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Since May 8, 1792, European colonists have called the large volcano just off the coast of Puget Sound "Mount Rainier." It was given that name by a British explorer, Captain George Vancouver – a gift to his friend, Rear Admiral Peter Rainier. But prior to Vancouver’s arrival in what eventually became Washington state, the Indigenous peoples in and around the Salish Sea called it by many names. A linguistic paper from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians traced those many names for the mountain – where they came from, and what they mean. This conversation originally aired on May 5, 2025. Guests: Zalmai ʔəswəli Zahir, linguist and Lushootseed language teacher Related Links: Puyallup Tribal Language - Analysis of the Many Names of the Mountain Puyallup Tribal language consultant publishes first comprehensive analysis of the many Native names for Mount Rainier - ʔuhuyəxʷ ti dᶻixʷ pipa ʔə tiiɫ qa sdadaʔ ʔə tiiɫ skʷatač, ʔux̌alad ti ʔəswəli | Puyallup Tribe Puyallup Tribal Language - Culture Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We took a full-day detour to answer this question from Heather Channon of South Burlington: "Who is using all of the park-and-ride lots?"We spent 12 straight hours (yes, you read that correctly) at one of the busiest park and rides in the state, on one of the busiest travel days of the year, to find out. This is the story of our day — and all the people we met along the way. Check out photos from our experience, and a full episode transcript, in our web post. A big shoutout to a little-known podcast called This American Life, which has done two all-day (and all-night) episodes that inspired this piece: “24 Hours at the Golden Apple” and “Rest Stop.”This episode was reported and produced by Josh Crane, Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Camila Van Order González. Our Executive Producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.Special thanks to Elodie Reed, Amy Tatko, Tricia Roy, Jessica Fay, Betsy LeBlanc, Sara Walker, Robert Blandon, Terrance Sayers, Glenn Varricchione, Tricia Roy, Cliff Mix, Minda Stridsberg, Brendan Grahn, Jean Koegler, Brenda Rose, Pete Niarchos and everyone else we spoke to at the Richmond park and ride on Labor Day 2025. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi onInstagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. 

November’s general election could bring a group of new faces to Seattle City Government. Today we’re diving into the race for City Council’s Position 8 seat. That’s a city-wide post, representing ALL of Seattle, as opposed to just one geographic district. The incumbent in this race is Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck. She won the seat after a special election last year. Now, Rinck is widely seen as the most progressive voice on the council. In this summer’s primary, she got a whopping 78% of the vote. This fall, Rinck is facing off against a REPUBLICAN business owner in the general election: Rachel Savage. GUEST: Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck RELATED LINKS: Alexis Mercedes Rinck ST Editorial Board - No endorsement for Seattle City Council, Position 8 Seattle City Council Unanimously Approves "Seattle Shield Initiative" For November 2025 Vote Alexis Mercedes Rinck - Council | seattle.gov Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know what time it is. It's WEEKEND WARMUP TIME! Links: SPORTS Mariners - LA Angels - 9/11-14 Sounders - LA Galaxy - 9/13 Reign - Racing Louisville FC - 9/14 Seahawks - AWAY vs Pittsburgh 10am 9/14 Wallingford Bratwurst Festival The Chehalis Flying Saucer Party Seattle — Cider Summit Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival - Kent Sip Suds & Si - North Bend Autumn Sip & Stroll - Gig Harbor Historic Downtown Snohomish Wine Walk Vino in the Village – Magnolia Black & Loud Fest at The Crocodile Bite of PhinneyWood | The PNA Local Sightings 2025 – Not One Drop of Blood - Northwest Film Forum Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Heywood is back in the political spotlight. He’s the deep-pocketed conservative donor behind the group Let’s Go Washington. You may remember him from his initiative efforts last year. He collected hundreds of thousands of signatures for a slate of policies targeting a handful of key Democratic laws. And this week, he announced he's gathering signatures for two new initiatives to the Legislature on K-12 schools. Including a controversial measure that would ban transgender girls from participating in girls' sports. For an alternative viewpoint on trans rights, follow this link to listen to a conversation with Dani Askini of the Gender Justice League: https://www.kuow.org/stories/trans-in-2025-danni-askini-answers-our-questions-on-sports-bans-medical-care-and-beyond Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year, tens of millions of tourists visit Seattle’s Pike Place Market, the Elliot Bay waterfront, and sports stadiums. That tourism industry is growing -- this year, a record number of cruise ships are expected to fill Seattle’s piers. Next year, the population of Seattle will swell- to about double its normal size when it hosts the Word Cup. On today's episode, Seattle needs tourists to keep downtown economically viable — so how do we make sure they don’t love the city to death? Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes or help fuel KUOW's fall fund drive at www.kuow.org/donate Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.Support the show: https://kuow.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November’s general election could bring a group of new faces to Seattle City Government. Today we’re diving into the race for City Council’s Position 8 seat. That’s a city-wide post, representing ALL of Seattle, as opposed to just one geographic district. Our first candidate in this Position 8 race is Rachael Savage. She’s a small business owner in Capitol Hill – she runs a crystal and incense shop on Broadway. And she’s a member of the Broadway Business Improvement Association. Savage is running the most conservative campaign in city politics this year, as she tries to upset incumbent Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s bid for reelection. Rinck is currently the most progressive member of Seattle’s City Council. While this is not Savage’s first foray into city politics, it is her first time running for office. GUEST: Rachael Savage RELATED LINKS: Savage Citizens Capitol Hill crystal shop owner and candidate for City Council says launching initiative effort to ban homeless camping in Seattle Seattle City Council Position 8 candidates outline platforms Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A brand new contemporary art space opened up last month in downtown Seattle. It's called Cannonball Arts, and Soundside recently got a sneak preview. GUESTS: Brent Watanabe, a Seattle based artist who specializes in computer-controlled installations Greg Lundgren, Creative Director of New Rising Sun RELATED LINKS: Cannonball Arts Downtown Seattle’s Bed Bath & Beyond building to become an arts center Real-Deal Out-There Art - The Stranger Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What will it take to save the Lake City Fred Meyer? Is it even possible? Lawmakers and local shoppers are asking those questions after Kroger announced last month that the Lake City location would be part of a wave of regional closures. Local residents remain worried about where people will go for prescriptions and fresh produce, especially elderly and low-income residents, who may not have access to a car. Guest Paul Roberts, Seattle Times business reporter Related Links Lake City Fred Meyer faces closure. Lawmakers want to change that Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, the parents of a 16-year-old boy who died by suicide sued OpenAI, the company that owns ChatGPT. They say the bot fed into their son’s suicidal ideation, giving him technical advice on how to commit the act and even encouraging him to hide his plans. The tragedy highlights the dark side of the emotional dependence some people have developed with AI. What potential power does AI hold over its users, and what safeguards will help us navigate this transitional period in tech history? Guest: Oren Etzioni, Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at the University of Washington Links: A Teen Was Suicidal. ChatGPT Was the Friend He Confided In. ChatGPT to get parental controls after teen user’s death by suicide Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost a year ago, an Israeli soldier shot and killed Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank. She was a Seattle resident and a University of Washington graduate. We spoke to her family about their memories of her and their push for an independent investigation into her killing. Guest Hamid Ali, Ayşenur's husband Ozden Bennett, Ayşenur's sister Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School starts up this week for some districts in our region, others started last week – before Labor Day! For some students, gym classes may include a surprising throwback: The Presidential Fitness Test. President Trump reestablished the program over the summer. It had been quietly phased out in 2013 by President Obama, and people are split over the value and impact of this test. Teachers and fitness experts alike have criticized the test, suggesting it’s not effective in helping students develop healthier lifestyles, and at worst – some argue it encourages bullying and anxiety over body image. We wanted to talk with an actual physical education teacher – NOT a gym teacher – about the return of the Presidential Fitness Test. GUEST: Terri Garrett, a P.E. teacher at Lindbergh High School in Renton, with over 30 years of experience teaching Physical Education, around the Puget Sound. RELATED LINKS: Fact Sheet: President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and the Reestablishment of the Presidential Fitness Test Remember running the mile in school? The Presidential Fitness Test is coming back Can President Trump Run a Mile? | The New Yorker Trump revives the Presidential Fitness Test alongside professional athletes at White House Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All good things must come to an end, and while that includes things like MoPop's Nirvana exhibition, it also means the work week is coming to a close. With that in mind, here's Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows with all the things you could be doing this weekend! LINKS: Seahawks vs 49ers - 1:05 pm Sunday 9/7 Seattle Storm vs NY Liberty - 7:00 pm Friday 9/5 SEA-Nordic Film Festival Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival BrickCon 2025 Nirvana Exhibition Closing | Museum of Pop Culture Ai Weiwei | Seattle Art Museum Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk about lawmakers a lot on this podcast, we talk about donors, we talk about the public – but there’s one group that’s a big deal in this constellation of political power, but we don’t often talk about: lobbyists. Over the past decade plus, as gridlock has gripped Congress, lobbying spending in states like ours has shot up. Of the states that track spending, Washington has seen the most dramatic rise in spending on lobbying. So who are the lobbyists in Olympia and how much impact do they have on policy? Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer this week is Sarah Leibovitz and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thrifting has long been a favorite pastime of Seattleites, so much so that we have the biggest Goodwill store in the world. But buying second-hand is also an economic survival strategy for people who can't pay full price on back-to-school clothes or home appliances. Now, in this increasingly expensive city, there's a sense that thrift stores are no longer fitting that need. On today's episode, Monica talks to an expert on thrift culture about the economic forces shaping second-hand shopping and why some say it might not be the place for bargain-hunters anymore. Guest:Jennifer Le Zotte, author of From Goodwill to Grunge: A History of Secondhand Styles and Alternative Economies Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes. Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.Support the show: https://kuow.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a news junkie (or social media user) your feeds have likely been inundated lately with headlines and videos of immigration officers taking people into custody across our region. Like the story about federal agents arresting two people working to tame the Bear Gulch fire near Lake Cushman. Or the arrest of a Washington National Guard veteran who has lived in the U.S. for decades… who was taken into custody during his citizenship interview. And we might see activity ramp up: Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan recently told reporters that Seattle and other cities with “sanctuary” policies will soon see more immigration raids. We want to get a better understanding of ICE’s activity in Washington– and if we can expect it to change in the near future. Guest: Elizabeth Benki, directing attorney at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. Related stories: More ICE raids coming to Seattle, elsewhere, Trump border adviser says | The Seattle Times ICE detains veteran during US citizenship interview | king5.com Border Patrol: Firefighters arrested at Bear Gulch fire illegally entered U.S. | The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monsanto has settled with more than 200 people in Monroe, Washington, who were exposed to PCBs -- toxic chemicals once produced by the company. Students, parents and staff at the Sky Valley alternative school in Snohomish County, had filed lawsuits against Monsanto starting in 2018, after reporting significant illnesses. The amount of the settlement has not been revealed, but it looks to possibly be the largest settlement over PCB exposure at a single site. Guest: Seattle Times reporter Lulu Ramadan Related Links: Monsanto settles with over 200 exposed to chemicals in Monroe school Monsanto must pay $857M in PCB lawsuit at Monroe, WA, school, jury finds Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 22 states, people subject to certain domestic violence protection orders must surrender their guns. Washington State has had that requirement since 2014, when lawmakers unanimously voted to strip abusers of their guns. But not all judges here have been enforcing that law. That’s because of a 2022 appeals court decision that led many judges and judicial officers to view it as unconstitutional. Now, a new ruling in a separate case may provide more clarity and keep more guns out of the hands of alleged abusers. Maybe. Guest: Kelsey Turner is an investigative reporter at InvestigateWest Related stories: Some Washington judges aren’t ordering accused abusers to surrender guns. A new court ruling could change that. - Investigate West Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve driven from Seattle to Mount Rainier this summer, you might’ve had to find a different route from normal – one that misses the town of Wilkeson. Since April, this Pierce County town of just under 500 people has been cut off from a major source of economic activity: Through traffic, due to the closure of the Fairfax Bridge a few months ago. And, to add insult to injury, another key bridge is also closed. The White River Bridge was blocked off following a crash involving a semitruck. Wilkeson Councilmember Jayme Peloli says her town is suffering due to these closures. She’d been calling for Washington’s governor to issue an emergency proclamation in order to seek federal dollars to reimburse state efforts to fix these bridges. Yesterday, he did just that, in an effort to address the White River Bridge closure. We talk with Peloli about what's been going on in Wilkeson. Guest Jayme Peloli, Wilkeson councilmember Editor's note: We received a statement from WSDOT after this episode aired on the radio. It reads, in part: "The Governor’s emergency proclamation is the first step in WSDOT seeking federal funds for repairs to the White River Bridge. While this does not guarantee that WSDOT will receive funding from the Federal Highway Administration, we believe the bridge strike qualifies as a catastrophic failure from an external cause under the statute, and we will actively pursue emergency reimbursement. Securing this funding will help ensure that state dollars can go further as we balance the many pressing needs across our transportation system." Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every summer, we add a new chapter to our favorite annual tradition: investigating the origins of Vermont's strangest road names, as chosen by our listeners.This summer's crop included Horn of the Moon Road in East Montpelier, Scotch Hollow Road in Newbury and Goodenough Road in Brattleboro.Tune in to hear us raid town archives, chase down local lore… and spend an inordinate amount of time driving up and down the three roads in question (sorry, neighbors!) — all in the name of journalism. And don't miss the seven previous installments of this road-names-extravaganza. You can find them all here. This episode was reported by Burgess Brown, Lucia McCallum and Sabine Poux. Editing and additional production from Josh Crane. Our Executive Producer is Angela Evancie. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; Other music by Blue Dot Sessions and Universal Production Music.Special thanks to Craig Goodenough, Bill Holiday, Joe Rivers, Mary Collins, Aroline Putnam, Paul Cate, Steve Picazio, Karalyn Mark, Jessica Leal, Trina Magi, Olivia Campbell, Eric Anderson, Corinne Cooper, Jennifer Boyer, Sarah Wilds and Bob Nuner.As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

It’s Thursday, and on Thursdays, we hear from Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows with everything worth doing this weekend... but he's on vacation so here's Producer Shane Mehling instead. WA State Fair BUMBERSHOOT PAX West 2025 Seattle Indies Expo Dave Matthews’ Annual takeover of The Gorge Cypress Hill at Marymoore Park Blackberry Festival Olympia Harbor Days Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump promised retribution during his presidential campaign. He also talked about giving himself tremendous power, and his vice president has talked about defying the courts. And despite all of that, voters all over the country looked at the Trump ticket last year and said they'd rather have that than a Democrat. So what’s so wrong with the Democrats? And what’s it gonna take to fix it? Since the 2024 election, one Washington Democrat has been saying – guys, look to our state and our state’s Democratic wins for answers. Shasti Conrad, the Washington Democrats’ state party chair and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee joins Sound Politics to discuss the future of the Democratic party. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer this week is Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's music festival season. Seattle's own Bumbershoot is just days away. But music festivals across the country are on shaky financial ground, and their futures could be in trouble. Over the past few years, dozens of small festivals have been canceled, and even the biggest ones are showing some signs of softening demand. On today's episode, why is it so hard for this generation of music festivals to find their rhythm? Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes. Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.Support the show: https://kuow.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you been at a party recently and found yourself reaching for sparkling water instead of a glass of wine? Join the club. A new Gallup poll found that Americans are drinking less than ever before. Only 54% of U.S. adults are reporting that they consume alcohol. That’s a record low since the survey company started asking about people’s drinking habits back in 1939. And young people are drinking less than older Americans, a trend we’re seeing in our region, too: The Seattle Times reports that young people - especially young men - are reporting lower alcohol consumption than other age groups in the area. We want to know how local businesses are navigating this -- and what could be behind this shift. Guest: Emily Ritchie, executive director of the Northwest Cider Association. Malcolm Purinton, assistant teaching professor of history at Northeastern University. Related stories: U.S. Drinking Rate at New Low as Alcohol Concerns Surge | Gallup How much do adults in Seattle drink? Here’s what new data shows | The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Ferguson continues to defy demands from the Trump Administration to end Washington’s “sanctuary state” policies. But lawmakers say there’s one place here where protections for immigrants are falling short: state prisons. That, says Tacoma state Representative Sharlett Mena, means the state isn’t doing everything it could to keep Washingtonians safe. According to reporting from the Washington State Standard, dozens of lawmakers are calling for the state Department of Corrections to change the way it interacts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That effort may see some headwinds, however. Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown both say they don’t see any need to alter state policy. Guests: Washington State Standard reporter Jake Goldstein-Street Related stories: Washington governor and AG stand by state prison notifications to ICE - Washington State Standard As DOJ threatens WA over sanctuary laws, state officials double down on protections - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump has threatened to sign an Executive Order that would end mail-in voting in America. His comments last week come at a time when the President is suggesting multiple ways to help Republicans hold onto Congress in the 2026 midterms. Nearly a third of national ballots came through the mail in the 2024 election. And the Washington State legislature required vote-by-mail starting in 2011. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs talks to us about what President Trump can do and defends Washington State voting security. Guest: Secretary of State Steve Hobbs Related links: Does Trump have the power to end mail-in voting? Legal scholar weighs in Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of Seattle City Light might run through Oregon. The city has contracted two solar fields in central Oregon in an effort to meet surging demand for electricity in the city. It’s estimated that by 2033, the utility will need to about double its current production in order to keep up. But where all of that new power will come from is still unclear. Guest David Kroman, Seattle Times reporter Links Seattle hopes to build its future in Oregon’s desert — or blackouts may follow - The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent tech company protests are highlighting the connection between worker power and free speech here in Seattle. On Sunday, protestors, including current and former Microsoft employees, kayaked across Lake Washington to the homes of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and President Brad Smith. From the water they unfurled banners reading “Microsoft kills kids” and “Satya + Brad = War Criminals”. This was the latest in a week of action calling for the company to cut ties with the Israeli government and military. On Tuesday, protestors briefly occupied a plaza in Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters, declaring it a “Liberated Zone” encampment. On Wednesday, another protest at the campus led to several arrests. KUOW labor and economy reporter Monica Nickelsburg was at Wednesday’s protest, and is here with us to discuss the specific demands of Microsoft, and how the state of the tech industry is changing employee power. Guest: Monica Nickelsburg is KUOW’s labor and economy reporter. She’s also the cohost of Booming: A weekly podcast about the economic forces shaping our lives here in the Pacific Northwest Related stories: Protesters occupy Microsoft HQ, demand it cut ties with Israeli military - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently on Soundside, we took a ride into the world of micromobility. Specifically, we wanted to know as more e-bikes and scooters crowd the streets and sidewalks, how are cities like Seattle adapting? And after that segment, we got an interesting listener question about helmets, inspired by this Slate article. So we decided to investigate. "I think it's very wise to wear a helmet," our expert guest told us. "But they're not the whole story.. there are so many other public health interventions that are also crucial." Guest Kathleen Bachynski, a professor of public health at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania Links Shared bikes and scooters are getting more popular. How should cities adapt? - Soundside The Cult of Bike Helmets - Marion Renault, Slate Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A brand new contemporary art space opened up this week in downtown Seattle. It's called Cannonball Arts, and Soundside recently got a sneak preview. GUESTS: Brent Watanabe, a Seattle based artist who specializes in computer-controlled installations Greg Lundgren, Creative Director of New Rising Sun RELATED LINKS: Cannonball Arts Downtown Seattle’s Bed Bath & Beyond building to become an arts center Real-Deal Out-There Art - The Stranger Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does the Pacific Northwest sound like to you? Is it the tide rolling over a rocky beach? The wind across the Palouse? Or maybe a ferry horn echoing across the Puget Sound? On Soundside, we occasionally ask field recordists about THEIR iconic sounds of the northwest. Today, we hear from Gordon Hempton, also known as the Sound Tracker. He sent us a recording of snow melting on Hurricane Ridge on the Olympic Peninsula. GUEST: Gordon Hempton, acoustic ecologist and Emmy Award winning sound recordist Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Thursday, and on Thursdays, we hear from Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows with everything worth doing this weekend! LINKS: A Clarinet Concert with Cameron DeLuca Bend It Like Booker WA State Garlic Fest The Evergreen State Fair Get Sauced! ZooTunes Comedy What the Funk Fest Makah Days in Neah Bay Everfree Northwest Dragonflight GameCon Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump Justice Department is threatening to withhold funds or even prosecute local officials who enforce Washington’s sanctuary policies. But can they? We’ll hear how state leadership is responding as Trump tries to consolidate even more power. Plus, we'll talk about the impact of federal immigration policy on communities in Washington. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, owning a home was considered a golden ticket to economic security. The reality looks a lot different today -- the median price of a single-family home in Seattle is around $1 million, and the greater Seattle area is the third most expensive in the nation. So, why do prices keep going up? And what would it take to make the dream of owning a home in this city affordable again? We put those questions to a real estate economist. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes. Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.Support the show: https://kuow.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of current and former Microsoft employees briefly occupied part of the company’s Redmond campus yesterday to protest the relationship between the tech giant and Israel’s military. The protest was led by a group called No Azure for Apartheid. Their name refers to a cloud computing service that has been contracted for use by Israel’s government. The demonstration follows recent reporting that Israel uses Azure as a mass surveillance tool against Palestinians, one that has shaped military operations in Gaza. Yesterday’s protest is the latest action taken by Microsoft employees in speaking out about the company’s business practices. Guest: Todd Bishop, co-founder of GeekWire Relevant Links: Geekwire: Protesters set up temporary encampment at Microsoft to pressure company on Israel contracts Geekwire: Microsoft launches formal review into alleged use of its Azure cloud in Palestinian surveillance Geekwire: Inside the Microsoft protests: Fired engineer speaks out on Palestine, Israel, AI, and big tech Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For college students, saying you majored in computer science used to be code (excuse the pun) for a six-figure salary and job stability. Now some fear those days are behind us. Since 2014, the number of undergraduates majoring in computer science has more than doubled, but the job offers aren’t flowing like they used to. Natasha Singer, a technology reporter at The New York Times, tells us about her recent story on computer science majors struggling to find employment as their field changes. Then we hear from Ed Lazowska, an emeritus professor at the University of Washington, about what he's seeing in our region. Guest: Natasha Singer, technology reporter at The New York Times. Ed Lazowska, an emeritus professor at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. Related stories: Goodbye, $165,000 Tech Jobs. Student Coders Seek Work at Chipotle. - The New York Times Ed Lazowska retires after 48 years at UW, reflects on AI, computer science, and what’s next – GeekWire Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In many ways, the homicide of Barbara Innis was a clear cut case. There were witnesses, a weapon, and a suspect immediately taken into custody. The complication: the suspect, Barbara’s husband, can’t remember the crime. 87 year old George Innis had shown signs of dementia for years prior to the killing of his wife at their Bellevue assisted living center. His journey through the legal system highlights the questions surrounding prosecution and care of people with degenerative memory loss. Guest: Seattle Times lead breaking news reporter Paige Cornwell Related stories: A Bellevue man killed his wife. He has dementia. Now what? - Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you got your coffee from a Seattle Starbucks this morning, it may have been prepared by a unionized barista. At least 33 Starbucks in Washington have unions, including the cafe at the company’s headquarters in Sodo and the Reserve Roastery on Capitol Hill, according to The Seattle Times. It’s the result of an organizing effort that began in 2021 in Buffalo, New York. Starbucks workers across that city kicked off a renewed push to unionize those coffee shops. Jaz Brisack was one of the lead organizers on that campaign. They began working with unions while they were a student at the University of Mississippi. Brisack is also the author of "Get on the Job and Organize: Standing Up for a Better Workplace and a Better World," which came out earlier this year. They stopped by the KUOW to talk about their book and why they think that if you have a job, you should have a union. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Washington, student vaccination rates have fallen slightly over the past few years, but those statewide figures gloss over some parts that saw pretty big declines --- especially in one southwest Washington school district. The data showed the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District saw student vaccinations for diseases like tetanus, polio and rubella drop by more than 46%, making it the district with the lowest immunization rate in the state for 2024 to 2025. But what’s on paper doesn’t tell the whole story. Guest: Lori Ashley, clinical manager for the Pacific County Department of Health and Human Services. Related stories: K-12 vaccination rates in WA dropped again | The Seattle Times R.F.K. Jr. Cancels mRNA Vaccine Research | The New York Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, actress Bindi Irwin made a viral post on Instagram. Bindi is the daughter of the late Steve Irwin – the famed “Crocodile Hunter.” Bindi is also, herself, a conservationist, but her post didn’t have to do with wildlife health. Rather, it was about her own. She said she was recovering from surgery to remove 51 lesions, a cyst, and her appendix. Prior to this, Irwin had suffered 13 years of pain from endometriosis. She wrote, “I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult being told that my pain was just part of being a woman. I felt lesser. I felt hurt. I felt weak.” Several celebrities have spoken up about their experiences with endometriosis. Padma Lakshmi, Florence Pugh, Whoopi Goldberg, Lena Dunham – the list goes on. Approximately one in ten women is affected by endometriosis. According to Yale Medicine, it’s present in up to 50% of women who are infertile. And between 50% and 80% of women with pelvic pain. But, it’s a disease that’s rarely discussed - in part because the pain experienced is often dismissed as cramps or period pain. Guest: Dr. Cindy Mosbrucker is a nationally recognized expert in minimally-invasive excision of endometriosis, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic pain in women. Her clinic is Pacific Endometriosis and Pelvic Surgery in Gig Harbor. Related stories: Nancy's Nook - recommended as a free source of endometriosis information by Dr. Mosbrucker Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not just your imagination: There are more shared bikes and scooters zipping around the streets of Seattle. Data collected by the city's Department of Transportation shows that between January and early August of 2025, the number of trips recorded on shared bikes and scooters jumped nearly 75 percent compared with the same time period last year. As streets and sidewalks get more crowded – how are cities like Seattle adapting? Guests Jeff Bailey, a writer and editor in Denver Links From E-Bikes to Scooters, Roads Are Getting More Crowded and Confusing - The Wall Street Journal Thanks to the supporters of KUOW. You help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, Seattle residents have known that several city police officers attended the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally in Washington D.C. on January 6th, 2021. But the names of most of those police officers were unknown until recently. After a lengthy court fight, the city in late July disclosed the identities of all the officers who attended the rally. The city also released records from an investigation of the officers' role in the rally. KUOW reporter Amy Radil combed through those records and joins us to talk about what she found. Links Seattle police at Jan. 6 Trump rally told investigators they witnessed no violence, records show - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting this summer, Vermont farmers are some of the first in the nation to face major restrictions on neonicotinoids — a kind of pesticide widely used to treat corn and soy plants. In part, that's because neonics are killing honeybees.Quebec has had a similar law on the books for years. So we head north of the border to see what we can learn from our Canadian neighbors and answer this question from Curtis Mraz, of New Haven:“What is Vermont doing to protect our pollinators?”For a full transcript of this episode and photos from our reporting, check out our web post.This episode was reported by Sabine Poux. Editing and production from the rest of the BLS team: Burgess Brown and Josh Crane. Additional support from Ainslie McClellan, journalist at CBC Montreal and the host of a podcast called This is Montreal. Our intern is Lucia McCallum. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.Special thanks to Abagael Giles, Howard Weiss-Tisman, Andrea Laurion, Laurie Kigonya, Todd Mallory, Seth Bedard, Noah Villamarin-Cutter, Valérie Fournier and Steve Dwinell. As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi onInstagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network. 

There’s a war being waged in Seattle right now. But you won’t see it out on the streets, among your fellow citizens. Instead – look to the sky. For years, two airlines: Delta and Alaska have battled for supremacy at Seatac. Now, The Wall Street Journal says Alaska Airlines is making a big play to expand international flights – and Delta is striking back. Guest: Alison Sider, a reporter covering airlines and air travel for the Wall Street Journal Related stories: Battle for Seattle: Can Delta Keep Dominating International Flights? - Wall Street Journal Delta Gets Blowback for Using AI to Set Airfares - Wall Street Journal Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration is trying to restrict access to a substance you might find at your local smoke shop. The FDA in late July announced plans to crack down on 7-OH. Commissioner Marty Makary described it as an opioid that can be more potent than morphine and the agency's pushing to get it classified as a Schedule 1 substance -- like ecstasy or heroin. You may not have heard of 7-OH, but you’ve probably heard of kratom. It’s the substance that 7-OH comes from – and it’s controversial in its own right. Some states have banned kratom. The federal government tried to classify it as a Schedule 1 substance in 2016 but opted not to after getting a wave of pushback. This year Washington state regulators withdrew a proposal to designate kratom as a Schedule 1 substance, saying it didn’t meet the criteria. So for now, you can buy kratom products in the state. We wanted to know more about both kratom and 7-OH, so we checked in with a research professor at the University of Washington for insight. Guest: Caleb Banta-Green, research professor at the University of Washington and director of the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research. Related stories: FDA recommends concentrated Kratom be scheduled as illicit substance | The Hill What to know about changes to kratom sold in Seattle | Axios Seattle Kratom & 7-OH: What do we know about use, safety, and overdose risk? | Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (University of Washington) What is 7-OH? Opioid-like product may get banned by FDA | USA TODAY Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ex-county clerk in Kentucky who drew nationwide attention for denying marriage licenses for same-sex couples is back in the news. Kim Davis is asking the Supreme Court to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same sex unions nationwide. Obergefell v. Hodges was issued in 2015. It officially recognized that queer Americans have a constitutional right to get married. Hundreds of thousands of people have been married in the 10 years since. And also since then, Kim Davis has been fighting court battles over her refusal to grant licenses – citing her belief that she should get a religious exemption under the first amendment. The Supreme Court will decide this fall if they want to consider Davis’ appeal – and experts are skeptical that they will do so. But what would a serious legal fight to overturn marriage equality look like? And are legal rights besides marriage at risk for LGBTQ Washingtonians? Guest: Professor Alison Gash, Chair of the University of Oregon’s Department of Political Science. She’s also an academic expert in United States courts, sexuality, same-sex marriage, constitutional rights and public policy. Related stories: Supreme Court formally asked to overturn landmark same-sex marriage ruling - ABC News Ten Years After Obergefell: Is Same-Sex Marriage Safe? - Washington Monthly Alito’s Same-Sex Wedding Panic Threatens LGBTQ Rights - Washington Monthly Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On days like today, it’s nice to sit back, enjoy the cloud cover, and think about all the things you want to do this weekend. Here with a smattering of events to keep you busy is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows! LINKS: Movies at the Mural: Say Anything Seattle Tattoo Expo The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire Seattle Worldcon 2025 Chief Seattle Days Arlington SkyFest CHOMP! Celebrate Shoreline A Touch More Live An Evening With Rhett & Link Capitol Hill Garage Sale Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm Cannonball Arts Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If there’s a sci-fi movie or TV show that you enjoy, there’s a good chance it’s based on a book, and there’s an even better chance that book has won a HUGO AWARD. From Afrofuturist Octavia E Butler to Sci-Fi legends Frank Herbert and Ursula Le Guin, the Pacific Northwest has been home to several winners of one of the most prestigious honors in speculative fiction, fantasy and sci-fi. What you may not realize is that the Hugo Award Ceremony happens each year at a gathering called “Worldcon.” And this year, the convention is being held right here at the Seattle Convention Center. Worldcon is the is the official convention of the World Science Fiction Society. Events and programming began Wednesday and festivities run through Sunday. GUEST: Kathy Bond, Chair of WorldCon 2025 RELATED LINKS: Seattle Worldcon 2025 Worldcon 2025 celebrates the past and future of science fiction — and the part Seattle has played - GeekWire Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So far in 2025, Seattle is on track for a decline in homicides for the second year in a row. The city’s finally catching up to other parts of the country that started to see drops in lethal violence a few years ago, according to a new story published in the Seattle Times. The country saw a surge in homicides when the pandemic hit. Seattle was no exception, and the violence continued. The city experiencing one of its deadliest years on record in 2023. But lately things have been trending in a safer direction for the city and King County as a whole. Guest: Sara Jean Green, reporter at The Seattle Times. Related stories: Seattle is seeing fewer homicides, catching up with national trend | The Seattle Times KUOW - Seattle passes grim milestone with record high homicides | KUOW Seattle had 'highest number of murders in 26 years' in 2020 | MyNorthwest Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're sharing an episode of a podcast we really like. It's called Essential Salt, a show about connection, local storytelling and how getting to know your neighbors might change the way you see yourself. It's a collaboration between Maine Public and the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies at the Maine College of Art and Design.In this episode, we get to know a famous figure who drew a city together while remaining completely anonymous. Then, we look at what being a good opponent at chess can teach us about building strong, long-lasting relationships.  As always, our journalism is better when you're a part of it: Ask a question about Vermont Sign up for the BLS newsletter Say hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevt Drop us an email: hello@bravelittlestate.org Make a gift to support people-powered journalism Tell your friends about the show! Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.