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Mary Lovell is a queer grassroots organizer, visual artist, and activist who has been fighting oil and gas infrastructure and for social justice for their adult life - living up in the Kitsap Penninsula they are working on their first book  and love working with people to build power in their communitiesWelcome to the Arise podcast. This is episode 12, conversations on Reality. And today we're touching on organizing and what does it mean to organize? How do we organize? And we talk to a seasoned organizer, Mary Lavelle. And so Mary is a queer, grassroots organizer, visual artist and activist who has been fighting oil and gas infrastructure and fighting for social justice in their adult life. Living in the Kitsap Peninsula. They're working on their first book and love working with people to build power in their communities. Join us. I hope you stay curious and we continue the dialogue.Danielle (00:02):Okay, Mary, it's so great to have you today. Just want to hear a little bit about who you are, where you come from, how did you land? I know I met you in Kitsap County. Are you originally from here? Yeah. Just take itMary (00:15):Away. Yeah. So my name is Mary Lovel. I use she or they pronouns and I live in Washington State in Kitsap County. And then I have been organizing, I met Danielle through organizing, but I've spent most of my life organizing against oil and gas pipelines. I grew up in Washington state and then I moved up to Canada where there was a major oil pipeline crossing through where I was living. And so that got me engaged in social justice movements. That's the Transmountain pipeline, which it was eventually built, but we delayed it by a decade through a ton of different organizing, combination of lawsuits and direct action and all sorts of different tactics. And so I got to try and learn a lot of different things through that. And then now I'm living in Washington state and do a lot of different social justice bits and bobs of organizing, but mostly I'm focused on stopping. There's a major gas build out in Texas and Louisiana, and so I've been working with communities down there on pressuring financiers behind those oil and gas pipelines and major gas export. But all that to say, it's also like everyone is getting attacked on all sides. So I see it as a very intersectional fight of so many communities are being impacted by ice and the rise of the police state becoming even more prolific and surveillance becoming more prolific and all the things. So I see it as one little niche in a much larger fight. Yeah,Yeah, totally. I think when I moved up to Canada, I was just finished high school, was moving up for college, had been going to some of the anti-war marches that were happening at the time, but was very much along for the ride, was like, oh, I'll go to big stuff. But it was more like if there was a student walkout or someone else was organizing people. And then when I moved up to Canada, I just saw the history of the nation state there in a totally different way. I started learning about colonialism and understanding that the land that I had moved to was unseated Tu Squamish and Musqueam land, and started learning also about how resource extraction and indigenous rights went hand in hand. I think in general, in the Pacific Northwest and Coast Salish territories, the presence of indigenous communities is really a lot more visible than other parts of North America because of the timelines of colonization.(03:29):But basically when I moved and had a fresh set of eyes, I was seeing the major marginalization of indigenous communities in Canada and the way that racism was showing up against indigenous communities there and just the racial demographics are really different in Canada. And so then I was just seeing the impacts of that in just a new way, and it was just frankly really startling. It's the sheer number of people that are forced to be houseless and the disproportionate impacts on especially indigenous communities in Canada, where in the US it's just different demographics of folks that are facing houselessness. And it made me realize that the racial context is so different place to place. But anyways, so all that to say is that I started learning about the combination there was the rise of the idle, no more movement was happening. And so people were doing a lot of really large marches and public demonstrations and hunger strikes and all these different things around it, indigenous rights in Canada and in bc there was a major pipeline that people were fighting too.(04:48):And that was the first time that I understood that my general concerns about climate and air and water were one in the same with racial justice. And I think that that really motivated me, but I also think I started learning about it from an academic standpoint and then I was like, this is incredibly dumb. It's like all these people are just writing about this. Why is not anyone doing anything about it? I was going to Simon Fraser University and there was all these people writing whole entire books, and I was like, that's amazing that there's this writing and study and knowledge, but also people are prioritizing this academic lens when it's so disconnected from people's lived realities. I was just like, what the fuck is going on? So then I got involved in organizing and there was already a really robust organizing community that I plugged into there, but I just helped with a lot of different art stuff or a lot of different mass mobilizations and trainings and stuff like that. But yeah, then I just stuck with it. I kept learning so many cool things and meeting so many interesting people that, yeah, it's just inspiring.Jenny (06:14):No, that's okay. I obviously feel free to get into as much or as little of your own personal story as you want to, but I was thinking we talk a lot about reality on here, and I'm hearing that there was introduction to your reality based on your education and your experience. And for me, I grew up in a very evangelical world where the rapture was going to happen anytime and I wasn't supposed to be concerned with ecological things because this world was going to end and a new one was going to come. And I'm just curious, and you can speak again as broadly or specifically if the things you were learning were a reality shift for you or if it just felt like it was more in alignment with how you'd experienced being in a body on a planet already.Mary (07:08):Yeah, yeah, that's an interesting question. I think. So I grew up between Renton and Issaquah, which is not, it was rural when I was growing up. Now it's become suburban sprawl, but I spent almost all of my summers just playing outside and very hermit ish in a very kind of farm valley vibe. But then I would go into the city for cool punk art shows or whatever. When you're a teenager and you're like, this is the hippest thing ever. I would be like, wow, Seattle. And so when I moved up to Vancouver, it was a very big culture shock for me because of it just being an urban environment too, even though I think I was seeing a lot of the racial impacts and all of the, but also a lot of just that class division that's visible in a different way in an urban environment because you just have more folks living on the streets rather than living in precarious places, more dispersed the way that you see in rural environments.(08:21):And so I think that that was a real physical shift for me where it was walking around and seeing the realities people were living in and the environment that I was living in. It's like many, many different people were living in trailers or buses or a lot of different, it wasn't like a wealthy suburban environment, it was a more just sprawling farm environment. But I do think that that moving in my body from being so much of my time outside and so much of my time in really all of the stimulation coming from the natural world to then going to an urban environment and seeing that the crowding of people and pushing people into these weird living situations I felt like was a big wake up call for me. But yeah, I mean my parents are sort of a mixed bag. I feel like my mom is very lefty, she is very spiritual, and so I was exposed to a lot of different face growing up.(09:33):She is been deep in studying Buddhism for most of her life, but then also was raised Catholic. So it was one of those things where my parents were like, you have to go to Catholic school because that's how you get morals, even though both of them rejected Catholicism in different ways and had a lot of different forms of abuse through those systems, but then they're like, you have to do this because we had to do it anyways. So all that to say is that I feel like I got exposed to a lot of different religious forms of thought and spirituality, but I didn't really take that too far into organizing world. But I wasn't really forced into a box the same way. It wasn't like I was fighting against the idea of rapture or something like that. I was more, I think my mom especially is very open-minded about religion.(10:30):And then my dad, I had a really hard time with me getting involved in activism because he just sees it as really high risk talk to me for after I did a blockade for a couple months or different things like that. Over the course of our relationship, he's now understands why I'm doing what I'm doing. He's learned a lot about climate and I think the way that this social movements can create change, he's been able to see that because of learning through the news and being more curious about it over time. But definitely that was more of the dynamic is a lot of you shouldn't do that because you should keep yourself safe and that won't create change. It's a lot of the, anyways,I imagine too getting involved, even how Jenny named, oh, I came from this space, and Mary, you came from this space. I came from a different space as well, just thinking. So you meet all these different kinds of people with all these different kinds of ideas about how things might work. And obviously there's just three of us here, and if we were to try to organize something, we would have three distinct perspectives with three distinct family origins and three distinct ways of coming at it. But when you talk about a grander scale, can you give any examples or what you've seen works and doesn't work in your own experience, and how do you personally navigate different personalities, maybe even different motivations for getting something done? Yeah,Mary (12:30):Yeah. I think that's one of the things that's constantly intention, I feel like in all social movements is some people believe, oh, you should run for mayor in order to create the city environment that you want. Or some people are like, oh, if only we did lawsuits. Why don't we just sue the bastards? We can win that way. And then the other people are like, why spend the money and the time running for these institutions that are set up to create harm? And we should just blockade them and shift them through enough pressure, which is sort of where I fall in the political scheme I guess. But to me, it's really valuable to have a mix where I'm like, okay, when you have both inside and outside negotiation and pressure, I feel like that's what can create the most change because basically whoever your target is then understands your demands.(13:35):And so if you aren't actually clearly making your demands seen and heard and understood, then all the outside pressure in the world, they'll just dismiss you as being weird wing nuts. So I think that's where I fall is that you have to have both and that those will always be in disagreement because anyone doing inside negotiation with any kind of company or government is always going to be awkwardly in the middle between your outside pressure and what the target demand is. And so they'll always be trying to be wishy-washy and water down your demands or water down the, yeah. So anyways, all that to say is so I feel like there's a real range there, and I find myself in the most disagreements with the folks that are doing inside negotiations unless they're actually accountable to the communities. I think that my main thing that I've seen over the years as people that are doing negotiations with either corporations or with the government often wind up not including the most directly impacted voices and shooing them out of the room or not actually being willing to cede power, agreeing to terms that are just not actually what the folks on the ground want and celebrating really small victories.(15:06):So yeah, I don't know. That's where a lot of the tension is, I think. But I really just believe in the power of direct action and arts and shifting culture. I feel like the most effective things that I've seen is honestly spaghetti on the wall strategy where you just try everything. You don't actually know what's going to move these billionaires.(15:32):They have huge budgets and huge strategies, but it's also if you can create, bring enough people with enough diverse skill sets into the room and then empower them to use their skillsets and cause chaos for whoever the target is, where it's like they are stressed out by your existence, then they wind up seeding to your demands because they're just like, we need this problem to go away. So I'm like, how do we become a problem that's really hard to ignore? It's basically my main strategy, which sounds silly. A lot of people hate it when I answer this way too. So at work or in other places, people think that I should have a sharper strategy and I'm like, okay, but actually does anyone know the answer to this question? No, let's just keep rolling anyways. But I do really going after the financiers or SubT targets too.(16:34):That's one of the things that just because sometimes it's like, okay, if you're going to go after Geo Corp or Geo Group, I mean, or one of the other major freaking giant weapons manufacturers or whatever, it just fully goes against their business, and so they aren't going to blink even at a lot of the campaigns, they will get startled by it versus the people that are the next layer below them that are pillars of support in the community, they'll waffle like, oh, I don't want to actually be associated with all those war crimes or things like that. So I like sub targets, but those can also be weird distractions too, depending on what it is. So yeah, really long. IDanielle (17:24):Dunno how you felt, Jenny, but I feel all those tensions around organizing that you just said, I felt myself go like this as you went through it because you didn't. Exactly. I mean nothing. I agree it takes a broad strategy. I think I agree with you on that, but sitting in the room with people with broad perspectives and that disagree is so freaking uncomfortable. It's so much just to soothe myself in that environment and then how to know to balance that conversation when those people don't even really like each other maybe.Mary (17:57):Oh yeah. And you're just trying to avoid having people get in an actual fight. Some of the organizing against the banger base, for instance, I find really inspiring because of them having ex submarine captains and I'm like, okay, I'm afraid of talking to folks that have this intense military perspective, but then when they walk away from their jobs and actually want to help a movement, then you're like, okay, we have to organize across difference. But it's also to what end, it's like are you going to pull the folks that are coming from really diverse perspectives further left through your organizing or are you just trying to accomplish a goal with them to shift one major entity or I dunno. But yeah, it's very stressful. I feel like trying to avoid getting people in a fight is also a role myself or trying to avoid getting invites myself.Jenny (19:09):That was part of what I was wondering is if you've over time found that there are certain practices or I hate this word protocols or ways of engaging folks, that feels like intentional chaos and how do you kind of steward that chaos rather than it just erupting in a million different places or maybe that is part of the process even. But just curious how you've found that kind ofMary (19:39):Yeah, I love doing calendaring with people so that people can see one another's work and see the value of both inside and outside pressure and actually map it out together so that they aren't feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of one sort of train of thought leading. Do you know what I mean? Where it's like if people see all of this DC based blobbing happening, that's very much less so during the current administration, but for example, then they might be frustrated and feel like, where is our pressure campaign or where is our movement building work versus if you actually just map out those moments together and then see how they can be in concert. I feel like that's my real, and it's a bit harder to do with lawsuit stuff because it's just so much not up to social movements about when that happens because the courts are just long ass processes that are just five years later they announced something and you're like, what?(20:53):But for the things that you can pace internally, I feel like that is a big part of it. And I find that when people are working together in coalition, there's a lot of communities that I work with that don't get along, but they navigate even actively disliking each other in order to share space, in order to build a stronger coalition. And so that's to me is really inspiring. And sometimes that will blow up and become a frustrating source of drama where it's like you have two frontline leaders that are coming from a very different social movement analysis if one is coming from economic justice and is coming from the working class white former oil worker line of thinking. And then you have a community organizer that's been grown up in the civil rights movement and is coming from a black feminism and is a black organizer with a big family. Some of those tensions will brew up where it's like, well, I've organized 200 oil workers and then you've organized a whole big family, and at the end of the day, a lot of the former oil workers are Trumpers and then a lot of the black fam is we have generations of beef with y'all.(22:25):We have real lived history of you actually sorting our social progress. So then you wind up in this coalition dynamic where you're like, oh fuck. But it's also if they both give each other space to organize and see when you're organizing a march or something like that, even having contingent of people coming or things like that, that can be really powerful. And I feel like that's the challenge and the beauty of the moment that we're in where you're like you have extreme social chaos in so many different levels and even people on the right are feeling it.Danielle (23:12):Yeah, I agree. I kind of wonder what you would say to this current moment and the coalition, well, the people affected is broadening, and so I think the opportunity for the Coalition for Change is broadening and how do we do that? How do we work? Exactly. I think you pinned it. You have the oil person versus this other kind of family, but I feel that, and I see that especially around snap benefits or food, it's really hard when you're at the government level, it's easy to say, well, those people don't deserve that dah, dah, dah, right? But then you're in your own community and you ask anybody, Hey, let's get some food for a kid. They're like, yeah, almost no one wants to say no to that. So I don't know, what are you kind of hearing? What are you feeling as I say that?Mary (24:11):Yeah, I definitely feel like we're in a moment of great social upheaval where I feel like the class analysis that people have is really growing when have people actually outright called the government fascist and an oligarchy for years that was just a very niche group of lefties saying that. And then now we have a broad swath of people actually explicitly calling out the classism and the fascism that we're seeing rising. And you're seeing a lot of people that are really just wanting to support their communities because they're feeling the impacts of cost of living and feeling the impacts of all these social programs being cut. And also I think having a lot more visibility into the violence of the police state too. And I think, but yeah, it's hard to know exactly what to do with all that momentum. It feels like there's a huge amount of momentum that's possible right now.(25:24):And there's also not a lot of really solid places for people to pour their energy into of multiracial coalitions with a specific demand set that can shift something, whether it be at the state level or city level or federal level. It feels like there's a lot of dispersed energy and you have these mass mobilizations, but then that I feel excited about the prospect of actually bringing people together across difference. I feel like it really is. A lot of people are really demystified so many people going out to protests. My stepmom started going out to a lot of the no kings protests when she hasn't been to any protest over the whole course of her life. And so it's like people being newly activated and feeling a sense of community in the resistance to the state, and that's just really inspiring. You can't take that moment back away from people when they've actually gone out to a protest.(26:36):Then when they see protests, they know what it feels like to be there. But yeah, I feel like I'm not really sure honestly what to do with all of the energy. And I think I also have been, and I know a lot of other organizers are in this space of grieving and reflecting and trying to get by and they aren't necessarily stepping up into a, I have a strategy, please follow me role that could be really helpful for mentorship for people. And instead it feels like there's a bit of a vacuum, but that's also me calling from my living room in Kitsap County. I don't have a sense of what's going on in urban environments really or other places. There are some really cool things going on in Seattle for people that are organizing around the city's funding of Tesla or building coalitions that are both around defunding the police and also implementing climate demands or things like that. And then I also feel like I'm like, people are celebrating that Dick Cheney died. Fuck yes. I'm like, people are a lot more just out there with being honest about how they feel about war criminals and then you have that major win in New York and yeah, there's some little beacons of hope. Yeah. What do you all think?Jenny (28:16):I just find myself really appreciating the word coalition. I think a lot of times I use the word collective, and I think it was our dear friend Rebecca a couple of weeks ago was like, what do you mean by collective? What are you saying by that? And I was struggling to figure that out, and I think coalition feels a lot more honest. It feels like it has space for the diversity and the tensions and the conflicts within trying to perhaps pursue a similar goal. And so I just find myself really appreciating that language. And I was thinking about several years ago I did an embodied social justice certificate and one of the teachers was talking about white supremacy and is a professor in a university. I was like, I'm aware of representing white supremacy in a university and speaking against it, and I'm a really big believer in termites, and I just loved that idea of I myself, I think it's perhaps because I think I am neurodivergent and I don't do well in any type of system, and so I consider myself as one of those that will be on the outside doing things and I've grown my appreciation for those that have the brains or stamina or whatever is required to be one of those people that works on it from the inside.(29:53):So those are some of my thoughts. What about you, Danielle?Danielle (30:03):I think a lot about how we move where it feels like this, Mary, you're talking about people are just quiet and I know I spent weeks just basically being with my family at home and the food thing came up and I've been motivated for that again, and I also just find myself wanting to be at home like cocoon. I've been out to some of the marches and stuff, said hi to people or did different things when I have energy, but they're like short bursts and I don't feel like I have a very clear direction myself on what is the long-term action, except I was telling friends recently art and food, if I can help people make art and we can eat together, that feels good to me right now. And those are the only two things that have really resonated enough for me to have creative energy, and maybe that's something to the exhaustion you're speaking about and I don't know, I mean Mary A. Little bit, and I know Jenny knows, I spent a group of us spent years trying to advocate for English language learners here at North and in a nanosecond, Trump comes along and just Fs it all, Fs up the law, violates the law, violates funding all of this stuff in a nanosecond, and you're like, well, what do you do about that?(31:41):It doesn't mean you stop organizing at the local level, but there is something of a punch to the gut about it.Mary (31:48):Oh yeah, no, people are just getting punched in the gut all over the place and then you're expected to just keep on rolling and moving and you're like, alright, well I need time to process. But then it feels like you can just be stuck in this pattern of just processing because they just keep throwing more and more shit at you and you're like, ah, let us hide and heal for a little bit, and then you're like, wait, that's not what I'm supposed to be doing right now. Yeah. Yeah. It's intense. And yeah, I feel that the sense of need for art and food is a great call. Those things are restorative too, where you're like, okay, how can I actually create a space that feels healthy and generative when so much of that's getting taken away? I also speaking to your somatic stuff, Jenny, I recently started doing yoga and stretching stuff again after just years of not because I was like, oh, I have all this shit all locked up in my body and I'm not even able to process when I'm all locked up. Wild. Yeah.Danielle (33:04):Yeah. I fell in a hole almost two weeks ago, a literal concrete hole, and I think the hole was meant for my husband Luis. He actually has the worst luck than me. I don't usually do that shit meant I was walking beside him, I was walking beside of him. He is like, you disappeared. I was like, it's because I stepped in and I was in the moment. My body was like, oh, just roll. And then I went to roll and I was like, well, I should put my hand out. I think it's concrete. So I sprained my right ankle, I sprained my right hand, I smashed my knees on the concrete. They're finally feeling better, but that's how I feel when you talk about all of this. I felt like the literal both sides of my body and I told a friend at the gym is like, I don't think I can be mortal combat because when my knees hurt, it's really hard for me to do anything. So if I go into any, I'm conscripted or anything happens to me, I need to wear knee pads.Jenny (34:48):Yeah. I literally Googled today what does it mean if you just keep craving cinnamon? And Google was like, you probably need sweets, which means you're probably very stressed. I was like, oh, yeah. It's just interesting to me all the ways that our bodies speak to us, whether it's through that tension or our cravings, it's like how do we hold that tension of the fact that we are animal bodies that have very real needs and the needs of our communities, of our coalitions are exceeding what it feels like we have individual capacity for, which I think is part of the point. It's like let's make everything so unbelievably shitty that people have a hard time just even keeping up. And so it feels at times difficult to tend to my body, and I'm trying to remember, I have to tend to my body in order to keep the longevity that is necessary for this fight, this reconstruction that's going to take probably longer than my life will be around, and so how do I keep just playing my part in it while I'm here?Mary (36:10):Yeah. That's very wise, Jenny. I feel like the thing that I've been thinking about a lot as winter settles in is that I've been like, right, okay, trees lose their leaves and just go dormant. It's okay for me to just go dormant and that doesn't mean that I'm dead. I think that's been something that I've been thinking about too, where it's like, yeah, it's frustrating to see the urgency of this time and know that you're supposed to be rising to the occasion and then also be in your dormancy or winter, but I do feel like there is something to that, the nurturing of the roots that happens when plants aren't focused on growing upwards. I think that that's also one of the things that I've been thinking a lot about in organizing, especially for some of the folks that are wanting to organize but aren't sure a lot of the blockade tactics that they were interested in pursuing now feel just off the table for the amount of criminalization or problems that they would face for it. So then it's like, okay, but how do we go back and nurture our roots to be stronger in the long run and not just disappear into the ether too?Danielle (37:31):I do feel that, especially being in Washington, I feel like this is the hibernation zone. It's when my body feels cozy at night and I don't want to be out, and it means I want to just be with my family more for me, and I've just given myself permission for that for weeks now because it's really what I wanted to do and I could tell my kids craved it too, and my husband and I just could tell they needed it, and so I was surprised I needed it too. I like to be out and I like to be with people, but I agree, Mary, I think we get caught up in trying to grow out that we forget that we do need to really take care of our bodies. And I know you were saying that too, Jenny. I mean, Jenny Jenny's the one that got me into somatic therapy pretty much, so if I roll out of this telephone booth, you can blame Jenny. That's great.Mary (38:39):That's perfect. Yeah, somatics are real. Oh, the cinnamon thing, because cinnamon is used to regulate your blood sugar. I don't know if you realize that a lot of people that have diabetes or insulin resistant stuff, it's like cinnamon helps see your body with sugar regulation, so that's probably why Google was telling you that too.Jenny (39:04):That is really interesting. I do have to say it was one of those things, I got to Vermont and got maple syrup and I was like, I don't think I've ever actually tasted maple syrup before, so now I feel like I've just been drinking it all day. So good. Wait,Mary (39:29):That's amazing. Also, it's no coincidence that those are the fall flavors, right? Like maple and cinnamon and all the Totally, yeah. Cool.Danielle (39:42):So Mary, what wisdom would you give to folks at whatever stage they're in organizing right now? If you could say, Hey, this is something I didn't know even last week, but I know now. Is there something you'd want to impart or give away?Mary (39:59):I think the main thing is really just to use your own skills. Don't feel like you have to follow along with whatever structure someone is giving you for organizing. It's like if you're an artist, use that. If you're a writer, use that. If you make film, use that, don't pigeonhole yourself into that. You have to be a letter writer because that's the only organized thing around you. I think that's the main thing that I always feel like is really exciting to me is people, if you're a coder, there's definitely activists that need help with websites or if you're an accountant, there are so many organizations that are ready to just get audited and then get erased from this world and they desperately need you. I feel like there's a lot of the things that I feel like when you're getting involved in social movements. The other thing that I want to say right now is that people have power.(40:55):It's like, yes, we're talking about falling in holes and being fucking exhausted, but also even in the midst of this, a community down in Corpus Christi just won a major fight against a desalination plant where they were planning on taking a bunch of water out of their local bay and then removing the salt from it in order to then use the water for the oil and gas industry. And that community won a campaign through city level organizing, which is just major because basically they have been in a multi-year intense drought, and so their water supply is really, really critical for the whole community around them. And so the fact that they won against this desal plant is just going to be really important for decades to come, and that was one under the Trump administration. They were able to win it because it was a city level fight.(42:05):Also, the De Express pipeline got canceled down in Texas and Louisiana, which is a major pipeline expansion that was going to feed basically be a feeder pipeline to a whole pipeline system in Mexico and LNG export there. There's like, and that was just two weeks ago maybe, but it feels like there's hardly any news about it because people are so focused on fighting a lot of these larger fights, but I just feel like it's possible to win still, and people are very much feeling, obviously we aren't going to win a lot of major things under fascism, but it's also still possible to create change at a local level and not the state can't take everything from us. They're trying to, and also it's a fucking gigantic country, so thinking about them trying to manage all of us is just actually impossible for them to do it. They're having to offer, yes, the sheer number of people that are working for ICE is horrific, and also they're offering $50,000 signing bonuses because no one actually wants to work for ice.(43:26):They're desperately recruiting, and it's like they're causing all of this economic imbalance and uncertainty and chaos in order to create a military state. They're taking away the SNAP benefits so that people are hungry enough and desperate enough to need to steal food so that they can criminalize people, so that they can build more jails so that they can hire more police. They're doing all of these things strategically, but also they can't actually stop all of the different social movement organizers or all of the communities that are coming together because it's just too big of a region that they're trying to govern. So I feel like that's important to recognize all of the ways that we can win little bits and bobs, and it doesn't feel like, it's not like this moment feels good, but it also doesn't, people I think, are letting themselves believe what the government is telling them that they can't resist and that they can't win. And so it's just to me important to add a little bit more nuance of that. What the government's doing is strategic and also we can also still win things and that, I don't know, it's like we outnumber them, but yeah, that's my pep talk, pep Ted talk.Mary (45:18):And just the number of Canadians that texted me being like, mom, Donny, they're just like, everyone is seeing that it's, having the first Muslim be in a major political leadership role in New York is just fucking awesome, wild, and I'm also skeptical of all levels of government, but I do feel like that's just an amazing win for the people. Also, Trump trying to get in with an endorsement as if that would help. It's hilarious. Honestly,Mary (46:41):Yeah. I also feel like the snap benefits thing is really going to be, it reminds me of that quote, they tried to bury us, but we were seeds quote where I'm just like, oh, this is going to actually bite you so hard. You're now creating an entire generation of people that's discontent with the government, which I'm like, okay, maybe this is going to have a real negative impact on children that are going hungry. And also it's like to remember that they're spending billions on weapons instead of feeding people. That is so radicalizing for so many people that I just am like, man, I hope this bites them in the long term. I just am like, it's strategic for them for trying to get people into prisons and terrible things like that, but it's also just woefully unstrategic when you think about it long term where you're like, okay, have whole families just hating you.Jenny (47:57):It makes me think of James Baldwin saying not everything that's faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it's faced. And I feel like so many of these things are forcing folks who have had privilege to deny the class wars and the oligarchy and all of these things that have been here forever, but now that it's primarily affecting white bodies, it's actually forcing some of those white bodies to confront how we've gotten here in the first place. And that gives me a sense of hope.Mary (48:48):Oh, great. Thank you so much for having me. It was so nice to talk to y'all. I hope that you have a really good rest of your day, and yeah, really appreciate you hosting these important convos. Well, first I guess I would have to believe that there was or is an actual political dialogue taking place that I could potentially be a part of. And honestly, I'm not sure that I believe that.

This Discipleship Sunday we'll explore what it means to share in the compassion of Jesus—a compassion that sees, feels, and moves. In a world that often pushes the poor to the margins, Jesus brought them front and center. His compassion didn't stop at sympathy—it led to action. Together, as a learning and discipling community, we'll reflect on how we can see the poor among us, have compassion, and act through listening, advocacy, and presence. Join us as we share stories, […] The post Compassion for the Poor appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Amazon's CEO comments on recent layoffs, Issaquah on edge following immigration arrests, and "ghost students" are stealing financial aid from WA colleges. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details on the woman detained in the Issaquah ICE raid last week. Seattle businesses worry about the trickle down effect of the Amazon layoffs, which have reached 14k jobs. Washington and Oregon are among the dozens of states suing the USDA over SNAP funding drying up. // LongForm: GUEST: Seattle City City Council president Sara Nelson on what's at stake for Seattle in her reelection bid. // Quick Hit: Please stop handing out candy corn on Halloween.

Pramila Jayapal says entering the country illegally isn’t criminal. Amazon announced it will layoff about 10 percent of its corporate workforce. Guest: Mukilteo Police Chief Andy Illyn on their upcoming annual ‘Cuts with Cops’ event. // Big Local: Redmond is using new AI technology to solve crimes. An Issaquah woman was detained outside of a preschool. Stanwood police says that it will consider pedal-free e-bikes as motorcycles. // You Pick the Topic: A woman says she and her husband quit their jobs to oppose Trump.

Jesus didn't just talk about compassion—He embodied it. He entered the homes of the sick, touched the untouchable, and stood beside the condemned. In doing so, He showed us that love is not loud or convenient; it is often quiet, faithful, and costly. Following Jesus means showing up where pain lives—hospital rooms, lonely places, and even the margins of society. To do what Jesus did will cost us our time, our energy, and our comfort. Yet in those costly moments, we discover […] The post Visitation appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Deliverance isn't just something God does for us — it's something He does through us. When Jesus taught us to pray, “Deliver us from evil,” He wasn't inviting passivity but participation. Jesus came proclaiming freedom for the captives and breaking the chains of sin, fear, and oppression — and He calls His followers to do the same. In a world still bound by addiction, anxiety, injustice, and spiritual darkness, the prayer for deliverance becomes our commissioning. The post Deliverance appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Jesus met broken bodies with healing hands and a compassionate heart. Through our call to do what Jesus did, we'll explore how Jesus still heals today—sometimes instantly, sometimes through process, and sometimes not until eternity. God can heal; God does heal; and even when He doesn't, He is still good. As disciples, we're invited to carry His healing presence into a hurting world, trusting His power and His purpose in every outcome. The post Healing appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

The Seattle school board nixed plans to bring back school resources officers. CNBC’s Joe Kernen didn’t pull any punches when confronting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about the government shutdown. There’s a new ‘Sober-Curious’ fad gaining steam across Washington State. // LongForm: GUEST: Congressman Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) on the historic Middle East peace deal brokered by the Trump Administration and an update on the government shutdown. // Quick Hit: Stealing from Boy Scouts, fighting for beach access, and swastikas in Issaquah.

The 2024 World Beer Cup was quite a moment for Issaquah, Washington's Formula. (http://formulabrewing.com) Head brewer Jesse Brown is no stranger to medals, but four in one year at the world's most prestigious beer competition made a statement. His career as a brewer may look like “Swiss cheese,” with stints in Wyoming, Tennessee, Oregon, and Washington, but it's hard to poke holes in any of his thoughtfully designed and thoroughly executed lagers or IPAs. In this episode, Brown discusses ingredients as well as the labor-intensive process behind his helles, touches on the hot-side versus cold-side fresh-hop controversy, shares his approach to New Zealand hops that won him a silver medal for New Zealand–style IPA at World Beer Cup 2025, and finishes with thoughts on what it takes to win when so many brewers are making such great beer. Along the way, he discusses: front-side decoction without a dedicated vessel extended saccharification rests to build malt depth gently handling lager to avoid bruising the beer the differences between 34/70 strains transferring before terminal to get a head start on clearing yeast the fresh-hop “controversy” the beauty of Dolcita and building mouthfeel with hops blending base malts for West Coast IPA selecting early-pick New Zealand hops for lower diesel character And more. This episode is brought to you by: G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): For years G&D Chillers has chilled the beers you love, partnering with 3,000+ breweries across North America and beyond. Remote monitor your chiller for simple and fast access to all the information you need, and gain peace of mind your operation is running smoothly. Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Berkeley Yeast bioengineers ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don't. Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side. Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Whether trending flavor additions or nostalgic favorites, the next best thing is around the corner at Old Orchard. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer. Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Celebrating 16 years of delivering compelling new hop varieties along with classics that thrive in Oregon's terroir, Indie is the original source for Strata, Luminosa, Lórien, Meridian, and their newest variety Audacia. Release your creativity with the magic of pure, uncut Oregon hops from Indie. Indie Hops — Life is short. Let's make it flavorful. Five Star Chemical (https://fivestarchemicals.com) Looking for a powerful, no-rinse sanitizer that gets the job done fast? Meet Saniclean PAA Pro from Five Star Chemicals. This EPA-registered, PAA-based acid sanitizer is tough on beerstone and perfect for everything from kegs to packaging lines. Learn more at fivestarchemicals.com. Canoe Wild Rice (https://breweryworkshop.com) Brewers, have you ever considered brewing with North America's only Ancient Grain—Wild Rice? Joe at Canoe Wild Rice has a stockpile of this unique roasted grain ready to ship to you. Send Canoe Wild Rice an email at joe@canoewildrice.com or give the office a call at 1-800-626-3809 Prairie Malt (https://prairiemalt.com) For over 50 years Prairie Malt has been producing high extract malts forged from the fertile soils of Saskatchewan. Stop by the Roadhouse & Melvin booth at GABF to sample some award-winning beers produced with excellent malts and learn more at prairiemalt.com. Sennos (https://prairiemalt.com) The Sennosystem platform delivers real-time fermentation control and predictive insights, while the SennosM3 modular in-tank sensor delivers continuous, real-time monitoring. Turn your tank into a smart tank. Order your SennosM3 at sennos.com. Briess Malting (https://BrewingWithBriess.com) Briess offers the largest product line of specialty malt and is continuing to innovate. New malts include Heritage Gold and Lighthouse Munich. Check out why so many craft brewers trust Briess for their specialty malt at BrewingWithBriess.com.

Jesus gathered people in homes, in the temple courts, and along the roads, turning everyday spaces into classrooms of the Kingdom. Following Him means both learning and teaching His words—and we practice His way together.  Sunday we'll explore what it looks like to be deeper disciples by doing what Jesus did—learning in community, teaching one another, and allowing conversations about Jesus to shape our daily lives. Discipleship isn't a solo project; it's a shared journey where we learn, practice, and […] The post Teaching appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

In this episode of Issaquah Buzz, Autumn Monahan welcomes Alexis Fitzsimmons, Issaquah's new Economic Development Manager. Alexis shares her background in business attraction, retention, and workforce development, and her excitement about joining the community. We also dive into: * Retail Gossip: A new luxury men's clothing store opening in Gilman Village * Burger Master Update: Construction progress and what to expect in 2026 * Family Fun: Indoor Sand Garden play space now open * Tourism Spotlight: Lake Sammamish State Park ranked a top Puget Sound attraction * Salmon Days Preview: Parade, vendors, dock dogs, live music, Sasquatch photo booth, food favorites, and more! Whether you're new to town or a longtime local, this episode is packed with insights, updates, and all the excitement leading up to Issaquah's biggest celebration of the year.

New tax hikes went into effect today across Washington and it’s hurting nonprofits, not just businesses. Chuck Schumer had a funny audio/visual gaffe while being asked about the shutdown by CNN. Guest: Mike Columbo, Partner at Dhillon Law Group and Republican National Lawyers Assoc. Board of Directors on the indictment of James Comey. // Big Local: Residents of Thurston County are urging the board of commissioners to not make budget cuts to the sheriff’s office. A toddler in Hartline found a live grenade in his yard. It’s Salmon Days in Issaquah. // You Pick the Topic: Former Fox host Leland Vittert told a jarring story about an interview he did with a Palestinian woman.

Jesus declares His mission: to bring good news to the poor, freedom for the oppressed, sight for the blind, and release for the captive. These words were not just spoken—they were embodied in His life and ministry. The gospel is not only something we proclaim, but something we live. What does it mean to demonstrate the gospel in both word and deed, so that our lives echo the good news of Jesus? If the message of Christ is to be […] The post Demonstrating the Gospel appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

On Friday's Daily Puck Drop, Jason “Puck” Puckett is joined every Friday with Chris Egan, KING 5 and the Go-2-Guy, Jim Moore.  The trio celebrate a wild week of Seattle sports, including the Mariners clinching the AL West, the second seed in the American League and the Seahawks win over the Cardinals.  They also chat about Egan and Puck doing the KING 5 Big Game of the Week last week in Issaquah, plus, Egan celebrates 25 years at KING 5.  Lastly, the three discuss how far the Mariners need to go in the playoffs to deem it a successful season?PuckSports handicapper TroyWins.comjoins Puck and Jim to pick the best games of the football weekend.  The Friday Football Tailgate Show continues with Todd Milles, VarsityWaNews.comto preview the top high school football games in the state and he discusses the curious decision by Garfield High School to remove head basketball coach Brandon Roy. Next up. time to recap the Seahawks win over Arizona with “The Last Word” with Bob Condotta, Seattle Times.  It wasn't easy, but the Seahawks got the job done and their front four are leading the way for Mike Macdonald in year two.  Sam Darnold continues to impress and is probably shocking some Seahawks fans with his play. Puck wraps up the show with “Hey, What the Puck!?”   Take a timeout and think of all the people that work at ROOT Sports this weekend. (1:00) Puck, Jim and KING 5's Chris Egan (47:00) Troy Wins, PuckSports handicapper (1:01:38) Todd Milles, Varsitywanews.com  (1:18:46) Bob Condotta, Seattle Times (1:29:36)  “Hey, What the Puck!?”  

This week, we're looking at the special election in Washington’s 5th Legislative District, which covers Issaquah to Enumclaw. State Sen. Victoria Hunt, a Democrat, was appointed to the seat and is running to keep her job this fall. Republicans think they could flip this district. They’d like to claw back a little power from Democrats, who currently hold majorities in both the state House and Senate. We talk with Sen. Victoria Hunt about her campaign. Guest State Sen. Victoria Hunt, Washington's 5th Legislative District Related Links On The Ballot: Chad Magendanz, 5th Legislative District - KUOUW 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 looking at the special election in Washington’s 5th Legislative District, which covers Issaquah to Enumclaw. State Sen. Victoria Hunt, a Democrat, was appointed to the seat and is running to keep her job this fall. Republicans are hoping to flip a couple of seats in the legislature and claw back some lawmaking power from Democrats, who currently hold majorities in both the House and Senate Former State Rep. Chad Magendanz is challenging Hunt for the 5th district’s Senate seat. Magendanz is a Republican and served this district for two terms in the state House until he lost in 2016. We talk with him about his campaign. Guest Chad Magendanz, former state representative, and candidate for state Senate in the 5tth LD Related Links On The Ballot: State Sen. Victoria Hunt, 5th Legislative 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.

God has poured His love into our lives—not for us to keep, but for us to share. As disciples of Jesus, it is imperative to discover what it looks like to take the love we know and bring it to those who haven't experienced it yet. Join us as we learn how simple acts of love and courageous words can point others to the hope we hold in Christ. The post Preach the Gospel appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

More from Kash Patel’s congressional hearing yesterday. The city of Portland seems to have sided with Antifa. // Big Local: SeaTac is attempting improve its less-than-stellar reputation. An Issaquah woman accused in the murder of her boyfriend says she was hearing voices. A Skagit County restaurant owner has plead guilty for trafficking black bear parts. // You Pick the Topic: Kamala Harris has revealed who she really wanted to be her running mate.

On Friday's Daily Puck Drop, Jason “Puck” Puckett gets off to a hilarious start as Jim Moore, the Go-2-Guy is on his way to Pullman and pulled off in Madras, Oregon to try and do the show from a Starbucks parking lot.  What happened next, you won't believe. Jim attempted to do the show from the bathroom.  Chris Egan, KING 5, jumped on for his weekly visit and couldn't control is laughter as Jim attempted to do the show from the toilet.  Puck and Egan eventually say goodbye to Jim and talk about the Apple Cup, the lost interest in the rivalry, the Mariners begin their most important series in regular season history and they finish teasing tonight's KING 5 Big Game of the Week between Issaquah and Skyline with Puck joining Egan on the call.  After Egan exits, Pucksports handicapper TroyWins.comgives his best picks for the weekend in college and NFL, plus, his Lock of the Week.  Puck switches over to high school football, “Friday Night Lights” with Todd Milles, VarsityWaNews.com.  Todd previews the top games in high school football and addresses the curious decision of Rainier Beach head coach Corey Sampson stepping down as head coach. Puck then talks Seahawks with “The Last Word” Bob Condotta, Seattle Times.  Bob and Puck recap the Seahawks win over the Steelers, the play of Sam Darnold, Ken Walker, injuries mounting and can the Seahawks win a game at home?!Puck wraps up the show with “Hey, What the Puck!?”   Biggest series in Mariners regular season history. Slay the dragon. (1:00) Puck, Jim and KING 5's Chris Egan (41:00) Troy Wins, PuckSports handicapper (48:35) Todd Milles, Varsitywanews.com (1:06:11) Bob Condotta, Seattle Times (1:21:50) “Hey, What the Puck!?”  

Jesus didn't just preach the gospel—He practiced it at the table. In Luke 19, salvation came to Zacchaeus' house not through a sermon, but through a meal. By breaking bread, Jesus broke barriers, and by sharing tables, He shared the gospel. Join us as we explore how hospitality isn't just a good idea—it's a gospel practice. The challenge is simple yet powerful: make space for the gospel by saving a seat at your table. The post Space for the Gospel appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Each month we intentionally set the stage for learning as a community, from 1-101 years old. Together we learn what it means to be disciples who follow Jesus, and this month we are asking the question What Did Jesus Do? It seems like a simple question, but it gets complicated when Jesus says his disciples will do what he did! Join us as we learn together to live as disciples that do what Jesus did. The post Do What Jesus Did appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

In Episode 34 of Issaquah Buzz: Autumn Monahan sits down with guest Co-Host Christy Garrard, Executive Director of Visit Issaquah, to chat about all things business in Issaquah. Like family-friendly spots like Sand Gardens and Kid Strong, to the debut of JoJo's Café and all the BUZZ around Wine Me Up in Gilman Village, there's plenty happening in Issaquah! We also highlight upcoming events including the Wine & Art Walk, Culture Fest, Salmon on Sunset, the Issaquah Open Studio Tour, and more. ✨ Business Spotlight: Wine Me Up – a locally owned wine bar with a fresh vibe, small-business collaborations, and an unforgettable guest experience.

“Save us! Save us!” The world cries for deliverance as evil prospers and our anxieties rise. We long for refuge—yet too often seek it in the wrong places. Where can we find true and lasting rescue? This week in the Psalms, we are reminded who is our true defense and protection: “My salvation comes from God. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” The post Psalm 62 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

The Trump Administration is threatening to withhold federal funds for sexual education over gender ideology content. Guest: California gubernatorial candidate Leo Zacky. // Big Local: Governor Bob Ferguson has made an emergency declaration in King and Pierce Counties due to the closure of the White River Bridge. Issaquah is getting a new high school. // Guest: DEA Seattle Special Agent in Charge Dave Reames on the recent Sinaloa Cartel drug bust.

RUNDOWN   Nugget ice machines, clinking noises, and bizarre celebrity rumors (yes, even LeAnn Rimes' teeth). The warm-up turns nostalgic as the show celebrates musical birthdays for Billy Ray Cyrus, Gene Simmons, and Elvis Costello. And what about the chaos of late August sports: college football's return, the NFL looming, and the Mariners somehow both collapsing and contending at the same time? Hotshot recounts the fantasy football fiasco that ended his playing days back in 2007, while Mitch embraces his role as a “passionate pessimist” when it comes to Seattle baseball. And through it all, one bright spot remains—Brian Woo quietly posting Cy Young–level consistency, even if the voters never notice. Mitch interviews Nancy King, who was just 16 when a family trip to Seattle in August 1964 turned into the story of a lifetime. From checking into the Beatles' hotel, to a chance encounter with a Liverpool journalist, to being ushered into a private room where she spent 30 unforgettable minutes with John, Paul, George, and Ringo — Nancy recounts how one magical evening reshaped her life and inspired decades of storytelling. CBS analyst and Rose Bowl–winning coach Rick Neuheisel joins Mitch to open another season of weekly college football chats, breaking down the new 12-team playoff format, the looming SEC and Big Ten power plays, and the frenzy around Arch Manning's Texas debut in Columbus. He weighs in on Washington's year-two outlook under Jedd Fisch, Heisman dark horses, and makes his first official “Rick's Pick” of 2025 — with Oregon and LSU circled for January glory. Mitch welcomes back Joe Doyle and Brady Farkas for episode 348 of this Mariners No-Table segment, where the trio dissects Seattle's uneven road trip, a roster struggling against lefties, and what Cal Raleigh's historic home run pace means for the franchise. With Padres, Guardians, and Rays looming, the group debates roster moves, Harry Ford's September call-up chances, and whether the Mariners are missing their moment to bury Houston.   GUESTS   Nancy King | Eyewitness to the Beatles' 1964 Seattle stay and lifelong storyteller of that night at the Edgewater Hotel Rick Neuheisel | CBS College Football Analyst, Former Head Coach & Rose Bowl Champion Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose Podcast (Mariners on SI) Joe Doyle | MLB Draft & Mariners Analyst, Over Slot Substack   TABLE OF CONTENTS   0:00 | From Nugget Ice to Beatles Nights 21:56 | Passionate Pessimists, Fantasy-Free Since '07, and Mariners in the Madness 35:30 | GUEST: Nancy King; From North Dakota to the Edgewater: A Teenager's Night With the Beatles 1:05:25 | GUEST: Rick Neuheisel; Kicks Off College Football: Playoff Paths, Arch Madness, and Husky Hopes 1:34:28 | GUEST: Mariners No-Table; Mariners No-Table: Clunky Rosters, Cal Raleigh's Power Surge, and a Crucial Week Ahead 2:02:21 | Other Stuff Segment: Chinese Taipei wins Little League World Series, Issaquah loses to eventual softball champion Texas, Seahawks preseason struggles & roster cuts (Marquez Valdes-Scantling uncertainty), Lee Corso's final College GameDay broadcast, John Wall retires from NBA, Bengals Ring of Honor controversy (Boomer Esiason email & Corey Dillon snub), Roger Federer declared billionaire via On Running stake, Nolan Bushnell turns down 1/3 of Apple for $50K, Sean Kemp sentenced to 30 days home detention, Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant card sells for $12.93M, Ro Crowder rearrested for sniffing strangers, Bellevue Pickleball Club opening. RIPs: Jerry Adler (actor, Sopranos/Good Wife/Rescue Me), Judge Frank Caprio (“Caught in Providence” TV judge). Headlines: IHOP waitress charged with groping a customer, Wisconsin State Fair worker glues coworker's Coke, Thailand hospital records used as food wrapping, Britney Spears nude photoshoot, Fake Justin Bieber scams Vegas nightclub.

Psalm 84 invites us into a holy longing—a deep desire to be near God and dwell in His presence. In a world full of distractions and quick fixes, this psalm teaches us that true fulfillment isn't found in what we achieve, but in whom we pursue. Learning the art of yearning means shaping our hearts to crave God above all else—turning our restlessness into worship, our waiting into hope, and our journey into joy. The post Psalm 84 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

It's Monday, August 18th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Vietnamese Communists cut electricity to church mid-service As a Catholic priest quietly led a service in the home of one of 20 worshippers in the evening of August 11 in the Đại Từ district in northeast Vietnam, Communist authorities cut the home's electricity to stop the service, reports International Christian Concern. Then, they detained three church members. In John 15:18, Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.” Multiple worshippers livestreamed the arrests on Facebook. Within two hours, the video had been seen 60,000 times. After Putin-Trump meeting, Trump declared: “It's up to Zelenskyy” In a join press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin summarized his perception of what needed to happen to end the Russo-Ukrainian War. He made the remarks following his 3-hour sit-down meeting with President Trump in Anchorage, Alaska last Friday.  Listen to the real-time translation by a female translator. PUTIN: “The situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security. Everything that's happening is a tragedy for us and terrible wound. Therefore, the country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it. “[At] the same time, we're convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary causes of that conflict. And we've said it multiple times, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole. “Naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.” Following the press conference, President Donald Trump talked to Sean Hannity on Fox News Channel. HANNITY: “If you had to grade it on a scale of one to 10?” TRUMP:  “I think the meeting was a ‘10' in the sense that we got along great. And it's good when, you know, two big powers get along, especially when they're nuclear powers. You know, we're number one, they're number two in the world.  That's a big deal. You never want to even mention that word, the word nuclear.” President Trump addressed how it went and what the next step is to bring the Russo-Ukrainian War to a close. TRUMP: “We were together almost three hours, and it was very extensive, and we agreed on a lot of points. I mean, a lot of points were agreed on, but there's not that much as you know, one or two pretty significant items, but I think they can be reached. Now, it's really up to [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy to get it done.” Costco will not sell Abortion Kill Pill Costco Wholesale Corp. has announced it will not dispense the abortion kill pill mifepristone at its U.S. pharmacies, a decision hailed by pro-life advocates as a significant victory, reports LifeNews. The abortion kill pill has been responsible for killing millions of babies and killing and injuring countless women. The retail giant's decision comes amid pressure from Christian investors and pro-life groups urging major retailers to refrain from distributing the abortion drug. Costco has joined other major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons, which have also declined to sell the deadly pills. Send a 2-sentence thank you note to Ron Vachris, Costco President, 999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, Washington 98027. Massachusetts is Sanctuary state for transgender surgery on kids Massachusetts has become a “sanctuary state” for transgender procedures on children, report MassResistance. Shockingly, Massachusetts doctors who break other states' laws prohibiting transgender procedures will be protected from prosecution -- and their names hidden from the public.  While 25 states have banned such foolishness, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the so-called “shield law” on July 31, 2025. It is among the most aggressive and offensive anti-family laws anywhere in America. Days later, the state's radical lesbian Democratic Governor Maura Healy, who is in a sinful relationship with Joanna Lydgate, signed it into law. Dr. Elizabeth Boskey at Boston Children's Hospital revealed the hospital is willing to remove a 15-year-old girl's healthy breasts. BOSKEY: “The eligibility for getting gender-affirming surgeries at Boston Children's Hospital is basically the same as it would be for most other hospitals or surgeons in the United States. And that's the case because we all follow the World Professional Association for Transgender Health standards of care. “For top surgery, you are requested,  but not required, to have been on gender-affirming hormones for at least a year. If you're a ‘trans woman,' it's really encouraged that you be on estrogen for at least a year, because you want to maximize your natural breast growth. “Many surgical centers require you to be 18. At Boston Children's Hospital, for top surgeries, we'll see people as young as age 15, if they've been affirmed in their gender for a long period of time and don't really have any other life complications that make surgery inappropriate.” 41 Planned Parenthood abortion mills have closed this year Ready for some great news? So far this year, the Planned Parenthood abortion business has closed 41 centers. Despite what the abortion giant and the media would have Americans think, they all participated in abortions, reports Life News. William Carey, father of modern missions, said,  And finally, 264 years ago yesterday, a very special man was born in England. William Carey is his name and he is known as the "father of modern missions.” The eldest of five children, his parents were weavers.  Carey went to work for the local shoemaker, Thomas Old, during which time he taught himself Hebrew, Italian, Dutch, and French. He often read while working on the shoes. Carey married Old's sister-in-law, Dorothy Plackett, with whom he had seven children. Sadly, three of their kids died before the age of five. Inspired by Jonathan Edwards' An account of the life of the Rev. David Brainerd,  Carey spent 41 years in India as a missionary without a furlough.  He led 700 souls to Christ in a nation of millions.  Romans 10:15 says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” He wrote a book entitled An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens which led to the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society. Carey was known for saying, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God."   He also said, "To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map." He understood the importance of both Scripture and understanding the world around us. Finally, he prioritized meaningful work. He said, “I'm not afraid of failure; I'm afraid of succeeding at things that do not matter." Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, August 18th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Psalm 1 paints a vivid contrast between two ways of life: one rooted by streams of living water, the other blown away like chaff in the wind. In a world full of noise and shallow distractions, this psalm invites us to a life that flourishes through nourishing—anchored in God's Word, bearing fruit in every season. Join us as we discover how to starve the lies of the world, feed on what truly lasts, and leave a wake of life for […] The post Psalm 1 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Psalm 121 teaches us that God is in control. Even though we may be far from the destination in our health, our jobs, our families, or our desires, we can come under God's authority and look to the hills from whence comes our help on the journey. This Psalm shows us that the Maker of Heaven and Earth sees us. He will not abandon or forsake us. He slumbers not nor sleeps. God is in control. The post Psalm 121 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Join host Autumn Monahan and guest host Kelli Diann-Gordon as they dive into Issaquah's latest business buzz! In this episode, they highlight exciting new spots like JoJo's Café, Wine Me Up, and Lake Sammamish Paddle Company, plus updates on the Cleanscapes store and Evolve Clinic. They also preview Farmers Market Week, celebrate the market's 35th anniversary, and share details on the new roller skating pop-ups at Pickering Barn.

Psalm 91 is a powerful declaration of God's protection, presence, and peace for those who trust in Him. It paints a vivid picture of refuge under God's wings, safety in the face of fear, and strength amid trials. Whether facing danger, disease, or distress, this psalm reminds us that those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High can live with courage and confidence—because God is not distant; He is our Defender. The post Psalm 91 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

This Sunday, we will take a reflective walk through Psalm 103 where we are called to remember—not just with our minds, but with our souls. Psalm 103 calls us to preach to our own hearts: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” – and then walks us through remembering: who God is, what God has done, and who we are—and whose we are. And so we have every reason to rise up and sing, as the song says: So I throw up my handsAnd […] The post Psalm 103 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

In this special breaking edition of Issaquah Buzz, Autumn Monahan shares exciting news—Uwajimaya, the beloved Asian grocery store, is planning to open a new location in Issaquah! Learn about the proposed move into the former Rite Aid space and what this means for foodies and families across town. Stay tuned for future updates.

In Psalm 139, we discover the beauty of being fully known by God — every thought, every fear, every joy — and invited to truly know Him in return. This week we'll explore how God's intimate knowledge of us is not something to fear but to embrace, and how knowing Him shapes our identity and purpose. Come find rest in the God who searches, knows, and loves you completely — and calls you to know Him more deeply! The post Psalm 139 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

From day to day, we make most of the decisions about where we go and what we do. In David's life we get a glimpse of how the Lord was the guiding force of his life. What can we learn from a familiar psalm that might transform our everyday lives? The Shepherd does not tend the flock to give them what they want, but to lead them to what they need. The post Psalm 23 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Libby may be out today, but … We’ve made it to the end of the work week! And since tomorrow is a holiday, you’re probably trying to figure out what to do with a whole THREE DAYS of free time in front of you… But don’t worry, I’ve got the big list of everything to do on the 4th of July and BEYOND! WELCOME to the Weekend Warmup! LINKS: FIREWORKS!!! Arlington — Quake Park 10 p.m. Bellevue — Downtown Park 10:05 p.m. Carnation — Remlinger Farms 9:45 p.m. Everett — Port Gardner Bay 10:15 p.m. Federal Way — Celebration Park 10:15 p.m. Kenmore — Log Boom Park 10 p.m. Kent — Lake Meridian Park 10 p.m. Kingston — Mike Wallace Park 10:15 p.m. Marysville — Ebey Waterfront Park 10 p.m. Sammamish — Sam. Commons 10 p.m. Seattle — Lake Union 10:15 p.m. Snoqualmie — Community Park 9:45 p.m. Steilacoom — offshore 10:30 p.m. Tacoma — Ruston Way 10 p.m. Tumwater — Tumwater Valley Golf 10:15 p.m. PARADES! Arlington — 5 p.m. (kids 4:30 p.m.) Bainbridge Island — 1 p.m. Bothell — 12 p.m. (kids 11:15 a.m.) Burien — 11 a.m. Carnation — 11:30 a.m. (kids 11 a.m.) Dupont — 10 a.m. Edmonds — 12 p.m. (kids 11:30 a.m.) Enumclaw — noon Everett — 11 a.m. Issaquah — 11 a.m. Kingston — 12 p.m. Kirkland — 12 p.m. (kids 11:30 a.m.) Tumwater — 11 a.m. Seattle Center’s 40th Annual Naturalization Ceremony Civic Engagement! Write your elected officials! SPORTS! Seattle Mariners vs Pittsburgh Pirates Seattle Sounders vs Columbus Crew Pioneer Square Fest Fairhaven Chicken Festival - Bellingham The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody 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.

Gas prices are down across the country… except in Washington. A rap duo lead an antisemitic chant at the Glastonbury music festival in England over the weekend. Truck drivers are upset at a new Trump executive order that they must learn English. The Trump admin is also suing LA for its sanctuary policies. // Big Local: SeaTac is calling off its 4th of July fireworks show. One of the Issaquah homeowners being sued by King County for cutting down trees says it was for safety reasons. The Tacoma News Tribune is getting to the bottom of who took down pride flags on a Pierce County bridge. // You Pick the Topic: Actress Charlize Theron ripped into Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s lavish wedding over the weekend.

God wants our hearts, and this world wants to deceive our hearts. Jesus says that we cannot serve two masters. Generosity is the antidote to set us free from the poison of materialism. It is the key to putting our trust in God, to placing our hope in the Kingdom and not in things of this world. For where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. The post A Generous Heart appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

SCOTUS upheld a Texas law that restricted children’s ability to view pornography. A Seattle police officer received a prestigious award for saving a man from being hit by a train. The Left is furious that the Supreme Court is allowing states to strip Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funds. // Big Local: There’s been a surge in calls for help at Mailbox Peak. Vancouver police saved endangered cats. Issaquah residents are being sued for cutting down trees at a park. // Jake Skorheim tries to determine if Jason Rantz is a degenerate gambler.  

Ever feel like what you have to give isn't enough? You're not alone. This week, we're looking at a powerful moment where Jesus shows us that it's not about how much we give, but how we give it. Everyone has something to offer, even if it's small. Real generosity isn't always easy, but it's always worth it. Come discover how you can live generously, give boldly, and set the example—not just follow it. The post Your Gift appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Camilo Montoya-Galvez on the clash of protestors and law enforcement in Los Angeles // Brian Evans with a personal finance moment // Paul Holden on the music ventures of a local video game legend // David Fahrenthold on RFK Jr's cutting of a vaccine committee // Chris Sullivan with a Chokepoint: the drive from Issaquah to Bellevue along I-90 is getting easier // Gee Scott on Seattle as a male dominated city

Rob joins host Jeremiah Byron with the Bigfoot Society to recount several chilling encounters with Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest. From his early experiences at Mount St. Helens in the late '60s and '70s to a spine-tingling nighttime encounter by his cabin in Issaquah, Washington, Rob's stories are filled with vivid details. His tales continue to unfold with encounters in the Cascades, Oregon, and even a telepathic interaction on a trail near the Oregon coast. This episode dives deep into the eerie and mysterious world of Bigfoot encounters, showcasing the fear, astonishment, and wonder experienced by those who've come face-to-face with these elusive creatures. Sasquatch Summerfest this year, is July 11th through the 12th, 2025. It's going to be fantastic. Listeners, if you're going to go, you can get a two day ticket for the cost of one. If you use the code "BFS" like Bigfoot society and it'll get you some off your cost.Priscilla was a nice enough to provide that for my listeners. So there you go. I look forward to seeing you there. So make sure you head over to www. sasquatchsummerfest. com and pick up your tickets today.If you've had similar encounters or experiences, please reach out to bigfootsociety@gmail.com. Your story could be the next one we feature!

In this bittersweet episode of Issaquah Buzz, Jen shares personal news about her departure after over 11 years supporting local businesses. Plus, get the scoop on exciting new additions like Trailhead Taps & Bottles, Kids Strong, and a pop-up roller skating rink at Pickering Barn!

The antisemitic Microsoft employee that interrupted the CEOs speech has been terminated. The Trump admin continues to crack down on Harvard, This time, it has revoked its student visa program. An exotic bird is on the loose in Issaquah. // LongForm: GUEST: Frank Gillen is a local business owner that has been dealing with repeated vandalism. // Quick Hit: Portland’s latest budget makes massive cuts to public safety.

In this episode of Issaquah Buzz, hosts Autumn Monahan and Jen Davis Hayes dive into the latest business happenings around Issaquah—from exciting openings to heartfelt community updates.

Hello to you listening in Issaquah, Washington!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.Maybe like me you're curious about what makes you different. Cultivating our identity helps us to know who we are, where we're going, what we have to offer.What makes me different is an ability to listen for the meaning beneath the surface of the words, the context that gives life to content, the back-story. I uncover what my clients fear and desire so I can help them arrive at their authentic story. Together we translate the experience of living into a sense of purpose.I believe that my clients know what they need and want to say; it is my purpose to listen it out of them, to help them say it in their own true words making me the only “story doula” I know.One of my clients said this: “Diane is like the practice wall or backboard on a tennis court that tirelessly reflects the problems you are bouncing toward her and returns with solutions you didn't know you had.”  If you are curious to learn more email me: info@quartermoonstoryarts.net for a no-obligation conversationYou're invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! Remember to stop by the website, check out the Services, arrange a Discovery Call, and Opt In to stay current with Diane and Quarter Moon Story Arts and on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Exclusive: A suspicious complaint against an SPD cop has people wondering if the city is using AI to find policy violations. The Wisconsin judge that shielded an illegal alien from ICE has been put on leave by the state’s high court. // Big Local: Deputies in Franklin County are defying the Sheriff’s orders to defy a court and confiscate guns from the local jail. Brier’s police levy did not pass. A hiker in Issaquah had a close encounter with a family of bears. // You Pick the Topic: Trump Adviser Stephen Miller had an awkward exchange with Fox News host John Roberts when he said Fox should fire its pollster. A teen that was rejected by 16 colleges alleges it was because of affirmative action and is now suing.

This week on Wisdom from the Wardrobe, we're going Skin Deep—and yes, Stacy's literally joining us from inside a closet. We're airing out more than just clothes in this jam-packed episode that blends style, self-care, and a little soul-searching. In “Bec's in the News,” we unpack a fresh take on wardrobe and life clutter: Dissolving. It's the new wave of wellness that digs deeper than decluttering—less about what you're getting rid of, and more about why you're holding on. Whether it's your closet, your home, or your headspace, this four-step process helps you clean with clarity. Emotional baggage, begone! And speaking of cleansing… we welcome special guest Brook Kennedy, owner of Suite B Hair and Skin Lounge in Issaquah. She gives us the glow down on all things' skincare from SPF facts (spoiler: the sunscreen in your makeup probably isn't enough), to how your skincare should shift with the seasons of life. We also get the truth about dermaplaning—does the hair grow back thicker, and how often should you do it? So, grab your gua sha and your emotional inventory—we're scrubbing the surface and what's underneath. Because when it comes to style and skincare, the glow must go on. Happy Listening!

A suspect has been charged in a viral episode of road rage in Issaquah where a woman keyed a Tesla. You won’t believe Dow Constantine’s new contract as Sound Transit CEO. A couple was scammed out of $23,000 in the WSDOT toll texting scam. // LongForm: GUEST: Washington State Senator Curtis King (R-Yakima) explains why he is in favor of a gas tax hike. // Quick Hit: The Trump Administration caught an MS-13 gang leader. An illegal immigrant was arrested in Sedro Woolley.