Soundside

If you’ve ever walked around First Hill in Seattle, you might have noticed the Stimson Green Mansion on the corner of Seneca and Minor Avenue. The house is celebrating its 125th year. It used to be home to some of the most influential and first families of Seattle. Guest: Chris Moore - Executive Director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Abby Armato - Public Programs Specialist of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Related Links: Stimson-Green Mansion - Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Stimson-Green Mansion - History Link Joshua Green - History Link First Hill Park - First Hill Improvement Association See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in 16 years, a new King County Executive gave a state of the county address. Executive Girmay Zahilay was in Federal Way last night to outline the work he has done in his first six months in office and look forward to what he plans to accomplish in the next 3 and a half years of his term. Zahilay spoke about new investments in childcare, homelessness, and mental healthcare, amid the rapidly shifting federal environment over the last year and a half. He also acknowledged the need to build trust after recent troubling audits looking into KCRHA and the county’s Department of Community and Human Services. Guest: King County Executive Girmay Zahilay Relevant Links: Seattle Times: Zahilay wants more King County childcare funding, bus service, housing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's so much to do this weekend, so LET'S GET TO IT: LINKS: Salmon Bay FC vs FC Olympia - Public Radio Night! Brass Screw Consortium Seattle Pride Classic 2026 Pride Ice Skate Lifelong Pride Gala Washington Brewers Fest 2026 Beacon Arts Street Fairs Viking Tour – Poulsbo Rotary Club Furry 5K 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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Note: Microsoft is a financial supporter of KUOW, but we cover them like we do any other company. Guest Catharine Smith, KUOW politics editorRelated Links Seattle data center ban heads to Mayor Wilson's desk - KUOW Transgender ballot initiative could require genital exams for WA secondary school students - KUOW School cellphone ban proposed by WA governor, superintendent - 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 NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re just over six months into Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's tenure, which means the honeymoon period’s in the rear view mirror. Voters have gotten a look at how her administration is handling some of the biggest issues facing the city: How ready is Seattle to host its first World Cup game on Monday? What happened to those 500 shelter beds that were supposed to be added before the games How is the Mayor taking criticism from the business community over some of her progressive messaging? How will Wilson, as a former transit rider organizer, prioritize moving people throughout the city? Guest: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Relevant Links: Seattle Times: Mayor Wilson agrees to turn on stadium-area cameras ahead of World Cup Politico: The World Cup’s biggest policy bet Seattle Times: Seattle mayor pitches sales tax increase to boost bus service 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.

In Washington, many families that have children with disabilities are supposed to have help with care. Actually finding that help, though, can be incredibly difficult. The struggle some families have experienced and the lengths they're going to to try to make it better. 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.

If you’re a TV news viewer in Seattle, there’s a REALLY good chance you know this signoff: “Lori Matsukawa, KING 5 News” Lori spent 36 years as one of KING 5’s most celebrated news anchors, before retiring in 2019. Now, she has written a memoir which takes readers from rural Oahu, to Stanford University, and from the skies above Mt. St. Helens as it erupted to the Imperial Palace of Japan. Lori Matsukawa’s book is titled “Being There: Memoir of an Asian American Journalist.” GUEST: Lori Matsukawa LINK: Being There: Memoir of an Asian American Journalist by Lori Matsukawa 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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest Chase Hutchinson, film critic and journalist Related Links Sound Transit study suggests fare gates at 14 busy stations by 2030 - The Seattle TimesSound Transit Recommends Fare Gates at 14 Stations for Initial Pilot - The Urbanist‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ Boost Movie Theaters to Major Win at May Box Office - The Hollywood ReporterSIFF bringing back 70mm screenings for Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ - 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.

On Saturday night, more than 100 people who live around Aurora Avenue North in Seattle marched to protest gun violence in their neighborhood. It was organized to call attention to the escalating number of shootings neighbors and law enforcement say are related to sex trafficking in the Aurora corridor. In desperation, some neighbors recently took matters into their own hands and put up makeshift street barriers to try to stop people from driving through neighborhoods. The city council has begun working on legislation that would allow the city to close off streets at the discretion of the chief of police. The hope is that this would help curb violence. But on Saturday, neighbors expressed anger that the city isn’t doing more to stop shootings and to help the victims of sex trafficking. So what’s happening on Aurora? And what is being done to fix it? Guests: Alex Voorhees, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for King County. Audrey Baedke, executive director of SAFE in Washington. Amber with Green Light Project. Related links: Seattle officials introduce bill to help residents battle gun violence | The Seattle Times Seattle City Council proposal would use street closures to curb gun violence | KUOW Why Sex Trafficking Persists on Aurora | Seattle Met North Seattle businesses demand action after Aurora Avenue shooting leaves community shaken | KING 5 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.

It’s Thursday, and like we do every week, we like to look ahead at what there is to do over the weekend. And we do that by turning to the biggest nerd in the business, Soundside Producer Jason Burrows... LINKS: Seattle Pride in the Park Paws & Pride Dog Walk Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show NORTHWEST NOIR: NWFF's 2026 Annual Gala DubSea Fish Sticks 2026 Cascade PBS Ideas Festival Kent Nerd Party 2026 Duvall Days 2026 Anacortes Waterfront Festival Point Defiance Flower & Garden Festival The "Sound of Sunshine" Steel Orchestra Concert 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.

For 16 years, Ada’s Technical Books in Capitol Hill was THE place to find eclectic books, grab a coffee and co-work with other folks in the neighborhood, play a game out on the street side tables, or just hang out and read a book. But like a lot of our favorite books, the ending often arrives before you’re ready, and Ada’s story is no different. The bookstore and cafe will be closing at the end of the week, and many Ada’s faithful will MOURN its loss. Ada’s was built to be a place of community that encouraged curiosity and learning. You learn a lot yourself, when you run a business for so long, and Soundside is happy to have the chance to glean wisdom from the co-owner of Ada’s Technical Books. GUEST: Danielle Hulton RELATED LINK: Capitol Hill bookstore Ada’s will close; Fuel coffee chain up for sale 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 is more than five months into a new pilot program that has been using AI to screen requested procedures for people enrolled in Medicare. It’s called the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) program, which incentivizes private companies to deny procedures. Washington lawmakers and medical professionals say the program has led to denials and delays in care for older residents. All of this is covered in a new story from KUOW that looks at the pushback to this pilot program. Guest: Stephen Howie, a senior online editor and reporter at KUOW Related links: Washington seniors face denied, delayed care under AI Medicare review program | KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We won’t have a full explanation for the implosion at a Longview paper processing mill for a while. The disaster left 11 people dead, and released thousands of gallons of white liquor, which is a highly corrosive chemical used to break down wood chips into pulp. The tragedy highlights the risks when people work in close proximity with large quantities of dangerous chemicals. The plant is one of several big industrial facilities in the area. Reporter Kyra Buckley looked into the pulp and paper mill industry and its safety record for Oregon Public Broadcasting. Related LinksLongview mill tragedy highlights dangerous nature of wood product manufacturing - Kyra Buckley, Oregon Public Broadcasting After Explosion, Mourning Mixes With Dread Over a Paper Mill’s Future - Anna Griffin, Aaron West The New York Times WA agencies lacked role inspecting failed chemical tank in Longview mill disaster - Washington State StandardThank 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 NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest: David Kroman, Seattle Times city hall reporter Related stories: Bob Kettle says Mayor Wilson is legally required to turn on CCTV cameras - Seattle Times Mayor Katie Wilson pitches sales tax increase for transit - Seattle Times Giant warehouse planned for Wild Waves property in Federal Way - Federal Way Mirror Car drives onto elevated light rail tracks in Seattle - KING5 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just like many other celebrities, Bill Gates has a stylist. His sweaters, button-downs and glasses are meant to portray someone calm and approachable, current and former employees say. His clothing choices show how carefully he's crafted an image as a global philanthropist, in the decades since co-founding Microsoft. But maintaining Gates’s image has become more difficult, due to persistent inquiries about his relationship with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That relationship is also affecting his major philanthropic efforts with the Seattle-based Gates Foundation.Reporter Emily Glazer investigated the mounting backlash against Bill Gates over revelations in the Epstein files and the ways Gates’s team has tried to manage his image.Guest Emily Glazer, enterprise reporter at The Wall Street Journal Related Links Bill Gates Spent Years Crafting His Image. Now It’s Cracking. - The Wall Street JournalBill Gates Apologizes to Foundation Staff Over Epstein Ties - The Wall Street Journal Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. Tell us where we could improve, or what you've enjoyed at kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dream of light rail to Ballard just took a big hit. The Sound Transit Board voted last week on how to move forward with expanding the system and how to cover a $34 billion dollar budget shortfall over the next two decades. After a marathon voting session, the board moved forward with several major projects. Those include: finishing rail to Everett and Tacoma, building a West Seattle extension, adding a new station at Graham Street, and making a new line between Issaquah and Kirkland (though, the delivery target is now 2050). You may have heard the board did not, however, prioritize getting light rail to Ballard. Instead, under the new plan, the line will stop at Seattle Center. Guest: Seattle City Council Member Dan Strauss Relevant Links: The Urbanist: Sound Transit Board OKs Major ST3 Update, Casting Ballard into Limbo KUOW: Sound Transit board shelves Ballard extension, saves South Seattle stations Seattle Times: Ballard light rail idea rejected while Sound Transit OKs other lines Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you like, what you hate: Tell us your hot takes. kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GuestAngela Poe Russell, a veteran journalist and the playwright behind "Aviatrix." Related LinksSeattle Times: Seattle officials introduce bill to help residents battle gun violence Axios: Seattle's economic engine is starting to sputter Aviatrix | Seattle Public Theater Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The men’s FIFA World Cup starts next week! Seattle will host six games, including one featuring the U.S. team. Soundside has discussed the politics of the World Cup, how these giant events can impact a city, and other weighty FIFA-related topics. You can find all of those conversations below. But we haven't talked about the actual game yet. Who’s playing, who’s expected to do well and could our own US team actually pull out a better-than-expected this year? Guest Leander Schaerlaecken, author, The Long Game - U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts. Related Links As the World Cup arrives in Seattle, so do the contradictions - SoundsideIs it worth it to host the World Cup? It depends. - Soundside How Good Is This World Cup Squad, Really? - The New Yorker Leander Schaerlaecken's columns for The Guardian Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you like, what you hate: Tell us your hot takes. kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This case was seen as a test case for harsher enforcement by the Trump administration against protestors, and now there’s a verdict. Three anti-ICE protestors have been found guilty of federal conspiracy charges. The case had to do with a demonstration outside of the Spokane ICE office last June. The protest was part of a wave of anti-immigration actions that popped up across the country. The day after the protest in Spokane, the Trump Administration started cracking down on immigration protests by instructing prosecutors to charge non-violent demonstrators with conspiracy. So what happens now to these convicted protestors? And what does this mean for future political marches or demonstrations? Guest: Erin Sellers, reporter with RANGE Media, a media organization that covers the Inland Northwest. Related Links: Jury finds Spokane 3 protesters guilty of federal conspiracy charges - Range Media Inside the federal trial of 3 Spokane anti-ICE protesters - KUOW Conspiracy Trial Will Test Trump’s Aggressive Tactics Against Protesters - New York Times Six of the Spokane 9 accept plea deals - Range Media Prosecutors told to prioritize, publicize cases tied to Trump immigration protests - Reuters Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotesSoundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you think of when you see Mount Rainier? Some of us think, "Oh wow, I can see Mount Rainier. Must be really clear out today. Pretty." Some people, though, look at its snow-capped peaks and see a challenge, a life goal -- something they may climb one day, braving cold and oxygen deprivation. To able to say they've done it. And then there is Simon Kearns, who looks at Mount Rainier as something to absolutely dominate. That's what he did in early May, when he set a new speed record for climbing Washington state’s tallest peak on foot. He traveled the nearly 9,000 vertical feet to the summit and back in three hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds. Kearns joined Soundside to talk about what it was like shattering the previous record by more than half an hour. Guest: Simon Kearns, a mountain guide at RMI Expeditions. Related links: Mount Rainier climber sets new speed record | The Seattle Times Simon Kearns Smashes Mount Rainier FKT by Over 30 Minutes | Outside Magazine Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As many as 11 people are dead in Longview, Washington after a chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Plant earlier this week. Officials also confirmed yesterday that the Columbia River is contaminated due to the disaster. Washington’s governor is calling this the deadliest industrial tragedy in the state’s modern history. Guest: Erik Neumann, the Southwest WA Bureau Chief for Oregon Public Broadcasting Related Links: Longview paper mill disaster could be ‘deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history,’ governor says - OPB Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotesSoundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the FINAL Thursday in May, meaning that we’re just mere MOMENTS away from the BEST WEEKEND OF YOUR LIFE, so far, this week. Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with more stuff than we can fit in a normal Weekend Warmup: LINKS: Bark! The Musical HONK! Fest West Mason County Forest Festival Glazer's PhotoFest Battle on the Bank Sally Ride: A New Opera About Queer Love and the First American Woman in Space Pollinator Fest 2026 Run to End Weekend Hunger 5K THE STUFF WE DIDN'T GET TO: Brandi Carlile - Echoes Through the Canyon 14th Annual Seattle Asian American Film Festival Trae Crowder at Emerald City Comedy Club Seattle Mariners vs Arizona D-Backs Stamp & Scrapbook EXPO Seattle Spring - Renegade Craft 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.

It’s a drug you see doctors on “The Pitt” give patients in the ER for pain relief or sedation. It’s also what cast members on the reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” take to connect with their spouses. And it's what some Americans use to treat their depression. Ketamine has gotten negative press in the past few years, like in 2023, when “Friends” co-star Matthew Perry died from “the acute effects of ketamine.” We sat down with a doctor to learn more about this substance that’s showing up more and more in popular culture …and in Seattle, which is home to several ketamine clinics. This is part of our recurring “Ask a Doctor” segment, where we ask medical professionals to help us understand health news and trends. Guest: Dr. Nathan Sackett, an assistant professor in the University of Washington School of Medicine and addiction psychiatrist Related links: She Hoped Ketamine Would Rewire Her Brain. She Didn’t Live to See It Work. | WSJ Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry As ketamine clinics emerge in Seattle to treat mental illness, so does debate about safety and regulations | The Seattle Times Ketamine Use on the Rise in U.S. Adults; New Trends Emerge | UC San Diego Today Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Spokane, an ongoing federal trial is raising questions about the Trump administration’s legal strategy regarding political protesters. Three people are charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers during an anti-ICE protest last June. They were part of a demonstration that was trying to stop ICE agents from moving two Venezuelan immigrants from the ICE office in Spokane to the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center. If convicted, each of the three could face up to six years in federal prison. It’s a test case for the use of conspiracy charges against protestors. The Trump administration has used the tactic several times recently in prosecutions of anti-ICE protestors. Guest Erin Sellers, reporter at RANGE Media, a media organization covering the Inland NorthwestRelated Links All of RANGE Media's trial coverage - Erin Sellers, Conspiracy Trial Will Test Trump’s Aggressive Tactics Against Protesters - Anna Griffin, The New York TimesRight now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. Fill out our survey! We want to know what you want to hear, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. 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 whole thing started because Sedro-Woolley high school teacher LinseyKitchens saw the people in her life struggle with the Internet. Specifically, she sawthem struggle with what to believe and how to engage their critical thinking skills. Whether that was a teenager in her classroom, convinced that if they bought aprotein powder from their favorite influencer, it would make them stronger andmore popular. Or the senior citizens in her life, who went down rabbit holes ofconspiracy theories online. Or fell for online scams. So Kitchens became obsessed with teaching media literacy to people of all ages.She even won a fellowship at the University of Washington’s Center for anInformed Public where she studied how teachers can incorporate media literacyinto their classrooms. This past spring, she created a day-long event where teens and seniors could spendthe day together, at what you might call a “giant skills swap.” The teenagers gavepresentations about how AI scrapes information from reliable and unreliablesources.While the seniors gave presentations about animal rescue and how to fix aflat tire. But the event almost didn’t happen, because one of those groups was scared toengage with the other group. SoundSide’s Kyle Norris was at the event, called “Ageless Intelligence,” and hasthis story. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotesSoundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The organization charged with managing the regional response to homelessness is facing an existential crisis. Some local elected leaders have called for the dissolution of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority after a damning forensic audit from consulting firm Clark Nuber released last month.The audit reported the agency has lost track of at least $8 million dollars, incurred $4 million of questionable administrative costs, and at one point operated with a negative cashflow of $44 million dollars.The review found the $200 million dollar agency, which started operations in 2021, didn’t have the necessary oversight, accounting practices or internal financial controls to handle large amounts of public money appropriately. King County and the City of Seattle fund the bulk of KCRHA. Now, the city and county are at a decision point: reform the agency or shut it down. And that decision is likely to come this summer. KCRHA released a corrective action plan on Friday that outlines steps the agency will take over the next 60 days in response to the audit. Guest: Kelly Kinnison, CEO of King County Regional Homelessness Authority Relevant Links: KUOW: King County homelessness agency board votes to tighten purse strings following damning audit AXIOS: Seattle-area homelessness agency at risk after audit KCRHA Corrective Action Plan 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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest Todd Bishop, editor and co-founder of Geekwire Related stories Meta cuts nearly 1,400 jobs in Seattle area, 20% of local workforce, in sweeping AI revamp - Geekwire Pope Leo Warns of Risks From A.I. in 42,300-Word Encyclical - NYT SpaceX is churning out 70 Starlink satellites a week in Redmond, and other tidbits from its IPO filing - Geekwire A viral video says booking a flight at a library is cheaper. We investigated. - Washington Post 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.

Ultra-processed foods are everywhere. But we aren’t supposed to eat them. At least, that’s the current discourse around these foods, which can include soda, instant oatmeal and sliced bread. Research has found that diets high in ultra-processed foods are linked to diabetes, obesity, heart disease and many cancers. That's a hard pill to swallow, considering that roughly 70% of our grocery store products are ultra-processed, according to the Yale School of Public Health. So we want a little more clarity on what these foods are, how they could impact us and if it’s really so bad to snack on a granola bar (or order the occasional hot dog at a baseball game). Guest: Dr. Neelendu Dey, a gastroenterologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and associate professor of gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Related links: Ultra-Processed Foods Information Sheet | Yale School of Public Health Ultra-processed food: Five things to know | Stanford Medicine News Center What Are Ultra-Processed Foods? | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health 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.

What a week, right? But hey… We’ve got a long weekend ahead of us, and since Memorial Day is the unofficial start of Summer, it’s exciting to see that there’s… rain in the forecast for Monday. Well, either way - rain or shine, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with a ton of fun stuff to do this weekend! LINKS: Inaugural Ballard Book Crawl Lost the Plot Mobile Books Bremerton by the Book Page 42 Bookstore Smut & Sips Book Recommendations thanks to @beckybooksandbeads! Trailhead Direct - Begins Saturday! Whidbey Ren Faire Festival | Northwest Folklife 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.

Black women face higher rates of uterine fibroids compared to white women. They’re less likely to get accurate diagnoses for endometriosis. And they’re twice as likely to die from uterine cancer than white women. Dr. Kemi Doll considers these disparities part of the evidence for a broader health crisis in gynecological care for Black women. Why hasn’t the medical community done more to address these problems? And how can patients and practitioners navigate a system that consistently overlooks Black women? Doll's new book, "A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing,” works to answer those questions. Guest: Dr. Kemi Doll, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington and the author of "A Terrible Strength." Related links: A Terrible Strength by Kemi Doll | Penguin Random House Spotlighting a common female cancer, and a health disparity - UW Medicine Newsroom Why Black women are at greater risk for fibroids and endometrial cancer | Scientific American Understanding the gynecological health crisis facing Black women | Science Friday 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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GuestJim Brunner, political reporter for The Seattle TimesRelated LinksDuffy Defends Road Trip Reality Show In Tense Senate HearingFoes of WA high-earners income tax launch repeal initiative Meet the Seattle woman behind a national effort to end same-sex marriageSeahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba gets his trophy — but for wrong award 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.

Sports superfans may seem to have been born bleeding their teams’ colors, but really, they’re created. It happens around formative events: a buzzer-beating come-from-behind win, a once-in-a-generation athlete or a championship season. This year probably saw a few Seattle uberfans get converted during the Seahawks’ dominating Superbowl performance. Tonight, some more sports fanatics may be formed. Game 4 of the Professional Women’s Hockey League finals begins in a few hours, and new champions could be crowned. Sadly, Seattle’s PWHL team, the Torrent, is not among those vying for the title. But the team still managed to capture its own share of superfans during their inaugural season. One of those is our producer Jason Burrows. If you’ve noticed that we mentioned the Torrent a lot this year, it’s because of him. We decided to let him have one more go, talking about his new favorite team. We were more than a little surprised to learn how far he has fallen. RELATED LINKS: Seattle Torrent | Home | PWHL Season Ticket Memberships | Seattle Torrent Seattle Torrent • Instagram Gloves Off Seattle | Instagram 365 HOCKEY GIRL | Instagram 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.

Tacoma author Tamiko Nimura's father died when she was just 10 years old. Among the things he left behind was an unpublished manuscript about his family’s incarceration at the Tule Lake camp for Japanese Americans. Nimura ultimately made a pilgrimage to Tule Lake in 2014, to see where her father was forced to spend part of his childhood. She used her father's manuscript and her own experience to write a new book called “A Place for What We Lose: A Daughter’s Return to Tule Lake,” which is out now. GuestTamiko Nimura, author, “A Place for What We Lose: A Daughter’s Return to Tule Lake”Related LinksExploring Tamiko Nimura’s New Book “A Place For What We Lose” - DenshoNimura's event in Seattle on June 6th 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.

In April 2024, the Everett School District launched a third-party investigation into a teacher at Henry M. Jackson High School over allegations of an inappropriate physical relationship with a student. Later that year, the teacher resigned. Not long after, he voluntarily gave up his K-12 teaching license. That decision stopped further investigation and the gears of oversight meant to provide transparency about problem teachers. And the teacher soon got a faculty job at a nearby community college. Guests Moe Clark, investigative reporter for InvestigateWest Eliza Aronson, investigative reporter for The Daily Herald in Everett Related links InvestigateWest: An Everett teacher resigned over a relationship with a student. Shoreline Community College hired him months later. 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.

From high ticket prices to questions about how the games are used by authoritarian leaders to bolster nationalism, the World Cup coming to town raises questions about the organization running the event. FIFA has also been dogged by scandal over host country selection and TV marketing rights. But, it's the World Cup – probably the biggest sporting event of all – and one that is so fun to watch. So how do we relate to a game that is both beautiful and run by an entity as complicated as FIFA? Guest: Jules Boykoff, professor of Political Science at Pacific University and the author of the forthcoming book Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing and the FIFA Greed Machine Relevant Links: Red Card: An excerpt from Jules Boykoff's new book on the 2026 FIFA World Cup Jules Boykoff’s ‘Kicking’ Is Clear-Eyed And Warm-Hearted ‘Green card for the planet’? Fifa’s World Cup is on pace to be a climate catastrophe 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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest: Melissa Santos - Axios Related Links: UW student Juniper Blessing, 19, remembered as ‘full of life’ Seattle weighs pause on large data centers An AI hate wave is here Five large data centers eyed for Seattle His daughter called him crying, and then another voice got on the phone. Only one of them was real 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.

Ben Shuldiner just hit 100 days in his role as the superintendent of Seattle Public Schools.... and he’s had to tackle some pretty big issues in that short window. Like a budget deficit, which could be as much as $100 million. And student safety, after two Rainier Beach High School students were shot and killed at a bus stop in January. And screen time in the classrooms (Shuldiner recently implemented a new cell phone policy limiting student screen time during the school day) Shuldiner sat down for a live interview to answer a whole bunch of questions from us here on Soundside and from our listeners. Guest: Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner Related links: Can new superintendent Shuldiner the burden of Seattle Public Schools? | KUOW 100 days for Seattle’s new superintendent. How is he doing? | The Seattle Times Seattle’s new superintendent takes aim at administrative bloat | The Seattle Times Why U.S. Test Scores Are in a ‘Generation-Long Decline’ | The New York 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.

It might not be the prettiest weekend, but there ARE a lot of things to do! Go enjoy your weekend! LINKS: Seattle International Film Festival GeekCraft Expo Viking Fest Seattle Pierogi Fest 2026 – Polish Home Association The Seattle Super Saunter U District Street Fair Mariners vs San Diego Padres Reign vs NJ/NY Gotham FC Sounders vs LA Galaxy Storm AWAY vs Indiana Fever 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.

If you’re planning to head across the border to Canada for a weekend trip this summer, you've got to pack the essentials. Keys, wallet and of course your phone. But you may want to also consider something new – who might want to take a look at that phone as you cross the border. Last fiscal year, Customs and Border Protection reported a 16% increase in searches of digital devices compared to 2024. Should you expect your phone to be searched at the border? And what steps can you take to protect your data? In February, Soundside broadcast a conversation with New York Times reporter Gabe Castro-Root and talked about some of those questions. GUEST: Gabe Castro-Root, New York Times RELATED LINKS: Phone Searches at the Border Are Up: How to Protect Your Privacy Traveling to the U.S. Under Trump: Visas, Border Control and What to Know Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry 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.

Spring is here which means a malignant force is around us, stalking our parks, beaches and grassy medians. I’m talking about the Canada Goose. You turn a corner and you see two geese and small goslings. They hiss, they honk, they’re aggressive, their poop closes Lake Washington swim spots and, I hate to implicate you, but they are here because of us. Western Washington wasn’t home to abundant year round Canada Geese until the mid to late 20th century. Humans purposefully moved them here in an operation dubbed “Mother Goose.” Guest: David B. Williams, author and historian of books like Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature and the newsletter The Streetsmart Naturalist Relevant Links: History Link: Operation Mother Goose begins to distribute Canada geese across the state starting on April 11, 1968 The Street Smart Naturalist: Operation Mother Goose 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.

In 2019, Washington became the first state in the country to legalize human composting as an alternative to burial and cremation. That same year, entrepreneur Micah Truman founded Return Home, a funeral home that built the world’s first large-scale human composting facility in Auburn, Washington. A new documentary tells the story of how Truman, who set out to disrupt the funeral industry for profit, discovered meaning in this new vision for death care. Guest(s) JJ Gerber, director of "The Life We Leave" 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, we spoke with KUOW reporter Anna Boyro Weyrauch about the social media maelstrom that has taken over Seattle. I am talking about the drama between the Laurelhurst neighborhood and Seattle Children’s Hospital over helicopter landings. When we talked about this yesterday – we were curious to hear how the whole saga had unfolded from the perspective of someone living in Laurelhurst. Did the average resident even know about this policy? How did they feel being at the center of the online firestorm?Well, I asked for feedback and you delivered. Relevant Links: KUOW: How online scrutiny is changing Seattle Children's and Laurelhurst's helipad policy 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.