Soundside

Late last year, an atmospheric river caused devastating flooding across Western Washington. Today, some estimate the region-wide damages may be over a billion dollars. For parts of Whatcom County, it was the second major flood in less than five years. And they are looking for solutions. New reporting from the New York Times highlights how communities around the Nooksack River are debating how to mitigate damage from future flooding: Dredge the river of sediment now? Or attempt a more ambitious plan to return the river to its natural state? In many ways the conversation pits farmers’ and homeowners’ concerns against environmental advocacy and tribal rights. GUEST: Bernard Mokam is a news assistant for the New York Times LINK: As Northwest Flooding Worsens, Conflicting Interests Stymie Solutions 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.

“Learn to Code.” A decade ago that slogan was everywhere as computer programming was seen as a job that not only paid well, but almost guaranteed job security, especially in a tech hub like Seattle. But in the last four years, more than 700,000 tech workers have been laid off. And while overhiring during the pandemic, and rising interest rates, are believed to have sparked most of these layoffs, another issue is changing coding forever – artificial intelligence. GUEST: Clive Thompson is a tech and science writer who recently spoke with more than 70 software developers for the New York Times magazine about how AI is reshaping the future. The piece is called “Coding After Coders: The End of Computer Programming as We Know 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.

A couple years ago, Seattle passed a law to pay delivery drivers more for their labor. The policy guaranteed these gig workers minimum compensation. The idea was to protect people working for apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash. …. And it stirred up some big reactions. Delivery companies protested the change. Restaurant owners said the policy hurt business. And some City Councilmembers considered rolling the law back just a few months after it went into effect. After all that fuss…. researchers have found that the pay for these drivers hasn’t actually changed that much. Guest: Andrew Garin, an Associate Professor of Economics at Carnegie Mellon University. Related links: KUOW - Seattle's gig worker law was supposed to boost pay. It did at first, until orders dropped Wage standard for Seattle delivery drivers at an impasse | The Seattle Times KUOW - Seattle has a new gig worker minimum wage. Who's benefiting and who's footing the bill? 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: Congresswoman Suzan DelBene RELATED LINKS: House GOP leaders push DHS funding bill through May TSA Pay to Resume, but ICE Could Remain at Airports, Homan Says Trump Renews Energy Site Threats After Claiming Progress in Peace Talks 'A lot of votes may not count': Supreme Court appears ready to upend WA mail-in ballot rules for federal races by November 2026 Huge Crowds Turn Out To Finally Ride Light Rail Across Lake 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.

It’s Opening Day at T-Mobile Park. In just hours, Mariners fans will be back in the stands, ready to cheer on the team as they look to improve on last year’s record-breaking playoff run. The M’s won the AL West, but fell agonizingly short of the World Series… It’s an interesting feeling, being a Mariners fan right now. First of all, our nachos float in a souvenir ferry boat container. SECONDLY, our expectations are really high! Gone are the days of the tried and true “well, hopefully we’ll make the playoffs.” NOW, the faithful are expecting greatness, we’ve SEEN how good this team can be, and we’re ready for more… Here to either temper our expectations -or- bolster our enthusiasm, maybe even make us a bit delusional, is editor-in-chief of Lookout Landing GUEST: Kate Preusser RELATED LINKS: Mariners Opening Weekend Opening Day Power Rankings If it all goes right | Lookout Landing If it all goes wrong | Lookout Landing 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 beautiful here in the U-District, and as it is when it's nice outside, we want to go do stuff this weekend! As we do every Thursday, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with all the events fit to print and worthy of your excitement! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS: Mariners Opening Weekend Puck Place Market 2026 Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge Onda Origins Coffee/Seattle Torrent Rain Country Dance Association - 2026 Emerald City Hoedown Seattle No Kings- March 28 Celebrate the new Crosslake Connection! | Sound Transit Stand By Me: The Film and Its Stars 40 Years Later Bellingham Children’s Film Festival Spring Salon Fundraiser 2026 - Key to Change Moving Stories – TDOV 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.

Amanda Ogle's car got stolen in 2017, and she fought for over a year to get it back from a Seattle towing company. Her bill? $21,684. Ogle was unhoused at the time, so her 1991 Camry wasn’t just a way to get around; it was her home. Her case attracted coverage in The Seattle Times and elsewhere, and now her saga is the plot of a movie, Tow, starring Rose Byrne. Guests: Amanda Ogle, her child Avery Ogle and her lawyer Kevin Eggers, who are all portrayed in the film. Related Links: A towing outrage made Amanda Ogle a Seattle celebrity. Here’s the twist A $21,634 bill? How a homeless woman fought her way out of tow-company hellSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just this morning, the NBA Board of Governors approved exploring two possible expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas. Yes, you’re allowed to squeal, but listen carefully: this is not a done deal, the team is not back yet. But here's why one sportswriter (and Sonics enthusiast) won't be apologizing to any Thunder fans in Oklahoma City anytime soon. Guest Danny O'Neil, sportswriter Related LinksOKC wants apology before giving back Sonics history? Are you kidding? - The News Tribune The Dang Apostrophe (Danny's newsletter)NBA owners vote to explore Vegas, Seattle expansion bids - ESPNThank 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 watch HBO's hit series "The Pitt', you'll actually see a real-life nurse on screen: Ned Brower. He plays nurse Jesse Van Horn. Brower is an actor with real-life ER experience. Two careers are usually enough for most people. But he's also a musician. He started working as an EMT and later became a nurse after making his name with the band Rooney. Brower’s new project is the electro-pop band, Bloodwerk. Listen to one of their singles, Truth Will Tell, here. Guest Ned Brower, nurse, actor and musicianRelated Links‘The Pitt’ star Ned Brower strikes balance between nursing and acting - The Seattle Times On ‘The Pitt,’ Ned Brower’s Nurse Jesse Has Captured the Hearts of Fans — Now He Wants Their Ears - 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.

From New York to Phoenix, at least fourteen major airports across the country will see ICE agents deployed today, according to White House border Czar Tom Homan. The immigration agents are being sent to bolster TSA staffing amid an ongoing partial federal government shutdown. In many places, that has led to security checkpoint lines that stretch for blocks and have travelers waiting hours to get to their flights. But it’s been a different picture at SEA Airport, at least for now. Guest: Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho Related links: Support SEA TSA Workers During the Government Shutdown! - gofundme 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, like the entire country, has been hit hard by fentanyl. in 2025, King County has recorded more than 650 overdose deaths involving the synthetic opioid, which can be 50 times stronger than heroin. 650 is a devastating number but it’s actually down from a peak in 2023, when more than 1,000 people died from fentanyl-related overdoses in the county. The drop mirrors a downward trend that we’ve seen across the entire country… But the crisis is still overwhelming many communities. A biotech company called ARMR Sciences is hoping to solve at least one piece of this very complicated puzzle: Instead of reversing these overdoses, they want to stop them from happening in the first place... through a fentanyl vaccine. This segment first aired in December of 2025. Also - We wanted to share a response we got from a listener about our update on Kratom. In case you missed it, Kratom is a plant from Southeast Asia that can have psychoactive effects. You’ve probably seen the signs for it - they’re plastered on just about every smoke shop in the city. We previously spoke with UW Medicine researcher Caleb Banta Green about what we know about kratom. And we replayed a short bit of that conversation last week in an update…. Because Spokane and Spokane Valley recently banned the sale of the substance. We also asked you to give us your thoughts on Kratom and whether it should be a banned substance. Erik from Bothell responded with a really interesting personal take on the substance, and its effects. GUESTS: Dr. Colin Haile, a research associate professor at the University of Houston and he’s also one of the co-founders of ARMR Sciences. Erik from Bothell RELATED LINKS: A Fentanyl Vaccine Is About to Get Its First Major Test | WIRED Scientists Create a Vaccine Against Fentanyl 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: Mike Lewis - Freelance Journalist RELATED LINKS: Is ICE coming to Sea-Tac Airport? Here’s what we know Kraken acquire majority stake in Climate Pledge Arena before NBA meeting Why the potential return of the Sonics to Seattle has never felt closer WA governor prepares to meet with NBA commissioner as hopes rise for Sonics’ return Kevin Durant Talks LEAVING OKC Thunder & OWNING the Sonics! “It Was Time”: Dolores Huerta’s First Interview After “Devastating” Cesar Chavez Expose - Latino USA Cesar Chavez allegations remind us we must hold all abusers accountable After shocking revelations, WA leaders reconsider Cesar Chavez recognition Seattle light rail is about to do something audacious and unique to transit Sound Transit's Budget-Balancing Ideas All Stop Short of Delivering Rail to Ballard 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.

Seattleites can now buy drinks from the city’s first Thai coffee shop: Nudibranch Coffee, which opened its doors on Capitol Hill in February. The shop serves drinks that reflect Thailand’s popular flavors and hot climate. We're talking tangerine-iced Americanos and Coconut Clouds (the latter has coconut water, espresso and sweet cream floated on top). Before the shop officially opened its doors, we were able to steal some time from the busy owners to hear how the vision for Seattle’s first Thai coffee shop came together. Guests: Emily Sirisup and Cole Arnesen, two of Nudibranch Coffee's founders Related links: Nudibranch Coffee | Explore Thai Coffee Today Nudibranch Wants to Be Seattle’s First Thai Coffee Shop | Eater Seattle Nudibranch will bring Thai coffee to former Capitol Hill vegan doughnut shop | CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News 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 is GREY and WET here in Western Washington, so let’s get out & do some STUFF this weekend! As we do every Thursday, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with all the events fit to print and worthy of your excitement! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS: Taste of Iceland Seattle 2026 | A Festival of Food, Music & Culture Plate of Nations BrainFest with Allen Institute - Pacific Science Center Steamy in Seattle 2026 - Clarion West Torrent vs Boston U-District NIGHT BLOSSOM Festival Columbia City Night Market | Go All Night! Bands Stand With Gaza - The Vera Project Band of Horses at the Showbox Seattle's French Fest PROJECT HAIL MARY - Jason says GO SEE 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.

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: Seattle Times reporter David Kroman RELATED LINKS: Katie Wilson pauses Seattle city employees’ AI tool rollout Slow downtown recovery testing Seattle’s pragmatic progressives 2026 State of Downtown: Mayor Katie Wilson Senate Democrats Block D.H.S. Funding Again Over Enforcement Guardrails NYTimes breaks down the White House’s latest offer POLITICO: One month later, WH and Democrats no closer to ending the DHS shutdown Mariners’ Randy Arozarena issues statement after WBC drama with Cal Raleigh Josh Naylor Explains Canada/USA Exchange With Mariners Teammate Cal Raleigh, Tough Loss vs. USA GENOOO! Eugenio Suárez rocks a GO-AHEAD DOUBLE in the 9th inning for Team Venezuela 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.

Listen up food lovers (or KUOW lovers….. You can hear this one, too). KUOW’s Seattle Eats podcast has a new host. The show covers Seattle’s food scene and digs into topics like the cuisine at the Seahawks’ Lumen Field… the mortadella sandwich renaissance …. and the skyrocketing price tag for coffee. The show has also gone beyond Seattle, taking listeners to explore Bellevue’s Chinese food scene. And bar hopping in Tacoma. Now, though, there’ll be a slightly new flavor (ba dum tss), because Brandi Fullwood is taking over hosting duties from Tan Vinh. She sat down with Soundside to talk about stepping into the new role. Guests: Brandi Fullwood, the host of Seattle Eats. Related links: KUOW - Seattle Eats KUOW - KUOW announces Brandi Fullwood as new host of "Seattle Eats" Bar Bayonne L'Oursin George Coffee & Pastries Szechuan Fish THE HIDEOUT Lenox Pantry & Deli — Greenbank Store 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.

Last month, Kansas passed a law requiring that the gender listed on all driver’s licenses and birth certificates match the person’s sex at birth. Similar laws have been adopted by other states. But Kansas is the first state to have made its law retroactive. Meaning that any person who previously changed their gender marker no longer has a valid license or birth certificate. With no grace period. 1,700 Kansans woke up to find their documents were no longer valid. Invalidating government-issued I.D. is just one of the ways transgender rights have been rolled back by recent state and federal policy changes. And that’s part of what’s prompting trans people to move to states with more legal protections. Including Washington. One Seattle nonprofit is working to help trans people living in conservative states to relocate. Guests: Adalyn - currently in the process of relocating to Seattle with Traction's help Michael Woodward - Executive Director of Traction, or “Trans Community Action,” a non-profit based here in Seattle. Aspen Coyle - Program Manager for Traction’s Project Open Arms, designed to assist trans people moving to Western Washington. Related Links: TRACTION website How to volunteer with Traction Traction events 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 only been a few months since historic flooding devastated parts of Western Washington, where affected homeowners are still recovering. Many renters also suffered losses from the floods. And unlike homeowners, they may have had little idea they were at risk. In Washington, home sellers are required to tell potential buyers if their properties are located on a flood plain. But landlords don’t have to do the same for renters. A bill recently passed by state lawmakers could change that, by requiring that rental leases include disclosures if a unit is at risk of flooding. The bill still needs to be signed by Governor Ferguson. If that happens, landlords will have to add disclosures to leases starting in 2027. Guests: Alexis Weisend is a business reporter for the Seattle Times. Her reporting on this gap in renter protection was the inspiration for the legislation. Related links: 6237-S SBR FBR 26 Washington historic floods uncover critical gap in renter protection | The Seattle Times WA approves bill requiring landlords to disclose flood risk to renters | 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.

Joe Kent, former Washington State congressional candidate and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his position in protest of the Iran war. In his resignation letter to President Trump, Kent said Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and the war serves no benefit to the American people. He blamed pressure from Israel, and misinformation in the media, which he claimed deceived Trump into striking Iran. This is the first high-profile resignation in the administration tied to the war that is now in its third week. What could this signal both for the war and Trump's as-yet unshakeable base? Guest: Seattle Times reporter Jim Brunner Related Articles: Joe Kent resigns, says Iran posed ‘no imminent threat’See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration is escalating efforts to eliminate “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” programs. Last Monday, Politico reported that the administration is proposing to change requirements within the General Services Administration so that any entity hoping to receive federal dollars via things like grants, loans, or insurance, would need to fall in line with federal standards that ban DEI based policies and programs. According to the notice, over 220,000 entities would be impacted by this change. It’s the latest in a long line of actions by the Trump Administration to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming and policies from both public organizations and private companies. For many, the moves have been a retreat from the goal of creating more inclusive education and work spaces. Some argue that DEI programs were flawed to begin with. Guest: Dr. Ralina L. Joseph is Vice Provost of Inclusive Excellence and Professor of African American Studies at UCLA. Her newest book is “Racial Exhaustion: how to move through racism in the wake of DEI”. Related stories: Trump’s under-the-radar plan to crack down on DEI - Politico The University of Michigan Doubled Down on D.E.I. What Went Wrong? - NYT Former Goldman Sachs CEO says DEI programs are ‘counterproductive,’ arguing ‘you’re branding the people in that program’ - Fortune 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: After 93 years and a 25-hour filibuster, Washington finally has an income tax, and billionaires are already packing their bags Washington state lawmakers pass ‘millionaire’s tax’ - POLITICO Washington's new income tax faces hurdles - Axios Sources: NBA set for 1st vote in Las Vegas-Seattle expansion - ESPN The 98th Academy Awards 2026 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.

Cindy Cohn can remember using punched cards for computing during her college years in Iowa. She can tell you about watching the rise of the internet and home computing with her techie friends in San Francisco. She can also recall the times she’s stood in court, working to protect someone’s right to put encrypted code on the internet, or the fight against the NSA’s mass surveillance system after 9/11 and the Patriot Act. Cohn has led the Electronic Frontier Foundation for 25 years. That’s a non-profit that advocates for privacy and free speech. This year, she announced she is leaving her role, but not before putting out a memoir she hopes will inspire others to take up the work… GUEST: Cindy Cohn, author of Privacy’s Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance. RELATED LINKS: Cindy Cohn | Town Hall Seattle - Tues 3/17 Privacy's Defender - Cindy's Book Cindy Cohn Is Leaving the EFF, but Not the Fight for Digital Rights | WIRED The Big Idea: Cindy Cohn 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.

How are YOU dealing with the time change? For many of us, it has felt like we’ve been moving through a gelatinous cube all week, but hey!! The Weekend is here! Let’s shake off the funk, brave the weather, and go do something fun! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS: Pi Day Dash Pi Day Community Math Festival Kat Robichaud’s Misfit Cabaret “Circus” | The Triple Door Quilters Anonymous - Quilt Show Seattle Golf Show Wings Over Water | Northwest Birding Festival Firebird | March 13 -22, 2026 | Pacific Northwest Ballet St Patrick’s Day Parade Irish Festival Seattle Emerald City Irish Film Festival Mariners 50: Community & Baseball (MoPop) Also, let us know - where do you fall in the Quilters vs Golfers venn diagram? AND where is your favorite pie in the region? Email us! - soundside@kuow.org 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 time has finally come: the glitz, the glamor, the many prediction market bets you can place about who will have the most glitz and glamor - The Oscars are this Sunday. The Academy is expected to hand some sparkly hardware to an auteur director with an expansive vision and biting political critique. The question is, will it be Ryan Coogler for his historic, lyrical vampire story, Sinners? Or... Will it be Paul Thomas Anderson, the film bro favorite with a sprawling political thriller about resisting fascism – One Battle After Another? Sorry to F1 stans but THAT is the race to watch… GUEST: Seattle film and television critic Chase Hutchinson. 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.

These days, many internet influencers are promoting a wellness trend that sounds like something you might remember from high school bio: peptides. They’re being sold as ways to improve skin, reverse aging – basically, peptides have become THE answer to your choice of wellness issues. But most of what’s hawked on Instagram or TikTok is not approved by the FDA. . That could change: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently said on Joe Rogan’s podcast that he wants to relax restrictions on many peptides. In the meantime, people are accessing them through methods that some experts say are…. dangerous. Guests: Alex Hogan, a senior multimedia producer at STAT News and the host of STATus Report Related links: Inside the world of internet peptides | STAT News Peptides Are the New Wellness Cure-All | Intelligencer Why 'Anti-Aging' Peptide Shots Are Trending on Social Media | TIME Peptides take off as a DIY treatment but is that a good idea? : NPR 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.

According to reporting in the New York Times Magazine, young female athletes are 3 to 6 times more likely than boys to tear their ACLs. And the recovery period can be grueling. Surgery is usually involved, rehab can take a year or longer. Which is a lot of time, at that age, for players to remain on the sideline. But there are effective ways to prevent so many ACL tears. For example, FIFA, soccer’s governing body, has signed off on a series of exercises and warmups that have proven to reduce injury risk. Yet that injury prevention protocol hasn’t taken off in girls sports. Even though women’s sports are exploding in popularity, and more girls are playing sports, plenty of coaches and players don’t even know it’s possible to prevent these injuries. Why do so many teenage girl athletes tear their ACLs? And why do coaches, parents and players often fail to do the prevention work, strength exercises, etc. that might help protect vulnerable limbs? Guest: Seattle high schooler and soccer player Edie Welch Reporter Craig Welch Related stories: Why Are So Many Teen Girls Still Tearing Their A.C.L.s? - The New York Times Magazine 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 not a spoiler to say someone gets murdered in T Kira Madden's new book, "Whidbey." But what happens next? You'll have to read and find out. Whidbey is expansive, detailed and visceral. It makes readers wonder about questions of justice, forgiveness, belief and unconditional love. We talk with Madden about how the island inspired her new literary thriller. Guest T Kira Madden, author of "Whidbey"Related LinksSomebody Killed Her Assailant. Was Justice Served? - The New York Times T Kira Madden Casts a Spell - Elle 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.

Last month, Olympia became the first city in Washington, and one of just a handful in the country, to pass explicit protections for polyamorous families. The city passed two ordinances in late February that establish protections for people in diverse family and relationship structures. Supporters say the changes are aimed at protecting these community members against discrimination and unfair housing practices. Similar efforts are underway in multiple cities across the west coast. More than 60% of people who responded to a 2025 survey on non-monogamy said they experienced discrimination or stigma in at least one domain, like healthcare or employment. We spoke to an advocate who backed these ordinances -- and who's hoping to bring similar change to Seattle. Guests: Jessa Davis is the executive director for the Seattle Coalition for Family and Relationship Equity Related links: First WA city with protections for polyamorous families | The Olympian In the Northwest, polyamory finds something new: legal protection | The Seattle Times Polyamorous protections moving ahead in Portland as council reaffirms LGBTQ safe harbor status | oregonlive.com 2025 Community Survey Report | OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy) 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.

Residents of Tehran were warned to stay indoors yesterday [SUN], as black smoke blanketed parts of the Iranian capital city. It comes after Israel attacked dozens of fuel depots in the city of 10 million people. The U.S. and Israel continued to launch airstrikes against Iran over the weekend. And the conflict continues to impact many nations. Today, NATO member Turkey said it shot down a second Iranian missile. Closer to home: two men have been charged with attempting to support the Islamic state after they tried to set off homemade bombs at a far-right protest near Gracie Mansion, the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. None of the devices detonated. Obviously, this continues to be a fast-moving situation. This morning, Congressman Adam Smith sat down with Soundside to share his thoughts on what’s been happening so far in Iran and across the globe. Guest: Adam Smith represents Washington's 9th congressional district and is the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. 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: KUOW Politics Editor, Cat Smith Related Links: With the Straight of Hormuz Closed, the Long-Feared Persian Gulf Oil Squeeze Is Upon Us WA ‘millionaires tax’ proposal haunted by 1933 court decision British Columbia Moving to Permanent Daylight Saving Time, Changing Clocks for the Last Time Sunday Timothée Chalamet & Matthew McConaughey | Variety & CNN Town Hall Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve come to the end of another week here at Soundside, the end of Winter is right around the corner, and there is a LOT to do before we ‘Spring Forward’ on Sunday. Let’s talk about it! Here’s Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS: Emerald City Comic Con Tacoma Beer Week Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Round Up Oops All Goalies! Lunar New Year Celebration | Seattle Chinatown-International District Penn Cove Musselfest Northwest Record 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.

Hours before the United States launched strikes on Iran, there was another big story at the Pentagon: The Department of Defense designated Anthropic, the U.S.-based AI company, a supply chain risk. This was shortly after President Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology. The announcement came as DoD and the AI company failed to reach a deal on how Anthropic technology could be used in classified networks. The sticking points in contract negotiations? Two use cases: Mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic had a $200 million contract with the Pentagon – and its Claude AI model was reportedly used in the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Out of the shambles of the Anthropic negotiation.The Pentagon quickly announced a deal with its rival, Open AI. The contract dispute points to the increasing role of AI in the military and what safeguards may exist for its use both domestically and in war. Guest: Bill Howe, associate professor at the University of Washington’s Information School. He runs UW’s Responsibility in AI Systems and Experiences center Relevant Links: NYT: How Talks Between Anthropic and the Defense Dept. Fell Apart WSJ: What’s Really at Stake in the Fight Between Anthropic and the PentagonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a major reshuffling of leadership happening at one of the videogame industry’s top companies. After 38 years at Microsoft, Phil Spencer is stepping away from his role as CEO of Microsoft Gaming. His was an incredibly long tenure, and it’s leaving many to wonder what it means for XBox, Microsoft Gaming, and gamers alike. GUEST: Todd Bishop - Co-Founder of Geekwire LINKS: Xbox chief Phil Spencer retiring after 38 years at Microsoft; Asha Sharma named new gaming CEO Who is Asha Sharma? A closer look at Microsoft’s surprise pick to lead the Xbox business Analysis: The best thing that the new Xbox CEO can do is ... nothing 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: Paul Queary - Editor and Publisher at The Washington Observer 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.

WNBA fans, mark your calendars for March 10th. That's a key deadline that could determine when the teams actually hit the court. If the league and players can’t shake hands on a new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, by next Tuesday, the 2026 season could be delayed. The Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike is president of the WNBA players' union, and she's led the union as labor negotiations have progressed for over a year. The two sides are months past their original deadline for a deal. We talk about the key issues driving bargaining with a reporter covering the league. GuestSabreena Merchant, staff writer, The Athletic Related LinksWNBA’s new CBA offer boosts pay, fast-tracks max deals for stars like Caitlin Clark, AP source says - The Associated PressKelsey Plum sees WNBA's offer as a 'win,' but CBA talks continue - ESPN What a March CBA deal would mean for WNBA free agency, expansion and the draft - The AthleticThank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! 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.

Much of your technology - your phone, your kid’s ipad, your electric car… wouldn’t function without computer chips. They’re basically tiny pieces of silicon semiconductor wafers that drive our tech-focused economy. And their supply chain is highly centralized. Most chips come from just one country, Taiwan. And Taiwan is in a very delicate geopolitical position. China has claimed sovereignty over the island democracy since the founding of the PRC, in 1949. If China ever decided to exert its claims using military force – that could put chip production in danger. Potentially leading to the largest economic downfall since the Great Depression. According to documents obtained by the New York Times, it’s an issue tech companies here in the US have known about for years, and have largely tried to ignore. Guest: Tripp Mickle, Silicon Valley reporter for the New York Times Related stories: The Looming Taiwan Chip Disaster That Silicon Valley Has Long Ignored - NYT Nvidia’s Quarterly Profit Hits $43 Billion on Strong A.I. Chip Sales - NYT Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Gates has been under scrutiny since the Justice Department released files that put his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein on display. ….. But these files also show that Epstein’s connections within the company Gates co-founded, Microsoft, were more widespread than previously known. Epstein built relationships with several of Microsoft’s top executives. He traded gifts and advice with them, and even invited some to his island. And, through these big players, Epstein also got access to the inner workings of the company. Guests: Karen Weise, a technology correspondent for The New York Times who’s based in Seattle Related links: How Jeffrey Epstein Ingratiated Himself With Top Microsoft Executives - The New York Times Records show deeper ties between Epstein, ex-Microsoft exec Myhrvold | 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.

There are many people who would describe themselves as resisting fascism. But, for a small group, “antifa” is more than just a label. In his new book, journalist Christopher Mathias reports that for self-identified members of antifa, the bulk of their work actually involves infiltrating right-wing extremist groups. Often, this takes the form of intelligence gathering online. In some cases it means disguising themselves for in-person operations: becoming members, showing up, getting peoples’ real names and plans. One man did just that in the Seattle area. Mathias tells his story in a new book. Guest Christopher Mathias, journalist covering antifa and the far right, author, "To Catch A Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right"Related Link What’s behind the White House’s anti-antifa order - Soundside, KUOWWhite nationalists claimed WA man doxxed them. How a judge responded - Tacoma News Tribune Antifa used to unmask neo-Nazis, now it’s exposing ICE: ‘Predators don’t get anonymity’ - The GuardianThank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! 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.

Local Iranian community members gathered at a vigil Sunday afternoon at Seattle City Hall to share art, music, dance and healing conversation. The stated purpose of the event was to memorialize those who lost their lives during the Islamic Republic’s deadly crackdown on protesters in January, which had a death toll estimated in the tens of thousands. With the U.S. and Israel striking Iran over the weekend, the event also provided a place to process the beginning of war. The event was organized by the Seattle Isfahan Sister City Advocacy group. ALSO: analysis of the widening conflict in the Middle East with Reşat Kasaba, professor at the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies. RELATED LINKS: Iran Hits Back Across the Mideast, Targeting U.S. Bases and Allies Hegseth insists the Iran conflict is 'not Iraq' and is 'not endless' What to Know About the Widening Fallout From the Bombing of Iran Push from Saudis, Israel helped move Trump to attack Iran 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 Sound Transit system is updating, maybe you've heard. After three new light rail stations opened up south of Seattle in December, the light rail is set to start running across Lake Washington about a month from now. But budget issues may complicate plans for the future lines. We'll get into that and much more. Guest: Dow Constantine, CEO of Sound Transit Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the FINAL Thursday of February, and MARCH starts this weekend. Two of our Soundside producers are celebrating their birthdays this weekend, (Happy Birthday Maleeha Syed and Gabi Healy!!) Women’s hockey is BACK at Climate Pledge Arena, AND it’s the final days of Black History Month, so let’s go out & do some stuff!! Here’s Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows to get us caught up on all that’s happening! LINKS: Mad Science: A night of Improv and Laughter Seattle Torrent vs Toronto Scepters Kraken vs Canucks Sea Slug Animation Festival 2026 Poulsbo Blues & Jazz Festival Tacoma Beer Week Events Free Rose Pruning Demonstration - Woodland Park Zoo Doughboys - Seattle Theatre Group 4th Annual Black Makers & Creatives Art Exhibit Iranian Vigil & Solidarity Art Exhibition 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.

These days people are using AI chatbots for everything. These chatbots have a wealth of information at their metaphorical fingertips. But the accuracy of the information that they offer us is, well, questionable. But it makes sense why some people turn to AI for medical advice. They’re usually free, which gives them an upper hand when healthcare in the United States is so expensive. They’re also easy to access, so people can get their questions answered immediately, instead of waiting for an opening at their doctor’s office. And they’re trained to be empathic, which is especially appealing to patients who don’t feel valued in medical settings. In this "Ask a Doctor" segment, we explore the world of health advice and chatbots with two medical professionals. Guests: Angad Singh is a family medicine physician. He's also an Associate Chief Clinical Information Officer and Clinical Associate Professor at UW Medicine. Danielle Bitterman is an assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Lead for Data Science and AI at Mass General Brigham. Related links: A.I. Chatbots Are Changing How Patients Get Medical Advice - The New York Times How to Use ChatGPT for Health Advice | Right as Rain Health Advice From A.I. Chatbots Is Frequently Wrong, Study Shows - 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.