Soundside

When you buy a fruit, a vegetable, a carton of almond milk - you might assume it’s an animal free product. But all of those foods, and many more, rely on one small but mighty member of the animal kingdom: the bee. Bees – especially honeybees – are an important part of any working farm. They pollinate everything from papayas to cucumbers to coffee beans. Like cows, pigs, or chickens, these little buzzy workers are considered livestock: cared for and managed by farmers and beekeepers so that you can have food on your plate. But, unlike other livestock, there is one thing farmers haven’t been able to do for their bees: provide nutritious, human-made feed when flowers aren’t blooming. Until now. Last month scientists unveiled a new food source designed for livestock bee colonies. They say it could help bee survival rates across the world. Guest: Brandon Hopkins is the P.F. Thurber Endowed Distinguished Professor of Pollinator Ecology at Washington State University, and ran the trials for this new food. He also co-authored a study on the food source Related stories: New pollen-replacing food for honey bees brings new hope for survival - WSU Insider A nutritionally complete pollen-replacing diet protects honeybee colonies during stressful commercial pollination—requirement for isofucosterol - The Royal Society 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.

GAMERS REJOICE - The day that Mario, Pokémon, & Zelda fans have been looking forward to is right around the corner: The Switch 2 from Nintendo is out on THURSDAY, June 5th!! The second generation of Nintendo’s flagship console has been highly anticipated for years, but the launch announcement was NOT without controversy. Nintendo announced the new console back in January, but it wasn’t until last month that details came out about games, pricing, and licensing. It was revealed that instead of buying the GAMES THEMSELVES at your friendly local game store, the cartridge you buy is merely a KEY to download the game from Nintendo’s digital storefront, which caused quite the stir among the Nintendo faithful… We reached out to Nintendo of America last week to get their response to the question about “right to repair” in WA State, and we’ll update this story as soon as they respond. GUEST: Ryan DiVittorio - Writer at CBR.com RELATED LINK: It's the End of an Era for Game Ownership and Physical Media 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 day 65-year-old Julie Leon died was the hottest day ever recorded in Washington State history. Her death was officially ruled as hyperthermia, or overheating. Officially, more than 100 people died in the state due to that extreme 2021 heat wave, but many experts believe the number of deaths exceeds 400. Last week, Julie’s daughter, Misti Leon, filed a lawsuit, pointing the finger at who she thinks is responsible: big oil. The lawsuit claims that oil and gas companies have been knowingly misleading the public for more than 50 years about the effects of fossil fuels on the climate. It says this deception has made them trillions of dollars, while leading to the deaths of people like Julie Leon. Guest: Korey Silverman-Roati, a Senior Fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School Related Links: Oil companies face a wrongful death suit tied to climate change Leon v. Exxon Complaint PDF Oil Companies Are Sued Over Death of Woman in 2021 Heat Wave 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 isn't officially summer, but it sure does feel like it in the Pacific Northwest. The sun is out and maybe you're planning on laying out by the water this weekend. But what to listen to as the warm season nears? Well, we have something that might help you. We rounded up a panel of local music experts to give you some fresh recommendations for songs to check out. Michael Reitmulder: Deep Sea Diver, Billboard Heart Sea Lemon, Diving for a Prize Bunnie on the Board: Sailorr, Soft Girl Summer Envi Jordan, "Tonight" Shaboozey, "Horses & Hellcatts" Cameron Lavi Jones OBGMS, "Get Up" Orgone, "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" ft. Cyril Neville Liv Victorino, "Neighborhood" 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. Guests: Bunnie on the Board - live and studio audio engineer and Seattle Music Commissioner Michael Reitmulder - Seattle Times music writer Cameron Lavi Jones, lead singer and guitarist of Seattle band King Young Blood and co-creator of the Black and Loud music festival See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know who we haven't discussed on this show in a while? The Boeing company. They're the 2nd biggest private employer in this state. It’s good we haven't talked about ’em because when we do, it's usually bad news.The fatal crashes a few years ago, the door panel blowing out last year, the machinist strike. The US Senate held a whistleblower hearing and the title was “Examining Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts.” - Not a great sign. So how is Boeing doing now? Well, the stock price is up 20% this year, Qatar Airlines is buying 210 new jets, and Boeing might not face criminal charges after all for those fatal crashes - something the victims’ families are angry about. Let’s catch up on Boeing... GUESTS: Lauren Rosenblatt, Seattle Times business reporter covering Boeing Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory RELATED LINKS: Federal prosecutors confirm they may drop Boeing criminal charge MAX crash families say DOJ is handing Boeing ‘get out of jail free’ card Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems furloughs workers on 737 program Boeing nears Spirit AeroSystems takeover after move by Airbus Boeing is nearly back on its feet — just in time for Trump trade war hit Boeing sets new values after ‘brutal’ employee 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.

It has been a short week for most of us, thanks to Memorial Day. Here we already approaching another weekend, nd with ALMOST everything you need to know to keep yourself busy, we've got Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows!! LINKS: Mariners - Nationals on Thurs, Minnesota Twins on Fri/Sat/Sun Sounders - Minnesota United FC on Sunday Storm - Fri vs Atlanta/Sun vs Las Vegas Salmon Bay FC - FRI vs Tacoma Rat City Roller Derby - Home Team Championships Saturday Two Dykes and a Mic - Fri/Sat Mason County Forest Festival - Fri/Sat/Sun in Shelton, WA HONK! Fest West Bite of Greece Seattle Stamp & Scrapbook EXPO - Puyallup Paws & Pride Dog Walk - Bellevue Downtown 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.

The Trump Administration’s health policies are upending years of advice about COVID vaccines. Since they’ve been available, experts have recommended the shot to almost everyone. The vaccines are safe and they work. But now federal agencies are taking a much narrower approach. Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. just announced the vaccines won't be recommended for children or healthy pregnant people. And the FDA plans to approve booster shots only for older adults and people with extra risk factors. We talk more about all of that with an expert on COVID-19, Dr. Helen Chu. Chu doesn't agree with the recommendations. "I think the reason why we have COVID vaccines for young children and for pregnant persons is because they know we know that they work, that they're safe, they're effective," Chu says. "These are populations that are at high risk for severe disease." Guest Dr. Helen Chu, professor of medicine at the University of Washington. She’s run several landmark studies of how COVID spreads. 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.

Federal funding for research from the National Science Foundation is being awarded at the slowest rate in 35 years, according to an investigation from the New York Times. Since the start of Trump’s second term, cuts to National Institutes of Health and NSF grants have totaled more than 1.5 billion, according to the research publication Science. Republicans have justified these cuts by claiming the administration is rooting out wasteful spending, or left-wing ideology run amok. And these attacks, along with threats of funding freezes for universities, have reportedly created a culture of fear for researchers. It’s left scientists wondering: do I speak up about what’s happening? Or do I stay quiet, in hopes my funding might be restored? One Seattle researcher with a lot of experience in political communication and information systems is saying: speak up. Guest: Kate Starbird is the co-founder of the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public. She’s also a professor at the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE). Related stories: Trump’s ‘fear factor’: Scientists go silent as funding cuts escalate - Science Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades - NYT To understand right-wing media’s power, study improv and theater of influencers - 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.

Jason Megatron Burrows is out this week, so Shane NoCoolNickname Mehling rattles through some of the best things to do this Memorial weekend. Northwest Folk Life Seattle Black Nerd Fest Second Breakfast - Hobbit Feast and Painting Party! Charcuterie Board Workshop Kevin Diers Benefit 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.

When you ride a Metro bus that Nathan Vass is driving, you might notice a few things. It starts with when you get on the bus: he makes a point of saying hello to every passenger who climbs aboard. Once you grab a seat, you’ll see he’s also on the intercom, announcing every single stop. When he isn’t orienting riders, he’s chatty and talks with people sitting at the front of the bus. And when you step off the bus he says goodbye. What you may not notice is that Nathan is noticing everything happening around him: the conversations he’s having and the regulars who show up every day. He often writes about his interactions and those stories are compiled in a new book called “Deciding to See: The View from Nathan’s Bus.” The book is a collection of dozens of narratives of daily interactions across the city, touching on loss, joy, and connection on a King County Metro bus. 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. Guest: Nathan Vass, author of Deciding to See: The View from Nathan's Bus Relevant Links: Seattle Times: Nathan Vass brings readers onto his bus in new book ‘Deciding to See’ KUOW: This Seattle bus driver decided to be extra nice to his passengers. Here's how it wentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States spends 30 billion dollars on foster care each year. Yet, according to author Claudia Rowe, the results have too often been damaging for the children in that system. The award-winning journalist claims our child welfare system is dangerously dysfunctional: by disconnecting kids from their biological families and extended networks, she says, foster care severs attachments that are important for healthy brain development. Her new book, Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care, is a deep dive into what she says is a pipeline from foster care to crime, drug addiction, homelessness and prison. Guest: Claudia Rowe Related Links: ‘Wards of the State’ is a devastating look at the foster care system 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.

Recent ICE enforcement activity has made headlines across the region. This week, federal immigration agents arrested 17 people at a manufacturer in Kent. And The Seattle Times reports ICE officers appeared to arrest at least 3 people at a Seattle immigration court. But if you're stopped by ICE, everyone is entitled to certain rights and protections by law, no matter what your legal status is. In case you could use help knowing what those rights are, we speak to one Seattle immigration attorney about your rights if ICE shows up at your door, what not to do if you're pulled over by ICE, bystander rights and more. Guest Henry Hwang, one of the directing attorneys for Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Related Links NPR: What basic rights do people have if ICE stops them? A lawyer explains WBUR and NPR: 'Never seen anything like this': An immigration attorney on the arrest of a Tufts student The Seattle Times: Here’s what advocates are telling WA immigrants about ICE raids 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.

Governor Ferguson was kind of a wild card as legislators worked on shoring up a $16 billion budget gap this year. The Democratic governor had been unusually friendly to Republicans and signaled he was open to their ideas for how to fill the deficit. Meanwhile, Democrats in the state house and senate have publicly insisted that they have a good relationship with the governor, even as he shot down some of their proposals to generate revenue, like a new wealth tax. The weeks of wondering whether the Governor would make major changes to the Democrat-passed general fund and transportation budget are finally over. Yesterday afternoon, the Governor gave his approval to nearly all of the budget proposals. 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. Guest: Paul Queary, editor and publisher of The Washington Observer Relevant Links: The Washington Observer: Ferguson tacks left and embraces the Legislature KUOW: Gov. Ferguson signs new WA budget into law, leaving bulk of tax increases intactSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several law enforcement agencies across the country have decided to replace a popular model of pistol due to concerns about misfires – the guns have been reported to fire accidentally, even when in their holsters. Washington’s police academy earlier this year banned the firearm at all its training facilities. It’s a move that’s drawn protest from several local police departments. In some cases, when agencies choose to replace the guns, they aren’t being sent to a landfill, or a recycling center. Instead, they’re being sold to dealers, who may put them back in circulation to the public. That’s the latest from a new report from Mother Jones and The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence in America. Guest: Ava Sasani is the assistant editor of The Data Hub - an initiative by The Trace, the only newsroom dedicated to reporting on gun violence. She’s also the co-author of the story “A Gun Deemed Too Dangerous for Cops, but Fine for Civilians” - created in partnership with Mother Jones. Related Stories: A Gun Deemed Too Dangerous for Cops, but Fine for Civilians - Mother Jones One of America’s Favorite Handguns Is Allegedly Firing On Its Owners - The Trace WA police departments oppose academy's 'outrageous' ban on Sig Sauer P320 handguns - 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 Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In one of the most deadly local climbing accidents in recent memory, four men fell roughly 400 feet while climbing in the Northern Cascades on May 10th. One man survived, Anton Tselykh. The tragedy has caused grief – and prompted questions – in the local climbing community. And while some of the accident’s details are still unclear, it made us wonder about the impact of a loss like this on the climbing community, rock climbing safety, and what climbers should know about the North Cascades. Guest James Pierson, director of operations for the American Alpine Institute 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.

Signs of the frosty relationship between the United States and Canada are everywhere: from additional checkpoints at border crossings, to fewer Blue Jays fans showing up to T-Mobile Park to see their team play here recently. Rhetoric from the President about making Canada the 51st state and tariffs have put a wedge between the two countries. And the effects of this split are spiraling to how we manage natural resources that cross the border. The Columbia river system - which touches British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana - is a major water and power source for the US. For 61 years, the two countries have worked closely to control floods and manage hydropower on the river. When President Trump came back into office in January, Canadian and American officials were weeks away from updating the Columbia River Treaty. But now, discussions have ground to a halt. Guest: Karen Weise, technology correspondent with the New York Times Related stories: A Crucial River Treaty Is Tangled in Trump’s Feud With Canada - New York Times Updates are coming to this 60-year-old treaty guiding the Columbia River - 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.

If you’ve logged into TikTok or Instagram in recent weeks, you may have heard that the port is empty. Social media videos have been popping up claiming that Seattle’s port has no cargo ships docked. And Seattlites are pointing the finger at the continuous threat of new tariffs. But is that actually the case? KUOW labor and economy reporter Monica Nickelsburg headed to the port to find out in the newest episode of KUOW's Booming podcast. Guest: Monica Nickesburg is KUOW’s labor and economy reporter. She’s also the co-host of Booming, KUOW’s economics podcast. Related stories: Whiplash at the Port of Seattle - KUOW Weekly NWSA Volumes & Metrics Report - Northwest Seaport Alliance 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 federal cuts have put billions of dollars for scientific research and thousands of research jobs at risk. They could also be imperiling laboratory animals. Scientists around the country are concerned that funding cuts could mean prematurely ending research involving mice, dogs, nonhuman primates, and more. Like many others, the University of Washington is a research institution that relies on animal subjects for its studies. If these studies are unable to continue, scientists will have to consider euthanizing these animals. That could mean setbacks to all sorts of health-related experiments, including ones related to cancer and Alzheimer’s. Guest Sally Thompson-Iritani assistant vice provost for Animal Care, Outreach and Three Rs (reduction, refinement and replacement) in the Office of Research at the University of Washington Related Links The New York Times: Lab Animals Face Being Euthanized as Trump Cuts Research The Washington Post: Trump’s deep cuts to health research put lab animals at risk, scientists say 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 looking for exciting things to do this weekend, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with MOST of the stuff you can get up to. Okay, SOME of the stuff you can get up to. Also, one quick correction: Jason erroneously said University AVE instead of University WAY when talking about the U-District Street Fair - it's here in the U-District, NOT in Downtown Seattle. LINKS: POW! Screening at the Tulalip Reservation Seattle International Film Festival!! Meet Me Here SIFF Episode! Never Turn Back Exhibit Opening Party: Soul Train Revival Smash Putt - FINAL WEEKEND Rig-a-palooza 2025 Dozer Days Amazing Bubble Man POP Cats Seattle 2025 U District Street Fair Viking Fest - Poulsbo, WA The Seattle Super Saunter Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the 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.

It’s a story we can all relate to… Three generations in a car, headed to a family event. The parents are excited; their kid is not. And Grandma? She’s asleep in her wheelchair. In the short animated film “POW!”, this particular family is Native American, and they’re headed to a powwow, where Jake desperately searches for an outlet to charge his gaming device… as his parents try to get him to participate in the festivities… “POW!” is a funny, touching slice of life for young Native Americans. It will be screened both this weekend at the Tulalip Reservation, and next week at SIFF as part of the “Family Picture Show!” GUEST: Filmmaker Joey Clift - Comedian, Emmy and Peabody nominated TV writer, director, as well as an enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. RELATED LINKS: POW! Trailer Tulalip Reservation Screening SIFF "Family Picture 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.

Over the last 10 years Washington has passed a bevy of climate laws aimed at reducing the state’s carbon emissions. That includes a carbon auction, a ban on coal in the state’s energy mix, and a requirement that the state reach net zero emissions by 2045. But during that same period, energy production from renewable sources has actually declined slightly. Oregon has set its sights on net zero emissions by 2050. It, too, has seen sluggish growth in renewable energy. Both states rely on the Bonneville Power Administration to move energy across the state. A new investigation from Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network, found that the Bonneville Power Administration's aging grid may be stymieing decarbonization efforts in the Northwest. 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. Guests: Monica Samayoa, climate reporter at OPB Tony Shick, investigative editor and reporter at OPB Links: How the Pacific Northwest’s dream of green energy fell apartSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has brought us a little closer to answering a key question about consciousness: How does the brain create the experience of self-awareness? The problem was first posed by Aristotle, over 2000 years ago. KUOW editor and longtime science journalist Gabriel Spitzer tells us more about that research and the Seattle scientist at the center of it. 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.

Founded in 1890 in the Central District, Bartell Drugs may be entering its final days. Its parent company, the national pharmacy chain Rite Aid, exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy late last year, but continues to struggle financially. Now, the fewer than 30 Bartell Drugs and around 100 Rite Aids will be sold or closed forever. This continued hemorrhaging of retail pharmacy stores will likely be felt most acutely in lower-income neighborhoods. A 2022 UW study already put the number of Washingtonians with low-access to pharmacies at 1.2 million. Guests: Alex Halverson, Seattle Times business reporter Dr. Dima Qato, professor at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy. Links: Why the new Rite Aid bankruptcy could kill Seattle’s Bartell Drugs Filling a prescription in the Seattle area? Put on comfortable shoes and be ready to wait Reforming Markets to Strengthen Independent Pharmacies 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’s youth prisons are facing a crisis of overcrowding. The state’s two medium and maximum security youth prisons – Green Hill School in Chehalis, and Echo Glenn Children’s Center in Snoqualmie – have both consistently met or surpassed their maximum capacity for residents in recent years. When the 2025 Washington legislative session began, lawmakers had lots of potential solutions. From custody transfers, to increased diversion programs, to early release petitions - lawmakers brought a bevy of bills attempting to fix overcrowding at youth detention centers. But now, with the session at an end… some of those key bills have not passed. What happened, and where does it leave Washington’s youth detention centers? Guests: Jake Goldstein-Street, reporter with the Washington State Standard Dr. Eric Trupin, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington Medical School. He’s also a child psychologist who has worked with incarcerated youth for decades Related stories: No fixes on horizon for crowding crisis in WA’s youth prisons - Washington State Standard Washington lawmakers confront juvenile detention overcrowding crisis - Washington State Standard 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 May 2nd, Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law a new requirement that clergy of all faiths become mandatory reporters of child abuse. It’s a move that’s especially controversial for the Catholic Church because of the sacrament of confession. Up until now, admitting to crimes during confession, in a private conversation with a priest, retained similar legal protections as attorney-client privilege. In a statement criticizing the new law, Seattle Archbishop Paul Etienne said the law violates the “seal of confession," and any priest who reports information received in confession “will be excommunicated from the Church.” Guest: Dr. Russell Powell, the Father John Topel Endowed Scholar for Catholic Thought and Justice at the Seattle University School of Law. Links: Abuse survivors defend WA law that feds slam as ‘anti-Catholic’ Federal Courts: First Amendment and Religion ‘Excommunicated’: WA Archdiocese pushes back against mandatory reporting law, DOJ investigating 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.

Are men okay? It’s a question sometimes asked in jest, but recent data has caused some experts to worry about American men and boys. Men are going to and graduating from four year colleges at lower rates than women. Men age 25-54 are participating in the workforce at a lower rate than ever before. And, data from 2023 suggests young men are spending significantly more time alone than they did in 2019. And this concern comes as influencers like the Tate brothers and Joe Rogan keep taking up space in the manosphere – a network of podcasters and influencers pushing a version of masculinity that many people consider toxic. So how do you navigate healthy masculinity, and raising young men, in 2025? We talk with our expert panel about how to raise boys in 2025. Guests: Don Cameron, executive director of Seattle CARES Mentoring Movement Jerad Koepp, Native student program specialist for North Thurston Public Schools, 2022’s Washington Teacher of the Year Keren Landman, independent reporter, former health reporter for Vox Related Links: Mentor sign up form for Seattle CARES, the next mentor trainings take place on May 31st and August 27th How to talk to boys so they grow into better men, a Vox article by reporter Keren Landman Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness. A 2023 Washington Post opinion piece on this topic, by Christine Emba 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.

Kevin Diers was an announcer and engineer here at KUOW. You could hear his work all over the station, behind shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He had a big footprint in the radio and music scene here in Seattle, for many years: Kevin was a long time host of Metal Shop and Loud and Local at KISW. On KISW’s Instagram page, the band The Home Team wrote: "Kevin was the biggest supporter of local bands and music... He put us on when no one else would, and consistently uplifted the local scene with Loud & Local. He will be missed.” Kevin was also part of the team at DEFY wrestling, a Seattle-area pro-wrestling promoter where he hosted a DEFY podcast. Kevin was a gentle soul. He was kind and built community wherever he went. And he leaves a huge hole in our hearts. We miss you, Kevin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Seattle city council members have to recuse themselves if a policy proposal would directly help or harm their self interests? That’s been the guidance here in Seattle for the last 40 years. But a new proposal from City Council member Cathy Moore could change that. The idea to change ethics rules for the council comes ahead of contentious debates related to tenant protections and eviction laws in the city. And it’s set to go before the council’s governance committee today, Thursday May 8th. Guest: Seattle Times city hall reporter David Kroman Related stories: Seattle City Council to consider changing ethics code for votes - 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.

Thanks for checking out the Weekend Warmup - We have a LOT going on this weekend. First of all, Sunday is Mother's Day. Second of all, the Mariners are starting a home stand against the Blue Jays on Friday. Let's go! LINKS: Seattle Mariners Schedule USAF Band of the Golden West - Bellingham USAF Band of the Golden West - Mercer Island Seattle Beer Week 43rd Annual Beat the Bridge World Migratory Bird Day | Seward Park Audubon Center Penn Cove Water Festival Pierogi Fest 2025 Seattle Art Book Fair BonsaiFEST! | Pacific Bonsai Museum SIFF 'n' Stitch: Mamma Mia! Sinners - SIFF Cinema Downtown NEXT WEEK: Never Turn Back Opening Party: Soul Train Revival | 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.

More than three decades ago, tiny blobs of gelatinous goo of unknown origin rained down on the small Grays Harbor community and captured national headlines. The cause of the strange phenomenon, and even what the blobs were made of -- remains an enigma. It was even the subject of an episode of the TV show Unsolved Mysteries. (Watch the episode here.) No one knows what they were. But last month they returned. Guests: Alli McCrite Tom Paulson, former reporter for the Seattle P-I Related Links: Oakville blobs return? Resident says she and neighbors saw mysterious blobs falling from the sky once again last week The Day Blobs Rained Down on Oakville 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, Seattle-based author Tessa Hulls won a Pulitzer Prize for her graphic novel "Feeding Ghosts." Hulls' first published book starts with her Chinese grandmother, Sun Yi, a journalist and author who fled Shanghai after the Communist Revolution. Then, the narrative shifts -- to her mother Rose, the daughter of a Swiss diplomat, essentially raised in a Hong Kong boarding school after her mother was institutionalized. And finally to Hulls herself, who is trying to bring peace to her family ghosts. 10,000 Things host and author Shin Yu Pai sat down Hulls for Soundside last year. We're re-sharing our original interview to highlight Hulls' big achievement. Guest: Tessa Hulls, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Feeding Ghosts Related stories: In 'Feeding Ghosts,' author, illustrator Tessa Hull recounts a healing journey across generations - KUOW Seattle author Tessa Hulls wins 2025 Pulitzer Prize - 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 has its first new Executive in 15 years. Dow Constantine, who held the position since 2009, was chosen as the CEO of Sound Transit earlier this year. He stepped away from the Executive job at the end of March.In his place, Shannon Braddock is leading the county until a new executive is elected this November. Before this she worked mostly behind the scenes in various roles for the county over the last 15 years, including Deputy County Executive. County business waits for no one and Braddock is holding the position at a challenging time. King County is facing a roughly $150 million dollar general fund budget deficit and is dealing with uncertainty over federal grants. How does Braddock intend to lead the second largest government in the state of Washington? Well, she has a blueprint for that. At yesterday’s council meeting, she released her 200 day plan for her time in office. Guest: Shannon Braddock, King Count Executive Relevant Links: Seattle Times: Shannon Braddock is King County’s first new leader in 15 years. Who is she? Seattle Times : Maneuvering and lack of trust as King County seeks a new executive The Urbanist: King County Council Appoints Shannon Braddock Acting Executive in Constantine’s Wake PublicCola: Could a Sales Tax Hike for Criminal Justice Programs Save the County’s Budget? 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 the face of staff cuts, funding freezes, and threats to zero out its budget – Head Start has survived… for now. This program serves almost 800,000 kids throughout the country –15,000 in Washington State alone. Many of these children are low-income, disabled or in foster care. A Trump Administration budget proposal leaked in April put all Head Start funding on the chopping block. Providers in multiple states, including Washington, filed a lawsuit last week, aiming to halt the elimination of the program and actions, they say, further undermine it. But on Friday there was a bit of a reprieve: the Administration’s budget summary did not list Head Start as one of their defunding targets, and an official told reporters there would be no changes to the program. But the lawsuit will continue. And, according to supporters, this dismantling of the program has been in the works for a while. Guest: Joel Ryan, the Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Head Start. Links: Head Start survives Trump administration budget proposal WA Head Start staff locked out and let go due to Trump cuts Washington ACLU sues Trump administration over attempts to dismantle free Head Start preschool program 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 the new Netflix documentary “Bad Influence”, 11 teenagers recount their experiences working with Piper Rockelle, who was herself a child influencer. All of the teens were former “squad members” of the Youtuber. They described performing scripted scenes in front of the camera - like fake “dating” scenarios, or pranks. They also described feeling violated by some of the videos, and behind the scenes interactions with Rockelle’s mother, Tiffany Smith - who’s also her manager. And they described not knowing how to say “no” when placed in a situation where they felt uncomfortable. “Bad Influence” is one of two recently released documentaries about the impact being a “kidfluencer” can have on children, as well as on their families. There’s also the new Hulu documentary, “The Devil in the Family: The Ruby Franke Story”. The documentaries are bringing a lot of attention to the potential dangers of kidfluencing and the work many are doing to rein in the industry. One person who is pushing for changes is Chris McCarty. They founded “Quit Clicking Kids”, a non-profit dedicated to stopping the monetization of minors on social media, as a high school senior. Now, as a college student at the University of Washington, McCarty has helped shape legislation in multiple states focused on regulating the kidfluencer industry. They were also featured in Netflix’s “Bad Influence: the dark side of kidfluencing”. Guest: Chris McCarty, founder of Quit Clicking Kids Related stories: Kids, Inc. - NYT Piper Rockelle Has a Lot to Say About That Netflix Documentary - Rolling Stone 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 the 2010s, the video game industry saw an ENORMOUS boom, with annual revenues jumping from 80 billion dollars to TWO HUNDRED billion over that decade, according to a report by investment research group Epyllion. But in recent years, that exponential growth hit a plateau. “Games were so successful both prior to & during 2020 & 2021, that they set kind of impossible standards for 2023 & 2024… And when the uptick flattened, it was seen as a tremendous failure.” That’s video game writer and creator Alanah Pearce from her recent video titled, “The games industry is screwed.” While the industry remains profitable, volatility has shaken investors and large game studios – and created major instability for workers. Last week, EA, which has a local footprint in Kirkland, announced a new round of layoffs – affecting hundreds of employees including workers at Respawn, the studio behind games like Apex Legends and the Star Wars: Jedi series. Things are changing for consumers, too: Microsoft recently announced that it’s raising prices across the entire XBOX platform, … hot on the heels of Nintendo announcing price hikes for its Switch 2 games. The gaming industry appears to be at a crossroads. GUEST: Jason Schreier, author & reporter at Bloomberg RELATED LINKS: The games industry is screwed. Electronic Arts Lays Off Hundreds, Cancels ‘Titanfall’ Game - Bloomberg Apex Legends and Star Wars: Jedi Dev Respawn Cancels Another Incubation Project, Around 100 Employees Impacted - IGN Players Have Too Many Options to Spend $80 on a Video Game - Bloomberg PRESENTATION: The State of Video Gaming in 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.

Seattle city leaders were met with some less than ideal news this month: the city is facing a $241 million dollar budget shortfall over the next two years. And maybe you’re thinking, hey didn’t city council use the Jump Start tax to fill the $250 million budget gap this year? Surprise: that was a whole other budget deficit. But Seattle is far from the only municipality facing a shortfall. King County is facing a $150 million gap. Tacoma? It had to fill a $24 million hole late last year. Spokane County? $20 million short. Yakima? $9 million. Cle Elum is filing for bankruptcy (a very rare move that has only happened once in the history of the state). So what is going on with local governments across the state? Guests: Candice Bock, director of government relations at the Washington Association of Cities John Rennie Short, Professor Emeritus of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Related stories: A fiscal crisis is looming for many US cities - The Conversation 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.

Since May 8, 1792, European colonists have called the large volcano just off the coast of Puget Sound "Mount Rainier." It was given that name by a British explorer, Captain George Vancouver – a gift to his friend, Rear Admiral Peter Rainier. But prior to Vancouver’s arrival in what eventually became Washington state, the Indigenous peoples in and around the Salish Sea called it by many names. A recent linguistic paper from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians traced those many names for the mountain – where they came from, and what they mean. Guests: Zalmai ʔəswəli Zahir, linguist and Lushootseed language teacher Related Links: Puyallup Tribal Language - Analysis of the Many Names of the Mountain Puyallup Tribal language consultant publishes first comprehensive analysis of the many Native names for Mount Rainier - ʔuhuyəxʷ ti dᶻixʷ pipa ʔə tiiɫ qa sdadaʔ ʔə tiiɫ skʷatač, ʔux̌alad ti ʔəswəli | Puyallup Tribe Puyallup Tribal Language - 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.

After a week of gloom & drizzle, we’ve finally got a 70 degree day or three in the forecast! We won’t talk about what’s happening with Saturday’s weather, it knows what it did… THAT SAID - if you need a few more excuses to go out & do things, we’ve got you covered! Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with a VERY SPECIAL Weekend Warmup. LINKS: May Day in Seattle 2025 Seattle Erotic Art Festival Port Townsend Victorian Festival FCBD 2025 Comic Books Store Locator - Free Comic Book Day Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - Spokane Symphony Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back | bellingham.org May the Fourth | The Museum of Flight May the Course be with You 5k All Ages Star Wars Trivia Night 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 people addicted to fentanyl, the desire to quit is often overshadowed by the fear of withdrawal. Incredible nerve pain, diarrhea, chills, vomiting. It’s been likened to the worst flu you’ve ever experienced. Buprenorphine, the medication often used to aid in easing addiction, can trigger withdrawal symptoms, making it tough for patients to continue treatment. Here in Seattle, Downtown Emergency Service Center, or DESC, has been trying a new method of administering buprenorphine to ease treatment and curb cravings -- and it’s showing some promising results. Guests: Jeremy Hoog, senior nurse manager at DESC's Opioid Recovery and Care Access. Carson Bell is a care navigator at DESC. Related Links: Substance Use Disorder Treatment - DESC Seattle nonprofit rolling out potential ‘game changer’ for fentanyl addiction | 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.

A new law waiting to be signed by the governor would give you more options when your technology breaks. House Bill 1483 establishes a “right to repair” for consumer electronics, including tech like phones, laptops, and home appliances. Its partner bill in the Senate (SB 5680) also establishes the right to repair electric wheelchairs. This is part of a larger, nationwide movement to create more accessible technology. If the governor signs these bills into law, Washington will be the seventh state to have a right to repair on the books. But, what exactly will this mean for Washingtonians? And how could this change things when your phone next takes a dive into Lake Washington? Guests: Representative Mia Gregerson was the lead sponsor of House Bill 1483. She represents Washington’s 33rd district, which includes Burien, Normandy Park, Seatac, Des Moines, and parts of Renton Amanda Miller, Executive Director of South King Tool Library Related Links: Repair Economy Washington 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.

When tech companies began announcing advanced artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, there was widespread enthusiasm. AI was going to make mundane jobs more efficient; it was going to reshape entire industries and creative processes; and it was going to free up time for humans to do things that were, well, more human – things like creating art. But in the last few years, it’s been artists themselves raising the alarm around automation. Some see AI as a cool new tool, or another color on the palette; others argue it’s an existential threat to industries that were already struggling to stay afloat. For local theater director Ryan Guzzo Purcell, the bleeding edge of AI in art is something we can’t approach from an either/or point of view. His latest production with The Feast is a reinterpretation of “The Adding Machine,” a 100 year old play about automation by playwright Elmer Rice. A new version of the play at Seattle University’s Lee Performing Arts Center updates that notion for modern times, leaning into the question of dealing with automation by incorporating AI at practically every level: the stage design, the production – even the performances. Soundside producer Alec Cowan spoke with Purcell to learn more about the intersection of technology and stagecraft after attending a showing last October. GUEST: Ryan Guzzo Purcell, artistic director at The Feast, a Seattle theater company, and director of "The Adding Machine: A Cyborg Morality Play." RELATED LINKS: What's Next | The Feast (the-feast.org) The Adding Machine: A Cyborg Morality Play - Seattle University How Seattle theater company The Feast’s play using AI turned out | The Seattle Times KUOW - Artists vs. AI: where innovation meets unwelcome imitation 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.

Today marks the 100th day of Donald Trump’s presidency. How about some more numbers: Since taking office, the President has signed more than 140 executive orders, pushing major policy shifts on issues from immigration, to climate policy, and DEI in schools and workplaces . As of Monday, court rulings have blocked or paused Trump policies 128 times, according to the New York Times. The administration enacted high tariffs on around 60 countries before walking that back and going with a much lower rate on most countries – with 1 major exception: China. Under Trump, immigration authorities have used a 1798 law designed for wartime to deport people accused of being gang members without hearings. Even with these aggressive tactics, experts are skeptical that the administration is on track to expel 1 million people a year, as Trump promised. And here’s one more number: 0. That’s the branches of government that Democrats control. They’ve been on the sidelines during this rapid and expansive change to the federal government. Guest: Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) 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.