Podcasts about jblm

A crash on I-5 Northbound resulted in a car flying off an overpass and the driver being ejected from the car. One person is dead. Dow Constantine is under fire for what might be an unethical candidacy for Sound Transit CEO. Two JBLM soldiers were indicted for attempting to leak sensitive national security information to the Chinese. Trump is cutting off federal grant money to Columbia University over antisemitism on campus. // LGTBQ immigrant advocates in Seattle say their community is under siege from the Trump Administration. // The King County Sheriff’s office is employing the use of drones and dogs to crack down on crime.

5pm: US, Ukraine planning peace talks in Saudi Arabia: Witkoff // FBI committed to bringing home American hostages held in foreign countries, director says // Trump wants to dismantle the Education Department. Here’s what it does // JBLM sergeant accused of selling military secrets // Letters 

President Trump will address a joint session of congress tonight – it is his first major speech since his inauguration. Washington Democrats have been reeling since he took office a month and a half ago. The latest issue they are sounding the alarm on is tariffs: taxes on Mexican and Canadian goods went into effect this morning. President Trump ordered a 25% tax levied on foreign goods from the United States’ two largest trading partners. The US also once again raised tariffs on its third largest trading partner, China, with an additional 10% tariff. Meanwhile, Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency is continuing to fire thousands of federal employees. Guest: Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland represents Washington’s 10th district and is a member of the Armed Services Committee. She represents areas like Olympia, JBLM, and parts of Tacoma. Related Links: Washington Rep. Marilyn Strickland weighs in on cuts to federal programs, workforce - KOMO Strickland on MSNBC Politics Nation: Job Cuts, Loyalists, and Fear. This Is Trump 2.0 - MSNBC See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3pm: The internet goes after Shawn Ryan’s Guest on LV Car Bombing // Army soldier in Las Vegas Cyber Truck blast trained at JBLM special operations program // Guest - Greg Hamilton – A 20 Year Army Special Forces and Ranger Veteran and Owner of Insights Training Center Shares his perspective on the Las Vegas car Bomb Suspect  // How Uber and Lyft Are Gearing Up for the Robotaxi Revolution // Scottsdale Waymo gets stuck in a roundabout // Apple’s “Siri Settlement” to net $20 per customer

6pm: The internet goes after Shawn Ryan’s Guest on LV Car Bombing // Army soldier in Las Vegas Cyber Truck blast trained at JBLM special operations program // Guest - Greg Hamilton – A 20 Year Army Special Forces and Ranger Veteran and Owner of Insights Training Center Shares his perspective on the Las Vegas car Bomb Suspect  // How Uber and Lyft Are Gearing Up for the Robotaxi Revolution // Scottsdale Waymo gets stuck in a roundabout // Apple’s “Siri Settlement” to net $20 per customer

URSULA'S TOP STORIES: Hawks wrap at 10-6 // West Seattle businesses close due to minimum wage // Seattle traffic got 9% worse // Army soldier in Las Vegas Cybertruck blast trained at JBLM // WE NEED TO TALK. . . Fox Sports and sexual harassment claims

We talked to our friend Paul this morning about Santa's Castle of JBLM and helping out the families of young, enlisted parents and their kids this Christmas! Learn more about the big Army vs Navy watch party too!

It was 100 years ago – way back in 1924, in the thick of the early roaring days of aviation history – when a giant U.S. Navy airship visited the Puget Sound and took the population by storm. This historic event is mostly forgotten now, but a local historian has found the hidden spot where history was made.

Chris Sullivan with a Chokepoint: A popular shortcut around JBLM will be closed of the entire Summer // Thane Rosenbaum on the big cases in front of the Supreme Court // Daily Dose of Kindness: Cow hugging can help with mental health // ConsumerMan Herb Weisbaum on the best prices and quality for your gardening supplies //  Gee Scott on the comments from Newcastle Mayor Robert Clark about race and gay pride

Joe's interest in the military was tied to his experiences with his Dad in the outdoors and participating in Boy Scouting. It was further fueled by popular movies and documentaries he saw in his childhood. Joe had an indirect route to the Military Academy. Enlisting in 1996 and serving as a soldier in support of West Point prior to being accepted as a New Cadet in 1997. Joe initially suffered from overconfidence in the skills and abilities that got him to West Point and an underappreciation for the amount of work he'd have to invest in himself to build the skills necessary to succeed. Joe would also struggle to learn how to and prepare himself in a way that allowed him to be smooth in the moment of execution. Joe would graduate West Point in 2001 and commission as an Armor Officer. He would serve at Ft. Riley, Kansas and deploy to Iraq in 2003 and 2005. Command a Tank Company in South Korea. Serve as an instructor at the Maneuver Center of Excellence. Deploying to Afghanistan in 2012 to serve as a Brigade S3 for the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan. Served at Fort Carson, Colorado and Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington as a Field Grade Officer before deploying to Saudi Arabia in 2019 to serve as an Advisor for the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Joe would serve as the Deputy Director for Exercises for I Corps at JBLM, Washington for three years before retiring in 2023. Joe talks about his experiences learning from the past, preparing for the future, and trying to live in the present. This is his story. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/joe-harrison0/support

URSULA'S TOP STORIES: Seattle Police are looking for driver who was targeting homeless living in tents/Families of two women killed by JBLM soldier high on shrooms are suing concert organizer. // The latest on Shohei Ohtani // WE NEED TO TALK. . . about Women's Basketball fever continuing

Politicians are flocking to the 'disaster open-mic' in light of the bridge collapse in Baltimore. KNOW IT ALL: 1) A cargo ship collapsed a bridge in Baltimore. 2) The 18-year-old involved in a horrific traffic fatality had a history of bad car crashes. 3) $15k to be offered to troopers to encourage them to delay retirement. 4) The FBI raided Sean 'Diddy' Combs' homes. // Israel cancelled a delegation to the U.S. after an abstention vote at the U.N. on a ceasefire. Bryan understands why Netanyahu is upset at the Biden administration. // There was a helicopter crash near JBLM and 2 service members have subsequently been admitted to the hospital after the incident. Putin tried to tie Ukraine to the terrorist attack in Moscow. 

Patton's own! Check out the latest edition of U.S. ARMY CENTRAL(S) Desert Vision. In this edition of the Desert Vision, military working dogs, unit leaves Kuwaiti Naval Base and Soldiers perform Muay Thai, a kick boxing sport to stay in shape and for team building.

Pfc. Andrew Zook and Spc. Ryan Swanson broadcast from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait and cover noteworthy events in the month of October, 2019.

For review:1. USAF identifies Special Operations Airmen lost in CV-22 Osprey crash off the coast of Japan.2. White House warns that lack of military assistance funding could cause Ukraine to lose the war.3. USS Carney (DDG-64) shoots down 3 x drones over the Red Sea.  Provides assistance to 3 x commercial vessels.4. IDF Chief of Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi provides insights on the 3d Phase of the Ground Offensive, plus comments on the Wall Street Journal Report of the IDF potentially using seawater to flood Hamas tunnel networks underneath the Gaza Strip.5. US Army Senior Acquisition Official, Honorable Doug Bush, comments on the future testing plan for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon.  Potential fielding in Summer of 2024 (at JBLM).6. US and Australia to collaborate on hypersonic weapon experiments in 2024.7. Poland procures 155mm artillery and munitions from South Korea's Hanwha Defense in $2.6 billion deal.  8. Romania and Elbit Systems to establish 155mm Autonomous Truck-Mounted Artillery System (ATMOS) production and assembly facility in Romania. 9. The US Army dismounted, Terrestrial Layer System-Brigade Combat Team Manpack (TLS-BCT Manpack) Electronic Warfare (EW) system tested at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.  

An abducted baby was found dead in the woods in Idaho on Saturday. Bodies found at JBLM believed to be missing couple. Doug Burgum exits the presidential race. Trump says if Jesus oversaw elections he would win California and Bryan thinks he might be misreading the book of Revelation. Alaska Airlines has merged with Hawaiian Airlines. // Floods are putting WA historic documents at risk. Fire suppression is a major problem for Washington's forests. // Bryan fact-checks Quentin Tarantino's Ezekiel 25:17 from the movie Pulp Fiction. Bryan tells a historical anecdote about the Japanese and Pearl Harbor as we approach the 82nd anniversary of the attack.   

Chris Sullivan with a Chokepoint: Expanding I-5 near JBLM will cause continued congestion // Heather Bosch on the Ukrainian based ballet in Seattle // James Crossley, owner of Madison Books on the best books to buy as gifts // Travis Mayfield and Colleen O'Brien with the Top National Headlines // Margaret Brennan in the resuming of violence in Gaza and the expulsion of George Santos // Opening bell - Triple X Root Beer closes in Issaquah // Feliks Banel with All Over The Map: The "Christmas Lighted Boat Parade" turns 60 // Heather Bosch on the Ukrainian based ballet in Seattle   Biggest National Headlines from Travis Mayfield and Colleen O'Brien // James Crossley, owner of Madison Books on the best books to buy as gifts // Travis' commentary on how we don't know what we don't know // Daily Dose of Kindness: A child in Iowa is caught doing a good deed // Ursula Reutin on the low voter turnout in King County this month // Sam Campbell LIVE in Burien on the camping ban taking effect there // Travis Mayfield and Colleen O'Brien with the top local headlines // James Lynch on the upsetting footage he viewed of the atrocities that took place on October 7th // Heather Bosch on the Ukrainian based ballet in Seattle // Micki Gamez with all of the SMN team's top Spotify songs

Chris Sullivan with a Chokepoint: Expanding I-5 near JBLM will cause continued congestion // Mike Salk on the big game tonight for the Seahawks // Herb Weisbaum on a dangerous children's toy to be warned of // Daily Dose of Kindness: A family business in Tennessee looks to help those with food insecurity // Jake Skorheim on the ongoing mystery of D.B. Cooper // Washington Senator Drew MacEwen on his campaign for the state's 6th District Congressional Seat

This week's episode has a little bit of everything. The role of team sports in the military, lessons in leadership, how to stay injury free through a career in the infantry, and the challenges of balancing two careers and family responsibilities in a dual military marriage. Our guest has, on top of his successful Army career, played a key role in leading the All Army Rugby team to a decade of dominance in the Armed Forces Rugby Championship. COL Nate Conkey is a current United States Army War College Fellow studying at Columbia University and most recently served as the Regimental Tactical Officer for the First Regiment of the United States Corps of Cadets at West Point, NY. He commissioned into the Infantry in 2000 after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He also holds a Master of Arts in Physical Education from Columbia University's Teacher's College. COL Conkey's infantry career has taken him from the 2nd infantry division at JBLM to the 101st at Ft Campbell to teaching at West Point's Department of Physical Education to the 1st Cavalry Division at Ft Hood, back to JBLM for multiple field grade assignments and a stint as the 1st Corps Commander's Liaison Officer to United States Army Pacific from Fort Shafter, Hawaii. He returned to JBLM as the Battalion Commander for 2-357 IN of 189th INF BDE, and then most recently served as the Professor of Military Science for Auburn University Army ROTC program in Auburn, AL. He has been selected as the next Commandant of the United States Military Academy Preparatory School beginning in Summer 2024. COL Conkey's deployments include as a Rifle Company Commander to Kirkuk, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as a Future Plans Officer with the 1st CAV DIV to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His list of awards is long, but highlights include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Ranger Tab, Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, and both the Combat and Expert Infantryman's Badges. He was the Army's Athlete of the Year in 2014. He is married to COL Kate Conkey, an Academy Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership and they have three kids together. If you want to read the article on navigating a career as a dual military couple by Nate and Kate Conkey, you can find it here.

Turn of the Centuries Kirsten Sparenborg Kirsten Sparenborg is a Tacoma artist who creates Architectural Map Drawings. When Kirsten's husband PCSed to JBLM they found themselves in Tacoma's Stadium District. After a brief move to New York Kirsten has returned to live and make art here in Tacoma. We talk about how she became a... The post Making a Living with Your Art in Tacoma with Kirsten Sparenborg appeared first on Move to Tacoma.

Today we've got a treat for you! We're delving deep into the heart of military leadership, discussing the challenges, the triumphs, and those moments that truly test one's mettle.We're joined by Captain Tony Duong, an MSC officer who has beenthrough the rigors of company command. Company command is that sweet spot whereleadership meets ground reality, where the rubber meets the road. It's aboutrallying a diverse group of individuals, instilling discipline, and achievingthe mission, all while ensuring the well-being of every single soldier underyour command. Tony will be sharing his personal journey, giving us insights into how he approached the immense stress of the role and the unique challenges of leading soldiers in today's fast-paced, ever-changing environment. So let's dive into Episode 8: 'Company Command,' with Captain Tony Duong. You won't want to miss this one.CPT Anthony (Tony) Duong hails from Le Mars, Iowa. He was commissioned into the United States Army in January of 2015 through the University of Iowa ROTC Program and completed the AMEDD Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. CPT Duong's first duty assignment was Vilseck, Germany where he served as the Medical Platoon Leader for the 3rd Squadron, Second Cavalry Regiment. Following his time in Vilseck, CPT Duong was assigned to the 67th Forward Surgical Team in Kaiserslautern, Germany and deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2018. Upon his return from Afghanistan, CPT Duong attended the Logistics Captains Career Course in Fort Lee, Virginia. ​In August of 2020 CPT Duong took Company Command of 520th  MC(AS) in the 56th MMB, 62nd  MED BDE at JBLM, WA. Following Command, CPT Duong served as the BN S3 of the 56th MMB from August of 22 to June of 23. CPT Duong is currently attending the Army Baylor Program at JBSA pursing a MHA/MBA.  Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are the guests and host's alone and do not reflect the official position of the Medical Service Corps, the Department of Defense, or the US Government. All information discussed is unclassified approved for public release and found on open cleared sources.For more episodes listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube @ Be All You Can Be MSC For more information, suggestions, or questions please contact: beallyoucanbemsc@gmail.com

What's Trending: Hundreds relocated after homeless shelter collapse, an activist in Wedgewood does not want to see a tree removed and Bud Light sales do poorly over Fourth of July. Big Local: An air show at JBLM was an absolute nightmare and an escaped llama causes drama for King County deputy.You Pick: A Cougar sighting in Cannon Beach shut down the beach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

URSULA'S TOP STORIES // GUEST: Chris Sullivan on the JBLM airshow // WE NEED TO TALK about HGTV making our homes boringSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Sullivan with a Chokepoint: An airshow at JBLM will cause slowdowns on I-5 // Scott MacFarlane on the hearing of FBI Director Christopher Wray // Pamela Falk wraps up NATO's summit from yesterday and Ukraine receives more attacks // Dose of Kindness -- AI helping patients to preserve their voices // Ursula Reutin with a scenario...what to do when your Uber driver is falling asleep at the wheel // Mike Salk on the possibility of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani coming to the Mariners // Heather Bosch with an update on orca whales in Puget Sound // Micki Gamez on Bellevue having some of the nation's safest driversSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend at JBLM there will be a big air show including a Pearl Harbor re-enactment!

6am hour -- Seattle's All-Star game week(end) shows what the city could and should be for the future because the last 5 days exemplify what Seattle has been in the past, parole for Manson family killer..., Mason County residents coming together to support firefighters battling a wildfire near Mason Lake, Kamala Harris offers up another haltingly redundant verbal comment, three examples of NW progressive Democrats reversing course on over-reaching laws/public policy. 7am hour -- this morning's report says inflation's finally starting to subside, a Democratic State Rep. in Georgia switches to the Republican party over school choice, the GA State Rep. says her decision is not a political one but a moral one to become a Republican after her concerns about school choice, a new candidate enters the race for WA Attorney General, 8am hour -- Legendary Lyrics contest revealed, business myopia and Seattle tax revenue, comparing when politicians leave one political party for another, JBLM air show promises to draw a big crowd this weekend in south Tacoma, Seattle's Kshama Sawant is definitely losing her political clout.

Banging sounds heard in the Atlantic Ocean during search for missing submersible. // OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush said he didn't want "ex-military, 50-year-old white guys" for his company when it was founded. Kids' math test scores are plummeting.  // Gorge shooter was a JBLM soldier. Sikh temple president killed in Vancouver. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Novak Djokovic wins his 23rd grand slam tournament. Ozempic drug is being prescribed for reasons besides diabetes. KNOW IT ALL: 1) Portland hotel to close. 2) Colombian officials find kids lost in the Amazon. 3) Trump will appear in a Miami courthouse tomorrow after indictment. // Trump continues to dominate republican competitors in polls after indictment. I-95 collapse in Philadelphia. Fires in Canada continue. // A felon posed as a law enforcement officer and shot at JBLM helicopters. Homeless encampment in Lacey was cleared a year ago and it's back and bigger. New homeless camps are popping up in Burien. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This edition features a story on 7th ID Soldiers at JBLM participating in SHARP training. Also available in high definition

Soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord are ready and capable to deploy and engage the enemy thanks to training from SSG Jacob Roach.

Fort Lewis History - Multimedia history piece about the construction of the camp Lewis gateway in 1918 and how it has survived as a piece of Joint Base Lewis-Mchord history to the present day.

SGT Londre Capron and SGT Jhonallynn Capron, who are married, reenlist together at a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Includes sound bites from Sgt. Londre Capron, 91D Generator Mechanic. Hometown: Miami, Fla. and Sgt. Jhonallyn Capron, 88M Transportation. Hometown: Federal Way, Wash. Also available in high definition.

 In this episode of Extra Duty Podcast, we chat with Morgan Chami, a 14-year Army veteran who has served in various locations around the world, including Korea, JBLM, Hawaii, and Syria. Morgan's career in the military began as a Human Intelligence Collector, and now she is a Career Counselor (79S) at Fort Bliss.Aside from her service, Morgan is also pursuing a degree in Forensic Psychology and shares her experiences as a full-time student while juggling her military duties. She talks about her goals of obtaining a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and her plans for the future.In this conversation, we also get to know Morgan on a personal level. She shares her love for sneakers and clothes, her almost full-body tattoos, and her mischievous cat named Puss. Morgan also talks about her viral video where her fellow soldier tapped out during a friendly fight, which led to unexpected fame.Join us as we dive into Morgan Chami's Army journey, from Intelligence Collection to Career Counseling, and get a glimpse of her personal life and passions. This episode is full of insights and inspiration for those who want to pursue their dreams while serving their country.   This Episode was sponsored by:Are you facing challenges in your life? Look no further than MJwest Solutions. Our founder and CEO, MJ West, has turned life's toughest challenges into strengths. After being adopted at a young age and facing personal struggles, MJ went on to have a successful 23-year career in the Army, earning numerous awards and accolades. At MJwest Solutions, we believe that challenges can be turned into strengths, and we're here to help you do just that. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you transform your life. Visit us at https://mjwest.solutions/. Are you tired of drinkware that can't keep up with your smooth moves? Upgrade to Smooth Boar Drinkware. Our mission is to provide the smoothest drinking experience possible, using only the highest quality materials and cutting-edge technology. Our drinkware is designed to enhance the flavor and provide maximum durability, so you can enjoy your favorite beverages with ease. We stand behind our products and are committed to delivering exceptional customer service. Upgrade your drinking game with Smooth Boar Drinkware and experience the smoothest, most durable drinkware on the market. Order now at https://smoothboardrinkware.com/. Support the show

 Welcome to the Extra Duty Podcast! In this episode, we have a special guest, Nathan Garza, an Active Duty Army soldier, with 11 years of service under his belt. Nathan has been stationed in various parts of the country, including Fort Knox, Schofield, JBLM, and currently on recruiting detail in Spokane, WA.Nathan shares his personal experience of facing deployment-related injuries and struggling with substandard leadership during his time in Hawaii, which put his military career in jeopardy. He talks about his fight to get healthy and keep his career, and how he now prioritizes mental health and leadership to ensure the well-being of his soldiers.Nathan's wife is currently the Veteran Suicide Prevention Manager for the State of Washington, and he feels he has reasonable knowledge on the subject. He delves into the importance of suicide prevention, especially in the military, and the need for a culture shift that prioritizes mental health.The conversation shifts to leadership and the changing military culture, with Nathan providing insights into his experiences and observations. He emphasizes the need for leaders to put their soldiers first and prioritize their well-being.Finally, Nathan is open to discussing anything and takes questions from the audience. Tune in to hear this compelling conversation with Nathan Garza, and gain valuable insights into leadership, mental health, and suicide prevention in the military. Don't forget to follow him on Instagram and TikTok @Ssggarzarecruiting and @natezane559, respectively.   This Episode was Sponsored by:Are you facing challenges in your life? Look no further than MJwest Solutions. Our founder and CEO, MJ West, has turned life's toughest challenges into strengths. After being adopted at a young age and facing personal struggles, MJ went on to have a successful 23-year career in the Army, earning numerous awards and accolades. At MJwest Solutions, we believe that challenges can be turned into strengths, and we're here to help you do just that. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you transform your life. Visit us at https://mjwest.solutions/. Are you tired of drinkware that can't keep up with your smooth moves? Upgrade to Smooth Boar Drinkware. Our mission is to provide the smoothest drinking experience possible, using only the highest quality materials and cutting-edge technology. Our drinkware is designed to enhance the flavor and provide maximum durability, so you can enjoy your favorite beverages with ease. We stand behind our products and are committed to delivering exceptional customer service. Upgrade your drinking game with Smooth Boar Drinkware and experience the smoothest, most durable drinkware on the market. Order now at https://smoothboardrinkware.com/.  Support the show

Last surviving member of The Monkees celebrates his 78th birthday. Seattle bus driver worried about inhaling fentanyl smoke while on the job. Wrong way driver in custody for DUI after crash on I-5 near JBLM. // Sports commentator says there is racial bias in MVP voting for the NBA. Lindsey Graham suggests the U.S. military might be needed to handle drug cartels in Mexico. // Hillary Clinton says climate change is effecting children in Ukraine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Hacks & Wonks week-in-review, political consultant and host Crystal Fincher is joined by friend of the show and today's co-host: metro news columnist and opinion editor for The News Tribune in Tacoma, Matt Driscoll! They look at the battle over a potential Pierce County airport, racist housing covenants, pushback against expanding ballot access to people in Washington state jails, WA police pursuit legislation, and the ongoing debate over middle housing.  In Pierce County news, Matt outlines how potential plans for a new airport in the area seem to have been squashed by their opposition for now, but the needs for a new airport remain. He also informs us about the existence of thousands of racial housing covenants, homes that were originally built at the exclusion of people based on their race, in the region. It's a grim reminder of the racist history of our country, and how discriminatory practices continue today. In election news, Khawla Nakua from Bolts did some excellent reporting last month revealing that, despite the creation of new state funding to bring voting access to eligible voters in WA jails, only a handful of counties have applied for the funding, and some local officials have blocked attempts to utilize the funds.  In public safety news this week, the WA legislature is currently debating over whether to expand the situations in which police officers can utilize vehicular pursuits. While there are many anecdotes or concerns about restricting officers' ability to chase suspects, data shows that vehicular pursuits are inherently dangerous to all involved. Finally, Matt and Crystal close the show looking at the current state of Washington's battles over middle housing. They discuss recent successes for pro-housing legislation in Olympia and a poll that shows the majority of Washingtonians are ready for housing reform, despite what critics claim. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today's co-host, Matt Driscoll, at @mattsdriscoll.   Resources “RE-AIR: Restoring the Right to Vote with Cyril Walrond and Kelly Olson of the Washington Voting Rights Restoration Coalition” from Hacks & Wonks   “Are plans for a new Pierce County airport already dead? It's starting to feel that way” by Matt Driscoll from The News Tribune   “Pierce County Adopts anti-airport resolution. Here's what the Council wants to happen” by Sea Johnson from The News Tribune   “Seattle needs a new Sea-Tac-sized airport. No one wants it near them” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times   “There are 4,000 racist housing covenants in Pierce County. You can find them on a map” by Matt Driscoll from The News Tribune   “Efforts to Expand Ballot Access in Washington State Jails Face Local Pushback” by Khawla Nakua from Bolts Magazine   “Don't believe the smears. A fact-based police pursuit law makes Washington safer” by Rep. Sharlett Mena and Sen. Yasmin Trudeau from The News Tribune   “Middle housing bill passes major milestone in Olympia” by Joshua McNichols from KUOW   “Poll: WA residents want more multifamily housing in their neighborhoods” by Claire Withycombe from The Seattle Times   “Poll: Strong Majority of Washingtonians Support Middle Housing Options” from Sightline Institute   “OPINION | I-135 Isn't Just About Housing, It's About Our Students Too” by Otis Golden from The South Seattle Emerald  Transcript [00:00:00] Crystal Fincher: Welcome to Hacks & Wonks. I'm Crystal Fincher, and I'm a political consultant and your host. On this show, we talk with policy wonks and political hacks to gather insight into local politics and policy in Washington state through the lens of those doing the work with behind-the-scenes perspectives on what's happening, why it's happening, and what you can do about it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get the full versions of our Friday almost-live shows and our midweek show delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, the most helpful thing you can do is leave a review wherever you listen. Full transcripts and resources referenced in the show are always available at officialhacksandwonks.com and in our episode notes. If you missed Tuesday's midweek show, we released a re-air of our conversation with Cyril Walrond and Kelly Olson of the Washington Voting Rights Restoration Coalition. Cyril and Kelly told us about the coalition's successful efforts to pass HB 1078, which restores those rights to all formerly incarcerated people in Washington and took effect on January 1st, 2022. Today, we're continuing our Friday almost-live shows where we review the news of the week with a cohost. Welcome back to the program, friend of the show and today's cohost: metro news columnist and opinion editor for The News Tribune in Tacoma, Matt Driscoll. [00:01:29] Matt Driscoll: Hello - thanks for having me back. I'm honored. [00:01:31] Crystal Fincher: Hey - welcome back once again. Happy to have you back, always enjoy it. I wanted to start off talking about an issue that has been high on the minds of many people in Pierce County - has created a lot of attention and opposition - the airport discussion, about a potential new airport sited in Pierce County. How did we get to this point and what is going on? [00:01:59] Matt Driscoll: Yeah - the short and sweet of it is - it's really difficult, as it turns out, to find some place to put a big, gigantic new airport. And people don't want it in their neighborhoods, believe it or not. But yeah, so it's kind of the brief history. The footnotes on this is - there's a belief in the Legislature and amongst the folks who think about such things that the Puget Sound region needs an additional airport. They say SeaTac's maxed out, we've already done some expansions at Paine Field. If we look 20 years into the future, we know this region is going to need more air travel capacity than it currently has. And so they've set in motion a process to potentially identify a new site. So they basically appointed a commission - created a commission - that's been studying it now for many months, narrowing down lists of potential places. The most recent official act of that is they've narrowed it down to three greenfield locations - is what they call them - which is essentially locations in the middle of nowhere, locations where you could build a new airport. Two of those are in Pierce County, rural Pierce County - in the Roy-Graham-Eatonville area - one's out by Northwest Trek, would be out by Northwest Trek. The other is the tail end of Meridian there, if you're familiar to the area. And that has created a whole lot of opposition. The other greenfield site's in Thurston County - there's plenty of opposition down there too. So you've got a whole bunch of local constituents, local residents that are freaked out about the prospect of this commission maybe deciding that Pierce County is the best place for a gigantic new airport. Pretty much every local official on every side of the aisle has come out in opposition of this idea. Like I said at the outset, nobody wants a big airport in their neck of the woods, despite whatever perceived economic benefit might come from that. And so it's just gotten really interesting from there. There are some other more recent kind of developments and some opposition that I can get into, but that's the lay of the land. We're waiting for this commission to deliver its recommendation on where they think the new Puget Sound Airport should be built. [00:04:23] Crystal Fincher: And it has received a lot of opposition from a variety of different corners. This is a unique coalition in that it has lots of people from both sides of the aisle for various reasons, even those calling into question the necessity of a new airport anyway. Is it actually been determined that there is a substantiated need for an airport, another airport? [00:04:49] Matt Driscoll: Yeah, I think a lot of people are rightfully questioning that assertion. I think it was certainly generally believed in the Legislature when they created this commission that it was - there was a very real possibility. Dominic Gates - Pulitzer-winning Dominic Gates - did a piece in The Seattle Times a few months back that generated a lot of opposition just around the idea that it's just assumed that we would need this airport. There are a lot of people that want to look into other options, perhaps expanding rail to regional destinations could take some of the load off - those sorts of ideas. And of course, in the background, they're selling this idea that this would be an airport of the future that would be greener and all that sort of stuff. But, there's no such thing as a green airport. And I think, particularly in an area that's highly concerned about climate change and those sorts of things, a lot of people are asking tough questions about that assertion. And no, I don't think we have a definitive answer that you definitely need a new airport. I know the economic projections of not having additional airline capacity, both for cargo and passenger, are pretty dire. There's estimates of how many jobs and how many millions of dollars that the area would lose. So I think there's a lot on the table. But no, that's just one of many questions hanging. You mentioned some of the other opposition. JBLM [Joint Base Lewis-McChord] has come out and said that a new airport in that area - all three of the greenfield locations, including the Thurston County one - wouldn't mesh with necessary base operations and training. That's a big - in my mind, that's a big red flag. It's hard for me to imagine that they're going to go against JBLM. There's another site near Enumclaw that the Department of Transportation has maybe suggested could be a better site. King County sites were prohibited from this process by the legislation - for understandable reasons. King County already has an airport. It's not like obliterating Enumclaw is any better than obliterating Graham or Orting - none of these options are great. And simultaneous to all this, there are calls in the Legislature basically to start the process over. So start from scratch. They're saying that the process sucked during COVID - people weren't given the opportunity to participate, all those sorts of things. I don't know how much of that is true. I don't know how many town halls you need to hold to determine that people don't want an airport built in their rural community. My guess is that's what you're going to find either way. But it's sure looking to me like the prospect of them choosing a Pierce County location and saying this is going to work, or them choosing one of those greenfield sites and saying this is going to work - it seems unlikely at my point. And I should add and now I just feel like I've been talking - this is a hot issue down here in Pierce County, so forgive me. But the acting chair of that commission has basically come out on several occasions and said, Hey, there's big red flags about all these sites. I don't think - he's anticipated - he's a non voting member - but he has anticipated that he doesn't think this commission is going to come back and recommend any of these sites as a good spot for a new airport. So long story short, I think you're looking at this conversation continuing for likely many years into the future. Yakima has expressed some interest in perhaps being home to an airport - that doesn't exactly, wouldn't seem to exactly solve the Puget Sound region issue. But maybe - if you're creative, who knows? So I think we're going to be talking about this for a long time. [00:08:17] Crystal Fincher: And it is worth the conversation. It has been a very hot topic with lots of hot opposition to it - but from a number of different corners - and the opposition isn't only from people in Pierce County either. Talking about just the environmental impacts of these - climate change is a reality that we are experiencing negative impacts from right now. And looking at different factors - one, just that the air pollution from a greenhouse gas emissions perspective is vast from an airport - some of the most polluting places that we have in the state. In addition to that, so many reports and studies have come out over the last several years talking about the impact of the change in air quality in flight paths on people who live under them. Here in South King County, I live near a flight path. Certainly people in Des Moines, Tukwila. Life expectancies are different - it's one of the mitigating factors - childhood asthma, inhaling these particulates from these is not wonderful. And then talking about preserving farmland, preserving green space, preserving our rural areas - preventing sprawl and development in those areas is what we're trying to do. We're trying to concentrate development in areas where it is already, and paving over such a broad rural area just does not seem like it is aligned with our climate goals for the long term and what we're trying to do there. So it will be interesting to keep following this conversation. Representative Jake Fey has a bill that he introduced in the Legislature that would rewind the clock a little bit - say, Hey, let's restart the study of this and consider things that maybe there wasn't the opportunity to consider before because of COVID getting in the way, really understanding what all of the environmental impacts, the impacts on people would be, what it would mean in terms of losing this ground. And as you mentioned before, concerns from JBLM really saying that we cannot - makes it definitive that anything that would negatively impact practices going on at JBLM would be a nonstarter for an airport site. Do you know if that legislation looks likely to pass? Is there broad support for it? [00:10:48] Matt Driscoll: I would hazard a guess at this point - or wouldn't hazard a guess - but my gut tells me, Yeah, there's support for it. It's certainly within - what I can say for certain - it's certain within the Pierce County delegation. I think Republicans and Democrats are all aligned around this issue. I don't think there's any - really - hesitations on that. I have never spoken to any elected leader in this area that wants the airport. It's a tricky situation because you've got the rest of the state that doesn't want an airport in their area, too. I was on the radio with the Gee and Ursula show a few months back and they're like, Yeah, Pierce County seems great for - from a more King County, or more north perspective - they're like this sounds great. But yeah, certainly from the local delegation - I don't think there's any support for the airport at this point. I think there is support for restarting the clock, looking at all those options, looking at those things that haven't been considered yet, looking at alternatives. I agree with everything you said related to climate change. And I would just note - about the quality of life issues - certainly, your area up there in South King County knows the impact of airports. We've already got JBLM - I've already got massive military jets over our head every day or two. So yeah, it's just a tricky situation. And you mentioned everything about airports, and I agree with that and yet travel. I'm not an expert on these stats, but my layman's understanding suggests that people keep traveling by air - they like it - so it's a sticky one. [00:12:37] Crystal Fincher: That they do. That could put us into a tangential conversation about regional high speed rail, which could be very useful in situations like this and might be a wonderful alternative consideration. But we will see how this conversation continues to unfold. The News Tribune has been covering all angles of this for months, since it's been bandied about. And so please continue to stay tuned to that coverage to get more information about that. Something else that was covered by The News Tribune this week is the history of racist housing covenants in Pierce County. What happened here? [00:13:20] Matt Driscoll: Yeah, this is a - it's an interesting column I wrote - thank you for bringing it up because it is, it's really interesting. I think it's important - for King County listeners might be slightly more familiar with kind of this process, so I'll just give the brief back story. There's a team of researchers at University of Washington, Seattle, that have been basically researching and uncovering these kind of old racist housing covenants for many years - nearly two decades in the term in the experience of the lead professor there, Professor Gregory. And in 2021, the Legislature put some funding and money and organization together basically to expand that research across the state. So earlier this week, the UW released kind of preliminary results on that work from five counties across the region, including Thurston as well, but including Pierce County. And here in Pierce County, the team uncovered more than - so far has recovered more than, or uncovered more than - 4,000 old racist housing covenants. And just to back up - and for folks that don't know - back in the day, the earliest one here that they found in Pierce County is 1907. But really, between the prime years of 1920, 30s and 40s, these racist housing covenants - and not just racist, but exclusionary and religious and in other ways, too - were fairly prominent with new housing developments and new subdivisions. It was pretty straightforward - it would say, whites only or would say, people of color can't live here or whoever can't live here. And of course, it used the crude language of the time. In 1948, a Supreme Court decision made those unenforceable. A couple decades later, Fair Housing Act made discrimination on the basis of race and a whole bunch of other things in terms of housing illegal. But the uncovering of these covenants is really about understanding the legacy and the lasting impact of what that had done. So that's really what the UW researchers talked the most about and most passionately about is - we still see the impacts of these housing policies and the redlining that went along with it and the lending practices that went along with it in our world today. If you look at the percentage of white homeownership versus Black homeownership, it's nearly double in Pierce County, in terms of white families and Black families. If you look at the wealth gap, it's pronounced everywhere, including Pierce County. And the researchers talk about it, and rightfully so - I think this kind of matches most people's experiences out in the world, at least most average people. But if your family is going to build wealth, it's often through real estate, unless you hit the stock market or win the lottery or something. It's because - generations ago, land was purchased or a home was purchased and that appreciated value. And then you find yourself with wealth that can be passed down. And you're talking about huge segments of our population that were basically disqualified from that or barred from that for many, many, many years. And it certainly stretched well past that 1948 Supreme Court decision, because they were still talking about it in 1964. And really the impacts of that span for decades. It's only fairly recently that I think we've - if we've made any real strides in that - that we've started to make them. But, in Tacoma, you still see it. Look at the difference in demographics between North Tacoma and the East Side - just, that's not by accident. That's how this stuff was orchestrated in many ways. And so it's really about - so basically, they've uncovered more than 4,000 of these old racist housing covenants, but the importance of this work is it really draws attention to the lasting impact of that segregationist housing policy. [00:17:13] Crystal Fincher: Well, and it does have a lasting impact. As you just said, homeownership is how most Americans have built their wealth. And even for Black people, other people who were allowed to buy houses in other areas that weren't redlined - that didn't have these housing covenants - those were in areas deemed to be less desirable - to the point that they did appreciate, they appreciated less than the other ones. And so you have a built-in institutional gap, once again, that is driving this inequality. And it basically is putting people in a spiral where - where you're allowed to live is a less desirable area. If you can purchase, it is for less, it appreciates less. And of course, there's going to be less wealth generated in that area and the inequalities remain. Moving forward, what should people take from this or what should result from it? [00:18:14] Matt Driscoll: That's an interesting question. I think the biggest thing and we struggle with this is as a society - it's just acknowledging the reality of it. I think I've already gotten several emails from people that are like, These are old, this is old, why are you covering this now? And so I think we have to get past that, right? We have to understand the nuance and how we got to the place where we are today before we can do anything about where we are today. So I think that's the most important thing - just recognizing that this was a real thing that happened - it's not some sort of dream that was made up. These were real things that happened. You mentioned the redlining. My former colleague, Kate Martin, back in 2018, did a really important story about the history of redlining in Tacoma and interviewed former mayor Harold Moss, who's now passed away, but Tacoma's first Black mayor. And just getting anecdotes from him about how they eventually were able to buy a home - and I think it was in the fifties - and they would literally have to trick the realtor into showing up first before they proceeded in to see the home, because if the realtor saw a Black family, they would just get out. That's a real thing. That still has an impact today. But then, other than that - I guess what I would say, and I'm interested to hear your take on this, too - is I think it bleeds into our conversation that we're having regionally about housing, expanding housing and allowing - put this diplomatically - allowing neighborhoods to change, right? I think a lot of the pushback we see from areas that are fighting densification or those sort of things, I think there was some coded - you go back, and some of the researchers forwarded me some of the ads in The News Tribune that we would run - and, they wouldn't say, This is a whites only subdivision. It would say, This is a restricted division, right? And I think in many ways, we still have that. We still don't say it, but we still have that. And so I think a lot of the pushback that you see, consciously or subconsciously, is along those kind of - I want to live in a exclusive restricted area, which is code for - I don't want renters and I don't want people who don't look like me, or people who are not in my socioeconomic stratus. So for me, I think it's an important, it's a helpful lens to look at those sorts of conversations through and what can we read into some of the pushback that we see from efforts to increase housing in all sorts of neighborhoods. But I'm interested to hear your take - I don't know - how do we fix this, start to fix this? [00:20:55] Crystal Fincher: I think to your point, it is critical to understand how we got here, and how what happened then impacts what we're seeing now. Now, on talking about the coded conversation and talking about how this manifests today, we're in a situation where a lot of areas have absorbed growth, where previous growth management acts - a lot of cities identified what they called urban villages or growth areas and surprise, surprise - these are where a lot of lower income people already lived, this is where high density development was already allowed. A lot of this is apartment buildings were in lower income areas and they've absorbed a lot of the growth so far because the other areas are restricted - to your point - in the type of growth, the amount of growth that can be there. This entire conversation that we're having about where can we build multifamily housing - because it was restricted from being built in the areas that were previously redlined, that had these restrictive covenants, that were viewed as more desirable - higher income. And in many of these housing conversations that we see, it is people from those areas. It is higher income people who have the financial ability, the time, the experience within institutions, and connections and expertise to steer development away from them and to make other people absorb the impacts - oftentimes of their consumption - and to deal with that. Density is great. Housing is great. We also need to recognize that environmentally - that people's neighborhoods come with those impacts. If we put a dense building on a busy arterial, those small particulates from that arterial are impacting people's health. The health benefits can actually be negated by being on an arterial - of some of the benefits usually associated with dense housing, walkable cities, that kind of stuff. We're already putting people in less healthy situations - situations where the life expectancy ultimately is lower because of the environment they're allowed to exist in. And now the conversation is really saying we shouldn't concentrate the impacts of our community, of our consumption on these particular communities - usually lower income people of color filling these communities and wealthier, whiter neighborhoods being more exclusive and restricting themselves from experiencing those kinds of impacts or even the responsibility to mitigate those impacts. I certainly see it at play in these discussions that we're having now and the impacts that we're having now. I've talked with several friends - and many people who know me, know my father passed away year before last - but the differences in life expectancy, lots of people hear that and that's a statistic to them. That's my dad. I've talked to other friends - that's their dad. We feel this. There's a recent article, actually I read this past week, talking about the grief gap and what that creates because of earlier death, earlier disruption to families. This is an all-encompassing conversation, but I see this at play everywhere and there's definitely a throughline from those racist covenants to the conversations that we're having today. And a lot of what we're talking about is just coded versions of who deserves to live in clean, safe areas and who doesn't. [00:24:50] Matt Driscoll: Yeah - really well said and I think maybe I'll just forward a link to the podcast to the emails that come in - because I think that's why this matters, right? That's why these old dusty documents matter. [00:25:03] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. Also wanted to talk - just really quick an update. We ran our voting rights coalition show earlier this week and talked about some of the great progress we made in this state with legislation passed by Representative Tarra Simmons and others to expand access to the ballot, where people who are released from custody automatically have their voting rights restored. But also there was action taken to help people who are currently incarcerated, especially in jails - county jails - to vote. There was a piece in Bolts that actually was sent to me this week - much appreciated, from Guy Oron - talking about the challenges we've had with some of the implementations of these. And in particular, when it comes to extending the right to vote to people who are currently incarcerated, causing us to deal with some of the toxic terminology, and people's impressions of people who are currently in jail, and the reality of it. And most of the people who are in county jails have not been convicted of anything - they're in there because there is bail set that they can't afford, they're in there on technicalities, they're in there because they can't afford to get out. They haven't been convicted of anything under our laws, our legal system. We have an innocent until proven guilty approach, so their right to vote hasn't been impacted in any way - they still have it - and they should be able to vote even if they're incarcerated. There was money allocated by our legislature to say, Hey, helping train people to make sure they understand how to provide access to people who are currently in county jails to do this. A few counties took the state up on the offer and applied for the grants to be able to do this. Several other counties declined, basically saying, Yeah, we don't want to help them. How did you read this and what are your thoughts surrounding this? [00:27:11] Matt Driscoll: Yeah, it's - I must admit that I was - I don't know, what's the word - what's the word for surprised when you're not really surprised? [00:27:21] Crystal Fincher: Just disappointed. [00:27:22] Matt Driscoll: Yeah. I guess I was disappointed. I think your points about the reality of the folks in our jails is really well taken - in our jails, I think that's really well taken. I think the average person doesn't understand what the population of those jails actually looks like, where those people are at in the legal process, what they have been convicted of and what they haven't been convicted of. And I - again, we just we classify people in these ways. And we come up with ways to rationalize unfair inhumane treatment. And I think this is just, this is another example of this - it's why should I care about this person? They haven't been convicted. I don't care. They wouldn't be in the jail if they hadn't done something and - screw 'em. And I think that's our, I think that's our societal outlook on those sorts of things. And I think there are people who - you were mentioning life expectancy in your father with the environmental impacts that - my dad was in prison when I was born. And so we had to go through the process of voting rights restoration with - and that whole thing. And even after people come out of prison - it's changed much in the decades since then, thankfully in some places - but we have no qualms as a society of just taking away the right to vote. And we really, we've - for decades, we made it as hard as humanly possible for anybody who wasn't a white male landowner to vote. And we still really don't have any qualms about taking that right away from people, which just flies in the face of all the patriotic nonsense we talk about - voting and the Constitution and people's rights and all that sort of thing. So yeah - disappointed, I guess, is the word. And yeah, that's how I felt. [00:29:22] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, and these are situations - in this article, it talked about Spokane County. 70% of the people in the Spokane County jail have not been convicted of anything - there are pretrial issues, there are other issues that they're in there for. And situations where the people running the jails, the Sheriff's departments in some of these situations, corrections officers have said, Hey, this doesn't impact, this will not have an impact on our staffing, which has been a challenge in a lot of the jails. We can implement this - with the funding, the grant money - we can do this, very doable. And have had county commissioners say, Yeah, no, we don't think so, still don't like it, still have concerns. And to your point, we just seem to be okay with throwing people away once they get in there and find ways to justify that whatever happens to them - however horrific - from rape jokes that are so ubiquitous to all of that stuff - that whatever happens to them while they're in there is okay. And that's what they're not sentenced to. They're sentenced to spend their time in a way where they're restricted from areas - that is the punishment. It's not this cruel and mean and unusual and depraved and inhumane treatment that so many people seem to be happy with. And one, we just should never treat people that way. We're also having solitary confinement conversations in our legislature right now, which should not be happening and they're looking to limit that. But for the people who are in there, it also is bad for us when they come back out. These people are coming back out into our society. We say we want people to do your time, pay for the crime and come back and restart your life. But we make it really, really hard and stack the deck against people to be able to come back out into the community and embed themselves in the community, find a place to live, find a job, do the things that everyone else is doing. And we have to view people as people wherever they're at, and it actually benefits us as a community when we do that. It hurts us when we don't, but we seem to be very determined not to, which is disappointing. Another conversation that we are having in the Legislature is about police pursuits. This is a continuing conversation that we've had. Listening to some people, you might get the impression that the Legislature outlawed pursuits and it's caused mayhem to ensue. Not quite what's happened - they restricted the ability to pursue, to basically eliminate petty crimes, but if someone is a danger to the community, driving under the influence, accused of a violent crime or sexual crime, a crime against a person, police can and actually do frequently pursue here in the state. It does not seem like they have been barred from doing that, especially with news of recent chases and crashes and injuries that have resulted. But there was an op-ed by Representative Sharlett Mena, Senator Yasmin Trudeau in The News Tribune. What case did they make in this op-ed? [00:32:55] Matt Driscoll: Yeah, it's really interesting and I'll just - I'll take just a few steps back first. This debate has been going on for some time and we really, on The News Tribune Editorial Board, really got a kind of a firsthand feeling for it during our endorsement process where we talked to candidates on both sides of the aisle, from the primaries through the general election - talking about 20+ races - and this was the issue that often came up. This was the issue that Republicans brought up more than any other to paint the Democrats as having basically rushed through reform policies that resulted in huge spikes in crime in Washington. And that's still the conversation today in Olympia. There've been efforts to revisit this change, to maybe go all the way back to where we were, or somewhere in between. And so we had a op-ed from Representative or Senator Chris Gildon from Puyallup the week prior arguing in favor of changing the law. And the reason I reached out to Representative Mena and Senator Trudeau is because during that endorsement process, they were two of the officials that delivered the clearest, most succinct, most sincere defense of what was the rationale for the law and how we got here. And I really feel like that's - and maybe this is just me, but I really feel like that's lost in this conversation sometimes - because frankly, even from Democrats, you get a lot of word salad on this one. Because it's a contentious issue - because people do see it, they are aware of it. You have law enforcement across the state, prosecutors from across the state coming out and saying, You've got to fix this law. This has made our jobs harder. We can't chase anybody. It's on people's mind. There's the kind of political side of it, what the Republicans are doing by it. And so I reached out to them and just said, Hey, put 750 words on paper and tell us why this law, this new law is worthwhile and your approach to dealing with these issues. And they laid out a facts-based approach - is basically how they described it. They said, Look, we have the data to show that these pursuits are dangerous to community, to officers, to bystanders, to everybody involved. They cite examples where people have been gravely injured or lost their life during unnecessary police pursuits. And they point to the numbers that show - since the law has passed that those numbers of injuries and deaths have actually gone down. And they also point out that the vast majority of these chases, when they do occur, they're for stuff that doesn't warrant that level of risk to the community. And they advocated to taking a facts-based approach. They're open to reviewing the law and enacting best practices after some study on it. Their basic argument is, We're not going to craft policy around fear-mongering and just anecdotes. We're going to craft policy around the data that we actually have that shows us what's going on. And so I found it to be a pretty compelling argument - I think, like a lot of people, this is a tricky issue for me personally. I can understand some of the different sides of it, but that being said - in Tacoma, one thing they also pointed out is, we've had a no-pursuit policy for many years. There are many places that have very similar policies. When we interviewed Tacoma's relatively new police chief, although he's not that new at this point, he said, Yeah, I like our policy. I don't want to change it. It makes sense. What his real point was - was that more people know about the law now. And so he does think that that's increasing the amounts of people that are taking off, but basically - to be succinct, after I've already not been succinct - their argument was to take a fact-based approach to crafting policy and not give into the fear-mongering and anecdotes. [00:37:04] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, absolutely. One of the arguments that I hear from people, who oftentimes start off somewhat hyperbolically, like you said, We can't chase people anymore and this is causing crime, and they know and so they're taking off - which isn't quite borne out by the data there - there are plenty of pursuits that continue to take place. And in addition, it's not just unsafe for the community. Their article goes into detail about just instances in Pierce County and South King County where people had permanent and life-altering injuries, in addition to some crashes that involved death. Here in the City of Kent, we had an officer killed during a pursuit - they are dangerous for everyone involved - and so we should be cautious. It should not be something that should, Hey, someone stole some toilet paper, hopped into a car, we're going to chase them on streets - with lots of pedestrians and kids playing - at 80 mph. That just seems like a disconnect. And to your point, these are not wacky reforms out of left field. These are based on best practices designed with the input of people in law enforcement anyway. And to your point, several agencies in Washington already implemented these kind of common sense limitations on when and where you would choose to pursue. So it seems - there's always something that you can point to and say, Hey, something changed, crime is up - we will see. Historically, there does not seem to be a correlation between whether or not people can pursue vehicles, and rises and drops in the auto theft rate - which I hear cited a lot of times - there is no correlation there. You could always pursue before this legislation - auto theft rates rose and dipped during those times, and they actually seem to be more correlated with the price for used cars than anything else. It's just common sense that - if something can get someone more money on the illegal market, that that is going to drive activity for some of those thefts - in addition to recent news about some cars being particularly easy to steal and basically just a bug of the car is that it's really easy to take off with. So we will continue to follow this, but that was a really good, informative op-ed that we will of course include in our show notes. Also wanted to talk about where middle housing stands, here in our legislature - some bills passed out of committee. And a poll showed that, Hey, Washington residents support multifamily housing in their own neighborhoods, which was - I think people, most legislators, assumed that wasn't the case as recently as two years ago, some questioning going into this year - but it looks like a lot of people are being touched by this affordability crisis and responding in kind. How did you react to that news? [00:40:35] Matt Driscoll: I think that's right. I think it really speaks to - I don't know how rapid the change on this has been, but I think it speaks to the level of desperation out there that people feel around these issues. You talked about the poll - I was looking at it and I'm not able to cite it as specifically as you - the top two issues, no surprise, not shockingly that people identified - homelessness and the cost of housing. And so I think people are freaked out about that, I think they're rightly freaked out about that. I think they feel like the government - our cities, our state - hasn't done nearly enough, is way behind. I think that's why you see big proposals coming out now, like the governor's $4 billion plan to build housing and shelter space. And I think people are increasingly having the recognition that if we don't do something, that if we don't increase the housing options in neighborhoods through density, that we're in a cycle that's going to eat a lot of people up and spit a lot of people out. And a lot of people don't feel terribly close from that. And I don't know if I was surprised to see the level of support for - I guess a little bit because, much like the airport, whenever you, at least in my experience, whenever you come down to specific - not every neighborhood - single family home neighborhoods and you start talking about density or duplexes or triplexes or condos, people freak out and oppose it. But I think in the broad sense, there's a growing recognition that we really don't have any choice. And so it leaves me optimistic. Of course, there are still lots of thorny conversations around local control happening, which will need to be navigated. But yeah, I was encouraged. What's the - so we already did disappointed - so what's surprised, but not surprised, but like from the good side, because I guess that's how I felt about it. [00:42:43] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, probably that - pleasantly surprised, hopeful, optimistic. And another issue where the public actually seems, once again, like they're ahead of where the Legislature is in terms of opinion. Pretty broad support here - three-fifths of voters support the proposed zoning law, only one-fifth are opposed - so that's over 60% there. Pretty major support, particularly high among women, Democrats, and Independents here. What this poll really uncovered was that lots of people are impacted by this. They're, as you said, their concerns to the top three are affordability of housing, the cost of living. I think for a lot of normal people, the cost of living is part of inflation. It technically is, but they're feeling that acutely. And it's always interesting to see what the public conversation revolves around - certainly necessities like eggs and milk are there. But when you see that coverage in major newspapers, sometimes on national evening news, they focus on those things or the price of gas, and have not focused as much on the cost of housing, which has increased so much and is a cost that everybody is bearing. And it's making people wonder if they can - seniors wondering if they can age in place, are they going to be able to remain in their community? It's students going to college and wondering if there's a place for them back home or whether they need to just move to a different place that they can afford. It's middle income people, it's service workers and teachers and nurses who are wondering if they can even afford to live close to where they work and adding to some of that stress and strain. So this is a societal challenge. And a majority of the voters surveyed said that, Hey, this is bigger than - over two-thirds agreed with the statement, The housing crisis spans municipal borders and is too big for cities to tackle alone, which is why we need statewide affordability solutions. 68% agreed with that - that's a big number. Something else that stood out to me in this poll was looking at the difference - a lot of times opposition to this has focused on, You say sixplexes are allowed and quadplexes and triplexes. Six is too many, maybe four is too many - maybe we just allow three. That's something that maybe people could tolerate. Invariably that disagreement leads to the failure of this and they just can't agree on what level is the right level. The general public doesn't really see a difference in some of those big levels. When you look, when you ask individually and say triplexes, quadplexes, sixplexes - the numbers are virtually the same for those. And so they're just saying we need to take action - we're okay with density. And it almost seems like a proxy, especially looking at these subgroup totals, for people comfortable with change and people who aren't. And the people who are comfortable with change are like, Bring it on. We're not quibbling about a sixplex versus a fourplex. We need change. We want you to take action and get on with it. And it seems like what is definitely a minority, but a vocal minority, tend to be conservative - those are the, that's the only group who is opposing this with a majority and seems resistant to change period. So this isn't - doesn't seem to be a conversation of nuances and about finding the right level and get everyone - agree on - is it four - it's just action or not. And the opposition, a lot of times to things like these, gets more credit than they're due and people read more into it than there actually is. And it really looks like there's just people who don't want change, who don't want to open their neighborhood up to new people to move in - that they felt they should be the last new people who should get in and no one else gets that ability. So really interesting to see, curious to see how this impacts the legislation and legislators' action on it - if they pay attention to it or not - but we will definitely stay tuned. Any final thoughts on housing and moving forward? [00:47:33] Matt Driscoll: I don't know. I thought, I think you wrapped it up pretty well. There is the interest - and we're getting into the weeds a little bit - in terms of the state action or local action. I know there was some tension last session around statewide efforts, and you even had cities like Tacoma pushing back on statewide action because they felt we were doing our own local process here of examining our zoning and doing a lot of these upzones in this area that - in these areas that we'd identified and they were hesitant to be able to pass that local control off and off to the state. What's the point of living in a city and having a city government if you don't have local control of these sorts of issues like zoning. But so here, it wasn't necessarily local leaders pushing back against mandated density. It was just simply a matter of them saying, We want to have local control over how we guide this process. We're already months and months into this process. We've been doing town halls, we've been doing all this stuff. To throw that all out and just get some mandate from the state doesn't feel fair, which I totally understand. But coming full circle, I'm wondering if this poll and if, not this poll just alone, but this kind of acknowledged that it's maybe more like you're saying - of action versus inaction - will take a little of the sting - maybe it doesn't matter as much if Tacoma goes neighborhood by neighborhood and decides that, Okay, six will fly here, but only four here, and you've got to have these setbacks here and all - maybe that's not as important as the local leaders believe it to be. And maybe statewide action can take some of the pressure off of them and can just get us over the hump in terms of zoning policy - that on a local level can be so difficult to clear sometimes because of all the opposition that you do face. So it's interesting to see how this one plays out. [00:49:28] Crystal Fincher: We will keep our eye on it. And just want to close with a reminder that we're recording this on Friday, February 10th, but on Tuesday - Valentine's Day - February 14th, there are elections happening throughout our region. Seattle, of course - every Seattle resident who is registered to vote should be able to vote on Initiative 135, the social housing initiative. You can still register for this election and participate it. If you have not registered already, we'll include information there. Also Enumclaw School District and the King Conservation District elections are happening. In Pierce County, the Steilacoom, Orting and Peninsula School Districts are having elections. So lots to vote on. Make sure your friends and family in those jurisdictions votes, makes their votes heard. These elections are notoriously low turnout, which can impact the direction - even small changes in the number of people voting can flip the situation and determine whether these levies and initiatives pass or do not pass. So make sure you get your ballot in. Hey, if you have any questions - hit me up on Twitter, email me, I'll be happy to help you get your ballot and make sure that your vote is turned in and it counts. And with that, we thank you for listening on this Friday, February 10th, 2023. Hacks & Wonks is co-produced by Shannon Cheng and Bryce Cannatelli. Our insightful co-host today was metro news columnist and opinion editor for The News Tribune in Tacoma, Matt Driscoll. Thanks so much for being here today. [00:51:13] Matt Driscoll: Thank you for having me, as always - I don't know if I was insightful exactly, but I appreciate the kind words. [00:51:18] Crystal Fincher: Oh, you definitely were. You all can catch Hacks & Wonks on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts - just type "Hacks and Wonks" into the search bar. Be sure to subscribe to get the full cast - to get the full podcast - to get the full versions of our Friday almost-live shows and our midweek show delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, leave a review wherever you listen. You can also get a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources referenced in the show at officialhacksandwonks.com and in the podcast episode notes. Thanks for tuning in - talk to you next time.

This episode of The Jason Cavness Experience is a replay of my talk with James Marszalek - Founder of Operation Red Dot Our Affiliates Close.com - If you hate your sales CRM or know that you inevitably need to make a change because what you have is not working, certainly check out Close. It's quick and easy to set up and sales rep adoption is extremely high! Give their trial a shot PeopleKeep - If your company has 49 or fewer employees a PeopleKeep personalized benefits advisor can evaluate whether a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) is right for your business. Reach out today to get your questions answered. https://www.peoplekeep.com/cavnesshr Everee Payroll - Run payroll or contractor payments from anywhere in seconds with just one swipe on a mobile app. Focus on growing your business instead of on compliance. We remit, file and report on federal, state, local and unemployment insurance taxes, as well as handle your W2s and 1099s. https://offers.everee.com/cavness-hr CavnessHR - delivers HR companies with 49 or fewer people with our HR platform and by providing you access to your own HRBP. www.CavnessHR.com We talk about the following Why and how he is raising $100M Why do some people have drive and others don't Challenges of military housing Poker, pool, travel and philosophy Seeing life through the lens of other people Operation Red Dot James' Bio James is an Army combat veteran who spent 7 years in the Army with 5-1 Cav out of Fort Wainwright, AK as a Scout. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, supporting 5th group SF in the fight against terrorism. His entrepreneurial spirit was formed at 15 years old with the book "The Millionaire Next Door", and spurred several unofficial entrepreneurial "projects" starting, ironically, in basic training for the Army. After leaving the Army in 2012 James became a full time Entrepreneur, and has started 4 companies from the ground up since. Currently operating a real estate company and a hedge fund with the mission to end the military housing crisis, and help service members get housing ahead of their relocation to avoid long hotel stays and other stresses; and is also designed to set military families up to leave their service with a 6 figure nest egg and passive income, aiming for financial freedom through real estate. Currently in a round 1 fundraise, having secured 5 million out of the 20 million sought. We've landed almost $100,000,000 in sales since opening the company in 2016, and currently hold $25,000,000 in rental assets under management at JBLM. The business' BHAG is to put 1,000,000 military families into homes over the next 10 years, helping service members buy and rent across 75 military installations across the US. James' life is mostly business by choice, often strategizing, planning, and executing till 1am. But, when he isn't empire building, hustling poker and pool tables, watching documentaries, or traveling is likely where you'd find him. He believes in deep philosophical level thinking, inspiring others to seek wisdom, and simply put good into the world. James' Social Media J ames' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmarszalek/ James' FB: https://www.facebook.com/Mad.Hatter87 Operation Red Dot YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6F14c3w3JRZA-iADtsm3aw/videos Operation Red Dot website: https://www.operationreddot.com/ James' email: James@operationreddot.com James' Gift J ames invites you to reach out to him to talk about the military housing challenge, Operation Red Dot, entrepreneurship and a host of other subjects. He also invites you to check out these sites. ActiveDutyPassiveIncome.com, or here's the FB group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/308832522898149. James' Advice T hink about things that are bigger than you. Put your ego aside for two seconds. Think about finding a new 3d set of glasses that show you perspective on something new. I think we get in our own way, a lot of the time. I think we can do better if you're able to set that stuff aside. So put good into the world without any expectation of return and see what happens. Go www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.

The Monologue: Several races are staying among party lines.  The Interview: Susanna Keilman is hoping to ride the Red Wave near JBLM and Steilacoom.The Monologue: Rantz asks listeners who they are supporting. The Interview: Drew MacEwen is hoping to jump from the House to the state senate.LongForm: Tiffany Smiley is feeling the energy and she explains how things are looking on the ground.The Quick Hit: Election results are continuing to come in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hope in the Darkness - In this episode, Kelly and Crystal's paths collide when they begin to work together at a Pregnancy Resource Center. Together they share their difficult experiences working in this space. Also! I shout out and thank you to the Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC) at JBLM for inviting us to speak at your gathering to learn more about The Pelican Project! Read more about Kelly's story in Wandering Heart. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pelicanproject/message

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 5, Why did the Caterpillar Cross the Road? To get to the Artillery Range. A story about the metamorphosis of a prison into a butterfly rearing facility for endangered species recovery. This episode is all about the Sustainability in Prisons Project's (SPP) Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly Program. In this episode, we learn more about the program with Mary Linders, endangered species biologist and we talk with Liz Louie, former butterfly technician, about her experience rearing Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. This season is all about the Sustainability in Prisons Project (otherwise referred to as SPP), how they bring education, nature and training into the prisons to reduce recidivism and protect and enhance our environment. This season (we now know) is 7 episodes long. In the first episode we got into how it all started; Episode 2 provided a background on the prison system and an introduction to SPP. Episode 3 was all about partnerships, which is really what SPP is, a network of partners working to bring education and nature into the prison system. Last episode provided an overview of the Conservation Programs at SPP and then we got into more of the details of the Conservation Nursery Programs and how they are involved in prairie restoration.We start off the episode with a few fun facts, including:A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope, although sometimes referred to as a flutter, flight or swarm. A group of caterpillars is called an army.According to the Smithsonian: There are about 18,500 butterfly species worldwide (except Antarctica). Of those, around 750 are found in the US.Interviewees this EpisodeMary LindersMary has worked as an endangered species recovery biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) since 1994. For the past 18 years she has worked to protect and recover populations of five at-risk prairie and oak-associated species in the South Puget Sound region. As the lead biologist overseeing captive rearing and population re-establishment of the federally endangered Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, Mary has grown the project from a captive rearing test trial to a program with two captive rearing facilities, 14 field sites, and nine conservation partners. All told, this effort is transforming 1000s of acres of degraded grassland to high quality native prairie benefitting a multitude of other species. Mary holds a Master's degree in Wildlife Science from the University of Washington-Seattle and a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.Liz LouieLiz is currently the manager of the FareStart Restaurant Program. She was previously a butterfly technician with the Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly Rearing program. According to their website, “FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty and nourishes communities through food, life skills and job training.” We hope to have a future mini-sode where we share more about Liz's experience with the FareStart Program. Stay tuned for more info on that!Taylor's Checkerspot ButterflyAccording to the WDFW Website:“Taylor's checkerspot is a Pacific Northwest endemic butterfly. It is currently restricted to a small scattering of 8 populations in Washington, a single population in British Columbia, and 2 populations in Oregon. The decline of this butterfly has accompanied the loss of open, prairie and grassland habitats…it has declined dramatically due to widespread habitat degradation and loss of prairie-oak ecosystems from development, invasive species, and loss of beneficial disturbance mechanisms. Habitat enhancement efforts for Taylor's checkerspot since 2006 have been significant, however, the amount of fully-restored habitat relative to need is low, and the configuration of habitat remains fragmented and isolated.”TAYLOR'S CHECKERSPOT BUTTERFLY ON BALSAMROOT - PHOTO CREDIT: USFWS/K. REAGANTaylor's Checkerspot was listed as an endangered species by the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2006, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in 2011, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2013. The federal listing means that basically that no harm can come of the butterfly.Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) includes the largest remaining intact prairie (which happens to be a live artillery range) in the South Salish Sea Basin. The artillery impact area at JBLM contains some of the highest quality prairies in the Pacific Northwest and some of the few remaining natural populations of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. Out of all of the glacial outwash prairie that previously existed there is only 3% remaining and of that, JBLM is home to about 95%. If you want to learn more about butterfly identification in the South Salish lowlands, check out, A Region Specific Guide to Butterflies of South Puget Sound, Washington.The Cascadia Prairie Oak Partnership has a lot of great resources related to prairie oak restoration in the Salish Sea basin and Willamette Valley, including various field and landowner guides.WDFW asks that you share Taylor's checkerspot butterfly observations on their WDFW wildlife reporting form. Providing detailed information such as a photo and the coordinates will improve the confidence and value of your observation.Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly ProgramIn this episode, Mary Linders shares more about the Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly Program. She talks about their lifecycle and their unique ecological niche within the Salish Lowland Prairies. The ultimate goal of the program is to rear butterflies to be reintroduced into the wild to help restore the few remaining native populations. The easiest way to do that is to try to reduce their mortality in captivity. Mary says that one of the biggest challenges to rearing Taylor's checkerspot butterflies is weather. On the habitat side, it means that they may or may not get green up after a fire, or germination, which is impacted by weather and management techniques. While on the butterfly side of things, it is very plastic in its behavior to the climate; if there is an early spring, it will shift its flight habits.We learn that in the wild, the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly has a survival rate of 1-5% from egg to adult, while in captivity they see about a 65% survival rate. They try to keep every stage at 90% survival rate.While GPS and GIS have not been used on the incarcerated side, Mary does share how GIS and GPS are used for all aspects of conservation from habitat assessments to recording release locations and tracking movement.This project is having an impact on species recovery. Where they were down to a single population, they have now established two other populations and there is a third that is doing okay. There are also a couple of sites that have not fully taken off yet.Mary discusses some of the benefits of bringing a project like this into a prison setting. One of the benefits is that you get an intimate look at captivity and another is that they have been very successful at minimizing mortality in captivity. She says one of the drawbacks of having a program like this in a prison is that it is a very dynamic situation, where you might face lockdowns or other circumstances that might not happen outside of prison. She shares that there was a lot of risk involved, especially at the beginning, since they had to build a dedicated facility, but that the women in the prison took it on and made it their own. One aspect that helped them get this project off the ground, is that the Oregon Zoo was able to help guide the rearing details.Mary shares how collaborating with SPP has impacted her. She says it's the ultimate feel good, where you can heal the environment and society at the same time.Rearing Taylor's Checkerspot Butterflies in a Prison SettingNext we talk with Liz Louie about her experience as a butterfly technician. She shares more about how she got started with the program, including going through a traditional interview process, which is not typical for positions in prison. She talks about how she had some skills that were helpful for working with the butterflies, like experience working with data. Liz says that she was fearful at first, because the butterflies are such sensitive little animals! She also shares how it was great to be able to participate through four rearing seasons and that they were able to surpass the prior year's survival rates.We ask Liz about the benefits of working in a program like this. She says that every year the technicians had the option to apply for credit from Evergreen. She talks about how impactful it was for those individuals that had never been to college before or had that kind of an experience and that it pushed participants to pursue further education and gave them confidence to apply for other programs.Liz also explains what butterfly rearing looks like in the prison environment. She talks about the various life cycle stages. She says that the butterfly phase was her favorite part, because you get to handle them a little more and you have to feed them. She also talks about how they have various families or lines and they have to keep track of them so they are breeding different families together. According to the Oregon Zoo website, this is what their recovery project looks like (they provided guidance to the SPP project):“Spring: Adult females and eggs are collected in the wild at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Olympia, Wash., and sent to the zoo for hatching and rearing. The hatched caterpillars are fed leaves grown on grounds at the zoo.Summer: The caterpillars continue to eat and grow until June when they go into a mostly inactive phase called "diapause." The caterpillars are then placed in earthenware pots in a sheltered outside area and periodically inspected.Winter: In February the larvae are brought back into the lab where they begin to eat again.Spring: In March most of the caterpillars are released at sites with suitable habitat to continue growing until they pupate and eclose (or emerge) as butterflies.”You can learn more about the specifics of rearing in the Oregon Zoo's Taylor's Checkerspot Captive Rearing Overview document.Then we chat about how they make the babies…spoiler alert, she says they did try things like playing some Marvin Gay to see if that helped get them in the mood! Typically they take a single female and place 7-8 males from a different lineage into the same tent. They have run various experiments, such as changing the temperature, or the light, trying to get the conditions prime for baby-time! After a male has, you know, joined…the female is placed in her own tent where she lays the eggs and then she is retired into a mix cage to be released.The rearing facility is a greenhouse located just outside of the Mission Creek Correctional Facility (well there are two rearing greenhouses now, but there was one while Liz was there). They raise a bed of plantain, which is a weedy little plant that is the preferred food for the caterpillars. The technicians provide the butterflies with a sponge with sugar water, fresh water and nectar bearing plants, such as cotton candy, which they grow onsite. Both caterpillars and butterflies start to wake up in January, then they are fed at the facility for a couple of weeks before they are released into the field in late February. Liz shares how she thinks prison job programs like this are very important. They provide people with transferable skills that they can use once they are out of prison, but it also provides people with pride and self-confidence to study, learn, and pursue things that they previously thought were not possible. She says that she believes these programs do more good than harm, but she, like others that we have talked with, says that the one thing she wished is that the wages were more representative of the level of work they were completing. For example, she says they only received 35 cents per hour commensurate with other in house jobs (like laundry, kitchen, or custodian), but some of the other physical labor jobs, like for the highway cleanups, incarcerated workers receive a dollar an hour. SPP is working to make it more equitable, but they are working within the legislative confines of current prison wages.In the end Liz says that she is really glad that she found SPP, and that she is excited to hear that they are growing and offering more and more programs, because she believes it is such a good thing for anyone that participates. Most people have a good experience and they learn a lot. Until Next Time…Thank you so much for joining us this episode! We hope you learned more about:Taylor's checkerspot butterfly conservation and restoration efforts and the importance of the South Salish lowland prairies in their recoveryWhat a SPP facilitated conservation program is likeThe impacts of programs like these to species recovery and human enrichment, and how both of these can have a positive impact in our communitiesWe think one of the takeaways from this episode is that rearing and restoring populations of Taylor's Checkerspot Butterflies is difficult, and adding it into a prison setting doesn't make it easier, but the cumulative effort to do so results in benefits to both the butterflies and the humans that participate in the program. This is another major conservation program that is facilitated by SPP, and while we don't expect that all of our listeners (or SPP) have the time and resources to develop big programs, there might be someone out there that has just the perfect program idea to pitch to SPP. Next episode, we will learn more about opportunities to participate with SPP without developing a whole dang program. Please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts (like Tune In, Castbox Himalaya, iheartradio, etc). Please let us know what you think in the comments below or on our Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest pages. Until next time, Will We Make It Out Alive?

Welcome to Episode 4, Plugging away at the South Salish Lowland Prairies, all about conservation programs with the WA Sustainability in Prisons Project. In this episode we will learn a little about the umbrella Conservation Programs with Kelli Bush, and then we chat with Carl Elliot about the Conservation Nursery Program.This season is all about the Sustainability in Prisons Project (otherwise referred to as SPP), how they bring education, nature and training into the prisons to reduce recidivism and protect and enhance our environment. We now know that this season is at least 6 episodes long and it still could be 7 episodes long. In the first episode we got into how it all started; Episode 2 provided a background on the prison system and an introduction to SPP. Episode 3 was all about partnerships, which is really what SPP is, a network of partners working to bring education and nature into the prison system.According to an article “Conservation Projects in Prison,”“The pace of habitat destruction and loss of biological diversity globally exceeds the current capacity of societies to restore functioning ecosystems. Working with prison systems to engage inmates in habitat conservation and ecological science is an innovative approach to increase our ability to reestablish habitat and at-risk species, while simultaneously providing people in custody with opportunities for reciprocal restoration, education, therapeutic activities, safer conditions, and lower costs of imprisonment. We present the benefits of working with prisons to conduct habitat conservation through nursery production of plants and captive rearing of animals, combined with educational experiences...”Interviewees this EpisodeKelli Bush is the co-director of the Sustainability in Prisons Project. She helps bring nature, science and environmental education into prisons in Washington. She also leads staff from The Evergreen State College that coordinate programs in the prisons. She has a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Ecology from The Evergreen State College. Carl Elliot is the Program Manager of the Conservation Nursery Programs with the Sustainability in Prisons Project. Carl has a B.S. and a Masters of Environmental Science from The Evergreen State College. Prior to his work with the Sustainability in Prison Project, he had over twenty years of experience in horticulture and sustainable agriculture. He was a founding board member of the Seattle Youth Garden Works, which trains homeless children and other at-risk youth in skills for employment and healthy living. He began working for SPP in 2011 as the Conservation and Restoration Coordinator and has expanded the Conservation Nursery Program from one to four prisons in Washington.SPP Conservation ProgramsIn this episode we chat with Kelli Bush about the overarching Conservation Program, its goals and some of the different types of programs. She also shares a little about some conservation programs on the horizon; like the Sagebrush in Prisons Project, which grows sagebrush in prisons to help restore sagebrush habitat. We get off on a little tangent, but it leads us to talking about another potential partnership with UC Davis Center for Community and Citizen Science.Next we talk to Carl Elliot about the Conservation Nursery Programs. He starts with some background in the South Salish Lowland Prairies (say that five times fast!) and the work over the last 20 years or so to restore this habitat. He also shares how he got his start with SPP and why he was ultimately the ideal candidate to help further develop the Conservation Nursery Program (spoiler alert, it was because he was not just looking at it as cheap prison labor). He also talks about what is grown at the nurseries and why. He also shares about how biological technicians participate in the program, including a discussion about how ideas are shared and how he fosters and encourages new ideas from all people involved. He shares some of the benefits of participating in the program; technicians are learning, they can get college credit and in the end those things ultimately benefit our communities. He also shares about his personal experience working with a program in a prison and what working with incarcerated individuals is like.“I rarely meet an incarcerated individual that can not add something to the conservation community.” -Carl ElliotCarl provides a solid foundation to the restoration of South Salish Lowland Prairies. This includes discussion about some of the locations of remaining prairie near Olympia, WA.Wolf Haven is working with many partners to help restore 36 acres of Mima Mound Prairie found on their property.JBLM includes the largest remaining intact Prairie in the South Salish Basin (which happens to be a live artillery range). The artillery impact area at JBLM contains some of the highest quality prairies in the Pacific Northwest and some of the few remaining natural populations of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. Out of all of the glacial outwash prairie that previously existed there is only 5% remaining and of that, JBLM is home to about 95%!!!Glacial Heritage Preserve, a 1,134-acre preserve, including 650 acres of grassland, located in Thurston County south of Olympia, Washington. In 1988, Thurston County purchased the land, recognizing the potential for restoring several native ecosystems on the variable site. The Nature Conservancy began managing the land in 1995, a role that was taken over by the Center for Natural Lands Management in 2014. Today, CNLM sees to all aspects of maintenance on this private preserve: managing controlled burns, removing invasive plants by pulling or herbicide use, and reintroducing native plants through seeding and planting. They open up the prairie each spring to the public for Prairie Appreciation Days.Did you know that there's a Prairie Landowner Guide for Western Washington?!Western Washington Prairies BackgroundDid you know? Prairies are one of the rarest ecosystems in Washington State! Only 3% of the original prairies remain.Prairies west of the Cascade Mountains were created by glaciers. When the glaciers started to recede about 15,000 years ago, they left behind dry gravelly soils perfect for prairies. These prairies were a natural landscape habitat in this area during the earlier dryer and warmer climate. Between 6000 and 5000 years ago the pollen signature shifted to a wetter and cooler climate, resulting in a natural plant succession that shifted the ecosystem to oak and then Douglas fir dominated forests. However some of the prairies persisted and this has been attributed to the Coast Salish tribes, who likely grew to depend on the prairies and so they continued to maintain them through burning. This type of landscape management was used to maintain prairie areas from Vancouver Island south to Eugene. The prairies in the South Salish Lowlands were traditional use areas for the Nisqually, Squaxin Island, Upper Chehalis and Cowlitz tribes. Prairies in the South Salish Lowlands have faced many ecosystem pressures. Current restoration efforts are as varied as the sites they are trying to restore. Typical methods include invasive species removal methods (mowing, herbicide, hand pulling), prescribed burning, and native plant restoration (seeding, plugging, planting). Adaptive management is the name of the game as they try to improve their restoration techniques. Until Next Time…WE HOP TO SEE YOU NEXT EPISODE!Thank you so much for joining us this episode! We hope you learned more about the SPP Conservation Program and the Conservation Nursery Programs and how they impact our communities and our environment. We think the biggest take away from this episode is that bringing nature and education into prisons can be rewarding for all involved, from the individuals, to the ecosystem, to the community. Maybe most importantly, these programs often change the way that people view themselves. We also want to reiterate that these programs are really about bringing education, nature and training into prisons. We hope you also learned more about prairie ecosystems and some of SPP's conservation and restoration efforts both for the prairies themselves and for endangered species like the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Carl also shared what it's like to grow plants in a conservation nursery and what it looks like to bring this kind of science and education into the prison. This episode showcases what a big partnership with SPP might look like. While this might not be the right fit for every organization, it certainly seems to be very beneficial for those who have a big idea about bringing science and nature into prisons.Please join us on August 2nd for our next episode which will be all about the SPP Conservation Partnership for the Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly Recovery Program. We will let Kelli rest for one episode and chat with Mary Linders (again) and introduce Liz Louie, former butterfly technician. Please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts (like Tune In, Castbox Himalaya, iheartradio, etc). Please let us know what you think in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Joe Bomar interviews local historian Erin Lasley about the history of McChord Air Force Base (now part of JBLM).

On this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience I talk to James Marszalek - Founder of Operation Red Dot We talk about the following Why and how he is raising $100M Why do some people have drive and others don't Challenges of military housing Poker, pool, travel and philosophy Seeing life through the lens of other people Operation Red Dot James' Bio James is an Army combat veteran who spent 7 years in the Army with 5-1 Cav out of Fort Wainwright, AK as a Scout. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, supporting 5th group SF in the fight against terrorism. His entrepreneurial spirit was formed at 15 years old with the book "The Millionaire Next Door", and spurred several unofficial entrepreneurial "projects" starting, ironically, in basic training for the Army. After leaving the Army in 2012 James became a full time Entrepreneur, and has started 4 companies from the ground up since. Currently operating a real estate company and a hedge fund with the mission to end the military housing crisis, and help service members get housing ahead of their relocation to avoid long hotel stays and other stresses; and is also designed to set military families up to leave their service with a 6 figure nest egg and passive income, aiming for financial freedom through real estate. Currently in a round 1 fundraise, having secured 5 million out of the 20 million sought. We've landed almost $100,000,000 in sales since opening the company in 2016, and currently hold $25,000,000 in rental assets under management at JBLM. The business' BHAG is to put 1,000,000 military families into homes over the next 10 years, helping service members buy and rent across 75 military installations across the US. James' life is mostly business by choice, often strategizing, planning, and executing till 1am. But, when he isn't empire building, hustling poker and pool tables, watching documentaries, or traveling is likely where you'd find him. He believes in deep philosophical level thinking, inspiring others to seek wisdom, and simply put good into the world. James' Social Media James' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmarszalek/ James' FB: https://www.facebook.com/Mad.Hatter87 Operation Red Dot YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6F14c3w3JRZA-iADtsm3aw/videos Operation Red Dot website: https://www.operationreddot.com/ James' email: James@operationreddot.com James' Gift James invites you to reach out to him to talk about the military housing challenge, Operation Red Dot, entrepreneurship and a host of other subjects. He also invites you to check out these sites. ActiveDutyPassiveIncome.com, or here's the FB group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/308832522898149. James' Advice Think about things that are bigger than you. Put your ego aside for two seconds. Think about finding a new 3d set of glasses that show you perspective on something new. I think we get in our own way, a lot of the time. I think we can do better if you're able to set that stuff aside. So put good into the world without any expectation of return and see what happens.

Chaplain Fillmore brings a message from Philippians 1:21.

SEE YOU IN SEATTLE!WK 13 - 49ers at SEATTLE: Niners are on the road again this weekend, this timeup the coast to our dear friends the Seattle Seahawks, who come into the game with a 3-8 record, after losing Monday night on the east coast to the Washington football. While inlast place in the West they are always a threat and difficult to defeat at home, especiallywhen they play the Niners. Fresh off a hard fought win over the Vikings 34-26, and nowat 6-5 with a 4 game win streak, the Niners look to continue their push for a playoff spotthrough these final 6 games. To help us look at what is going on and prep for this nextgame we have 1 of 2 of the left side of the Niner's offensive line, who has had anoutstanding season, Laken Tomlinson.Though our partnership with Merging Vets & Players we were introduced to Sergeant Major (retired) Ed Hall. This was a very emotional episode for all of us and it speaks volume to the amount of strength and courage it takes to show up and share your heart with the world. There is a consistent theme of gratitude for the incredibly strong women in their lives. From their mothers raising them and helping them be the men they are today, to their wives and teammates through this wonderful yet challenging life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ed and Tonya and their family. Laken Tomlinson IG: @ltomlinson10Ed Hall IG: @ed_llahSeattle National Guard GuestsTeam Leader: Born Helena Montana, raised in WA by Mother.Originally enlisted 11B Fort Benning 2007 – 2012 Active Duty  JBLM, Assigned to 520th IN.Joined the Army National Guard in 2012 as 11B.2012 – 2016  42A HR with 1-168 Aviation2016 Readiness NCO 92A with AviationJointed Recruiting November 2019.  SSG Sherman, Daniel H.  MOS  13R/13T Current Duty Position – 79T RecruiterSSG McNeil, Rye A.  MOS  19K  Current Duty Position – 79T RecruiterSSG Wilkerson, Taylor J.  MOS  11B Current Duty Position – 79T RecruiterSGT Dent, Patrick C.        MOS 31B Current Duty Position - 79T RecruiterSSG Dumke, Zachary A.    MOS 35M  Current Duty Position – FTNGD-OS Recruiter AidHighlighted Organizations Leaving The Sidelines: https://leavingthesideline.org -@leaving_the_sidelineMerging Vets & Players: https://vetsandplayers.org - @mergingvetsandplayersNAMI - National Alliance on Mental Health: https://www.nami.org/Home - @namicommunicateThe Tomlinson Foundation: https://tomlinsonfoundation.orgThe Defensive Line: https://thedefensiveline.org - @thedefensiveline

URSULA'S TOP 5 // GUEST: Chris Sullivan on whether the HOV lanes through JBLM are doing their jobs // WE NEED TO TALK  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Miller, Pacific North Westerner, and Justin's father-in-law sits down with the guys on this episode to talk about his life and adventures on Anderson Island. 02:06 – Justin introduces Bill, shares that his mother-in-law listens to the podcast, and talks about the drinks he's been enjoying lately. Bill talks about finding a lot at Anderson Island, getting scammed out of the first lot he bought, and helicoptering with his wife in Hawaii. He talks about his foody track, where he lived as a kid with his dad in the Air Force, and how his family ended up in California. 18:09 – Bill compares the traffic between LA and Tacoma, what's cool about being a bank robber, and how he ended up in Tacoma after getting married. He talks about going back to school for winemaking, the “Chamber of Commerce” days in Washington, and his and Linda's first trips to Washington. He talks about what Bothell was like when they moved there in the '80s, how quiet it is out on the island, and his Anderson Island Foodies Facebook group. 36:32 – Bill talks about seeing more deer than cars some days on the island, his outhouse, and how matching his schedule with the ferry can be frustrating at times. Justin talks about his ferry meltdown, Bill talks about the second life of tables he picked up for free, and restaurants on the island. He talks about the makeover of the Riv, gives tips on what to order, and shares the story of the cities name. 53:47 – Bill talks about the length of time it takes to travel on the ferry, the resort capital of the PNW, and photographing two weddings at JBLM. They talk about the crazy signs people hold up when picking people up at the airport, Bill talks about the connections he's made with people in the Anderson Island community and what caused him to start the FB food group. He shares making raspberry and apple wine, being a professional photographer for 50 years, and his favorite places to shoot photos in Washington. Many thanks to Bill for sitting down for an interesting conversation! Special Guests: Bill Miller and Derek G.

The Monologue: Why do we have to incentivize the vaccine  The Interview: Chris Sullivan says I-5 at JBLM may finally be ready to drive this weekend  The Monologue: AOC does not know how prisons work The Interview: Caleb Heimlich discusses the ‘Flip the 8th' fundraiser in an attempt to replace Kim Schrier LongForm: Daniel Castro (Vice President of Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) says the facial recognition ban from King County is ridiculous  The Quick Hit: Door Dash and Uber Eats reach a settlement over race discrimination claim    The Last Rantz: When did it become racist to not become hyperfixated on race?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Sullivan's Chokepoint - new I-5 ramps and lanes near JBLM // Hanna Scott on the 105k WA drivers who could get their licenses un-suspended // Dose of Kindness -- a pair of shoes at just the right time // Gee Scott on the futures of Julio Jones, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, and KJ Wright // Hanna Scott on a Spokane mom demanding changes the school curriculum after a hands-on cotton lesson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's Trending: More and more businesses go maskless, University of Washington Softball team storms out of selection show after being announced as a 16 seed, and the Prime Minister of Israel sounds off on CBS.  Big Local: A tiny home village for veterans opens in Orting, JBLM is using nightvision goggles, and Jay Inslee slightly makes progress on the border. Space Force Commander fired for expressing concern over Marxism in military on podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GCP is back recording in person!! Their first live guest is the great friend of the podcast, Steve Dunkelberger. Steve has been a working journalist for more than 20 years at various publications around the Puget Sound. In addition to being a journalist, he is also a judge for the Society of Professional Journalists National Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Awards. He has also has given lectures in the area on issues facing journalists, is a member of the Knights of the Pythias, and offers Drunken History tours of Tacoma. Steve has written two history books on the city of Lakewood and has just published his newest book on McNeil Island, and is currently working on two more. He has also had several of his historical articles published on Historylink.org and in Columbia magazine. His past GCP episodes are Episode 10, a Best Of on Jake Bird, Episode 17 where the guys get to tour The Knights of Pythias's Commencement Lodge #7, Episode 44 where they discuss The Maury Island Incident, Episode 61 where they talk Drunk History, Episode 73: JBLM, Episode 88, and Episode 109. 00:00 – Robo Brogan kicks off the show, Steve shares how what he's been doing during Covid, and his plans for returning to do Steve's Drunken History Tacoma in person. Scott expresses his appreciation for Steve's moccasins, they discuss reasons for US to return to the moon, and Justin gives an update on the haps at the Union Club. Steve talks about what's been going on at the Pythian temple, projects that they're working on there, and what his favorite artifact is. 20:53 – Steve tells the George Janovich story including George's involvement in The Enterprise, how they got caught for burning down The Top of Ocean restaurant, and the books he's working on, one around Fort Steilacoom, the other on the History of Medical Care in Pierce County. He talks other pandemics throughout history, plans for publishing the books, and the different things he does around the community. 45:30 – They question why there isn't a beer in a box like wine, Scott reflects on the importance of a tap when throwing a party, and Justin tlks about plans for a kegerator for the home bar. Justin gives an update on the home studio, shifts to coaster question, and Steve talks about his go to drink during the pandemic. They jump into Is It Tacoma, Steve, Jeff, and Scott break out their pocketknives, and Scott shares things he considers before he buys a knife. 60:03 – Steve talks about his trip to Ohio, the food culture that's missing in Toledo, and shares the three things about Ohio that he doesn't understand. Justin talks about the fireworks in Tacoma, how the cops in Tacoma feel about people shooting off fireworks, and Steve dives into an article around the Unsolved Mysteries in Tacoma. He talks about the native American legend stories behind Bigfoot, the number of sightings of Bigfoot in Washington, and they close out sharing with listeners how they can find more information about Steve online. Thanks Steve for joining GCP for another great conversation!!! Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Feliks Banel on WA Territory's "Chinese Police Tax" of the 1860s. // Melissa Godoy and Kelsey White, accusing a JLBM housing contractor of dangerous conditions. // Hanna Scott on Seattle landlords leaving the business. // Dose of Kindness --Siemny Kim's feature on military moms. // Gee Scott on the Rep. Cheney vote. // Hanna Scott on the "sugaring" economy that emerged when Backpage went down. // Rachel Belle on "sensory friendly" performances  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lenora interviews Rob Comer, Regional Manager for the Corporate Fellowship Program under Hiring Our Heroes. A program that every business owner would want to know about.The Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program connects businesses with transitioning service members. Originally a workforce development agency initiative out of JBLM in 2014, to help transition military leaders to roles in corporate America, is now a national fellowship program.As an Internship or fellowship model it is connecting junior, mid-grade to senior noncommissioned officers to business. The best way to transfer skills is to use them on the job. With 12 weeks to participate, there has been instant success with now 500+ companies participating that can consider management level opportunities. A jobs program to connect to an employment opportunity for 12 weeks at no cost to the business, now sustaining 92% national job placement rate.Hiringourheroes.orgCorporate Fellowship Program Three Regional ManagersWest Coast: Rob Comer RComer@USChamber.comMidwest: Sierra Schafer Sschafer@USChamber.comEast Coast: Aleksandra Johnston AJohnston@USChamber.comUnder the Hiring Our Heroes umbrella: Service members are paid under the DOD Skillbridge to fund a 12 week transition period36 hours weekly with 4 hours of CFP supportNo acquisition feeNo placement fee No percentage of salary fee Resume reviewsRemote interviewsAvailable across the countrySimilar program available to military spousesTrades programs availableUpcoming program cohort start dates: Jan. 11 - Apr. 2, 2021; May 3 - Jul. 23; Aug. 23 - Nov. 10Resume reviews and interviews happen the 8 weeks prior to each cohort start date. Episode proudly sponsored by Lenoradiane.com

Drew doesn't like everyone messing with the name October, like "Fogtober" and "Rocktober", until we remind him of "Hawktober", Octobro, and Shade's Man-in-the-Box-Tober. It's Friday and DJ Tony Schwartz has a Bull Yah! In the What Are You Kidding Me stories, a 67-year-old woman with a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu beats up an intruder, a pizza place offers "kind words" from the delivery guy for an extra fee, a woman claims the pandemic has been hard on cats because people are home too much, a man tries to break into a TV station with a hammer, it takes several people to stop a woman "self-serving" at a 7-11, and a mom warns parents about toddlers playing with iPhones with PayPal after an exotic tortoise arrives. On Stream It or Skip It Drew recommends "Interview with the Vampire" on Hulu, "Hocus Pocus" on Disney+ "Halloween Town" on Netflix and "Good Girls Revolt" on Amazon. In the Fitz Files, Brad and Angelina's custody trial starts Monday, Kacey Musgraves is on an episode of "Scooby Doo", Jon Pardi has a Variety Show, and the 10-year-old girl that Dave Grohl has been drum-battling has written an epic song. P1's Have Talent includes Marge from Everett who sings Bert and Ernie's "I'd Like to Visit the Moon", Derek from Edmonds with a Rap about MC Hammer he wrote when he was 7, and Bonnie from Bothell who plays an amazing hand flute! Does your car have a nickname? After we tell ours, we hear yours, like Jeanie from Oak Harbor whose car is "Huey" after her insurance adjuster and Kaylen from JBLM who calls his Dodge Ram "Betty White". Believe It or Not includes Trish in Duvall whose mom met Ted Bundy and Cooper from Shelton who was an Uber driver who had a man die in his car. Ryder's Spooky Movie Marathon continues with "Beetlejuice." The Weekend Party Preview includes corn mazes and pumpkin patches, the Georgetown Morgue, the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, and a free drive-in movie in Federal Way.

It's Blue Friday and Bull-Yah Friday! Fitz wants to know how far Ryder has ever been from his home in Auburn; turns out not far. In the What Are You Kidding Me stories, OK Cupid has a VILF badge so you can hook up with sexy voters, a man sues a major coffee chain for severe burns on his junk from extremely hot coffee, a 11-year-old has to remove his mask at school because it's from Hooters, Louis Vuitton has a mask for $1000, the new TikTok trend is filing your teeth with a nail file, and a woman in Alabama films a 12-foot gator her yard. On Stream It or Skip It Drew recommends "Call the Midwife Season 9" and "Airplane!" on Netflix and "Pen15" on Hulu. General Gridlock returns as Fitz calls him in his bunker to lead us on a March. On the Fitz Files, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston reunite for a "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" read, Martha Stewart has a line of CBD products and she uses a lot of them and John Oates of Hall and Oates has a Country album. After 8 weeks, Lori from University Place WINS the $1000 Minute! The P1's Have Talent include Blake from JBLM who does a mouth trumpet "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash, Ryan from Bonney Lake who does a cool police siren sound and Andrea from Carnation brings down the house with Marissa Tomei from "My Cousin Vinny". Fitz decided his home needs The Magic of a Halloween Tree. Believe It or Not has Debi from Kent who got a bicycle from Evel Knievel as a girl, Liam from Port Orchard who passes as Liam from Oasis, and Callie from Spanaway who went skydiving with her 90-year-old Grandma whose boobs popped out. Claire got called to the Big Boss's office and it was not was she was expecting. The Weekend Party Preview has discounted Ski Passes on sale, the Western Heritage Center is cool for kids, Dad can drive exotic cars at Pacific Raceways and Fort Nisqually Online has a Victorian Baking class.

Beth Doglio, currently a Representative for the 22 Legislative District, is running for Congress. The 10th Congressional District covers rural, suburban, urban areas, our state capitol, and all of the JBLM military base. We talk...

My good buddy from JBLM tells me about how he joined the military, life as an MP, and what the current conditions are serving as a Drill Sergeant.

We are all a little tired for different reason: Fitz with his newborn twins, Drew and Claire both moving, and Ryder playing games just tryna to keep his KDR up. In the What Are You Kidding Me stories, Slip ‘n’ Slides are sold out because pools are closed, a man finds a rubber glove in his restaurant fettuccini, a man flicks a lit cigarette out his car and it blows back and starts a fire, a woman is arrested for visiting “Hire-a-Hitman.com”, a man pranks his ex-girlfriend by posting her phone number and soliciting Chewbacca impressions, and a town is considering having unarmed civilians do traffic stops instead of police. In the Good Stuff, meet our Bickford Ford Community Hero Un Yong, a nurse at JBLM who was set to retire but volunteered to stay to help fight COVID-19 with her team. Fitz has a Ridicu-List of the Top Things that Annoy Dr. Fauci. In The Fitz Files, Garth Brooks removes himself from eligibility for CMA Entertainer of the Year, Malik B from the Roots has passed away, and Matthew McConaughey has a memoir coming out. On Make Up or Break Up, Hunter from Bremerton says his girlfriend Sierra won’t get married until they can do the whole princess wedding thing, but he wants to be officially married now. Fitz checks his Social Media with one P1 demanding an update on Scone Home One and another wanting to give Drew a MAGA sign for his new Monroe property. Playlist Profiling is Jodie from Puyallup. Our Salute to Stanwood continues with Ryan from the Lowdown Drifters, proud sons of Stanwood! Throwin’ Shade has our own Shade the Destroyer laying verbal waste to The Mariners.

It’s Ryder the Young’n’s Birthday – soon we’ll be calling him Ryder the Midlin’. Fitz’s son Cash also had a Birthday and was treated to a personal tour of JBLM! In the What Are You Kidding Me stories, Florida guys make trouble filming a rap video throwing out cash and firing real gunshots, a wanted felon is caught while livestreaming his day at the beach, an angry man who lives by a school put up a profane sign about the noise, and 140 people are exposed to Covid after two hair stylists worked while symptomatic. In the Hourly Bulletin, fatal crash closes I-5 in Mt Vernon, 40% of employees at a Vancouver fruit processing plant test positive for Covid, a Port Orchard Restaurant opened Monday in protest of the stay-at-home order, Tulalip Casino Reopens, explosions at a Gig Harbor Home, more free Covid Testing in Seattle and Tacoma, and Tiger, Phil, Peyton and Tom raised $20 million in a Covid Relief Golf Match but Tom split his pants. In the Fitz Files, Morgan Wallen arrested, Blake Shelton says “The Voice” music label doesn’t support their artists, John Krasinski sells “Some Good News” (and its YouTube list) to CBS, and Brittney had to quarantine 2 weeks to see her sons after visiting her mom. The Good Stuff is puppies as a program to train dogs for veterans with PTSD is back open. On Make Up or Break Up, Danielle from Puyallup says her boyfriend Luke claims to be a P1 but changes the station when music he doesn’t like comes on. A Tornado hit Fitz’s hometown during the Brad Paisley Zoom Party Friday and Brad himself ordered Momma Fitz to take cover; listener Connie who was also on the Zoom checks in. Playlist Profiling is Sam from Orting! Claire recounts her Lost Week with Vertigo. QVC Birthday Roulette for Ryder’s birthday gets him….a Ladies Denim Hawaiian Camp Shirt!

It’s not just gonna be May, it really finally is May! So let’s celebrate with a Bull Yah! In the What Are You Kidding Me stories, you can buy an official “Safety Stick” to keep people 6 feet away, the newest TikTok trend is filming yourself peeing your pants, a man is arrested for depositing cocaine with his cash at a bank, and a man has broken a Guinness Record by taking 43 hits to the face with wet sponges. In Stream It or Skip It, Drew recommends: “Back to The Future 1 & 2” on Netflix, “Willy Wonka” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on Netflix, Amazon’s new “Upload” and old “Bonanza” and Disney + gets “High School Musical 2” And “Rise of Skywalker”. In the Hourly Bulletin, Inslee will announce next phase of quarantine today, Washington Food Banks are struggling, your unemployment claim could be delayed weeks, two JBLM soldiers are arrested for murder, stolen mail is found at a Burien home and Amazon is encouraging work from home until October. In the Fitz Files, Will Ferrell crashes a Seahawks Virtual Meeting, Will Smith promotes his “Will at Home” series with the cast of “Fresh Prince”, Hot Country Knights album is out, and Jeff Bezos is building a Doomsday Clock. In The Good Stuff, Eddie Vedder joins the COVID Relief All-In Challenge with a Pearl Jam Experience. We need Insta-Therapy help for Tracy from Bothell who Cat-Fished her friend’s boyfriend to prove he’s cheating but the friend sided with the boyfriend and dumped Tracy. Today’s Corona Call is Michelle from Auburn who calls out her hairdresser for going to people’s homes to do hair. Ryder wants Fitz to get a new style of drone controlled by an arm band. Believe It or Not stories include Heidi who waited on Kevin Smith, Jared who faked several college diplomas to get jobs, and Lisa who saved a kid from drowning. Drew’s girlfriend is still having Girls’ Zoom Wine Nights and they are getting louder. The Weekend Party Preview covers events that are cancelled but our ideas for how to replace them.

For three decades, Floyd & Melissa Sheldon and their family traveled the country and the world serving our country. Upon retirement from military life, they settle in scenic Yelm, Washington, looking to start a new chapter in life in a place they could truly call home. Today, they're helping military families, and others, find homes in this close knit community. Floyd & Melissa join Windermere Home Host Brian Bushlach to share their heartwarming story with us.

Steve Dunkelberger is back to bring us some more PNW history. As many of you may know, Steve has been a working journalist for more than 20 years at various publications around the Puget Sound. In addition to being a journalist, he is also a judge for the Society of Professional Journalists National Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Awards. He has also has given lectures in the area on issues facing journalists, is a member of the Knights of the Pythias, and offers Drunken History tours of Tacoma. Steve has written two history books on the city of Lakewood and has just published his newest book on McNeil Island. He has also had several of his historical articles published on Historylink.org and in Columbia magazine. His past GCP episodes are Episode 10, a Best Of on Jake Bird, Episode 17 where the guys get to tour The Knights of Pythias's Commencement Lodge #7, Episode 44 where they discuss The Maury Island Incident, Episode 61 where they talk Drunk History, Episode 73: JBLM, and episode 88: Steve's Drunk History. 03:30 – Steve shares where fans can find him online, Justin gives a shout out to PSP, and talks on the karaoke night the previous night at his house. He gives props to Steve on his karaoke performance, Steve talks about starting the Drunken History tour of Tacoma, and the events he does in the retirement community. He shares the plan for him to expand to doing tours at the Airport Tavern, the drive of his shows, and the plans to make a movie on the story of Jake Bird. Steve mentions how Tacoma was the furniture capital of the world at one point in time and the growth of manufacturing in Tacoma. 18:32 – Steve tells the guys the backstory on the cooling towers towards Aberdeen, he talks on why he chugged a can of clam chowder during his show, and Justin shares the plans for Trapper's Sushi to return in Tacoma at their previous location. He talks on the plans of new apartments in Old City Hall in Tacoma, Steve shares his wish that the city of Tacoma would allow a return of apartments over Main Street level stores, and Scott and Justin gives props to the Las Tamales Restaurant on 72nd. 37:39 – Justin talks about him and his wife adopting their local roundabout, Steve talks about what his brother did with remaking his local round about, and things Justin is looking into for improving. Scott suggests GCP adopts a roundabout, Steve talks on the Spanish flu of 1918 in light of the Coronavirus, and the amount of people that were killed by the flu during that time. He shares how the working theory of the flu was that it started in America, Justin talks on not wanting to go on a cruise, and Steve talks on the diversity that he likes to put in his stories. 56:32 – Steve drops the haps on the Pythian Temple, his recent DJing at the temple's Masquerade Party, and other things he has going on in the community. He talks on the history of fraternal lodges, the classes he taught on the making of sock gnomes, and the number of secret societies he's a part of. Justin turns to coaster questions, Steve shares how he feels the people in Tacoma today would get along well with the people from the early Tacoma days, and they talk on the plan for the Flatstick Pub that will be hitting Tacoma hopefully soon! Thanks Steve for stopping in and dropping some history on the guys, it's always a great conversation!!! Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

For 5 years, Katie Jones taught sports psychology and resilience to soldiers at JBLM.  Now Katie is brining this knowledge to students at SHS.  Find out how this California native ended up in Union, WA with such an interesting career.

Democratic state Rep. Beth Doglio visits "Capitol Ideas" in this episode to talk about climate action, housing, transportation, and other priorities as we approach the January 13 opening of the 2020 legislative session.

Meet the people helping you get hired, find great educational opportunities, enjoy a pastry bar and a free gift Jan 12th near JBLM

How would you like to join with others to help Veterans? How about joining a GORUCK team? Kevin Henry with JBLM and Team Red, White and Blue explains. See:

Democratic state Rep. Mari Leavitt was a military kid who grew up to be a small-business owner, the deputy director of Pierce County Human Services, a PTSA leader and, with a doctorate in community college leadership, a college administrator for more than two decades. Today we talk about that journey and how she's putting her experience to good use representing her constituents in Washington's 28th legislative district in Pierce County.

This time the guys have another great conversation with one of our favorites, Steve Dunkleberger. For those first tuning into an episode with him, Steve has been a working journalist for more than 20 years at various publications around the Puget Sound. In addition to being a journalist, he is also a judge for the Society of Professional Journalists National Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Awards. He has also has given lectures in the area on issues facing journalists, is a member of the Knights of the Pythias, and offers Drunken History tours of Tacoma. Steve has written two history books on the city of Lakewood and has just published his newest book on McNeil Island. He has also had several of his historical articles published on Historylink.org and in Columbia magazine. His past GCP episodes are Episode 10, a Best Of on Jake Bird, Episode 17 where the guys get to tour The Knights of Pythias's Commencement Lodge #7, Episode 44 where they discuss The Maury Island Incident, Episode 61 where they talk Drunk History and Episode 73: JBLM. 2:38 – Steve shares the tie he was wearing that day, the number of ties that he owns, and his 30 food related ties. Justin shares how listeners can find other shows they have done with Steve, Steve talks about the next project he is working on, and the group he's working with to clean up the old pioneer headstones at the Tacoma cemetery. He talks about what got him started in cleaning up headstones, the solutions they use to do so, and the amount of people that help with this event. He talks about findagrave.com, the stories behind the headstones, and on the beginning history of the educational system in Tacoma. 20:54 – Steve talks about how ancient Native Americans generally lived 9 years longer than their European counter parts, Jeff talks on the importance for people to know how to search the web, and Steve shares an interesting experience he had with someone on Facebook around cursive writing. Justin talks about the use of Heinz Ketchup in the 1800's for medicine, asks Steve on how the modern 1800's society coming to Tacoma impacted education in the area, and Steve talks on what drove people to the PNW in the 1840's and 50's. 44:02 – Steve shares info on his Swiss Army knife and the features it has, the books he has written, and the location of the Pythian Temple. Justin talks on how astounded he was when touring the temple, how people can become members, and Steve provides info on his upcoming October Drunk History. He talks on his belief of ghosts, Justin discusses his belief, and Jeff shares how deep he goes with ghosts and his want to harness ghost energy. 61:18 – Steve brings the conversation back to education and gives a shout out to Clara McCarty, Pierce County's first superintendent in 1880 and first graduate of the University of Washington. He talks on the inflation of educational costs and Justin talks taking college classes in Lakewood. They discuss the strip clubs in the area, how the clubs cannot server alcohol in Pierce County, and what they're selling to get around the rule. Steve finishes out the show talking on the history behind Pierce County School District. Thanks Steve for another great conversation! Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

The girls walk you through the best Pumpkin Patches near JBLM.

The girls talk about some fun day trips near JBLM

Bobby's coming to you guys from JBLM talking about the company you keep and the importance of having mutually beneficial relationships. He also talks a little bit about what to do with toxic people. We're constantly working to improve this podcast, so hit us up and let us know what we can do better. Until next time.

Steve Dunkelberger returns on this episode to talk PNW military history. Steve has been a working journalist for more than 20 years at various publications around the Puget Sound. In addition to being a journalist, he is also a judge for the Society of Professional Journalists National Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Awards. He has also has given lectures in the area on issues facing journalists, is a member of the Knights of the Pythias, and offers Drunken History tours of Tacoma. Steve has written two history books on the city of Lakewood and has just published his newest book on McNeil Island. He has also had several of his historical articles published on Historylink.org and in Columbia magazine. His past GCP episodes are Episode 10, a Best Of on Jake Bird, Episode 17 where the guys get to tour The Knights of Pythias's Commencement Lodge #7, Episode 44 where they discuss The Maury Island Incident, and Episode 61 where they talk Drunk History. 1:30 – Justin shares information on their Patreon account, talks about the upcoming Boot to Boot event on the 29th, and Jeff explains the rules behind Das Boot. Scott gives props to The Camp Bar, Justin discourages people from buying after market/trunk meet, and Steve shares where people can find him online. Steve then dives into PNW military history, he explains that the first 4th of July celebration happened on the west coast in 1841, and him and Scott debate why the celebration was on the 4th instead of the 5th. 15:01 – Steve talks about the 1854 war with the Native Americans, Pierce County voters in 1917 voting to float $2,000,000 bonds to buy land in Pierce County and gift it to the government, and the condition behind the vote. He talks about how the base was officially opened 9 months later, the patriotism parade oopsie, and then discusses the Spanish flu epidemic. 30:05 – He discusses the history behind McChord Air Force Base that started out as Tacoma Fields, it becoming the air force base in 1947, and the first official Air Force casualties being at McChord. Steve talks about how influential the military was on the PNW growth, Tacoma almost going bankrupt in 1898, and Fort Lewis being a WWII POW facility. 43:40 – Steve talks about the Stars and Stripes newspaper, the liberation edition, and he talks about his newest book on McNeil Island. He discusses Roy Gardner the king of prison escapes, farming that happened on the island, and where people can find his book. He talks about what's new with the Knights of Pythias, this History Happy Hour at The Swiss on July 18th, and Steve lets listeners know how they can pass story ideas to him. Thanks Steve for another great episode!! Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

Kaley and Hanna discuss different attractions and services in the JBLM area.

The girls discuss activities and attractions in the JBLM area.

Kaley and Hanna discuss things to do around JBLM, and weird facts about Washington

Kaley and Hanna discuss childcare options at JBLM

Kaley and Hanna discuss PCSing, and speak with local realtors and mortgagors about moving to the JBLM area.

The 28th Legislative District encompasses parts of Tacoma, University Place, Fircrest, Lakewood and Spanaway, and includes JBLM and Western State Hospital. Mari Leavitt has lived in and served this diverse community for many years and...

US Soldiers and their Indian counterparts clear rooms on Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Misawa Airmen keep their runaway always ready.

Pastor Ron Oates, Director of YFC at JBLM in Pierce County

Special Interview with Hire Our Heroes (HOH) Senior Director, Chuck Hodges.  Chuck was the Garrison Commander at JBLM who started the Fellowship program at HOH and has now taken on the charge of moving it to a national presence. We talk about the new program coming to the Phoenix, Arizona area, what it offers and how one can apply. 

week 13 review plus covering the crazy nfc east1 Also GSW hot start and the college football playoff rankings!