Soundside

The weekend is upon us, and Soundside producer Jason Burrows is here with all the events fit to broadcast. LINKS: SPORTS! Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros Seattle Sounders vs San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Reign vs Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds Sandsations Sand Sculpture Festival - Long Beach, WA Seattle Arab Festival 2025 Seattle Bon Odori Seafair Chinatown Parade Indian Days Powwow CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY Darrington Bluegrass Festival Cartoon Mess LIVE King County Fair - Enumclaw Seattle Boba Fest GeekFest West - Everett TRAFFIC ALERT - NB I-5 totally closed from I-90 to 45th Ave (U-District) 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re closing in on the deadline for President Trump’s rescission package. Senate Republicans have until this Friday to pass the package with a simple majority. If they don’t, they’ll face a Democratic filibuster that they’ll need 60 votes to overcome. On Tuesday, the Senate voted to advance rescissions with a 51-50 vote – Vice President JD Vance was the tie breaker. Republican Senators Collins, Murkowski, and McConnell all voted no. Today, Senators will have up to 10 hours of debate before the final floor vote – if they pass the package, it will then head back to the House for a vote, before going to the President’s desk. Again, this all needs to happen by the end of Friday. So that’s a lot of procedural details, but let’s get to the nitty gritty: If this passes, the Administration would claw back $9 billion dollars in previously approved funding – most of which is intended for global health programs and foreign aid projects. It would also rescind more than $1.1 billion dollars currently budgeted for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, or CPB. You’re listening to public radio right now - so you’re probably well aware that those dollars include funding for KUOW, as well as other local public radio and TV stations, which receive support from the CPB. What exactly would the impact of rescission be for Seattle stations? Can public media survive these cuts? And, with news becoming increasingly fragmented, should taxpayers still pay for public media? We’re putting those questions to leaders of local public media organizations. Guests: Kerry Swanson is interim CEO of KUOW Rob Dunlop is CEO and President of Cascade PBS Ethan Raup is CEO and President of KEXP 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez represents Washington’s 3rd District, which encompasses Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, and Skamania counties and a smidge of Thurston County. It’s a relatively rural district that has voted for President Trump three times. Somehow, she has been able to convince a good number of those Trump voters to ALSO send her, a Democrat, to Congress. And that’s put Gluesenkamp Perez in a unique and small club of Democrats being asked to diagnose their party’s problems and come up with a vision for the future. So what does it take to lead from a vulnerable seat, and what are the lessons Democrats can draw from what’s happening in Southwest Washington? One of those might be – figure out the solution to the gerontocracy in Congress. GUEST: Rep. Marie Gluesenkam Perez RELATED LINKS: House Democrat floats radical solution to Congress' age problem Gluesenkamp Perez Statement on Senate Passage of Budget Reconciliation Bill How a Red-District Democrat Is Navigating Trump | The Ezra Klein Show Yes, Car Headlights Are Too Damn Bright 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, a King County Judge ordered the city of Seattle to come up with a plan to end “nudity as constituted” at the park. Denny Blaine has been the city’s most well known nude beach for decades – and is a beloved LGBTQ+ community gathering space. This order follows a series of attempts by neighbors of the park to end nudity at Denny Blaine. And it’s a move supporters of the nude beach say would be a “sanitization of queer spaces” in an increasingly gentrified city. Guests: Seattle Times City Hall reporter David Kroman Related stories: Judge orders an end to nudity at Seattle’s Denny Blaine Park, for now - Seattle Times Community members give Denny Blaine Park play area proposal a dressing down - KUOW ‘I share your disgust.’ Texts show Seattle Mayor Harrell, rich neighbor discussing Denny Blaine - 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Matthew Law has walked the halls of ABC's Abbott Elementary, piloted a spaceship in an episode of Star Wars: Ahsoka and played "The Cynic" in the "This Is Me... Now: A Love Story” the Jennifer Lopez movie musical. Law hails from Washington. He was born in Yakima and grew up in Seattle, where he attended Greenwood Elementary and Ballard High School. And he's a filmmaker too, directing and writing several short films for his “True Story” series. Soundside caught up with him during a break in his shooting schedule. Guests Matthew Law, actor Links ‘Abbott Elementary’ actor Matthew Law on Seattle upbringing, ‘True Story’ -The Seattle Times 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King County’s health department has published innovative and educational comic strips about public health issues for more than 15 years. The county hires local comics artists to tackle issues such as long term covid, preparing for a natural disaster and how to deal with a failing septic system. Meredith Li-Vollmer is the heartbeat behind this popular project, which she founded in 2008. She says the visual and hand drawn style of storytelling helps make potentially dry information palatable. The county has also found that comics are an effective way to communicate with people who speak English as a second language. In fact, some of King County’s comic books have been printed into more than 20 languages. But the program almost didn’t happen. Had Li-Vollmer listened to her high school art teacher who was unkindly critical of her artwork. Guest: Meredith Li-Vollmer, Risk Communication Specialist at Public Health - Seattle & King Countt Related stories: A comic-book approach to public health. King County's winning formula - KUOW King County Health comics 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Seattle City Council recently approved a $2 million dollar loan for the city’s social housing developer. That’s a public development authority that will manage publicly financed housing in the city. It can serve people who make up to 120% of the area median income. Voters overwhelmingly supported the creation of the social housing developer in 2023. They also approved a funding plan for the developer in February that pays for it by putting in place a new tax on companies with high income earners. Next year, the social housing developer is anticipated to receive an estimated $50 million dollars from that tax. In the meantime, Mayor Bruce Harrell requested the $2 million dollar loan, saying the money would go towards keeping the organization running and potentially acquiring new property this year. As of now, the developer doesn’t own any. In its early stages, the developer has been dogged by concerns that it hasn’t proven it can get this money out the door and into housing and questions about whether it’s serving the city’s greatest need by using public money to provide housing for people making more than the median income for the area. Guest: Roberto Jimenez, CEO of Seattle’s Social Housing Developer Links: KUOW: Why someone earning over $100,000 could qualify for Seattle’s affordable housing Seattle Times: Seattle’s social housing developer struggles with ‘growing pains’ 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle hockey fans rejoice! There is a new professional women’s team to root for, starting this fall. The name of the team? Well … that’s yet to be determined, but there are many things we DO know about this upcoming third season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. This year, for the first time, the league is expanding into the Pacific Northwest, with teams in Vancouver and Seattle. There’ll now be 8 teams total vying for the “Walter Cup.” And things are moving FAST at PWHL Seattle: Players have been drafted, head coach Steve O’Rourke has been hired. There’s still a lot to be figured out, and the person making many of those decisions will be the new general manager Meghan Turner, who was the assistant GM of the Boston Fleet before being tapped for the head job here in Seattle. Guest: Meghan Turner, General Manager of PWHL Seattle Related Links: PWHL Turns To Turner To Lead New Seattle Women’s Team PWHL Seattle GM Meghan Turner working to ‘create a community’ 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soundside is taking a break this week. Don’t worry - we’ll be back with new episodes next week. Until then, we’re bringing you some of our favorite stories from the show. Relevant Links: Pacific Drive captures the creepy of the Olympic Peninsula Hear Ye, Hear Ye, there's trouble brewing at the Renaissance Faire! Touring the history of Black music at MoPop's "Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music" WEEKEND WARMUP LINKS: 2025 Queer and Trans Film Festival — Three Dollar Bill Cinema Ballard SeafoodFest NW Tune-Up Festival Japan Fair West Seattle Summer Fest Redmond Arts Festival Bluegrass From the Forest CID Celebration Summer Celebration 2025 | Mercer Island, Washington Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soundside is taking a break this week. Don’t worry - we’ll be back with new episodes next week. Until then, we’re bringing you some of our favorite stories from the show. 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. Relevant Links: Can you solve the mystery of the Oakville blobs? The new food that has beekeepers "buzzing" How a Spokane woman became a hall of fame foosball player See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's summer vacation week on Sounside. But that doesn't mean we're out of your podcast feed. Senior producer Gabrielle Healy shares some of her favorite recent Soundside segments. We’re talking about everything from the unsung heroes of the early Seattle rap scene with music writer Novocaine132 to your rights if you encounter ICE. Plus, Seattle Eats talks about the Emerald City's best slice of pizza. Guests Novocaine132, author of "The Birth of Seattle Rap." Henry Hwang, a directing attorney for Northwest Immigrant Rights Project 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soundside is taking a break this week. Don’t worry - we’ll be back with new episodes next week. Until then, we’re bringing you some of our favorite stories from the show. 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. Relevant Links: Seattle's new Civic Poet finds parallels between political language and verse Deciding to See: The View from Nathan's Bus Those little red hummingbird feeders are driving the bird's evolution See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever walked into a bookstore, lonely and single, and hoped you’d meet the love of your life? We know there are at least a few of you out there. That's part of the setup for Moira Macdonald’s debut novel “Storybook Ending.” It’s a story about loneliness, friendship, reading – and of course, the singular pleasure of spending time between the shelves of a cozy book shop in Seattle. The spot in question, titled “Read the Room”, is based on Ravenna’s Third Place Books, one of Macdonald's regular haunts. We talk to Macdonald, the longtime Seattle Times arts critic, about writing her novel, her recommendations for great summer reads and Seattle's best movie theaters. And a note - this conversation first aired in June. Guest Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times arts critic and debut novelist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From new statewide legislation freezing rent hikes at up to 10 percent for most tenants, to the Seattle City Council banning the use of algorithmic rent fixing, there's a lot of news to keep in mind if you’re a renter or a landlord. And summer is moving season – prompting lots of questions about the rights for renters regarding repairs, fees and beyond. We review some frequently asked questions for renters in Seattle. Guest Teo Popescu, design, graphics, and data editor at KUOW Related links What are your rights as a Seattle renter? Here are the basics Note: KUOW's explainer serves as an overview of the most frequently asked questions about renter rights in Seattle. For a complete guide, review the Seattle renters handbook and the Seattle renters resource page, visit nonprofits like the Tenants Union, or call the Renting in Seattle helpline at: 206-684-5700. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Libby may be out today, but … We’ve made it to the end of the work week! And since tomorrow is a holiday, you’re probably trying to figure out what to do with a whole THREE DAYS of free time in front of you… But don’t worry, I’ve got the big list of everything to do on the 4th of July and BEYOND! WELCOME to the Weekend Warmup! LINKS: FIREWORKS!!! Arlington — Quake Park 10 p.m. Bellevue — Downtown Park 10:05 p.m. Carnation — Remlinger Farms 9:45 p.m. Everett — Port Gardner Bay 10:15 p.m. Federal Way — Celebration Park 10:15 p.m. Kenmore — Log Boom Park 10 p.m. Kent — Lake Meridian Park 10 p.m. Kingston — Mike Wallace Park 10:15 p.m. Marysville — Ebey Waterfront Park 10 p.m. Sammamish — Sam. Commons 10 p.m. Seattle — Lake Union 10:15 p.m. Snoqualmie — Community Park 9:45 p.m. Steilacoom — offshore 10:30 p.m. Tacoma — Ruston Way 10 p.m. Tumwater — Tumwater Valley Golf 10:15 p.m. PARADES! Arlington — 5 p.m. (kids 4:30 p.m.) Bainbridge Island — 1 p.m. Bothell — 12 p.m. (kids 11:15 a.m.) Burien — 11 a.m. Carnation — 11:30 a.m. (kids 11 a.m.) Dupont — 10 a.m. Edmonds — 12 p.m. (kids 11:30 a.m.) Enumclaw — noon Everett — 11 a.m. Issaquah — 11 a.m. Kingston — 12 p.m. Kirkland — 12 p.m. (kids 11:30 a.m.) Tumwater — 11 a.m. Seattle Center’s 40th Annual Naturalization Ceremony Civic Engagement! Write your elected officials! SPORTS! Seattle Mariners vs Pittsburgh Pirates Seattle Sounders vs Columbus Crew Pioneer Square Fest Fairhaven Chicken Festival - Bellingham The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Senate passed the Big Beautiful Bill, sending it back to the House of Representatives for a final vote on Donald Trump’s sweeping spending package.Aside from extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, the legislation includes cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, caps on student loans, and higher fees on people going through the legal immigration process. It also increases spending on defense and border security, limits taxes on workers who earn tips and increases the child tax credit.Republican lawmakers are quickly trying to pass the bill by July 4, when Trump said he wants to see it on his desk.Soundside checked in with a few Seattle-area Congress members who are trying to stop the bill from passing into law. Guests: Suzan DelBene represents Washington’s 1st congressional district and chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Pramila Jayapal represents Washington’s 7th congressional district. Related stories: Senate passes Trump’s megabill after pulling all-nighter - POLITICO The winners (and losers) in Trump's 'big beautiful' tax bill - USA TODAY 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that a Maryland couple could pull their child out of classes where the material involved books with LGBTQ themes. The six conservative justices ruled that parents should not be required to expose their children to class materials that go against their religious beliefs. Coincidentally, almost exactly one hundred years ago – in July 1925 – there was another famous legal debate over what kids learn in the classroom that took place in Tennessee. The so-called Scopes Monkey Trial was ground zero for one of America’s first culture wars: The debate over whether or not evolution should be taught in schools. Guest: Alexander Gouzoules, associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Law and co-author of The Hundred Years' Trial: Law, Evolution, and the Long Shadow of Scopes v. Tennessee 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 has been a busy year for Danni Askini. As Executive Director of the Gender Justice League, Askini is involved in multiple lawsuits fighting Trump Administration policies related to trans rights. She’s also the co-chair of the Washington Families for Freedom coalition, created this year to fight potential state ballot measures that could impact trans youth. And – by the way – she’s the Executive Director of Trans Pride Seattle, which just hosted its annual celebration at Seattle’s Volunteer Park on Friday. Danni Askini and fellow trans rights activists are confronting a rapidly shifting landscape. Include President Trump’s executive orders banning trans people in the military, targeting funding for hospitals that provide gender affirming care for minors, and declaring the U.S. only recognizes two “immutable biological” sexesAnd Supreme Court decisions including last week’s ruling the effectively upholds bans on trans healthcare for minors in 27 states, which has opened the door to re-considering states right to ban Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for adults. Day by day, trans rights are changing and eroding, in a way that’s hard for even a plugged in advocate to keep track of. We sat down on Monday afternoon to talk about it all. Guest: Danni Askini: Executive Director of the Gender Justice League, co-chair of the Washington Families for Freedom coalition, and the Executive Director of Trans Pride Seattle. Related stories: The Cass Review An Evidence-Based Critique of “The Cass Review” on Gender-affirming Care for Adolescent Gender Dysphoria Utah lawmakers’ own study found gender-affirming care benefits trans youth. Will they lift the treatment ban? - The Salt Lake Tribune 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Idaho’s governor has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff following the killing of two firefighters, and wounding of a third, in Coeur d’Alene yesterday. Firefighters were responding to a grass fire in a natural area with hiking and mountain biking trails. When they arrived, a man opened fire, in what the local county sheriff is calling an ambush. And a note: this interview was taped at 11:30am. Information may have changed by the time you're hearing this. Guest: Kaye Thornbrugh is a reporter with Coeur d’Alene Press Related stories: Sheriff: Suspected shooter ambushed firefighters who asked him to move vehicle - Coeur d'Alene Press Fire chief: 'It's going to be a long road' - Coeur d'Alene Press 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer says she has a problem. As more visitors get into the great outdoors in her rural Washington county, more and more people are calling for help, and requiring search and rescue operations. Scheyer says things need to change: She’s announced plans for an ordinance that would impose a fine on anyone who requires a search and rescue due to what she terms “reckless” or “negligent” actions. But is it fair to expect hikers in need of help to pay for assistance? We talk with her about that question and more. Guest Summer Scheyer, sheriff of Skamania County.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Civil rights groups are scrambling to get ahead of a looming change to the status of babies born to immigrant parents without permanent legal status. Unless additional legal actions are successful, there are just a few weeks until the Trump administration’s restrictions on birthright citizenship are set to take effect in a majority of states across the country, following a Supreme Court ruling on Friday. Washington was one of several states challenging President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship. But while the SCOTUS ruling didn't directly address the Trump administration's restrictions on birthright citizenship, the ruling has wide implications for the power of the judicial branch to rein in the executive. We talk with Washington's Attorney General, Nick Brown, about SCOTUS rulings, universal injunctions and birthright citizenship. Guest: Washington Attorney General Nick Brown 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voters will pick a new King County Executive this November. And the race has taken a dramatic turn as candidate and current King County Assessor John Wilson has been repeatedly accused of stalking and harassment. Last month his ex fiancee and domestic partner Lee Keller was granted a second restraining order against him. Members of the King County Council have called on Wilson to resign, which he has rebuffed. Wilson has vehemently denied all allegations of domestic violence and stalking. He says he and Keller have a “stormy” relationship and that many of her allegations are incorrect. Guest: KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone Related stories: King County assessor says he won't resign amid stalking allegation scandal - 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bankruptcy is an unfortunate reality for thousands of Americans every year, but cities declaring bankruptcies are far more rare. Since the 1930s, municipality bankruptcies have only happened around 700 times in the U.S. And in Washington State it’s only happened once, until this week when the city of Cle Elum declared itself insolvent in bankruptcy court, saddled with significant debt. How significant? 26 million dollars, more than five times the town’s annual budget. Guest: Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner Relevant Links: Cle Elum considers bankruptcy amid $22M debt in development dispute Cle Elum declares bankruptcy over $26M debt 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve been celebrating Pride all month with a TON of events across the state, but now, we’ve hit critical mass, because it’s PRIDE WEEKEND! There is SO MUCH happening, so let's get to it: LINKS: Indigiqueer Festival Trans Pride Seattle Seattle Dyke March PRIDE-FEST: Capitol Hill Seattle Pride Parade 2025 PRIDE-FEST: Seattle Center Dungeons and Drag Queens at The Crocodile Brewology - Pacific Science Center Fairy Fest - Lakewold Gardens Buckley Log Show 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington State started conducting all-mail elections in 2014 and it’s mostly been smooth sailing since then. But a national explosion of vote-by-mail during the 2020 election due to Covid sparked a partisan backlash against the practice. President Trump made claims that voting by mail would lead to widespread fraud, accusations that grew louder after he lost that election to President Biden. Now the Washington State Republican Party has officially come out against vote-by-mail, with Chairman Jim Walsh saying “We want to get back to in-person voting.” Sam Reed is a Republican and was the 14th Secretary of State in Washington, retiring in 2013. He's also the godfather of vote-by-mail in Washington State. And he regrets nothing. Guest: Former WA Secretary of State Sam Reed Relevant links: WAGOP Joins Regional Movement to END Vote-By-Mail The History of Voting and Elections in Washington StateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A festival celebrating the city’s only river won't happen this year. The organization hosting the Duwamish River Festival shut the August celebration down, due to concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in South Park, the neighborhood where the festival usually takes place. We talk about the decision with the head of the Duwamish River Community Coalition, the organization that usually runs the festival. Guest Paulina Lopez, executive director of the Duwamish River Community Coalition Related links Seattle festival canceled due to ICE concerns, The Seattle Times Envisioning a cleaner Duwamish River in South Park, Soundside (2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last three years, the shortage of public defenders in Washington state has built to a crisis. It’s been taking a toll on the lawyers who represent clients that need representation but can’t afford it. Since that representation is promised in the U.S. and state constitutions, these lawyers are a critical aspect of the legal system. When there aren’t enough lawyers, people wait in jail. Last year, the ACLU of Washington sued Yakima County for denying defendants their sixth amendment right to an attorney. The county has struggled to hire new public defenders for years. To address the lack, public defenders proposed a counterintuitive solution: lower the number of cases public defenders can take on. They say doing so will reduce burnout and increase recruitment. This month, the Washington State Supreme Court signed on to dramatically reduced caseload limits for defenders. Guests: Daniel Beekman, reporter at the Seattle Times Bob Boruchowitz, professor from practice at Seattle University School of Law and director of the Defender Initiative Relevant Links: Seattle Times: WA Supreme Court orders much lower caseloads for public defenders Seattle Times: WA adds public defender dollars but ‘nowhere near’ enough, counties say Seattle Times: Washington Bar approves much lower caseloads for public defenders 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding at this hour.President Trump spoke briefly to reporters this morning on the White House lawn. He used an expletive and said he was unhappy that the two countries had both initially violated the agreement to pause attacks. More than a week after Israel kicked off the new war with Iran, Trump intervened on Saturday by ordering a U.S. strike on three Iranian nuclear sites. This morning the president has been re-posting messages on social media from supporters calling his handling of the conflict “an overwhelming…victory” and “a historic masterclass.” But a member of Washington's congressional delegation disagrees. Guest: Adam Smith is a House Democrat who represents parts of Bellevue and Seattle all the way to Auburn and Federal Way. Related links: Democrats Forge Ahead With Efforts to Reach War Powers Vote Amid Shaky Cease-Fire - NYT 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington state is taking quick action to meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of it, last year the state spent $45 million dollars to help lower income people buy or lease electric vehicles. To do this, they lowered the barrier for getting a rebate – all you needed to do was self-report your income or say you were enrolled in an assistance program, and the dealer would discount thousands of dollars from the price. But a new investigation from Cascade PBS has found that some of the money didn’t go towards the people it was intended for. Guest: Elizabeth Whitman, freelance journalist Relevant Links: Cascade PBS: WA spent $45M to boost electric vehicle use — with mixed results 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new book examines the theory that lead and arsenic poisoning may have affected the brain development of serial killers like Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgway. Childhood exposure to these poisons might provide a partial explanation for these horrific crimes. The book is “Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers.” It’s part memoir; part examination of anthropology, criminology, and also the ecological history of the Pacific Northwest. Guest Caroline Fraser, author of “Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers.” She grew up on Mercer Island and won the Pulitzer Prize for her biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder in 2018. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Upstairs at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, MoPop, right now you can take a trip through the musical genres and artists that trace the arc of Black history in America, from gospel foremothers like Rosetta Tharpe and Mahalia Jackson, to the soul songs of Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. The exhibit is called Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music. Soundside host Libby Denkmann caught up with curator Adeerya Johnson for a tour of the exhibit. GUEST: Adeerya Johnson, Associate Curator at MoPop RELATED LINK: Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music | Museum of Pop Culture 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially in the summer busy season. Solstice, pride, Juneteenth — if you’re looking for something to do this week, have no fear, there’s something for you. Soundside is off tomorrow for Juneteenth, so we're bringing you an EARLY edition of the WEEKEND WARMUP. Here with stuff to do this weekend is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows! LINKS: Juneteenth | Atlantic Street Center NAAM | Juneteenth Juneteenth — ACLT Summer of Soul Series Juneteenth 2025 | Mercer Island, Washington Juneteenth 2025 | Shoreline City Hall Juneteenth - Stewart Heights Park, Tacoma 2025 Juneteenth Commemoration - Washington State Historical Society Washington Brewers Fest MOPOP - 25th Anniversary Fremont Solstice Parade Fremont Fair Summer Bonsai Solstice | Pacific Bonsai Museum Marysville Strawberry Festival Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival 2025 Georgetown Pride 2025 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boys and ghouls, allow me to tell you about the mad doctor who injects himself with an experimental serum, turning the scientist into a hideous monster that terrorizes a hospital. This twisted tale is from the mind of Richard Lyford, a 19-year-old indie filmmaker in Seattle, who wrote, directed and starred in the short horror film The Scalpel. But he wasn’t influenced by horror legends like John Carpenter or Wes Craven or George Romero. No, The Scalpel was filmed in 1936, and film historians considered it lost for almost 90 years. It’s now been restored and re-edited, and been accepted to more than 150 film festivals throughout the country. Guest: Composer Ed Hartman Related Links: Trailer for The Scalpel Lost 1936 Seattle film saved by local composer takes festival circuit by storm Zion Film Fest The Scalpel Festival RunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel and Iran continue to trade missile and drone attacks as the war stretches into its fifth day. This conflict started last week with Israeli airstrikes that targeted top military commanders and nuclear facilities in Iran. Here in the Seattle area, members of the Iranian diaspora are experiencing a familiar anxiety: Trying to keep tabs on friends and family during a bloody conflict. We talk to four members of Seattle's Iranian diaspora and get additional analysis on the conflict from a Washington, D.C.-based expert. Guests Omid Roustaei, The Caspian Chef, cookbook author and Iranian-American psychotherapist Rep. Darya Farivar, Washington state Representative, D-46 Aria Fani, director of the Persian and Iranian Studies Program at the University of Washington Faraz Zarghami, also known as DJ Dancing Faraz Alex Vatanka, senior fellow, Middle East Institute Related links The Washington Post: Israeli attacks leave Iranians fearful and hopeful See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever walked into a bookstore, lonely and single, and hoped you’d meet the love of your life? We know there are at least a few of you out there. That's part of the setup for Moira Macdonald’s debut novel “Storybook Ending.” It’s a story about loneliness, friendship, reading – and of course, the singular pleasure of spending time between the shelves of a cozy book shop in Seattle. The spot in question, titled “Read the Room”, is based on Ravenna’s Third Place Books, one of Macdonald's regular haunts. We talk to Macdonald, the longtime Seattle Times arts critic, about writing her novel, her recommendations for great summer reads and Guest Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times arts critic and debut novelist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of Americans across the country gathered over the weekend in support of “No Kings Day”, a nationwide protest against the Trump Administration. Marches were planned to contrast with a military parade at the nation’s capital, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Army. The events also coincided with President Trump’s birthday. And it all came after a week of escalating tensions between the federal government and California officials, where immigration raids had prompted clashes between protestors and police… and Trump had called in the military against the wishes of the state’s governor. Across Washington on Saturday, cities from Olympia, to Wenatchee, even passengers on a ferry from Bainbridge island - had “No Kings” protests. We wanted to get a sense of what the protests felt like across the state - and how the momentum of crowd participation could spark further action. Guests: KUOW reporter Casey Martin Seattle University assistant professor of law Pilar Margarita Hernández Escontrías Former Spokane city council president Ben Stuckart Related stories: LIVE: Crowds descend on Seattle for ‘No Kings’ protests - KUOW Mysterious notice tells immigrants to check in at Seattle-area federal building. Several get detained - KUOW Tukwila police fire pepper balls on protesters at unusual ICE check-in - Seattle Times More than 30 arrested at immigration protest in Spokane sparked by arrest of 2 immigrants - Spokesman Review 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers in D.C. are still working on President Trump's big beautiful bill. That's the budget reconciliation measure focused on extending his first term tax cuts, boosting defense spending and immigration enforcement and cutting some spending. Should it become law, it's expected to cut into benefits for millions of Americans – specifically, federal food assistance programs. It's expected to slice hundreds of billions from SNAP, or food stamps. Around 10 percent of Washington state's population get SNAP benefits, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Washington State Standard estimates tens of thousands in the state could lose federal food aid if the bill passes. We hear from the executive director of a Seattle food bank about the proposed cuts to SNAP and how they could affect the food bank’s operations and clients. And we get an update on the bill's progress from a D.C.-based reporter. Guests Orion Donovan Smith legislative reporter, Washington, D.C. Bureau, The Spokesman-Review Gloria Hatcher-Mays executive director, Rainier Valley Food Bank 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, I don't know about YOU, but President Trump has big weekend plans: On Saturday, he's going to be enjoying a military parade in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Army, which also happens to fall on his birthday. There are hundreds of protests planned in cities across the country as counter-programming to this parade. They're organized under the umbrella of the "No Kings" theme. That includes here in Washington State, and the No Kings website says 80 protests are planned in places from Anacortes to Walla Walla. The Kitsap Sun has a list of where those are happening on Saturday and how to stay safe at KitsapSun.com But not to worry, there are a TON of other weekend events coming up: LINKS: Black Night Market — Friends of Waterfront Park Brass Screw Consortium - Port Townsend Maple Valley Days - Lake Wilderness Park An Evening with John Cusack & Screening of "High Fidelity" - Tacoma Seattle Flying Dragon Boat Club - South Lake Union Park 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend, the FIFA Club World Cup descends on Seattle.This isn’t the big tournament that pits national teams against each other that’s coming in 2026. Instead, this tournament features club teams from around the world. Spectators in Seattle will be able to see storied squads take the pitch throughout June. For clubs, there is big money at stake but the majority of that money, at least when it comes to Major League Soccer, is set to go to the clubs’ owners. U.S. players, including ones with the Seattle Sounders, won’t see much of it. So players have been speaking out about, what they call, a cash grab. U.S. fans of the beautiful game are now following an ugly contract dispute. Guest: Pablo Mauer, staff writer at the Athletic Relevant Links: The Athletic: Sounders protest MLS’ Club World Cup player payout cap, backed by MLSPA 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is the largest ren faire in the state. It will bring out fairies, pirates, knights in shining armor, and more for five weeks, starting in mid-July, near the Skykomish River outside of Monroe. It has a whole lot of fans including one of our colleagues at KUOW, Vicky VanHout. She says Ren Faires are all about dressing up in medieval garb, dancing to medieval themed music, archery, and axe throwing. A celebration of cosplay and history together! But, not everyone is happy with the state of the faire. They say something’s amiss, and it’s not the pirates hitting the grog too hard or Mistress Tiddlywinks’ donkey breaking into the cabbage patch… The Village of Merriwick, AKA the fictional home of the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire, is at the center of a new investigative report in the summer edition of Seattle Met. The story details a series of allegations about management’s treatment of volunteer staff and questions about their financial priorities, as well as bigger questions about changes that some argue are sacrificing the “soul” of the Faire. We reached out to both Washington Renaissance Arts & Education Society and Wandering in Time Productions for their response to Nathalie’s story. They declined an interview, but they did send us a statement: "Wandering in Time Productions is a Pacific Northwest institution, employing nearly 120 full-time, part-time, and contract staff. Its partnership with the Washington Renaissance Arts & Education Society has WITP providing essential services to help produce a high-quality, immersive event each year. In 2024, WITP assumed responsibility for guild and entertainer payments and transitioned to a more equitable contractor model, reinforcing its commitment to fairness and sustainability. WITP, in partnership with the WRAES, puts its heart and soul into bringing an extraordinary production to life each summer. Putting on a high-quality event that welcomes approximately 10,000 visitors daily takes time, effort and significant financial resources. Like many businesses across Washington, the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire has felt the impact of rising production costs. As a result, we have had to make difficult decisions, including increases to ticket prices and a more selective vendor invitation process to ensure the Faire’s continued success. We have also adopted policies, such as quiet hours, meant to ensure that the greatest number of our guests and participants are as comfortable as possible. WITP is also aware that, in past years, a small number of vendors, staff and entertainers have acted in ways that do not reflect the values of our community. When concerns were brought to our attention, WITP responded quickly and decisively based on available information. WITP remains committed to creating a safe, respectful and welcoming environment for all. WITP and WRAES look forward to welcoming all our guests this summer, especially those who have attended for generations, to create magical and memorable experiences together. Our focus remains on creating a safe, inclusive and memorable experience for the many guests, vendors, entertainers and staff who make the Faire possible each year." GUEST: Nathalie Graham - staff writer at The Stranger and freelancer with Seattle Met RELATED LINK: Fear and Loathing at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump Administration’s efforts to deport more unauthorized immigrants have led to protests in major cities across the United States. Evidence of stepped-up immigration enforcement can also be seen at the U.S.-Canada border. But it’s not always drawing protests or media attention. A family of six at the Blaine border crossing was detained earlier this year. The family, originally from southwestern Africa, was held by Customs and Border Protection in a windowless cell, with a toilet, for more than three weeks – with no news stories and few people aware of their situation. The ACLU is now involved in the case. Guest: Troy Brynelson, reporter for Oregon Public Broadcasting Related Links: ‘Like a jail cell’: Family of six detained at Washington state border facility for more than three weeks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a long time, if you wanted to know what the future looked like for Washington’s climate policies, you just had to look at California. The Golden State put a carbon auction in place in 2012. 10 years later, state lawmakers here set up our own cap and trade system. California passed legally binding emissions goals in 2006. Washington did that about a decade later. And let’s talk car sales: California passed a law that will ban the sale of most gasoline powered vehicles by 2035. Washington passed a similar law a few years ago. But now, California’s law has come under the crosshairs of the federal government and that may hamper both states’ ability to meet ambitious goals to decarbonize. Guest: Conrad Swanson, climate reporter for the Seattle Times Related Links: Seattle Times: Did Congress just revoke WA’s gas car ban? Stateline: Major legal brawl may decide what types of cars Americans can buy Cal Matters: US Senate blocks California’s electric car mandate in historic vote 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.