KUOW has uncovered a controversial period in the life of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell -- one that he's rarely discussed in public.

In 1996, while at a casino in Iowa, Harrell brandished a gun in a late-night confrontation over a parking spot. Harrell was arrested over the incident before the charges were dismissed five months later.

He says he was racially profiled in the events leading up to the arrest.

KUOW’s reporting is the first local coverage of Mayor Harrell’s run-in with the law. It comes at an important moment because this year, Harrell is up for reelection.

The reporting on the incident comes from KUOW investigative reporter Ashley Hiruko, who joined Soundside to share her reporting. 

Guests:
Ashley Hiruko, KUOW investigative reporter

Related Links: 
KUOW - Seattle Mayor Harrell was arrested in 1996 for pulling gun during parking lot confrontation

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.

KUOW has uncovered a controversial period in the life of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell -- one that he's rarely discussed in public.
In 1996, while at a casino in Iowa, Harrell brandished a gun in a late-night confrontation over a parking spot.&nbsp;Harrell was arrested over the incident before the charges were dismissed five months later.
He says he was racially profiled in the events leading up to the arrest.
KUOW&rsquo;s reporting is the first local coverage of Mayor Harrell&rsquo;s run-in with the law.&nbsp;It comes at an important moment because this year, Harrell is up for reelection.
The reporting on the incident comes from KUOW investigative reporter Ashley Hiruko, who joined&nbsp;Soundside to share her reporting.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Ashley Hiruko, KUOW investigative reporter</li>
</ul>
Related Links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayor-harrell-arrested-in-1996-for-pulling-gun">KUOW - Seattle Mayor Harrell was arrested in 1996 for pulling gun during parking lot confrontation</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

KUOW has uncovered a controversial period in the life of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell -- one that he's rarely discussed in public.  In 1996, while at a casino in Iowa, Harrell brandished a gun in a late-night confrontation over a parking spot.

Seattle Mayor Harrell says he was racially profiled in 1996 firearm arrest

In 1999, student journalists at Garfield High School heard a rumor. It was about a beloved teacher named Tom Hudson. 

He taught biology. He ran a popular outdoors program. And, according to the rumor, he sexually abused students. 

The journalists broke the news of these allegations for their school newspaper…. And chaos unfolded. 

The reporters faced pressure to step down from the paper. Their schoolmates turned on them. Their teacher was placed on leave. 

And, just a few months after everything blew up, Mr. Hudson died by suicide.  

“Adults in the Room” is a new series from KUOW that explores the questions that went unanswered 27 years ago: Did Mr. Hudson really abuse these students? Or did these young journalists act irresponsibly, at the expense of a teacher’s life? 

Guests: 
Isolde Raftery is a managing editor at KUOW. She's also the host of “Adults in the Room" and 


one of the student journalists who broke the news on these allegations at Garfield. 

Related links: 
KUOW - Focus: Adults in the Room
KUOW - Two Seattle girls learn a secret at their high school. Their lives change forever
KUOW - In 'Adults in the Room,' a KUOW investigative journalist re-reports the story that's haunted her for nearly three decades

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

In 1999, student journalists at Garfield High School heard a rumor. It was about a beloved teacher named Tom Hudson.&nbsp;
He taught biology. He ran a popular outdoors program. And, according to the rumor, he sexually abused students.&nbsp;
The journalists broke the news of these allegations for their school newspaper&hellip;. And chaos unfolded.&nbsp;
The reporters faced pressure to step down from the paper. Their schoolmates turned on them. Their teacher was placed on leave.&nbsp;
And, just a few months after everything blew up, Mr. Hudson died by suicide.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Adults in the Room&rdquo; is a new series from KUOW that explores the questions that went unanswered 27 years ago: Did Mr. Hudson really abuse these students? Or did these young journalists act irresponsibly, at the expense of a teacher&rsquo;s life?&nbsp;
Guests:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Isolde Raftery is a managing editor at KUOW. She's also the host of &ldquo;Adults in the Room" and&nbsp;
one of the student journalists who broke the news on these allegations at Garfield.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/focus">KUOW - Focus: Adults in the Room</a></li>
<li><a href="https://m.kuow.org/stories/two-girls-learn-a-secret-at-their-high-school-their-lives-change-forever-episode-1-adults-in-the-room">KUOW - Two Seattle girls learn a secret at their high school. Their lives change forever</a></li>
<li><a href="https://m.kuow.org/stories/in-adults-in-the-room-a-kuow-investigative-journalist-re-reports-the-story-that-s-haunted-her-for-nearly-three-decades">KUOW - In 'Adults in the Room,' a KUOW investigative journalist re-reports the story that's haunted her for nearly three decades</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

“Adults in the Room” is a new KUOW series that goes back to Garfield High School in the late 90s, when student journalists reported on allegations of sexual abuse by a teacher.

A KUOW journalist returns to the story that rocked Garfield High School when she was a student

Stability appears to have returned in Mexico after days of violence.

On Sunday a Mexican military raid killed cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, more commonly known as El Mencho. 

In response, members of his Jalisco New Generation Cartel created havoc throughout the nation - lighting cars and buildings on fire, ransacking businesses, and setting up blockades along major roadways throughout the country.

According to authorities at least 62 people have died since Sunday - including cartel members, security officers, and civilians. 

Flights to and from Seatac to various airports in Mexico were cancelled, as the US government recommended that all US citizens and residents shelter in place.

Guest:


Vanessa Freije is an Associate Professor of International Studies, and she’s the chair of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Washington. She's currently based in Mexico City.

Related stories:
Mexico Is Caught Between Trump and the Cartels - NYT
What to Know About the Cartels Operating in Mexico - NYT

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Stability appears to have returned in Mexico after days of violence.
On Sunday a Mexican military raid killed cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, more commonly known as El Mencho.&nbsp;
In response, members of his Jalisco New Generation Cartel created havoc throughout the nation - lighting cars and buildings on fire, ransacking businesses, and setting up blockades along major roadways throughout the country.
According to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02/23/world/mexico-cartel-el-mencho">authorities </a>at least 62 people have died since Sunday - including cartel members, security officers, and civilians.&nbsp;
Flights to and from Seatac to various airports in Mexico were cancelled, as the US government recommended that all US citizens and residents shelter in place.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>
Vanessa Freije is an Associate Professor of International Studies, and she&rsquo;s the chair of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Washington. She's currently based in Mexico City.
</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/world/americas/trump-sheinbaum-us-mexico-cartel.html">Mexico Is Caught Between Trump and the Cartels - NYT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/world/americas/mexico-cartels-leaders-el-mencho.html">What to Know About the Cartels Operating in Mexico - NYT</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

On Sunday a Mexican military raid killed cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, more commonly known as El Mencho.   In response, members of his Jalisco New Generation Cartel created havoc throughout the nation - lighting cars and buildings on fire, ransacking businesses, and setting up blockades along major roadways throughout the country.

A view from Mexico's capital, and the politics behind the country's battle with drug cartels

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest: 
Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner

Related stories:
T.S.A. Says PreCheck Will Remain Operational at Airports - NYT
Sen. Cantwell, WA elections officials slam Trump-backed voter ID bill - Seattle Times
In Washington State, Democrats Consider Breaking a Taboo: Taxing the Rich - NYT

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every 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&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/us/tsa-precheck-global-entry-homeland-security-shutdown.html">T.S.A. Says PreCheck Will Remain Operational at Airports - NYT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/sen-cantwell-wa-elections-officials-slam-trump-backed-voter-id-bill/">Sen. Cantwell, WA elections officials slam Trump-backed voter ID bill - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/us/politics/washington-democrats-millionaires-tax.html">In Washington State, Democrats Consider Breaking a Taboo: Taxing the Rich - NYT</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

Seattle Mayor Harrell says he was racially profiled in 1996 firearm arrest

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