Crossing Division is Tacoma's talk show. We look for the issues dividing our community and look for ways to talk it out and, hopefully, cross that division.
Tacoma WA
Well, here we are, three weeks from the general election. So many critical races, so many huge issues! This episode of Crossing Division is a companion to the Nerd Farmer voters' guide podcast. We will...
It can be hard to make friends, connect with your town, feel like you are part of positive changes. Volunteering can help open doors to finding your people and putting down roots in your community....
Tacoma, we love you, and your political controversies never disappoint. Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez sit down with Justin Camarata to discuss, and dish, the city council appointment process to fill district 4, the difficult...
Every ten years, the City of Tacoma engages in a Charter Review. It's time again, and hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez review and discuss the most significant changes recommended by the Charter Review Committee. Are...
After a hiatus to clear our heads and figure out what we want to still talk about, Evelyn and Joe Lopez are back in the studio to talk about local developments in Tacoma with the...
Well, there are still some ballots left to count, but most races have been called. Tacoma City Council Position 7 will remain with incumbent Councilmember Olgy Diaz, and Tacoma will welcome new District 3 Councilmember...
Last week, hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez talked about local Tacoma elections, and noted that the “No on Tacoma Measure 1” PAC (political action committee) may not have been timely or adequately reporting campaign contributions....
Local elections are never overlooked at Crossing Division. And this year we have several critical races for Tacoma. What direction will our City take? You have a chance to decide just that. Hosts Evelyn and...
Can't keep up with the indictments? We're here to help! Joe and Evelyn Lopez go over the four current indictments (and that's not even counting the E. Jean Carroll case). What are the charges, what...
After Carol Mitchell was dismissed from her key executive position with the Pierce County Executive, and while suing the County for wrongful discharge, Carol put her heart and soul into a new endeavor–the Institute for...
Carol Mitchell has worked at just about every government office and agency in Tacoma. As a well-respected attorney and government leader, she has a deep background in human resources and equal opportunity laws, and organizational...
Perhaps you have heard that there are 34 criminal charges filed against Donald Trump in New York. Perhaps you have heard that the case involves business records, payments to a porn star, and billings by...
We've been talking about housing and homelessness regularly on Crossing Division, and in this episode, we have the chance to talk about a really big idea—a game changing big idea. Governor Jay Inslee is proposing...
Next week, the Tacoma City Council will take up the issue of whether to make living on the streets illegal around temporary shelters and waterways. We've talked about bans before, and making it a crime...
And with one decision, the US Supreme Court destroys the right to abortion in this country, deciding that the availability of these vital, personal, health decisions should be decided by the states. While other states...
Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, issued by the US Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, sweeps away 50 years of legal precedent and healthcare protections to decide: “The Constitution does no confer a right to...
What is a Precinct Committee Officer, and why should you consider running for the position? Filing week is next week (May16-20), and you could run for this most local of elected positions! Chair and Vice...
If you live in the 98404 or 98409 zip codes you can VOTE on creative arts and science projects for your community! Voting is open through May 13. Go to www.tacomacreates.org to vote, or look...
The Pierce County Council recently passed an ambitious comprehensive plan to end homelessness. Councilmember Ryan Miller sits down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about what makes this plan different, and what will be needed...
Currently, there are at least 3,300 of our neighbors living unhoused in Pierce County — realistically, that number is much higher. The situation involves a complicated set of problems: high housing prices, lack of affordable...
Sharlett Mena is running for State Representative for the 29th Legislative District. She sat down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about running for office, what she's been working on since 2020, and her vision...
This is such an interesting conversation! Aaron Sherman joins host Evelyn Lopez to explore how candidates can use social media to engage with voters, elected leaders can connect with constituents, and public agencies can share...
Host Evelyn Lopez talks with Peter Drury and Marquay Seamster about Wellspring Family Services and the organization's partnership with Tacoma Housing Authority, Tacoma Public Schools, and Pierce County to identify and assist families and students...
King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay wants to demystify running for political office. He is bringing his Build the Bench program to Tacoma on November 20, 2021 (link below). The Tacoma program will feature 28th LD...
Well, it's been a busy 10 days in Pierce County! The Attorney General filed criminal charges against Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer, and then the County's investigative report on the Sheriff's conduct was issued. While...
There are three nominees to fill the 27th Legislative District Senate seat vacancy, and this is the third of three interviews with the nominees. Senator Jeannie Darneille is taking a position with the Department of...
There are three nominees to fill the 27th Legislative District Senate seat vacancy, and this is the second of three interviews with the nominees. Senator Jeannie Darneille is taking a position with the Department of...
There are three nominees to fill the 27th Legislative District Senate seat vacancy, and this is the first of three interviews with the nominees. Senator Jeannie Darneille is taking a position with the Department of...
GET YOUR COMMENTS TO THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION BY OCT 4: https://www.redistricting.wa.gov/ Redistricting Part 2: Evelyn Lopez returns to the studio with Phil Gardner and Marty Campbell to discuss Washington's redistricting process. The maps are out!...
What do you know about redistricting? It happens every ten years, and it's based on the population data developed through the census, and it's the building block of our democracy. Redistricting is the process for...
Perhaps you've read the stories in the News Tribune. Perhaps you've seen the concerns on social media. It's true. After four decades, Tacoma's historic theaters will no longer be managed by local non-profit Tacoma Arts...
“Critical Race Theory.” Do you know what it is? Do you know why it has become an issue in local school board races? Perhaps you should. News Tribune reporter Chase Hutchinson has been following the...
It's Pride Month in Tacoma! And now also in Pierce County! Did you know that Pierce County had not previously recognized local Pride celebrations? Well, that just changed with the County Council's proclamation! https://online.co.pierce.wa.us/cfapps/council/iview/proposal.cfm?proposal_num=R2021-110 County...
Content Warning: violence This Crossing Division episode is simply a reading of the probable cause declaration and criminal charges against three Tacoma Police Department officers for the death in custody of Manuel (Manny) Ellis on...
Christine (Chris) Charbonneau, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, and Kentucky, joins host Evelyn Lopez to talk about the current status of providing contraception, women’s healthcare, and protecting choice in...
Local activists Halley Knigge and Nathe Lawver join host Evelyn Lopez for a discussion of recent events involving our Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer. From calling out more than 40 police units from across the...
Melissa Malott, Executive Director of Citizens for a Health Bay, joins host Evelyn Lopez to discuss the current state of land use in the Tacoma tideflats and port area. This part of Tacoma has been...
Last year we talked with David Thompson about the Food is Free program in Tacoma. The program’s focus was home gardens around Tacoma and tables for sharing produce with neighbors. The program has evolved and...
According to The Urbanist: Tacoma has embarked on a sweeping plan to reform residential zoning in the city. The Home in Tacoma project could transform single-family and multifamily zones by allowing more Missing Middle Housing....
In 2015, in response to police killings and protests around the country, Mayor Victoria Woodards (at the time a Tacoma City Councilmember) and Police Chief Ramsdell developed Project Peace as a program to promote trust,...
Channel 253 continues its partnership with Tacoma’s Downtown on the Go Friday Forums in 2021. This year the forums focus on racism, urban design and transportation. After each forum, we will have a Crossing Division...
In the final Friday Forum of 2021, the discussion focuses on project and government decision making. How do infrastructure ideas become reality? How do problems like faulty sidewalks and inadequate bus stops get fixed? Policy...
Over the last year there has been a rise in hate incidents and hate crimes directed at Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) neighbors in our communities. Recently the hate became more deadly. Last week a...
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has been working on health equity issues for several years. In 2015, TPCHD published a comprehensive health equity report, focusing on increasing the quality of health and life for Pierce...
Part 2 of our discussion about Harm Reduction – Decisions and Consequences, our tie in to the February 26 DOTG Friday Forum: Can Street Safety Be Anti-Racist, and How? Once again, Shannon McMinimee, partner at...
Channel 253 continues its partnership with Tacoma’s Downtown on the Go Friday Forums in 2021. This year the forums focus on racism, urban design and transportation. After each forum, we will have a Crossing Division...