Soundside

How comfortable are you with AI in your news? The Tacoma News Tribune, Tri-City Herald, Bellingham Herald, the Olympian. For over a century all of these local papers have brought in-depth reporting and local news to their communities. But new policies instituted by publisher McClatchy Media have left reporters at the papers worried that the company is adopting artificial intelligence tools for efficiency’s sake, at the cost of accurate information. Union members from the Idaho and Washington State Newsguild, a group of five McClatchy owned papers in the region (that includes the four from WA and The Idaho Statesman), are demanding that the publisher change its policy on how it uses artificial intelligence to produce and collate content. Guests: Kristine Sherred is the food reporter at the Tacoma News Tribune, and chair of the WA state newsguild Links: To our readers: How we are using AI in our newsrooms - Miami Herald The McClatchy News Group Is Pushing AI. Their Union Is Pushing Back. - The Stranger 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.

Another week down, only... 50 left to go in 2026. If you need a bit of distraction from your doom scrolling, we’ve got just the thing… Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with local events you can check out over the next few days, plus some really great stuff coming up to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day… LINKS: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS vs San Francisco 49ers - Saturday 5pm Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet - Sun 7pm Seattle Kraken vs Pittsburgh Penguins - Mon 2pm Seattle Retro Fest Monster Jam | Tacoma Dome Fat Con Kidstock! 2026 | Edmonds Center for the Arts Follow the Yellow Brick Road: An Oz Film Festival 2026 Winterhop Brewfest MLK Day Events: Annual Community Celebration of MLK | Seattle Colleges - Fri 1/16 2026 MLK Day March & Celebration on January 17 - Parkways - Sat 1/17 26th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party and Live Broadcast - Sun 1/18 MLK Celebration 2026 - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art - Sunday 1/18 Events | SCBHC - Everett, WA Sun 1/18 - Celebration + Mon 1/19 - March & Rally MLK Day — Seattle MLK Jr Organizing Coalition - Mon 1/19 NAAM | Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2026 - Mon 1/19 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 state’s general fund budget is in trouble, as is its transportation budget. Inflation, higher than expected costs, lower than anticipated revenues, state services scheduled to expand. If you listen to KUOW, you’re probably aware of why the state is facing budget shortfalls. This next segment is about a bright spot in the state’s budget: the money generated from the cap and invest system. That’s part of the Climate Commitment Act which voters upheld in 2024. Here’s how it works: The state sets a limited amount of emissions allowed each year by major companies that’s the cap. Companies that emit more than they’re supposed to have to buy an allowance in a state-run auction. The latest auction generated $394 million dollars. The money is supposed to go towards climate investments like air quality monitors, electric vehicle chargers, and public transportation projects. But Governor Ferguson recently proposed using more than half billion dollars of that money to fund another program: The Working Families Tax Credit. It’s a refund that gives money back to low-and-medium income state residents. Meanwhile, Republicans, perhaps seeing an opening with the governor’s proposal, want to use the money to offset utility costs for schools. Environmental groups are already pushing back against the Governor’s proposal. The budget fight has come for this big pot of money and we’re going to hear two perspectives on this issue today. Guests: Todd Myers, Vice President of Research at Washington Policy Center Reuven Carlyle, Founder of Earth Finance, former state senator, and architect of the Climate Commitment Act Relevant Links: Seattle Times: A budget ‘rat hole’? Political fight over WA climate money intensifies Washington State Standard: WA governor calls for tapping reserve fund and climate law cash to fill budget hole 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.

Tensions across the country remain high one week after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. The shooting has sparked nationwide protests, including in the Seattle area. Accounts of what happened have split along political lines. Since the shooting, the administration is doubling down on its immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. The number of federal immigration enforcement agents deployed to Minnesota is expected to reach 3,000 in the coming days, the largest operation in U.S. history, according to DHS. U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal joined us to share her thoughts on the events that unfolded this past week. Guests: Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative for Washington's 7th Congressional District. Related links: How 3,000 federal agents would compare to 10 largest Twin Cities police forces - The Minnesota Star Tribune New poll reveals voter sentiments on fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good - USA TODAY Trump officials defend federal agents after ICE shooting - The Hill Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's Deadly Assault on Minnesota - Rep. Pramila Jayapal's Youtube page Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in two cases challenging state bans on trans athletes competing in girls' and women's sports.Twenty-seven states have bans on trans girls and women competing in school sports consistent with their gender identity. But Washington passed a law in 2007 that protects trans athletes' participation in school sports. It was the first state to do so. For more than a decade, that law received very little attention. But in recent years, questions about fairness, the athletic advantages conferred by testosterone, and the sanctity of women’s sports have become fiery political issues. And for the first time, a few trans athletes have won competitions, including Verónica Garcia, a runner from Spokane Valley. In May, she repeated as the state 2A high school girls champion in the 400 meters. Last month, she was the subject of an extensive profile in the Washington Post that explored her life as she was finishing high school and competing in track and field for the last time Reporter Casey Parks followed Verónica for a year. We spoke to them both for almost two hours. This episode is the condensed version of that conversation. Guests Verónica García, college student and runner Casey Parks, reporter, The Washington Post Related Links For young transgender runner, racing wasn’t the hardest thing - The Washington Post (Casey's piece) Heywood you sign this? Let's Go WA is working on two new initiatives - Soundside, KUOW WA Democrats won’t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives - Washington State Standard Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doctors have long recommended regular cervical cancer screenings. Traditionally doctors perform these exams using a speculum, which often say is uncomfortable and, for many, quite painful. Some recent developments could make a large number of these screenings easier. In early January, the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, updated its guidelines to say that self-administered tests are an acceptable way to screen for human papillomavirus. HPV is a sexually-transmitted disease that causes the majority of cervical cancer cases. OB-GYNs are hopeful that at-home testing will make cervical cancer screenings easier to access…. and significantly more comfortable. Guests: Dr. Linda Eckert, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine Related links: New Guidelines Endorse Self-Swab Alternative to Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Testing - The New York Times Cervical Cancer Risk Factors | Cervical Cancer | CDC The FDA has approved an at-home HPV test. What you need to know : 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.

Every Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.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: Paige Browning - KUOW News Anchor & Podcast Host RELATED LINKS: After Minneapolis killing, protests in Seattle, U.S. demand: ‘ICE out’ Valdez introduces bill to ban face-concealing masks by law enforcement in response to masked ICE raids Gov Bob Ferguson’s 6 Request Bills WA Democrats won’t hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives Here’s What to Know About the Protests in Iran Iran Edges Closer to a Revolution That Would Reshape the World NFL playoffs: Seahawks will host 49ers in NFC divisional round Seahawks continue crackdown on resale of season tickets 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 transportation fees to requirements for closed captions in movie theaters, you might have already noticed the effects of several new laws and taxes with a January 1 start date. And we’re about to begin a new legislative session on Monday, January 12th. In Olympia, lawmakers are facing a yawning budget shortfall and uncertain funding from the federal government. We review the new laws we need to follow and preview the upcoming session. GUESTS Jake Goldstein-Street, reporting, Washington State Standard RELATED LINKS Gerrymander Washington state? Democrats want to talk about it - KUOW These new laws and taxes take effect in Washington state on Jan. 1 - Washington State Standard Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve reached the end of our first full week of 2026, and it’s time to get out there & do something FUN. LINKS: 2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Northwest Film Forum David Horsey | Elliott Bay Book Company OrcaCon Tabletop Games Convention Seattle Travel and Adventure Show Great Train Show 2026 - Ridgefield, WA Seattle Bach Festival Jules Maes Saloon - Prohibition Party Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost Official Watch Party at Rough & Tumble 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.

A lot has changed in Seattle in the last 7 days. The city has a new mayor, a new city attorney, two new council members, and, as of Tuesday afternoon, a new city council president. District 3 representative Joy Hollingsworth won unanimous support yesterday from her colleagues to lead the council over the next two years. The stakes of leading the city are always high, but this looks to be an especially packed year: there’s the ongoing project of finishing the city’s growth plan, another budget deficit to contend with…. and the World Cup (and its hordes of fans) landing here in June. Not to mention the potential for federal policy changes that could impact city government. So - how will the city council navigate 2026 and beyond? GUEST: Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth RELATED LINKS: Councilmember Hollingsworth calls for action after violence on Capitol Hill - Seattle City Council Blog Seattle OKs New Growth Plan, but Biggest Zoning Battles Lie Ahead - The Urbanist Katie Wilson is officially Seattle's mayor. Her agenda: affordability, housing, and workers' rights - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than a week after the U.S. captured Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, the Coast Guard seized two oil tankers accused of violating U.S. sanctions. One of the vessels, seized in the North Atlantic, was registered in Russia. The Trump Administration is leaning on Venezuela to open up its oil industry to U.S. companies and oust the influence of Russia and China. President Trump said Tuesday that Venezuela will turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. As this new era of interventionism unfolds, Greenland also appears to have returned to the top of the White House’s agenda. We talked to Rep. Adam Smith, the Democratic ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, about all of that and more. NOTE: News is developing quickly, and we spoke to Rep. Smith just after 10am PT. Head to npr.org or KUOW for the latest updates. GUEST: Rep. Adam Smith, Democrat, Washington's 9th district Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been three days since the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in an audacious military raid. It was a sudden and intense escalation of an ongoing campaign by the United States to oust Maduro. Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, appeared in a Manhattan court yesterday in an arraignment hearing over drug trafficking and weapons charges. Those charges were central to the government’s rationale for capturing Maduro. But since Maduro’s capture, the Trump administration has focused on the Venezuelan oil industry and threatened other countries in Latin America like Cuba, Columbia and Mexico. GUESTS: Jenaro Abraham, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Gonzaga University Marines Scaramazza, reporter and manager of Latino Herald, based in Lynnwood RELATED LINKS: NPR: 7 takeaways from Trump's incursion into Venezuela Seattle Times: After Maduro’s capture, Venezuelans in WA ask: ‘Should we be happy?’ Al Jazeera: Trump’s bid to commandeer Venezuela’s oil sector faces hurdles, experts say Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being a movie buff in Seattle feels a little… unsettled right now. That’s because there’s been a lot of changes at SIFF, the Seattle International Film Festival, which has been the vanguard when it comes to all things movies. The organization announced Monday, it was undergoing an organizational restructuring, including some layoffs. This follows a somewhat tumultuous year for SIFF. For more, we're joined by... GUESTS: Chase Hutchinson, critic and freelance reporter, who often covers SIFF for the Seattle Times RELATED LINK: SIFF announces more layoffs, organizational restructuring | 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 plenty of headwinds affecting affordable housing construction and maintenance right now. Building costs are going up, and federal funding is uncertain. Affordable housing providers in Seattle and beyond have struggled as COVID-era rent subsidies disappeared. Colleen Echohawk has been thinking about these issues a lot. She is the new CEO of Community Roots Housing, a Public Development Authority that manages over 2,300 affordable housing units in Seattle. They’re set to open more units in 2026, so we spoke to her about her plans for the organization. Echohawk is also a member of the transition team for Mayor Katie Wilson, co-chairing the a group working on affordable housing and community needs. Guest Colleen Echohawk, CEO, Community Roots Housing Related Links Seattle’s affordable housing industry is in crisis. The city faces tough choices - The Seattle Times (June 2025) Seattle doubles bailout for ailing affordable housing sector - The Seattle Times (December 4th, 2025)Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.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: Geekwire contributing editor, journalist, and owner of the Streamline Tavern - Mike Lewis Related stories: Maduro and wife plead not guilty to narco-terrorism charges - NPR Trump wants U.S. oil companies in Venezuela. Here's what to know - KUOW Katie Wilson is officially Seattle's mayor. Her agenda: affordability, housing, and workers' rights - KUOW Seattle-area Somalis seek officials’ help with daycare doxxing, immigration crackdown - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s New Year’s Eve. At midnight, many of us will be raising glasses, kissing loved ones, and trying to remember the words to “Auld Lang Syne.” That song, if you don’t recall, begins with a question: “Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?” We here at Soundside say, NO! We will remember. This year, we brought on a couple new producers, and they have been fantastic additions to our team! I am super excited to see how they help us grow. But we will never forget those who helped us get here. So, today, we’re playing back some of the great work by former Soundside producers. RELATED LINKS: 'Thousands of stiches, all by hand': a look at Puget Sound's artisan sailmakers Remembering Soul Radio-o-o-o-o-o-o 1250 KYAC - Seattle How the Olympic marmot became Washington's fuzziest state symbol Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re revisiting some of our favorite segments of the year. And today, we're talking about transit. And translators. A now-former King County Metro Bus driver tells us what passengers should know when they ride the bus. But more importantly, we got some insight into why the 8 in downtown Seattle is so often called the late bus. Plus, we sat down with a Seattle-based translator to discuss her National Book Award-nominated work translating the novel We Computers into English. She said that translating the poetry and the prose in this book was like running a triathlon. We're taking a trip with two local women who helped us get from point A to point B in 2025. Guests Desiree Andersen, former King County Metro bus driver, @desinthepark Shelley Fairweather-Vega, Seattle-based translator of Hamid Ismailov's 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 the holidays and, to round out 2025, the Soundside team is sharing some of our favorite conversations we had on the show this year. For this episode, we devoted the entire hour to a conversation we originally aired last month on Bruce Lee. This year, author Jeff Chang published an in-depth biography on Lee’s life. It's called “Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America." In it, Chang shows how the rise of Bruce Lee mirrored the rise of Asian American identity. In this interview, we talked about Lee’s life in Seattle; his rise in Hollywood; and how his short life left an imprint on Asian Americans that can be felt to this day. RELATED LINK: "Water Mirror Echo" explores the life, and legacy, of Bruce Lee Book Review: ‘Water Mirror Echo,’ by Jeff Chang - 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.

Christmas Eve begins our holiday break here on Soundside. We’re taking some time off to enjoy the holidays with our friends and family… or to just eat lots of good food while staying indoors. But we’ve still got plenty of jam packed shows ready for you. Today - we’re focusing on local businesses here in the Pacific Northwest. RELATED LINKS: A tech startup helping the visually impaired "watch" sports with their fingertips Will people always love Costco? At 75, Cougar Gold canned cheese is still a Washington state favorite The lights go down... for now... on the Grand Illusion Cinema 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 lot has changed during Sara Nelson’s time in Seattle government. She was a centrist outlier on a progressive city council when she was first elected in 2021. But the dynamics changed: Nelson became the center of power, and ended up running the show as council president, after a moderate slate of candidates swept the 2023 election. She helped oversee pandemic-era recovery, worked with two different mayoral administrations and two very different presidential administrations during her time on the council. Now - her time in office is coming to an end. Next month, there will be a new, more progressive representative in the citywide Position 9 seat that Nelson’s held the past four years. Nonprofit leader Dionne Foster will take Nelson’s place after winning by a wide margin of votes in November. Between passing a police contract, approving phase one of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, and putting forward a bill to change how consultants work with the city – Nelson has been busy during her last month in office. And last week she spent an hour with Soundside to reflect on her tenure and the direction Seattle politics is moving. GUESTS: Sara Nelson, outgoing position 9 Seattle City Councilmember and City Council President RELATED LINKS: Seattle passes new transparency law aimed at political consultants - Seattle Times New Seattle Police contract includes pay boost, increased use of unarmed crisis responders - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.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: Former KIRO-FM host Dave Ross TODAY'S TOPICS: Flooding Seattle Times: A damaged King County levee awaited fixes for years. Then it failed. NBC News: Federal grants for flood mitigation work sat on hold as storms inundated Washington state Affordability NYTimes: How Democrats Used One Word to Turn the Tide Against Trump NYTimes: These Young Adults Make Good Money. But Life, They Say, Is Unaffordable. Dave Ross parody songs 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 holidays: a time to gather with friends and family, to enjoy one another’s company as we light candles or sit by a tree and contemplate the year’s passing. It’s also a time to argue with said friends and family about some really dumb stuff. Is Die Hard a holiday movie? Should Mariah Carey officially be crowned “Queen of Christmas?” Has there ever been a good Hanukkah song? You’ll be debating hard hitting questions like this. And on Soundside, we’re here to help you win the argument. It’s our gift to you. Today – We’re pitting three movies, songs, and local events against each other to determine a winner, in a totally original game we’re calling “Kiss Merry Kill.” And of course that’s merry like Santa is - with an E. HOLIDAY FARE DISCUSSED: Movies Deck the Halls (2006) The Happiest Season (2020) A Diva’s Christmas Carol (2000) Music The Christmas Shoes by NewSong Mistletoe by Justin Bieber Puppy for Hanukkah by Daveed Diggs Events The Bait Shop holiday light show SantaCon The Seattle Christmas Market Sitting on Santa's lap at the Bellevue Square Mall GUESTS: Betty Wetter is a Seattle drag queen, and host of monthly drag variety show Tush! at the Clock-out Lounge Juno Men is a comedian, and co-host of the Moth Storytelling Slam here in 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.

Seattle may have to say goodbye to a longstanding vintage shop in the new year. Red Light Vintage & Costume sits in the heart of the University District. It has been a fixture in Seattle’s fashion scene since it opened in the mid 90s. Now the shop could close because owner Niz Marar is retiring. He’s hoping to sell the business before his lease expires at the end of January. If he can’t find a buyer, fashion lovers will have to let go of this cherished spot. We talk to Marar about his final few weeks at Red Light... and hear from the person who's trying to keep it alive by buying the shop before the lease ends. GUESTS: Niz Marar, owner of Red Light Vintage & Costume Tacee Webb, co-founder of Red Light Vintage & Costume RELATED LINKS: Red Light Vintage – vintage & costume Red Light Revival: New classes, events, & memberships! — Kickstarter 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 only a few weeks left in 2025. That means for those of you who resolved, at the beginning of the year, to do more reading — it's crunch time. Did you actually put down your phone long enough to get through a book this year? It's not too late. Many great books came out this year. If you need suggestions for something to read or to give to someone who really ought to be reading more, we've got you covered. GUESTS: Misha Stone, reader services librarian, Seattle Public Library Spencer Ruchti, author events manager, Third Place Books RELATED LINKS: Our list of books we loved! Yes, it's a Google Doc. 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 end of the year is just around the corner, and with the next two Thursdays each being holidays, this is the final Weekend Warmup of the Year! LINKS: TNF! Seahawks vs Rams Thurs 12/18 The 29th Annual Model Train Festival - Washington State Historical Society Opens Fri 12/19 - runs through Jan 1, 2026 2025 Winter Beer Fest – WA Brewers Guild Fri/Sat - 12/19-20 Hell’s Belles at the Croc Sat 12/20 United Indians Native Art Market » United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star Sat/Sun - 12/20-21 Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet Sun 12/21 - 2pm 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.

Skagit County has been hit by multiple waves of catastrophic flooding over the past week. Amid the devastation, there is a bright spot: A floodwall in Mount Vernon successfully held off the Skagit River as it rose to a record 37.7 feet. That floodwall only exists because it sits in an area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be at highest risk of flooding. Many residents of Skagit county might be unaware of the current flooding risk to their homes or businesses – because, according to The Seattle Times, Skagit County’s flood maps haven’t been updated in 40 years. We'll hear from Lulu Ramadan, who reported on these flood maps, before turning to Kristiana de Leon, who had to evacuate malamutes amid flooding along the Puyallup River last week. GUESTS: Lulu Ramadan, an investigative reporter at The Seattle Times Kristiana de Leon of the Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League RELATED LINKS: Skagit County flood maps showing high-risk areas are 40 years old | The Seattle Times Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League – We pull for them 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.

Approximately 10,000 people are still under evacuation notice after multiple levee failures across Western Washington. In King County: flood controls have breached in the last 48 hours. As of this morning, residents in the city of Pacific, east of Tacoma, are under a "go now" evacuation order after a flood control breach on the nearby White River. A levee was breached yesterday in Tukwila and Kent, the evacuation order for the area is no longer in effect. Guests: Casey Martin, KUOW reporter Josh Baldi, water and land resources division director for King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Relevant Links: KUOW live updates See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Homeland Security may be shifting its approach to deportation flights by ICE. According to reporting by the Washington Post, DHS recently signed a contract to purchase six Boeing 737 planes. Currently, ICE primarily uses charter planes for deportations. This purchase suggests the agency has plans to expand its capacity to deport people using its own fleet. What implications does this have for immigration enforcement and the way detainees are moved in and out of the United States? GUEST: McKenzie Funk - Reporter at ProPublica covering immigration, privacy and climate change RELATED LINKS: DHS inks contract to create its own fleet of 737 jets for deportations Inside ICE Air: Flight Attendants on Deportation Planes Say Disaster Is “Only a Matter of Time” At Seattle’s Boeing Field, Real-Time Video Offers a Rare Glimpse of America’s Troubled Deportation Flights Avelo Airlines, a New ICE Air Contractor, Faces Backlash in Connecticut 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 Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.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 TODAY'S TOPICS: Flooding Live updates: Western Washington braces for more rain and flooding this week - KUOW Canlis A market of extremes: How 2026 will impact restaurant winners and losers - Restaurant Dive Grandpa Rivers & the Indianapolis Colts Philip Rivers hadn't played an NFL game in 5 years. The grandfather nearly upset a Super Bowl contender. - NBC 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 a busy year for the Seattle Police Department. A new chief was sworn in, the longstanding federal consent decree ended and the city reached a new contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild that changes how it can approach unarmed crisis response. Plus, a new mayor will take office in January. Mayor-elect Katie Wilson announced this week that she planned to retain Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, despite some rumors to the contrary. Soundside's Libby Denkmann talked with Barnes on the morning of Thursday, December 11th, about the incoming administration, the recent policing shooting in Othello, and more. Note: Starting at 7:45 in the interview, Barnes cites several statistics about a drop in crime. We asked SPD for more information about the decreased crime percentages, and they said Barnes is referencing the first 11 months of 2025 compared to 2024. But in reference to homicides, the information SPD gave us cites 2019 as the last comparable year, and the reduction is actually 36 percent, instead of 35 percent, as Barnes states. GuestSeattle Police Chief Shon Barnes Related Links Seattle City Council approves new police contract, boosting pay and expanding crisis response -KUOWSeattle police video shows officers fatally shooting allegedly armed man - The Seattle Times Seattle City Council Approves Police Contract as South End Mourns Killing in Othello - South Seattle EmeraldThank 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.

Catastrophic flooding continues to threaten Washington. Around 100,000 people in Western Washington have been advised to evacuate. Hundreds of Washington National Guard members have been tapped to help with response efforts. And Gov. Ferguson declared a statewide emergency in response to the flooding. We talked to three KUOW reporters about what they're seeing on the ground and what we need to know about this weather event. CORRECTION: As of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, approximately 100,000 people were advised to evacuate across Western Washington. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Skagit County issued immediate evacuation orders to 100,000 residents. GUESTS: KUOW Reporter Joshua McNichols KUOW Reporter John Ryan KUOW Reporter Casey Martin RELATED LINKS: KUOW - Live updates: 100,000 evacuated in historic Skagit Valley flood in Washington state KUOW - Western Washington faces 'catastrophic' flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain Live: Flooding in WA’s Skagit, Snohomish rivers prompt road closures, evacuations | The Seattle Times Skagit River creeps toward Mount Vernon flood wall | 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.

Hey Soundside Listeners! Because our entire show was focused on flood coverage with the Governor's press conference, and live conversations with KUOW reporters Joshua McNichols, John Ryan, and Casey Martin, we decided to skip the Weekend Warmup on the air this week, and drop it here on the podcast feed instead. Stay safe, check KUOW.org for updates, and look in on your neighbors. With that said, please enjoy this podcast exclusive Weekend Warmup! LINKS: SPORTS! Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun 1:25pm Buffalo Sabres at Seattle Kraken - Sun 5pm Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge - Wed 7pm WildLanterns: Night Owls (21+) - Fri 12/12 Mozart & Mutts: Annual Holiday Concert - Fri 12/12 Jurassic Quest | Washington State Fairgrounds The Naughty Novel Social Club: Krampus Edition DEAF SANTA CLAUS - Sun 12/14 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 38 years old, Girmay Zahilay is King County’s youngest-ever executive. He’s coming in after the long tenure of his predecessor Dow Constantine, who ran the county for nearly 16 years. Zahilay was sworn in early to replace the temporary acting executive who’s been in charge since Constantine stepped down in March. He says he’s ready to “completely change” the office. The King County Executive oversees all kinds of important services like the sheriff’s department, public health, transportation, public housing, and jails. So what will that change look like? And what could it mean for King County? GUESTS: King County Executive, Girmay Zahilay RELATED LINKS: Sworn in early, Exec Zahilay is ready to shake up King County - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Wednesday morning, we spoke with the mayor of Auburn and the city manager in Carnation about flooding in their cities and what they expect to happen next. GUESTS: Nancy Backus, mayor of Auburn, WA Rhonda Ender, city manager, Carnation, WA RELATED LINKS: ‘Catastrophic’ flooding expected in King, Snohomish, Skagit counties -The Seattle Times Western Washington faces 'catastrophic' flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington, like the entire country, has been hit hard by fentanyl. So far this year, 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. 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. 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.

For weeks, King County homelessness service providers have been staring down a majorly disruptive change to how they currently operate. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development said in November that it intended to redirect billions of dollars in grants that house homeless people. This was in line with President Trump’s rejection of “housing first,” the practice that aims to get people stabilized in long-term housing before addressing mental health issues or addiction. It's guided policy in this region and across the United States for decades. The Trump Administration’s announcement put $65 million in federal grant money for King County in doubt. And it left local leaders scrambling. The county called providers together last week to discuss the change. Washington state and roughly 20 states sued, and later, so did King County and local homeless service providers. But yesterday, 90 minutes before a court hearing, HUD withdrew the new requirements around grants. Sounds like a rollercoaster, right? Providers in the area are breathing a sigh of relief. Though, the last-minute shift signifies the complicated task of planning homelessness response, one that relies on federal dollars, when massive changes are taking place in Washington, D.C. GUEST: Kelly Kinnison, CEO of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority RELATED LINKS KCRHA: Changes to Federal Funding will Increase Unsheltered Homelessness in King County Seattle Times: King County has 3 plans for Trump’s homelessness funding changes 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 disturbing image shared by Senator Patty Murray has been reverberating across the internet. It shows a man’s torso, his right side covered in wounds - lacerations, scratch marks, bite marks - after he was mauled by an immigration agent’s canine. Blood splatters the sheets below him. The man, Wilmer Toledo-Martinez of Vancouver, Washington, was detained outside his home last month by federal agents. Senator Murray and Wilmer’s family are calling for his release – and calling out the violent treatment he received at the hands of immigration officers. GUEST Olia Catala is Wilmer Toledo-Martinez’s attorney, and the owner of Catala Immigration PLLC RELATED LINKS Senator: ICE dog attack on WA man ‘should shock the conscience’ - Seattle Times Vancouver man speaks for first time since viral video of ICE arrest - OPB 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 could tell this next story with numbers. There is a lot of data. But at its core: This is a story about Native American kids. And how year after year, law enforcement and lawmakers in Olympia allow these children to be arrested and jailed at far higher rates than their white peers. Those experiences as children have lasting consequences well into adulthood. State officials and lawmakers know there’s a problem. But advocates say they haven’t done enough to stop it. GUEST Melanie Henshaw - Indigenous affairs reporter, InvestigateWest RELATED LINKS Native American children significantly more likely to be arrested, detained in Washington Native American kids less likely than others in WA to be offered second chance in juvenile court, data shows Most children charged as adults in Washington are youth of color 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 June 26th, 2020, and a group of protesters stands in the midst of the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest. They’re talking to another group of people, including a city employee, about city sanitation workers getting access to the area. Towards the front of the group stands a 16 year old boy, wearing a grey baseball cap, a hoodie, and a surgical mask. He taps a protest organizer’s shoulder, so they’ll know he wants to speak. What you’re hearing is some of the last known footage of Antonio Mays Jr before he was shot and killed, just days later, in the CHOP zone. That death contributed to the end of the Occupied Protest in 2020. The video - was livestreamed by Omari Salisbury of Converge Media, and remained on Youtube all these years. The fact that it shows Antonio was only recently rediscovered, shortly before a civil trial that could shed more light on Antonio’s death . That civil trial, stemming from a lawsuit the teen’s father filed against the City of Seattle, is set to begin this week. Guests: Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media Will James, KUOW reporter and producer Relevant Links: Converge Media: Reflections on the Rediscovered Dignity of Antonio Mays Jr. Converge Media: The Tape: Rediscovering Humanity in the Shadow of CHOP KUOW: Victim of unsolved Seattle CHOP killing featured in newly unearthed video 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 Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.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 city hall reporter David Kroman TODAY'S TOPICS: ICE K-9 Attack Senator: ICE dog attack on WA man ‘should shock the conscience’ - Seattle Times Energy troubles loom large As WA’s coal ban looms, Montana wind fills only some of the energy gap - Seattle Times Frank Gehry Dies Frank Gehry, Titan of Architecture, Is Dead at 96 - NYT FIFA World Cup schedule announced 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule: Seattle matches’ times, matchups unveiled - 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.

GLP-1 drugs that are commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity, like Ozempic and Wegovy – are in big demand. And they’re going to be more affordable. The Trump administration recently negotiated deals to lower the prices of these drugs. It seems like some details still need to be ironed out…. but from the looks of it, many Americans who use Medicare will be able to access GLP-1s at a fraction of their original cost. According to one of the deals, some Medicare patients will be able to get GLP-1s for a $50 copay. So it’s safe to assume as costs come down, these drugs are only going to get even more popular…. And we want to know more about them. In this latest “ask a doctor” segment, we’re asking two physicians to answer all of our burning questions. GUESTS: Dr. Scott Hagan, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who studies obesity. Dr. Mara Gordon, a family physician based in Philadelphia. She also writes about the culture of medicine and authors the “Real Talk With a Doc” column for NPR. RELATED LINKS: Medicare negotiated lower prices for 15 drugs, including 71% off Ozempic and Wegovy : Shots - Health News : NPR Ozempic is making me rethink how to be a body-positive doctor : Shots - Health News : 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.

It’s already the first weekend of December, and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some holiday cheer to lighten up these cold, rainy days. Thankfully, like Santa soaring past with his reindeer, here with all the stuff that’s worth doing this weekend is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows!! LINKS: Year in Review 2025 | Town Hall Seattle WTO/99 - Northwest Film Forum 21st Annual Urban Craft Uprising Winter Show Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition | PMSC-FB KRAMPUS BREMERTON Seattle SantaCon Scintillating sci-fi striptease Kraken vs Detroit - Sat 12/6 Kraken vs Minnesota - Mon 12/8 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.