As many as 11 people are dead in Longview, Washington after a chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Plant earlier this week. 

Officials also confirmed yesterday that the Columbia River is contaminated due to the disaster. 

Washington’s governor is calling this the deadliest industrial tragedy in the state’s modern history. 

Guest: 
Erik Neumann, the Southwest WA Bureau Chief for Oregon Public Broadcasting

Related Links:
Longview paper mill disaster could be ‘deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history,’ governor says - OPB

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!

Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. 

Also, 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.

As many as 11 people are dead in Longview, Washington after a chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Plant earlier this week.&nbsp;
Officials also confirmed yesterday that the Columbia River is contaminated due to the disaster.&nbsp;
Washington&rsquo;s governor is calling this the deadliest industrial tragedy in the state&rsquo;s modern history.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.opb.org/author/erik-neumann/">Erik Neumann, the Southwest WA Bureau Chief for Oregon Public Broadcasting</a></li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/27/longview-paper-mill-chemical-tank-death-toll/">Longview paper mill disaster could be &lsquo;deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history,&rsquo; governor says - OPB</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at <a href="http://kuow.org/feedback">kuow.org/feedback</a>. Also, 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

As many as 11 people are dead in Longview, Washington, after a chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Plant earlier this week. 

The latest on the deadly implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Plant

What do you think of when you see Mount Rainier? 

Some of us think, "Oh wow, I can see Mount Rainier. Must be really clear out today. Pretty."

Some people, though, look at its snow-capped peaks and see a challenge, a life goal -- something they may climb one day, braving cold and oxygen deprivation. To able to say they've done it. 

And then there is Simon Kearns, who looks at Mount Rainier as something to absolutely dominate. 

That's what he did in early May, when he set a new speed record for climbing Washington state’s tallest peak on foot.

He traveled the nearly 9,000 vertical feet to the summit and back in three hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds. 

Kearns joined Soundside to talk about what it was like shattering the previous record by more than half an hour. 

Guest: Simon Kearns, a mountain guide at RMI Expeditions.

Related links:
Mount Rainier climber sets new speed record | The Seattle Times
Simon Kearns Smashes Mount Rainier FKT by Over 30 Minutes | Outside Magazine

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!

Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback.

Also, 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.

What do you think of when you see Mount Rainier?&nbsp;
Some of us think, "Oh wow, I can see Mount Rainier. Must be really clear out today. Pretty."
Some people, though, look at its snow-capped peaks and see a challenge, a life goal -- something they may climb one day, braving cold and oxygen deprivation. To able to say they've done it.&nbsp;
And then there is Simon Kearns, who looks at Mount Rainier as something to absolutely dominate.&nbsp;
That's what he did in early May, when he set a new speed record for climbing Washington state&rsquo;s tallest peak on foot.
He traveled the nearly 9,000 vertical feet to the summit and back in three hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds.&nbsp;
Kearns joined Soundside to talk about what it was like shattering the previous record by more than half an hour.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;Simon Kearns, a mountain guide at RMI Expeditions.
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/mount-rainier-climber-sets-new-speed-record/">Mount Rainier climber sets new speed record | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/climbing-simon-kearns-mount-rainier-fkt-speed-record/">Simon Kearns Smashes Mount Rainier FKT by Over 30 Minutes | Outside Magazine</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!
Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">kuow.org/feedback</a>.
Also, 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.

Simon Kearns  made it to the summit of Mount Rainier and back in three hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds... shattering the previous record by more than half an hour.  

Meet the mountain guide who broke a speed record on Mount Rainier 

It’s the FINAL Thursday in May, meaning that we’re just mere MOMENTS away from the BEST WEEKEND OF YOUR LIFE, so far, this week.

Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with more stuff than we can fit in a normal Weekend Warmup:

LINKS:
Bark! The Musical
HONK! Fest West
Mason County Forest Festival
Glazer's PhotoFest
Battle on the Bank
Sally Ride: A New Opera About Queer Love and the First American Woman in Space
Pollinator Fest 2026
Run to End Weekend Hunger 5K 

THE STUFF WE DIDN'T GET TO:
Brandi Carlile - Echoes Through the Canyon
14th Annual Seattle Asian American Film Festival
Trae Crowder at Emerald City Comedy Club
Seattle Mariners vs Arizona D-Backs
Stamp & Scrapbook EXPO
Seattle Spring - Renegade Craft

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.

It&rsquo;s the FINAL Thursday in May, meaning that we&rsquo;re just mere MOMENTS away from the BEST WEEKEND OF YOUR LIFE, so far, this week.
Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with more stuff than we can fit in a normal Weekend Warmup:
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://keycitypublictheatre.org/events/bark-the-musical">Bark! The Musical</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://honkfestwest.org/festival/">HONK! Fest West</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.masoncountyforestfestival.com/">Mason County Forest Festival</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.glazerscamera.com/pages/photofest">Glazer's PhotoFest</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://battleonthebank.com/">Battle on the Bank</a></li>
<li><a href="https://everout.com/seattle/events/sally-ride-a-new-opera-about-queer-love-and-the-first-american-woman-in-space/e237439/">Sally Ride: A New Opera About Queer Love and the First American Woman in Space</a></li>
<li><a href="https://pollinatorpathwaynw.org/pollinator-fest-2026/">Pollinator Fest 2026</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Seattle/EndWeekendHunger5k">Run to End Weekend Hunger 5K </a></li>
</ul>
THE STUFF WE DIDN'T GET TO:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://everout.com/seattle/events/brandi-carlile-echoes-through-the-canyon/e228443/">Brandi Carlile - Echoes Through the Canyon</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattleaaff.org/saaff2026">14th Annual Seattle Asian American Film Festival</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.emeraldcitycomedy.com/events/123705">Trae Crowder</a> at Emerald City Comedy Club</li>
<li><a href="https://www.mlb.com/mariners/schedule/2026-05">Seattle Mariners vs Arizona D-Backs</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://scrapbookexpo.com/2026-expo-show-list/pu-26/">Stamp &amp; Scrapbook EXPO</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.renegadecraft.com/event/seattle-spring/">Seattle Spring - Renegade Craft</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.

It's the final weekend in May, get out there & do something AWESOME with your weekend!

Soundside's Weekend Warmup: Bark! Honk! Battle!

It’s a drug you see doctors on “The Pitt” give patients in the ER for pain relief or sedation. 

It’s also what cast members on the reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” take to connect with their spouses.  

And it's what some Americans use to treat their depression. 

Ketamine has gotten negative press in the past few years, like in 2023, when “Friends” co-star Matthew Perry died from “the acute effects of ketamine.”

We sat down with a doctor to learn more about this substance that’s showing up more and more in popular culture …and in Seattle, which is home to several ketamine clinics.

This is part of our recurring “Ask a Doctor” segment, where we ask medical professionals to help us understand health news and trends. 

Guest: Dr. Nathan Sackett, an assistant professor in the University of Washington School of Medicine and addiction psychiatrist

Related links: 
She Hoped Ketamine Would Rewire Her Brain. She Didn’t Live to See It Work. | WSJ
Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry
As ketamine clinics emerge in Seattle to treat mental illness, so does debate about safety and regulations | The Seattle Times
Ketamine Use on the Rise in U.S. Adults; New Trends Emerge | UC San Diego Today

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!

Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback.

Also, 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.

It&rsquo;s a drug you see doctors on &ldquo;The Pitt&rdquo; give patients in the ER for pain relief or sedation.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s also what cast members on the reality show &ldquo;The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives&rdquo; take to connect with their spouses.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And it's what some Americans use to treat their depression.&nbsp;
Ketamine has gotten negative press in the past few years, like in 2023, when &ldquo;Friends&rdquo; co-star Matthew Perry died from &ldquo;<a href="https://me.lacounty.gov/2023/press-releases/cause-and-manner-of-death-determined-for-matthew-langford-perry/">the acute effects of ketamine</a>.&rdquo;
We sat down with a doctor to learn more about this substance that&rsquo;s showing up more and more in popular culture &hellip;and in Seattle, which is home to several ketamine clinics.
This is part of our recurring &ldquo;Ask a Doctor&rdquo; segment, where we ask medical professionals to help us understand health news and trends.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;Dr. Nathan Sackett, an assistant professor in the University of Washington School of Medicine and addiction psychiatrist
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/ketamine-telehealth-dangers-4a7bc8da?mod=djem10point">She Hoped Ketamine Would Rewire Her Brain. She Didn&rsquo;t Live to See It Work. | WSJ</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ntap.psychiatry.uw.edu/">Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/as-ketamine-clinics-emerge-in-seattle-to-treat-mental-illness-so-does-debate-about-safety-and-regulations/">As ketamine clinics emerge in Seattle to treat mental illness, so does debate about safety and regulations | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://today.ucsd.edu/story/ketamine-use-on-the-rise-in-u.s-adults-new-trends-emerge">Ketamine Use on the Rise in U.S. Adults; New Trends Emerge | UC San Diego Today</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!
Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">kuow.org/feedback</a>.
Also, 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.

We sit down with a doctor to talk about ketamine, a substance that’s showing up more and more in popular culture (and in Seattle).

The latest on the deadly implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Plant

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