'

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