Being a movie buff in Seattle feels a little… unsettled right now.

That’s because there’s been a lot of changes at SIFF, the Seattle International Film Festival, which has been the vanguard when it comes to all things movies.

The organization announced Monday, it was undergoing an organizational restructuring, including some layoffs.

This follows a somewhat tumultuous year for SIFF. For more, we're joined by... 

GUESTS:
Chase Hutchinson, critic and freelance reporter, who often covers SIFF for the Seattle Times

RELATED LINK: 


SIFF announces more layoffs, organizational restructuring | 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.

Being a movie buff in Seattle feels a little&hellip; unsettled right now.
That&rsquo;s because there&rsquo;s been a lot of changes at SIFF, the Seattle International Film Festival, which has been the vanguard when it comes to all things movies.
The organization announced Monday, it was undergoing an organizational restructuring, including some layoffs.
This follows a somewhat tumultuous year for SIFF. For more, we're joined by...&nbsp;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/chase-hutchinson/">Chase Hutchinson</a>, critic and freelance reporter, who often covers SIFF for the Seattle Times</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINK:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/siff-announces-more-layoffs-organizational-restructuring/">SIFF announces more layoffs, organizational restructuring | The Seattle Times</a>&nbsp;
</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.

Soundside

Seattle film critic and freelance reporter Chase Hutchinson joins Soundside to talk about the latest news out of SIFF and what to expect as we move into 2026.

Organizational restructuring at SIFF leads to layoffs... again

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in two cases challenging state bans on trans athletes competing in girls' and women's sports.

Twenty-seven states have bans on trans girls and women competing in school sports consistent with their gender identity. 

But Washington passed a law in 2007 that protects trans athletes' participation in school sports. It was the first state to do so.

For more than a decade, that law received very little attention. But in recent years, questions about fairness, the athletic advantages conferred by testosterone, and the sanctity of women’s sports have become fiery political issues. 

And for the first time, a few trans athletes have won competitions, including Verónica Garcia, a runner from Spokane Valley.  In May, she repeated as the state 2A high school girls champion in the 400 meters.

Last month, she was the subject of an extensive profile in the Washington Post that explored her life as she was finishing high school and competing in track and field for the last time

Reporter Casey Parks followed Verónica for a year.

We spoke to them both for almost two hours. This episode is the condensed version of that conversation.  

Guests 

Verónica García, college student and runner

Casey Parks, reporter, The Washington Post

Related Links


For young transgender runner, racing wasn’t the hardest thing  - The Washington Post (Casey's piece)

Heywood you sign this? Let's Go WA is working on two new initiatives - Soundside, KUOW

WA Democrats won’t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives - 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.

This week,&nbsp;the U.S. Supreme Court <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/us/politics/supreme-court-transgender-sports.html">is hearing arguments</a> in two cases challenging state bans on trans athletes competing in girls' and women's sports. Twenty-seven states have bans on trans girls and women competing in school sports consistent with their gender identity.&nbsp;
But Washington passed a law in 2007 that protects trans athletes' participation in school sports. It was the first state to do so.
For more than a decade, that law received very little attention. But in recent years, questions about fairness, the athletic advantages conferred by testosterone, and the sanctity of women&rsquo;s sports have become fiery political issues.&nbsp;
And for the first time, a few trans athletes have won competitions, including Ver&oacute;nica Garcia, a runner from Spokane Valley.&nbsp; In May, she <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/wa-transgender-athlete-veronica-garcia-repeats-as-state-track-champion/">repeated</a> as the state 2A high school girls champion in the 400 meters.
Last month, she was the subject of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/12/28/transgender-female-athlete-competition-trump/">an extensive profile</a> in the Washington Post that explored her life as she was finishing high school and competing in track and field for the last time
Reporter Casey Parks followed Ver&oacute;nica for a year.
We spoke to them both for almost two hours. This episode is the condensed version of that conversation.&nbsp; Guests&nbsp;
Ver&oacute;nica Garc&iacute;a, college student and runner
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/caseyparks.bsky.social">Casey Parks</a>, reporter, The Washington Post
Related Links 
<a href="https://wapo.st/49lnBUK">For young transgender runner, racing wasn&rsquo;t the hardest thing&nbsp;</a> - The Washington Post (Casey's piece)
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/heywood-you-sign-this-lets-go-wa-is-working-on-two-new-initiatives">Heywood you sign this? Let's Go WA is working on two new initiatives</a> - Soundside, KUOW
<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/wa-democrats-wont-hold-hearings-on-parental-rights-trans-athlete-initiatives/">WA Democrats won&rsquo;t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives</a> - 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&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We talked with runner Veronica Garcia and reporter Casey Parks about competing as a trans athlete amid questions of fairness, the scientific evidence available comparing the performance of cisgender and trans athletes and beyond.  

A WA trans high school track champion and the reporter who followed her

Doctors have long recommended regular cervical cancer screenings. Traditionally doctors perform these exams using a speculum, which often say is uncomfortable and, for many, quite painful. 

Some recent developments could make a large number of these screenings easier.

In early January, the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, updated its guidelines to say that self-administered tests are an acceptable way to screen for human papillomavirus. HPV is a sexually-transmitted disease that causes the majority of cervical cancer cases. 

OB-GYNs are hopeful that at-home testing will make cervical cancer screenings  easier to access…. and significantly more comfortable. 

Guests:
Dr. Linda Eckert, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine

Related links: 
New Guidelines Endorse Self-Swab Alternative to Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Testing - The New York Times
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors | Cervical Cancer | CDC
The FDA has approved an at-home HPV test. What you need to know : 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.

Doctors have long recommended regular cervical cancer screenings.&nbsp;Traditionally doctors perform these exams using a speculum, which often say is uncomfortable and, for many, quite painful.&nbsp;
Some recent developments could make a large number of these screenings easier.
In early January, the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, updated its guidelines to say that self-administered tests are an acceptable way to screen for human papillomavirus. HPV is a sexually-transmitted disease that causes the majority of cervical cancer cases.&nbsp;
OB-GYNs are hopeful that at-home testing will make cervical cancer screenings&nbsp; easier to access&hellip;. and significantly more comfortable.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Dr. Linda Eckert, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/well/self-swab-tests-cervical-cancer.html">New Guidelines Endorse Self-Swab Alternative to Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Testing - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cervical-cancer/risk-factors/index.html">Cervical Cancer Risk Factors | Cervical Cancer | CDC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/01/07/nx-s1-5668259/the-fda-has-approved-an-at-home-hpv-test-what-you-need-to-know">The FDA has approved an at-home HPV test. What you need to know : 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.

Many patients find cervical cancer screenings uncomfortable and, sometimes, painful. New health guidelines offer patients an alternative.  

Cervical cancer screenings... without the speculum? 

Every Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.

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: Paige Browning - KUOW News Anchor & Podcast Host

RELATED LINKS:
After Minneapolis killing, protests in Seattle, U.S. demand: ‘ICE out’
Valdez introduces bill to ban face-concealing masks by law enforcement in response to masked ICE raids
Gov Bob Ferguson’s 6 Request Bills
WA Democrats won’t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives
Here’s What to Know About the Protests in Iran
Iran Edges Closer to a Revolution That Would Reshape the World
NFL playoffs: Seahawks will host 49ers in NFC divisional round
Seahawks continue crackdown on resale of season tickets

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 Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now &ndash; and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. 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:&nbsp;Paige Browning - KUOW News Anchor &amp; Podcast Host
RELATED LINKS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="3"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/after-minneapolis-killing-protests-in-seattle-u-s-demand-ice-out/">After Minneapolis killing, protests in Seattle, U.S. demand: &lsquo;ICE out&rsquo;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/masked-ice-agents-reportedly-arrest-3-on-seattles-aurora-avenue-north/"></a><a href="https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/valdez/2025/12/08/valdez-introduces-bill-to-ban-face-concealing-masks-by-law-enforcement-in-response-to-masked-ice-raids/">Valdez introduces bill to ban face-concealing masks by law enforcement in response to masked ICE raids</a></li>
<li><a href="https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-announces-slate-6-governor-request-bills-2026">Gov Bob Ferguson&rsquo;s 6 Request Bills</a></li>
<li><a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/wa-democrats-wont-hold-hearings-on-parental-rights-trans-athlete-initiatives/">WA Democrats won&rsquo;t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/iran-protests-inflation-currency.html">Here&rsquo;s What to Know About the Protests in Iran</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/iran-edges-closer-to-a-revolution-that-would-reshape-the-world/">Iran Edges Closer to a Revolution That Would Reshape the World</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/nfl-playoffs-seahawks-will-host-49ers-in-nfc-divisional-round/">NFL playoffs: Seahawks will host 49ers in NFC divisional round</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-continue-crack-down-on-resale-of-season-tickets/">Seahawks continue crackdown on resale of season tickets</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.

Every Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.

Organizational restructuring at SIFF leads to layoffs... again

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