There’s not a lot of places like Seattle Center...

Where else can you take in the opera, a professional hockey game, and an iconic tourist attraction (y’know, the pointy one with a disk on top,) plus a world-famous radio station, and Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning on a six story movie screen… all in the same place?

The 13 square block campus draws over 10 million visitors each year, but supporters argue that the city has been taking Seattle Center for granted.

The campus is scattered with aging buildings and creaky infrastructure… And it’s unclear where money to fix up the center will come from.

In short, Seattle Center is in the middle of a crossroads.

David Kroman reports for the Seattle Times. Along with Margo Vansynghel, he co-bylined a story about the issues facing Seattle Center and a proposed path forward.

GUEST:David Kroman

RELATED LINK:Seattle Center is fraying. Will the city pay to fix it? 

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.

There&rsquo;s not a lot of places like Seattle Center... Where else can you take in the opera, a professional hockey game, and an iconic tourist attraction (y&rsquo;know, the pointy one with a disk on top,) plus a world-famous radio station, and Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning on a six story movie screen&hellip; all in the same place?
The 13 square block campus draws over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattlecenter.com/explore">10 million visitors each year</a>, but supporters argue that the city has been taking Seattle Center for granted.
The campus is scattered with aging buildings and creaky infrastructure&hellip; And it&rsquo;s unclear where money to fix up the center will come from.
In short, Seattle Center is in the middle of a crossroads.
David Kroman reports for the Seattle Times. Along with Margo Vansynghel, he co-bylined a story about the issues facing Seattle Center and a proposed path forward.
GUEST: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/david-kroman/">David Kroman</a>
RELATED LINK: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-center-is-fraying-will-the-city-pay-to-fix-it/">Seattle Center is fraying. Will the city pay to fix it? </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&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Seattle Times reporter David Kroman joins Soundside to talk about Seattle Center, the issues that the public space faces, and the path forward.

Is Seattle ready to pay up for a Seattle Center glow up?

When you visit the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, you’ll see a red circular structure with a four-letter phrase written across the top: “This Is Native Land.” 

It’s the name of the museum’s permanent exhibit that opened in October. The phrase is a reminder that you’ve probably seen many times...

But don’t be lulled into thinking you’ll know what to expect. It has been given a new lens. 

We went to Tacoma a few months ago to talk with the curators behind "This Is Native Land" about how the exhibit came together... and how it challenges the typical ways that museums portray Indigenous people. 

Guests:
Todd Clark, tribal liaison for the Washington State Historical Society and co-curator of “This Is Native Land.”
Danica Sterud Miller,associate professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma and co-curator of "This Is Native Land." 

Related links
This Is Native Land - Washington State Historical Society
Washington State History Museum opens new exhibit, 'This is Native Land' | Puyallup Tribe
‘This is Native Land' explores Washington state history through contemporary art | KNKX Public Radio

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.

When you visit the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, you&rsquo;ll see a red circular structure with a four-letter phrase written across the top: &ldquo;This Is Native Land.&rdquo;&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s the name of the museum&rsquo;s permanent exhibit that opened in October. The phrase is a reminder that you&rsquo;ve probably seen many times...
But don&rsquo;t be lulled into thinking you&rsquo;ll know what to expect. It has been given a new lens.&nbsp;
We went to Tacoma a few months ago to talk with the curators behind "This Is Native Land" about how the exhibit came together... and how it challenges the typical ways that museums portray Indigenous people.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Todd Clark, tribal liaison for the Washington State Historical Society and co-curator of &ldquo;This Is Native Land.&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Danica Sterud Miller, associate professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma and co-curator of "This Is Native Land."&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Related links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://prd.washingtonhistory.org/exhibit/this-is-native-land/">This Is Native Land - Washington State Historical Society</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.puyalluptribe-nsn.gov/news/washington-state-history-museum-opens-new-exhibit-this-is-native-land/">Washington State History Museum opens new exhibit, 'This is Native Land' | Puyallup Tribe</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.knkx.org/arts-culture/2025-10-28/this-is-native-land-washington-state-history-museum-contemporary-indigenous-art">&lsquo;This is Native Land' explores Washington state history through contemporary art | KNKX Public Radio</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 Washington State History Museum in Tacoma has a new, permanent exhibit called "This Is Native Land." The curators pushed back on the typical narratives of Native Americans that they saw in other museums. 

This exhibit challenges how museums portray Native Americans

For over 30 years (since 1995) Ira Glass has been one of, if not THE voice of public radio. 

His show, This American Life, has won Peabody awards, the first ever audio journalism Pulitzer. And it’s also shaped generations of listeners and audio makers. As an early adopter of podcasting (2006), the show was for many a first foray into digital listening. It spawned major hits like Serial, which led to a boom in documentary podcasting.

But the world of audio has changed a lot in recent years. 

Ira Glass shares his thoughts with Soundside.

And he’s coming to the Mount Baker Theater in Bellingham this weekend (Saturday, January 24th) to share some of his secrets: the show is called  “An Evening with Ira Glass: Seven Things I've Learned”

Guest:
Host and executive producer of This American Life, Ira Glass

Related Links:


Mount Baker Theatre Presents An Evening with Ira Glass: Seven Things I've Learned


Ira Glass Explains Why I’m Listening to Podcasts Wrong | SubwayTakes Uncut - Youtube
Ira Glass plays a nicer version of himself on the radio - NPR

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.

For over 30 years (since 1995) Ira Glass has been one of, if not THE voice of public radio.&nbsp;
His show, This American Life, has won Peabody awards, the first ever audio journalism Pulitzer. And it&rsquo;s also shaped generations of listeners and audio makers. As an early adopter of podcasting (2006), the show was for many a first foray into digital listening. It spawned major hits like Serial, which led to a boom in documentary podcasting.
But the world of audio has changed a lot in recent years.&nbsp;
Ira Glass shares his thoughts with Soundside.
And he&rsquo;s coming to the Mount Baker Theater in Bellingham this weekend (Saturday, January 24th) to share some of his secrets: the show is called&nbsp; &ldquo;An Evening with Ira Glass: Seven Things I've Learned&rdquo;
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Host and executive producer of This American Life, Ira Glass</li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.mountbakertheatre.com/events-tickets/ira-glass/">Mount Baker Theatre Presents An Evening with Ira Glass: Seven Things I've Learned</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpv7goPGy5o">Ira Glass Explains Why I&rsquo;m Listening to Podcasts Wrong | SubwayTakes Uncut - Youtube</a><a></a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/11/28/1244131456/ira-glass-legacy-this-american-life-wild-card-npr">Ira Glass plays a nicer version of himself on the radio - NPR</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.

This American Life's Ira Glass sits down with the show to talk the future of NPR, how fast to listen to podcasts, and his favorite public media icon.

Ira Glass reflects on fame, podcasting, and the future of public radio

At the start of 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 reporter Casey Martin

Related stories:
ICE Arrest of a Citizen, Barely Dressed, Sows Fear in Twin Cities - NYT
Seattle police directive clarifies officers’ role as ICE rumors rise - Seattle Times
In act of ICE resistance, Seattleites make hundreds of ‘whistle kits’ - Seattle Times
Mayor Wilson Announces Executive Orders to Accelerate Shelter and Improve Transit - Office of the Mayor
A more clean and comfortable ride: Why Link is moving to vinyl seats - Sound Transit
Seahawks had ‘right intent’ with 49ers ticket resale notice that upset fans - 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.

At the start of 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 reporter Casey Martin
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/us/chongly-scott-thao-ice-arrest.html">ICE Arrest of a Citizen, Barely Dressed, Sows Fear in Twin Cities - NYT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-police-directive-clarifies-officers-role-as-ice-rumors-rise/">Seattle police directive clarifies officers&rsquo; role as ICE rumors rise - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/in-act-of-ice-resistance-seattleites-make-hundreds-of-whistle-kits/">In act of ICE resistance, Seattleites make hundreds of &lsquo;whistle kits&rsquo; - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://wilson.seattle.gov/2026/01/15/mayor-wilson-announces-executive-orders-to-accelerate-shelter-and-improve-transit/">Mayor Wilson Announces Executive Orders to Accelerate Shelter and Improve Transit - Office of the Mayor</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/more-clean-comfortable-ride-why-link-moving-to-vinyl-seats">A more clean and comfortable ride: Why Link is moving to vinyl seats - Sound Transit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-had-right-intent-with-49ers-ticket-resale-notice-that-upset-fans/">Seahawks had &lsquo;right intent&rsquo; with 49ers ticket resale notice that upset fans - 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&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.

At the start of 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.

Is Seattle ready to pay up for a Seattle Center glow up?

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