Voters statewide have big choices coming their way: They’re getting their ballots for the August primary starting next week, and there are a lot of candidates to decide between.

Over the last week, Soundside host Libby Denkmann has been interviewing the top candidates in the race for our state's next Attorney General. 

Now, KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone, and former Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna are chiming in on the race so far.

And later, Greenstone will take a deeper look at whether Washington Democratic voters, and donors, are still behind President Biden. 

Guests:
Scott Greenstone, KUOW politics reporter
Rob McKenna, former Washington Attorney General

Related Links: 
How Washington's lawmakers, donors, and delegates could influence the Biden conversation
The race for WA Attorney General: Pete Serrano
The race for WA Attorney General: Manka Dhingra
The race for WA Attorney General: Nick Brown

Voters statewide have big choices coming their way: They’re getting their ballots for the August primary starting next week, and there are a lot of candidates to decide between.
Over the last week, Soundside host Libby Denkmann has been interviewing the top candidates in the race for our state's next Attorney General. 
Now, KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone, and former Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna are chiming in on the race so far.
And later, Greenstone will take a deeper look at whether Washington Democratic voters, and donors, are still behind President Biden. 
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Scott Greenstone, KUOW politics reporter</li>
<li>Rob McKenna, former Washington Attorney General</li>
</ul>
Related Links: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/how-washington-s-democrats-donors-and-delegates-are-influencing-the-biden-conversation">How Washington's lawmakers, donors, and delegates could influence the Biden conversation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-race-for-wa-attorney-general-pete-serrano">The race for WA Attorney General: Pete Serrano</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-race-for-wa-attorney-general-manka-dhingra">The race for WA Attorney General: Manka Dhingra</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-race-for-wa-attorney-general-nick-brown">The race for WA Attorney General: Nick Brown</a></li>
</ul>

Soundside

This week in politics: Who could be Washington's next Attorney General, and who's still ridin' for Biden?

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The FBI is still searching for a motive in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Republican and Democratic leaders have urged Americans to turn down the temperature of rhetoric that demonizes and dehumanizes political opposition 
to try to take the edge off the anger and division that’s come to be standard in public discourse.

But it’s not clear everybody’s listening to that hopeful message.

We had reports that former President Trump had moderated his speech for the GOP convention in Milwaukee this week to focus on a message of unity. But this morning, Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate the dismissal of the classified documents case in Florida. 

He decried what he calls a “weaponization of our Justice system.” And he claimed without evidence that the numerous legal cases against him a “conspiracy” coordinated by the “Democrat Justice Department” to hurt “Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, ME.”

So - are we back where we started? 

Are the events of the past 48 hours going to lead to any change in the tone and tenor of mistrust and polarization that defines our politics in 2024? 

And if so, how might that change be realized? 

Soundside host Libby Denkmann spends the hour exploring these questions with a variety of experts.



Guests:
KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone
Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan
Jacob Ware - a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and the author of "God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America."
Ronald Feinman - a professor at Florida Atlantic University, and the author of “Assassinations, Threats and the American Presidency: From Andrew Jackson to Barack Obama.”


Monica Guzman - host of the podcast “A Braver Way”, and a senior fellow at “Braver Angels” - a cross-partisan organization dedicated to political depolarization. She’s also the author of the book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to have fearlessly curious conversations in dangerously divided times.”

The FBI is still searching for a motive in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Republican and Democratic leaders have urged Americans to turn down the temperature of rhetoric that demonizes and dehumanizes political opposition  to try to take the edge off the anger and division that’s come to be standard in public discourse.
But it’s not clear everybody’s listening to that hopeful message.
We had reports that former President Trump had moderated his speech for the GOP convention in Milwaukee this week to focus on a message of unity. But this morning, Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate the dismissal of the classified documents case in Florida. He decried what he calls a “weaponization of our Justice system.” And he claimed without evidence that the numerous legal cases against him a “conspiracy” coordinated by the “Democrat Justice Department” to hurt “Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, ME.”
So - are we back where we started? 
Are the events of the past 48 hours going to lead to any change in the tone and tenor of mistrust and polarization that defines our politics in 2024? And if so, how might that change be realized? 
Soundside host Libby Denkmann spends the hour exploring these questions with a variety of experts.
 
Guests:
<ul>
<li>KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone</li>
<li>Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan</li>
<li>Jacob Ware - a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and the author of "God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America."</li>
<li>Ronald Feinman - a professor at Florida Atlantic University, and the author of “Assassinations, Threats and the American Presidency: From Andrew Jackson to Barack Obama.”</li>
<li>
Monica Guzman - host of the podcast “A Braver Way”, and a senior fellow at “Braver Angels” - a cross-partisan organization dedicated to political depolarization. She’s also the author of the book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to have fearlessly curious conversations in dangerously divided times.”
</li>
</ul>

How do we lower the political temperature in a divided nation?

Marker 02

Washington voters this year are contemplating a wide-open race to replace the state’s Attorney General.

The Attorney General manages the state's largest public law firm, overseeing a staff of attorneys charged with representing public agencies and defending the rights of Washington residents, covering issues including consumer protection, civil rights, environmental regulations, and antitrust. 

This year’s race is an especially interesting one. The current Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, is running for governor. That means that without an incumbent, the office will see its first new A.G. in 12 years. 

This week Soundside is interviewing the three candidates who all want to be the state’s next top lawyer. Libby Denkmann spoke with Republican candidate and Pasco mayor Pete Serrano and Democratic candidate and State Senator Manka Dhingra earlier this week.

Our last candidate is Nick Brown. Brown has been General Counsel to Governor Jay Inslee and from 2021-2023, he was the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington.

Guests:
Nick Brown, formerly general counsel to Governor Jay Inslee, and from 2021-2023 the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington.

Related Links:
Who are the three candidates running for WA attorney general?
What is an attorney general? They’re more attorney than general
As fentanyl deaths skyrocket, U.S. attorney maintains tougher prosecution isn't the answer

Washington voters this year are contemplating a wide-open race to replace the state’s Attorney General.
The Attorney General manages the state's largest public law firm, overseeing a staff of attorneys charged with representing public agencies and defending the rights of Washington residents, covering issues including consumer protection, civil rights, environmental regulations, and antitrust. 
This year’s race is an especially interesting one. The current Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, is running for governor. That means that without an incumbent, the office will see its first new A.G. in 12 years. 
This week Soundside is interviewing the three candidates who all want to be the state’s next top lawyer. Libby Denkmann <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-race-for-wa-attorney-general-pete-serrano">spoke with Republican candidate and Pasco mayor Pete Serrano </a>and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-race-for-wa-attorney-general-manka-dhingra">Democratic candidate and State Senator Manka Dhingra </a>earlier this week.
Our last candidate is <a href="https://nickbrownforag.com/">Nick Brown</a>. Brown has been General Counsel to Governor Jay Inslee and from 2021-2023, he was the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Nick Brown, formerly general counsel to Governor Jay Inslee, and from 2021-2023 the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington.</li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://crosscut.com/politics/2024/07/who-are-three-candidates-running-wa-attorney-general">Who are the three candidates running for WA attorney general?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://crosscut.com/politics/2024/05/what-attorney-general-theyre-more-attorney-general">What is an attorney general? They’re more attorney than general</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.knkx.org/law/2023-02-24/nick-brown-us-attorney-prosecution">As fentanyl deaths skyrocket, U.S. attorney maintains tougher prosecution isn't the answer</a></li>
</ul>
</ul>

The race for WA Attorney General: Nick Brown

Marker 05

Marker 06

I can’t stop listening to the news, it’s stressing me out to the max, you say?

I’m literally listening to the news right now, and may be developing an anxiety-induced twitch, you say?

If that’s how you’re feeling right now, you may be in need of a little escape this summer.

Perhaps a good book is in order?

Well, if that’s the case you’re in luck because our next guests are here to hook you up with novels, non-fiction roller coasters, and storylines that’ll make you forget TikTok dances exist for a while. You’ll be like Tyla Dance what, never heard of her.

Book Recommendations:
Jenna Zarzycki, adult services librarian at King County Library System

You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo (Summer Pick)
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura (Beach Read)
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister (Local Recommendation)
Never Whistle at Night edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. (Horror)
The Yellow Handkerchief (El Pañuelo Amarillo) by Donna Barba Higuera (Children's)
This is Chance! by Jon Mooallem (Non-fiction)
Charlie Hunts of Charlie's Queer Books:

Goblin Mode by McKayla Coyle (Summer Pick)
THE GUNCLE series by Steven Rowley (Beach Read)
Someplace Generous edited by Elaina Ellis and Amber Flame (Beach Read)
Second Night Stand by Karelia and Fay Stetz-Waters (Local Recommendation)
Cryptid Kids: The Bawk-ness Monster by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter (Children's)
Off with their Heads by Zoe Hana Mikuta (Young Adult Horror)
Katie Campbell, KUOW editor and reporter

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Summer Pick)
Subduction by Kristen Millares Young (Local Recommendation)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (Local Recommendation)
Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang (Mild Horror)
The Last One by Will Dean (Medium Horror)
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons (Hot Horror)
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (Thriller)
Diana Opong, KUOW host

Dinner at the Brake Fast by Renee Beauregard Lute (Children's)

Guests:


Jenna Zarzycki, adult services librarian at King County Library


Katie Campbell, KUOW editor and reporter who runs KUOW's book club


Charlie Hunts, owner of Charlie's Queer Books in Fremont

Relevant Links:
KUOW Book Club
King County Library Summer Reading Program

I can’t stop listening to the news, it’s stressing me out to the max, you say?
I’m literally listening to the news right now, and may be developing an anxiety-induced twitch, you say?
If that’s how you’re feeling right now, you may be in need of a little escape this summer.
Perhaps a good book is in order?
Well, if that’s the case you’re in luck because our next guests are here to hook you up with novels, non-fiction roller coasters, and storylines that’ll make you forget TikTok dances exist for a while. You’ll be like Tyla Dance what, never heard of her.
Book Recommendations:
<ul>
<li>Jenna Zarzycki, adult services librarian at King County Library System
<ul>
<li>You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo (Summer Pick)</li>
<li>Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura (Beach Read)</li>
<li>No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister (Local Recommendation)</li>
<li>Never Whistle at Night edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. (Horror)</li>
<li>The Yellow Handkerchief (El Pañuelo Amarillo) by Donna Barba Higuera (Children's)</li>
<li>This is Chance! by Jon Mooallem (Non-fiction)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Charlie Hunts of Charlie's Queer Books:
<ul>
<li>Goblin Mode by McKayla Coyle (Summer Pick)<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2276468/mckayla-coyle"></a></li>
<li>THE GUNCLE series by Steven Rowley (Beach Read)</li>
<li>Someplace Generous edited by Elaina Ellis and Amber Flame (Beach Read)</li>
<li>Second Night Stand by Karelia and Fay Stetz-Waters (Local Recommendation)</li>
<li>Cryptid Kids: The Bawk-ness Monster by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter (Children's)</li>
<li>Off with their Heads by Zoe Hana Mikuta (Young Adult Horror)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Katie Campbell, KUOW editor and reporter
<ul>
<li>Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Summer Pick)</li>
<li>Subduction by Kristen Millares Young (Local Recommendation)</li>
<li>Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (Local Recommendation)</li>
<li>Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang (Mild Horror)</li>
<li>The Last One by Will Dean (Medium Horror)</li>
<li>The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons (Hot Horror)</li>
<li>The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (Thriller)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Diana Opong, KUOW host
<ul>
<li>Dinner at the Brake Fast by Renee Beauregard Lute (Children's)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Guests:
<ul>
<li>
Jenna Zarzycki, adult services librarian at King County Library
</li>
<li>
Katie Campbell, KUOW editor and reporter who runs KUOW's book club
</li>
<li>
Charlie Hunts, owner of Charlie's Queer Books in Fremont
</li>
</ul>
Relevant Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/series/books">KUOW Book Club</a></li>
<li><a href="https://kcls.org/summer/">King County Library Summer Reading Program</a></li>
</ul>

This week in politics: Who could be Washington's next Attorney General, and who's still ridin' for Biden?

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