All this week, Soundside has heard from local sound artists about their quintessential sounds of the Pacific Northwest. 

We’ve heard coyotes howling across the Methow Valley, the bygone squeak of a metro bus, and the rhythm of melting snow. 

Along the way we’ve asked for your favorite Northwest sounds. You sent us some good ones – the sound of North Cascades rain on a tent, and a chorus of frogs croaking in Marymoor Park.

You also wrote in with your favorites: the grinding of espresso, the crack of Ken Griffey Jr.’s bat, and the mechanical sounds of fog horns, light rail doors, and Boeing airplanes. 

Thank you for all your submissions, and happy holidays.

Related Links:
KUOW - What is the quintessential NW sound? For Perri Lynch Howard, it's coyotes in the Methow
KUOW - What does the NW sound like? Perhaps an old metro bus
KUOW - Listening to the rhythm of snow melting in the Pacific Northwest

All this week, Soundside has heard from local sound artists about their quintessential sounds of the Pacific Northwest.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ve heard coyotes howling across the Methow Valley, the bygone squeak of a metro bus, and the rhythm of melting snow.&nbsp;
Along the way we&rsquo;ve asked for your favorite Northwest sounds. You sent us some good ones &ndash; the sound of North Cascades rain on a tent, and a chorus of frogs croaking in Marymoor Park.
You also wrote in with your favorites: the grinding of espresso, the crack of Ken Griffey Jr.&rsquo;s bat, and the mechanical sounds of fog horns, light rail doors, and Boeing airplanes.&nbsp;
Thank you for all your submissions, and happy holidays.
Related Links:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/what-is-the-quintissential-nw-sound-for-perri-lync">KUOW - What is the quintessential NW sound? For Perri Lynch Howard, it's coyotes in the Methow</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/what-does-the-nw-sound-like-perhaps-an-old-metro-b">KUOW - What does the NW sound like? Perhaps an old metro bus</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/listening-to-the-rhythm-of-snow-melting-in-the-pac">KUOW - Listening to the rhythm of snow melting in the Pacific Northwest</a></li>
</ul>

Your favorite sounds of the Pacific Northwest 

Are your music listening habits stuck in a rut? Did you open your Spotify Wrapped and realize you listened to the same five songs on an endless loop?

Maybe you want to mix it up in 2025, and become more acoustically adventurous. 

Soundside is here to help you out - we've rounded up a panel of local music experts to give you some fresh recommendations for albums to check out before we head into the new year.

GUESTS:
Bekah Flynn, senior publicist, international promotions manager, and A&R representative at Sub Pop Records. 
Cameron Lavi-Jones, lead singer and guitarist of King Young Blood.
Kevin Diers, host of Metal Shop and Loud and Local on 99.9 KISW.

Bekah's picks:
Frenching the Bully - The Gits
Billboard Heart - Deep Sea Diver 
Grim Iconic...(Sadistic Mantra) - J.R.C.G
Exotic Birds of Prey - Shabazz Palaces
Robed in Rareness - Shabazz Palaces
Right Back to It - Waxahatchee

Cam's picks: 
Honest Bloom - Brenna Bruce
Psychotic Spew - Black Ends 
Take Care - Big Xtha Plug 
Play For Someone You Love - i///u
We Talk to Birds - Beautiful Freaks
SORRY, IT'S OVER - The OBGMs
Neighborhood - Liv Victorino

Kevin's picks: 
For WHAT Reason! - Fastbacks 
Guardian of The Universe (The Final Hope) - Oxygen Destroyer 
The Crucible of Life - The Home Team
Verses In Oath - Hulder
I Never Lie - Zach Top

Are your music listening habits stuck in a rut? Did you open your Spotify Wrapped and realize you listened to the same five songs on an endless loop?
Maybe you want to mix it up in 2025, and become more acoustically adventurous.&nbsp;
Soundside is here to help you out - we've rounded up a panel of&nbsp;local music experts to give you some fresh recommendations for albums to check out before we head into the new year.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Bekah Flynn, senior publicist, international promotions manager, and A&amp;R representative at Sub Pop Records.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">Cameron Lavi-Jones, lead singer and guitarist of <a href="https://kingyoungblood.bandcamp.com/">King Young Blood</a>.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Kevin Diers, host of Metal Shop and Loud and Local on 99.9 KISW.</li>
</ul>
Bekah's picks:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://megamart.subpop.com/products/the-gits_frenching-the-bully-2024-remaster">Frenching the Bully - The Gits</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSJI7FveC-c">Billboard Heart</a> - <a href="https://www.thisisdeepseadiver.com/">Deep Sea Diver&nbsp;</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://jrcg.bandcamp.com/album/grim-iconic-sadistic-mantra">Grim Iconic...(Sadistic Mantra)</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/j_r_c_g/?hl=en">J.R.C.G</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://shabazzpalaces.bandcamp.com/album/exotic-birds-of-prey">Exotic Birds of Prey</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shabazzpalaces/?hl=en">Shabazz Palaces</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://shabazzpalaces.bandcamp.com/album/robed-in-rareness">Robed in Rareness</a> - Shabazz Palaces</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL3iHhERWJw">Right Back to It</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/waxa_katie/?hl=en">Waxahatchee</a></li>
</ul>
Cam's picks:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://brennabruce.bandcamp.com/album/honest-bloom">Honest Bloom</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brennabruce/">Brenna Bruce</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://blackends.bandcamp.com/album/psychotic-spew-2">Psychotic Spew</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/black.ends/?hl=en">Black Ends&nbsp;</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v62RzdlMPU">Take Care</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigxthaplug/?hl=en">Big Xtha Plug&nbsp;</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2n7UpNI7gOqfr6WD8JdlHN?si=R6nNcQI5QN6_rOG1tAez3g">Play For Someone You Love</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iu.band/?hl=en">i///u</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://fr3aks.bandcamp.com/album/we-talk-to-birds">We Talk to Birds</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/beautifulfreaksonline/?hl=en">Beautiful Freaks</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://theobgms.bandcamp.com/album/sorry-its-over">SORRY, IT'S OVER </a>- <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theobgms/?hl=en">The OBGMs</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://livvictorino.bandcamp.com/track/neighborhood">Neighborhood</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/liv_victorino/">Liv Victorino</a></li>
</ul>
Kevin's picks:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fastbacks.bandcamp.com/album/for-what-reason">For WHAT Reason!</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thefastbacks/">Fastbacks&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oxygen-destroyer.bandcamp.com/album/guardian-of-the-universe">Guardian of The Universe (The Final Hope)</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oxygendestroyer/?hl=en">Oxygen Destroyer&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://invoguerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-crucible-of-life">The Crucible of Life</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehometeam/?hl=en">The Home Team</a></li>
<li><a href="https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/verses-in-oath">Verses In Oath</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hulder_official/?hl=en">Hulder</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6LeMSLYhko">I Never Lie</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zachtop/?hl=en">Zach Top</a></li>
</ul>

Looking back at the best local albums of 2024

Soundside is about to take a long and well deserved break, we’ve got some best-of shows planned for the holiday week, and we’re just generally excited to go DO some fun STUFF!

And in that spirit, here’s somebody who has ALL the stuff worth doing: producer Jason Megatron Burrows with a few sneak peeks of things to keep you occupied through Christmas Day!

LINKS:
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show 


Spokane Valley Summer Theatre -  Big Band Christmas


Bellingham's Holiday Dockside Market  


XMAS ACTION MYSTERY TRIPLE FEATURE | The Beacon


Capitol Hill's Christmas Dive Bar

If you would like to suggest events for us to talk about in upcoming "Weekend Warmups," please send Jason an email at SOUNDSIDE@KUOW.ORG

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.

Soundside is about to take a long and well deserved break, we&rsquo;ve got some best-of shows planned for the holiday week, and we&rsquo;re just generally excited to go DO some fun STUFF!
And in that spirit, here&rsquo;s somebody who has ALL the stuff worth doing: producer Jason Megatron Burrows with a few sneak peeks of things to keep you occupied through Christmas Day!
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.stgpresents.org/events/the-jinkx-dela-holiday-show/">The Jinkx &amp; DeLa Holiday Show </a></li>
<li>
<a href="https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=svst">Spokane Valley Summer Theatre</a> -&nbsp; Big Band Christmas
</li>
<li>
Bellingham's <a href="https://www.bellingham.org/eventdetail/28949/holiday-dockside-market">Holiday Dockside Market </a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://thebeacon.film/calendar/movie/xmas-action-mystery-triple-feature">XMAS ACTION MYSTERY TRIPLE FEATURE | The Beacon</a>
</li>
<li>
Capitol Hill's <a href="https://www.christmasdivebar.com/">Christmas Dive Bar</a>
</li>
</ul>
If you would like to suggest events for us to talk about in upcoming "Weekend Warmups," please send Jason an email at <a href="mailto:SOUNDSIDE@KUOW.ORG">SOUNDSIDE@KUOW.ORG</a>
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's "Weekend Warmup" - Dec 20th-24th

After almost 20 years in public office, Derek Kilmer is stepping down from his role as U.S. Representative for WA's 6th district. 

The Representative was chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress - sometimes called the “Fix Congress Committee” - from 2019 to 2023. 

He’s also the former chair of the New Democrat Coalition - a caucus of centrist democrats with a pro-businesses, moderate approach to fiscal issues.

In other words - he’s a guy who spent a lot of time trying to figure out ways to make things work in the House, and how to get members to work across the aisle.

Now, Kilmer is moving on to the Rockefeller Foundation in the new year as Senior Vice President for the organizations newly created U.S. Program & Policy team.

But, how does he feel about the congress he’s leaving behind? How do you fix a body that seems to be getting more broken by the day?

Guest:
Derek Kilmer, outgoing US Representative for Washington's 6th district

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.

After almost 20 years in public office, Derek Kilmer is stepping down from his role as U.S. Representative for WA's 6th district.&nbsp;
The Representative was chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress - sometimes called the &ldquo;Fix Congress Committee&rdquo; - from 2019 to 2023.&nbsp;
He&rsquo;s also the former chair of the New Democrat Coalition - a caucus of centrist democrats with a pro-businesses, moderate approach to fiscal issues.
In other words - he&rsquo;s a guy who spent a lot of time trying to figure out ways to make things work in the House, and how to get members to work across the aisle.
Now, Kilmer is moving on to the Rockefeller Foundation in the new year as Senior Vice President for the organizations newly created U.S. Program &amp; Policy team.
But, how does he feel about the congress he&rsquo;s leaving behind? How do you fix a body that seems to be getting more broken by the day?
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Derek Kilmer, outgoing US Representative for Washington's 6th district</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.

Is it still possible to "fix" Congress? Outgoing Congressman Derek Kilmer has hope

Around 3:00am today, a King County Metro driver was fatally stabbed near the 4100 block of University Way in Seattle’s U-District.

At a press conference this morning, King County Executive Dow Constantine said that the loss is being felt by everyone in county transit. 

"We are not always able to keep what's happening out on the streets away from the transit that operates on those streets," said Constantine. "We are doing everything that we can, and will continue to ramp up our efforts, to make sure that transit is safe for everyone. Including, especially, for our brave operators who are out on the streets every day."

Greg Woodfill is the local president of the Amalgamated Transit Union #587. He said he’d like to see more regional resources dedicated to transit safety. 

"I don't have all the answers. This is a difficult, societal problem. What I know is that we're not doing enough," said Woodfill. "This is bigger than Metro, this is bigger than Seattle, this is the whole community that we serve." 

The attack comes just a couple days after Metro cut service to a cluster of stops around 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street in the Chinatown International District because of ongoing “safety concerns.”

For the latest, Soundside was joined by KUOW reporter Ann Dornfeld, who attended a press conference with transit and public officials in Tukwila this morning. 

Guests:
Ann Dornfeld, reporter on the KUOW investigations team. 

Related links: 
KUOW - King County Metro bus driver killed in fatal U District stabbing
King County Metro cites safety in closing Little Saigon bus stops | 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.

Around 3:00am today, a King County Metro driver was fatally stabbed near the 4100 block of University Way in Seattle&rsquo;s U-District.
At a press conference this morning, King County Executive Dow Constantine said that the loss is being felt by everyone in county transit.&nbsp;
"We are not always able to keep what's happening out on the streets away from the transit that operates on those streets," said Constantine. "We are doing everything that we can, and will continue to ramp up our efforts, to make sure that transit is safe for everyone. Including, especially, for our brave operators who are out on the streets every day."
Greg Woodfill is the local president of the Amalgamated Transit Union #587.&nbsp;He said he&rsquo;d like to see more regional resources dedicated to transit safety.&nbsp;
"I don't have all the answers. This is a difficult, societal problem. What I know is that we're not doing enough," said Woodfill. "This is bigger than Metro, this is bigger than Seattle, this is the whole community that we serve."&nbsp;
The attack comes just a couple days after Metro cut service to a cluster of stops around 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street in the Chinatown International District because of ongoing &ldquo;safety concerns.&rdquo;
For the latest, Soundside was joined by KUOW reporter Ann Dornfeld, who attended a press conference with transit and public officials in Tukwila this morning.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Ann Dornfeld, reporter on the KUOW investigations team.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/king-county-metro-bus-driver-killed-in-fatal-u-district-stabbing">KUOW - King County Metro bus driver killed in fatal U District stabbing</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/king-county-metro-cites-safety-in-closing-little-saigon-bus-stops/">King County Metro cites safety in closing Little Saigon bus stops | The 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.

Transit workers call for safety improvements after fatal stabbing of Metro driver

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has fired former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz. The decision was announced Tuesday in a letter from the mayor to the Seattle City Council. 

Ashley Hiruko is a KUOW investigative reporter who has been covering news about former Chief Diaz for the past year. She joined Soundside's Libby Denkmann to give a little more insight into what’s happening at Seattle's Police Department.

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:Ashley Hiruko

RELATED LINKS: 


Star Wars-themed love letter torpedoed former Chief Diaz's career 
Seattle mayor fires former Police Chief Adrian Diaz, cites affair
Seattle police chief contender in national spotlight after Wisconsin school shooting leaves 3 dead
Seattle police watchdog head resigns in ‘mutual’ agreement with Mayor Harrell, city says

 

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has fired former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz. The decision was announced&nbsp;Tuesday in a letter from the mayor to the Seattle City Council.&nbsp;
Ashley Hiruko is a KUOW investigative reporter who has been covering news about former Chief Diaz for the past year. She joined Soundside's Libby Denkmann to give a little more insight into what&rsquo;s happening at Seattle's Police Department.
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.
GUEST: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/ashley-hiruko">Ashley Hiruko</a>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/star-wars-themed-love-letter-torpedoed-former-chief-diaz-s-career">Star Wars-themed love letter torpedoed former Chief Diaz's career</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-former-police-chief-adrian-diaz-fired-by-mayor">Seattle mayor fires former Police Chief Adrian Diaz, cites affair</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-police-chief-finalist-in-national-spotlight-after-wisconsin-school-shooting-leaves-3-dead">Seattle police chief contender in national spotlight after Wisconsin school shooting leaves 3 dead</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-police-watchdog-head-resigns-in-mutual-agreement-with-mayor-harrell-city-says">Seattle police watchdog head resigns in &lsquo;mutual&rsquo; agreement with Mayor Harrell, city says</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

KUOW's Ashley Hiruko breaks down the latest with Former SPD Chief Diaz

The light touch of tea glasses. Jasmine vines. Cigarette kisses.

These are some of the images the Redmond-based poet, essayist, and translator Lena Khalaf Tuffaha conjures of Palestine in her most recent poetry collection, Something About Living.

Last month, the collection earned Tuffaha the National Book Award for poetry. 

Through her poems, Tuffaha chronicles the legacy of violence and colonialism in Palestine’s history, while also bringing readers into a homeland that is rich with beauty, family connections, and vivid storytelling.

GUEST:
Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, author of Something About Living

RELATED LINK:
Lena Khalaf Tuffaha's author bio 
Something About Living publisher information

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 light touch of tea glasses. Jasmine vines. Cigarette kisses.
These are some of the images the Redmond-based poet, essayist, and translator Lena Khalaf Tuffaha conjures of Palestine in her most recent poetry collection, Something About Living.
Last month, the collection earned Tuffaha the National Book Award for poetry.&nbsp;
Through her poems, Tuffaha chronicles the legacy of violence and colonialism in Palestine&rsquo;s history, while also bringing readers into a homeland that is rich with beauty, family connections, and vivid storytelling.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, author of Something About Living</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.lenakhalaftuffaha.com/">Lena Khalaf Tuffaha's author bio&nbsp;</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogs.uakron.edu/uapress/product/something-about-living/">Something About Living&nbsp;publisher information</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.

Redmond poet Lena Khalaf Tuffaha talks about winning a National Book award, Palestine, and more

What does the Northwest sound like to you? It’s a question we’ve asked local sound artists. And this week, we’ve been sharing some of their  sound choices. 

Yesterday, Christopher DeLaurenti played a recording of the bygone squeak of a metro bus. 

Our next piece of tape comes from Gordon Hempton. 

Guest:

Gordon Hempton, international acoustic ecologist and Emmy Award winning sound recordist 

 

 

What does the Northwest sound like to you? It&rsquo;s a question we&rsquo;ve asked local sound artists. And this week, we&rsquo;ve been sharing some of their&nbsp; sound choices.&nbsp;
Yesterday, Christopher DeLaurenti played a recording of the bygone squeak of a metro bus.&nbsp;
Our next piece of tape comes from Gordon Hempton.&nbsp;
Guest:
<a href="https://soundtracker.com/">Gordon Hempton</a>, international acoustic ecologist and Emmy Award winning sound recordist&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Listening to the rhythm of snow melting in the Pacific Northwest

What does the Northwest sound like to you? It’s a question we’re asking local sound artists. And, over the next week, we’ll be hearing some of those sounds.

Yesterday, Perri Lynch Howard shared the sound of coyotes in the Methow Valley. 

Today’s sound has a bit more of a metropolitan flare. This sound originally appeared on a compilation called phongraphy.org 1 on and/OAR records 

Guest: 

Christopher DeLaurenti, Seattle born composer and phonographer

What does the Northwest sound like to you? It&rsquo;s a question we&rsquo;re asking local sound artists. And, over the next week, we&rsquo;ll be hearing some of those sounds.
Yesterday, <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/what-is-the-quintissential-nw-sound-for-perri-lync">Perri Lynch Howard shared the sound of coyotes in the Methow Valley</a>.&nbsp;
Today&rsquo;s sound has a bit more of a metropolitan flare. This sound originally appeared on a compilation called <a href="http://www.phonography.org/comp01.htm">phongraphy.org 1</a> on and/OAR records&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;
<a href="https://delaurenti.net/">Christopher DeLaurenti</a>, Seattle born composer and phonographer

What does the NW sound like? Perhaps an old metro bus

Breakups are always hard. Especially when you’re two of the largest grocery mega-conglomerates in the country. 

Last week two judges – including a federal judge in Oregon and a superior court judge based in Seattle – officially blocked a merger between grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons. The companies had argued they needed to unite to compete with the likes of Wal-Mart. 

While an appeal is possible, Albertsons has backed out of the merger altogether and is now suing Kroger for $600 million over legal fees and the shareholder value it claims it lost in the merger attempt. 

It’s a big deal for the state of Washington, and not only because Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson sued to stop the merger as Attorney General. He argued it would lower competition in the industry and raise grocery prices. 

It was also a big deal because it would’ve meant the likely sale of 124 grocery stores here – the most of any state – to a third-party company.

So... the big grocery merger is dead a major victory for Ferguson and FTC chair Lina Khan, who’s credited with reviving the federal government’s role in antitrust enforcement. 

But this is also an inflection point for the future of antitrust. President Trump has tapped new leaders for the FTC and the Justice Department’s antitrust division. 

Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee is wrapping up a hearing on “A Bipartisan Path Forward for Antitrust," where Senator Amy Klobuchar says she hopes to highlight the ways Democrats and Republicans can work together on tackling anti-competitive monopolies, including in the tech industry.    

So what happened to spoil the Kroger-Albertsons partnership plans, and will the next big merger go forward under Trump? 

Soundside spoke with John Kirkwood, a professor at Seattle University School of Law. He’s a nationally-renowned antitrust expert and established the first antitrust policy office at the FTC. 

Soundside also spoke with Stacy Mitchell, the co-executive director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The group opposed the Albertsons-Kroger merger. Mitchell wrote two recent articles in The Atlantic exploring the history of food deserts what the merger's failure means for the FTC going forward. 

Guests:
John Kirkwood, professor at Seattle University School of Law. He’s a nationally-renowned antitrust expert and established the first antitrust policy office at the FTC. 
Stacy Mitchell, co-executive director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Related links: 
Read Stacy Mitchell's story in The Atlantic here: The Hidden Cause of Food Deserts - The Atlantic
Lina Khan Goes Out With a Bang - The Atlantic
Building an oasis in a rural WA ‘food desert’ | The Seattle Times
KUOW - Albertsons calls off merger with Kroger. Now what?

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.

Breakups are always hard. Especially when you&rsquo;re two of the largest grocery mega-conglomerates in the country.&nbsp;
Last week two judges &ndash; including a federal judge in Oregon and a superior court judge based in Seattle &ndash; officially blocked a merger between grocery chains Kroger and Albertsons. The companies had argued they needed to unite to compete with the likes of Wal-Mart.&nbsp;
While an appeal is possible, Albertsons has backed out of the merger altogether and is now suing Kroger for $600 million over legal fees and the shareholder value it claims it lost in the merger attempt.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a big deal for the state of Washington, and not only because Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson sued to stop the merger as Attorney General. He argued it would lower competition in the industry and raise grocery prices.&nbsp; It was also a big deal because it would&rsquo;ve meant the<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/kroger-albertsons-are-selling-124-grocery-stores-in-washington-state"> likely sale of 124 grocery </a>stores here &ndash; the most of any state &ndash; to a third-party company.
So... the big grocery merger is dead a major victory for Ferguson&nbsp;and FTC chair Lina Khan, who&rsquo;s credited with reviving the federal government&rsquo;s role in antitrust enforcement.&nbsp;
But this is also an inflection point for the future of antitrust. President Trump has tapped new leaders for the FTC and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/us/politics/trump-gail-slater-antitrust-justice-department.html">the Justice Department&rsquo;s antitrust division</a>. Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee is <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/continuing-a-bipartisan-path-forward-for-antitrust-enforcement-and-reform">wrapping up</a> a hearing on &ldquo;A Bipartisan Path Forward for Antitrust," where Senator Amy Klobuchar says she hopes to highlight the ways Democrats and Republicans can work together on tackling anti-competitive monopolies, including in the tech industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
So what happened to spoil the Kroger-Albertsons partnership plans, and will the next big merger go forward under Trump?&nbsp;
Soundside spoke with John Kirkwood, a professor at Seattle University School of Law. He&rsquo;s a nationally-renowned antitrust expert and established the first antitrust policy office at the FTC.&nbsp;
Soundside also spoke with Stacy Mitchell, the co-executive director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The group opposed the Albertsons-Kroger merger. Mitchell wrote two recent articles in&nbsp;The Atlantic exploring the history of food deserts what the merger's failure means for the FTC going forward.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">John Kirkwood, professor at Seattle University School of Law. He&rsquo;s a nationally-renowned antitrust expert and established the first antitrust policy office at the FTC.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">Stacy Mitchell, co-executive director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Read Stacy Mitchell's story in&nbsp;The Atlantic here: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/food-deserts-robinson-patman/680765/">The Hidden Cause of Food Deserts - The Atlantic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/ftc-kroger-albertson-merger/680975/">Lina Khan Goes Out With a Bang - The Atlantic</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/building-an-oasis-in-a-washington-rural-food-desert/#:~:text=Researchers%20and%20the%20U.S.%20Department,retail%20food%20environment%20by%20census">Building an oasis in a rural WA &lsquo;food desert&rsquo; | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/albertsons-calls-off-merger-with-kroger-now-what">KUOW - Albertsons calls off merger with Kroger. Now what?</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.

Soundside

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

370 clip(s)