Soundside

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.

More information is still emerging about the Seattle Center shooting. For now, we know that police have said they believe at least two people participated in the shooting. Police have one suspect in custody, who is just 15 years old. Police have also claimed the shooting could be gang-related. The alleged suspect’s age furthers concerns about Seattle-area youth and gun violence. Earlier this week, Mayor Katie Wilson spoke about steps the city is taking to prevent gun violence, including violence intervention and community support. Soundside spoke with two experts working on this issue in our region about the shooting and their response.  Guests Paul Patu, co-founder of Urban Family Dominique Davis, founder and CEO, Community Passageways 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’re continuing our coverage of Sunday’s shooting at Seattle Center, where three people were killed and several more wounded.  A 15 year old suspect is in custody.  Police say they believe a 19 year old who is one of the deceased was also involved in the shooting. Seattle's mayor, and chief of police, held a press conference during the noon hour about the investigation. Guest: KUOW reporter Paige Browning Related stories: Live updates: Community mourns victims of Seattle Center shooting as police search for another suspect - 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.

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: Marcus Harrison Green, founder of the South Seattle Emerald and co-host of the podcast “In the Meanwhile."  Related links: Live updates: 3 dead in Seattle Center shooting; 1 suspect in custody as police search for another | KUOW Live: Seattle police say third shooting suspect among deceased | 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.

Wanna go see a movie?  We could check out what’s playing at The Beacon…. Or  Majestic Bay…  …. Or….  We could pop by the old QFC on 15th Avenue on Capitol Hill.  That’s where a local community group has been hosting movie nights for the past few months.  This QFC stands for the “Quality Film Club.” It convenes every other Thursday… in the Quality Flea Center. (You can see how they’re keeping the spirit of QFC alive).  This club is just one of the many ways that its co-organizers are creating community. And all of it is facilitated by their access to this abandoned grocery store.  Guest: Josh Okrent, a co-organizers of the Quality Film Club. He’s also the “Big Cheese” of the Punk Rock Flea Market. Related links:  The Quality Film Club: Capitol Hill’s newest movie theater is in an abandoned grocery store | CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News Two Seattle QFC Redevelopments Run Into Concerns Around Height and Parking | The Urbanist Can the Punk Rock flea market save the soul of Seattle? | Seattle | The Guardian 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’s Comprehensive Plan has hit a snag.  The plan is the set of zoning changes that plans the city’s future growth – the current one in the works outlines a lot more housing density in the city. State law requires such a plan be in place, but Seattle’s has been delayed by administrative appeals from two groups.   On Wednesday, we spoke with Seattle councilmember Eddie Lin about his proposal to eliminate one of the paths people have to appeal the plan under the State Environmental Policy Act. Jennifer Godfrey filed one of the appeals currently delaying implementation, and formed the group Orca Nexus, which is advocating for more environmental review of Seattle’s zoning changes.  They claim the Comprehensive Plan’s Environmental Impact Statement did not fully evaluate the environmental impact of greater housing density on trees and runoff. They say removing trees will increase pollutants that could harm humans, salmon and especially endangered Southern Resident killer whales.  Guest: Jennifer Godfrey  Related Links:  Conservation Groups Join Push Against Seattle Growth Plan This change will let Seattle address climate change, housing shortage Seattle Poised to Remove SEPA Review Hurdle for Most Housing Projects Residents and activists clash over plan to curb SEPA appeals at Seattle hearing 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.

Hi friends, another weekend is upon us with PLENTY to go and see and do. LINKS: Timber! Outdoor Music Festival - Carnation, WA 4 Days Of Aloha - Vancouver, WA Redmond Derby Days - Redmond, WA Renton River Days - Renton, WA Bite of Seattle - Seattle Center Kaiser Permanente Seafair Torchlight Run 2026 Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade 2026 SIFF Film Center - Horsegirls CID Food Walk | Seattle Chinatown-International District Summer 2026 - Urban Craft Uprising Seattle Scottish Highland Games 2026 The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire - Feast of Fools! 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.

It’s a war of definitions, and Kalshi just lost a battle. On Monday, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the “prediction market” company. Judge John McHale found Washington state is likely to succeed in proving Kalshi is actually an online gambling site. Those are illegal here in Washington. The lawsuit was brought by Attorney General Nick Brown, who also scored another victory on Monday with a temporary pause on Paramount's acquisiton of Warner Brothers.  Guest: Attorney General Nick Brown Related Links: WA judge halts Kalshi ‘prediction market’ over state gambling laws AG Brown, coalition temporarily block Warner Bros./Paramount merger as lawsuit proceeds 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 economics behind the most popular video games are, in a word, staggering.  Case in point: Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to be released later this year, and according to IGN, it made $260 MILLION dollars during the first week of pre-orders. Some analysts estimate that the game could rake in about 5 BILLION dollars during its launch week. But don’t expect to have a hard copy to cherish for your collection – developer Rockstar Games announced last month that GTA 6 will only be available to download.   Industry giant Sony says it too will soon be ditching discs. The company said earlier this month that it plans to discontinue physical game disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2028.  Sony says it’s reflecting a broader shift in consumer preference toward digital downloads. And this shift has consequences for local small businesses: With no discs to sell and trade, stores, especially ones that sell used games, will reap less revenue.   Adam David owns Big Red’s Retro Games in Silverdale. He says he’s not surprised by these decisions: “Your newer, younger consumer doesn’t care about a physical disc. Your next generation of game players, they've grown up on digital, and at the same time they're too young to see the ramifications down the road of having just a digital library and the fact that, you know, it can be taken away from you” What are the ramifications and ripple effects when an industry changes the way we buy its products? It’s something Seattle-area journalist Jacob Robbins has been pondering – he wrote about the disappearance of physical media in games for his new Substack newsletter entitled “Side Quests.”  GUEST: Jacob Robbins RELATED LINKS:  It’s Going to Be the Biggest Video Game Launch Ever. These Seattle Game Stores Aren’t Happy. GTA 6 Predicted to Make Up to $5.2 Billion in Sales by End of Launch Week After Securing an Estimated $260 Million via Preorders 'Commercially It Just Makes Sense' - No GTA 6 Disc Decision Explained 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.

Haven’t heard about Seattle’s comprehensive plan recently?  Well, the city council is supposed to be working on it, but the process is on hold because of appeals.    Just to catch you up: The comprehensive plan is a set of zoning changes that are supposed to be a blueprint for future growth. It’s required by state law. It usually means allowing more housing density. One thing this iteration of the plan would do is change zoning laws to allow for six story buildings in neighborhood centers across the city.  The appeals that are currently putting the plan on hold are based on the State Environmental Policy Act or SEPA.  City Councilmember Eddie Lin, who chairs the Land Use and Sustainability Committee, said that the current phase of the Comprehensive Plan will be delayed into late 2026 or possibly next year.  He’s proposing a change that’s working its way through city council. It would limit these types of appeals. Guest:  Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin Relevant Links: Seattle Times: This change will let Seattle address climate change, housing shortage  KOMO: Residents and activists clash over plan to curb SEPA appeals at Seattle hearing Seattle Times: Seattle’s history shows why zoning appeal process matters  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.

Here on Soundside, we're covering Washington’s most competitive races ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election.  Historically, one of the tightest in the state is the 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington. This area includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Skamania Counties. It also covers a small part of Thurston County. It’s one of the few swing districts left in the country. Voters there have gone for Trump, but they have also repeatedly chosen a Democrat to represent the district in the House.... over a Republican.  Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez currently holds the seat and is running for re-election. She faces a few challengers, like Brent Hennrich. He's campaigning to her left as a progressive alternative.  Guest: Brent Hennrich, a progressive challenger running to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District Related links: Minority Democrats in 20th District endorse progressive alternative for Congress | The Daily Chronicle What’s fueling the far-left surge? ‘Democrats themselves hate the party’ | The Seattle Times Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez challenged from left, right, center | The Columbian 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.

State regulators are still investigating the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant to see what went wrong and whether the catastrophe that killed 11 workers in Longview could have been prevented.  The investigation is expected to be concluded by the end of the year ans it’ll determine whether the facility could face penalties or even criminal charges. It will also likely face civil lawsuits on behalf of workers and families.  Guest: Vanessa Waldref, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington who is representing families and workers affected by the disaster. Related links: ‘Something dramatically wrong’: Questions but few answers after Longview mill tragedy https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/pay-longview-workers-implosion Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.  

After a lull earlier this year, we’re seeing a surge of immigration arrests in recent weeks across the U.S.  In the wake of two fatal shootings by ICE agents this month, the Trump administration has issued conflicting policies about how officers will conduct arrests. Fears of detainment and deportation remain high among immigrants – especially in Washington’s agricultural communities. The situation has pushed some undocumented immigrants to consider voluntarily leaving the United States. It’s an act the Trump administration calls “self deportation”. A recent story by RANGE Media documented the journey of one orchard worker based in Sunnyside, Washington who chose to return to her home country of Mexico – and the impact immigration enforcement has had on Yakima County’s farming community. Guests: Hal Bernton - an independent journalist based in Portland. He reported for the Seattle Times for over 20 years.  Daisy Zavala Magaña - a reporter with Range Media Related stories: For a Yakima Valley farmworker, Trump’s immigration crackdown prompts a wrenching decision to self-deport - RANGE Media 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 state government reporter, Sarah Mizes Tan Related Links: Trump again makes unverifiable claims of noncitizen voting Appeals court allows USPS to move forward with Trump’s anti-mail voting order, for now Could the agricultural city of Yakima go blue this year? WA Democrats are hopeful What Seattleites and others had to say about ‘Jimothy’ the raccoon 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.

Washington’s Aug. 4 primary election is coming up. Here on Soundside, we’re diving into this year’s most competitive races, like the 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington. This area includesClark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Skamania Counties. It also covers a small part of Thurston County.  It’s a purple district where voters have backed Donald Trump in recent presidential elections. But it’s also where a Democrat has repeatedly defeated a Trump-backed opponent.   We heard from that Democratic incumbent who has held this seat for the past two terms. She has positioned herself as a champion of the working class and someone who’s willing to work across the aisle. Guest: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a U.S. representative for Washington's 3rd Congressional District Related links:  House Speaker Mike Johnson fundraises for Joe Kent in Vancouver | Washington State Standard Trump backs Joe Kent in Washington state | KUOW Gluesenkamp Perez’s Farm Bill banana amendment draws mixed reaction | The Seattle Times Gluesenkamp Perez thinks the Democratic Party needs to change, not her | Washington State Standard 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've listened to KUOW at noon for long, you know the show's open: "You’re listening to Soundside – I’m Libby Denkmann…" Pretty soon, Libby's voice won’t be the only one you hear doing interviews and talking about the news at noon. KUOW is very excited to announce a new co-host for Soundside.  He’s a voice you may be familiar with if you’re a regular KUOW listener, and DEFINITELY a byline you know if you read local news here in the Seattle area: David Kroman. RELATED LINK: David Kroman to join KUOW as co-host of Soundside 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 4th Congressional District will soon send a new face to D.C. for the first time in over a decade. Representative Dan Newhouse is retiring and there are a slew of challengers who want to take that seat, which covers central Washington, including Yakima, the Tri-Cities and Moses Lake.  For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign. GUEST: Jerrod Sessler Related Links: Meet the 11 people who want to replace Dan Newhouse in Congress - Yakima Herald-Republic 4th Congressional District candidates discuss healthcare, cost of living - Columbia Basin Herald 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.

It all comes down to this: The World Cup ENDS this weekend as France faces off against England for 3rd place on Saturday, while Spain takes on FIFA favorite Lionel Messi & Argentina on Sunday afternoon.  But, that’s not ALL that’s happening this weekend. There’s LOTS more to do! HOST: Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS:  FINALS - Salmon Bay FC vs Vermont Green FC USL W Playoff Bracket Seattle Mariners vs SF Giants Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire GeekFest West Game Expo Capital Lakefair Sandsations Sand Sculpture Festival Sequim Lavender Festival Vashon Strawberry Festival CID Celebration Chinatown Parade 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 1929, there were twenty-two thousand movie theaters across the United States. Now… we’re down to fewer than three thousand.  In his new documentary “The Last Picture Shows,” local filmmaker Rustin Thompson chronicles the life, death, and resilience of many of these small town theaters across the American West.  Thompson drove through ten states and visited scores of theaters… both open AND closed… to tell the story of small town cinemas, and the people who keep them running.  People like Tiny Pedersen, of the Desert Historic Theater in Burns, Oregon: “ We don't have anything else here. There's not a bowling alley. There's not a video game machine. There, there's absolutely nothing else for high school kids or teenagers or even young adults to have a night out on the town with a date.” The film is a postcard of American life and a love story to a part of it that seems to be fading.  GUEST: Rustin Thompson RELATED LINKS:  The Last Picture Shows The Last Picture Shows - Trailer Seattle filmmaker’s documentary finds hope in small-town movie theaters 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.

Roger Rogoff is the new U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Washington.  Or he was. He started this morning, but was fired by President Trump less than an hour after being sworn in. Rogoff is a former King County Superior Court judge and a former federal prosecutor. He was appointed to be the U.S. Attorney by the Western District’s federal judges.  His firing has set off an expected legal fight that will once again pit the President against the judiciary with no clear idea what the future holds.   Guest: UW Professor of Law Liz Porter Related Links: Seattle Times: Judges appoint new U.S. attorney in Seattle, setting up Trump showdown Seattle Times: Judges seek to appoint U.S. attorney in Seattle as Trump pick’s term nears end 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 4th Congressional District will soon send a new face to D.C. for the first time in over a decade. Representative Dan Newhouse is retiring and there are a slew of challengers who want to take that seat, which covers central Washington, including Yakima, the Tri-Cities and Moses Lake.  For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign. Guest John Duresky, retired Air Force major and former project control officer at the Hanford nuclear site Related Links Meet the 11 people who want to replace Dan Newhouse in Congress - Yakima Herald-Republic 4th Congressional District candidates discuss healthcare, cost of living - Columbia Basin Herald 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 2023, Seattle voters were presented with a new approach to housing: Mixed income public housing where rent from higher earning tenants would offset the rent of people making below the area median income. It was dubbed social housing by its supporters.  Seattle voters approved the idea and then, a couple years later, chose to give it a lot of money through a new tax on employers who pay individual salaries over $1 million dollars.  Now, the rubber is hitting the road, Seattle’s Social Housing Developer purchased its first property in June. Soundside recently went to see the apartment building in Belltown and met with Tiffani McCoy, the interim CEO of the social housing developer. Guest:  Tiffani McCoy, interim CEO of the Seattle Social Housing Developer Relevant Links:  Seattle Times: Seattle’s first social housing building draws more than 10K applicants The Urbanist: Seattle Social Housing Developer Acquires First Building near Pike Place Market 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.

Washington's 4th Congressional District will soon send a new face to D.C. for the first time in over a decade. Representative Dan Newhouse is retiring and there are a slew of challengers who want to take that seat, which covers central Washington, including Yakima, the Tri-Cities and Moses Lake.  For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign. Guest Republican State Senator Matt Boehnke Related Links Meet the 11 people who want to replace Dan Newhouse in Congress - Yakima Herald-Republic 4th Congressional District candidates discuss healthcare, cost of living - Columbia Basin Herald 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.

By pure chance, University of Washington architecture professor Vikram Prakash was in his home city of Chandigarh, when his father passed away. His father was the architect Aditya Prakash, one of India’s most notable modern architects. He worked on Chandigarh's futuristic design with architect Le Corbusier. The city is now considered a living laboratory for modernism, climate responsiveness and post-independence social transformation.  Vikram Prakash wrote about the death of his father in a new book called "Death of a Modernist"  The short book combines memoir, fiction, and a primer on Indian architecture.  "Soundside" host Libby Denkmann talked with him about the book.  Guest Vikram Prakãsh, professor of architecture, University of Washington   Related Links A son’s reflection on the death of his beloved father, ‘Death of A Modernist’ is a compact gem of a book - The International Examiner 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 host Kim Malcolm Related Links: Seahawks sale: Answers to five key questions about what’s next Khosla-led group agrees to buy Seattle Seahawks Washington wildfire season turns deadly Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map Bison Attacks Tourist at Yellowstone National Park, Tossing Him Into the Air East Whatcom community leader hospitalized after bison rampage in Yellowstone Mariners snap skid, enter All-Star break on high note The Road Trip from Hell Ends with a Bang Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez unlikely to return from concussion IL before All-Star break 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.

One of Washington’s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat. For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats.  For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign. Guest Will Chen, Edmonds city councilmember  Related Links Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District- The Daily Herald Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls - The Washington State Standard Soundside's interview with Keith Scully, candidate for Position 1 - KUOW Soundside's interview with Chris Bloomquist, candidate for Position 1 - KUOW Soundside's interview with Danica Noble, candidate for Position 1 - 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.

We’ve reached the end of another lovely week here in the Pacific Northwest, and while the barge has officially sailed away since we don’t have any more World Cup games HOSTED here in Seattle, there IS still a ton to do! Here with SO MUCH weekend excitement is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows! LINKS: Walla Walla Movie Crush SIFF - In Theaters road to everywhere - Screenings The Last Picture Shows | Rustin Thompson Oregon Country Fair West Seattle Summer Fest Ballard SeafoodFest Kent Cornucopia Days PNA's PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day World Soccer Fan Celebration: Watch Parties Event Calendar | Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ Seattle Reign v Portland Thorns Grudge Match BOGO The West Seattle Saunter Bare Buns Fun Run - Tiger Mountain Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

This week at Seattle’s federal building downtown, hundreds of kids are showing up to court. They’ve been summoned to appear for immigration hearings. On Tuesday, more than a hundred juveniles appeared before a single judge. By the end of the proceeding, many received removal orders – a big step on the path to deportation.  Since late June, adults and families have also been packed into immigration hearings much larger than normal, some scheduled on short notice. They’ve been dubbed “mega master” hearings. Guest: Seattle Times reporter Nina Shapiro Related stories: Seattle Immigration Court starts ‘mega’ hearings, ‘welfare checks’ for kids - Seattle Times Seattle Immigration Court launches new Trump tactic: ‘Mega’ hearings - 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.