Conversations with Enrique Cerna

"From tweeting tirades to Republicans choosing country over party, The Analysts weigh in as the year comes to a close. It’s easy to say, 2016 was a wild year in politics, both locally and nationally. KCTS 9’s Analysts are all over it, discussing the highs and lows of the year. Listen in as Joni Balter and C.R. Douglas recap the political scene from the election in Washington State, to the housing market in the Emerald City and Trump’s Christmas Weekend Tweet about an arms race. Plus hear their winners and losers for the year. They’ll also give you a quick snapshot of the Legislature and share their predictions for 2017. Image from flickr user dpbirds https://www.flickr.com/photos/dpbirds/"

"The results are in. Despite the many projections that suggested a victory for Hillary Clinton, GOP candidate Donald Trump has been elected as tThe results are in. Despite the many projections that suggested a victory for Hillary Clinton, GOP candidate Donald Trump has been elected as the 45th president of the United States of America. Running on three hours of sleep between the both of them, Joni Balter and C.R. Douglas take a look at what happened at the polls for our national election. They also dive into the state and regional results such as governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state, as well as analyzing what the initiative outcomes really mean for Washingtonians. Grab a cup of whatever you need and sit back, The Analysts will break it down for you.he 45th president of the United States of America. "

"Holding our collective breath; that’s what we are all doing now. We are waiting... waiting for Election Day to come and go, to get off Nate Silver’s “FiveThirtyEight” election forecast and all the other prognosticating that has reached a boiling point. Join Joni Balter and C.R. Douglas — together known as “The Analysts” — as they offer a few day-before-the-big-day musings about local races, specifically the governor’s race, the secretary of state’s race, I-732 and its proposed carbon tax, and Washington’s potentially rogue elector, Robert Satiacum. Listen in and maybe even catch your breath as we (finally!) approach the finish line."

With mere weeks until Election Day, amid a cacophony of sound bites, we sat down with the political junkies to help make sense of all the noise. KCTS 9 presents its newest podcast, “The Analysts,” featuring KCTS 9 Political Analyst Joni Balter and Q13 Political Analyst C.R. Douglas. Listen in as Balter and Douglas discuss some of the biggest issues being debated this election season, including an analysis of the presidential debates, the Washington State Gubernatorial contest, Sound Transit 3, the 7th Congressional District race, the statewide gun-safety initiative and more. Tune in for the facts, stay for the fun.

With less than three weeks to go, “The Analysts” rev up their discussion of state and national politics. Joni Balter, KCTS9 political analyst, and C.R. Douglas, political analyst for Q13, offer their insights into many of the momentous choices facing Washington voters. Perhaps you are wondering how Democrat Hillary Clinton might fare against Republican Donald Trump in our state? Are you curious about how the presidential race might trickle down to statewide races, like governor and lieutenant governor? Maybe you are perplexed by some of the statewide initiatives. “The Analysts” weigh in.

The Analysts are fired up with just 10 days left in the election-that-seems-like-it-will-never-end. KCTS 9 Political Analyst Joni Balter and Q13 Political Analyst C.R. Douglas discuss “The Trump Effect” on Republicans in local races, a few fireworks in the 7th Congressional District race, the recent U.S. Senate debate in Washington State and more.

The November election is no longer abstract or in the distance — it’s almost here. Or — for those suffering from election fatigue — we are almost there. The Analysts Joni Balter and C.R. Douglas are amped up — on way too much coffee — and ready to help you sort through your ballot. Listen as they dig into the Washington governor’s race, the sizzling-hot secretary of state’s race and many of the statewide initiatives.

The election hangover somehow morphed into a turkey-induced tryptophan hangover that then morphed into the recount hangover. Don’t worry. The Analysts have the balm for your frazzled mind. Political analysts Joni Balter and C.R. Douglas shed light on the future of the state Republican and Democratic parties and what to expect during the upcoming legislative session. Knowledge is power and The Analysts dish up a full plate of it.

The alarming sound bites keep rolling in: “The Russians hijacked our election!” “Donald Trump makes some perplexing cabinet nominations!” “Our congressional delegation is tested in ways it has never been tested before!” “The Seattle City Council is losing one of its most experienced members!” Join Political Analysts Joni Balter and C.R. Douglas as they cut through the noise with their candid insight.

Edgar Martinez is one of the most popular and admired professional athletes in Seattle. He will forever be remembered for “the double,” the hit that beat the New York Yankees in the 1995 American League Divisional Series and helped to keep major league baseball in Seattle. In August, Edgar’s jersey, number 11, will be retired by the Seattle Mariners. He joins Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., the only other player to have his number retired by the Mariners. In conversation with Enrique Cerna, Martinez — now the Mariners hitting coach — talks about having his number retired, his chances of making it into baseball’s Hall of Fame as a designated hitter and the hit that made him a legend with Seattle baseball fans.

“It’s tough to think about yourself in color terms, even though people of color have to think about it every day.” Tyrone Beason is a staff writer for the “Seattle Times Pacific Northwest Magazine.” On Jan. 26, the magazine published “Black Like Me: It’s time for a deeper conversation about race in America,” a personal essay written by Beason. At a time when our country is divided racially and politically, he asks ‘Who are we, and what are we really made of? What are we not saying to each other?’ In conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, Beason talks about the essay, the influences of his personal experiences and the people he discovered who are taking on issues of race, gender and equity in unique ways. http://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/black-like-me-its-time-for-a-deeper-conversation-about-race-in-america/

“My job is to put an objective lens on it to get results.” Chris Reykdal is the new superintendent of public instruction for the state of Washington. A former high school teacher and state legislator, Reykdal was elected state schools chief in November. He takes office as the Washington State Legislature is grappling with meeting a state Supreme Court order as part of the landmark McCleary decision to come up with a plan to adequately fund public education. In conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, Reykdal weighs in on the funding challenge and the various funding proposals. He also talks about school testing, the opportunity gap, graduation rates and his concern about the increasing number of homeless students in our schools.

Seattle and Vancouver B.C. have much in common. Both have wonderful scenery, a growing economy, an influx of newcomers and major traffic congestion that can make commuting a nightmare. In Vancouver, traffic is so bad that the 2016 TomTom traffic index survey rated the city as the most congested in Canada followed by Toronto and Montreal. It is not likely to ease anytime soon as more than 38,000 people are moving to the Metro Vancouver area annually. The traffic impact goes beyond the difficult daily commute — it affects the area’s economy, workforce, housing, affordability, livability and public health. What can be done to address the traffic concerns now and in the future? The Canadian members of KCTS 9’s Community Advisory Board decided that it was important to take up that question and much more. In early November, they organized a community forum at Vancouver’s Roundhouse Arts and Recreation Center titled Our Transportation Challenge: The Good, the Bad and the Bike Lanes? It featured exhibits of electric cars, the latest examples of top-notch road bikes for commuting and information about Metro Vancouver bicycle organizations. More importantly, the forum included a lively discussion with a panel of prominent Canadians actively involved in transportation issues in the Metro Vancouver area. The panel featured Mayor Greg Moore of the city of Port Coquitlam and the chair of Metro Vancouver, the regional governing body that serves more than 2 million residents; Erin O’Melinn, the executive director of HUB Cycling; Geoff Cross, vice president of planning and policy for Translink, the regional transportation network for Metro Vancouver that includes public transit, roads and bridges; and urban planner Andy Yan, director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University. More than 175 people showed up for the panel discussion and weighed in with a variety of questions, concerns and suggestions about how to improve Metro Vancouver’s traffic congestion and ultimately its highly valued quality of life.

On this edition of Conversations, host Enrique Cerna talks with author Michael Eric Dyson about his new book, a New York Times best-seller, “Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America.” Dyson, a scholar, ordained Baptist minister and the author of 19 books, delivers a hard-hitting sermon that calls on white people to take action and responsibility for closing the racial divide in America today.

President Trump signs an executive order to build a border wall and targets sanctuary cities like Seattle. But at the same time, he indicates that Dreamers, undocumented young people who are receiving protection under DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, are not the main target of his efforts to crack down on those who are here illegally. What is the reaction in our immigrant communities? Jorge Baron, executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project talks with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna about their fears and concerns and what his organization is doing to counsel those fearful of deportation.

2016 ended on a high note for King County Executive Dow Constantine as he received national recognition for his governing of the state’s largest county. But 2017 brings challenges, with President Donald Trump and questions about future federal funding for transportation, housing and human services. Constantine talks about those concerns and more on this edition of “Conversations with Enrique Cerna.”

What is “White Fragility” and why do white people struggle with it? Dr. Robin DiAngelo coined the term to describe why many white people are unable to respond to racism without getting defensive. DiAngelo is the author of “What Does it Mean to be White? Developing White Racial Literacy. In conversation with host Enrique Cerna, DiAngelo explains how race shapes the lives of white people and why they have difficulty addressing racial issues. From her research and years of diversity training experiences, DiAngelo shares her perspective on why racism is hard for white people to see and discusses racial patterns that present barriers to greater racial equity in America today.

In this special edition of Conversations, Washington State Senior Senator Patty Murray shares her concerns about President-elect Donald Trump and his nominees for cabinet posts. Murray won re-election in November and now ranks third in the Senate Democrat hierarchy. In conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna and political analyst Joni Balter, she weighs in on Republican plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, reports of Russian hacking of U.S. elections, the President-elect’s call for a Muslim registry, and what Democrats must change to appeal to the American electorate.

On August 9, 2014, 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed African American was shot and killed after the scuffle with Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. Wilson said he feared for his life and acted in self-defense. Brown’s shooting set off protests and riots in Ferguson and elsewhere throughout the country — especially after Wilson was cleared by a grand jury and a Department of Justice investigation. In her book, “Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy and Love of My Son Michael Brown,” Lezley McSpadden speaks out about her son, the controversial shooting and her efforts to seek justice for her son and other families of young, black men shot and killed in controversial police shootings.

President-elect Donald Trump says will nominated Dr. Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and a former presidential candidate, to be the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). But as someone who has never worked in government or served at the head of a major bureaucracy, is Carson the right person for the job? KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna and Political Analyst Joni Balter take up that question and explore the incoming Trump administration with Ron Sims, former King County Executive and the former Deputy Secretary of HUD in the Obama Administration in this Vote 2016 conversation.

When San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem, he drew a firestorm of criticism and questions about his patriotism. Kaepernick says he is protesting racism and police brutality against communities of color. He continues to sit or kneel during the playing of the anthem and has been joined by other NFL players in support of his protest. Are his actions unpatriotic? Is his protest bringing awareness to racial divisions in the U.S.? Veteran Seattle sportswriter Art Thiel of SportspressNW.com and University of Washington political science professor Christopher Parker share their insights on this episode of Conversations.

Another busy week in Washington politics. Donald Trump breezed through our state, with a couple of big events in Everett on Tuesday. We have a governor's race and a U.S. Senate race coming up, and people are talking a lot about a handful of statewide initiatives. Joni Balter, KCTS 9 political analyst, teams with C.R. Douglas, political analyst at Q 13, to make sense of it. Join us for our podcast discussion about all that is happening -- yes, with a little attitude. KCTS 9's Vote 2016 Series continues.

This fall, David Domke will once again lead a pilgrimage into the Deep South to the landmarks where critical events happened during the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s. Domke, chair of the University Of Washington Department Of Communication, says this nine-day pilgrimage is not a vacation for the more than 50 participants. It is meant to be a journey where those involved will learn, grow and change in profound ways. Domke talks about how this pilgrimage came about, its impact on the students and community members who have participated on the trip and its significance in this time when racial divisions are widening in America.

Andre Taylor is on a mission. He is leading the charge on statewide initiative I-873, which would make it harder for police to evade prosecution in controversial shootings. Andre is the brother of Che Taylor, who was shot and killed last February by Seattle police officers outside the North Seattle home of a suspected drug dealer. The shooting is under investigation. Andre talks about his brother, the shooting and reactions to the initiative campaign by the African-American community and Seattle police.

Norm Stampers says America’s policing is in crisis. In a candid conversation, Stamper talks about how and why we have reached this crisis point. Seattle’s former top cop latest book is To Protect and Service: How to Fix America’s Police. He details what he sees as the current problems in policing, what needs to be fixed and he how to build public trust in law enforcement in these difficult times.

Daniel James Brown says his job in writing 'The Boys in the Boat' was to capture a great story and do justice to it. And he did. In a revealing conversation, Brown details how he found the story of nine University of Washington rowers who overcame tremendous odds to win gold and glory at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Their gold medal performance embarrassed Adolf Hitler’s Nazi propaganda machine and helped to put Seattle on the map as it overcame the difficult depression-era years.

Chris Gregoire, CEO of Challenge Seattle Can Seattle’s top CEO’s fix the region’s most challenging issues? From transportation to education, former Governor Chris Gregoire believes they can make a difference. Gregoire has taken on the CEO role of Challenge Seattle whose membership includes 17 leaders of the largest and most successful local companies. In conversation with Enrique Cerna, she explains the challenge she now faces in leading this powerful group to do more than just talk about bringing positive change to the region.

It has been 25 years since Los Angeles police officers were videotaped beating Rodney King after a high-speed chase. It was the first police brutality video to go viral. Four officers were criminally charged for the beating, but then acquitted by a mostly white jury. The acquittal set off the Los Angeles riots on April 29, 1992. Two days later, Rodney King pleaded for calm, asking “Can we all get along?” As a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Kurt Streeter wrote about King and eventually became closely acquainted with him. Streeter talks about the Rodney King he came to know and how the beating, the acquittal, the riots and his death affected law enforcement and race relations in America.

New York Times best-selling author Suki Kim talks about her memoir Without You, There Is No Us, her time with the sons of North Korea’s elite. Kim spent six months in 2011 undercover in North Korea teaching the sons of the North Korea’s leadership. She spoke about her experience recently at Seattle University’s Search for Meaning Book Festival and then sat down with Enrique Cerna for an extended conversation about the journey.

What will be the impact of the Latino vote in the 2016 Presidential election? In 2012, Barack Obama received more than 70 percent of the Latino vote. Will Latinos turn out and vote at a high level in 2016? If Donald Trump is the Republican nominee, will he be a motivating factor for Latinos to support the Democrat nominee? University of Notre Dame political science professor Luis Fraga shares his insights. Fraga is the Arthur Foundation endowed professor of transformative Latino leadership. His research and teaching focuses on Latino politics, voting rights, immigration and the police of race and ethnicity.

National Book Award-winning author Tim Egan’s latest book is 'The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero'. It’s the fascinating story of the life and times of Thomas Francis Meagher, who, according to Egan, may be the most important and famous Irish American in our nation’s history.

Marcus Green walked away from a successful career in finance and investment in Southern California to return to his South Seattle roots. He wanted to give a voice to the people of South Seattle, an area, he says “that has had so much darkness casted on it via the mainstream media.” So he created a community based web publication called 'South Seattle Emerald' to shine a light on a part of the city that is often ignored. We talk about his journey to build the community news website, its stories and how it is working to change the perception of South Seattle and its residents. Marcus is the recipient of Crosscut’s 2015 Courage Award for Culture. He will be part of the panel on Race, Justice and Democracy: Where do we stand?, a town hall about race relations in Seattle co-produced by the Seattle Channel and KCTS 9 in partnership with Seattle City Club and Town Hall Seattle.

In part two, Seattle Black Panther party co-founder Elmer Dixon talks about the party’s show of force on the steps of the state Capitol in Olympia; how the mayor refused a request from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to provide the Seattle Police Department tactical support for their planned raid of the Seattle Black Panther Party offices, which allegedly held illegal weapons; the Seattle chapter’s breakfast and healthcare programs that helped the needy; and finally, the internal conflicts and informants that led to the demise of the Black Panthers in Seattle and elsewhere in the nation.

The Black Panther Party was founded 50 years ago in Oakland, Calif. In Seattle, two young brothers, Aaron and Elmer Dixon, with others, founded the Seattle chapter of the historic organization. In a two-part interview, Elmer Dixon explains what inspired him and his older brother to join the Black Panthers, its efforts to strengthen Seattle’s Black community, their confrontations with law enforcement, the party’s eventual demise and thoughts about today’s Black Lives Matters movement.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray talks about the homelessness crisis with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna. He addresses his state of emergency declaration, the shooting in the Jungle, the citizen anger and frustration over the growing number of homeless in Seattle, and what some perceive as the city’s soft approach towards the homeless. The Mayor also talks about the Seattles Police Department’s progress in meeting reforms set out in the Department of Justice consent decree, race relations and what he thinks the presidential candidates should be talking about, but aren’t.

Fumiko Ishioka is the Executive Director of Tokyo’s Holocaust Education Resource Center. In a conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, she tells the incredible story of how a suitcase that belonged to a young Holocaust victim changed her life. It would take her on a journey of discovery that would lead to the writing of a widely-read book and acclaimed play titled 'Hana’s Suitcase', performed at Seattle’s Children’s Theatre for the first time.

Veteran political analysts Joni Balter and Peter Jackson weigh in on Congressman Jim McDermott’s retirement announcement. Who wants to replace the long-time, liberal Seattle Democrat after his 14 terms representing the 7th Congressional District? Plus, we look at the major statewide races and initiatives as we head into the 2016 election year.

Seattle Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Linda Hartzell and Sheri Biller, co-founder of the Les and Sheri Biller Family Foundation talk with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna about their efforts to bring the inspiring and emotional play 'Hana’s Suitcase' to Seattle. It is the true story of Japanese educator Fumiko Ishioka and her determination to uncover the story behind a suitcase with the name of Hana Brady, a victim of the Holocaust. The play is a production of Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre and for the first time it is being performed in Seattle.

What is it like being Muslim in these trying times? Nihal Fahim of Redmond, the mother of three daughters and the coordinator of a pre-school at an east side mosque, and Aneelah Afzali, a Harvard Law School graduate and Seattle area attorney, talk with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna about the challenges and misconceptions Muslims in America face, and their desire to inform and educate Americans about Islam.

Lorena Gonzalez made history in November when she became the first Latina elected and sworn in to Seattle City Council, Position 9. She joined seven other Latinas elected to city councils for the first time in Renton, Wenatchee and Yakima this election year. Gonzalez came from a family of farm workers and grew up in the central Washington community of Grandview, where a high school counselor told her that she was not college material. She talks with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna about overcoming those low expectations to eventually become a successful attorney, and breaking the glass ceiling in Seattle politics.

In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, Syrian refugee resettlement in the United States has become highly controversial. Washington Governor Jay Inslee says the state will welcome refugees from Syria, and other war-torn countries that are approved for resettlement here, as he believes that federal security protocols are in place to minimize whatever risks the refugees may pose. KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna takes up the refugee resettlement issue, the facts surrounding the process and concerns of Muslim-Americans with former Washington Governor Dan Evans, Bob Johnson, the International Rescue Committee Executive Director- U.S. Programs/Seattle, and Arsalan Bukhari, Executive Director of the Washington State Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.

In 1970, Chris Bayley was a young Seattle lawyer who decided to take on long-time King County Prosecutor Charles O. Carroll. Carroll had held the post for more than 20 years, running the office as his personal political fiefdom that overlooked vice, corruption and Seattle’s police payoff system. In a fascinating conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, Bayley reveals the dark side of Seattle’s past in his new book "Seattle Justice: The Rise and Fall of the Police Payoff System in Seattle". Bayley went on to defeat Carroll and led a reform movement that cleaned up Seattle and King County government. It’s a fascinating story about Seattle’s past and how it shaped Seattle’s current political environment.

What is the status of comprehensive immigration reform? What has happened to President Obama’s executive order on immigration? What is the potential impact on the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the United States? We talk with the Executive Director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Jorge Baron, about the ongoing debate over immigration reform.

Eric Liu wants citizens to understand that they have the voice and power to shape our democracy. KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna talks with Liu about the challenge and importance of developing a stronger culture of citizenship, especially as America’s demographics are undergoing dramatic change. Liu is the founder and CEO of the Seattle-based Citizen University, where the focus is promoting and teaching the art of powerful citizenship. Liu is a prominent writer, author and speaker. His latest book is titled A Chinaman’s Chance: One Family’s Journey and the Chinese American Dream. Citizen University’s annual national conference is scheduled for March 18 and 19, 2016, in Seattle.

In August 2015, two Black Lives Matter supporters interrupted a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, making national headlines and raising questions about their actions and what the Black Lives Mater movement is all about. KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna examines the incident and how it has affected conversations about race and justice with Washington State Senator Pramila Jayapal whose Facebook post about the incident drew national attention; and University of Washington political science professor Christopher Parker, who has written extensively about racial politics in America.

He is known as Uncle Bob, but his avuncular demeanor belies his passion, determination and success as a longtime community activist. Bob Santos is a Seattle icon. Along with Roberto Maestas, Bernie Whitebear and Larry Gossett, he became part of a powerful alliance that brought major change to Seattle in civil rights and social justice. The story of how the four leaders from four different communities came together to make history is chronicled in The Gang of Four, a book co-authored by Santos and Gary Iwamoto. In an insightful and humorous conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, Santos talks about growing up in Seattle’s Asian community, his journey into community and political activism that included an encounter with serial killer Ted Bundy and the exploits and close friendship of the Gang of Four.

On October 13, 2015, Ana Mari Cauce made history when the University of Washington Board of Regents announced her appointment as the school’s 33rd president. Cauce became the university's first permanent female president, its first Latina president and its first openly gay president. Ana Mari Cauce came to the University of Washington in 1986 as an assistant professor and worked her way up the ranks. When Michael Young left to become Texas A & M President, Cauce was named interim UW President, and that opened the door for her to become the top Dawg. Cauce talks with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna about the appointment, the challenges ahead, barriers she has broken, her commitment to race and diversity and how the murder of her brother by the Ku Klux Klan affected her life.

Rex Hohlbein was a successful Seattle architect who made a good living designing million-dollar homes. But Hohlbein gave up his architectural career to become an advocate for the homeless. What motivated him to do so? How did a talented homeless artist affect his decision? What does he think of the recent announcement by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine to declare states of emergency in the city and county in response to the growing rate of homelessness? Enrique Cerna takes up those questions and more with Hohlbein in an in-depth conversation about the homeless.

Enrique Cerna talks with PBS Newshour co-anchor and co-managing editor Gwen Ifill about coverage of race relations in America. Ifill moderated town halls on race and police relations in the aftermath of the Michael Brown police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri and the deadly shooting in a Charleston, South Carolina church. In addition, Ifill shares her thoughts on the 2016 Presidential race; her work on the Newshour and Washington Week; and being impersonated on Saturday Night Live.