Seattle Public Schools has a new Superintendent. 

Ben Shuldiner was the only finalist for the position, and the Seattle School Board unanimously approved his contract back in November.

On Sunday he stepped into the role early after two teenagers, who are believed to be SPS students, were shot and killed at a bus stop in Rainier Valley. The shooting happened near both South Shore PK-8, and Rainier Beach High School.

Soundside sat down with Shuldiner to get his response to the shooting, and to preview his priorities for leading the largest school district in Washington.

Guest:
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner

Related stories:
2 teen boys killed at bus stop on Rainier Avenue in Seattle - KUOW
Seattle School Board names lone superintendent finalist, a district leader recruited from Michigan - KUOW
No cops at Garfield High. Seattle School Board rejects plan to revive resource officer program - KUOW

Seattle Public Schools has a new Superintendent.&nbsp;
Ben Shuldiner was the only finalist for the position, and the Seattle School Board unanimously approved his contract back in November.
On Sunday he stepped into the role early after two teenagers, who are believed to be SPS students, were shot and killed at a bus stop in Rainier Valley. The shooting happened near both South Shore PK-8, and Rainier Beach High School.
Soundside sat down with Shuldiner to get his response to the shooting, and to preview his priorities for leading the largest school district in Washington.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/2-teen-boys-killed-at-bus-stop-on-rainier-avenue-in-seattle">2 teen boys killed at bus stop on Rainier Avenue in Seattle - KUOW</a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/isolde-raftery"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-school-board-names-lone-superintendent-finalist-a-district-leader-recruited-from-michigan">Seattle School Board names lone superintendent finalist, a district leader recruited from Michigan - KUOW</a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/sami-west"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/no-cops-in-school-seattle-school-board-rejects-plan-to-revive-school-resource-officer-program">No cops at Garfield High. Seattle School Board rejects plan to revive resource officer program - KUOW</a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/sami-west"></a></li>
</ul>

Soundside

Seattle Public Schools has a new Superintendent. Soundside sat down with Superintendent Ben Shuldiner to get his response to a recent shooting, and to preview his priorities for leading the largest school district in Washington.

Seattle's new Superintendent on recent shooting, school funding, and more

If you’ve walked through Westlake Park recently, perhaps you’ve noticed the new statue of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher and Hindu monk.

Vivekananda is credited with introducing yoga and the Vedanta philosophy to a global audience.

That statue is a gift to the city from the government of India.

People from India represent more than 10 percent of Washington’s foreign-born residents. As of 2024, nearly 95,000 King County residents were born there. 

The statue is part of a broader cultural diplomacy initiative, according to the consulate general in Seattle.

The diplomatic outpost opened two years ago, and India's consul general in Seattle joined Soundside to talk about the relationship between the Pacific Northwest and India. 

Guest


Consul General Prakash Gupta

Related Links

America's First Guru - PBS

Trump’s Changes Lock Some Employers Out of H-1B Visa Program & As H-1B Visa Program Changes, Skilled Foreign Workers Consider Leaving U.S.  - The New York 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.

If you&rsquo;ve walked through Westlake Park recently, perhaps you&rsquo;ve noticed the new statue of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher and Hindu monk.
Vivekananda is credited with introducing yoga and the Vedanta philosophy to a global audience.
That statue is a <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/new-statue-in-westlake-park-honors-indian-philosopher-swami-vivekananda/">gift to the city</a> from the government of India.
People from India represent more than <a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/demographics/WA">10 percent of Washington&rsquo;s foreign-born</a> residents. As of 2024, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/share-of-wa-born-king-county-residents-at-lowest-point-since-1930s/">nearly 95,000 King County residents</a> were born there.&nbsp;
The statue is part of a broader cultural diplomacy initiative, according to the consulate general in Seattle.
The diplomatic outpost opened two years ago, and India's consul general in Seattle joined Soundside to talk about the relationship between the Pacific Northwest and India.&nbsp;
Guest 
Consul General Prakash Gupta <a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/americas-first-guru/"></a>Related Links
<a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/americas-first-guru/">America's First Guru</a> - PBS
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/us/politics/h1b-visa-program-changes.html">Trump&rsquo;s Changes Lock Some Employers Out of H-1B Visa Program</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/video/h-1b-visa-skilled-workers-trump.html">As H-1B Visa Program Changes, Skilled Foreign Workers Consider Leaving U.S.&nbsp;</a> - The New York Times
&nbsp;
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.

Despite a changing U.S. political landscape, ties between the Pacific Northwest and India remain strong, according to our region's top diplomat

The PNW-India relationship, from Cosmic Crisp apples to tech  

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: Greg Kim, reporter for the Climate Lab at The Seattle Times who writes about the intersection of climate, energy and business.

Related links:
DOJ investigating University of Washington over antisemitism concerns - Washington State Standard
Five large data centers eyed for Seattle - Seattle Times
Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties - WSJ
More than 30 pickleball courts in Seattle could be gone under Parks and Rec proposal - KOMO

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;Greg Kim, reporter for the Climate Lab at The Seattle Times who writes about the intersection of climate, energy and business.
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/21/doj-investigating-university-of-washington-over-antisemitism-concerns/">DOJ investigating University of Washington over antisemitism concerns - Washington State Standard</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/five-large-data-centers-eyed-for-seattle/">Five large data centers eyed for Seattle - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/04/22/bill-gates-foundation-jeffrey-epstein-files/2d272686-3e73-11f1-bb46-ed564688d953_story.html">Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties - WSJ</a></li>
<li><a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/30-pickleball-courts-in-seattle-could-be-gone-under-parks-and-rec-proposal">More than 30 pickleball courts in Seattle could be gone under Parks and Rec proposal - KOMO</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.

Front Page: UW investigated, data center drama, and pickleball pushback

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. 

And Canada is seeing quite a bit of success. Last year, the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons reported licensing three times the number of American physicians than they had the year before.

One person trying to recruit Americans to work in Canada is Tod Maffin. Tod is a former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls. And he's one of the organizers of the Nanaimo Healthcare Infusion this weekend. 

Guest:

Tod Maffin, former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls

Relevant Links:

KUOW: US healthcare workers encouraged to consider the charms of Canada

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.

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. And Canada is seeing quite a bit of success. Last year, the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons reported licensing three times the number of American physicians than they had the year before.
One person trying to recruit Americans to work in Canada is Tod Maffin. Tod is a former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls. And he's one of the organizers of the Nanaimo Healthcare Infusion this weekend.&nbsp;
Guest:
Tod Maffin, former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls
Relevant Links:
KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/us-healthcare-workers-encouraged-to-consider-the-charms-of-canada">US healthcare workers encouraged to consider the charms of Canada</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.

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. 

Seattle's new Superintendent on recent shooting, school funding, and more

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