We’re just over six months into Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's tenure, which means the honeymoon period’s in the rear view mirror. Voters have gotten a look at how her administration is handling  some of the biggest issues facing the city:
How ready is Seattle to host its first World Cup game on Monday?
What happened to those 500 shelter beds that were supposed to be added before the games
How is the Mayor taking criticism from the business community over some of her progressive messaging?
How will Wilson, as a former transit rider organizer, prioritize moving people throughout the city?

Guest:

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: Mayor Wilson agrees to turn on stadium-area cameras ahead of World Cup 

Politico: The World Cup’s biggest policy bet

Seattle Times: Seattle mayor pitches sales tax increase to boost bus service 

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&rsquo;re just over six months into Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's tenure, which means the honeymoon period&rsquo;s in the rear view mirror. Voters have gotten a look at how her administration is handling&nbsp; some of the biggest issues facing the city:
<ul>
<li>How ready is Seattle to host its first World Cup game on Monday?</li>
<li>What happened to those 500 shelter beds that were supposed to be added before the games</li>
<li>How is the Mayor taking criticism from the business community over some of her progressive messaging?</li>
<li>How will Wilson, as a former transit rider organizer, prioritize moving people throughout the city?</li>
</ul>
Guest:
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson
Relevant Links:
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/mayor-wilson-agrees-to-turn-on-stadium-area-cameras-ahead-of-world-cup/">Mayor Wilson agrees to turn on stadium-area cameras ahead of World Cup&nbsp;</a>
Politico: <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/31/world-cup-seattle-housing-00749371">The World Cup&rsquo;s biggest policy bet</a>
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/seattle-mayor-pitches-sales-tax-increase-to-boost-bus-services/">Seattle mayor pitches sales tax increase to boost bus service&nbsp;</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

We’re just over six months into Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's tenure, which means the honeymoon period’s in the rear view mirror. Voters have gotten a look at how her administration is handling  some of the biggest issues facing the city

Seattle Mayor Wilson on World Cup, CCTV cameras, shelter promise, and Ballard light rail

Even in one of the U.S.'s most non-religious areas, early data suggests more people in the Seattle area are converting to Roman Catholicism.

The archdiocese of Seattle keeps tallies on catechumens, which refers to a person who will be baptized, confirmed and receive Holy Communion. In 2026, the archdiocese already reports over 1070 catechumens, across more than 130 parishes, a 17 percent increase over last year and a 40 percent increase since 2024.

We spoke with a handful of recent converts to Catholicism from around the Seattle area about why each of them converted, and what role faith plays in their lives now.


Guest

Kevin Brown, Graduate Program director and a lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University. He also currently serves as the editor of the Proceedings of the Catholic Theological Society of America.   

Related Links

Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge of New Converts - The New York Times

National Rise in Catholicism Conversions Makes its Way to the Puget Sound - The Seattle Spectator

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.

Even in one of the U.S.'s most non-religious areas, early data suggests more people in the Seattle area are converting to Roman Catholicism.
The archdiocese of Seattle keeps tallies on catechumens, which refers to a person who will be baptized, confirmed and receive Holy Communion. In 2026, the archdiocese already reports over 1070 catechumens, across more than 130 parishes, a 17 percent increase over last year and a 40 percent increase since 2024.
We spoke with a handful of recent converts to Catholicism from around the Seattle area about why each of them converted, and what role faith plays in their lives now. Guest Kevin Brown, Graduate Program director and a lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University. He also currently serves as the editor of the Proceedings of the Catholic Theological Society of America. &nbsp;&nbsp; Related Links <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/us/catholics-converts.html">Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge of New Converts</a> - The New York Times <a href="https://seattlespectator.com/2026/04/15/national-rise-in-catholicism-conversions-makes-its-way-to-the-puget-sound/">National Rise in Catholicism Conversions Makes its Way to the Puget Sound</a> - The Seattle Spectator Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

At Mass, new Catholics probably don't slip up on "and with your spirit" instead of "and also with you." 

Why people in Seattle are converting to Catholicism

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: Soundside Producer Maleeha Syed

Related Links:
Was the World Cup win over Paraguay the best in USMNT history?
At Gonzaga, a glimpse of Salah and a city's day of wonder
After Somali referee denied entry, Seattle organization returns World Cup tickets
Seattle moves to take guns from traffickers on Aurora as mayor closes streets
WA weather: Highs in Seattle area could touch 90 on World Cup game day

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: Soundside Producer Maleeha Syed
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49053328/was-fifa-world-cup-win-paraguay-best-usmnt-history">Was the World Cup win over Paraguay the best in USMNT history?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/jun/10/at-gonzaga-a-glimpse-of-salah-and-a-citys-day-of-w/">At Gonzaga, a glimpse of Salah and a city's day of wonder</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/world-cup-seattle/after-somali-referee-denied-entry-seattle-organization-returns-world-cup-tickets/">After Somali referee denied entry, Seattle organization returns World Cup tickets</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-moves-to-take-guns-from-traffickers-on-aurora-as-mayor-closes-streets/">Seattle moves to take guns from traffickers on Aurora as mayor closes streets</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weekend-weather-heat-risk-for-seattle-and-western-wa-through-monday/">WA weather: Highs in Seattle area could touch 90 on World Cup game day</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
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.

Front Page: World Cup, Aurora Ave N, and THE HEAT!

If you’ve ever walked around First Hill in Seattle, you might have noticed the Stimson Green Mansion on the corner of Seneca and Minor Avenue. 

The house is celebrating its 125th year. It used to be home to some of the most influential and first families of Seattle. 

Guest: 
Chris Moore - Executive Director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
Abby Armato - Public Programs Specialist of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation

Related Links: 
Stimson-Green Mansion - Washington Trust for Historic Preservation  
Stimson-Green Mansion - History Link
Joshua Green - History Link
First Hill Park - First Hill Improvement Association 

If you&rsquo;ve ever walked around First Hill in Seattle, you might have noticed the Stimson Green Mansion on the corner of Seneca and Minor Avenue.&nbsp;
The house is celebrating its 125th year. It used to be home to some of the most influential and first families of Seattle.&nbsp;
Guest: 
<ul>
<li>Chris Moore - Executive Director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation</li>
<li>Abby Armato - Public Programs Specialist of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation</li>
</ul>
Related Links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://preservewa.org/info/stimson-green-mansion/">Stimson-Green Mansion </a>- Washington Trust for Historic Preservation &nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.historylink.org/File/2713">Stimson-Green Mansion</a> - History Link</li>
<li><a href="https://www.historylink.org/file/1689">Joshua Green</a> - History Link</li>
<li><a href="https://www.firsthill.org/new-page-34">First Hill Park</a> - First Hill Improvement Association&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Seattle Mayor Wilson on World Cup, CCTV cameras, shelter promise, and Ballard light rail

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