Soundside

The immigration detention center in Tacoma, Washington has quickly reached capacity this year under the Trump administration’s push to scale up deportations. The population inside nearly doubled in a matter of months, raising some concerns about staffing levels and reported delays for detainees accessing lawyers or medical care. The experience for those inside detention has also shifted in some profound ways due to new policies, including cuts to legal aid programs, restrictions on who is eligible for bond and increased fees for court filings. A new KUOW documentary, “Inside ICE Detention,” opens a window into this time of rapid transition at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma and looks into who is getting detained, how they are treated and some of the new pressures people are facing as they try to fight deportation. The story centers on the experience of a woman named Espinoza, who was arrested during an ICE workplace raid in Kent, WA. Espinoza was four days away from getting married to her partner of 12 years when the raid happened, and she grapples with hopelessness in detention while trying to navigate a way out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you believe that we’re already at the end of October? Time is a weird soup. This week has been jam packed with things, AND we have an election next Tuesday. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s enjoy the weekend!! LINKS: Seattle Short King Contest Seattle Kraken vs NY Rangers - Sat 11/1 Short Run Comix Festival Seattle Opera - The Pirates of Penzance Brewallup 2025 Washington State Toy Show Sea-Meow Convention 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs - Seattle vs Minnesota - Mon 11/3 Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks - Mon 11/3 Seattle Welcome Day - Tues 11/4 DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Nov. 1 — El Centro de la Raza Nov. 1 — Phinney Center Nov. 1 — Shoreline Recreation Center Nov. 1 & 2 — Seattle Center Nov. 1 & 2 — Town Hall Seattle (ticketed event) Nov. 2 — Tacoma Art Museum 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.

Like so many others, Jas Ikeda struggled with the images and stories coming out of Gaza – of the widespread destruction and the growing starvation. Like others, she felt frustrated that more wasn’t being done to help the people caught in the conflict. Unlike most others, Ikeda has a lot of sailing experience. So when she heard about the Global Sumud Flotilla, she jumped at the chance. The flotilla consisted of 42 small to mid-sized vessels, setting out from Spain, carrying food, supplies, and hundreds of activists. The stated goal was to challenge Israel’s blockade and show solidarity with Palestinians. They were intercepted and detained by the Israeli military on October 1 – an outcome they knew was likely. She and the other activists were held for about six days. The timing of Ikeda’s voyage, capture and release, coincided with a historic moment. Just three days after Ikeda was released Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The deal, which was negotiated and pushed by the Trump Administration, included an agreement that - QUOTE - "Full aid will be immediately sent.” Such aid would be a lifeline for Palestinians. In August, Gaza was confirmed to be under famine conditions. The ceasefire deal gave a lot of hope to aid organizations that have been stymied by the tight control Israel holds over the border. But flare ups of violence have threatened that aid. On Tuesday, the Israeli military struck targets in Gaza, killing more than a hundred people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating terms of the ceasefire. GUESTS: Jas Ikeda - Washington resident, and member of the Global Sumud Flotilla Mara Kronenfeld - Executive Director of the UNRWA USA National Committee LINKS: Israel takes steps to shut down international aid groups in Gaza and the West Bank This Weekend’s Violence in Gaza Shows How Fragile the Cease-Fire Really Is What aid organizations say is needed in Gaza amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan - ABC News How fast can much needed food and aid get to Palestinians? Netanyahu Orders Strikes in Gaza, as Israel Says Hamas Violated Cease-Fire More Food Reaches Gaza, but It’s Still Not Enough Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington State highways and bridges are in need of a serious refresh. That’s according to a WSDOT official who told the Washington State Transportation Commission this month: “We are in the early stages of critical failure due to lack of funding.” - Troy Suing, Director, Capital Program Development and Management, Washington State Department of Transportation “Preservation” generally refers to the long-term work needed to sustain already existing infrastructure. WSDOT says it’ll need an additional $8 billion dollars over the next decade to do that work. Jerry Cornfield at the Washington State Standard reported that while the Legislature did approve a 15.5 BILLION dollar budget for the next two years…. less than a billion dollars was earmarked for preservation over that time. That’s well short of the $1.6 Billion needed to keep pace with the wear and tear put on our state’s infrastructure. GUEST: Senator Marko Liias - Chair of the WA State Senate Transportation Committee LINKS: ‘Early stages of critical failure’: Funding outlook is grim for WA road upkeep - WA State Standard Meeting Agenda – October 14-15, 2025 – Washington State Transportation Commission Washington State Transportation Commission - Meeting Video Move Ahead Washington Legislature approves bipartisan plan to fund Washington state transportation future 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 1 in 10 people in Washington state rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Most of those recipients are in households with children. And all of them will get cut off from those benefits on October 31st if the partial federal government shutdown doesn’t end by then. This week, Governor Ferguson said he’d direct over 2 million dollars in weekly food aid to state food banks should the shutdown continue. That program will start November 3rd. But is that enough to make up for the loss of SNAP benefits? Guest Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks, race and equity reporter, The Seattle Times Related Links WA to direct $2.2 million a week to food banks as SNAP cutoff nears - The Seattle Times WA SNAP benefits to run out Nov. 1 if government shutdown persists - The Seattle TimesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed U.S strikes on four more boats in waters near South America. The attacks happened Monday off the coast of Colombia in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hegseth claimed without citing evidence, “the four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics.” Including this week’s, the strikes have killed nearly 60 people. Democrats say the President is using the military to carry out extrajudicial killings. We get the latest on why these strikes are happening. Guest Joshua Keating, senior correspondent covering foreign policy and world news, Vox Related Links Is the US about to attack Venezuela? - Vox A Timeline of Trump’s Strikes on Vessels He Says Are Smuggling Drugs - The New York Times The Real Target of Trump’s War on Drug Boats - The New YorkerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon confirmed this morning it is cutting 14,000 employees from its corporate workforce. In a letter sent to employees earlier today, the Senior Vice President of “People Experience and Technology” – basically, HR – at Amazon quoted CEO Andy Jassey, saying “we want to operate like the world’s largest startup… by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and helping reduce bureaucracy.” This may only be the beginning of cuts within the company. According to Reuters, this round of workforce reduction could include as many as 30,000 positions. That would be the largest staffing reduction in the company’s history. There are indicators that Amazon’s business is booming. Cloud computing sales increased 17.5% in the second quarter. The company is planning to hire 250,000 seasonal employees, anticipating big holiday sales. So - why now? What is Amazon’s goal with these cuts, and what are they aiming to build for the future of the company? Guest: Todd Bishop, co-founder of Geekwire, and a business and technology reporter Related stories: Amazon confirms 14,000 corporate job cuts, says push for ‘efficiency gains’ will continue into 2026 - Geekwire Amazon and the media: Inside the disconnect on AI, robots and jobs - Geekwire Amazon Plans to Replace More Than Half a Million Jobs With Robots - 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.

It’s Day 28 of the federal government shutdown – just a few days away from this becoming the longest-running shutdown in U.S. history… And air traffic controllers working without pay are feeling it. Today, the nation’s roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers are getting their first zero-dollar paycheck since the government shutdown began on October 1. Some of them say they’re considering side gigs, like driving for Uber or DoorDash, to make up for lost income. And thousands of flights have been delayed over the past few days because of controller absences. The shutdown is only the latest in a long list of frustrations bogging these workers down. Understaffing has been troubling the industry for years – including here in Washington state. An aviation expert explains what it takes to become an air traffic controller, the hardships that come with this profession and where the shutdown fits into all of this. Guest: Margaret Wallace, an assistant professor of Aviation Management at Florida Institute of Technology. Wallace also worked as an air traffic controller for the U.S. Air Force for more than a decade. Related stories: Air Traffic Controllers Are Bargaining Chips in Government Shutdown - Business Insider High stress, salary: What it takes to become an air traffic controller Flight delays worsen due to air traffic controller shortage amid shutdown How the nation's air traffic controller shortage affects Washington state - Axios Seattle 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 ever hung out in Oregon’s Fort Stevens State Park, you’ve probably come face to face with the Peter Iredale shipwreck. The British vessel crashed onto the coast in 1906 and has stayed there ever since. Today it has become quite the tourist attraction. But for all its notoriety, the Peter Iredale is just one of more than 2,000 shipwrecks that happened along a dangerous stretch of coastline in the Pacific Northwest. And with many of these wrecks came conflict. A new documentary explores how shipwrecks led to tension - and, sometimes, violence - between Indigenous communities and colonists in the Pacific Northwest. Guest: Anna King, a senior correspondent for Northwest Public Broadcasting and the director of “WRECKED.” Related stories: Wrecked: Sinking ships and colliding cultures on the Northwest Coast More Than 100 Died When the S.S. Valencia Wrecked in the ‘Graveyard of the Pacific’—Learn Why This Stretch of Coastline Has Claimed Thousands of Ships 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.

At a time when Starbucks is closing 200 of its stores and Amazon plans to replace half a million jobs with robots, one Seattle business has been surprisingly resilient: Costco. In 1983, Costco opened its first store in Seattle and today it’s the third largest retailer in the world, with more than 900 stores globally. But while Costco is known for its devoted customer base and generosity towards its employees, how long is that kind of growth, and good will, sustainable? Guest: New Yorker reporter Molly Fischer Related Links: Can the Golden Age of Costco Last? 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 may not be watching the Mariners in the World Series this weekend, but that doesn't mean there aren't awesome things to do... LINKS: Tacoma Holiday Festival Dustin Nickerson at the Neptune Seattle Kraken vs Edmonton Oilers 2025 PSMS Annual Wild Mushroom Show Seattle Coffee Festival AI & Democracy - Women’s University Club SPOOKY STUFF: Washington State Horror Con Fashionably Undead: The Goopening KEXP Kids' Halloween Dance Party Pumpkin Bash - Woodland Park Zoo The Museum of Fright GWAR | Showbox Presents 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 can be easy to make jokes about the split realities of the “Portlandia” sketch you could make out of those images, and the scene President Trump describes when he talks about the Rose City- a place, quote, “where they kill people and destroy the city.” But, with an appeals court ruling this week clearing the way for Oregon National Guard troops to deploy to Portland – what are things like in the city right now? And what can we learn from the people attempting to find common ground between the realities described by Portlanders, and the dire tales spun by our President? Guest Anna Griffin, Pacific Northwest bureau chief, 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.

Consider yourself cordially invited to Brendan Healy’s memorial service. That’s because the Seattle playwright is sharing his experience of living with, and dying from, a terminal illness. His newest play is called "Eulogy, or How to Plan Your Own Funeral (and have fun doing it!)" If you go, you’ll get a front-row seat to remembrances of Healy’s life. But the play also promises audiences pictures of puppies, so there’s a little bit of something for everyone. He’s putting the production on through Pony World Theatre, which he co-founded in 2009. It opens on October 23 at 12th Avenue Arts, so we caught up with Brendan before he hits the stage. Guest: Brendan Healy, the Seattle playwright behind "Eulogy, or How to Plan Your Own Funeral (and have fun doing it!)" Related links: Seattle playwright navigates living with terminal illness in new show | The Seattle Times Pony World Theatre 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, we heard an announcement of a proposed Seattle Police union deal that could open the door to expanded use of police alternatives. There’s also been some positive news on the city budget – to the tune of about $14 million in unexpected revenue on the horizon. And the City Council recently approved a sales tax increase to fund public safety priorities. Lots of City Hall business to review with Seattle Times reporter David Kroman — and we also talk elections. Guest David Kroman, reporter, The Seattle Times Related Links Election 2025: Mayor Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson debate Seattle council approves sales tax increase for public safety Seattle officers ‘undermining’ city’s police alternative, report says Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do dwarf mallow and dandelion have in common? Sure, most people would consider both of these plants weeds, but they're also both found in Natalie Hammerquist's new book, Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Hammerquist is an expert forager who makes YouTube videos about plants in the PNW. We took a trip with her to sample a veritable salad bar growing in between pavers and along the path of the Beacon Food Forest. Guest: Natalie Hammerquist, herbalist, expert forager, and author of Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest and Medicinal Plants of the Pacific 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle hasn't had a two term mayor since Greg Nickels, who won a second term nearly two decades ago. Incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell is trying to break the streak of one term mayors. He was elected to the position in 2021. He previously served on the Seattle city council for 12 years. His opponent is Katie Wilson. She founded the nonprofit Transit Riders Union and serves as its chair. 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.

Wanna scare an apple farmer? Just say one word: “Honeycrisp.” We're kidding…. But they do make farmers' lives harder. That’s according to a recent story in the Wall Street Journal calling the variety a “farmer’s nightmare.” And that’s tough because they’re one of the most popular apples on the market. People can’t seem to resist their sweet, crunchy flavor. So there’s high demand for the apple… but honeycrisps are pretty demanding in return: They’re apparently thin-skinned. They bruise easily. And they’re susceptible to disease. Washington is the biggest apple producer in the entire country, so we asked a farmer in Chelan if this apple variety is rotten right to the core. Guest: Bill Clark runs the Diamondback Acres farm with his wife, Angell, in Chelan. Related links: About Us – Chelan Ranch America’s Favorite Apple Is a Farmer’s Nightmare - WSJ Gala is Washington state's top apple this season - Axios Seattle 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 a few months, Washingtonians on Medicare could see additional hurdles when it comes to getting approval for their procedures and care. . That’s because the Trump Administration is exploring the use of prior authorizations to assess whether medical services are necessary for a patient. If it isn’t, the procedures may not be covered. Prior authorization is a common practice in the insurance industry but not in Medicare. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says the tool will help weed out waste and fraud. And it says it will use AI to help make eligibility decisions. Washington is one of six states that will pilot the program, starting in January. GUEST: Darius Tahir - Correspondent for KFF News RELATED LINKS: AI Will Soon Have a Say in Approving or Denying Medicare Treatments Health Care AI reviews rolling out for Medicare in WA for some procedures WISeR (Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction) Model 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.

Shelley Fairweather-Vega is a Seattle-based translator. She’s responsible for the English edition of Uzbek writer Hamid Ismailov’s novel “We Computers.” For that work, Fairweather-Vega is a finalist for a 2025 National Book Award in the translated literature category. She wrote in the afterword to “We Computers,” that she tried to find room in the plot for the poetry, and room for the poetry in the plot. We talk with her about her work and the community of translators around the Puget Sound. Guest Shelley Fairweather-Vega Related Links We Computers: A Conversation with Hamid Ismailov and Shelley Fairweather-Vega - Yale University Press 2025 National Book Awards: Seattle writer, translator longlisted - 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.

Who will be Seattle’s next top lawyer? The city attorney enforces Seattle’s laws, prosecutes misdemeanor crimes and defends the city in court. After a summer primary, former assistant U.S. attorney Erika Evans emerged as the challenger to incumbent City Attorney Ann Davison. They debate at KUOW in front of a live studio audience. Guests Ann Davison, incumbent Seattle city attorney Erika Evans, candidate for city attorney Related links City Inside/Out: Seattle City Attorney Race Will Seattle reelect its conservative City Attorney? (published before the summer primary) - Cascade PBS Trump has become the focal point in Seattle city attorney race - 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.

Your weekend has arrived, we're ALL celebrating HUMPY, and we're anticipating that very first Mariners World Series... But, there are a bunch of other things happening, so let's get to it! LINKS: SPORTS!! Mariners!! - Thurs/Fri at home, (Sun/Mon in Toronto if needed) Reign vs Utah Royals FC Seahawks vs Houston - MNF! SIFF DocFest - starts Thurs 10/16, ends 10/23 Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair Seattle Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2025 Slack Key Seattle Festival Seattle No Kings - Oct 18 No Kings - FULL MAP Seattle Opera - The Pirates of Penzance Northwest Record Show SPOOKY STUFF: Haunted Skies | The Museum of Flight Hoot 'n' Howl | Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Zoo Boo | Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Family Mask Workshop at Dabble 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.

Demonstrators are gearing up for another nationwide No Kings Day Protest this weekend against President Donald Trump. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, here’s a tagline on the event’s website to catch you up to speed: “Reclaiming Democracy, Rejecting Authoritarianism.” For years, Americans on the left have called Trump an authoritarian. And for a lot of people, his second go in the White House has only reinforced these labels. In the past year, Trump has pardoned rioters who tried to keep him in office after a free and fair election; deployed the National Guard to major U.S. cities against the wishes of state governors; and called for the prosecution of his critics by the U.S. Justice Department. But does Trump’s expansion of executive authority make him… and authoritarian? Or a fascist, as some argue? Two experts from the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies hash it out with us. Guest: Scott Radnitz, Herbert J. Ellison Professor of Russian and Eurasian Studies at the University of Washington Daniel Bessner, Anne H.H. and Kenneth B. Pyle Associate Professor in American Foreign Policy at the University of Washington and co-host of American Prestige Related stories: U.S. is sliding toward authoritarianism, hundreds of scholars say : NPR Trump Vows to Prosecute Political Enemies — Who’s Next? | TIME What is fascism? Experts unpack the ideology : 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.

Two candidates are running to represent the city of Seattle in one of our two city-wide Council seats. And 2026 will be a big year for the council – we’ve got a looming budget deficit, potential federal funding cuts, and, of course, the continuous threat of federal troops being sent to our fair city. The first candidate is a familiar name – incumbent Sara Nelson was elected to the position 9 seat in 2021. She is the city council president, and a co-founder of Fremont Brewing. Her opponent is Dionne Foster - former executive director of the nonprofit Washington Progress Alliance, which advocated for a statewide capital gains tax. Foster is also a former policy advisor for the city. 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.

Americans are reading less for pleasure these days. That’s according to research from the University of Florida and University College London. And it’s not a little dip - we’re talking a 40% drop in daily leisure reading for people 15 and older over the past two decades. This shift is especially prevalent for specific groups, like Black Americans, people with lower incomes, and people in rural areas. We dug deeper into the findings from this study... and took a closer look at Seattle's reading habits. Guest: Jill Sonke, co-director of the EpiArts Lab at the University of Florida. Brooke Bosley, co-founder of the Black Futures Book Club. Spencer Ruchti, author events manager for Third Place Books. Related stories: Reading for pleasure in free fall: New study finds 40% drop over two decades News | University of Florida Fewer People Are Reading for Fun, Study Finds - The New York Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been quite a week for one Seattle scientist, after getting an unexpected late-night call from a Swedish phone number last week. That call turned out to bring good news: Dr. Mary Brunkow is sharing this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. She’s being honored for research she did decades ago; work that would eventually loom large in developing ways to treat autoimmune disease and cancer. We’ve asked Dr. Brunkow to reflect a bit on what that work looks like in hindsight, and what it means to share this honor… GUEST: Dr. Mary Brunkow RELATED LINKS: She didn’t believe she won the Nobel — until a photographer showed up at her Seattle door Mary E. Brunkow – Facts – 2025 - NobelPrize.org UW alum awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine – Be Boundless 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.

Two candidates are running to represent Southeast Seattle, including Beacon Hill, the Chinatown-International District, Columbia City, and Rainier Beach. The District 2 seat was left vacant earlier this year when former City Councilmember Tammy Morales left the role. It’s being temporarily filled by Interim Councilmember Mark Solomon, but he’s going to step aside once voters decide which candidate they want to represent their community. The current candidates for District 2 are campaigning on platforms that prioritize key issues, like gun violence, housing and homelessness. We'll dig into the ways they differ so you can make an informed decision when you reach for your ballots. Guests: Adonis Ducksworth, the communications and policy advisor at the Seattle Department of Transportation Eddie Lin, an assistant attorney for the Seattle City Attorney’s office 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 open this weekend's warmup with a fun chat about the TASVEER FILM FESTIVAL. Soundside's Libby Denkmann spoke with Tasveer Executive Director Rita Meher about what everyone can expect for this year's festival, and what exciting things they've got coming soon! Then producer Jason Burrows takes it away with the standard issue warmup. LINKS: Tasveer Film Festival SPORTS! Mariners vs Tigers - Game 5 - Fri 10/10 5:08p Seattle Reign - Fri 10/10 vs Bay FC UW Husky Men’s Football - FRI 10/10 vs Rutgers Seattle Sounders - SAT 10/11 vs Real Salt Lake Seattle Kraken - Sat 10/11 vs LV Golden Knights Love Letters writing workshop Roller Boogie at Pier 66 2025 Cascadia Poetry Festival 9 Cider 'n' Gold HAUNTED - Tacoma Art Museum Seattle Meowtropolitan - Pumpkin Carving Halloween Train 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.

Vocal pro-Palestinian protests have been happening within one of the Seattle area’s biggest industries. Groups of tech workers at various companies have campaigned to end their employer’s relationships with the Israeli government. One such group, called No Azure for Apartheid, has occupied the Microsoft campus and disrupted corporate events. Guests: Hossam Nasr - former Microsoft employee and organizer with No Azure for Apartheid Relevant Links: The Guardian: Microsoft blocks Israel’s use of its technology in mass surveillance of Palestinians Geekwire: Inside the Microsoft protests: Fired engineer speaks out on Palestine, Israel, AI, and big tech KUOW: Microsoft employees protest company’s contract with Israeli intelligence organization 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 news hit like a gulp of bitter cold brew: Seattle-based Starbucks announced last month the company would be closing hundreds of stores and laying off another 900 corporate employees. Tuesday, October 7th, it was reported that another 369 employees will be laid off here in Washington State in December due to store “closures.” This follows a restructuring plan laid out by CEO Brian Niccol. Here to walk us through the latest out of SBUX HQ is Heather Haddon. She covers restaurants for the Wall Street Journal, and has been following this story all year. GUEST: Heather Haddon RELATED LINKS: Starbucks’s Roller Coaster Week of Job Cuts and Store Closures Starbucks to Close Stores, Lay Off 900 More Corporate Employees Has Your Starbucks Barista Been Acting Especially Friendly Lately? Here’s Why. Message from Brian: An Important Update - About Starbucks 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 two years since Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups carried out multiple coordinated attacks in Israel - killing over a thousand people. Around 250 Israelis were taken hostage. It was a day of unconscionable atrocities and hatred. And war has only made the horrors grow. Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to the United Nations. Last month the United Nations Human Rights Commission declared that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Locally we see a lot of activism around America’s support for Israel and American business’ involvement in Israel and Gaza. But, what do things look like inside Israel right now? And will a ceasefire, if it happens, or the return of hostages, change the picture in Israel? Guest: Liora Halperin is a Professor of International Studies and History, and Distinguished Endowed Chair of Jewish Studies, at the University of Washington, and she’s the Director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies. Related stories: Israel at War With Itself - 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.

Wildfire smoke is deadly and getting deadlier. A recent study published in Nature estimates that if warming continues at the current rate, smoke exposure could kill 70,000 Americans a year by 2050… and researchers expect that Washington could feel some of the biggest impacts. Some researchers say the study points to some of the strongest evidence so far that climate change is endangering people in the United States. Smoke pollution can cause coughing and throat irritation, but it can also lead to long-term respiratory and heart issues. The West Coast in particular is expected to see the biggest increases in smoke pollution. So we’re bringing you another “ask a doctor” segment, where we ask medical professionals to give us the information we need to stay healthy. GUEST: Dr. James Wallace, a family medicine physician and the health officer for Okanogan County. RELATED LINKS: Wildfire Smoke Will Kill Thousands More by 2050, Study Finds The Fifth Season — Clean Air Methow Telling the story of wildfire smoke risks Washington Smoke Blog 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 a bid to make progress on homelessness during the pandemic, Seattle began housing people in a shelter at the Civic Hotel, just a few blocks from the Space Needle. The space offered wraparound services and, unlike some other shelters, didn’t require its clients to be sober. And all in all, it seemed like things were going pretty well. Then Seattle stopped sending people there. Rooms were empty, despite the fact that the city had committed millions of dollars to keep using the building. A new investigation digs into why the city stopped using the Civic Hotel… and the complicated journey to finding a replacement. Guest: Ashley Hiruko, an investigative reporter at KUOW and a fellow with ProPublica. Related stories: KUOW - Seattle paid for shelter beds that it left vacant despite a massive need for housing 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 Public Schools have only been back in session for about a month, but it’s already been a busy year for the district. We wanted to get caught up on what’s been happening, so we reached out to Interim Superintendent Fred Podesta for a conversation last week. We talked with him about school lunch protests, the budget, and a proposed pilot program to bring a school engagement officer back to one Seattle high school. Guest Fred Podesta, interim superintendent, Seattle Public SchoolsThank 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 week renowned primatologist Jane Goodall died at the age of 91. Goodall spent 65 years studying wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. Her work showed that chimpanzees make and use tools, and have emotions, empathy and their own culture. She changed our understanding of the world around us. But it went far beyond just that - in her later life Goodall was an advocate: for conservation, human rights, animal welfare, and a number of other issues. Myron Shekelle is a primatologist and senior instructor at Western Washington University. And he previously worked with Goodall - he assisted with founding the Jane Goodall Institute in Singapore. Guest: Myron Shekelle, is a primatologist and senior instructor at Western Washington University Related stories: WWU primatologist spearheaded campaign to nominate Jane Goodall for Nobel Peace Prize - Cascadia Daily 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.

We’re talking about the future of a big job today: King County Executive.Whichever candidate is elected to this position will oversee the sheriff’s department, manage public health, transportation, public housing, and jails… according to the King County website, they’ll lead one of the largest regional governments in the United States. The last time we had an open race for King County Executive, Barack Obama was about to become President. And everyone was talking about some new Washington-based movie called “Twilight.” Today, two county leaders are vying for the job. Guests: Claudia Balducci is a member of the King County Council. She represents District 6, which includes Bellevue, Mercer Island, and Redmond. She is an attorney who previously served as Mayor of Bellevue, she was a Bellevue city council member, and Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention for King County. Girmay Zahilay is chair of the King County Council, representing District 2, which includes Skyway, Allentown, and the University District. He’s also an attorney and founded the non-profit Rising Leaders, which offers mentorship and leadership training for middle school students. 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 Major League Baseball playoffs started this week and the Mariners, once again, did not take the field. But this year, that’s actually a good thing. Your Seattle Mariners finished on top of their division for the first time in nearly a quarter century and have a first round bye in the playoffs. The team’s first ALDS game is Saturday. It has been an absolute rollercoaster of a season. Cal Raleigh led the charge and put up an impressive 60 home runs in the regular season. He’s one of the favorites to win the American League MVP. The M’s have had a few new faces join the team, notably trade deadline acquisition Josh Naylor, and the vibe got a shot in the arm as the team brought Geno Suarez back… The last time the Seattle Mariners won the American League West pennant, Ichiro was in his rookie year, the team won 116 games, and a guy named Dan Wilson was the catcher. Dan Wilson is NOW the Manager of the M’s, and he’s led the team to their first AL West championship since 2001. He sat down with Soundside host Libby Denkmann Thursday morning. GUEST: Mariners Manager Dan Wilson RELATED LINK: Official Seattle Mariners Website 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 didn't have time on the broadcast, but don't worry... Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows has all the events for you to enjoy this weekend. LINKS: Oktoberfest Northwest - Washington State Fair Event Center Oktoberfest - Leavenworth Washington OktoBEARfest - Woodland Park Zoo 2025 Tacoma Greek Festival OysterFest The Northwest Chocolate Festival U District Chow Down & Street Party HAUNTED HOUSES: Haunted Forest of Maple Valley Nile Nightmares Haunted House - Mountlake Terrace Georgetown Morgue - SoDo My Haunted Forest - Kitsap Stalker Farms - Snohomish Maris Farms Haunted Woods | Haunted Adventure in Buckley, WA 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.

Who is an apology for? The answer is more obvious when the person you’re apologizing to is standing in front of you. You want their forgiveness. Or for them to feel better. Or for you to feel better. But when the people who were hurt, or those who hurt them, are long gone – what does apologizing actually accomplish? That’s one of the questions behind a recent essay in the New Yorker. It’s called “The Ritual of Civic Apology,” by Beth Lew-Williams. Lew-Williams is a Professor of History and Director of the Program in Asian American Studies at Princeton University. She begins her essay by recounting a talk she gave in Tacoma, a few years ago. It was about the forced expulsion of Tacoma’s Chinese residents in November 1885. And the city’s attempts to apologize for it, generations later. Guest: Beth Lew-Williams is Professor of History and Director of the Program in Asian American Studies at Princeton University. Her new book “John Doe Chinaman: A Forgotten History of Chinese Life under American Racial Law” published in September of this year Related stories: The Ritual of Civic Apology - The New Yorker 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 finally fall, which means the return of colorful flannels, blundstones, and the occasional raincoat. These are the clothes that have come to define Seattle fashion… which, if you haven’t heard, is bad. That’s at least according to a longheld stereotype about our city’s aesthetic. People like to make fun of the way Seattle-ites dress. They’ve labeled our fashion sense as Normie. Uninspired. Boring. We’re asking two local fashion experts to weigh in on whether Seattle is an unstylish city… or if locals just earned a bad rap in their attempt to stay warm and dry. Guest: Clara Berg, a fashion historian and Curator of Collections at the Museum of History & Industry. Andrew Hoge, a creative director and fashion writer in Seattle. Related stories: KUOW - Seattle: Do you dress like you're going to have a 'hiking emergency'? Seattle Is a Fashion Capital: The History of Its Grunge, Gorp, and Graffiti Scenes 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 federal government is headed for a shutdown. Congressional leaders from both parties met with President Trump yesterday at the White House. They failed to make progress towards a funding deal. Democrats say they want to reverse some Medicaid cuts that Republicans passed earlier this year – and extend tax credits for people on Obamacare plans. Meanwhile, Republicans falsely claim that their colleagues across the aisle are shutting down the government to fund healthcare for unauthorized immigrants. Barring a last minute breakthrough in the Senate, the government will shut down for the first time in almost 7 years just after midnight tonight. Guest: Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) Relevant Links: NPR: Here's what a government shutdown could affect around the country Politico: Johnson, Jeffries dug in ahead of shutdown deadline NYT: The deadlock over funding the government is growing uglier. 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.

President Trump designated antifa as a domestic terrorist organization last week. He followed up with a memo directing the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to investigate individuals and groups engaged in political violence and intimidation. Trump cited antifa as a reason to mobilize 200 Oregon National Guard troops, which are expected to arrive in Portland within the next week. The president claimed ICE facilities in the city “were under siege from attack by Antifa and other domestic terrorists.” So what is behind these anti-antifa moves by the White House? And what exactly is antifa? Guest Christopher Mathias, reporter, author of the upcoming book “To Catch a Fascist” Related links Trump's new anti-antifa panic is the start of something much more dangerous — MSNBC 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 homicide detective Ian Carter arrives at the scene of a murder, the victim is posed to look like Ophelia from Hamlet. Not that any of the detectives on the scene realize that...The person who will crack open that clue, and other twisted literary references, is on the other side of their Oregon college town; English professor Emma Reilly. She’s struggling to get to class on time, and sensitive about avoiding the “absent minded professor” trope. It’s the beginning of the new novel “Murder by the Book,” by author Amie Schaumberg… who lives in Spokane and happens to be an English professor herself. The narrative shifts between the perspectives of Detective Carter and Professor Reilly, and as the mystery unfolds, we see the crime through different lenses - Literary, Artistic, and Forensic… GUEST: Amie Schaumberg RELATED LINKS: Amie Schaumberg, Author Writing Neurodivergence in Crime Fiction Murder by the Book – HarperCollins Washington author’s debut novel admires and interrogates literature 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.