We won’t have a full explanation for the implosion at a Longview paper processing mill for a while.

The disaster left 11 people dead, and released thousands of gallons of white liquor, which is a highly corrosive chemical used to break down wood chips into pulp. 

The tragedy highlights the risks when people work in close proximity with large quantities of dangerous chemicals. The plant is one of several big industrial facilities in the area.

Reporter Kyra Buckley looked into the pulp and paper mill industry and its safety record for Oregon Public Broadcasting.

 
Related Links

Longview mill tragedy highlights dangerous nature of wood product manufacturing - Kyra Buckley, Oregon Public Broadcasting

After Explosion, Mourning Mixes With Dread Over a Paper Mill’s Future - Anna Griffin, Aaron West The New York Times

WA agencies lacked role inspecting failed chemical tank in Longview mill disaster - Washington State Standard

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 won&rsquo;t have a full explanation for the implosion at a Longview paper processing mill for a while.
The disaster left 11 people dead, and released thousands of gallons of white liquor, which is a highly corrosive chemical used to break down wood chips into pulp.&nbsp;
The tragedy highlights the risks when people work in close proximity with large quantities of dangerous chemicals. The plant is one of several big industrial facilities in the area.
Reporter Kyra Buckley looked into the pulp and paper mill industry and its safety record for Oregon Public Broadcasting.
&nbsp; Related Links <a href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/29/wood-paper-manufacturing-history-southwest-washington/">Longview mill tragedy highlights dangerous nature of wood product manufacturing</a> - Kyra Buckley, Oregon Public Broadcasting
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/longview-washington-paper-mill-chemical-explosion.html">After Explosion, Mourning Mixes With Dread Over a Paper Mill&rsquo;s Future</a> - Anna Griffin, Aaron West The New York Times
<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/wa-agencies-lacked-role-inspecting-failed-tank-in-longview-chemical-disaster/">WA agencies lacked role inspecting failed chemical tank in Longview mill disaster</a> - Washington State Standard 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

Soundside

The industry has gotten a lot safer over time. But workers are still exposed to hazardous chemicals. 

What the Longview disaster tells us about why the paper mill industry is dangerous

Washington is more than five months into a new pilot program that has been using AI to screen requested procedures for people enrolled in Medicare.

It’s called the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) program, which incentivizes private companies to deny procedures. 

Washington lawmakers and medical professionals say the program has led to denials and delays in care for older residents. 

All of this is covered in a new story from KUOW that looks at the pushback to this pilot program. 

Guest: Stephen Howie, a senior online editor and reporter at KUOW

Related links:
Washington seniors face denied, delayed care under AI Medicare review program | 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.

Washington is more than five months into a new pilot program that has been using AI to screen requested procedures for people enrolled in Medicare.
It&rsquo;s called the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) program, which incentivizes private companies to deny procedures.&nbsp;
Washington lawmakers and medical professionals say the program has led to denials and delays in care for older residents.&nbsp;
All of this is covered in a new story from KUOW that looks at the pushback to this pilot program.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;Stephen Howie, a senior online editor and reporter at KUOW
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-seniors-face-denied-delayed-care-under-ai-medicare-review-program">Washington seniors face denied, delayed care under AI Medicare review program | KUOW</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.

A pilot program has been using AI to screen requested procedures for Medicare enrollees. Some say it's leading to denials and delays in care for older residents.  

This program uses AI to screen Medicare requests. WA lawmakers and medical professionals are worried.

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:
David Kroman, Seattle Times city hall reporter

Related stories:
Bob Kettle says Mayor Wilson is legally required to turn on CCTV cameras - Seattle Times
Mayor Katie Wilson pitches sales tax increase for transit - Seattle Times
Giant warehouse planned for Wild Waves property in Federal Way - Federal Way Mirror
Car drives onto elevated light rail tracks in Seattle - KING5

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:
<ul>
<li>David Kroman, Seattle Times city hall reporter</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-council-member-says-mayor-must-turn-on-police-cameras/">Bob Kettle says Mayor Wilson is legally required to turn on CCTV cameras - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/seattle-mayor-pitches-sales-tax-increase-to-boost-bus-services/">Mayor Katie Wilson pitches sales tax increase for transit - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.federalwaymirror.com/2026/05/28/giant-warehouse-planned-for-wild-waves-property-in-federal-way/#google_vignette">Giant warehouse planned for Wild Waves property in Federal Way - Federal Way Mirror</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/sound-transit-1-line-service-suspended-stadium-station-to-othello-after-car-drives-onto-tracks/281-ddba58de-1ad0-4ee7-8587-d22be9c367c7">Car drives onto elevated light rail tracks in Seattle - KING5</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 CCTV fight, a proposed tax hike, and we 'wave' goodbye to a Washington institution

Just like many other celebrities, Bill Gates has a stylist. His sweaters, button-downs and glasses are meant to portray someone calm and approachable, current and former employees say.

His clothing choices show how carefully he's crafted an image as a global philanthropist, in the decades since co-founding Microsoft.

But maintaining Gates’s image has become more difficult, due to persistent inquiries about his relationship with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That relationship is also affecting his major philanthropic efforts with the Seattle-based Gates Foundation.

Reporter Emily Glazer investigated the mounting backlash against Bill Gates over revelations in the Epstein files and the ways Gates’s team has tried to manage his image.

Guest

Emily Glazer, enterprise reporter at The Wall Street Journal

Related Links

Bill Gates Spent Years Crafting His Image. Now It’s Cracking. - The Wall Street Journal

Bill Gates Apologizes to Foundation Staff Over Epstein Ties - The Wall Street Journal

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. Tell us where we could improve, or what you've enjoyed 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.

Just like many other celebrities, Bill Gates has a stylist. His sweaters, button-downs and glasses are meant to portray someone calm and approachable, current and former employees say.
His clothing choices show how carefully he's crafted an image as a global philanthropist, in the decades since co-founding Microsoft.
But maintaining Gates&rsquo;s image has become more difficult, due to persistent inquiries about his relationship with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That relationship is also affecting his major philanthropic efforts with the Seattle-based Gates Foundation. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/news/author/emily-glazer?eafs_enabled=false">Reporter Emily Glazer</a> investigated the mounting backlash against Bill Gates over revelations in the Epstein files and the ways Gates&rsquo;s team has tried to manage his image. Guest
Emily Glazer, enterprise reporter at The Wall Street Journal
Related Links
<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/bill-gates-image-epstein-e0b83243?eafs_enabled=false">Bill Gates Spent Years Crafting His Image. Now It&rsquo;s Cracking.</a> - The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/bill-gates-apologizes-to-foundation-staff-over-epstein-ties-67f39ef5?mod=author_content_page_1_pos_10">Bill Gates Apologizes to Foundation Staff Over Epstein Ties</a> - The Wall Street Journal
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. Tell us where we could improve, or what you've enjoyed 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.

A new story in The Wall Street Journal details the mounting backlash against Bill Gates over revelations in the Epstein files and the ways Gates’s team has tried to manage his image.

What the Longview disaster tells us about why the paper mill industry is dangerous

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