Have you ever wanted a pet raccoon? 

Well, here’s a possible sign that dream is slowly approaching:  a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Zoology suggests raccoons are getting closer to domestication. 

The study is not definitive yet, and more research is required. But it all has to do with researchers observing a shorter snout on the animals we affectionately refer to as trash pandas. 

GUEST
Marina Wang, freelance journalist

RELATED LINKS
Raccoons Are Showing Early Signs of Domestication - Scientific American

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.

Have you ever wanted a pet raccoon?&nbsp;
Well, here&rsquo;s a possible sign that dream is slowly approaching:&nbsp; <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12983-025-00583-1">a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Zoology</a> suggests raccoons are getting closer to domestication.&nbsp;
The study is not definitive yet, and more research is required. But it all has to do with researchers observing a shorter snout on the animals we affectionately refer to as trash pandas.&nbsp;
GUEST
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.marina-wang.com/">Marina Wang, freelance journalist</a></li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/raccoons-are-showing-early-signs-of-domestication/">Raccoons Are Showing Early Signs of Domestication </a>- Scientific American</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.

Soundside

A new study suggests that urban raccoons are developing slightly shorter snouts than their rural counterparts. 

What the length of raccoon snouts has to do with domestication

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 host Kim Malcom

Related Links:
Seahawks sale: Answers to five key questions about what’s next
Khosla-led group agrees to buy Seattle Seahawks
Washington wildfire season turns deadly
Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map
Bison Attacks Tourist at Yellowstone National Park, Tossing Him Into the Air
East Whatcom community leader hospitalized after bison rampage in Yellowstone
Mariners snap skid, enter All-Star break on high note
The Road Trip from Hell Ends with a Bang
Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez unlikely to return from concussion IL before All-Star break

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: KUOW host Kim Malcom
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-sale-answers-to-five-key-questions-about-whats-next/">Seahawks sale: Answers to five key questions about what&rsquo;s next</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49337716/khosla-led-group-agrees-buy-seahawks-sources-say-96-billion">Khosla-led group agrees to buy Seattle Seahawks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/10/washington-wildfire-season-chelan-hills-fire-drought-el-nino-2026">Washington wildfire season turns deadly</a></li>
<li><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/7334974ba06a40c0a3290c732710ae55">Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/yellowstone-bison-injures-tourist.html">Bison Attacks Tourist at Yellowstone National Park, Tossing Him Into the Air</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/jul/12/east-whatcom-community-leader-hospitalized-after-bison-rampage-in-yellowstone/">East Whatcom community leader hospitalized after bison rampage in Yellowstone</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-snap-skid-enter-all-star-break-on-high-note/">Mariners snap skid, enter All-Star break on high note</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/seattle-mariners-discussion/146247/mariners-get-the-last-laugh-beat-rays-7-2">The Road Trip from Hell Ends with a Bang</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-julio-rodriguez-unlikely-to-return-from-concussion-il-before-all-star-break/">Mariners&rsquo; Julio Rodr&iacute;guez unlikely to return from concussion IL before All-Star break</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.

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: A new owner for the Seahawks, a round-up of what's happening with fire season, and more

One of Washington’s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.

For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats. 

For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign.

Guest

Will Chen, Edmonds city councilmember 

Related Links

Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District- The Daily Herald

Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls - The Washington State Standard

Soundside's interview with Keith Scully, candidate for Position 1 - KUOW

Soundside's interview with Chris Bloomquist, candidate for Position 1 - KUOW

Soundside's interview with Danica Noble, candidate for Position 1 - KUOW

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.

One of Washington&rsquo;s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.&nbsp;Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.
For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats.&nbsp;
For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign.
Guest <a href="https://www.electwillchen.com/">Will Chen</a>, Edmonds city councilmember&nbsp; Related Links
<a href="https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/07/03/six-candidates-vie-for-open-house-seat-in-32nd-district/">Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District</a> - The Daily Herald <a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/16/seattle-area-state-house-race-draws-crowded-field-of-democratic-hopefuls/">Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls</a> - The Washington State Standard
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/primary-elections-2026-keith-scully-candidate-for-position-1-legislative-district-32">Soundside's interview with Keith Scully, candidate for Position 1</a> - KUOW <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/primary-elections-2026-chris-bloomquist-candidate-for-position-1-legislative-district-32">Soundside's interview with Chris Bloomquist, candidate for Position 1</a> - KUOW
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/primary-elections-2026-danica-noble-candidate-for-position-1-legislative-district-32">Soundside's interview with Danica Noble, candidate for Position 1</a> - KUOW
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.

The 32nd includes some of northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.

Primary Elections 2026: Will Chen, candidate for Position 1, Legislative District 32

We’ve reached the end of another lovely week here in the Pacific Northwest, and while the barge has officially sailed away since we don’t have any more World Cup games HOSTED here in Seattle, there IS still a ton to do!

Here with SO MUCH weekend excitement is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows!

LINKS:
Walla Walla Movie Crush
SIFF - In Theaters
road to everywhere - Screenings
The Last Picture Shows | Rustin Thompson
Oregon Country Fair
West Seattle Summer Fest
Ballard SeafoodFest
Kent Cornucopia Days
PNA's PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day
World Soccer Fan Celebration: Watch Parties
Event Calendar | Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™
Seattle Reign v Portland Thorns
Grudge Match BOGO
The West Seattle Saunter
Bare Buns Fun Run - Tiger Mountain

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.

We&rsquo;ve reached the end of another lovely week here in the Pacific Northwest, and while the barge has officially sailed away since we don&rsquo;t have any more World Cup games HOSTED here in Seattle, there IS still a ton to do!
Here with SO MUCH weekend excitement is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows!
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.themoviecrush.com/">Walla Walla Movie Crush</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.siff.net/cinema/in-theaters">SIFF - In Theaters</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.roadtoeverywheremovie.com/screenings#:~:text=July%2010%20thru%20July%2013%20%2D%2D%2D%20Historic,with%20writer/director%20on%20July%2012https://www.roadtoeverywheremovie.com/">road to everywhere - Screenings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://rustinthompson.com/last-picture-shows/">The Last Picture Shows | Rustin Thompson</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/">Oregon Country Fair</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://westseattlesummerfest.com/">West Seattle Summer Fest</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seafoodfest.org/">Ballard SeafoodFest</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://kcdays.com/kent-cornucopia-entertainment-2026/">Kent Cornucopia Days</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.phinneycenter.org/events/garage-sale-day/">PNA's PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlecenter.com/events/lets-play-sea-26/world-soccer-fan-celebration/viewing-experiences">World Soccer Fan Celebration: Watch Parties</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlefwc26.org/events/event-calendar">Event Calendar | Seattle FIFA World Cup 26&trade;</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.reignfc.com/match-hub">Seattle Reign v Portland Thorns</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gofevo.com/event/BOGOSEAvPOR">Grudge Match BOGO</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlesupersaunter.com/the-west-seattle-saunter">The West Seattle Saunter</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://tigermtnudists.com/bare-buns-fun-run-west/">Bare Buns Fun Run - Tiger Mountain</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.

Whether you're in the mood to run up a mountain in the buff, or head to the movies, we've got all the stuff that's worth doing this weekend!

What the length of raccoon snouts has to do with domestication

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