The Paris 2024 Olympics are in full swing. Tomorrow (Wednesday the 7th) is the final day of competition for the artistic swim teams - better known to many by the sport’s old name: synchronized swimming.

This is the first time in 16 years that the American team has qualified for the Olympics. And, two members of that team come from right here, in Seattle.

They both got their start at the same club - called Seattle Synchro.



Guest:
Daniela Garmendia, Head Coach at Seattle Synchro



Relevant links:
Seattle Synchro team website

The Paris 2024 Olympics are in full swing. <a href="https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/artistic-swimming?day=6-august">Tomorrow </a>(Wednesday the 7th) is the final day of competition for the artistic swim teams - better known to many by the sport’s old name: synchronized swimming.
This is the first time in 16 years that the American team has qualified for the Olympics. And, two members of that team come from right here, in Seattle.
They both got their start at the same club - called Seattle Synchro.
 
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Daniela Garmendia, Head Coach at Seattle Synchro</li>
</ul>
 
Relevant links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/zzssst/page/home">Seattle Synchro team website</a></li>
</ul>

Soundside

Seattle Synchro's small but mighty part in this year's Olympic games

The state’s general fund budget is in trouble, as is its transportation budget. Inflation, higher than expected costs, lower than anticipated revenues, state services scheduled to expand. If you listen to KUOW, you’re probably aware of whythe state is facing budget shortfalls. 

This next segment is about a bright spot in the state’s budget: the money generated from the cap and invest system. That’s part of the Climate Commitment Act which voters upheld in 2024. 

Here’s how it works: The state sets a limited amount of emissions allowed each year by major companies that’s the cap.

Companies that emit more than they’re supposed to have to buy an allowance in a state-run auction. The latest auction generated $394 million dollars. The money is supposed to go towards climate investments like air quality monitors, electric vehicle chargers, and public transportation projects. 

But Governor Ferguson recently proposed using more than half billion dollars of that money to fund another program: The Working Families Tax Credit. It’s a refund that gives money back to low-and-medium income state residents.    

Meanwhile, Republicans, perhaps seeing an opening with the governor’s proposal, want to use the money to offset utility costs for schools.

Environmental groups are already pushing back against the Governor’s proposal.  

The budget fight has come for this big pot of money and we’re going to hear two perspectives on this issue today. 

Guests:

Todd Myers, Vice President of Research at Washington Policy Center

Reuven Carlyle, Founder of Earth Finance, former state senator, and architect of the Climate Commitment Act

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: A budget ‘rat hole’? Political fight over WA climate money intensifies

Washington State Standard: WA governor calls for tapping reserve fund and climate law cash to fill budget hole



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 state&rsquo;s general fund budget is in trouble, as is its transportation budget. Inflation, higher than expected costs, lower than anticipated revenues, state services scheduled to expand. If you listen to KUOW, you&rsquo;re probably aware of why the state is facing budget shortfalls.&nbsp;
This next segment is about a bright spot in the state&rsquo;s budget: the money generated from the cap and invest system. That&rsquo;s part of the Climate Commitment Act which voters upheld in 2024.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s how it works: The state sets a limited amount of emissions allowed each year by major companies that&rsquo;s the cap.
Companies that emit more than they&rsquo;re supposed to have to buy an allowance in a state-run auction.&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2025/12/10/washingtons-fourth-cap-and-invest-auction-of-the-year-shows-strong-demand/">The latest auction generated $394 million dollars</a>. The money is supposed to go towards climate investments like <a href="https://climatecommitment.cleanprosperousinstitute.org/">air quality monitors, electric vehicle chargers, and public transportation projects</a>.&nbsp;
But Governor Ferguson recently proposed using more than half billion dollars of that money to fund another program: The Working Families Tax Credit. It&rsquo;s a refund that gives money back to&nbsp;<a href="https://workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov/eligibility">low-and-medium</a> income state residents.&nbsp; &nbsp; Meanwhile, Republicans, perhaps seeing an opening with the governor&rsquo;s proposal, want to use the money to offset utility costs for schools.
Environmental groups are already pushing back against the Governor&rsquo;s proposal.&nbsp; The budget fight has come for this big pot of money and we&rsquo;re going to hear two perspectives on this issue today.&nbsp;
Guests:
Todd Myers, Vice President of Research at Washington Policy Center
Reuven Carlyle, Founder of Earth Finance, former state senator, and architect of the Climate Commitment Act
Relevant Links:
Seattle Times:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/a-budget-rat-hole-political-fight-over-wa-climate-money-intensifies/">A budget &lsquo;rat hole&rsquo;? Political fight over WA climate money intensifies</a>
Washington State Standard:&nbsp;<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/12/23/ferguson-calls-for-tapping-reserve-fund-and-climate-law-cash-to-fill-wa-budget-hole/">WA governor calls for tapping reserve fund and climate law cash to fill budget hole</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&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

WA companies pay to emit greenhouse gases, where should that money go?

Tensions across the country remain high one week after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. 

The shooting has sparked nationwide protests, including in the Seattle area. Accounts of what happened have split along political lines.

Since the shooting, the administration is doubling down on its immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. The number of federal immigration enforcement agents deployed to Minnesota is expected to reach 3,000 in the coming days, the largest operation in U.S. history, according to DHS.  

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal joined us to share her thoughts on the events that unfolded this past week.  

Guests:
Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative for Washington's 7th Congressional District. 

Related links: 
How 3,000 federal agents would compare to 10 largest Twin Cities police forces - The Minnesota Star Tribune
New poll reveals voter sentiments on fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good - USA TODAY 
Trump officials defend federal agents after ICE shooting - The Hill 
Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's Deadly Assault on Minnesota - Rep. Pramila Jayapal's Youtube page

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.

Tensions across the country remain high one week after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.&nbsp; The shooting has sparked nationwide protests, including in the Seattle area. Accounts of what happened have split along political lines.
Since the shooting, the administration is doubling down on its immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. The number of federal immigration enforcement agents deployed to Minnesota is expected to reach 3,000 in the coming days, the largest operation in U.S. history, according to DHS.&nbsp;&nbsp;
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal joined us to share her thoughts on the events that unfolded this past week.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative for Washington's 7th Congressional District.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.startribune.com/how-ice-numbers-compare-to-twin-cities-largest-police-forces/601562617">How 3,000 federal agents would compare to 10 largest Twin Cities police forces</a> - The Minnesota Star Tribune</li>
<li><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/13/poll-ice-shooting-renee-good/88161817007/">New poll reveals voter sentiments on fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good</a> - USA TODAY&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5677271-trump-officials-defend-ice-agent-minnesota-shooting/">Trump officials defend federal agents after ICE shooting</a> - The Hill&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfVji76Mvkg">Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's Deadly Assault on Minnesota</a> - Rep. Pramila Jayapal's Youtube page</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.

Tensions across the country remain high one week after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.  U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal talked to Soundside about the events that unfolded this past week.  

"We're in a very dangerous moment": Pramila Jayapal talks ICE, Minnesota shooting 

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in two cases challenging state bans on trans athletes competing in girls' and women's sports.

Twenty-seven states have bans on trans girls and women competing in school sports consistent with their gender identity. 

But Washington passed a law in 2007 that protects trans athletes' participation in school sports. It was the first state to do so.

For more than a decade, that law received very little attention. But in recent years, questions about fairness, the athletic advantages conferred by testosterone, and the sanctity of women’s sports have become fiery political issues. 

And for the first time, a few trans athletes have won competitions, including Verónica Garcia, a runner from Spokane Valley.  In May, she repeated as the state 2A high school girls champion in the 400 meters.

Last month, she was the subject of an extensive profile in the Washington Post that explored her life as she was finishing high school and competing in track and field for the last time

Reporter Casey Parks followed Verónica for a year.

We spoke to them both for almost two hours. This episode is the condensed version of that conversation.  

Guests 

Verónica García, college student and runner

Casey Parks, reporter, The Washington Post

Related Links


For young transgender runner, racing wasn’t the hardest thing  - The Washington Post (Casey's piece)

Heywood you sign this? Let's Go WA is working on two new initiatives - Soundside, KUOW

WA Democrats won’t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives - Washington State Standard



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

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

This week,&nbsp;the U.S. Supreme Court <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/us/politics/supreme-court-transgender-sports.html">is hearing arguments</a> in two cases challenging state bans on trans athletes competing in girls' and women's sports. Twenty-seven states have bans on trans girls and women competing in school sports consistent with their gender identity.&nbsp;
But Washington passed a law in 2007 that protects trans athletes' participation in school sports. It was the first state to do so.
For more than a decade, that law received very little attention. But in recent years, questions about fairness, the athletic advantages conferred by testosterone, and the sanctity of women&rsquo;s sports have become fiery political issues.&nbsp;
And for the first time, a few trans athletes have won competitions, including Ver&oacute;nica Garcia, a runner from Spokane Valley.&nbsp; In May, she <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/wa-transgender-athlete-veronica-garcia-repeats-as-state-track-champion/">repeated</a> as the state 2A high school girls champion in the 400 meters.
Last month, she was the subject of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/12/28/transgender-female-athlete-competition-trump/">an extensive profile</a> in the Washington Post that explored her life as she was finishing high school and competing in track and field for the last time
Reporter Casey Parks followed Ver&oacute;nica for a year.
We spoke to them both for almost two hours. This episode is the condensed version of that conversation.&nbsp; Guests&nbsp;
Ver&oacute;nica Garc&iacute;a, college student and runner
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/caseyparks.bsky.social">Casey Parks</a>, reporter, The Washington Post
Related Links 
<a href="https://wapo.st/49lnBUK">For young transgender runner, racing wasn&rsquo;t the hardest thing&nbsp;</a> - The Washington Post (Casey's piece)
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/heywood-you-sign-this-lets-go-wa-is-working-on-two-new-initiatives">Heywood you sign this? Let's Go WA is working on two new initiatives</a> - Soundside, KUOW
<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/01/09/wa-democrats-wont-hold-hearings-on-parental-rights-trans-athlete-initiatives/">WA Democrats won&rsquo;t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives</a> - Washington State Standard 
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&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We talked with runner Veronica Garcia and reporter Casey Parks about competing as a trans athlete amid questions of fairness, the scientific evidence available comparing the performance of cisgender and trans athletes and beyond.  

Seattle Synchro's small but mighty part in this year's Olympic games

In 1 playlist(s)

Soundside

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips