A brand new contemporary art space opened up this week in downtown Seattle.

It's called Cannonball Arts, and Soundside recently got a sneak preview.

GUESTS:
Brent Watanabe, a Seattle based artist who specializes in computer-controlled installations
Greg Lundgren, Creative Director of New Rising Sun

RELATED LINKS:
Cannonball Arts
Downtown Seattle’s Bed Bath & Beyond building to become an arts center
Real-Deal Out-There Art - The Stranger

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.

A brand new contemporary art space opened up this week&nbsp;in downtown Seattle.
It's called Cannonball Arts, and Soundside recently got a sneak preview.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Brent Watanabe, a Seattle based artist who specializes in computer-controlled installations</li>
<li>Greg Lundgren, Creative Director of New Rising Sun</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://cannonballarts.com/">Cannonball Arts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/visual-arts/downtown-seattles-bed-bath-beyond-building-to-become-an-arts-center/">Downtown Seattle&rsquo;s Bed Bath &amp; Beyond building to become an arts center</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thestranger.com/visual-art/2025/08/18/80202027/real-deal-out-there-art">Real-Deal Out-There Art - The Stranger</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&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Soundside got a behind the scenes tour of the arts space/gallery/museum in the heart of the old Bed Bath & Beyond building - Cannonball Arts.

It’s a gallery. It’s a theme park? It’s Cannonball Arts in downtown Seattle!

How comfortable are you with AI in your news? 

The Tacoma News Tribune, Tri-City Herald, Bellingham Herald, the Olympian. For over a century all of these local papers have brought in-depth reporting and local news to their communities.

But new policies instituted by publisher McClatchy Media have left reporters at the papers worried that the company is adopting artificial intelligence tools for efficiency’s sake, at the cost of  accurate information.

Union members from the Idaho and Washington State Newsguild, a group of five McClatchy owned papers in the region (that includes the four from WA and The Idaho Statesman), are demanding that the publisher change its policy on how it uses artificial intelligence to produce and collate content.

 

Guests:
Kristine Sherred is the food reporter at the Tacoma News Tribune, and chair of the WA state newsguild

 

Links:
To our readers: How we are using AI in our newsrooms - Miami Herald
The McClatchy News Group Is Pushing AI. Their Union Is Pushing Back. - The Stranger

 

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.

How comfortable are you with AI in your news?&nbsp;
The Tacoma News Tribune, Tri-City Herald, Bellingham Herald, the Olympian. For over a century all of these local papers have brought in-depth reporting and local news to their communities.
But new policies instituted by publisher McClatchy Media have left reporters at the papers worried that the company is adopting artificial intelligence tools for efficiency&rsquo;s sake, at the cost of&nbsp; accurate information.
Union members from the Idaho and Washington State Newsguild, a group of five McClatchy owned papers in the region (that includes the four from WA and The Idaho Statesman), are demanding that the publisher change its policy on how it uses artificial intelligence to produce and collate content.
&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Kristine Sherred is the food reporter at the Tacoma News Tribune, and chair of the <a href="https://www.idwanewsguilds.org/">WA state newsguild</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/article280707640.html">To our readers: How we are using AI in our newsrooms - Miami Herald</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thestranger.com/news/2025/12/23/80385841/the-mcclatchy-news-group-is-pushing-ai-their-union-is-pushing-back">The McClatchy News Group Is Pushing AI. Their Union Is Pushing Back. - The Stranger</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
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.

New policies instituted by publisher McClatchy Media have left reporters at the papers worried that the company is adopting artificial intelligence tools for efficiency’s sake, at the cost of  accurate information.

McClatchy News is experimenting with AI. Union reporters have questions

Another week down, only... 50 left to go in 2026. 

If you need a bit of distraction from your doom scrolling, we’ve got just the thing… 

Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with local events you can check out over the next few days, plus some really great stuff coming up to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day…

LINKS:
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS vs San Francisco 49ers - Saturday 5pm
Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet - Sun 7pm
Seattle Kraken vs Pittsburgh Penguins - Mon 2pm
Seattle Retro Fest
Monster Jam | Tacoma Dome
Fat Con
Kidstock! 2026 | Edmonds Center for the Arts
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: An Oz Film Festival 
2026 Winterhop Brewfest

MLK Day Events:
Annual Community Celebration of MLK | Seattle Colleges - Fri 1/16
2026 MLK Day March & Celebration on January 17 - Parkways - Sat 1/17 
26th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party and Live Broadcast - Sun 1/18
MLK Celebration 2026 - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art - Sunday 1/18
Events | SCBHC - Everett, WA Sun 1/18 - Celebration + Mon 1/19 - March & Rally
MLK Day — Seattle MLK Jr Organizing Coalition - Mon 1/19
NAAM | Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2026 - Mon 1/19

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.

Another week down, only... 50 left to go in 2026.&nbsp;
If you need a bit of distraction from your doom scrolling, we&rsquo;ve got just the thing&hellip;&nbsp;
Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with local events you can check out over the next few days, plus some really great stuff coming up to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day&hellip;
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seahawks.com/game-day/2025/playoffs-nfc-divisional/seahawks-vs-49ers/">SEATTLE SEAHAWKS vs San Francisco 49ers</a> - Saturday 5pm</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/game-center/259">Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet</a> - Sun 7pm</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-sea/2026/01/19/2025020772">Seattle Kraken vs Pittsburgh Penguins</a> - Mon 2pm</li>
<li><a href="https://harefest.com/seattle-retro-fest/">Seattle Retro Fest</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tacomadome.org/events/detail/monster-jam-2026">Monster Jam | Tacoma Dome</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.fatcon.org/">Fat Con</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edmondscenterforthearts.org/events/kidstock-2026/">Kidstock! 2026 | Edmonds Center for the Arts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mopop.org/events/follow-the-yellow-brick-road-an-oz-film-festival">Follow the Yellow Brick Road: An Oz Film Festival </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kittitascountychamber.com/winterhop-brewfest/">2026 Winterhop Brewfest</a></li>
</ul>
MLK Day Events:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlecolleges.edu/mlk">Annual Community Celebration of MLK | Seattle Colleges</a> - Fri 1/16</li>
<li><a href="https://parkways.seattle.gov/2025/12/11/2026-mlk-day-march-celebration-on-january-17/">2026 MLK Day March &amp; Celebration on January 17 - Parkways</a> -&nbsp;Sat 1/17&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.kexp.org/events/kexp-events/26th-annual-expansions-mlk-unity-party-and-live-broadcast/">26th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party and Live Broadcast</a> - Sun 1/18</li>
<li><a href="https://www.biartmuseum.org/event/mlk-celebration-2026/">MLK Celebration 2026 - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art</a> - Sunday 1/18</li>
<li><a href="https://www.scbhcwa.org/events">Events | SCBHC - Everett, WA</a>&nbsp;Sun 1/18 - Celebration + Mon 1/19 - March &amp; Rally</li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/mlk-day">MLK Day &mdash; Seattle MLK Jr Organizing Coalition</a> - Mon 1/19</li>
<li><a href="https://www.naamnw.org/king-day">NAAM | Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2026</a> - Mon 1/19</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.

Your weekly look-ahead at all the events that are worth your weekend time, plus a big batch of events for Martin Luther King Jr Day!

Soundside's "Weekend Warmup" - Jan 16-19

The state’s general fund budget is in trouble, as is its transportation budget. Inflation, higher than expected costs, lower than anticipated revenues, state services scheduled to expand. If you listen to KUOW, you’re probably aware of whythe state is facing budget shortfalls. 

This next segment is about a bright spot in the state’s budget: the money generated from the cap and invest system. That’s part of the Climate Commitment Act which voters upheld in 2024. 

Here’s how it works: The state sets a limited amount of emissions allowed each year by major companies that’s the cap.

Companies that emit more than they’re supposed to have to buy an allowance in a state-run auction. The latest auction generated $394 million dollars. The money is supposed to go towards climate investments like air quality monitors, electric vehicle chargers, and public transportation projects. 

But Governor Ferguson recently proposed using more than half billion dollars of that money to fund another program: The Working Families Tax Credit. It’s a refund that gives money back to low-and-medium income state residents.    

Meanwhile, Republicans, perhaps seeing an opening with the governor’s proposal, want to use the money to offset utility costs for schools.

Environmental groups are already pushing back against the Governor’s proposal.  

The budget fight has come for this big pot of money and we’re going to hear two perspectives on this issue today. 

Guests:

Todd Myers, Vice President of Research at Washington Policy Center

Reuven Carlyle, Founder of Earth Finance, former state senator, and architect of the Climate Commitment Act

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: A budget ‘rat hole’? Political fight over WA climate money intensifies

Washington State Standard: WA governor calls for tapping reserve fund and climate law cash to fill budget hole



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 state&rsquo;s general fund budget is in trouble, as is its transportation budget. Inflation, higher than expected costs, lower than anticipated revenues, state services scheduled to expand. If you listen to KUOW, you&rsquo;re probably aware of why the state is facing budget shortfalls.&nbsp;
This next segment is about a bright spot in the state&rsquo;s budget: the money generated from the cap and invest system. That&rsquo;s part of the Climate Commitment Act which voters upheld in 2024.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s how it works: The state sets a limited amount of emissions allowed each year by major companies that&rsquo;s the cap.
Companies that emit more than they&rsquo;re supposed to have to buy an allowance in a state-run auction.&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2025/12/10/washingtons-fourth-cap-and-invest-auction-of-the-year-shows-strong-demand/">The latest auction generated $394 million dollars</a>. The money is supposed to go towards climate investments like <a href="https://climatecommitment.cleanprosperousinstitute.org/">air quality monitors, electric vehicle chargers, and public transportation projects</a>.&nbsp;
But Governor Ferguson recently proposed using more than half billion dollars of that money to fund another program: The Working Families Tax Credit. It&rsquo;s a refund that gives money back to&nbsp;<a href="https://workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov/eligibility">low-and-medium</a> income state residents.&nbsp; &nbsp; Meanwhile, Republicans, perhaps seeing an opening with the governor&rsquo;s proposal, want to use the money to offset utility costs for schools.
Environmental groups are already pushing back against the Governor&rsquo;s proposal.&nbsp; The budget fight has come for this big pot of money and we&rsquo;re going to hear two perspectives on this issue today.&nbsp;
Guests:
Todd Myers, Vice President of Research at Washington Policy Center
Reuven Carlyle, Founder of Earth Finance, former state senator, and architect of the Climate Commitment Act
Relevant Links:
Seattle Times:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/a-budget-rat-hole-political-fight-over-wa-climate-money-intensifies/">A budget &lsquo;rat hole&rsquo;? Political fight over WA climate money intensifies</a>
Washington State Standard:&nbsp;<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/23/ferguson-calls-for-tapping-reserve-fund-and-climate-law-cash-to-fill-wa-budget-hole/">WA governor calls for tapping reserve fund and climate law cash to fill budget hole</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.

It’s a gallery. It’s a theme park? It’s Cannonball Arts in downtown Seattle!

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