Should the president of Seattle’s teachers union keep her position? 

That’s the question on the minds of many local teachers and parents.

Last week, parents of a student of Ibijoke Idowu began the process of pursuing a civil lawsuit against the teacher and the district, claiming she had physically harmed their child.

This follows a Seattle Public Schools investigation, released in June, which concluded that Idowu “more likely than not” grabbed the student hard enough to cause bruising.

Idowu was elected to lead the Seattle Education Association while she was on leave pending the results of this probe. 

Idowu has denied allegations of misconduct.

Guest:
KUOW education reporter Noel Gasca

Related stories:
Demands for Seattle teacher’s union president to resign intensify amid student abuse allegations - KUOW
Seattle teacher, union president, responds to report she ‘likely’ harmed student - Seattle Times
Petition to initiate RECALL of SEA President Ibijoke Idowu-Holiday - change.org
Petition support Idowu: Protect Devoted Educator from targeted harassment, intimidation & cultural bias! - change.org

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Should the president of Seattle&rsquo;s teachers union keep her position?&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s the question on the minds of many local teachers and parents.
Last week, parents of a student of Ibijoke Idowu began the process of pursuing a civil lawsuit against the teacher and the district, claiming she had physically harmed their child.
This follows a Seattle Public Schools investigation, released in June, which concluded that Idowu &ldquo;more likely than not&rdquo; grabbed the student hard enough to cause bruising.
Idowu was elected to lead the Seattle Education Association while she was on leave pending the results of this probe.&nbsp;
Idowu has denied allegations of misconduct.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>KUOW education reporter Noel Gasca</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/education/2026-07-31/demands-for-seattle-teachers-union-president-to-resign-intensify-amid-student-abuse-allegations">Demands for Seattle teacher&rsquo;s union president to resign intensify amid student abuse allegations - KUOW</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/seattle-teacher-union-president-responds-to-report-she-likely-harmed-student/">Seattle teacher, union president, responds to report she &lsquo;likely&rsquo; harmed student - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-initiate-recall-of-sea-president-ibijoke-idowu-holiday?recruited_by_id=262b93e0-853f-11f1-acb0-3f5c05d54899&amp;amp;utm_source=share_petition&amp;amp;utm_campaign=share_petition&amp;amp;utm_term=starter_onboarding_share_social&amp;amp;utm_medium=copylink&amp;amp;share_id=pNQWRNpbC8">Petition to initiate RECALL of SEA President Ibijoke Idowu-Holiday - change.org</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.change.org/p/protect-devoted-educator-from-targeted-harassment-intimidation-cultural-bias?ref=thebulletinsea.org">Petition support Idowu: Protect Devoted Educator from targeted harassment, intimidation &amp; cultural bias! - change.org</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://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Last week, parents of a student of Ibijoke Idowu began the process of pursuing a civil lawsuit against the teacher and the district, claiming she had physically harmed their child.  This follows a Seattle Public Schools investigation, released in June, which concluded that Idowu “more likely than not” grabbed the student hard enough to cause bruising.

Why some parents and teachers want the president of Seattle's teachers union to step down

Police took a 15-year old into custody in connection to a mass shooting at the Seattle Center that left three dead and several others injured. Police later said that 15-year old had a “ghost gun."

This refers to a type of firearm that’s often assembled at home and manufactured without a serial number. 

In charging documents, prosecutors allege the teenager fired into the crowd. Police say the gun doesn’t appear to be involved the deaths of two bystanders from last week. 

Washington is a leader in trying to prohibit ghost guns. 

Back in 2022, the state passed a law to ban them. Earlier this year, lawmakers prohibited the unlawful manufacture of guns using 3-D printers or CNC milling machines. 

And yet, ghost guns continue to be a concern here in the state.

Guest: Garen Wintemute is the founding director of the Centers for Violence Prevention at UC Davis in California. He's also an emergency department attending physician. 

Related links:
15-year-old Seattle Center shooting suspect charged with first-degree assault; prosecutors seek adult trial | KUOW
Ghost gun used in Seattle Center shooting, police say | The Seattle Times
Ghost guns explained—how they are made, used? | FOX 13 Seattle
Bullets from 15-year-old's gun did not kill 2 Seattle Center victims, according to early findings | KUOW

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Police took a 15-year old into custody in connection to a mass shooting at the Seattle Center that left three dead and several others injured. Police later said that 15-year old had a &ldquo;ghost gun."
This refers to a type of firearm that&rsquo;s often assembled at home and manufactured without a serial number.&nbsp;
In charging documents, prosecutors allege the teenager fired into the crowd. Police say the gun doesn&rsquo;t appear to be involved the deaths of two bystanders from last week.&nbsp;
Washington is a leader in trying to prohibit ghost guns.&nbsp;
Back in 2022, the state passed a law to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/gov-jay-inslee-signs-three-gun-safety-bills-into-law/JE4Z5G7FBJDE3LNQWFAS6AZRJM/">ban</a> them. Earlier this year, lawmakers prohibited the unlawful manufacture of guns using 3-D printers or CNC milling machines.&nbsp;
And yet, ghost guns continue to be a concern here in the state.
Guest:&nbsp;Garen Wintemute is the founding director of the Centers for Violence Prevention at UC Davis in California. He's also an emergency department attending physician.&nbsp;
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/crime/2026-07-29/15-year-old-seattle-center-shooting-suspect-charged-with-first-degree-assault-prosecutors-seek-adult-trial">15-year-old Seattle Center shooting suspect charged with first-degree assault; prosecutors seek adult trial | KUOW</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/ghost-gun-used-in-seattle-center-shooting-police-say/">Ghost gun used in Seattle Center shooting, police say | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/ghost-guns-explained">Ghost guns explained&mdash;how they are made, used? | FOX 13 Seattle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/crime/2026-07-29/seattle-center-shooting-charging-documents-reveal-more-details-wednesday">Bullets from 15-year-old's gun did not kill 2 Seattle Center victims, according to early findings | 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://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Washington has cracked down on ghost guns over the years. But we're still seeing them around, most recently after a mass shooting at Seattle Center.

'Small part of a far larger problem': Emergency department doctor on ghost guns 

We are officially deep into a Pacific Northwest summer: we’ve already experienced wildfire smoke, 90 degree temperatures and for the unlucky amongst us, you may have also have seen small black ants crawling across your kitchen counters and floors.

I’m talking about odorous house ants. So named because of the smell they emit when they are squished (I won’t say by who).

These little guys are annoying, and they’re everywhere this time of year. I even saw a Reddit post referring to Seattle as being “placed on top of a giant ant hill”. Now, that’s not actually true… but it can certainly feel like it around now.

That’s because, if you live in a city like Seattle, you actually are in an ideal ant environment, one that has led to the little insect’s proliferation. 

So before we get mad at odorous house ants, maybe it’s best to understand this creature? Maybe instead of a war on ants… we can make peace. 

Guest: 

Todd Murray, the Director of Washington State University's Puyallup Research and Extension Center

We are officially deep into a Pacific Northwest summer: we&rsquo;ve already experienced wildfire smoke, 90 degree temperatures and for the unlucky amongst us, you may have also have seen small black ants crawling across your kitchen counters and floors.
I&rsquo;m talking about odorous house ants. So named because of the smell they emit when they are squished (I won&rsquo;t say by who).
These little guys are annoying, and they&rsquo;re everywhere this time of year. I even saw a Reddit post referring to Seattle as being &ldquo;placed on top of a giant ant hill&rdquo;. Now, that&rsquo;s not actually true&hellip; but it can certainly feel like it around now.
That&rsquo;s because, if you live in a city like Seattle, you actually are in an ideal ant environment, one that has led to the little insect&rsquo;s proliferation.&nbsp;
So before we get mad at odorous house ants, maybe it&rsquo;s best to understand this creature? Maybe instead of a war on ants&hellip; we can make peace.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;
Todd Murray, the Director of Washington State University's Puyallup Research and Extension Center

We are officially deep into a Pacific Northwest summer: we’ve already experienced wildfire smoke, 90 degree temperatures and for the unlucky amongst us, you may have also have seen small black ants crawling across your kitchen counters and floors.

What to do about that scourge of summer: odorous house ants

The Washington state Clemency and Pardons Board hears cases of people currently incarcerated and makes recommendations to the governor for commutations. 

These recommendations can allow someone to leave prison before their sentence is completed. In Washington state law, someone’s case would need to be “extraordinary” in order to qualify. 

Last year, the board heard a little over 30 cases and recommended 10 people for commutations. Governor Ferguson rejected all of the cases, some of which had the support of every board member. 

The Governor has approved pardons for some people who had already completed their sentences and his office said he was "considering the recommendation of the board while also accounting for victim impacts and public safety."

His approach hasn’t sat well with members of the Clemency and Pardons Board. 

Guests: 

Raymond Delos Reyes, chair of the Washington Clemency and Pardons Board

Dan Berger,professor at the University of Washington-Bothell and director of the Washington Prison History Project

Relevant Links: 

Cascadia Daily News: Governor’s disrespect for clemency process extends mass incarceration

KOMO: Case questions Washington's clemency process after governor rejects board's recommendation

The Washington state Clemency and Pardons Board hears cases of people currently incarcerated and makes recommendations to the governor for commutations.&nbsp;
These recommendations can allow someone to leave prison before their sentence is completed. In Washington state law, someone&rsquo;s case would need to be &ldquo;extraordinary&rdquo; in order to qualify.&nbsp;
Last year, the board heard a little over 30 cases and recommended 10 people for commutations. Governor Ferguson rejected all of the cases, some of which had the support of every board member.&nbsp;
The Governor has approved pardons for some people who had already completed their sentences and his office said he was "considering the recommendation of the board while also accounting for victim impacts and public safety."
His approach hasn&rsquo;t sat well with members of the Clemency and Pardons Board.&nbsp;
Guests:&nbsp;
Raymond Delos Reyes, chair of the Washington <a href="https://governor.wa.gov/boards-and-commissions/clemency-pardons-board">Clemency and Pardons Board</a>
Dan Berger, professor at the University of Washington-Bothell and director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://waprisonhistory.org/">Washington Prison History Project</a>
Relevant Links:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/jul/01/governors-disrespect-for-clemency-process-extends-mass-incarceration/">Cascadia Daily News: Governor&rsquo;s disrespect for clemency process extends mass incarceration</a>
<a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/case-raises-questions-about-washingtons-clemency-process-after-gov-rejects-recommendation-bob-ferguson-doug-baldwin-christopher-havens-criminal-rehabilitation">KOMO: Case questions Washington's clemency process after governor rejects board's recommendation</a>

Last year, the board heard a little over 30 cases and recommended 10 people for commutations. Governor Ferguson rejected all of the cases, some of which had the support of every board member. 

Why some parents and teachers want the president of Seattle's teachers union to step down

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