Soundside

Democrats are still basking in the glow of their sweeping electoral wins. You have to go back a half a century, to the post-Watergate era, to find a similar landslide victory by either party in the House.  And the New York Times reports there may be no modern precedent for the wave of GOP-leaning Senate seats that flipped to Democratic control Tuesday. In two months, they’ll take control of both chambers of congress. How will they lead? Soundside caught up with Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington’s 7th district to talk about legislative priorities.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

The Soundside and Sound Politics teams broke down the biggest takeaways from Election Day. They dug into the initial results on ballot initiatives, national races and more -- with the help of guests who weighed in on what this year's election could mean for Washington Democrats and Republicans.   Guests: Brian Heywood of Let's Go Washington  Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party  Congressman Adam Smith, who represents Washington's 9th District  Chad Minnick, Republican political consultant and strategist  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

In the 2026 fiscal year alone, the state paid out over $600 million in judgements, settlements and legal costs. It’s an issue that goes way beyond dollars on a spreadsheet – and gets to the heart of who should be held responsible when someone suffers harm? And how far should that responsibility go? Plus: What a new Native-owned birthing center means for south Seattle. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Every month, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson sits down with Soundside to discuss the latest news and answer your questions. This month: Housing policy, the budget, the search for a new Seattle police chief, and as always, your questions.  Plus: Libby and David break down today’s top headlines. Today on the show: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Kitsap County relies on Puget Sound Energy for it's electricity. The private, investor owned utility is looking at a 30% rate increase over the next three years. So, the Kitsap PUD is asking voters whether they should consider leaving PSE to start their own electric utility.   Plus: Libby and David read your responses to Initiative 638, the initiative banning trans girls from competing in K-12 sports.  Guests Fran Korten, Unplug PSE Matt Steuerwalt, PSE Angela Bennink, Kitsap PUD Randy Hardy, former head of Bonneville Power Authority and Seattle City Light Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We are bombarded every day with headlines about the latest in artificial intelligence.  There’s a battle between AI doomers: the people warning of the technology’s capability to end humanity, and the techno-optimists who see AI ushering in a post-disease, post-scarcity world. As news consumers (and civilians!) most of us fall somewhere in the uneasy, confused middle. How should we separate the hype from reality? We're trying to figure it out on our new monthly segment, Aye Yai AI. What's behind the name? Throw up your hands and think Ai Yai Yai.  Plus: Libby and David discuss potential closures at some Seattle elementary schools, affordable housing, and who is "hopping mad" over being included in an ad in favor of repealing the income tax.  Guests Destiny Muller, AI reporter at The Seattle Times Chirag Shah, professor in the Information School at the University of Washington, where he studies how to build intelligent and responsible AI for information access, author of Raising AI: How Artificial Intelligence Is Shaping Us—and How We Shape It Rolanda Fu, investor at Madrona, a venture capital group based in Seattle and Palo Alto Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

This year, Washington voters will decide if they want to ban transgender girls from participating in girls' sports. Initiative 638 has become one of the state's most contentious topics and it reflects a broader cultural divide on this issue across the country. Parents, lawmakers and more share their thoughts on what this initiative would mean for girls' sports.  Guests Verónica García, a former high school athlete  Elizabeth Wilson, a parent who supports I-638 Lauren Hipp, a parent who opposes I-638 Senator Yasmin Trudeau, a lawmaker who opposes I-638 Representative April Connors, a lawmaker who supports I-638 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.  

Washington voters will weigh in on three initiatives this year: a repeal of the high earners income tax, a ban on trans girls competing in K-12 girl's sports, and a Parents' Bill of Rights. That last initiative, I-001, is probably the least understood. At its core is this question of how entitled parents are to know about their children’s lives while they’re at school. Plus, Microsoft announced it is offering buyouts to nearly 60,000 employees, what does that mean for workers in Redmond?  Guests Melissa Santos, reporter at Axios Seattle Courtney Normand, Director of Washington State Planned Parenthood Alliance Travis Reep, fifth grade teacher Relevant Links: Axios Seattle: What's at stake in Washington's parental rights initiative Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

What's going on with Snohomish County's charter proposals? Five proposals to amend the county charter are on the ballot this year. The usually sleepy process has gotten more attention this year. That's in part due to a conservative advocacy organization's vocal support for each proposal. The group is called Future 42, and this year's votes could have implications for the county's government for years to come. We got into it with a reporter covering the story. Plus, we check in on the close Democrat on Democrat race for Washington's 29th Legislative District Guests Jamie Holter, a reporter for MyEdmondsNews Krista Perez, candidate for WA's 29th LD Related Links Snohomish County Commission Charter proposals mired in controversy as voting begins Statement from Future 42's co-founder and co-leader, Dann Mead Smith "It’s always exciting when people volunteer to serve their community like the 15 individuals who were elected by voters last November to serve on the non-partisan Snohomish County Charter Review Commission, which takes place every ten years in the county. This election, the same voting public will have the opportunity to decide whether or not to approve the propositions placed on the ballot by the citizen-elected commissioners. A “YES” vote is a vote to bring greater accountability, tax relief, and financial transparency to Snohomish County Government."   Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans is nearly one year on the job. Just this week, she announced a new sentencing alternative “Connections Court.” Her office has also been in the midst of heightened community concerns about sex trafficking and violence on Aurora. Soundside’s David Kroman and Cat Smith sit down with Evans and take your calls.  Plus: David and Cat discuss their top stories of the day. Guests: Erika Evans, Seattle City Attorney Jenna Robert, Criminal Division Chief at the city attorney's office Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

One of the closest races in Washington’s elections this year is between two Democrats on the Eastside. Following a “no” vote on Washington’s millionaires tax in March, incumbent state house Representative Amy Walen found she was facing a challenge from her own party, from Redmond city council member Jessica Forsythe. A measly 17 votes separated the two candidates in the primary.  Meanwhile, the race has attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars of independent expenditures in support of both campaigns. They’re vying to represent the 48th Legislative District, one of the wealthiest districts in the state which includes parts of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and all of Clyde Hill, Medina, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point. Walen and Forsythe answered questions about their candidacy as part of a debate moderated by KUOW’s David Kroman. Plus: David and Cat discuss their top stories of the day. Guests: Incumbent LD48 State Representative Amy Walen Redmond City Councilmember Jessica Forsythe Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Seattle has three public safety departments. You probably know about the police and fire department, but the city also manages the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Department, Seattle's police alternative program.  Among other work, CARE responds to emergency 911 calls and provides referrals to people in crisis for services including mental health, drug counseling, and housing support.  But long-standing labor issues with Seattle's Police Officers Guild have interrupted CARE's work in the past.  CARE Chief Amy Barden joined David Kroman and Soundside guest host Cat Smith in the studio to talk about how the agency is evolving under Mayor Katie Wilson and its plans to increase its efficacy in the years to come. Plus: The race for Washington's Third Congressional District is a tight one between incumbent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and her Republican challenger, Sen. Minority Leader John Braun. Soundside spoke to the two candidates in back to back interviews about their race to represent the district.  Guests Amy Barden, chief of Seattle's Community Assisted Response and Engagement Department (CARE) Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democratic candidate running for reelection in Washington's 3rd district. State Sen. John Braun, Republican candidate for Congress against Gluesenkamp Perez ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.       

In Renton, a heated fight over whether to keep Flock cameras mirrors the national angst people are feeling about surveillance, government, and big tech. These license plate readers are pitting law enforcement and public safety advocates against people concerned about immigration enforcement and government intrusion into privacy and personal liberties. Today on the show: 4 a Better Renton organizer Sheryl Friesz Tukwila Police Chief Eric Lund Renton City Councilmember James Alberson Renton City Councilmember Carmen Rivera Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Washington has two neighboring states with very close races on very issues that show interesting fault lines in the electorate. In deep blue Oregon, Democratic Governor Tina Kotek is in an extremely tight race with her Republican opponent, Christine Drazan.  And in deep red Idaho, a proposition to overturn the state’s abortion ban is bringing in a lot of money and interest. Plus: a look at a successful write in campaign in Skagit County. Today on the show: James Dawson of Boise State Public Radio Dirk VanderHart of OPB Isaac Simonelli of Cascadia Daily News Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Listeners, it's time to lock in on the races for the Washington Supreme Court. Why? Five out of nine seats are up for grabs, a rare number of seas. We’re expecting some pretty big rulings from the justices in the years to come.   In the last two elections, five out of the six candidates for Washington Supreme Court ran unopposed. We take a look at some of the court's biggest recent rulings and get to know the candidates.  Plus: Two conversations including critiques of and praise for the state Supreme Court's track record.  Guests Amy Radil, KUOW reporter Todd Myers, vice president of research at the Washington Policy Center Jessica Levin, associate teaching professor and senior director, Center for Civil Rights and Critical Justice at Seattle University School of Law Related Links WA Supreme Court candidates make their case as high-profile election nears - Washington State Standard Court watchers have eyes on races to reshape Washington Supreme Court - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.         

Seattle could change the rules for parking RVs in the city. The councilmember pushing for this change is hoping it will eventually get them off the streets and people connected to housing.    Yet critics worry this could create hardship for Seattleites who live in these vehicles.  Plus: co-hosts Libby Denkmann and David Kroman break down today’s top headlines. Today on the show: Dan Strauss, who represents Seattle's District 6  Neal Lampi, who lived in an RV for years  Alison Eisinger, executive director for the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Massive federal cuts to Medicaid are playing out here in King County. 4,000 lawfully present immigrants lost their coverage this month, and over 200,000 more could see their coverage affected soon. King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda joins Soundside to talk about the county’s response to these cuts.  Plus: co-hosts Libby Denkmann and David Kroman break down today’s top headlines, the latest on 12th and Jackson, and your weekend warmup. Today on the show: Teresa Mosqueda, King County Councilmember District 8 Connor Nash, politics reporter for the South Seattle Emerald Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The fate of the high earners income tax, sometimes called the “Millionaire’s Tax," is in the hands of Washington voters. This year, Democrats in Olympia passed a nearly 10 percent tax on every dollar of household income over $1 million.  Almost immediately after the legislature passed it, the tax was challenged; both in court and with an initiative on this November’s ballot.  The legal battle is ongoing, today, we're focusing on you, the voters. We have two people ready to debate whether voters should repeal the income tax by passing  Initiative 645.  Plus: We hear from you about yesterdays segment on eldercare and AI. Today on the show: Rian Watt, executive director of the Economic Opportunity Institute  Jaime Herrera Beutler, former congresswoman for WA-03 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

There is a crisis in elder care worldwide.  The population of people aged 65 and older is expected to nearly double by 2060 and many countries are facing serious questions about how to support such a huge increase in elderly community members.  In America, nursing homes are both expensive and linked to significant declines in mental health, leading states like Washington to prioritize at-home caretakers.  But at-home care is facing its own crisis, which has the state turning to a new solution: An at-home AI companion called ElliQ.  Earlier this year Washington became the first state to have these devices fully subsidized by Medicaid. And so far they’ve made it into the hands of more than 50 residents. Is this a solution to the elder care crisis? Or another sign of an AI dystopia? Plus: Why one of the biggest immigrant support networks in Washington just laid off half its staff, and David and Libby on their top stories of the day. Today on the show: tech journalist Jacob Robbins, and KUOW immigration reporter Gustavo Sagrero Alvarez Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Every month Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson sits down with Soundside to discuss the latest news and answer your questions. This month: the budget, public safety, and homelessness policy. Plus: Libby and David break down the latest on the Washington State Ferry cancellations Today on the show: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

This election season, State Sen. Jesse Salomon is defending his seat against a challenger who believes he's not progressive enough, Rep. Cindy Ryu. Legislative District 32, which they both represent now, is a safe seat for Democrats. LD 32 includes Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood and also parts of northwest Seattle, Edmonds and Woodway. Both have been in local and state politics for a while, but why is Ryu running against Salomon now? The two sat down for a debate with "Soundside" in front of a live audience.  Plus: Co-hosts Libby Denkmann and David Kroman talk today's top headlines and Shane Mehling takes on the Weekend Warmup.  Today on the show: Jesse Salomon, state senator for Legislative District 32 Cindy Ryu, position 1 representative for Legislative District 32  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

The University of Washington's Board of Regents almost voted on a change to the school's Student Conduct Code in early September, which led to a wave of pushback from students and faculty who read it as an effort to crackdown on certain kinds of protests. The school delayed that original vote and extended its feedback period to December.  Soundside spoke to students, as well as an organization that advocates for free speech, about what all of this signals about the state of protests at the University of Washington.  Also, KUOW is a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington, meaning we fundraise separately and maintain editorial independence from the school. Today on the show: Radcliffe Cushman, an undergraduate student at the University of Washington Francisco Dojenia, a graduate student at the University of Washington  Laura Beltz, the director of policy reform at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression   Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Oddsmakers and election forecasters say Democrats are heavily favored to win back the House this November. If that does happen, Washington State Congressman Adam Smith is likely to chair the powerful House Armed Services Committee. There, he would take on some seriously thorny issues, such as the U.S. war in Iran, the war between Israel and Palestine, the Department of War and the role of AI in military operations.  Plus: Co-hosts Libby Denkmann and David Kroman talk today's top headlines.  Today on the show: Congressman Adam Smith. He represents Washington’s 9th congressional district, which includes Federal Way, Renton, and parts of Bellevue and Seattle Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

This November, Sen. Jamie Pedersen will defend his seat in Seattle's 43rd Legislative District against a challenger who believes he's not progressive enough. Hannah Sabio-Howell, a labor activist and former legislative aide, is running to unseat Pedersen, who has represented the district for nearly two decades. The two sat down for separate interviews with "Soundside" to share why they think they're the best fit for the progressive district.  Plus: Co-hosts Libby Denkmann and David Kroman talk today's top headlines.  Today on the show: Hannah Sabio-Howell, who's running to represent the 43rd Legislative District in Seattle Sen. Jamie Pedersen, an incumbent running for reelection in the 43rd Legislative District   Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Two candidates are running to represent Seattle’s northern neighborhoods - from Greenwood to Bitterlake, and Crown Hill to Lake City. The outcome of this race has big implications for the political balance of City Hall and could prove to be the tipping point in continued debates over tax revenue, whether to turn on CCTV cameras as a crime prevention measure, the next stage of Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan, and the ever looming issue of the city’s budget deficit. Today on the show: City Council District 5 candidates Nilu Jenks and Julie Kang Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Budget deficits are an annual trend for post pandemic Seattle. The city is facing a projected $175 million dollar budget shortfall next year. To solve that, the city's socialist mayor has put forward no new taxes. She’s instead calling for cuts to many departments, while adding more police. Now the ball is in the city council’s court, to amend and pass the budget by the end of the year. This is just one of the many items the council has on its plate – including housing and public safety initiatives. Today on the show: Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

A broken window on the 9th floor of Seattle's Central Library symbolizes a six billion dollar problem. Much of the city’s infrastructure is aging.  The animal shelter needs renovations, the Fire Department needs a new headquarters – the city even needs new maintenance yards. And competition for those dollars is going to be pretty intense. The city’s budget is in a tough place and previous ways the city has raised money iwon't be around forever.  Plus: A new screen time policy at Seattle Public Schools for K-2 students Today on the show: Noel Gasca, KUOW reporter Tom Fay, chief librarian, Seattle Public Library Rob Gannon, director of administrative services, Seattle Public Library Keith Harris, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Urban Design & Planning at the University of Washington Jesse Praeter, library patron Peter Wheeler, library patron Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.        

Washington’s 46th Legislative District covers the north end of the city of Seattle, from the northern City Limit at 145th down to NE 45th, and from Aurora Ave N out to Lake Washington. Gerry Pollet is a lawyer and environmental advocate who has represented the district in Olympia since 2012. He currently chairs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review committee and is running for re-election this year. He attracted two motivated challengers this year, both Democrats, and will now face Will Dreher, a former assistant U.S. Attorney and partner at the law firm Keller Rohrback, in the general election.  We’ve invited them both into the studio to talk about their platforms. Today on the show: Gerry Pollet Will Dreher Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seattle could soon ban"algorithmic-based price discrimination"for grocery shoppers. It's a move that city leaders are pushing in the name of affordability and privacy protection. In this episode, we'll talk to a City Councilmember who's trying to pass it, as well as an industry leader who has critiques of the ordinance as it's written. We'll also hear from a privacy reporter about what this fight against "surveillance" or "personalized pricing" looks like around the country.  Plus: Soundside's Weekend Warmup (click for links to events!) Today on the show: Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Seattle City Councilmember; Amanda Dalton, president and CEO of the Northwest Grocery Retail Association; Alfred Ng, privacy reporter at POLITICO Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

The race to replace one of the last Trump-skeptical Republicans in Congress is in Central Washington. We'll take you to Washington's 4th Congressional District to hear from candidates vying to replace Dan Newhouse in the house. It's one of the safest Republican house seat in the state. But it touches on some pretty big picture issues like immigration, trade and data centers. Today on the show: Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney, former Air Force Major John Duresky Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

This morning, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson released her new plan to reduce gun violence in the city. This comes after multiple high profile shootings this summer.  What exactly is in this plan and why Wilson is bringing it forward now?Plus we’ll get a reaction from a leader in Seattle’s business community, which has been vocal about the need to step up public safety efforts Today on the show:KUOW Reporter Amy Radil, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Joe Nguyen Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.   

More than a month after wildfires engulfed the northwest corner of Spokane, how are residents recovering? And how can the state become more resilient in the face of wildfires… especially since these seasons are only expected to get longer and more severe in the coming years.  Plus: Libby and David break down today’s top headlines. Today on the show: Courtney Burkholder, owner of CJB Dressage, Alexandra Duggan, reporter at the Spokesman-Review and George Geissler, the state forester for the Department of Natural Resources Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.       

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner returns to Soundside to discuss the latest news and answer your questions. This time: union negotiations, A.I. in classrooms, student achievement — and live calls. Plus: David and guest host Scott Greenstone break down today’s top headlines. Today on the show: Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.   

Every month Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson sits down with Soundside to discuss the latest news and answer your questions. This month: gun violence prevention, expanding the city's CCTV pilot program, and increasing shelter availability. Plus: Libby and David break down today’s top headlines. Today on the show: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

We dig into a giant hole in downtown real estate: the story behind why a full city block has remained undeveloped for more than 20 years. Plus: Libby and David break down today’s top headlines. Today on the show: Former Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess, Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin, and Director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research, Professor Steven Bourassa  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

New ProPublica reporting reveals how a new AI tool, made by Anthropic, is reportedly detecting software bugs faster than Microsoft can address them. And the clock to patch those vulnerabilities is ticking fast.  Soundside talked with ProPublica tech reporter Renee Dudley about her reporting on this issue, and how it's raising major questions about the security of the wider U.S. tech industry, and products consumers rely on daily.  Related Links Anthropic’s New AI Model Can Identify More Software Bugs Than Ever. Microsoft Is Struggling to Fix Them Fast Enough. - ProPublica Editor's note: Microsoft is a financial supporter of KUOW, but we cover them like we do any other company.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside is going on a working hiatus for the month of August, but we'll be back and better than ever the day after Labor Day...  But until then, Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows has a bunch of events to keep you busy until we're back! LINKS: Seattle Mariners vs Tampa Bay CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY Edmonds Block Party CatVideoFest 2026 Sherlock Jr at Magnolia Lutheran Church Seattle Tattoo Expo Get Sauced: Mountlake Terrace Seahawks vs. Cowboys Preseason Game WA State Garlic Fest Dragonflight GameCon Cake at Remlinger Farms PAX West 2026 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

If you didn’t know, we are in the middle of an El Niño. Scientists say it has the potential to be one of the strongest in recent years.  This is the weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean that periodically pushes warm water toward the West Coast.  El Niños cause all kinds of problems, including worsening Washington droughts. And they can be a real pain for the region’s fishing industry.    Guests Bob Alverson, general manager of the Fishing Vessel Owners' Association Anthony Rogers, a fisheries economist at Ocean Conservancy  Related links: The 2026 El Niño Is on Track to Be the Strongest on Record | WIRED Record-breaking El Niño could gut California’s crab and salmon fleets | Los Angeles Times What a ‘very strong’ El Niño could mean for WA | The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Long summer nights with the Mariners on the radio are a rite of passage in the Pacific Northwest.  This weekend the team is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and whether you grew up with the M’s as a kid during the glory days of Ken Griffey Jr. in the Kingdome, just started following as the Big Dumper was breaking records last season, or stuck with the team, faithfully, through a 20 year playoff drought, one voice has stood out. Rick Rizzs started with the Mariners back in 1983... He had a brief stint in Detroit, coming back to Seattle in ‘95 where he put in a record breaking 41 years with the team He announced earlier this year that he would be retiring at the end of the 2026 season, and this week sat down with Soundside producer Jason Burrows. GUEST: Rick Rizzs Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Should the president of Seattle’s teachers union keep her position?  That’s the question on the minds of many local teachers and parents. Last week, parents of a student of Ibijoke Idowu began the process of pursuing a civil lawsuit against the teacher and the district, claiming she had physically harmed their child. This follows a Seattle Public Schools investigation, released in June, which concluded that Idowu “more likely than not” grabbed the student hard enough to cause bruising. Idowu was elected to lead the Seattle Education Association while she was on leave pending the results of this probe.  Idowu has denied allegations of misconduct. Guest: KUOW education reporter Noel Gasca Related stories: Demands for Seattle teacher’s union president to resign intensify amid student abuse allegations - KUOW Seattle teacher, union president, responds to report she ‘likely’ harmed student - Seattle Times Petition to initiate RECALL of SEA President Ibijoke Idowu-Holiday - change.org Petition support Idowu: Protect Devoted Educator from targeted harassment, intimidation & cultural bias! - change.org Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Police took a 15-year old into custody in connection to a mass shooting at the Seattle Center that left three dead and several others injured. Police later said that 15-year old had a “ghost gun." This refers to a type of firearm that’s often assembled at home and manufactured without a serial number.  In charging documents, prosecutors allege the teenager fired into the crowd. Police say the gun doesn’t appear to be involved the deaths of two bystanders from last week.  Washington is a leader in trying to prohibit ghost guns.  Back in 2022, the state passed a law to ban them. Earlier this year, lawmakers prohibited the unlawful manufacture of guns using 3-D printers or CNC milling machines.  And yet, ghost guns continue to be a concern here in the state. Guest: Garen Wintemute is the founding director of the Centers for Violence Prevention at UC Davis in California. He's also an emergency department attending physician.  Related links: 15-year-old Seattle Center shooting suspect charged with first-degree assault; prosecutors seek adult trial | KUOW Ghost gun used in Seattle Center shooting, police say | The Seattle Times Ghost guns explained—how they are made, used? | FOX 13 Seattle Bullets from 15-year-old's gun did not kill 2 Seattle Center victims, according to early findings | KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We are officially deep into a Pacific Northwest summer: we’ve already experienced wildfire smoke, 90 degree temperatures and for the unlucky amongst us, you may have also have seen small black ants crawling across your kitchen counters and floors. I’m talking about odorous house ants. So named because of the smell they emit when they are squished (I won’t say by who). These little guys are annoying, and they’re everywhere this time of year. I even saw a Reddit post referring to Seattle as being “placed on top of a giant ant hill”. Now, that’s not actually true… but it can certainly feel like it around now. That’s because, if you live in a city like Seattle, you actually are in an ideal ant environment, one that has led to the little insect’s proliferation.  So before we get mad at odorous house ants, maybe it’s best to understand this creature? Maybe instead of a war on ants… we can make peace.  Guest:  Todd Murray, the Director of Washington State University's Puyallup Research and Extension Center

The Washington state Clemency and Pardons Board hears cases of people currently incarcerated and makes recommendations to the governor for commutations.  These recommendations can allow someone to leave prison before their sentence is completed. In Washington state law, someone’s case would need to be “extraordinary” in order to qualify.  Last year, the board heard a little over 30 cases and recommended 10 people for commutations. Governor Ferguson rejected all of the cases, some of which had the support of every board member.  The Governor has approved pardons for some people who had already completed their sentences and his office said he was "considering the recommendation of the board while also accounting for victim impacts and public safety." His approach hasn’t sat well with members of the Clemency and Pardons Board.  Guests:  Raymond Delos Reyes, chair of the Washington Clemency and Pardons Board Dan Berger,professor at the University of Washington-Bothell and director of the Washington Prison History Project Relevant Links:  Cascadia Daily News: Governor’s disrespect for clemency process extends mass incarceration KOMO: Case questions Washington's clemency process after governor rejects board's recommendation

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: Mike Carter, senior reporter on the law and justice team at The Seattle Times Related Links: Washington wildfires destroy homes, force thousands to evacuate | KUOW Seattle mayor describes what she wants in new police chief | The Seattle Times 4 takeaways from Mayor Wilson after Seattle Center shooting, police chief's exit | KUOW Man pinned by police at WA hospital died as doctor, nurses watched | The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

17 large wildfires continue to burn across Washington state. In Spokane, three major fires sparked on Saturday, collectively burning over 8,000 acres and 700 structures. 67,000 people are under evacuation orders. KUOW reporter Paige Browning joined Soundside with the latest. Guest: KUOW reporter, newscaster, and Seattle Now host Paige Browning Related stories: More than 700 to 1,100 structures lost in three Spokane fires; officials searching for 14 people - Spokesman Review ‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’: Washington’s fire season off to roaring start - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The future of Washington’s new “millionaires tax” is at stake this election season. And not JUST the ballot measure asking voters to weigh repealing the tax in November. The justices on the state Supreme Court will decide a separate legal challenge to that historic measure.   In a highly unusual scenario: five of the court’s nine seats are up for election this fall. Tuesday’s primary will determine the candidates for FOUR of those races.  Soundside's final look at the Washington State Primary Ballot takes a closer look at these four races for seats on the WA State Supreme Court. GUEST:Jonathan Martin - Former Seattle Times editor who now writes for the Washington Observer. Also, The Cascadia Daily News recently announced he’ll be their new editor-in-chief starting in September. RELATED LINKS:  https://www.washingtonsupremecourt.org/  League of Women Voters of Washington - Supreme Court Candidates Washington Supreme Court elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia   The independent money comes out to play - WA Observer Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Here’s a number for you: 108,170. That is the number of times immigration enforcement has attempted to look up a Washington license plate number and been denied since November of last year.  That number comes from the state and it’s one that Governor Bob Ferguson has been touting, citing the value of guarding resident’s data from the federal government.  While the number seems high, does it mean a difference in enforcement actions?   Guest: Gustavo Sagrero, KUOW’s Race, Identity, and Immigration Reporter Relevant Links:  KUOW: WA has blocked over 100,000 federal attempts to access license plate data  KUOW: This Seattle-area mechanic offers free tows for vehicles left behind after ICE arrests Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

As we do EVERY Thursday, Soundside has your list of all the best ways to decompress this weekend...  LINKS:  Cinema Therapy LIVE! THE PRINCESS BRIDE ECSFF - Short Film Festival Michael Mann's Manhunter: The Final Cut Lake City Summer Festival & Parade Kite Festival | Pierce County, WA Seattle Paddle Rave U-District Boba Fest Seafair Weekend Festival 2026 Magnolia Summerfest Flock Fiber Festival 2026 Junior League Softball World Series Cats & Dawgs Kirkland Classic Mariners vs Twins! Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Police have one 15-year-old suspect in custody in connection to the mass shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday. Earlier this week, a King County Superior Court Judge found probable cause for three counts of first-degree assault and a single count of second-degree illegal possession of a firearm.  The suspect remains in juvenile detention. An arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, where the defendant will hear charges filed against them.   But the legal process may become more complicated due to the alleged suspect’s age.  Judge J. Mike Diaz explains how juvenile court works, and the major differences between that and adult court – in the wake of the mass shooting at Seattle Center. Guest: J. Mike Diaz was a King County Superior Court judge from 2018-2022, and served a term as the Chief Judge of King County's Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center. Former governor Jay Inslee appointed him to the Court of Appeals in 2022. He's also an adjunct professor of Law at Seattle University Law School and taught juvenile law at the Washington Judicial College. Related Stories: 15-year-old Seattle Center shooting suspect charged with first-degree assault; prosecutors seek adult trial - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

People in Seattle are still processing a mass shooting on Sunday that left three dead.  It happened on the final day of the Bite of Seattle, a lively food festival that draws thousands of attendees every year.  A day after the shooting, Arron Murphy-Paine helped organize a vigil at the Seattle Center, where the shooting happened.  His son, Amarr Murphy-Paine, was shot and killed outside of Garfield High School in 2024 while he was breaking up a fight. That case remains unsolved.  Murphy-Paine sat down with Soundside to reflect on the Seattle Center shooting. Guest: Arron Murphy-Paine Related links: Community mourns victims of Seattle Center shooting as police search for another suspect | KUOW Overall gun violence down, but doubling among youth in King County | Snoqualmie Valley Record 2 years after shooting death, family works to build a more just and peaceful Seattle | KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.