Podcasts about Seattle Public Library

America is facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, with troubling effects on our mental and physical health. We live in one of the most divisive times in our history, one in which we tend to work, play, and associate only with people who think as we do. How do we create spaces for people to come together — to open our minds, understand our differences, and exchange ideas? In his new book, Meet Me at the Library, Shamichael Hallman argues that the public library may be our best hope for bridging these divides and creating strong, inclusive communities. Public libraries are increasingly playing an essential role in building social cohesion, promoting civic renewal, and advancing the ideals of a healthy democracy. Many are reimagining themselves in new and innovative ways, actively reaching out to the communities they serve. Today, libraries are becoming essential institutions for repairing society. Drawing from his experience at the Memphis Public Library and his extensive research and interviews across the country, Hallman presents a rich argument for seeing libraries as one of the nation's greatest assets. He includes examples from libraries large and small — such as the Iowa's North Liberty Library's Lighthouse in the Library program to bring people together to discuss important topics in a safe and supportive space, to Cambridge Cooks, an initiative of the Cambridge MA Public Library that fosters social connection by bringing people together over shared interest in food. As an institution that is increasingly under attack for creating a place where diverse audiences can see themselves, public libraries are under more scrutiny than ever. Meet Me at the Library offers us a revealing look at one of our most important civic institutions and the social and civic impact they must play if we are to heal our divided nation. Shamichael Hallman serves as the Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at Urban Libraries Council, an innovation and action tank of North America's leading public library systems. In this role, he's working to advance conversations about public libraries as essential city and county infrastructure, including their value as physical spaces and a connector of diverse lived experiences. From 2017 – 2022 he served as the Senior Library Manager of the historic Cossitt Library (Memphis Public Libraries), tasked with overseeing the multi-million-dollar renovation of this space which reimagined the roles that a branch library could play in the community. During his tenure with Memphis Public Libraries, the library system was awarded the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Science by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and was recognized as the Nation's Most Innovative Public Library by Smithsonian Magazine in November of 2021. His 2020 TEDx talk “Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community” garnered international attention among librarians and social innovators. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Seattle Public Library. Buy the Book Meet Me at the Library: A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy Elliott Bay Book Company

Today on the Show: Tens of thousands of Haitians facing death-squad brutality and massive destabilization, based on decades of failed US policy. Flashpoints senior producer, Kevin Pina–an eye-witness to a pair of US sponsored coups in Haiti, reports. Also Seattle to City Library Employees: No Filming or Engaging With ICE Arrests at the  Seattle Public Library, according to a recent staff directive The post An Update on Haiti With Senior Producer Kevin Pina appeared first on KPFA.

Trans stories are not confined to political rhetoric and headlines. The world of creative writing is replete with narratives that explore complex worlds of gender and how identity intersects with people's lives and relationships. In a new collection of one novel and three stories, bestselling author Torrey Peters's keen eye for the rough edges of community and desire push the limits of trans writing.  In Stag Dance, the titular novel, a group of lumberjacks working in an illegal winter logging outfit plan a dance that some of them will attend as women. When the most unlikely of the axmen announces his intention to dance as a woman, he finds himself caught in a strange rivalry, inviting a cascade of obsession, jealousy, and betrayal that culminates on the big night in an exploration of gender and transition. A trio of shorter tales surround Stag Dance: “Infect Your Friends and Loved Ones” imagines a gender apocalypse brought about by an unstable ex-girlfriend. “The Chaser” presents a secret romance between roommates at a Quaker boarding school, and “The Masker” details a Vegas party weekend that turns dark when a young crossdresser must choose between two guides: a mystery man who thrills but objectifies her, or a veteran trans woman who offers sisterhood and cynicism. Peters' talk and work is especially timely surrounding ongoing conversations about trans rights in our nation but is an invitation to any fiction reader. Torrey Peters is the bestselling author of the novel Detransition, Baby, which won the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and was named one of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century by The New York Times. It was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize, a finalist for the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize, and longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. She has an MFA from the University of Iowa and an MA in comparative literature from Dartmouth. Peters rides a pink motorcycle and splits her time between Brooklyn and an off-grid cabin in Vermont. Aster Olsen is the author of the novella Performance Review. She lived most of her life in the gorgeous swampy parts of Florida people don't visit on vacation, but now lives in Seattle, where she spends her time swimming in alpine lakes alongside aquatic insect larvae. A professional scientist, she rejects the binary oppositional positioning of STEM and Art and seeks to collapse and expand imposed categories and narratives to further understanding. Her writing is found in Lilac Peril, Hey Alma, Autostraddle, Inner Worlds, Itch.io, and elsewhere. She is the creator, editor, and publisher of TRANSplants Zine, a zine series about transness and place, and runs the trans open mic reading and art series please (t)read with me.  Find more at asterolsen.com. Ebo Barton comes from salt— from the moment before worlds converge. You may have seen Ebo's work in the book Black Imagination and heard in the audiobook read by Grammy and Tony award winner Daveed Diggs. You have also seen Ebo's work online on Write About Now, Button Poetry, and All Def Poetry channels. In 2016, they placed 5th in the World at the Individual World Poetry Slam. In 2017, they co-wrote and co-produced the award-winning play Rising Up. In 2018, they played “Invisible One” in Anastacia Renee's Queer. Mama.Crossroads and reprised the role in 2019. Ebo debuted his first published collection of poetry, Insubordinate, in 2020. As the Director of Housing Services at Lavender Rights Project, and a Washington State LGBTQ Commissioner, Barton's impact transcends artistic endeavors. A leader in arts and activism, Ebo Barton is committed to creating opportunities for others to organize, heal, and rejoice. Corinne Manning is the author of the acclaimed story collection We Had No Rules. Once upon a time, they reimagined the publishing industry with the literary project The James Franco Review (it made sense from 2014-2017). Their creative work and literary criticism are published widely, including in The New York Times. Corinne lives in Seattle and works as a teaching artist through Seattle Arts & Lectures and their own mentorship project Deeper, Wider. Amber Flame is an interdisciplinary artist garnering residencies with Hedgebrook, Baldwin for the Arts, Millay Arts, and more. A former church kid from the Southwest, Flame's first collection of poetry, Ordinary Cruelty, was published in 2017 through Write Bloody Press. Flame's second book, apocrifa, a love story told in verse, launched in May 2023 from Red Hen Press. Flame is Deputy Publisher at Generous Press, a new romance venture publishing inclusive love stories, and Program Director for Hedgebrook, a literary organization serving women. Amber Flame is a queer Black dandy mama who falls hard for a jumpsuit and some fresh kicks. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Seattle Public Library. Buy the Book Stag Dance Charlie's Queer Books

Did you know that the Seattle Public Library offers any U.S. resident, ages 13-26, a free “Books Unbanned Card,” which allows you to check out any e-books or e-audiobooks from the Library's digital collection, no matter where you live? This is just one example of how people are resisting new restrictions on information and education across the country. In his new book, Teach Truth, Seattle educator and author Jesse Hagopian discusses these restrictions and offers advice on how to defend antiracist education. Hagopian outlines how numerous states and school districts in recent years have enacted policies or laws mandating how to teach about systemic racism and oppression—policies that impact nearly half of all students in the U.S. Thousands of books have been banned from schools. Teachers face termination, attacks, and disciplinary action. You can be punished, including jail time, for providing access to a banned book. These new changes have old roots in McCarthyism's Red Scare and Lavender Scare. They have strongholds in U.S. history. But there is also strong pushback. Hagopian shows how the fight against them also has a rich legacy, from the resistance to anti-literacy laws for enslaved people to the Black Lives Matter at School movement today. Hagopian calls to defend antiracist education, showing how to reclaim suppressed history by creating beloved classroom communities and healthy social movements. Jesse Hagopian has taught in public schools for over 20 years, serves on the Black Lives Matter at School steering committee, organizes for the Zinn Education Project, and founded the Ethnic Studies course at Seattle's Garfield High School. He is an editor for Rethinking Schools magazine, the co-editor of Black Lives Matter at School and Teaching for Black Lives, and the editor of More Than a Score: The New Uprising Against High Stakes Testing. Dr. Ayva Thomas is a P-12 education and systems leader in and beyond her local community. She has been a speaker, panelist, and thought partner for events like the Zinn Education Project's Teaching for Black Lives campaign, the City of Bothell's DEI work, and the City of Kenmore's Juneteenth Celebration. Wayne Au is Dean and Professor in the University of Washington Bothell School of Educational Studies, and he is an editor for the social justice teaching magazine, Rethinking Schools. A former public high school teacher, he writes and speaks about racial justice in education. Au's most recent book is Asian American Racialization and the Politics of U.S. Education. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Seattle Public Library. Buy the Book Teach Truth: The Struggle for Antiracist Education Elliott Bay Book Company

We’re nearing the finish line of 2024, and wow what a year. Boeing’s year started with a bang, but not in a good way. In January, a door-sized panel blew off of a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet mid-flight. They also got a new CEO and endured a 53 day machinist strike. The Seattle Public Library, SeaTac Airport, and the Highline school district all got cyber attacked. Seattle Public Schools went from planning to close 20 schools to planning to close zero, University of Washington joined the big 10, and some zebras broke loose near North Bend. There’s a lot to reflect on, and thankfully our friends over at Week in Review took time to look back on the year for their Year in Review event. Here’s a portion of their conversation, hosted by KUOW’s Bill Radke. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it gets this dark outside, our region knows how to keep it light. ‘Tis the season for festive lights and light shows. Today we’ll walk through some of the season’s sparkling traditions, and stroll through one of the biggest: the Woodland Park Zoo’s Wild Lanterns installation. Read the list of the Seattle Public Library’s most popular books here Read more on the Bait Shop’s Holiday Light Show here Info on one West Seattle home’s holiday lights Seattle’s Candy Cane Lane information can be found here Find more info on WildLanterns here We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're LIVE from the Seattle Public Library! We have THREE special guests who we put to the test with a series of silly little games as well as high stakes political questions.But first, tidings! And headlining this round of tidings is sharing the winner of our tattoo contest!!! Special shoutout to those of you who submitted this winning idea -- there were five of you! -- we'll reach out soon to make sure you get your prize. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @textmebackpod to check out this perfect design and thank you to everyone who shared their cute, hot, and beautiful tattoo ideas, we

This week Lindy and Meagan are 42% less rude than last week! We decompress after last week's call outs and the Titan Submersible implosion recap (where the mean % points really racked up) and get back to our earnest, nerdy roots. Lindy spends American dollars on a personalized Hydro Flask. Kevin graduates from puppy school, so naturally we assign Breakfast Club archetypes to the rest of the pupporinos (Kevin is either the Janitor or Judd Nelson, who could really say). But the crowning jewel of the episode comes with breaking ground on territory few podcasters dare to explore: a discussion about what TV programs we're watching with our one and only precious lifetime on this planet. For Lindy and Meagan, it's the beautiful disaster that is Ink Master. From questionable tattoo challenges to even more questionable judging, they break down their top moments from the show (including “Leatherface Grandma” and Taco Bell spon con). WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON INK MASTER? We must know. Text us or leave us a voicemail on the Best Friend Party Phone at (703) 829-0003.We need a new mystery! Send us one, won't you? deartextmeback@gmail.com!Miss our Youtube or want more content from us in general? Support us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/TextMeBackPodSTUFF TO CHECK OUT:REGISTER TO VOTE at https://vote.gov/Come see Text Me Back Live (FREE!) at the Seattle Public Library on October 15! https://www.cascadepbs.org/event/election-preview-text-me-back-live-podcast-taping And get tix for Text Me Back Live (AGAIN!) at The Reser on November 7th! https://thereser.org/event/text-me-back-live-with-lindy-west-meagan-hatcher-mays/⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°If you like this episode and want us to keep making the show forever, please subscribe to our Patreon. This podcast will always be free, but we need your help to produce it -- and if you support our Patreon, you'll get all kinds of goodies in addition to the show itself! Learn more about the different tiers and rewards here: https://www.patreon.com/TextMeBackPodAlso! Please keep in touch with us! You can text OR CALL us at the Best Friend Party Phone: (703) 829-0003.We're on Instagram at @textmebackpod!Full videos of our episodes are on YouTube at @textlindyandmeaganbackYou can email us at deartextmeback@gmail.com!WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU SO BAD!⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°TEXT ME BACK is a production of Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays, proud members of the BFF Network. Our senior producer is Meagan Hatcher-Mays. Our other senior producer is Lindy West. Our show is supported by COPILOT Collective and produced by Alli Slice.Our music is by Chief Ahamefule J. Oluo. Diana Bowen is our video and creative advisor. Our digital strategist is Chance Nichols.You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie content, follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!Special thanks as always to our perfect angels: Jeannie Yandel, Brandi Fullwood, and Isolde Raftery.⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's been a tough few months for many local IT departments. Last week, hackers posted a handful of files stolen from SeaTac airport on the dark web. A ransomware gang is attempting to sell a trove of stolen Port of Seattle data for 6 million dollars in Bitcoin – after the Port refused to pay up. The cyber-attack a little over a month ago snarled travel when it took down ticketing, baggage, and other SeaTac services. But that's just the highest profile ransomware case in the Seattle area in recent months. A few weeks ago, the Highline School District canceled classes because a cyberattack had wormed its way into the local system. There was also a crippling ransomware attack on Seattle Public Libraries back in May, which put their book checkout and online systems in limbo for months For more on what's happening – and how organizations can protect themselves –Soundside caught up with Robby Winchester, the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company.  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. Guests: Robby Winchester on the line. He's the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company.  Related Links:  Hackers demand $6 million for files stolen from Seattle airport operator in cyberattack | AP News Highline schools closing Monday because of cyberattack | The Seattle Times Why did ransomware hackers target Seattle Public Library? – GeekWire See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week…  We had two big debates, and Seattle got name-dropped by a certain former president. The Highline School District was the latest cyberattack victim in the Puget Sound region. And speaking of cyberattacks, the Seattle Public Library is finally back at full capacity. It's time to start getting the most out of your library card…. And a password app. Needling Editor-In-Chief Lex Vaughn and author Danielle Marie Holland are here to break down the week. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow And we want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback online: https://www.kuow.org/feedback See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WA kids are missing school at a high rate, all systems are back online at the Seattle Public Library, and we dig into the uncommon practice of ballot curing. It's our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW. We want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle Public Libraries is seeking volunteers for their Homework Help program, a free after-school tutoring service that supports K-12 students. The program is looking for volunteer tutors to help make a positive impact on students' education as the new school year approaches. Elisa murray from Seattle Public Library joins the Rhythm & News Podcast to discuss the program and the need for volunteers. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Join us for the July 2024, live news episode of 'The Audit', where we cover the latest cybersecurity threats, ransomware updates, and AI advancements. In this news episode, we tackle some of the most pressing cybersecurity issues of the month. Ever wondered how a ransomware attack could shut down a public library? We dive into the recent attack on the Seattle Public Library and explore a massive $37 million phishing scam that hit Coinbase Pro users. We also unravel the sophisticated gift card fraud by the Moroccan cybercrime group Storm 0539. But that's not all. We discuss the potential threat of DNS bomb DDoS attacks and the intriguing use of Flipper Zero devices to hijack event wristbands. And for those interested in the intersection of law and cybersecurity, we examine the implications of the Supreme Court's recent ruling on cybersecurity regulation. Amidst all the tech talk, we find time to ponder the existence of UFOs and share some personal stories about unexplained phenomena. In this episode we'll cover: Seattle Public Library ransomware attack and its impact $37 million phishing scam targeting Coinbase Pro users Moroccan cybercrime group Storm 0539's gift card fraud Potential threat of DNS bomb DDoS attacks Flipper Zero devices hijacking event wristbands Supreme Court's ruling on cybersecurity regulation Stay ahead of cyber threats and AI innovations by watching the full episode. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! #Cybersecurity #Ransomware #AI #TechNews #Phishing #ITSecurity #CyberLaw 

In honor of Disability Pride Month, Jes and Sarah are discussing some of their favorite books that center characters with disabilities. They also discuss the history of Disability Pride Month and the importance of audiobooks. You can also listen to the podcast on YouTube.   Disability Pride Month Picks: Get a Life, Chloe Brown, by Talia Hibbert Being Heumann, by Judith Huemann Golem Girl, by Riva Lehrer Seven Days in June, by Tia Williams All the Little Bird-Hearts, by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow True Biz, by Sarah Nović   What Jes and Sarah are reading: All Fours, by Miranda July Bury Your Gays, by Chuck Tingle The Wedding People, by Alison Espach Margo's Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone The Book That Broke the World, by Mark Lawrence Barons, by Austin Frerick   Book Bulletin The first draft of Rebecca Yarro's next book, Black Onyx, is complete Ransomware attack at Seattle Public Library - full service is "weeks or even months away" Hoopla has started providing content ratings on books and concerns on soft censorship Libro FM's 10 best selling audiobooks of all-time   Audiobook Information 2016 Rogowsky study on Audiobooks Summary Full Study 2019 Neurological Study on Written vs Spoken Word Summary Full Study  

Lost Patients compares the system for treating mental illness in America to an elaborate house, where every room, hallway and staircase was designed independently by a different architect. So what is it like to be shuttled from room to room? What sorts of tradeoffs are doctors working within this system forced to make every day? And what might it look like to design care around the needs of patients?KUOW and the Seattle Times convened a forum at the Seattle Public Library to hear perspectives and answer questions. Featured guests included:Laura Van Tosh, patient advocate and founder and convener of Mental Health Policy Roundtable * Carolynn Ponzoha, patient advocate and content creator who goes by @psychotic.in.seattle on TikTok* Timothy Jolliff, acting senior director of clinical programs at the Downtown Emergency Service Center in Seattle*Dr. Paul Borghesani, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of MedicineYou can find resources for people with mental illness and related stories from The Seattle Times and KUOW here:https://www.seattletimes.com/component/lost-patients-podcast/https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/lost-patientsLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Audit," where we bring you the most pressing news, issues and insights in cybersecurity. In this live episode, we cover the recent ransomware attack on the Seattle Public Library, the $37 million theft from Coinbase Pro users, and the sophisticated gift card fraud by the Moroccan cybercrime group, Storm 0539. We share our insights on how these attacks happened, their impacts, and practical advice on how to protect yourself and your organization. We also explore a theoretical DNS bomb DDoS attack and the intriguing use of Flipper Zero devices to control wristbands at large events. Seattle Public Library ransomware attack and its impact $37 million phishing scam targeting Coinbase Pro users Moroccan cybercrime group Storm 0539's gift card fraud Potential threat of DNS bomb DDoS attack Flipper Zero devices hijacking event wristbands Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. #CybersecurityNews #Cybersecurity #Ransomware #Phishing #ITSecurity #TechNews  

Starbucks wins at SCOTUS, the Makah Tribe gets approval to hunt gray whales, and e-books are back online at the Seattle Public Library. It's our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW. We want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many readers in the city are figuring out how to get their next book, as the Seattle Public Library responds to a cyberattack.    The disruption took out most digital library services, including e-book and audiobook loans, and wi-fi in the 27 library buildings around the city.  Seattle Now Producer Clare McGrane will explain the creative solutions the library is deploying, and how long this might last.  King County Substance Use Conference: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-king-county-substance-use-conference-a-vision-for-hope-virtual-tickets-882279801637 National Get Outdoors Day: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r6. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow And we want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback online: https://www.kuow.org/feedback See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ransomware Minute is a rundown of the latest ransomware attacks & news, brought to you Cybercrime Magazine, Page ONE for Cybersecurity. Listen to the podcast weekly and read it daily at https://ransomwareminute.com. For more on cybersecurity, visit us at https://cybercrimemagazine.com.

In this episode of the Security Squawk podcast, we unpack some of today's hottest cybersecurity threats, including the recent Ticket Master data breach that exposed millions of accounts due to a lack of multi-factor authentication. We'll also dive into the ongoing ransomware attack on the Seattle Public Library, highlighting the critical need for robust data protection. We'll explore how businesses can fortify their defenses with zero-trust cybersecurity and discuss the potential consequences of the Ticketmaster cyberattack, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding customer data. Join us for an insightful discussion on these critical issues and learn how to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

This week… Holy moly what a week, and not just for former United States Presidents. Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz is out, replaced in the interim by a familiar face. Seattle Public Library had its system taken down by a ransomware attack. And we check in on how San Juan County employees are enjoying their 32-hour work weeks… Here's a hint: some of them got new hobbies. Needling Editor-in-Chief Lex Vaughn and Ticket Editor Chase Burns are here to break down the week. Info on service disruptions and shuttles: https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/1-line-service-disruption https://parkways.seattle.gov/2024/05/20/discovery-park-beach-shuttle-is-back-for-2024/ https://seattlewaterfront.org/free-seattle-waterfront-shuttle/ We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow And we want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback online: https://www.kuow.org/feedback See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound Transit is stepping up its fare enforcement on Light Rail platforms starting next week, Mayor Bruce Harrell is moving away from acoustic gunshot detection technology, and don't worry, eBook readers, Seattle Public Library still has your holds in place despite the ransomware attack. It's our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow We want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback: https://www.kuow.org/feedbackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chief Adrian Diaz is stepping down, Seattle Public Library is dealing with a ransomware attack, and parents protest proposed school closures. It's our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make the KUOW Newsroom Podcast because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/KUOWNewsroom We want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback: https://www.kuow.org/feedbackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cybercrime Magazine Podcast brings you daily cybercrime news on WCYB Digital Radio, the first and only 7x24x365 internet radio station devoted to cybersecurity. Stay updated on the latest cyberattacks, hacks, data breaches, and more with our host. Don't miss an episode, airing every half-hour on WCYB Digital Radio and daily on our podcast. Listen to today's news at https://soundcloud.com/cybercrimemagazine/sets/cybercrime-daily-news. Brought to you by our Partner, Evolution Equity Partners, an international venture capital investor partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs to develop market leading cyber-security and enterprise software companies. Learn more at https://evolutionequity.com

An alleged leak of Google's search algorithm contradicts the company's public statements.  German researchers discover a critical vulnerability in a TP-Link router. Breachforums is back…maybe. The Seattle Public Library suffers a ransomware attack. A Georgia man gets ten years for money laundering and romance scams, and the Treasury department sanctions a group of botnet operators. 44,000 individuals are affected by the breach of a major U.S. title insurance company. Microsoft describes North Korea's Moonstone Sleet. Advocating for a more architectural approach to cybersecurity. Maria Varmazis speaks with WiCyS Executive Director Lynn Dohm and a panel of N2K experts about the 2024 Cyber Talent Study. A cracked password results in a multimillion dollar windfall.  Our 2024 N2K CyberWire Audience Survey is underway, make your voice heard and get in the running for a $100 Amazon gift card. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. Learning Layer On our Learning Layer segment, host Sam Meisenberg and Joe Carrigan continue their discussion of Joe's ISC2 CISSP certification journey using N2K's comprehensive CISSP training course, CISSP practice test, and CISSP practice labs. Sam and Joe dive into Domain 6: Security Assessment and Testing and tackle the following question together: You are hiring a vendor to perform a penetration test that would simulate a breach from an insider threat. What type of test would be BEST to perform?  Blue Box Black Box White-hat hack White box CyberWire Guest Maria Varmazis, N2K host of T-Minus Space Daily, talks with WiCyS Executive Director Lynn Dohm and N2K's Simone Petrella, Dr. Heather Monthie, and Jeff Welgan about the 2024 Cyber Talent Study. You can find out more about the study here.  Selected Reading Google won't comment on a potentially massive leak of its search algorithm documentation (The Verge) Update TP-Link's Archer C5400X router now to fix remote takeover vulnerability (TechSpot) Data leak site BreachForums is back, boasting Live Nation/Ticketmaster user data. But is it a trap? (Malwarebytes) Ransomware attack on Seattle Public Library knocks out online systems (The Record) Man Sentenced for Laundering Over $4.5M Obtained from Business Email Compromise and Romance Fraud Schemes (United States Department of Justice) Treasury Sanctions a Cybercrime Network Associated with the 911 S5 Botnet (United States Department of Treasury) First American December data breach impacts 44,000 people (Bleeping Computer) Moonstone Sleet emerges as new North Korean threat actor with new bag of tricks (Microsoft Security Blog) Cybersecurity at a crossroads: Time to shift to an architectural approach (CSO Online) How Researchers Cracked an 11-Year-Old Password to a $3 Million Crypto Wallet (WIRED)  Share your feedback. We want to ensure that you are getting the most out of the podcast. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey as we continually work to improve the show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Seattle Public Library is hit with a ransomware attack, the Kraken gets a new coach and the drama deepens over Seattle's minimum wage for gig workers. It's our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make the KUOW Newsroom Podcast because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/KUOWNewsroom We want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback: https://www.kuow.org/feedback See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle Public Library's services remain limited today after a ransomware attack took much of the library's technology systems offline.   In a blog post, the Library said it had been preparing to take computer systems down for maintenance over Memorial Day Weekend when workers discovered a ransomware event affecting the entire network. At this point, it is unclear what the ransomware attackers are after, or how long it will take for the Seattle Public Library's systems to be back to full operation. Ransomware attacks against large institutions have multiplied in recent years. This week, a hacker group claimed credit for an attack on the auction house Christie's. The group has threatened to release sensitive information about art collectors unless demands were met.    Soundside is joined by Quentin Hodgson, a senior researcher specializing in cybersecurity at RAND, a non-profit, non-partisan research organization, to discuss the proliferation of ransomware attacks in recent years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of FYI, the Public Libraries Podcast, we delve into the potentially transformative impact of AI on public libraries. Our guest is  Juan Rubio, Digital Media and Learning Expert at the Seattle Public Library. Juan provides insights from his article, "The Role of Libraries in Navigating an AI-Empowered Future," which was featured in the May/June 2024 issue of Public Libraries magazine. Our discussion explores how AI can revolutionize library services, tackles ethical considerations, and explores the importance of AI literacy among both library workers and patrons. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation on the future of AI in libraries and its potential to enhance community engagement and services.

John and Merrilee are on IMDbPro because of the movie industry interest in their story. The Hollywood Reporter has a file on John and Merrilee. A producer who lives in Hollywood Hills is staging as their representative. A law firm representing a media company is standing by. There are shoes being custom made in Italy because of Merrilee. There are specialized sport watches being designed because of John. Merrilee's book “The Game” has received four literary awards. John's book “Deals Danger Destiny” was put in circulation by the Seattle Public Library system. All of this because research scientist John noticed Merrilee is a developing star from another galaxy. The “one” who will rise. Sometimes they talk about this. They are John and Merrilee everyday on Spotify. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lacasse/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-lacasse/support

Feliks Banel's guest on this encore episode of CASCADE OF HISTORY is author, historian and playwright Frank Abe, who's devoted much of the past four decades to studying, writing about, and creating public programs about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II - and who hosted a series of programs in 2023 at the Seattle Public Library marking the centennial of the birth of author John Okada. Abe also served as editor of a new compilation being published by Penguin Books, "The Literature of Japanese American Incarceration," due out on May 14, 2024. Also, we hear installment two from the 1951 vintage Chief Sealth episode of the Seattle centennial educational radio program “Their Name Was Courage”; and, a recap of the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild Conference held in Seattle on September 23, including an anecdote about the one and only observance of Cherry Grove Day. This episode of CASCADE OF HISTORY was originally presented live at 8pm Pacific Time on Sunday, September 24, 2023 via SPACE 101.1 FM and streaming live via space101fm.org from studios at historic Magnuson Park – formerly Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle.

If you're a library user, and you love e-books and e-audiobooks, you might notice some changes to your account. The Seattle Public Library is putting new restrictions on the number of digital books patrons can place on hold. It's happening because digital books are causing big budget problems here and around the country. Seattle Now producer Clare McGrane explains why, and solutions local libraries are considering.

If you headed to a public library in Seattle over the weekend, you may have found your local branch was closed.

6pm - Wrongful death suit filed against Live Nation after ‘Beyond Wonderland’ shooting.. Should the promoter be liable in this case? // 3 French bulldogs stolen from van in Kirkland recovered nearly a week later // Seattle Public Library resorting to rolling branch closures // The truth about Public Libraries in Decline // GUEST: “The Loudest Woman in Cle Elum”  How Stephanie transformed her life as a former meth addict // The Happy Ending; How Stephanie Got Sober

3pm - Wrongful death suit filed against Live Nation after ‘Beyond Wonderland’ shooting.. Should the promoter be liable in this case? // 3 French bulldogs stolen from van in Kirkland recovered nearly a week later // Seattle Public Library resorting to rolling branch closures // The truth about Public Libraries in Decline // GUEST: “The Loudest Woman in Cle Elum”  How Stephanie transformed her life as a former meth addict // The Happy Ending; How Stephanie Got Sober

True Crime Tuesday presents A Killing On The Hill with Researcher/Author, Robert Dugoni! A Killing On The Hill is Dugoni's first historical novel, a true crime thriller set in 1930s Seattle during Prohibition and the Great Depression.  The book was inspired by a real-life shooting at a notorious nightclub on Profanity Hill. The victim is Frankie Ray, a former prizefighter, and his accused killer is the club's owner and mobster George Miller (George Moore in real life), who claims he pulled the trigger in self-defense. The crime, investigation, and ensuing criminal trial had the entire city transfixed, and competing newspapers raced against each other to land the biggest scoop on each development.  Dugoni learned about the case after discovering scrapbooks filled with articles about the shooting, arrest and trial collected by his wife's grandfather, who was a local attorney at the time. Through those dozens of articles, books on the historical period, and with the help of an enthusiastic librarian at the Seattle Public Library, Dugoni immersed himself in the time and place, studying the details of the boarding houses, speakeasies, gambling establishments, and houses of prostitution of the 1930s. He was shocked by the dichotomy of unemployed men and their families living in cardboard shacks and starving in Hoovervilles, alongside gangsters who opened opulent private nightclubs in mansions, where wealthy and prominent members drank, gambled, and danced. Bob Dugoni joins TCT today to talk about the book, it's true life characters, the city of Seatlle at the time the book is written, and why it is so easy to be forgotten in the sands of time, and why we strive so hard to be remembered...  Get your copy of "A Killing On The Hill": here:  https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/killing-on-the-hill Check out Robert Dugoni at his website:  https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/ Check out Robert on social media: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robertdugoni/ x:  https://twitter.com/robertdugoni PLUS DUMB CRIMES AND STUPID CRIMINALS! WITH MALLIE FOX! Check out Mallie Fox's website:  https://www.paranormalgirl.com/ Mallie has been spreading her wings and featured as a researcher and talking head on Strange Evidence on the Science Channel!  You can stream it on demand on Discovery + or on Max!  Get Max here:   https://bit.ly/469lcZH Find out where the crew will be in your area: https://www.darknessradioshow.com/p/events/ #crime #truecrime #truecrimepodcasts #truecrimetuesday #akillingonthehill #dumbcrimesstupidcriminals #TimDennis #malliefox #paranormalgirl #robertdugoni #frankieray #shooting #murder #pompomclub #profanityhill #georgemiller #williamschumacher #ernieblunt #laurencemckinley #seattle  #drugsmuggling #bribery  #floridaman #publicsex #verbalthreats #terrorism  #policebrutality #sexcrimes  #safewaymasturbator #dna

True Crime Tuesday presents A Killing On The Hill with Researcher/Author, Robert Dugoni! A Killing On The Hill is Dugoni's first historical novel, a true crime thriller set in 1930s Seattle during Prohibition and the Great Depression.  The book was inspired by a real-life shooting at a notorious nightclub on Profanity Hill. The victim is Frankie Ray, a former prizefighter, and his accused killer is the club's owner and mobster George Miller (George Moore in real life), who claims he pulled the trigger in self-defense. The crime, investigation, and ensuing criminal trial had the entire city transfixed, and competing newspapers raced against each other to land the biggest scoop on each development.  Dugoni learned about the case after discovering scrapbooks filled with articles about the shooting, arrest and trial collected by his wife's grandfather, who was a local attorney at the time. Through those dozens of articles, books on the historical period, and with the help of an enthusiastic librarian at the Seattle Public Library, Dugoni immersed himself in the time and place, studying the details of the boarding houses, speakeasies, gambling establishments, and houses of prostitution of the 1930s. He was shocked by the dichotomy of unemployed men and their families living in cardboard shacks and starving in Hoovervilles, alongside gangsters who opened opulent private nightclubs in mansions, where wealthy and prominent members drank, gambled, and danced. Bob Dugoni joins TCT today to talk about the book, it's true life characters, the city of Seatlle at the time the book is written, and why it is so easy to be forgotten in the sands of time, and why we strive so hard to be remembered...  Get your copy of "A Killing On The Hill": here:  https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/killing-on-the-hill Check out Robert Dugoni at his website:  https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/ Check out Robert on social media: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robertdugoni/ x:  https://twitter.com/robertdugoni PLUS DUMB CRIMES AND STUPID CRIMINALS! WITH MALLIE FOX! Check out Mallie Fox's website:  https://www.paranormalgirl.com/ Mallie has been spreading her wings and featured as a researcher and talking head on Strange Evidence on the Science Channel!  You can stream it on demand on Discovery + or on Max!  Get Max here:   https://bit.ly/469lcZH Find out where the crew will be in your area: https://www.darknessradioshow.com/p/events/ #crime #truecrime #truecrimepodcasts #truecrimetuesday #akillingonthehill #dumbcrimesstupidcriminals #TimDennis #malliefox #paranormalgirl #robertdugoni #frankieray #shooting #murder #pompomclub #profanityhill #georgemiller #williamschumacher #ernieblunt #laurencemckinley #seattle  #drugsmuggling #bribery  #floridaman #publicsex #verbalthreats #terrorism  #policebrutality #sexcrimes  #safewaymasturbator #dna

We've tapped into the well-read minds of our KUOW editors, the Seattle Public Library staff, and other friends of KUOW to bring you our new book club.

Meet Riki Mafune, a third-generation Seattleite with a family history deeply intertwined with Japanese American experiences. The conversation delves into Japanese American history, the challenges of the internment camps, the Seattle music scene, and Riki's personal journey as a musician. Family Legacy and Internment Camps Riki shares her family's poignant story of generational trauma stemming from internment camps during World War II. Her great-grandfather passed away en route to the camps, and her family faced immense challenges upon their return home. Split up and relocated to camps like Camp Harmony (Puyallup Fairgrounds), Tule Lake, and Minidoka. Riki's family experienced the government's work release programs created for interned individuals to bolster the war effort. This section sheds light on the impact of Executive Order 9066, signed by President Roosevelt in 1942, leading to the unjust internment of Japanese Americans. Japanese Cultural Heritage and Resources Diving into Japanese cultural heritage and resources, Riki shares insightful recommendations. She points to organizations like Densho.org highlighting their invaluable documentation of historical aspects of the camps. Riki also recommends the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington and emphasizes the importance of educational resources to preserve and promote Japanese American history and culture. To further engage with this heritage, walking tours offered by institutions like the Seattle Public Library and the Wing Luke Museum provide immersive experiences for learning about vestiges of Japanese culture in the area. Cultural Identity and Heritage Furthermore, the discussion unravels Riki's experiences of embracing her mixed heritage and her mother's active role in educating her about both sides of her ethnicity. Riki shares her memories of growing up in the Roosevelt View District area, and the conversation touches on her family's ties to Japan through a greenhouse and a flower shop. This segment highlights the importance of understanding and celebrating one's cultural heritage. Seattle Music Scene and Racial Marginalization Transitioning to the Seattle music scene, Riki reminisces about her music career, which kick-started with the band Dynette Set. Amid anecdotes about the band's formation and hard work, the conversation uncovers the challenges Riki and her bandmates faced in a male-dominated rock and roll world. They pushed back against being marginalized and commercialized, refusing to conform to an inauthentic image. This segment delves into the lack of diversity in the Seattle music scene at the time, shedding light on the racial stereotypes and marginalization that women musicians, including Riki, encountered. Personal Journey and Reflection Learn more about Riki's personal journey and gain insight into her early ventures in music and the challenges she encountered. Riki candidly shares her struggles with feeling like an outsider and her experiences of working non-music-related jobs after the Dynette Set era. The segment also touches on her decision to go to college, attending Seattle University and majoring in philosophy. It reflects on her family's quietness about their internment experiences and her journey of researching and confirming their stories, shedding light on the resilience and perseverance reflected in her career choices. Photo credit: Ernie Sapiro Connect With Us

Get ready for a festive treat with our holiday episode! In keeping with the Victorian custom of sharing ghost stories by the fireside during Christmas, we've decided to switch things up from our typical episodes. Join us as we read some traditional ghost stories, transporting you back to the Victorian Yuletide. Settle in by the fireside, and let the COusins Weird guide you through this timeless holiday tradition!Find uslinktr.ee/thecousinsweirdEmail us thecousinsweird@gmail.comSupport uspatreon.com/thecousinsweirdSources:https://raincoaster.com/2016/12/02/christmas-ghost-stories-christmas-meeting-by-rosemary-timperley/https://shortstoryproject.com/stories/a-strange-christmas-game/https://www.spl.org/Seattle-Public-Library/documents/transcriptions/2020/20-12-03_Smee.pdfhttps://www.amazon.com/Valancourt-Victorian-Christmas-Ghost-Stories/dp/1948405202/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1ZKYMUII7AOHR&keywords=victorian+christmas+ghost+stories&qid=1703447462&sprefix=vicrtorann+christmas+ghost+stories%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-4Music from Upbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/friendly-ghostLicense code: LZ5ZUHQLWV7IN6XH

Dr. Kirk Adams shares his experience building his career as a leader in the nonprofit space (American Foundation for the Blind, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, and Seattle Public Library) with his goal to accelerate accessibility and inclusion. He talks about his family traditions - for Thanksgiving and outdoors at the lake.

The Return: https://www.simpletix.com/e/the-return-tickets-143428Seattle Public Library's Future Survey: https://spl.org/futuresurveyWe can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenowAnd we want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback online: https://www.kuow.org/feedback

Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan, Ph.D., is in town and will give a free public talk Thursday at the Seattle Public Library

When a high school teacher in Norman, Oklahoma shared a QR code with her students that would grant them access to BPL's digital collection, she took a stand against a restrictive state law. That act of resistance made her first day of school ... also her last.  Our call to action for this episode: Get a library card! Wherever you live, sign up for a library card in person or online. If you're between the ages of 13 and 21, you can apply to our free Books Unbanned e-library card. Seattle Public Library now also has a Books Unbanned card that you can apply to up to age 26. If you'd like you can read a transcript of this episode. Borrowed and Banned is a production of Brooklyn Public Library and receives support from the Metropolitan New York Library Council's Equity in Action Grant and Goat Rodeo. More resources: October 1 - 7 is Banned Books Week! There are lots of events you can attend in Brooklyn and across the country. On October 4th, join our social media campaign by posting a picture of yourself reading in public (a banned book, or any book) and tell everyone that you protect the #FreedomtoRead.  Read new reports from PEN America about book bans in schools, and the American Library Association's stats on bans in libraries across the country. Read some of the most frequently-challenged books (many of which will be featured on this podcast series)! Start your own movement by wearing BPL's Books Unbanned QR code on your T-shirt or hoodie (and support the library while doing it!) Sign up for our newsletter to get every episode delivered to your inbox. 

Feliks Banel's guest on this episode of CASCADE OF HISTORY is author, historian and playwright Frank Abe, who's devoted much of the past four decades to studying, writing about, and creating public programs about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II - and who is hosting a series of programs this autumn at the Seattle Public Library marking the centennial of the birth of author John Okada. Also, we hear installment two from the 1951 vintage Chief Sealth episode of the Seattle centennial educational radio program “Their Name Was Courage”; and, a recap of the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild Conference held in Seattle on September 23, including an anecdote about the one and only observance of Cherry Grove Day. This LIVE broadcast of CASCADE OF HISTORY was originally presented at 8pm Pacific Time on Sunday, September 24, 2023 via SPACE 101.1 FM and streaming live via space101fm.org from studios at historic Magnuson Park – formerly Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle.

Feliks Banel's guests on this episode of CASCADE OF HISTORY are Katherine White, who stalked Elvis Presley at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair and ran Seattle's Elvis fan club; Markus Fahrner, exhibitions manager of Coquitlam Heritage on a new exhibit about Chinese exclusion in Canada from the 1920s to the 1940s; and Megan Churchwell of the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild previewing the conference coming up on Saturday, September 23 at Seattle Public Library. This LIVE broadcast of CASCADE OF HISTORY was originally presented at 8pm Pacific Time on Sunday, September 17, 2023 via SPACE 101.1 FM and streaming live via space101fm.org from studios at historic Magnuson Park – formerly Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle.

Jay Lyman Librarian at Seattle Public Library Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.  Sponsor 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 CavnessHR Crowdfunding Campaign We are doing an equity crowdfunding campaign for CavnessHR. You can become an owner in CavnessHR by taking part in our campaign. Learn more here. https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr Jay's Bio Jay Lyman is a Supervising Librarian in the CEED (Community Engagement and Economic Development) group with The Seattle Public Library. Jay leads the SPL's Library to Business program which helps people find and discover the information, skills and connections they need to succeed in business. Jay and team empower entrepreneurs and nonprofits at every stage with skill building workshops, access to market data, and connections to other community experts that help in many different ways. He has organized a number of programs which help small businesses use technology to market and deliver services and products to their customers. We talked about the following and other items  Camping, hiking, kayaking and paddle boarding Becoming a Librarian Seattle Public Library Demo of what the library offers  Data Axle Reference Jay's Social Media  Jay's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lymanjay/  Seattle Public Library FB: https://www.facebook.com/SeattlePublicLibrary Seattle Public Library Twitter: https://twitter.com/SPLBuzz Seattle Public Library YT: https://www.youtube.com/user/SeattlePublicLibrary  Seattle Public Library Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seattlepubliclibrary/ Jay's Email: jay.lyman@spl.org Jay's Advice We get a short time here. Take advantage of it and enjoy yourselves.

Tomorrow is the first official day of summer, which means it's beach book season. If you need a little help or you don't know where to start, the Seattle Public Library's got you covered with their adult Book Bingo program.Seattle Now producer Clare McGrane explains how the program works and how it's building a community of readers across the city. Adult Summer Book Bingo card, Lotería de Lectura en Español and reading suggestions: https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/authors-and-books/book-bingo/2023-book-bingoSeattle Arts and Lectures Kids Summer Book Bingo card: https://lectures.org/community/book-bingo/ Cap Hill Pride March and Rally: https://everout.com/seattle/events/capitol-hill-pride-march-rally-2023/e148397/ Seattle PrideFest: https://www.seattlepridefest.org/ Seattle Pride: https://www.seattlepride.org/ We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenowAnd we want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback online: https://www.kuow.org/feedback

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by general secretary of the Seattle Transit Riders Union, Katie Wilson! They cover a lot of ground today, discussing Bob Ferguson's unnamed donors, the Burien Planning Commission resigning in protest over “scapegoating” and “lack of action and missteps” by the city council majority and city manager, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's “War on Health,” reflections following the Seattle City Council mobility-focused forums, the Seattle City Council approving an affordable housing levy for the November ballot, Trans Pride barring Seattle Public Library, King County Council considers mandating that stores accept cash in addition to card or electronic payments, and a Saving Journalism, Saving Our Democracy event on Wednesday, June 21st, at Town Hall Seattle. 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, find today's co-host, Katie Wilson, at @WilsonKatieB, and find the Seattle Transit Riders Union at @SeattleTRU. Resources “Better Behavioral Health Crisis Response with Brook Buettner and Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig” from Hacks & Wonks   “Before rule change, AG Bob Ferguson moves $1.2M ‘surplus' to campaign” by Jim Brunner from The Seattle Times   “Early WA governor's race skirmish? Campaign finance loophole scrutinized” by Jim Brunner from The Seattle Times   “Public Hearing to review – and possibly take action against – Charles Schaefer and Cydney Moore will be Thursday, June 15” by Scott Schaefer from The B-Town Blog   “King County's letter to City of Burien offers $1 million and 35 pallet shelters for homelessness crisis” by Scott Schaefer from The B-Town Blog   “Emotion-packed special Burien City Council meeting results in removal of Charles Schaefer as Planning Commission Chair” by Mellow DeTray from The B-Town Blog   “UPDATE: Total of 9 commissioners, advisory board resign en masse in protest of Charles Schaefer's removal” by Scott Schaefer from The B-Town Blog   “Seattle to Launch "War on Health"” by Amy Sundberg from Notes from the Emerald City   “​​Harrell's approach to fentanyl crisis: Heavy on spectacle, light on substance” by Marcus Harrison Green for The Seattle Times   “Community Court Is Dead. What Comes Next?” by Erica C. Barnett from PubliCola   “Harrell Vows to Pass New Drug Law, Creates Work Group to Find Solutions to the Fentanyl Crisis” by Andrew Engelson from PubliCola   “Mayor Harrell Promises a ‘War on Health,' Not a ‘War on Drugs'” by Ashley Nerbovig from The Stranger   “Midweek Video: Seattle Council Candidate District 3 Mobility Forum” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist   “Seattle City Council District 5 Mobility Forum Video” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist   “City Council sends $970M Housing Levy to Seattle voters” by Josh Cohen from Crosscut   “WA renters need to earn twice the minimum wage to afford rent” by Heidi Groover from The Seattle Times   “Seattle Public Library Kicked Out of Trans Pride After Hosting Anti-LGBTQ+ Activist Kirk Cameron” by Erica C. Barnett from PubliCola   “Data shows Seattle area is becoming increasingly cashless” by Gene Balk from The Seattle Times   Saving Journalism, Saving Our Democracy – Town Hall Seattle   Find stories that Crystal is reading here   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 Tuesday topical show and our Friday week-in-review 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 our Tuesday topical show, I learned about North King County's innovative new Regional Crisis Response Agency with its inaugural Executive Director Brook Buettner and Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig. Following national guidelines and best practices for behavioral health crisis care, a five-city consortium established the RCR program in 2023 as part of a vision to provide their region with the recommended continuum of behavioral health care - which includes someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go. Today, we're continuing our Friday week-in-review shows where we review the news of the week with a co-host. Welcome back to the program, friend of the show and today's co-host: co-founder and general secretary of the Seattle Transit Riders Union, Katie Wilson. [00:01:35] Katie Wilson: Thank you, Crystal - great to be here. [00:01:37] Crystal Fincher: Great to have you here again, and just - I am such an admirer of the work that you and TRU do. Just wanted to start talking about - an updated public disclosure report cycle just happened, we're in the midst of a gubernatorial race that has started early. But there was a notable addition to these reports, or occurrence in these reports, and that was the reporting by Bob Ferguson of his surplus transfer. How did you see this? [00:02:10] Katie Wilson: Yeah so basically, Ferguson transferred - I believe it was - $1.2 million from surplus funds from previous campaigns to his current gubernatorial campaign. And it appears as just a big lump sum, so it's not clear who donated this money - what individuals or interests. And because of the timing of the new PDC interpretation of the law, this appears to be technically okay, but it does mean that it's very possible that you have people who contributed to that $1.2 million who are also contributing to his current campaign and therefore going over individual campaign contributions. So you could look at it as a big infusion of kind of dark money into this race if you wanted to. It appears to be technically legal but definitely of, I suppose, questionable ethics in a larger sense. [00:03:05] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, and it was really notable. I'd read the reporting looking at it, but when you're looking at a PDC report and you see basically more money undeclared, unassigned to - literally listed under miscellaneous there in the report - it does make you wonder who those people are. Especially since if you work in politics or affiliated with it, you know that it's because of an action by the attorney general - which lots of people agree with - that we can't currently advertise on Twitter or Facebook because they lacked the appropriate reporting requirements. Because that's so important - to see who is giving what - we have stronger disclosure requirements than some other areas. Certainly it's something we take seriously. And so it is interesting to see from the attorney general who did that, just a lot of dark money. This could be an interim reporting thing maybe, he could still report who those donations belong to. As you said, it could run afoul of some of the campaign contribution limits if there are people who gave both to that campaign that he's transferring from and to his current gubernatorial campaign, but it's really a conundrum. Our Public Disclosure Commission recently clarified that you can't make transfers above any campaign contribution limits, but the official notification or the official clarification didn't happen until after this transfer - although they did let everyone know that they were going to be making that rule change. And it was after that notification that this transfer was made. So no, it was probably dicey, a bit questionable - especially because of that, I would expect to see the donors disclosed. I hope to see the donors disclosed - I think it's an important thing that is unambiguously the spirit of the law, if not the letter. So we'll see how this continues. Are there any other notable races that you're paying attention to, notable reports that you saw? [00:05:09] Katie Wilson: Not so much on the PDC side - I think I didn't comb through it as closely as you did. But one more note on the Ferguson thing - I was just thinking, it just brought to mind - I think the reason, part of the reason why it's notable is just the size of the transfer of money, right? $1.2 million is actually quite a campaign fund. But also just, of course, that it is Bob Ferguson - many of us associate him with principles and things like that. [00:05:36] Crystal Fincher: In law and order. [00:05:37] Katie Wilson: Right - in law and order. And so it just makes me think about just the difference between the things that we say that we believe and then how we behave in our own lives. And you think of something like a new tax going into effect - and a wealthy person who supports a tax that is going to require them to pay more money, but then they shuffle things around before it goes into effect to avoid it affecting them as much. Human nature perhaps, but I think we can expect better of our elected leaders. [00:06:10] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. Speaking of expecting better from our elected leaders, I wanted to talk about what's happening in the City of Burien. We certainly have talked about this before, after King County Executive Constantine sent a letter that was - I don't know that it was unprecedented, but certainly not something that we see often. After Burien had twice enacted sweeps of homeless encampments - which as we know are advised against by public health authorities, don't have evidence showing that they are effective, usually people just end up moving to another place - that doesn't solve homelessness, it is actually destabilizing. And providing services and housing is what has had a track record of success that's much better than sweeps. But they kept doing it. And then they - and when I say they, I'm talking about a majority of four people on the Burien City Council – in 4-3 votes on the council, voted to move forward with that. And then because they were called out about a law that says if you're gonna sweep, you need to have shelter available - it makes no sense and is unconstitutional to say that someone can't be in a public space without somewhere else for them to go. When that happened, they said - Okay well, we'll try and just do an end run around the law, and we'll lease it to this dog park group - which is a front for people who are just going to use their lease and occupation of that land as a private entity to then trespass people off of that land, so a sweep by proxy. Which Dow Constantine, the King County Executive, saw and said - I can't have our sheriff's deputies participate in this - and those sheriff's deputies are the ones who are actually providing police services to the City of Burien - saying that this is unconstitutional, we can't be a part of it. But at the same time, offering help to get through the problem, offering $1 million, offering several pallet shelters - I think it's 100 pallet shelters - for people and space in order to put that. Which most cities, I think, would be jumping up and down, celebrating, saying - We need all the help we can get. [00:08:18] Katie Wilson: You would hope, but most cities - you think most cities in King County would be jumping up and down to start a sanctioned encampment in their city? [00:08:31] Crystal Fincher: I think many would. I think more would than you think. Now, that caveat comes with they may sweep in addition to that, I don't know that they would stop the sweeps. But I do think that most would take that money and identify places in the same way that they've identified places in these contentious meetings for shelters and different locations and the conversations that we have with that. Not that it wouldn't have any friction, but most cities have taken advantage of funds in this area. It is definitely more unusual to say - No thanks - to a million bucks, especially when the problem is chronic. They have swept three times now and the people just moved to another location - 'cause surprise, they have no other home to go to. And if there is no shelter, then what? So shelter has to be part of this. And hopefully we proceed beyond shelter and really talk about housing and helping transition people into that. So this is just a conundrum. But the escalation came when the City Council tried to censure a member of the Planning Commission and a City Councilmember who were actually trying to do the work of finding housing for people - accusing them of interfering. And it just seemed like a really ugly thing - that they felt like they were being called out, showed in their reaction to King County Executive Dow Constantine's letter. Just seems like taking offense to even being questioned about this tactic - again, that is against best practices - and feels like retribution, and really unconstitutional retribution. What's your view on this? [00:10:09] Katie Wilson: Yeah, this has been a really contentious public issue in Burien for a little while now. And I think that the bigger issue that we're dealing with here is the spread of the homelessness crisis. Of course, the homelessness crisis has been regional - not just in Seattle - for a long time, but I think that there's been an intensification over the last few years and especially coming out of the pandemic as rent increases, not just in Seattle, but in some cases even more so in other cities around the county have just shot up, right? So you've had double digit percentage rent increases in many, many cities around the county, including Burien. And so I think that that has led to, been a big factor in increasing numbers of unsheltered homeless people in Burien and other cities outside of Seattle, so that it's becoming a more visible and urgent public problem for them. And I think that there's a lot of kind of wishful thinking on the part of both some elected officials and a lot of people in Burien that this isn't really a Burien problem, right? Like maybe these people could just go to Seattle or something, right? So I think that there's a - and we saw this play out too in the fight in Burien about permanent supportive housing recently, right? So there's a reluctance to invest in things like shelter and services in the city, and a desire that the problem just goes away or goes somewhere else. So that's, I think, the bigger picture. And the specific grounds on which the councilmember, Cydney Moore, and the Commissioner Charles - and I'm forgetting his last name now - that this meeting was held, hearing was held last night to potentially remove Charles from the commission and to censure Cydney on the council was that they had - when these sweeps were happening - they had allegedly talked to campers and helped them to find somewhere else to camp. And so I think the idea was that it was improper for these public officials to basically tell people - Here. You can camp here. - when it's technically illegal. And so this hearing took place last night and the outcome was that the - Charles was actually removed from the commission, something that the council had the power to do. And they did that by a 4-3 vote. And in the end, Cydney Moore was not censured. There was a proposal to postpone discussion indefinitely that passed, so that didn't happen. The council does not have the power to remove a fellow councilmember - that can only happen through an election. If they had had the power to remove her, would four of the councilmembers have voted to do so? We'll never know. But they decided not to censure her, knowing that she's going to still be on the council, at least through the elections. [00:13:06] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, and at least in elections - there are active elections going on here. We have two people who have been strong proponents of these sweeps, who have spoken against King County Executive Dow Constantine - two of them are running for election. One running for a King County Council seat - Sofia Aragon, running against Teresa Mosqueda. Another running for Burien City Council seat - Kevin Schilling, with two opponents there. And it was really interesting this week - there were endorsement meetings held in a variety of LDs - Burien is in both the 33rd and the 34th Legislative District. So hearing local Democratic organizations talk about this - and it is just confounding - 'cause there's such a misalignment between what you hear coming from the legislative districts and the Democratic base in these areas in the city, and some of the elected officials. So there seemed to be a strong repudiation - certainly a decline to endorse Kevin Schilling again, same with Sofia Aragon. And so it just seems like there are signals coming from people that this is not the right solution. And even if people don't know what to do about the problem and are - I see this as a problem, I'm not sure what to do. It feels like everybody is going - But why would you pass up some help and maybe a path forward? Why would you pass up a million dollars? And talking about passing up - that this offer was made earlier this month, late last month - and they haven't even taken it up, considered it. We still have people living outside. And they had this special meeting to consider kicking this planning commissioner off of the Planning Commission, censuring this councilmember - yet, they're still not even taking time to discuss this offer. Focusing on solutions, getting to work - no matter what your viewpoint is or what you're working on - seems like that would be what would satisfy most people, at least make some progress moving forward on whatever it is that they're going to decide to do. But it seems like they're doing nothing and refusing any offers of help, both financially and otherwise. So many times it's the - Well, how are you gonna pay for it? Someone else is willing to pay for it. The hardest part of this is already taken care of. So I hope that they do take action to move soon. We have seen already some repercussions from this council action and seeing several people from some Burien commissions have resigned - one from an Airport Commission. In fact, not only an airport commissioner, but several members of the Planning Commission are resigning from their seats. And a statement that is released - was just released here while we're recording - the statement says, "We, the undersigned, are resigning from the Burien Planning Commission effective immediately. We've lost confidence in our city council's ability to lead. Over the past several months, it has become clear to us that there is a majority on the council, specifically, Mayor Aragon, Deputy Mayor Schilling, and Councilmembers Matta and Mora, who are unwilling to discuss issues of affordable housing, homelessness, and poverty in Burien. Instead, they have spent valuable time and resources seeking someone to blame for their lack of action and the missteps of the new city manager. Planning Commission Chair Charles Schaefer fulfilled their need for a scapegoat, and they removed him from his position last night while still refusing to take action to address the homelessness crisis that impacts Burien as much as any other city in our region, state, or county, or country. In addition to being unproductive, this action raises significant concerns for us all about our own constitutional rights as individuals serving our city." So we will continue to pay attention to what is happening here, and see what happens. Also want to cover this week - Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell - I don't know if he meant to say this or what, but announced his "War on Health" this week. What happened here? [00:17:17] Katie Wilson: Okay, what a situation. So I think - I guess the idea is that - we all hate the War on Drugs, so we're gonna go for a War on Health instead. Yeah, bad marketing. So the background of course is the City Council vote recently on basically copying the new state drug law into Seattle's code so that the City Attorney Office can prosecute drug possession and public use in Seattle. And that vote ended up failing due to a last minute switch by Councilmember Lewis. And Lewis subsequently said that he would vote for it, but only if there was a process to stand up some new alternative to replace the community courts that City Attorney Ann Davison had unceremoniously dissolved. And so this announcement by Bruce Harrell was of a task force - I'm now forgetting the name of the task force, Crystal, maybe you can help me out - and so the idea is that this very diverse task force, people coming from many different perspectives are gonna come together and they're gonna figure out the solution. We're gonna have more diversion programs, we're gonna have ways for people to avoid just spending a long time in jail for drug possession or public use. And then Seattle is going to pass this law at least partially recriminalizing drugs. And then, everything's gonna be great. So that's the Harrell version of what happened. [00:19:03] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, and it's interesting. And it was the Fentanyl Systems Work Group - a subset of the Fentanyl Systems Work Group that was originally put together as part of an effort to revitalize downtown - so now there's a shift, in a subgroup made of that. It was noted that - he said that we need to take a public health approach. There are no public health representatives on this large and broad task force, but it just - if you know me, we've probably had this conversation, but - at some point in time, we have to stop trying to task force our way around problems. We've known of this crisis for quite some time. We've had staff dedicated to figuring out what to do with this crisis. This is a big problem. I don't think that the issue is that people don't know what the problem is, or what the options are on the table - we've been discussing this as a community for quite some time. It really is just - what are you going to do about it? And of course, no one is going to be - everyone is not going to be happy with whatever decision is made, but there needs to be action taken. Hopefully that action is aligned with best practices and what we have seen work elsewhere. But it seems like this is a half-baked response and kind of a flat-footed response to the council declining to do what they were doing there. But even if they would have passed that - that doesn't take care of the crisis. We're talking about criminalization here. We're not talking about the things that actually get people out of addiction, that gets fentanyl off of our streets, that does address public use - which is a problem and needs to be taken care of. I think a lot of people's frustration is just - why do we keep spending time and money either doing nothing, or doing things that have already failed? It would be great if we could spend time and money on things that have a shot at working and have shown that they have worked elsewhere. [00:20:59] Katie Wilson: Yeah, totally. And a couple of things that jumped out at me, reading some of the coverage of this - I thought Marcus Harrison Green had a good op-ed in the Seattle Times about it. And one of the things that he pointed out is that many people start using after they become homeless, right? And so in that context, throwing someone in jail - which is incredibly expensive, even if you do it compassionately, as Harrell has promised compassionate arrests or whatever - and then eventually they're back out on the street where they're more likely to overdose is a really bad idea. And I think that Erica Barnett, in a lot of her coverage of this and related ideas, points out repeatedly that the idea that jail is gonna be just this nice kind of sobering up period, and then you're gonna come out and be much more likely to get treatment and services is really wishful thinking. And in one of the pieces on PubliCola about this, Lisa Daugaard points out that the really critical issue is actually finding funds for recovery services for people with substance use disorder, especially people who are homeless. And that's really, I think, the elephant in the room in terms of what we're not talking about when we're creating this task force to come up with policies and everything. It's just not being willing to reckon with the scale of the resources that are gonna be needed to actually provide the housing and give people the services that they need. And this is something that I think - not to say that that's not gonna be talked about, I'm sure it will be talked about - and it will be talked about in the fall budget process this fall. And that just really makes me nervous - because as someone who's on the City Revenue Stabilization Work Group that's thinking about how the City should deal with an impending general fund shortfall, there's not gonna be a lot of money sloshing around that is just waiting to be allocated to things like this. So I think there's gonna be some really challenging conversations coming up about how we fund these extremely underfunded needs. [00:22:59] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. I also wanna talk this week about a number of candidate forums that were held in the City of Seattle from organizations focused on mobility and disability throughout the community - a large coalition of those. And so there were council forums held in several districts. I moderated one of them, another one ended up being canceled - it was a District 4 forum - in honor of the strike at the University of Washington. Any takeaways that you had from these forums with Seattle City Council candidates? [00:23:35] Katie Wilson: Yeah, and by the way, side note - congratulations to UAW 4121 - I believe they've settled their strike as of yesterday. So that's awesome. But yes, so there was going to be a District 4 candidate forum and that's been - hopefully will still happen at some point, but was canceled in solidarity with the strike. But over the last couple of weeks, a large coalition of organizations - including the Transit Riders Union and other groups that work on transportation, climate, and disability issues - hosted forums in the three other open seats, so District 1, District 3 and District 5. And you can watch all of them - so they were recorded, I think The Urbanist might've run articles with links, they're on YouTube. And full disclosure - I did not attend all three forums, I have listened to a lot of it - but my overall impressions were hopeful, but also cynical. So I think a lot of the candidates in all of these races gave a lot of really good answers, made commitments, said that they support much greater investments in multimodal infrastructure. They understand that over 60%, or 66%, of Seattle's carbon emissions come from transportation. They need to really do mode shift - give people realistic options that aren't driving. They support one of our, TRU's issues - trying to get Seattle to pass legislation to require large employers to pay for transit passes for their workers - something that we were working on before the pandemic and was interrupted, but we would love to see happen at some point soon. So lots of good answers. I think the challenge that I see is that when I think about, for example, our current City Council and the kind of answers that they would give to those same questions at a candidate forum, I think a majority, probably a super majority would also give great answers to those questions. And one of the things that we've experienced over the years working with allies to try to get Seattle to do better on these transportation issues is just how short the good intentions and commitments fall in practice often. So for example, it's one thing to say that you support building sidewalks in all the places in cities that don't have them. How are you gonna come up with the astronomical funds that are required to do that? It's one thing to say that you support a connected network of bus lanes and bike lanes throughout the city. How are you gonna behave when there's big political conflicts because you're trying to take space away from cars? And another thing that we've experienced is that even when we have a council that is pretty good on these issues - if we don't have an executive who's right there with them and going to cooperate on implementation, the council can even pass things, like dedicate money for multimodal investments. And then those things don't happen because the mayor doesn't actually support them. And so the money doesn't actually get spent on those projects and things just get delayed and delayed and delayed out of existence. So that's the caution, but we'll see. I think I don't have very much of a sense in a lot of these council races of where exactly things will land after the primary, but I'm hopeful that we'll get some councilmembers in there who care about these issues and will at least make a good effort to move forward. [00:27:08] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, absolutely. I definitely share the takeaways that you have. I also found it notable - one, on a number of the questions - yeah, the answers were more agreeable than initially thought, even specific answers. I also think - and heard it from them directly - they were surprised at hearing figures like 40% of residents of Seattle use non-car modes of transportation, yet only 4% of the SDOT budget is dedicated to those modes - and just that big contrast there. And they were very unaware of that contrast. I think there's a lot of people who, because of the way that media coverage has been over really the past decade plus, that more money and resources are dedicated to this than actually are - and really seeing how little comparatively is budgeted for people in cars versus everyone else doing everything that's not in cars is really stark, and they seemed very surprised by that. And I hope that helps to frame just why we're in the situation we're in, and why we have so far to go, and the urgency is so strong right now. So hopefully we do get some good policy wins out of this, ultimately, when these races shake out. Also want to talk about the Housing Levy being approved. What did the City Council do this week? [00:28:38] Katie Wilson: Yeah, so the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to send a $970 million Housing Levy to the November ballot for voters to vote on. This is a seven-year property tax levy, so that $970 million is spread over those seven years. And this would be used to construct and operate new affordable housing. It would be used to subsidize affordable home ownership. It would be used to raise wages for workers in the supportive housing and services sector. There's a big chunk for rental assistance, some other things. And it's a significantly larger levy than the one that is expiring - I believe it's like over three times bigger than the previous one. And of course that is, I think, probably an appropriate response to the scale of our housing prices. I guess what I would say is that it's tough - because we're chasing the private market. So as rents in the private market and housing costs, home prices in the private market just shoot up and up, it becomes more and more expensive - more and more people on the lower end cannot afford to rent, let alone buy in our region. And so then that demands more and more public resources to create housing that they can afford. And to me that - so it's tough because you look at the Housing Levy that's just expiring and it was very successful, right? It actually created more housing than it had been projected to. And then in addition, we have other funds that are going into building affordable housing, like the JumpStart big business tax - a big chunk of that is going to fund affordable housing and that's been incredibly successful. You look at the list of projects around the City that have benefited from money from JumpStart and it's a long list. And so this funding that we're putting into affordable housing is really a success story, but you look around and you don't see that reflected in general kind of feeling of - this city is becoming more affordable. And that's really just because we have - so much of the housing is still stuck in this kind of dysfunctional private housing market that is just going up and up and up. So yeah, that's what's happened. [00:31:02] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, definitely. And your point about - progress is absolutely being made, that's just a factual statement - but we still have the conditions that are creating this problem. And it's like you have to plug the leak in the boat if you're going to successfully bail it out, and we haven't adequately plugged those leaks. The wages required - there was an article about this this week - the wages required to just afford rental housing, let alone a home, are astronomical. What were your takeaways from that article and how does that contribute to this problem? [00:31:39] Katie Wilson: Yeah, totally. And that's the annual Out of Reach report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition - so every year they come out with a big report about every state in the country, every county in the country that kind of looks at what is the wage that a full-time worker would need to make in order to afford housing in that region. And basically what the report showed is that here in Washington, in the state - not just in King County - a Washington renter needs to earn $30.33 an hour to afford the typical one-bedroom apartment in the state without spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs. And then in the Seattle area, that's even higher. So a renter would need to make $40 an hour, over $40 an hour to afford that market rate, standard one-bedroom apartment. And these are significantly higher numbers than last year's report - I believe it said they're about 20% higher than last year. And so what that tells us is that even though - luckily, here in Washington state and in the cities in King County that have established higher minimum wages, those wages are indexed to inflation - so we do get an annual inflation adjustment upward. That adjustment is not sufficient to make up for the rising cost of rents in our region so that lower-wage workers are definitely falling behind. And that $40 an hour figure is really interesting because it basically means - you look at the wages in Seattle, SeaTac, and now Tukwila, which starting on July 1 is going to have a minimum wage of $18.99 for most workers - those are getting up toward $20 an hour. But looking at this, it's like you would actually need two adults working full-time at those higher minimum wages to, with any comfort, afford a one-bedroom apartment in King County. So it really just shows how even as there are these efforts going on - this year, ballot initiative in Renton and work that TRU is doing with allies in Burien and unincorporated King County to try to get more jurisdictions to raise minimum wages - we're trying to get them to raise up to around $20 an hour, right? $19 or $20 an hour. And that's great, but man, it still doesn't mean that you're going to be able to afford housing easily. So yeah, it's a problem. And I think like this and thinking about the Housing Levy and just how far we have to go to make this region affordable, I think it really also underscores the need for social housing and how important it is that the City does a good job of following through on Initiative 135 and getting that started, so that we can start expanding the non-market housing sector - serving not just the very lowest income levels, but people even of all income levels - because really only taking housing out of the private market, ultimately, is going to fix this problem. [00:34:41] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. And a reminder that there is an option for taking some housing out of the private market in the City of Seattle with the - Seattle's public developer that has been established. And as we talk about these City Council elections coming up, really making sure that there are plans that these candidates have to fund this developer and to pursue this is going to be very important. Also this week, we saw an announcement from Trans Pride that they are no longer welcoming the Seattle Public Library at their event. What happened here? [00:35:16] Katie Wilson: Yeah. Trans Pride basically announced that Seattle Public Library is not welcome at their event due to a number of issues, but I think the most recent one - and maybe the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak - was the library's allowing Kirk Cameron to host a talk in a library auditorium. I believe this was last month. Kirk Cameron being a former child TV person - I never saw him, I don't remember who he was - but who is now an anti-LGBTQ+ activist and has written children's books about the dangers of Pride. And so the library, as a public institution, says that it has legal obligations to not engage in viewpoint discrimination and has to allow any group or individual to rent its meeting spaces. And Trans Pride has responded by uninviting the Seattle Public Library from participation in the upcoming event. [00:36:24] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. And this to me is a situation where - yes, the library is correct that because of First Amendment issues, they do have to accept facility rentals from there. But Trans Pride also absolutely has the right to determine who is and isn't welcome at their event, and especially in today's environment where safety is of paramount concern. Yeah, I think in this situation, both parties have the right to do what they do. I've seen some reaction in going - questioning whether Trans Pride can even do this. They absolutely can. This is what consequences are. And while it does appear that the Seattle Public Library, and most public libraries, do have to rent to their facilities to people for events and they can't choose who does and doesn't get to do that - it is unambiguously clear that Kirk Cameron is espousing harmful and dangerous rhetoric that's false, and it winds up endangering our trans community. And yeah, absolutely, they're not going to be welcome at an event where their institution can participate in making Trans Pride and the people in our community less safe. It's pretty straightforward. You have no right to participate in everybody's events - if they don't feel comfortable with you there, then that's that. So to me, this is just the library made its decision that it felt that it had to make, and Trans Pride made their decision that they felt that they had to make - and that's just that. [00:38:03] Katie Wilson: Yes, and PubliCola has done a lot of good coverage of this issue, so go there to read more. [00:38:09] Crystal Fincher: We will, of course, be linking that article in the show notes. Also wanted to talk about an upcoming vote this week with the King County Council about whether to mandate that stores in the county, or at least in unincorporated King County, continue to take all forms of payment, including cash. Why is this such an issue? [00:38:29] Katie Wilson: Yeah, so article in this week's Seattle Times from Gene Balk talking about how cashless payment and refusing to accept cash is becoming a more and more common thing in the Seattle area. And this is timely because there is actually legislation before the King County Council, championed by King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, that would require businesses - most businesses in unincorporated areas of the county, which is the jurisdiction that the King County Council has jurisdiction over - would require them to accept cash as a form of payment. This is something that I don't believe any jurisdiction in Washington state has done yet, but it's not unusual in other parts of the country. So New York City, San Francisco - there's a bunch of cities. And even a couple of states - I think the entire state of New Jersey, there might be a couple more - have passed legislation that requires businesses to accept cash payment. And obviously for a lot of us, we just walk around with a card and that's fine and it works for us. But especially seniors, immigrants and refugees, people with privacy concerns - either from experience with or fear of identity theft, domestic violence survivors, houseless people - there's demographics that are much more likely to rely on cash for most or all daily transactions. And if you're in one of those - in that situation - then if you have more and more businesses not accepting cash payment, then you get effectively locked out of the local economy. And so this legislation is coming to the full King County Council next Tuesday for a vote. It's not guaranteed to pass - so I think that there's definitely some reluctance on the part of some of the King County Councilmembers to vote on this. So if you think this is important, now's a good time to email in to your King County Councilmembers and maybe consider testifying next Tuesday. But yeah, I think unincorporated King County has a chance here to set an example for other jurisdictions in the area. [00:40:44] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. And that great reminder to make your opinion known to your city council - County Councilmember - if you can. I was just in Santa Monica, California a couple weeks back, and they had businesses that had signs in their shops that they don't accept cash. This is a thing that can happen in this area. And it does seem to be a reaction to not wanting "those" people around. And there are lots of reasons why someone may prefer to use cash over other means, or may have to use cash over other means - and discriminating based on the type of payment just doesn't seem wise or prudent. And especially as we see so many forces working on excluding people from so many other places in society, we certainly don't need to contribute to the acceleration of that. So I also want to talk about an event taking place next Wednesday. What's happening? [00:41:47] Katie Wilson: Yes. So next Wednesday, 730 PM, at Town Hall Seattle, there is a forum that is co-sponsored by South Seattle Emerald and Real Change called Saving Journalism, Saving Our Democracy. And this is going to be a conversation about the challenges that news outlets, especially local news outlets, are facing these days keeping the lights on and providing adequate coverage of local issues. And the panelists include Jelani Cobb, who is the Dean of the Columbia School of Journalism, and Michael McPhearson, who is the Editor of the South Seattle Emerald, Florangela Davila, who is a journalist who's worked at a bunch of different outlets, and Frank Blethen, who, of course, is the publisher of The Seattle Times. And the moderator is going to be Delores Irwin, co-chair of the League of Women Voters of Washington, which actually - earlier this year - put out a really great study called The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy, which charts the struggles that newspapers, in particular, in Washington state have faced over the last decades and kind of the dwindling news coverage in a lot of areas of the state, creating news deserts. So I think it's going to be a fascinating conversation. And I happen to know that there will be some potentially actionable policy proposals that will be discussed that could turn into interesting campaigns in this area in the near future. So I definitely encourage people to attend the event, get involved in the conversation. [00:43:39] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. And I am a big fan and supporter of both Michael McPhearson and Florangela Davila - we are fortunate to have them both in our local media ecosphere. And certainly, this is part of a broader national conversation. But looking forward to see what's discussed. It's critical to our democracy, it's critical to just our everyday lives - the quality of representation and policy that we see - and how people and organizations and institutions are held accountable. So it makes a big difference - I hope people definitely tune in and attend - we will put a link to that in the show notes also. And with that, I thank you all for listening to Hacks & Wonks on this Friday, June 16, 2023. The producer of Hacks & Wonks is Shannon Cheng. Our insightful co-host today is co-founder and general secretary of the Seattle Transit Riders Union, Katie Wilson. You can find Katie on Twitter @WilsonKatieB. You can find Seattle Transit Riders Union on Twitter @SeattleTRU. You can follow Hacks & Wonks on Twitter @HacksWonks. And you can catch Hacks & Wonks wherever you get your podcasts - just type "Hacks and Wonks" into the search bar. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get the full versions of our Friday week-in-review show and our Tuesday topical show delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, please 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 episode notes. Thanks for tuning in - talk to you next time.

This week Alex gives a deposition on attending Kirk Cameron's Christian Storytime Hour at the Seattle Public Library, learning about diverse, pluralistic utopian anthropomorphic (capitalist?) animal societies with free housing, communal parenting, and varying types of intelligences Also: more Target derangement including an epic dis track about washing the the aisles with the blood of christ and Newsmax commenters share their extremely proportional responses to the "Transget" pride collection. Get the full episode and hundreds more by signing up for $5/month at http://patreon.com/miniondeathcult  

Nancy Pearl is an American librarian, best-selling author, literary critic, and the former executive of the Washington Center for the Book at Seattle Public Library. She is known for her work promoting reading and libraries, and is the inspiration behind the popular "Librarian Action Figure". You will learn: 1. How Nancy Pearl, a retired librarian, used her childhood library to pursue a career in librarianship and how she has gone on to make an impact on the profession.  2. The story of how Nancy Pearl became the model for the first librarian action figure.  3. The benefits of listening to audiobooks and how they can enhance the reading experience. Nancy was a wonderful guest and if you are a fan of books you cannot miss this episode. Great stories of a life filled with reading and storytelling. Connect With Us