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

You’ve heard a lot over the past few weeks about federal agents and how they’re policing the public in Minneapolis. 

But let’s talk about how people in Washington are currently most likely to interact with Customs and Border Protection: At the border.

At those crossings, there is the potential, for your phone, or other devices, to be searched. 

Last fiscal year, Customs and Border Protection reported a 16 percent increase in searches of digital devices compared with 2024.

Maybe you’re planning to head to Canada for a weekend trip, or maybe to the warm weather of Mexico during our dark and dreary winter,

Should you expect your phone to be searched at the border? And what steps can you take to protect your data?

GUEST:Gabe Castro-Root, New York Times

RELATED LINKS: 
Phone Searches at the Border Are Up: How to Protect Your Privacy
Traveling to the U.S. Under Trump: Visas, Border Control and What to Know
Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry

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. 

You&rsquo;ve heard a lot over the past few weeks about federal agents and how they&rsquo;re policing the public in Minneapolis.&nbsp;
But let&rsquo;s talk about how people in Washington are currently most likely to interact with Customs and Border Protection: At the border.
At those crossings, there is the potential, for your phone, or other devices, to be searched.&nbsp;
Last fiscal year, Customs and Border Protection reported a 16 percent increase in searches of digital devices compared with 2024.
Maybe you&rsquo;re planning to head to Canada for a weekend trip, or maybe to the warm weather of Mexico during our dark and dreary winter,
Should you expect your phone to be searched at the border? And what steps can you take to protect your data?
GUEST: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/gabe-castro-root">Gabe Castro-Root</a>, New York Times
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/travel/airport-border-phone-search.html">Phone Searches at the Border Are Up: How to Protect Your Privacy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/travel/us-travel-border-customs-visa-trump.html">Traveling to the U.S. Under Trump: Visas, Border Control and What to Know</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority/border-search-electronic-devices">Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry</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&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Searches of devices at the border have increased, according to CBP's own data. It's still unlikely you'll be searched: but if you are, what should you know about keeping your data private and secure? 

What are your rights if Border Patrol wants to search your phone?

At the start of 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 Reporter, Producer, and Documentary Podcast Creator Will James

Related stories:
2 teen boys killed at bus stop on Rainier Avenue in Seattle
Seattle-area businesses, students join national general strike
Seattle CHOP verdict: City must pay $30.5 million to family of slain teen
Grammys 2026: Zach Top leads WA winners

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.

At the start of 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: KUOW Reporter, Producer, and Documentary Podcast Creator Will James
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</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/super-bowl-60-is-set-and-it-s-a-rematch-from-11-years-ago-patriots-vs-seahawks"></a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-general-strike-january-30">Seattle-area businesses, students join national general strike</a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/super-bowl-60-is-set-and-it-s-a-rematch-from-11-years-ago-patriots-vs-seahawks"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-chop-verdict-city-must-pay-29-million-to-family-of-slain-teen">Seattle CHOP verdict: City must pay $30.5 million to family of slain teen</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/zach-top-leads-wa-grammys-2026-winners/">Grammys 2026: Zach Top leads WA winners</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.

At the start of 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: Rainier Beach teens fatally shot, ICE protests in Seattle; Antonio Mays Jr settlement, Zach Top wins a Grammy

“The Chronology of Water” is a new movie that dives into the story of a woman’s life, told through scattered memories. 

It’s the first feature film directed by Kristen Stewart. And it tackles heavy themes that the protagonist experiences firsthand, like sexual abuse and drug addiction. 

But it also explores the beauty in that life, like the escape she finds in competitive swimming, which lands her a college scholarship… And later, a passion for storytelling that she discovers in a creative-writing class. 

“The Chronology of Water” may be a work of art, but it isn’t a work of fiction. 

It’s adapted from the real-life story of Lidia Yuknavitch, an Oregon author who published a memoir with the same title in 2011. 

The film is screening at SIFF on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. 

Guests: 
Lidia Yuknavitch, the author of "The Chronology of Water"

Related links: 
The Chronology of Water | Lidia Yuknavitch | Hawthorne Books
‘The Chronology of Water’ Author Lidia Yuknavitch on Having Her Memoir Adapted by Kristen Stewart | Vogue
“The Chronology of Water” Is an Extraordinary Directorial Début | The New Yorker
The Chronology of Water | SIFF 

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.

&ldquo;The Chronology of Water&rdquo; is a new movie that dives into the story of a woman&rsquo;s life, told through scattered memories.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s the first feature film directed by Kristen Stewart. And it tackles heavy themes that the protagonist experiences firsthand, like sexual abuse and drug addiction.&nbsp;
But it also explores the beauty in that life, like the escape she finds in competitive swimming, which lands her a college scholarship&hellip; And later, a passion for storytelling that she discovers in a creative-writing class.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The Chronology of Water&rdquo; may be a work of art, but it isn&rsquo;t a work of fiction.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s adapted from the real-life story of Lidia Yuknavitch, an Oregon author who published a memoir with the same title&nbsp;in 2011.&nbsp;
The film is screening at SIFF on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1.&nbsp;
Guests:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Lidia Yuknavitch, the author of "The Chronology of Water"</li>
</ul>
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/lidia-yuknavitch-the-chronology-of-water-interview"></a><a href="https://www.hawthornebooks.com/catalogue/the-chronology-of-water">The Chronology of Water | Lidia Yuknavitch | Hawthorne Books</a><a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/lidia-yuknavitch-the-chronology-of-water-interview"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/lidia-yuknavitch-the-chronology-of-water-interview">&lsquo;The Chronology of Water&rsquo; Author Lidia Yuknavitch on Having Her Memoir Adapted by Kristen Stewart | Vogue</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/the-chronology-of-water-is-an-extraordinary-directorial-debut">&ldquo;The Chronology of Water&rdquo; Is an Extraordinary Directorial D&eacute;but | The New Yorker</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.siff.net/cinema/in-theaters/the-chronology-of-water">The Chronology of Water | SIFF</a>&nbsp;</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.

"The Chronology of Water," a new movie directed by Kristen Stewart, is adapted from Oregon author Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir. Yuknavitch spoke to Soundside about what it's like seeing her story translated onto the big screen.

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

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