The different factions of the Republican Party were clearly on display this past weekend, at the “Cascade Conference” in Yakima. 

The conference was hosted by a group called the “Mainstream Republicans of Washington”. Their self-stated mission is to push for the election of more qualified and moderate candidates for public office. Including former congressman and King County Sheriff Dave Reichert, who took the spotlight as keynote speaker. 



Mainstream Republicans of Washington has endorsed Reichert in the gubernatorial election. That’s in opposition to the official state GOP, which tapped former Richland School Board member Semi Bird.



It points to an ideological split in the party as it tries to rally to be competitive in a state where Republican support has steadily eroded in recent years. 

Guest:
Jeanie Lindsay, Northwest News Network state government reporter

The different factions of the Republican Party were clearly on display this past weekend, at the “Cascade Conference” in Yakima. 
The conference was hosted by a group called the “Mainstream Republicans of Washington”. Their self-stated mission is to push for the election of more qualified and moderate candidates for public office. Including former congressman and King County Sheriff Dave Reichert, who took the spotlight as keynote speaker. 
 
Mainstream Republicans of Washington has endorsed Reichert in the gubernatorial election. That’s in opposition to the official state GOP, which tapped former Richland School Board member Semi Bird.
 
It points to an ideological split in the party as it tries to rally to be competitive in a state where Republican support has steadily eroded in recent years. 
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Jeanie Lindsay, Northwest News Network state government reporter</li>
</ul>

Soundside

"Mainstream" Republicans focus on local issues, ignore Trump

An influential research team with a focus on fighting false and misleading election information online has reportedly collapsed under pressure from conservative critics. 

The Stanford Internet Observatory’s future is uncertain now that the team has lost most of its staff. While Stanford told reporters in a statement that the Observatory’s work will continue under new leadership, it appears the rapid analysis work identifying election misinformation that researchers conducted during the 2020 election will not continue.  

The announcement comes as disinformation work has come under fire in recent years.

Some Republicans in congress, conservative groups and influencers have said academic research designed to track and better understand rumors online amounts to a censorship campaign and a violation of their First Amendment rights. Stanford's Internet Observatory (SIO) and University of Washington researchers have also been the subject of a lawsuit from a conservative pundit and a vaccine skeptic, represented by former Trump Administration advisor Stephen Miller’s group America First Legal.    

That’s a troubling development for those who are continuing the work of studying our online information ecosystem, including researchers at the University of Washington. 

Soundside spoke with Kate Starbird, the co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington, about what the cracks in the SIO's foundation say about the field at large. 

Guests:
Kate Starbird, co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington. Starbird's work focuses on misinformation and disinformation. 

Links:
The Washington Post: Stanford’s top disinformation research group collapses under pressure
Politico: Challenge to Biden hectoring of social media firms appears doomed at Supreme Court
Platformer: The Stanford Internet Observatory is being dismantled

An influential research team with a focus on fighting false and misleading election information online has reportedly collapsed under pressure from conservative critics. 
The Stanford Internet Observatory’s future is uncertain now that the team has lost most of its staff. While Stanford told reporters in a statement that the Observatory’s work will continue under new leadership, it appears the rapid analysis work identifying election misinformation that researchers conducted during the 2020 election will not continue.  
The announcement comes as disinformation work has come under fire in recent years.
Some Republicans in congress, conservative groups and influencers have said academic research designed to track and better understand rumors online amounts to a censorship campaign and a violation of their First Amendment rights. Stanford's Internet Observatory (SIO) and University of Washington researchers have also been the subject of a lawsuit from a conservative pundit and a vaccine skeptic, represented by former Trump Administration advisor Stephen Miller’s group America First Legal.    
That’s a troubling development for those who are continuing the work of studying our online information ecosystem, including researchers at the University of Washington. 
Soundside spoke with Kate Starbird, the co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington, about what the cracks in the SIO's foundation say about the field at large. 
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Kate Starbird, co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington. Starbird's work focuses on misinformation and disinformation. </li>
</ul>
Links:
<ul>
<li>The Washington Post: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/06/14/stanford-internet-observatory-disinformation-research-lawsuits-politics/">Stanford’s top disinformation research group collapses under pressure</a></li>
<li>Politico: <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/18/supreme-court-murthy-missouri-problems-00147591">Challenge to Biden hectoring of social media firms appears doomed at Supreme Court</a></li>
<li>Platformer: <a href="https://www.platformer.news/stanford-internet-observatory-shutdown-stamos-diresta-sio/">The Stanford Internet Observatory is being dismantled</a></li>
</ul>

UW will continue disinformation research as Stanford program falters

A King County Superior Court Judge has hit the pause button on a few elements of the Parents Bill of Rights, also known as I-2081. The Friday order comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of WA in May.

LGBTQIA advocacy groups and civil liberties organizations raised concern about the legality of the Parents Bill of Rights and its effect on students.

Jeanie Lindsay joined Soundside host Libby Denkmann to talk about which parts of the bill have been put on hold, and what this means for schools, students, and their parents.

GUEST: Jeanie Lindsay, Olympia correspondent for Northwest News Network

RELATED LINKS: 
New police pursuit rules, 'parents bill of rights' become law in Washington - Northwest News Network
ACLU sues Washington to stop 'parents bill of rights' initiative from becoming law - Northwest News Network
Washington's 'parents bill of rights' law partly on hold - KUOW
Washington's Public Schools Will Continue to Protect Student Privacy and Safety - OSPI Statement

A King County Superior Court Judge has hit the pause button on a few elements of the Parents Bill of Rights, also known as I-2081. The Friday order comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of WA in May.
LGBTQIA advocacy groups and civil liberties organizations raised concern about the legality of the Parents Bill of Rights and its effect on students.
Jeanie Lindsay joined Soundside host Libby Denkmann to talk about which parts of the bill have been put on hold, and what this means for schools, students, and their parents.
GUEST: Jeanie Lindsay, Olympia correspondent for Northwest News Network
RELATED LINKS: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/government-and-politics/2024-06-06/new-police-pursuit-rules-parents-bill-of-rights-initiatives-become-law-in-washington">New police pursuit rules, 'parents bill of rights' become law in Washington</a> - Northwest News Network</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/government-and-politics/2024-05-23/aclu-sues-washington-to-stop-parents-bill-of-rights-initiative-from-becoming-law">ACLU sues Washington to stop 'parents bill of rights' initiative from becoming law</a> - Northwest News Network</li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-s-parents-bill-of-rights-law-partly-on-hold">Washington's 'parents bill of rights' law partly on hold</a> - KUOW</li>
<li><a href="https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases-and-stories/washingtons-public-schools-will-continue-protect-student-privacy-and-safety">Washington's Public Schools Will Continue to Protect Student Privacy and Safety</a> - OSPI Statement</li>
</ul>

A partial pause on the Parents' Bill of Rights

Families of people who died on Boeing jets are renewing their calls for criminal prosecution of the company after Boeing’s CEO appeared before Congress this week. 

The families are asking the Justice Department to fine Boeing the maximum – 24 billion dollars – for the dual 737 Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019. 

The letter to the DOJ comes the day after Boeing’s David Calhoun testified before on a series of safety lapses and whistleblower complaints at the company. 

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee hearing was the first time Calhoun had faced lawmakers since the door plug of a MAX 9 ripped off an Alaska Airlines plane back in January. 

Members of congress have already heard from a bevy of whistleblowers, as well aviation and engineering safety experts testifying on what’s gone wrong at the company.

Tuesday’s hearing was a rare instance of bipartisan agreement on the Hill:  Calhoun faced the heat from Democrat and Republican lawmakers.

Guest:
Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory

Families of people who died on Boeing jets are renewing their calls for criminal prosecution of the company after Boeing’s CEO appeared before Congress this week. The families are asking the Justice Department to fine Boeing the maximum – 24 billion dollars – for the dual 737 Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019. 
The letter to the DOJ comes the day after Boeing’s David Calhoun testified before on a series of safety lapses and whistleblower complaints at the company. 
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee hearing was the first time Calhoun had faced lawmakers since the door plug of a MAX 9 ripped off an Alaska Airlines plane back in January. Members of congress have already heard from a bevy of whistleblowers, as well aviation and engineering safety experts testifying on what’s gone wrong at the company.
Tuesday’s hearing was a rare instance of bipartisan agreement on the Hill:  Calhoun faced the heat from Democrat and Republican lawmakers.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory</li>
</ul>

"Mainstream" Republicans focus on local issues, ignore Trump

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