For months, one creature of the night has been drawing the fascination and exasperation of city leaders, police officers, and residents of one of Seattle’s trendiest neighborhoods. Some call him The Belltown Hellcat.

Maybe you’ve caught a glimpse of his souped-up 2023 Dodge Charger Hellcat zipping by, or the car’s revving and backfiring has kept you from getting a decent night of sleep. Or you could be one of his roughly 760 thousand Instagram followers – watching as he posts clips of his late night or early morning drives - going upwards of 100 miles per hour.

Needless to say, city officials and police are not pleased. And requests of him to quiet down - have been ignored. Since March, Hudson has been hit with two charges of reckless driving.

And last week, a Seattle Municipal Court Judge fined him over $83 thousand dollars for not removing the noise-enhancing modifications that violate the city’s noise laws.

Seattle Times reporter Paige Cornwell joins Soundside host Libby Denkmann to share an update on how the Hellcat ended up in hot water.

Guests:
Paige Cornwell - Reporter for The Seattle Times

For months, one creature of the night has been drawing the fascination and exasperation of city leaders, police officers, and residents of one of Seattle’s trendiest neighborhoods. Some call him The Belltown Hellcat.
Maybe you’ve caught a glimpse of his souped-up 2023 Dodge Charger Hellcat zipping by, or the car’s revving and backfiring has kept you from getting a decent night of sleep. Or you could be one of his roughly 760 thousand Instagram followers – watching as he posts clips of his late night or early morning drives - going upwards of 100 miles per hour.
Needless to say, city officials and police are not pleased. And requests of him to quiet down - have been ignored. Since March, Hudson has been hit with two charges of reckless driving.
And last week, a Seattle Municipal Court Judge fined him over $83 thousand dollars for not removing the noise-enhancing modifications that violate the city’s noise laws.
Seattle Times reporter Paige Cornwell joins Soundside host Libby Denkmann to share an update on how the Hellcat ended up in hot water.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Paige Cornwell - Reporter for The Seattle Times</li>
</ul>

Soundside

The Belltown Hellcat finds himself in hot water

Marker 01

When it comes to Presidential elections, Washington state's electoral votes are about as blue as you can get. But there are still big stakes here when it comes to how national political conversations affect local races.

A recent analysis from the Cook Political Report says that the 2024 Washington gubernatorial race is shaping up to be competitive, even though a Republican hasn't been governor since the 1985.

While it may be assumed Democrats will get the votes they need to clinch the governor's mansion in Olympia, that doesn't mean voters are enthusiastic about democratic candidates, or the party's platform.

Soundside host Libby Denkmann caught up with KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone about his trip to the Washington state Democratic convention, where he talked to delegates about what it'll take for the party's messaging to land with voters. 

Guests: 
Scott Greenstone - KUOW politics reporter
Michael Kazin - Historian and professor at Georgetown University, author of "What It Took to Win: A History of the Democratic Party."

Relevant Links:
KUOW - WA Democratic Party will send ceasefire letters to Biden, party leadership

When it comes to Presidential elections, Washington state's electoral votes are about as blue as you can get. But there are still big stakes here when it comes to how national political conversations affect local races.
A recent analysis from the Cook Political Report says that the 2024 Washington gubernatorial race is shaping up to be competitive, even though a Republican hasn't been governor since the 1985.
While it may be assumed Democrats will get the votes they need to clinch the governor's mansion in Olympia, that doesn't mean voters are enthusiastic about democratic candidates, or the party's platform.
Soundside host Libby Denkmann caught up with KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone about his trip to the Washington state Democratic convention, where he talked to delegates about what it'll take for the party's messaging to land with voters. 
Guests: 
<ul>
<li>Scott Greenstone - KUOW politics reporter</li>
<li>Michael Kazin - Historian and professor at Georgetown University, author of "What It Took to Win: A History of the Democratic Party."</li>
</ul>
Relevant Links:
<ul>
<li>KUOW - <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/anxiety-bubbles-around-democrats-ceasefire-resolutions">WA Democratic Party will send ceasefire letters to Biden, party leadership</a></li>
</ul>

Is it cool to be a Democrat? We hear from WA delegates

For weeks, Seattle Public Schools families have been waiting for news about school closures. In May, the district announced plans to close 20 elementary schools to shore up its budget.

And that left parents, and students, wondering if their local school was on the chopping block. Last night was supposed to be the night they would learn which schools will close, but they’ll have to wait just a little longer to find out.

Guest:
Sami West, KUOW education reporter

Relevant Links: 
KUOW: Families won't know which Seattle schools may close until fall
KUOW: Will closing schools really balance the budget for Seattle Public Schools? Parents have their doubts

For weeks, Seattle Public Schools families have been waiting for news about school closures. In May, the district announced plans to close 20 elementary schools to shore up its budget. And that left parents, and students, wondering if their local school was on the chopping block. Last night was supposed to be the night they would learn which schools will close, but they’ll have to wait just a little longer to find out.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Sami West, KUOW education reporter</li>
</ul>
Relevant Links: 
<ul>
<li>KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-public-schools-will-have-to-wait-until-fall-to-learn-which-schools-will-close">Families won't know which Seattle schools may close until fall</a></li>
<li>KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/will-closing-schools-really-balance-the-budget-for-seattle-public-schools-parents-have-their-doubts">Will closing schools really balance the budget for Seattle Public Schools? Parents have their doubts</a></li>
</ul>

Seattle delays decision on which schools will close

After a four year hiatus, the reality television show “Cops” is returning to Spokane County.

If you had a TV anytime in the last few decades, you know the show: shaky cameras following police busting drug deals, stopping thefts, chasing down the “bad boys”.

Paramount canceled Cops in 2020, amid the George Floyd protests. 

But it didn’t take long for the show to return. ‘Cops’ began airing again in 2021 as part of Fox Nation -- Fox’s streaming service. 

Now, after four years away from the limelight, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels says now is the time to start filming again.



Guests:


Nick Gibson - county reporter for the Spokesman Review


Sean Campbell - independent investigative journalist and contributing reporter with the Garrison Project. An independent, nonpartisan organization addressing the crisis of mass incarceration and policing



Relevant Links:
Spokesman Review: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jun/18/resurrected-reality-tv-series-cops-to-return-to-sp/
Slate: 


https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/11/reality-tv-cops-on-patrol-live-pd.html

After a four year hiatus, the reality television show “Cops” is returning to Spokane County.
If you had a TV anytime in the last few decades, you know the show: shaky cameras following police busting drug deals, stopping thefts, chasing down the “bad boys”.
Paramount canceled Cops in 2020, amid the George Floyd protests. 
But it didn’t take long for the show to return. ‘Cops’ began airing again in 2021 as part of Fox Nation -- Fox’s streaming service. 
Now, after four years away from the limelight, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels says now is the time to start filming again.
 
Guests:
<ul>
<li>
Nick Gibson - county reporter for the Spokesman Review
</li>
<li>
Sean Campbell - independent investigative journalist and contributing reporter with the <a href="https://thegarrisonproject.org/">Garrison Project</a>. An independent, nonpartisan organization addressing the crisis of mass incarceration and policing
</li>
</ul>
 
Relevant Links:
<ul>
<li>Spokesman Review: <a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jun/18/resurrected-reality-tv-series-cops-to-return-to-sp/">https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jun/18/resurrected-reality-tv-series-cops-to-return-to-sp/</a> </li>
<li>Slate: 
<a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/11/reality-tv-cops-on-patrol-live-pd.html">https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/11/reality-tv-cops-on-patrol-live-pd.html</a> 
</li>
</ul>

The Belltown Hellcat finds himself in hot water

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