Soundside

Joe Kent, former Washington State congressional candidate and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his position in protest of the Iran war. In his resignation letter to President Trump, Kent said Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and the war serves no benefit to the American people. He blamed pressure from Israel, and misinformation in the media, which he claimed deceived Trump into striking Iran. This is the first high-profile resignation in the administration tied to the war that is now in its third week. What could this signal both for the war and Trump's as-yet unshakeable base?  Guest: Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner Related Articles: Joe Kent resigns, says Iran posed ‘no imminent threat’

The Trump administration is escalating efforts to eliminate “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” programs. Last Monday, Politico reported that the administration is proposing to change requirements within the General Services Administration so that any entity hoping to receive federal dollars via things like grants, loans, or insurance, would need to fall in line with federal standards that ban DEI based policies and programs.  According to the notice, over 220,000 entities would be impacted by this change. It’s the latest in a long line of actions by the Trump Administration to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming and policies from both public organizations and private companies.  For many, the moves have been a retreat from the goal of creating more inclusive education and work spaces. Some argue that DEI programs were flawed to begin with. Guest: Dr. Ralina L. Joseph is Vice Provost of Inclusive Excellence and Professor of African American Studies at UCLA. Her newest book is “Racial Exhaustion: how to move through racism in the wake of DEI”.  Related stories: Trump’s under-the-radar plan to crack down on DEI - Politico The University of Michigan Doubled Down on D.E.I. What Went Wrong? - NYT Former Goldman Sachs CEO says DEI programs are ‘counterproductive,’ arguing ‘you’re branding the people in that program’ - Fortune 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 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:Melissa Santos - Axios RELATED LINKS: After 93 years and a 25-hour filibuster, Washington finally has an income tax, and billionaires are already packing their bags Washington state lawmakers pass ‘millionaire’s tax’ - POLITICO Washington's new income tax faces hurdles - Axios Sources: NBA set for 1st vote in Las Vegas-Seattle expansion - ESPN The 98th Academy Awards 2026 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.

Cindy Cohn can remember using punched cards for computing during her college years in Iowa. She can tell you about watching the rise of the internet and home computing with her techie friends in San Francisco.  She can also recall the times she’s stood in court, working to protect someone’s right to put encrypted code on the internet, or the fight against the NSA’s mass surveillance system after 9/11 and the Patriot Act. Cohn has led the Electronic Frontier Foundation for 25 years. That’s a non-profit that advocates for privacy and free speech.  This year, she announced she is leaving her role, but not before putting out a memoir she hopes will inspire others to take up the work…  GUEST: Cindy Cohn, author of Privacy’s Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance. RELATED LINKS: Cindy Cohn | Town Hall Seattle - Tues 3/17 Privacy's Defender - Cindy's Book Cindy Cohn Is Leaving the EFF, but Not the Fight for Digital Rights | WIRED The Big Idea: Cindy Cohn 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 are YOU dealing with the time change? For many of us, it has felt like we’ve been moving through a gelatinous cube all week, but hey!! The Weekend is here! Let’s shake off the funk, brave the weather, and go do something fun! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS:  Pi Day Dash Pi Day Community Math Festival Kat Robichaud’s Misfit Cabaret “Circus” | The Triple Door Quilters Anonymous - Quilt Show Seattle Golf Show Wings Over Water | Northwest Birding Festival Firebird | March 13 -22, 2026 | Pacific Northwest Ballet St Patrick’s Day Parade Irish Festival Seattle Emerald City Irish Film Festival Mariners 50: Community & Baseball (MoPop) Also, let us know - where do you fall in the Quilters vs Golfers venn diagram? AND where is your favorite pie in the region? Email us! - 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.

The time has finally come: the glitz, the glamor, the many prediction market bets you can place about who will have the most glitz and glamor - The Oscars are this Sunday. The Academy is expected to hand some sparkly hardware to an auteur director with an expansive vision and biting political critique.  The question is, will it be Ryan Coogler for his historic, lyrical vampire story, Sinners?  Or... Will it be Paul Thomas Anderson, the film bro favorite with a sprawling political thriller about resisting fascism – One Battle After Another? Sorry to F1 stans but THAT is the race to watch… GUEST: Seattle film and television critic Chase Hutchinson. 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.

These days, many internet influencers are promoting a wellness trend that sounds like something you might remember from high school bio: peptides. They’re being sold as ways to improve skin, reverse aging – basically, peptides have become THE  answer to your choice of wellness issues.  But most of what’s hawked on Instagram or TikTok is not approved by the FDA. .  That could change: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently said on Joe Rogan’s podcast that he wants to relax restrictions on many peptides.  In the meantime, people are accessing them through methods that some experts say are…. dangerous.   Guests: Alex Hogan, a senior multimedia producer at STAT News and the host of STATus Report Related links: Inside the world of internet peptides | STAT News Peptides Are the New Wellness Cure-All | Intelligencer  Why 'Anti-Aging' Peptide Shots Are Trending on Social Media | TIME Peptides take off as a DIY treatment but is that a good idea? : 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.

According to reporting in the New York Times Magazine, young female athletes are 3 to 6 times more likely than boys to tear their ACLs.  And the recovery period can be grueling. Surgery is usually involved, rehab can take a year or longer. Which is a lot of time, at that age, for players to remain on the sideline. But there are effective ways to prevent so many ACL tears. For example, FIFA, soccer’s governing body, has signed off on a series of exercises and warmups that have proven to reduce injury risk. Yet that injury prevention protocol hasn’t taken off in girls sports. Even though women’s sports are exploding in popularity, and more girls are playing sports, plenty of coaches and players don’t even know it’s possible to prevent these injuries.  Why do so many teenage girl athletes tear their ACLs? And why do coaches, parents and players often fail to do the prevention work, strength exercises, etc. that might help protect vulnerable limbs? Guest: Seattle high schooler and soccer player Edie Welch Reporter Craig Welch Related stories: Why Are So Many Teen Girls Still Tearing Their A.C.L.s? - The New York Times Magazine 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.

It's not a spoiler to say someone gets murdered in T Kira Madden's new book, "Whidbey." But what happens next? You'll have to read and find out. Whidbey is expansive, detailed and visceral. It makes readers wonder about questions of justice, forgiveness, belief and unconditional love. We talk with Madden about how the island inspired her new literary thriller.  Guest T Kira Madden, author of "Whidbey" Related Links Somebody Killed Her Assailant. Was Justice Served? - The New York Times T Kira Madden Casts a Spell - Elle 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.

Last month, Olympia became the first city in Washington, and one of just a handful in the country, to pass explicit protections for polyamorous families. The city passed two ordinances in late February that establish protections for people in diverse family and relationship structures.  Supporters say the changes are aimed at protecting these community members against discrimination and unfair housing practices.  Similar efforts are underway in multiple cities across the west coast.  More than 60% of people who responded to a 2025 survey on non-monogamy said they experienced discrimination or stigma in at least one domain, like healthcare or employment.  We spoke to an advocate who backed these ordinances -- and who's hoping to bring similar change to Seattle.  Guests: Jessa Davis is the executive director for the Seattle Coalition for Family and Relationship Equity Related links: First WA city with protections for polyamorous families | The Olympian In the Northwest, polyamory finds something new: legal protection | The Seattle Times Polyamorous protections moving ahead in Portland as council reaffirms LGBTQ safe harbor status | oregonlive.com 2025 Community Survey Report | OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy) 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.

Residents of Tehran were warned to stay indoors yesterday [SUN], as black smoke blanketed parts of the Iranian capital city. It comes after Israel attacked dozens of fuel depots in the city of 10 million people.   The U.S. and Israel continued to launch airstrikes against Iran over the weekend. And the conflict continues to impact many nations. Today, NATO member Turkey said it shot down a second Iranian missile.  Closer to home: two men have been charged with attempting to support the Islamic state after they tried to set off homemade bombs at a far-right protest near Gracie Mansion, the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.  None of the devices detonated. Obviously, this continues to be a fast-moving situation. This morning, Congressman Adam Smith sat down with Soundside to share his thoughts on what’s been happening so far in Iran and across the globe. Guest: Adam Smith represents Washington's 9th congressional district and is the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.  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 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 Politics Editor, Cat Smith Related Links: With the Straight of Hormuz Closed, the Long-Feared Persian Gulf Oil Squeeze Is Upon Us WA ‘millionaires tax’ proposal haunted by 1933 court decision British Columbia Moving to Permanent Daylight Saving Time, Changing Clocks for the Last Time Sunday Timothée Chalamet & Matthew McConaughey | Variety & CNN Town Hall 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.

We’ve come to the end of another week here at Soundside, the end of Winter is right around the corner, and there is a LOT to do before we ‘Spring Forward’ on Sunday. Let’s talk about it! Here’s Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS: Emerald City Comic Con Tacoma Beer Week Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Round Up Oops All Goalies! Lunar New Year Celebration | Seattle Chinatown-International District Penn Cove Musselfest Northwest Record Show 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. 

Hours before the United States launched strikes on Iran, there was another big story at the Pentagon:  The Department of Defense designated Anthropic, the U.S.-based AI company, a supply chain risk. This was shortly after President Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology. The announcement came as DoD and the AI company failed to reach a deal on how Anthropic technology could be used in classified networks. The sticking points in contract negotiations? Two use cases: Mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic had a $200 million contract with the Pentagon – and its Claude AI model was reportedly used in the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.  Out of the shambles of the Anthropic negotiation.The Pentagon quickly announced a deal with its rival, Open AI. The contract dispute points to the increasing role of AI in the military and what safeguards may exist for its use both domestically and in war.  Guest: Bill Howe, associate professor at the University of Washington’s Information School. He runs UW’s Responsibility in AI Systems and Experiences center Relevant Links: NYT: How Talks Between Anthropic and the Defense Dept. Fell Apart WSJ: What’s Really at Stake in the Fight Between Anthropic and the Pentagon

There’s a major reshuffling of leadership happening at one of the videogame industry’s top companies.  After 38 years at Microsoft, Phil Spencer is stepping away from his role as CEO of Microsoft Gaming.  His was an incredibly long tenure, and it’s leaving many to wonder what it means for XBox, Microsoft Gaming, and gamers alike. GUEST: Todd Bishop - Co-Founder of Geekwire LINKS: Xbox chief Phil Spencer retiring after 38 years at Microsoft; Asha Sharma named new gaming CEO Who is Asha Sharma? A closer look at Microsoft’s surprise pick to lead the Xbox business Analysis: The best thing that the new Xbox CEO can do is ... nothing 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 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: Paul Queary - Editor and Publisher at The Washington Observer 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.

WNBA fans, mark your calendars for March 10th. That's a key deadline that could determine when the teams actually hit the court. If the league and players can’t shake hands on a new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, by next Tuesday, the 2026 season could be delayed. The Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike is president of the WNBA players' union, and she's led the union as labor negotiations have progressed for over a year. The two sides are months past their original deadline for a deal.   We talk about the key issues driving bargaining with a reporter covering the league.  Guest Sabreena Merchant, staff writer, The Athletic  Related Links WNBA’s new CBA offer boosts pay, fast-tracks max deals for stars like Caitlin Clark, AP source says - The Associated Press Kelsey Plum sees WNBA's offer as a 'win,' but CBA talks continue - ESPN What a March CBA deal would mean for WNBA free agency, expansion and the draft - The Athletic 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.

Much of your technology - your phone, your kid’s ipad, your electric car… wouldn’t function without computer chips. They’re basically tiny pieces of silicon semiconductor wafers that drive our tech-focused economy. And their supply chain is highly centralized. Most chips come from just one country, Taiwan. And Taiwan is in a very delicate geopolitical position.  China has claimed sovereignty over the island democracy since the founding of the PRC, in 1949.  If China ever decided to exert its claims using military force – that could put chip production in danger. Potentially leading to the largest economic downfall since the Great Depression.  According to documents obtained by the New York Times, it’s an issue tech companies here in the US have known about for years, and have largely tried to ignore. Guest: Tripp Mickle, Silicon Valley reporter for the New York Times Related stories: The Looming Taiwan Chip Disaster That Silicon Valley Has Long Ignored - NYT Nvidia’s Quarterly Profit Hits $43 Billion on Strong A.I. Chip Sales - NYT 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.

Bill Gates has been under scrutiny since the Justice Department released files that put his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein on display.  ….. But these files also show that Epstein’s connections within the company Gates co-founded, Microsoft, were more widespread than previously known.  Epstein built relationships with several of Microsoft’s top executives. He traded gifts and advice with them, and even invited some to his island.  And, through these big players, Epstein also got access to the inner workings of the company.  Guests:  Karen Weise, a technology correspondent for The New York Times who’s based in Seattle  Related links: How Jeffrey Epstein Ingratiated Himself With Top Microsoft Executives - The New York Times Records show deeper ties between Epstein, ex-Microsoft exec Myhrvold | 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.

There are many people who would describe themselves as resisting fascism.  But, for a small group, “antifa” is more than just a label.  In his new book, journalist Christopher Mathias reports that for self-identified members of antifa, the bulk of their work actually involves infiltrating right-wing extremist groups. Often, this takes the form of intelligence gathering online. In some cases it means disguising themselves for in-person operations: becoming members, showing up, getting peoples’ real names and plans.  One man did just that in the Seattle area. Mathias tells his story in a new book.  Guest Christopher Mathias, journalist covering antifa and the far right, author, "To Catch A Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right" Related Link What’s behind the White House’s anti-antifa order - Soundside, KUOW White nationalists claimed WA man doxxed them. How a judge responded - Tacoma News Tribune Antifa used to unmask neo-Nazis, now it’s exposing ICE: ‘Predators don’t get anonymity’ - The Guardian 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.

Local Iranian community members gathered at a vigil Sunday afternoon at Seattle City Hall to share art, music, dance and healing conversation. The stated purpose of the event was to memorialize those who lost their lives during the Islamic Republic’s deadly crackdown on protesters in January, which had a death toll estimated in the tens of thousands. With the U.S. and Israel striking Iran over the weekend, the event also provided a place to process the beginning of war. The event was organized by the Seattle Isfahan Sister City Advocacy group. ALSO: analysis of the widening conflict in the Middle East with Reşat Kasaba, professor at the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies. RELATED LINKS: Iran Hits Back Across the Mideast, Targeting U.S. Bases and Allies Hegseth insists the Iran conflict is 'not Iraq' and is 'not endless' What to Know About the Widening Fallout From the Bombing of Iran Push from Saudis, Israel helped move Trump to attack Iran  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 Sound Transit system is updating, maybe you've heard. After three new light rail stations opened up south of Seattle in December, the light rail is set to start running across Lake Washington about a month from now. But budget issues may complicate plans for the future lines. We'll get into that and much more. Guest: Dow Constantine, CEO of Sound Transit 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

It’s the FINAL Thursday of February, and MARCH starts this weekend.  Two of our Soundside producers are celebrating their birthdays this weekend, (Happy Birthday Maleeha Syed and Gabi Healy!!) Women’s hockey is BACK at Climate Pledge Arena, AND it’s the final days of Black History Month, so let’s go out & do some stuff!! Here’s Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows to get us caught up on all that’s happening! LINKS: Mad Science: A night of Improv and Laughter Seattle Torrent vs Toronto Scepters Kraken vs Canucks Sea Slug Animation Festival 2026 Poulsbo Blues & Jazz Festival Tacoma Beer Week Events Free Rose Pruning Demonstration - Woodland Park Zoo Doughboys - Seattle Theatre Group 4th Annual Black Makers & Creatives Art Exhibit Iranian Vigil & Solidarity Art Exhibition 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.

These days people are using AI chatbots for everything.  These chatbots have a wealth of information at their metaphorical fingertips. But the accuracy of the information that they offer us is, well, questionable. But it makes sense why some people turn to AI for medical advice. They’re usually free, which gives them an upper hand when healthcare in the United States is so expensive.  They’re also easy to access, so people can get their questions answered immediately, instead of waiting for an opening at their doctor’s office.  And they’re trained to be empathic, which is especially appealing to patients who don’t feel valued in medical settings.  In this "Ask a Doctor" segment, we explore the world of health advice and chatbots with two medical professionals.  Guests:  Angad Singh is a family medicine physician. He's also an Associate Chief Clinical Information Officer and Clinical Associate Professor at UW Medicine. Danielle Bitterman is an assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Lead for Data Science and AI at Mass General Brigham. Related links: A.I. Chatbots Are Changing How Patients Get Medical Advice - The New York Times How to Use ChatGPT for Health Advice | Right as Rain Health Advice From A.I. Chatbots Is Frequently Wrong, Study Shows - The New York 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.

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: Jane C Hu - journalist and host of City Cast Seattle Related stories:  City Council weighs in on mayor’s pick for Seattle’s highest-paid job - Seattle Times Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026: What it takes to rent your home on Airbnb - Seattle Times Why ‘No Right Turn on Red’ Signs Are Multiplying. Plus, Seattle’s Best Places To Cry and Criminal Drones - City Cast Seattle Murals by henry bring joy to Seattle, but it took decades to get there - KUOW 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.

In 1999, student journalists at Garfield High School heard a rumor. It was about a beloved teacher named Tom Hudson.  He taught biology. He ran a popular outdoors program. And, according to the rumor, he sexually abused students.  The journalists broke the news of these allegations for their school newspaper…. And chaos unfolded.  The reporters faced pressure to step down from the paper. Their schoolmates turned on them. Their teacher was placed on leave.  And, just a few months after everything blew up, Mr. Hudson died by suicide.   “Adults in the Room” is a new series from KUOW that explores the questions that went unanswered 27 years ago: Did Mr. Hudson really abuse these students? Or did these young journalists act irresponsibly, at the expense of a teacher’s life?  Guests:  Isolde Raftery is a managing editor at KUOW. She's also the host of “Adults in the Room" and  one of the student journalists who broke the news on these allegations at Garfield.  Related links:  KUOW - Focus: Adults in the Room KUOW - Two Seattle girls learn a secret at their high school. Their lives change forever KUOW - In 'Adults in the Room,' a KUOW investigative journalist re-reports the story that's haunted her for nearly three decades 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.

Stability appears to have returned in Mexico after days of violence. On Sunday a Mexican military raid killed cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, more commonly known as El Mencho.  In response, members of his Jalisco New Generation Cartel created havoc throughout the nation - lighting cars and buildings on fire, ransacking businesses, and setting up blockades along major roadways throughout the country. According to authorities at least 62 people have died since Sunday - including cartel members, security officers, and civilians.  Flights to and from Seatac to various airports in Mexico were cancelled, as the US government recommended that all US citizens and residents shelter in place. Guest: Vanessa Freije is an Associate Professor of International Studies, and she’s the chair of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Washington. She's currently based in Mexico City. Related stories: Mexico Is Caught Between Trump and the Cartels - NYT What to Know About the Cartels Operating in Mexico - NYT 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 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:  Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner Related stories: T.S.A. Says PreCheck Will Remain Operational at Airports - NYT Sen. Cantwell, WA elections officials slam Trump-backed voter ID bill - Seattle Times In Washington State, Democrats Consider Breaking a Taboo: Taxing the Rich - NYT 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 month at the Washington State Penitentiary, a group of incarcerated journalists meets up to pick a theme for their news magazine. The paper is called Top of the Mountain. It details the goings on in the prison as well as recipes for the food you can buy at the commissary, advice from long time residents, and interviews with the formerly incarcerated. Top of The Mountain started after three people committed suicide in the unit. The goal was to be a way to form connection. It has grown into a labor of love.  We spoke with the founder of Top of The Mountain and a reporter there about the paper and what it means to the prison community Guests: Jennifer Jaylee, founder of Top of the Mountain Jeffrey McKee, writer for Top of the Mountain Relevant Links: Prison Journalism Project: My Job at a Washington State Prison Newsmagazine

Bruce Lee wasn’t born an icon. First, he was a baby, born in San Francisco and then a kid in Hong Kong who followed his father into acting.  And it wasn’t a straight line from child star to groundbreaking Hollywood action star who broke stereotypes about Asian Americans. Lee’s adult life in America started when he moved to Seattle, still a teenager –  where he studied at the University of Washington, washed dishes at a restaurant, and eventually opened his own gung fu schools. He also met his wife, Linda, once a martial arts student. His five years in Seattle were formative for Lee both in terms of learning about America, but also about himself and honing his cross-cultural philosophy.  That’s the subject of a new play at Seattle Children’s Theater called Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story, it runs through March 22nd.  Guest: Shannon Lee, founder and chair of the Bruce Lee Foundation and author of Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee Relevant Links: Seattle Children's Theater page Bruce Lee Foundation website Seattle Times: Seattle Children’s Theatre Bruce Lee play fights on after Kennedy Center canceling  

Many federal immigration officers are reportedly in the process of packing up and leaving the Twin Cities. Border Czar Tom Homan said Sunday that Operation Metro Surge is drawing down.  The months-long campaign led to intense protest. Two American citizens were shot and killed by immigration enforcement officers during the operation. Local prosecutors have been trying to investigate those shootings but they say they have been rebuffed by the federal government. Earlier this week, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it was denied access to evidence by the FBI meanwhile, Hennepin County prosecutors in Minneapolis are crowdsourcing evidence from people who videotaped one of the shootings.  Like local officials everywhere, King County is navigating a shifting relationship with the federal government and the possibility that an immigration enforcement surge could happen here. Guests: Leesa Manion, King County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Ernsdorff, Supervising Attorney at the Special Operations Unit Relevant Links: KCPAO: Manion Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting King County from Unlawful Deployment of ICE

Thursdays... What a concept! Let’s get out of the house this weekend & do some fun stuff! “What fun stuff?” you may ask… and with that answer is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows! LINKS: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival Seattle Home & Garden Show Wintergrass Festival Black History Month Soirée 2026 - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Lunar New Year Family Festival | Seattle Art Museum Cupid's Undie Run at The Dock in Fremont Cardi B - Climate Pledge Arena 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.

Fighting wildland fires is dangerous enough. The smoke exposure, changing conditions and mental health risks can be daunting, for even experienced firefighters.    But federal wildland firefighters across the country were also wearing pants containing potentially dangerous PFAS chemicals, according to reporting this month from ProPublica.  Officials at the U.S. Forest Service knew about that risk for years, before it became public knowledge.  In Washington, fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer and just last year, western Washington experienced its largest fire in a generation. Reporter Abe Streep covered all of this for ProPublica, and he talked with KUOW's Paige Browning. Related Links Firefighters Wore Gear Containing “Forever Chemicals.” The Forest Service Knew and Stayed Silent for Years. “It Feels Impossible to Stay”: The U.S. Needs Wildland Firefighters More Than Ever, but the Federal Government Is Losing Them 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.

Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths for Americans under the age of 50, according to a paper published last month in JAMA.   This research backs up a trend that doctors have been seeing for a while now: Colon cancer isn’t just a disease that affects older people.  Just last week, James Van Der Beek, who played Dawson on “Dawson’s Creek” died of colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old.  In the past few years, more health organizations have followed the American Cancer Society in lowering the recommended age for colon cancer screenings from 50 to 45 years old.  And more recently, there’s been a trend online that encourages people to start “fibermaxxing”... which is just a fancy way of telling them to eat more fiber.   We talk to a doctor about this trend and the symptoms to look out for when it comes to colon cancer.  Guests:  Dr. Rachel Issaka, director of the colorectal cancer screening program for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and UW Medicine Related links:  Leading Cancer Deaths in People Younger Than 50 Years | Breast Cancer | JAMA | JAMA Network Colorectal Cancer Is Now the Top Cause of Cancer Death in Younger People - WSJ 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 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:  Seattle Times reporter David Kroman Related stories: Seattle Seahawks begin sale process, less than 2 weeks after winning Super Bowl - NYT Katie Wilson promises shelter, focus on public safety in first year of office - Seattle Times Tension rising over how to spend revenue from proposed WA income tax - 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.

Last week, President Trump announced he was overturning the Environmental Protection Agency’s  "endangerment finding.” That finding is a scientific conclusion signed by the EPA in 2009. It determined that greenhouse gases are harmful to people and the environment, and it allowed the EPA to regulate heat trapping emissions like carbon dioxide and methane.  The current Presidential administration says that climate change is a “hoax” and that environmental regulations hinder the economy.   Current EPA head Lee Zeldin is praising the move by Trump. Environmental activists and democratic lawmakers took no time to denounce the decision, saying that it will harm public health and lead to intensifying climate change related catastrophes, such as wildfires, heatwaves, and flooding. And, of course, there’s a court challenge.  California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that California intends to sue the federal government over this change – potentially leading to a drawn out, years long battle to determine what the EPA can and cannot do when it comes to greenhouse gas regulation. Washington attorney general Nick Brown has promised something similar. But how could its repeal change climate science and policy in the United States? And what does it mean for Washington? Guests: David Battisti - Professor of Atmospheric and Climate Science and Tamaki Endowed Chair at the University of Washington Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee Related stories: As U.S. abandons climate fight, Washington state feels the heat to do more - KUOW Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change - NYT Future of Washington state’s climate-pollution fund up in the air - KUOW 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 one of Seattle’s iconic movie theaters has been sold. This time, the Boeing IMAX theater.  The theater’s six story tall and 80 foot wide screen has endeared itself to local movie goers since it opened nearly 30 years ago.  Pacific Science Center sent out an email last week confirming they are selling the Boeing Imax, and a parcel of land equaling nearly a quarter of its footprint at Seattle Center. The buyer is a familiar neighbor: The Space Needle. And Space Needle leaders said, through a statement, they intend to keep operating the theater. GUEST: Chase Hutchinson - Freelance writer & film critic RELATED LINKS:  Pacific Science Center’s Boeing IMAX Theater to Be Sold to Space Needle Seattle’s Pacific Science Center to sell IMAX theater, part of property PacSci Real Estate Transaction - Pacific Science Center 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. 

Happy almost-Valentine’s day to all who celebrate.  It’s a time for love, of course. For fancy dinners. Cute notes. And hopefully, for some, a time for intimacy. We review some of the research, and get some advice, on our burning questions about sex, love and relationships. Guest Professor Nicole McNichols, author,  You Could Be Having Better Sex: The Definitive Guide to a Happier, Healthier, and Hotter Sex Life, @nicole_thesexprofessor 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.

What a WEEK!  Are your voices recovering from the Seahawks parade? Or from yelling at the Olympics on t-v like me?  Let’s get out there and do something FUN, or cute and sweet, for Valentine’s Day weekend!  Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows here with almost all of the lovely options we've got for the weekend! LINKS: The Atomic Bombshells: J’ADORE 17 Year Anniversary at Triple Door Winter Festival | Early Music Seattle Noir City - SIFF After Hours Premier: No Pressure Valentines - Seattle Aquarium Busch Light PBR Everett Comedy of Love: A Valentine's Day Improv Disenchanted! | Tacoma City Theaters Science After Dark - Pacific Science Center Get a Friday the 13th Tattoo at One of These Seattle Shops 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 use dating apps, there’s a lot of pressure to make an impression in the mere moments you have before someone decides whether you’re worth the effort.  So, as frustrating as it can be, we understand that there’s a fair bit of truth-bending involved in finding love online: Like pictures with really flattering angles or exaggerations of interests.  All’s fair in love and/or exciting-but-sometimes-brief-and-often-regretted romance. Butis it fair if someone’s using AI to make basic conversation? A growing number of daters report asking ChatGPT – or one of a flurry of new “AI dating assistant” startups – to craft questions and answers on dating apps. Was that witty repartee in your DMs generated by a bot? How much has dating been co-opted by digital wingmen, and what does it mean for the future of digital romance?  Guest: Henry Chandonett, reporter for Business Insider Relevant Links: Business Insider: The Rise of the AI Wingman The Guardian: ‘I realised I’d been ChatGPT-ed into bed’: how ‘Chatfishing’ made finding love on dating apps even weirder

SEA...HAWKS! Need we say more? Surely by now, you know that your Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl this year. KUOW's Noel Gasca was on the scene of the Seahawks Victory Parade in downtown Seattle, she talked with us about what she saw.  Guest Noel Gasca, reporter, KUOW Related Links Seattle's 12s celebrate Super Bowl champion Seahawks 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 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:  Author of the Savage Love column and host of the Savage Lovecast Podcast, Dan Savage Related Stories: As US Olympians call for tolerance and LGBTQ rights, some face Trump attacks and online hate - NPR ‘Heated Rivalry’ Reaches 10.6 Million Viewers in The U.S. With Audience Increasing by Over 100% Since Finale - Variety 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 retail operator for Eddie Bauer’s North American stores has filed for bankruptcy. Depending on how things turn out, the outdoor gear brand could see the closure of nearly 200 stores across the United States and Canada. The Seattle Times also reports that the company's store operator plans to close its headquarters in Seattle and lay off 60 workers.  This isn’t the first sign of trouble for the Seattle-based business, which faced bankruptcy proceedings in 2003 and 2009.  This latest filing won’t affect the company’s wholesale, manufacturing or online operations -- so it’s not like the brand’s going away completely. But the news still feels pretty big….  Because once upon a time, not too long ago, Eddie Bauer was a premiere spot for outdoor gear. It outfitted the first American to summit Mount Everest.   And there was a time when it was quite the fashion statement to walk into work with an Eddie Bauer puffer.  As the company faces an uncertain future, we decided to reflect on its legacy.  Guests:  Clara Berg, a fashion historian and Curator of Collections at MOHAI. Related links: Our Story – Eddie Bauer Eddie Bauer to close its Seattle headquarters, lay off 60 workers | The Seattle Times Eddie Bauer: From Outdoor Staple to Bankruptcy Watch - Business Insider Retail operator of Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy, will keep stores open during restructuring | AP News Eddie Bauer store operator files for bankruptcy, seeks sale | Reuters 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.

Like many private companies, Nike has implemented diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its workplace. The Trump Administration has long been a vocal critic of such policies. On the first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order, titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.“ The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently disclosed it's investigating Nike for “systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination” against white workers. Nike does have regional ties – with headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. But... this is Nike: “Just Do It” and Air Jordans. We’re talking about a global entity, and this investigation could have wide ranging implications for employment practices nationwide. Guests:  Rebecca Davis O'Brien, a labor reporter at The New York Times Related links:  EEOC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against NIKE | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Nike, Accused of Bias Against White Workers, Is Under Federal Investigation - The New York Times What to Know About the Federal Investigation Into Nike - The New York Times Nike and Trump’s Supporters Have Been on a Collision Course for Years - The New York 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.

Eviction cases hit an all time high in King County last year. It’s the latest data point in an ongoing trend. Since the Covid era eviction moratorium ended in 2022, the number of people facing eviction proceedings has risen every year.  This is happening even as rents have remained relatively flat.  Hanging over all of this is budget tightening in Olympia state lawmakers are planning a multi million dollar cut to legal assistance for tenants.  Are we at a crisis point when it comes to the number of evictions in our state? Links: Seattle Times: King County, WA eviction levels hit an all-time high, again Guest: Alexis Weisend, real estate reporter at the Seattle Times

If you’re a Seahawks fan, Sunday’s big game was glorious domination. For the rest of the hundred-and-thirty-million plus viewers the defensive showcase was maybe a bit of a snooze. But football fans had other ways to amp up the excitement: Betting cold hard cash. It’s impossible to avoid hearing about betting when you’re watching most sporting events in the US these days -- let alone the biggest game of the year. According to the American Gambling Association, Americans were expected to wager $1.76 billion dollars on this year’s Super Bowl. That’s a near 27% increase over last year. Now, sports betting is still illegal in Washington state outside of tribal casinos.  But, as the mobile betting market has expanded legally into more and more states, alternative means for placing bets have become increasingly popular - even in states like Washington. And according to my next guest, that market isn’t just shaping how we watch the game. It’s changing the game itself. Guest: Danny Funt covers sports betting as a contributor at the Washington Post, and he’s the author of the new book “Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling” 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.

It’s a whirlwind of emotions this today for Seahawks players and fans.  Seattle wasn’t supposed to dominate its division, or field another historic defense, or win the Super Bowl for the second time in team history. But that’s exactly what happened this season, culminating in yesterday’s 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots. From the trophy presentation at Levi's Stadium to the triumphant confines of Seattle bars … KUOW’s Natalie Akane Newcomb brings us this audio postcard. 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’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 Politics Editor Cat Smith Related Links: Super Bowl 2026: Dominant Seahawks show they’re here to stay Review: Bad Bunny brought Puerto Rico's history and culture to a revolutionary Super Bowl show Super Bowl LIX averages record audience of 127.7 million viewers Trump, Bad Bunny and Puerto Rico’s Perennially Broken Power Grid - POLITICO Trump bashes Bad Bunny’s halftime spectacle - POLITICO "Good Will Dunkin' : The Pilot" Seahawks owner Jody Allen isn’t a placeholder. She’s an essential leader When the Seattle Seahawks sell, will any tech execs step up for the 12s? 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 weekend, Seattleites will be able to buy drinks from the city’s first Thai coffee shop: Nudibranch Coffee, which is set to open its doors Feb. 7 on Capitol Hill.  The shop will serve drinks that reflect Thailand’s popular flavors and hot climate. Nudibranch also plans to host low-cost community events at the shop, like guest chef nights and gallery walks. This cafe-slash-community-space is just a few days away from opening its doors... But we were able to steal some time from the busy owners to hear how the vision for Seattle’s first Thai coffee shop came together. Guests:  Emily Sirisup and Cole Arnesen, two of Nudibranch Coffee's founders  Related links:  Nudibranch Coffee | Explore Thai Coffee Today Nudibranch Wants to Be Seattle’s First Thai Coffee Shop | Eater Seattle Nudibranch will bring Thai coffee to former Capitol Hill vegan doughnut shop | CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News 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 Thursday, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows brings you the highlights for how to spend your weekend... And there are a couple of big events happening THIS WEEKEND, right?  Maybe something sports related? LINKS: Olympic Opening Ceremony Olympic Women's Hockey @ Rough & Tumble Ballard Full Watch Party Schedule Ear Hustle | Town Hall Seattle Eagle Festival | Arlington, WA Enumclaw Wine & Chocolate Festival Chocolate “Escape Room” challenge Washington State Gaming Expo / Anime Washington The Grave Plot Film Fest Seahawks at Patriots Super Bowl LX Game Center 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.