Podcasts about Seattle Public Schools

475: Amidst a good-yet-odd start to the year, Ryan covers some updates from Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Teachers' Union, preparing for paternity leave, a teacher's unorthodox and innovative approach, and more! Patreon: patreon.com/classroombrew Email us: classroombrew@gmail.com  Instagram: instagram.com/classroombrew

Host Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Seattle Times editorial writer and columnist Claudia Rowe, co-host of Too Beautiful to Live podcast Andrew Walsh, and longtime KIRO radio host Dave Ross.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live coverage of the Seattle Public Schools press conference as Superintendent Ben Shuldiner gives an update on the potential strike. // A man convicted in a mass shooting in Seattle has been released after only 3 years. // A YouTuber set out to eat 10,000 calories per day during a cruise.

Washington's income tax repeal fight is escalating as Initiative 645 heads toward the November ballot and the Washington State Supreme Court considers a major challenge involving the ballot language voters will see. Former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is urging Washington voters to support Initiative 645 and repeal the state's new 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million. Herrera Beutler argues the so-called “millionaires tax” could eventually expand to more Washington taxpayers, while supporters of the tax argue it is necessary to make Washington's tax system less regressive. The Washington Supreme Court is also weighing the legal fight over the Public Investment Impact Disclosure, or PIID, that will accompany Initiative 645 on the November ballot. A five-justice panel considered Arthur West's challenge but continued the matter for additional consideration, potentially putting the issue before the full Washington Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Seattle Public Schools avoided a teacher strike at the last minute, allowing students to return to classrooms on schedule. But questions remain about what the district agreed to financially as Seattle Public Schools faces a major budget shortfall. And Seattle is facing a potential constitutional fight over its P-Patch community gardening program. Pacific Legal Foundation is challenging the city's policy of prioritizing certain racial groups for highly sought-after community garden plots and is pressing Seattle officials to change the policy. Washington in Focus Daily breaks down the latest Washington income tax news, Initiative 645, the Supreme Court ballot fight, Seattle Public Schools negotiations, Washington education spending, Seattle's P-Patch garden controversy and the latest political and government accountability news from across Washington state. #WashingtonState #WashingtonPolitics #IncomeTax #Initiative645 #WashingtonTaxes #Seattle #SeattleSchools #SeattleNews #WASupremeCourt #Taxpayer #WashingtonNews #Olympia #GovernmentAccountability #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seattle Public Schools could delay the start of classes as the Seattle teacher union and school district remain locked in contract negotiations, while another Washington public-sector union fight is escalating and an iconic Seattle restaurant is preparing to close its doors. Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association are negotiating ahead of the scheduled September 2 start of school, with approximately 50,000 Seattle students and their families facing the possibility of a teacher strike. Seattle Superintendent Ben Shuldiner says the district wants schools to open but is facing serious financial constraints as the union pushes for compensation, smaller class sizes, additional special education staffing and other contract changes. The labor fight isn't limited to Seattle schools. Tumwater schools also face a potential disruption involving paraeducators, with teachers indicating they will not cross a picket line if an agreement isn't reached. Meanwhile, thousands of Washington public employees recently participated in a statewide walkout as the Washington Federation of State Employees negotiates its next contract with Gov. Bob Ferguson's administration. WFSE represents approximately 52,000 state workers and is seeking higher compensation, affordable healthcare, expanded paid time off, staffing and workload changes, hazard pay, management accountability, training and tuition reimbursement. Washington GOP Chairman Jim Walsh is also raising questions about transparency and taxpayer representation in the state's public employee collective bargaining process. Walsh argues negotiations between the governor and state employee unions should be more transparent and has suggested changing how Washington negotiates public-sector labor contracts. And another longtime Seattle business is closing. Luigi's Italian Eatery in Seattle's Pioneer Square is preparing to shut its doors after decades of serving the city. Owner Angela Williams cited soaring rent, rising wages, taxes, construction disruptions and Seattle's increasingly difficult environment for small businesses as factors behind the closure. The shutdown adds to concerns about Seattle's downtown and Pioneer Square economy as longtime businesses struggle with operating costs, taxes, wages, construction and public safety concerns. In this episode of Washington in Focus Daily, we break down the Seattle teacher strike threat, Tumwater school negotiations, Washington state employee contract fight, public-sector union transparency debate and another iconic Seattle business closure. Subscribe for continuing coverage of Seattle Public Schools, Washington teacher strikes, WFSE, Gov. Bob Ferguson, Washington state government, Seattle businesses, taxes, government spending, labor unions and the Washington economy. #Seattle #WashingtonState #SeattleSchools #TeacherStrike #SeattleTeachers #WFSE #LaborUnion #SeattleBusiness #PioneerSquare #WashingtonPolitics #BobFerguson #SmallBusiness #WashingtonEconomy #SeattleNews #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seattle Public Schools and its teachers are still negotiating a new contract days before school starts, Amazon has laid off more Seattle-area workers, and a scene from a weekend gathering in memory of Dolly Parton. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Vaughan Jones. 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 or on the KUOW App.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of Seattle Public Schools is calling out the teachers' union for voting to strike. Seattle Times lies about initiative to restore parental rights. Associated Press introduces a new awards category for trans propaganda. Seattle mayor survives recall effort.

Washington state is facing growing labor unrest as thousands of public employees walk off the job and Seattle teachers move closer to a potential strike that could disrupt the start of school for roughly 50,000 students. Thousands of Washington public employees represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees participated in the "Walkout for Washington" at more than 100 worksites across the state as contract negotiations continue with Gov. Bob Ferguson and the Office of Financial Management. The union, which is negotiating a contract covering roughly 52,000 taxpayer-funded workers, is seeking pay increases, affordable healthcare, expanded paid time off, compensatory time and cash-out provisions, management accountability, staffing changes, training, continuing education, tuition reimbursement and hazard pay. The labor fight comes as Washington faces significant budget pressures heading into 2027, creating new questions about state employee compensation, government spending and whether taxpayers could ultimately face additional costs. Meanwhile, Seattle Public Schools is approaching its own critical labor deadline. Seattle teachers and other education professionals could strike as the district prepares to begin classes for approximately 50,000 students. Seattle Public Schools is proposing guaranteed salary increases of 2.6% for 2026-27, 3.6% for 2027-28 and 2.6% for 2028-29—nearly 9% over three years. Those increases would come in addition to annual salary-step increases averaging roughly 4%. But labor disputes aren't the only major story facing Washington. The death of a 1-year-old Seattle boy is renewing scrutiny of Washington's child welfare system and the Keeping Families Together Act. The state had previous contact with the family, and critics are questioning whether Washington's restrictions on removing children from homes involving parental substance abuse are putting vulnerable children at risk. We Heart Seattle's Tim Emerson, who witnessed the aftermath of the child's death, and Keeping Kids Safe President Tracy Jefferson discuss the tragedy and their concerns about Washington's approach to children living in drug-affected homes. Plus, the Washington State Supreme Court is preparing to consider another challenge involving Initiative 645 and the Public Investment Impact Disclosure statement accompanying the effort to repeal Washington's new income tax. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for the latest on the Washington state worker walkout, Seattle teacher strike negotiations, Seattle Public Schools, Washington's child welfare system, the Keeping Families Together Act, Initiative 645, Washington's income tax repeal and the latest political and government news from Olympia. #WashingtonState #WashingtonPolitics #Seattle #SeattleSchools #TeachersStrike #LaborUnion #StateWorkers #BobFerguson #PublicEmployees #ChildWelfare #SeattleNews #Initiative645 #IncomeTax #Olympia #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seattle Public Schools could be headed toward a teacher strike just days before the new school year begins. The Seattle Education Association says 91% of voting members authorized a strike if an agreement isn't reached by September 1, potentially putting teachers on the picket line September 2. The union is seeking smaller class sizes, additional special education staffing and pay increases beyond inflation-based raises as the district confronts a major budget shortfall. Then, Washington's ongoing fight over the income tax repeal initiative takes another unusual turn. Government transparency advocate Arthur West is suing Washington GOP Chairman Jim Walsh and the state Republican Party for defamation after Walsh criticized West's handling of his legal challenge to the Public Investment Impact Disclosure accompanying Initiative 645. Adding another twist, the lawsuit is headed before the same judge Walsh has publicly criticized. Finally, a new Reason Foundation analysis raises fiscal warning signs for Washington state and several local governments. Seattle and Spokane were each flagged on multiple measures, while Washington state also registered concerns involving debt and its unrestricted financial position. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for the latest on Seattle schools, Washington's income tax fight, government spending, state politics and taxpayer issues. #Seattle #SeattleSchools #TeacherStrike #Washington #WAPolitics #WashingtonPolitics #IncomeTax #Initiative645 #ArthurWest #JimWalsh #SeattleBudget #Spokane #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feliks Banel's guests on this ENCORE PRESENTATION of a LIVE REMOTE BROADCAST of CASCADE OF HISTORY from the June 26, 2025 farewell event for Seattle High School Memorial Stadium include Clay Eals and Jean Sherrard of the Seattle Times' Seattle Now & Then; Northwest sports historian and collector David Eskenazi; and music historian Eric Magnuson. The beloved 1947 stadium, deemed unworthy of landmark status by the City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board, has since been demolished and a shiny new stadium is being built in its place. The original structure, designed by noted architect George Stoddard, was dedicated in 1947 to the memory of 800+ Seattle Public Schools alums who died in World War II. Apart from bidding farewell to the doomed (not "domed") stadium, discussion also included the then-recent passing of Bobby Sherman, who played Jeremy Bolt on "Here Come The Brides" - the 1969-1971 TV series set in 1860s Seattle, which also spawned the song, "(The Bluest Skies You've Ever Seen Are In) Seattle." Seattle High School Memorial Stadium CASCADE OF HISTORY Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/cascadeofhistory/sets/memorial-stadium-battle Links to more information about most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory This LIVE REMOTE broadcast of CASCADE OF HISTORY was originally presented at 4pm Pacific Standard Time on Thursday, June 26, 2025 via SPACE 101.1 FM and gallantly streaming live via space101fm.org from the rainy and nearly deserted parking lot in front of Seattle High School Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center. CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast most Sundays at 8pm Pacific Time from historic Magnuson Park - formerly Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.

Should the president of Seattle’s teachers union keep her position? That’s the question on the minds of many local teachers and parents. Last week, parents of a student of Ibijoke Idowu began the process of pursuing a civil lawsuit against the teacher and the district, claiming she had physically harmed their child. This follows a Seattle Public Schools investigation, released in June, which concluded that Idowu “more likely than not” grabbed the student hard enough to cause bruising. Idowu was elected to lead the Seattle Education Association while she was on leave pending the results of this probe. Idowu has denied allegations of misconduct. Guest: KUOW education reporter Noel Gasca Related stories: Demands for Seattle teacher’s union president to resign intensify amid student abuse allegations - KUOW Seattle teacher, union president, responds to report she ‘likely’ harmed student - Seattle Times Petition to initiate RECALL of SEA President Ibijoke Idowu-Holiday - change.org Petition support Idowu: Protect Devoted Educator from targeted harassment, intimidation & cultural bias! - change.org Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailA Nonprofit's equity strategy becomes meaningful when it changes how an organization budgets, hires, evaluates performance, develops policy, and serves its community. Bernardo J. Ruiz of Bridging International explains how to embed equity in nonprofit operations amid political pressure, funding risk, and organizational fatigue. This fresh conversation offers a clear operating principle: lasting equity requires leadership courage, adequate resources, assigned ownership, and measurable institutional change! Many nonprofits have issued statements, held training sessions, and hosted thoughtful conversations. But Bernardo warns that these efforts can fade when no one owns the implementation, funding disappears, or leadership treats equity as separate from everyday operations. “Equity must be baked into the walls of the organization,” he explains. That means incorporating it into strategic plans, policy development, job descriptions, compensation, performance management, program design, and leadership accountability. Without those operating structures, even well-intended initiatives can remain trapped in binders, websites, or annual presentations.Drawing from his experience with Seattle Public Schools, Bernardo describes how an equity policy was activated across 101 schools serving approximately 65,000 students. The system used televised board meetings, school-level conversations, internal equity teams, and recurring decision-making tools to keep the policy visible and connected to daily work. The discussion also examines how nonprofits can sustain their commitments when public language creates political or financial risk. Bernardo shares how some organizations have shifted from external messaging toward internal systems that address health disparities, access barriers, workplace culture, and service outcomes. Rather than measuring success by the number of conversations held, nonprofit leaders should ask what will be visibly different three to five years from now. “How is the organization going to change to better serve their people and the clients coming into their care?” Bernardo asks. Key Takeaways:• Equity must be incorporated into budgets, strategic plans, job descriptions, compensation, and performance systems.• Every initiative needs accountable owners with the authority and resources to implement it.• Training without structural change may produce temporary progress followed by organizational regression.• Seattle Public Schools activated its policy across 101 schools serving about 65,000 students.• Internal systems can continue advancing equitable outcomes even when public terminology creates funding risks.• Leaders should define the organizational outcomes they expect to see within three to five years.00:00:00 Equity That Moves Nonprofit Systems00:02:41 What Equity Actually Means00:06:04 Moving Beyond Statements and Training00:07:00 Embedding Equity Into Organizational Operations00:09:54 How Seattle Public Schools Activated Policy00:13:24 Why Targeted Strategies Can Benefit Everyone00:16:12 Why Nonprofit Equity Initiatives Fall Flat00:18:40 Responding to Political and Funding Pressure00:22:26 Measurable Change Versus Performative Campaigns00:24:20 Leadership, Budgeting, and Equity Fatigue00:28:05 Building Stronger Institutions From Within#DEIB #NonprofitEquity #TheNonprofitShowFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Seattle Public Schools proved eco-blocks work. It’s time to legalize them. Seattle area home prices finally drop as inventory hits a 14-year high. Actor Armie Hammer is outraged by the final cut of a “hateful” movie he stars in. // Local leaders are taking a victory lap for Seattle’s successes hosting the World Cup. // A new report is sounding the alarm bells for small businesses in Washington.

  Get the book, Cultivate and Activate: Building Teacher Capacity for Instructional Leadership Guest Host: Barbara Blackburn Barbara Blackburn, PhD is the author of more than 40 books and a full-time consultant who works with schools around the world to help raise the level of rigor and motivation for professional educators and students alike. Dr. Blackburn has been repeatedly named to the Top 30 Education Gurus and Top 10 Professional Development Programs by Global Gurus. See all of Dr. Blackburn's guest appearances on Principal Center Radio About The Guests: Keith Fickel & Justin Baeder Keith Fickel is a retired middle school and high school principal in the southwest Houston, Texas, area. His focus during his decade as principal was to ensure that high levels of student learning, achievement, and personal development occurred in every classroom, every day. He accomplished these aims through the intentional empowerment of teachers and staff to effectively lead not only their classrooms but the school as a whole. Keith prioritized building and maintaining a strong bond with the school community through trust during his principalship. He began his career in education in 1991, serving first as a classroom teacher and a band director for seventeen years, then as an assistant principal, associate principal, and campus principal during the second half of his career. His entire educational career was at the secondary level in both private and public school settings. Keith has facilitated or cofacilitated professional learning sessions at the district, regional, and state levels on a variety of topics. He is a member of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals and ASCD. In 2008, he was a campus Teacher of the Year, as well as a finalist for the Fort Bend ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year. In 2022, he was named the Fort Bend ISD Secondary Principal of the Year, and he had the honor of serving as the founding principal of the district's newest high school in 2023, prior to his retirement. Keith earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in music education from Texas Tech University, and he completed his principal certification through the University of Houston. He resides in Sugar Land, Texas, with his wife, Anne, who was also a music teacher. Together, they have an adult daughter who is also in education.   Justin Baeder, PhD, is director of the Principal Center, where he helps school and district administrators build capacity for instructional leadership. Driven by the belief that leaders belong in classrooms, he created the Instructional Leadership Association to help school leaders confidently get into classrooms every day, have feedback conversations that change teachers' practice, and discover their best opportunities for school improvement. The Instructional Leadership Association now has thousands of members in more than forty countries. Prior to starting the Principal Center, Justin served as a teacher, head teacher, and principal in Seattle Public Schools, finishing his ten-year career in Seattle as principal of Olympic View Elementary. He has contributed to School Administrator, Principal, Principal News, Principal Navigator, and Education Week. Justin presents regularly at state and national conferences, including ASCD, Learning Forward, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and has spoken at numerous in-person professional learning events in the United States, Canada, and El Salvador, as well as at countless virtual events. Justin holds a PhD in educational leadership and policy from the University of Washington, where he is a graduate of the Danforth Educational Leadership Program. He holds a master of education degree in curriculum and instruction from Seattle University and a bachelor's degree in science education from Harding University. He resides in Heber Springs, Arkansas, with his wife, Amy, and two daughters, Vivienne and Genevieve. To learn more about Justin's work, or to contact Justin, visit PrincipalCenter.com or follow @eduleadership on X. Episode Sponsor This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

Seattle Public Schools proved eco-blocks work. It’s time to legalize them. Seattle area home prices finally drop as inventory hits a 14-year high. Actor Armie Hammer is outraged by the final cut of a “hateful” movie he stars in. // Democrats continue to pressure Graham Platner to drop out of the Maine Senate race. // A new report is sounding the alarm bells for small businesses in Washington.

Federal judge sides with WA over Trump's vote-by-mail order, bargaining begins between Seattle Public Schools and teachers union, and The Walrus and the Carpenter and unionized staff reach a tentative agreement to end strike. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former NBA star Brandon Roy has been reinstated as head coach of Garfield High School's boys basketball team, following his clearance by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) of prior recruiting violation allegations. The WIAA's investigation, which concluded in May 2026, found all evidence to be unsubstantiated, paving the way for Roy's return to his alma mater. His reinstatement underscores a commitment to student well-being and addresses the complexities of high school athletics, with Seattle Public Schools acknowledging the need for improved support structures for coaches. Kiara Doyal, staff writer and head highschool sports writer for the Seattle Medium, shares more information. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

KCRHA is now claiming that the $8 million missing from the budget are actually outstanding reimbursements from the City of Seattle and King County. Layoffs and school closures loom as Seattle Public Schools deal with a massive budget deficit. The Seattle World Cup committee is honoring the black community on Friday’s Juneteenth match. // LongForm: GUEST: Former Seattle City Councilmember Sara Nelson who was an opponent of the payroll tax explains why businesses are flocking to Bellevue. // Quick Hit: Footage from Iran’s first World Cup match shows a fan’s Israeli flag being take from them while Palestinian flags were still flying.

GUEST: Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner // Tennessee is giving Starbucks $30 million // SCENARIOS!

Casey McNerthney with "Crime and Punishment" — local crime report // Ian Sherr on the legal battle between Elon Musk and Open AI // Patrick De Haan on the price of fuel // Charlie Commentary on a dire situation on Aurora Ave // Jill Schlesinger on the end of CBS Radio and economic advice for listeners // Gee Scott on high testing scores in Seattle Public Schools

Ben Shuldiner just hit 100 days in his role as the superintendent of Seattle Public Schools.... and he’s had to tackle some pretty big issues in that short window. Like a budget deficit, which could be as much as $100 million. And student safety, after two Rainier Beach High School students were shot and killed at a bus stop in January. And screen time in the classrooms (Shuldiner recently implemented a new cell phone policy limiting student screen time during the school day) Shuldiner sat down for a live interview to answer a whole bunch of questions from us here on Soundside and from our listeners. Guest: Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner Related links: Can new superintendent Shuldiner the burden of Seattle Public Schools? | KUOW 100 days for Seattle’s new superintendent. How is he doing? | The Seattle Times Seattle’s new superintendent takes aim at administrative bloat | The Seattle Times Why U.S. Test Scores Are in a ‘Generation-Long Decline’ | The New York Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just in time for summer, Seattle Public Schools started a new cell phone policy. The goal is to increase student focus. We’ll get into some new research about what school cell phone bans can actually change for students with Duke University Professor Jason Baron. Read the study results 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.

Weirdos at the perv park in Seattle got a small legal victory. Seattle Public Schools’ cell phone ban is now in effect. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger continues to show that her campaign as a moderate was a lie. // LongForm: GUEST: Jesse Proudman owns several startups in Seattle but says he's leaving the city due to the high cost of doing business. // Quick Hit: A bombshell Washington Free Beacon reporting finds race-based housing schemes in Multnomah County. Far-left Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib wants to protect the “right” to public camping.

Seattle Public Schools is set to implement a new district-wide cell phone policy next week, mandating that students keep their devices powered off and out of sight throughout the school day. The initiative aims to enhance student focus, minimize classroom distractions, and establish uniform expectations across all district campuses. The policy introduces more stringent regulations for younger students, while high schoolers will be permitted limited usage. Seattle Public School's Superintendent Ben Shuldiner shares more details about the new policy on this episode of the Rhythm & News Podcast. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Chris Sullivan with a Chokepoint: A look at the next big bridge project between Everett and Mukilteo // Luke Duecy with a Tech Talk: A deep look into the earnings report from big tech companies, and how AI investments factor in // Robert Sherman in Tel Aviv with an update on the war with Iran // Charlie Commentary on how Sound Transit can learn from San Francisco's transit agency // Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal on the state's education budget and falling test scores // James Lynch with the a feature on the oldest Washingtonian who just passed away this month // Gee Scott on a new cell phone ban in Seattle Public Schools

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: ⚔️ Progressive Democrats take on moderate incumbents

Erin Shafkind is an artist, writer, and educator living in Seattle, WA. Erin studied art and earned a BA and teaching certificate at California State University, Humboldt and received an MFA from Lesley University's College of Art and Design in Boston. Erin has been teaching art in Seattle Public Schools since 1998. These days Erin hand-builds and throws on the pottery wheel using stoneware and porcelain and occasionally works with earthenware clay bodies. Erin writes about art and artists for national magazines and local galleries. https://ThePottersCast.com/1218

Guys…high school was CRAZY.This week, we sit down with names you may know from Text Me Back outros of yore, Isolde Raftery and Ella Hushagen. That's right, Garfield Class of NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS UNITE! Woof woof Bulldogs! Ella and Isolde unpack even more of what the hell went on at Garfield High, and it's a true testament to their journalistic chops that they broke this story back in Y2K and are still looking for answers (still waiting on your comments Seattle Public Schools! Call Isolde back!!!!). You're going to want to go listen to all available eps ASAP because all this makes Lindy and Meagan make sense. Pleaaaase please go listen to Adults in the Room! It's sooooooo gooooood. We're getting involved with THAT. And tell us about YOUR insane time being a teenager in the Discord at Patreon.com/textmebackpod :)Trigger warning: We do not go into gratuitous or explicit detail about these awful topics, but as it is the premise of Adults in the Room we talk about suicide, sexual abuse, and grooming. You know…major themes of the ‘90s. NEVER LISTENED TO THE POD BEFORE? HERE IS YOUR STARTER KIT TO BEING BFFS WITH US!Meet Kevin in: Lindy and Meagan Need to Talk About KevinLearn why they keep saying BBW in Lindy and Meagan Are Officially BBWsDiscover the Kayak Dad Lore in: It's Our First Episode!WE NEED OUR ACCOLADES! It helps people find the show.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only please) on Spotify⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only please) on Apple PodcastsGive us Rave Reviews and Accolades on Apple Podcasts! REAL LIFE EXAMPLE:Keep on Swamping.This show always gets my serotonin flowing. I think you should keep going with Swamp Person, too! Meagan offers a great perspective on the current state of the country. It's not sugar coating, but it doesn't make me want to wander into the woods to be eaten by a cougar.KMARTINEZ328 **THIS REVIEW** IS OUR SEROTONIN AND WE WILL NOT LET YOU BE EATEN BY A COUGAR!!!!!!!!!STUFF TO CHECK OUT:Adults in the Room with our besties Ella and Isolde!!Learn more about Rick here!Pre-Order Lindy's book!!!! Adult BracesNEWSLETTER ME BACK (A FREE WAY TO SUPPORT THE SHOW!)Check out SWAMP PERSON Subscribe to Lindy's newsletter butt news!Check out our MERCH so we can make MORE merch!! (Patrons get a discount, so check us out at patreon.com/textmebackpod)Listen Ad-Free by joining our $12 Patreon tier Freakaconda!Subscribe to Lindy's newsletter butt news!Join our Discord! We're obsessed with these people.⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°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!You 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 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!⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°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.

The high school winter sports season is concluding, marking the commencement of playoffs in Seattle, where Metro League basketball is at the forefront. Tara Davis, the Director of Athletics for Seattle Public Schools, provides insights into Metro League sports on the Seattle Medium's Rhythm & News Podcast. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Today, Thursday, February 12 on Urban Forum Northwest:*Representative Jamila Taylor (D)-30 LD talks about her priorities that include investing in communities and economic development; expanding access to behavioral health care. Her legislation to create a Homeowner Covenant Program has assisted hundreds of first time home owners in Washington State.*Hayward Evans, Co Convener, Seattle King County Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee (MLKCC) comments on the organization's Black History event that will be held on February 21st at Holgate Street Church of Christ. *Dr. Beatrice Butler is Village Leader/President, Seattle Black Child Development Institute (BCDI) and she serves as the Racial Equity Advancement Specialist for Seattle Public Schools. She will receive the Dr. Maxine Mimms Education Excellence Award from the Seattle King County Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee (MLKCC) on Saturday, February 21 at the organization's Black History Month event at Holgate Street Church of Christ.*Gabriel Prawl, President, Seattle Chapter, A. Phillip Randolph Institute (API) invites you to the annual Charles Rolland African American Legislative Day Monday, February 16 10:00 am-3:30 pm in Olympia. The gathering will be held at the Capital Building in the Columbia Room.*Gwen Allen-Carston, Executive Director, Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC) is inviting Kent residents, including youth to join her to "Get on the Bus" to venture down to Olympia for African American Legislative Day. The bus will leave from Kent Meridian High School on Monday at 7:00 am. Call 253.486.9029 for information.*Randy Cross of the Royal Esquire Club comments on the activities that will be held at the club for the month. The big event will be their Valentines event that will be held on Valentines Day on Saturday, February14.Urban Forum Northwest streams live at www.1150kknw.com. Visit us at www.urbanforumnw.com for archived programs and relevant information.Like us on Facebook.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jason Smith and Mike Harmon tell you who they think will be the next Sam Darnold. Do the guys have an issue with the Seattle Public Schools remaining open during Seahawks' parade, with no excused absences?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Astros baseball is officially here and ITL checks the pulse on how everyone is feeling about Houston heading into the season before pivoting to the Rockets and debating whether the formula is actually simple — knock down threes and win — or if Ime Udoka may be overcomplicating things. Around The NFL covers headlines including Seattle Public Schools staying open during the Seahawks' championship parade and potential landing spots for David Njoku, while the crew asks which Texan not named C.J. Stroud must emerge as dominant next year — and whether that player is already on the roster. A new list of five NFL teams poised to make a big jump sparks debate as four are in the AFC, followed by Lunch-Time Confessions shenanigans and Judge John Lopez ruling on Kevin Durant's body language and Cooper Kupp's Hall of Fame case. The show wraps with early Astros predictions and Figgy's Mixtape bringing chaos with rising rose prices around the country, a man in England accused of murder upset about missing GTA 6, and more off-the-wall stories.

Around The NFL hits league headlines, including Seattle Public Schools remaining open during the Seahawks' championship parade and discussion about potential landing spots for David Njoku, along with other NFL storylines.

Around The NFL hits league headlines, including Seattle Public Schools remaining open during the Seahawks' championship parade and discussion about potential landing spots for David Njoku, along with other NFL storylines. ITL then turns its attention to Houston and asks the big question: which Texan not named C.J. Stroud must emerge as a dominant player next season — and is that player already on the roster? The hour wraps with What's Popping in the world of sports and entertainment.

Seattle Public Schools has a new Superintendent. Ben Shuldiner was the only finalist for the position, and the Seattle School Board unanimously approved his contract back in November. On Sunday he stepped into the role early after two teenagers, who are believed to be SPS students, were shot and killed at a bus stop in Rainier Valley. The shooting happened near both South Shore PK-8, and Rainier Beach High School. Soundside sat down with Shuldiner to get his response to the shooting, and to preview his priorities for leading the largest school district in Washington. Guest: Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner Related stories: 2 teen boys killed at bus stop on Rainier Avenue in Seattle - KUOW Seattle School Board names lone superintendent finalist, a district leader recruited from Michigan - KUOW No cops at Garfield High. Seattle School Board rejects plan to revive resource officer program - KUOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not even kids with learning disabilities are immune from indoctrination in Seattle Public Schools. The state admits it overstated climate benefits by 9,500%. Socialist mayors eye private property rights. The most cringeworthy thing to ever happen in Congress.

Looters are taking advantage of the floods in Snohomish County. The FBI in Los Angeles foiled a terrorist attack plotted by pro-Palestinian radicals for New Year’s Eve. Left-wing lunatic Jennifer Welch said that Charlie Kirk justified his own murder. // LongForm: GUEST: Arin is a Seattle Public Schools parent who says graduations coinciding with next summer's World Cup has created a lot of stress. // Quick Hit: Erika Kirk is meeting in private with Candace Owens.

Looters are taking advantage of the floods in Snohomish County. The FBI in Los Angeles foiled a terrorist attack plotted by pro-Palestinian radicals for New Year’s Eve. Left-wing lunatic Jennifer Welch said that Charlie Kirk justified his own murder. // LongForm: GUEST: Arin is a Seattle Public Schools parent who says graduations coinciding with next summer's World Cup has created a lot of stress. // Quick Hit: Erika Kirk is meeting in private with Candace Owens.

Seattle Public Schools leave parents scrambling as World Cup chaos collides with graduations. There’s reportedly new revelations about Donald Trump’s connection to Epstein, but there’s something the media isn’t telling you. Tim Walz continues to dig a deeper hole in his fraud scandal. // LongForm: GUEST: Chris Sullivan on a new smartphone app that could toll you. // Quick Hit: Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) is now saying he misspoke when he called the DC terrorist attack and accident.

An adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins School of Education and the former superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, Joseph Olchefske, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss weighted student funding, and how it can best be implemented to increase student achievement.

What's Trending: Travelers could run into some issues with some serious storms that could impact your Thanksgiving travel plans. Seattle Public Schools have proposed the idea of a district-wide cell phone policy for their students. GUEST: Chris Sullivan on this weekend’s biggest traffic challenges. // LongForm: GUEST: State Rep. Travis Couture responds to Trump’s AI executive order and how Democrats are running our budget into the toilet. The Quick Hit: Seattle City Council President Sarah Nelson is trying to restrict political consultants ability to help at Seattle City Hall  

In this first installment of our three-part series unpacking Left to Chance: Student Outcomes in Seattle Public Schools (2024), hosts Christie Robertson and Jasmine Pulido sit down with report author Vivian Van Gelder to trace thirty years of reform and turmoil inside Seattle Public Schools.The story begins in 1990 with the Cresap Audit, a state-commissioned report that deemed the district “nearly ungovernable,” and follows the arrival of Major General John Stanford, the charismatic outsider who redefined Seattle schools as a “market-based system.” Stanford's three-year tenure (1995-1998) transformed governance, funding, and labor relations—introducing open-choice enrollment, principal “CEOs,” and the 1997 trust agreement between the district and the Seattle Education Association (SEA).Drawing from Van Gelder's decade-long research and Left to Chance (Southeast Seattle Education Coalition), this episode examines how these reforms—rooted in neoliberal management theory, school-based decision-making, and business-style accountability—continue to shape Seattle Public Schools today.

Katie Wilson gains ground in the mayor's race, Seattle Public Schools has a new superintendent, and Seattle's pro women's hockey team gets a name! 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. 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.

After a monthslong search, the Seattle Public Schools district finally has a new superintendent. The Seattle School Board voted to name Ben Shuldiner as the lone finalist for the role. Shuldiner is currently the superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan. He’ll be the fourth superintendent in the last decade. Back in March, former superintendent Brent Jones announced he was planning to step down from the position … and would have left in September. Instead, he went on medical leave in May and since then the role has been filled by an interim superintendent. Shuldiner's appointment comes during a period of turmoil for the district, which has been facing a budget shortfall and grappling with issues around school safety. KUOW's Sami West tells us about her takeaways from her conversation with him this week. Guest: Sami West, KUOW reporter who has been following the ongoing search for a new superintendent at Seattle Public Schools. Related Stories: KUOW - Seattle School Board names lone superintendent finalist, a district leader recruited from Michigan KUOW - Seattle School Board moves 2 unnamed finalists forward in superintendent search KUOW - Seattle Public Schools to hunt for new leader as Superintendent Jones steps down Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes. Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeding thousands of kids every day is no easy task—but school nutrition professionals are up for the challenge! In this video, Chef Aaron Smith, Director of Culinary Services for Seattle Public Schools, shares his creative Peanut Butter Toast Bar concept: a fun, customizable option designed to keep students excited about school meals. He's joined by Angela Gomez, RDN, SNS, who specializes in making meals both nutritious and kid-approved. Angela also explains how schools can safely manage meal modifications and communicate clearly about peanut allergies. Together, they build peanut butter toast with a lineup of tasty toppings—bananas, blueberries, chocolate chips, and even bold choices like sriracha and marmalade—for kids who like to spice things up. Learn more and get the recipe at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/sweet-and-spicy-pbj

Vivian Song is running for Seattle School Board District 5, which covers Montlake to the Central District, Leschi to Eastlake, Capitol Hill, Madison Valley, and Madison Park. Her opponent is Janis White. This interview is part of our 2025 Seattle School Board Candidate series. Every Seattle voter will vote on four school board races in the general election: Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7.About Vivian SongFinance professional and advocate for childrenParent with kids in both Seattle Public Schools and private schoolPreviously served as Seattle School Board directorWorked directly with SPS's $1.2 billion operating budgetServed on Levy Oversight CommitteeMember of a unionKey PositionsFirst Priority:Bring back Finance committee and Friday memosAdd another school board meeting each monthOn Structural Deficit:Look at largest sources (bus transportation and substitutes)Spend money more efficiently while delivering better servicesOn School Board Role:Serving as community representatives has been missingDistrict needs to bring community along in decisionsLack of community involvement needs to be front and centerOn Superintendent Search:Need someone good at building a team who can identify their strengths and weaknessesShould set plan for first 100 days and a 10-year visionConcerned chief academic officer position hasn't been filledOn District Structure:Supports hybrid approach balancing centralized and school-based decision makingSchools should have flexibility in professional development, enrichment, and culturally relevant curriculumCentral office should ensure equity and set clear goals for student successOn When Goals Aren't Met:Board should take action, not merely accept progress monitoringAsk what work has been done to understand why strategies haven't workedEnsure principals participate in progress monitoring and receive dataOn Community Engagement:Board should demonstrate awareness and push superintendent to make a planTrack and communicate what topics are being heard from communityBe careful not to listen only to loudest voicesOther Positions:Budgeting needs to be equitable and student-centeredSees board role as accountable to votersEducational Leader She Admires: John StanfordExcited to Work With: Director Joe MizrahiImportant InfoBallots mailed: October 15th | Due: November 4thAlso listen to: Interviews with all District 2, 4, 5, and 7 candidates at rainydayrecess.orgVivian's campaign: songforseattleschools.comPodcast info: rainydayrecess.org | hello@rainydayrecess.orgSupport the showContact us at hello@rainydayrecess.org.Rainy Day Recess music by Lester Mayo, logo by Cheryl Jenrow.

Alaska Airlines is still reeling from last night's IT outage, wildfires continue to rage across the state, and Seattle Public Schools faces federal funding cuts. 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. 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.

The US House votes to rescind public radio money, Seattle Public Schools continue to look for a new superintendent, and Amazon carbon emissions rise. 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. 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… It’s our yearly tradition - Casual Pride-Day is back. We’ll talk about how Seattle’s queer community is celebrating pride this month, what the mood is under the Trump Administration, and the media picks to end your pride month with, from two of Seattle’s biggest movie buffs. Freelance Arts Reporter Jas Keimig and Film Curator-slash-Drag Queen Chase Burns (aka Uh Oh) are here to talk all things Pride. Weigh in on Seattle Public Schools’ new superintendent 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.

Gov. Ferguson urges Congress to protect Medicaid, student's family sues Seattle Public Schools over alleged antisemitism, and WA opens its first publicly funded EV charging station. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.