PODCAST · news
Soundside
by KUOW News and Information
Soundside leads the Puget Sound conversation with smart questions, lively debates, and direct access to the region's most influential voices. Timely, insightful, and unmistakably local, it's where the Pacific Northwest comes to dig into the news.
Episodes
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Renton is considering whether to keep Flock cameras. The clock is ticking.
In Renton, a heated fight over whether to keep Flock cameras mirrors the national angst people are feeling about surveillance, government, and big tech. These license plate readers are pitting law enforcement and public safety advocates against people concerned about immigration enforcement and...
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Close races in Northwest states show interesting fault lines in the electorate
Washington has two neighboring states with very close races on very issues that show interesting fault lines in the electorate. In deep blue Oregon, Democratic Governor Tina Kotek is in an extremely tight race with her Republican opponent, Christine Drazan. And in deep red Idaho, a proposition to...
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WA state Supreme Court races are usually sleepy affairs. Not this year.
Listeners, it's time to lock in on the races for the Washington Supreme Court. Why? Five out of nine seats are up for grabs, a rare number of seas. We’re expecting some pretty big rulings from the justices in the years to come. In the last two elections, five out of the six candidates for...
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The push, and pushback, to getting RVs off of Seattle's streets
Seattle could change the rules for parking RVs in the city. The councilmember pushing for this change is hoping it will eventually get them off the streets and people connected to housing. Yet critics worry this could create hardship for Seattleites who live in these vehicles. Plus: co-hosts…
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Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda on King County’s response to Medicaid cuts
Massive federal cuts to Medicaid are playing out here in King County. 4,000 lawfully present immigrants lost their coverage this month, and over 200,000 more could see their coverage affected soon. King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda joins Soundside to talk about the county’s response to...
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The debate over WA's millionaires tax
The fate of the high earners income tax, sometimes called the “Millionaire’s Tax," is in the hands of Washington voters. This year, Democrats in Olympia passed a nearly 10 percent tax on every dollar of household income over $1 million. Almost immediately after the legislature passed it, the tax...
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Are robot companions the future of elder care? Or a sign of the oncoming AI apocalypse?
There is a crisis in elder care worldwide. The population of people aged 65 and older is expected to nearly double by 2060 and many countries are facing serious questions about how to support such a huge increase in elderly community members. In America, nursing homes are both expensive and…
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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson talks homelessness policy, the budget, and public safety
Every month Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson sits down with Soundside to discuss the latest news and answer your questions. This month: the budget, public safety, and homelessness policy. Plus: Libby and David break down the latest on the Washington State Ferry cancellations Today on the show: Seattle...
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WA Senate Debate: Two Democrats vie to represent Seattle's northern suburbs
This election season, State Sen. Jesse Salomon is defending his seat against a challenger who believes he's not progressive enough, Rep. Cindy Ryu. Legislative District 32, which they both represent now, is a safe seat for Democrats. LD 32 includes Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood and…
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New school year, new fights over free speech at the UW
The University of Washington's Board of Regents almost voted on a change to the school's Student Conduct Code in early September, which led to a wave of pushback from students and faculty who read it as an effort to crackdown on certain kinds of protests. The school delayed that original vote and...
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Congressman Adam Smith answers your questions on Israel, AI, and more
Oddsmakers and election forecasters say Democrats are heavily favored to win back the House this November. If that does happen, Washington State Congressman Adam Smith is likely to chair the powerful House Armed Services Committee. There, he would take on some seriously thorny issues, such as the...
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The candidates running to represent Seattle's progressive 43rd Legislative District
This November, Sen. Jamie Pedersen will defend his seat in Seattle's 43rd Legislative District against a challenger who believes he's not progressive enough. Hannah Sabio-Howell, a labor activist and former legislative aide, is running to unseat Pedersen, who has represented the district for…
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Seattle city council candidates debate public safety, food deserts, and more
Two candidates are running to represent Seattle’s northern neighborhoods - from Greenwood to Bitterlake, and Crown Hill to Lake City. The outcome of this race has big implications for the political balance of City Hall and could prove to be the tipping point in continued debates over tax revenue,...
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Council President Hollingsworth on the budget, progressive policies, and mayor's homelessness goals
Budget deficits are an annual trend for post pandemic Seattle. The city is facing a projected $175 million dollar budget shortfall next year. To solve that, the city's socialist mayor has put forward no new taxes. She’s instead calling for cuts to many departments, while adding more police. Now…
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A broken window, the Central Library and a $6 billion city-wide problem
A broken window on the 9th floor of Seattle's Central Library symbolizes a six billion dollar problem. Much of the city’s infrastructure is aging. The animal shelter needs renovations, the Fire Department needs a new headquarters – the city even needs new maintenance yards. And competition for...
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AI, housing, and Aurora Ave N: A conversation with the candidates for WA State Legislative District 46 House Position 1
Washington’s 46th Legislative District covers the north end of the city of Seattle, from the northern City Limit at 145th down to NE 45th, and from Aurora Ave N out to Lake Washington. Gerry Pollet is a lawyer and environmental advocate who has represented the district in Olympia since 2012. He...
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The debate around Seattle's 'fair pricing' push for grocery shoppers
Seattle could soon ban "algorithmic-based price discrimination" for grocery shoppers. It's a move that city leaders are pushing in the name of affordability and privacy protection. In this episode, we'll talk to a City Councilmember who's trying to pass it, as well as an industry leader who has...
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Candidates vying to replace Newhouse talk immigration, trade, and data centers
The race to replace one of the last Trump-skeptical Republicans in Congress is in Central Washington. We'll take you to Washington's 4th Congressional District to hear from candidates vying to replace Dan Newhouse in the house. It's one of the safest Republican house seat in the state. But it...
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What’s in Mayor Wilson’s new gun violence plan?
This morning, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson released her new plan to reduce gun violence in the city. This comes after multiple high profile shootings this summer. What exactly is in this plan and why Wilson is bringing it forward now? Plus we’ll get a reaction from a leader in Seattle’s business...
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Spokane, after the fires
More than a month after wildfires engulfed the northwest corner of Spokane, how are residents recovering? And how can the state become more resilient in the face of wildfires… especially since these seasons are only expected to get longer and more severe in the coming years. Plus: Libby and David...
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The head of Seattle's public schools on A.I., student safety and recess
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner returns to Soundside to discuss the latest news and answer your questions. This time: union negotiations, A.I. in classrooms, student achievement — and live calls. Plus: David and guest host Scott Greenstone break down today’s top headlines.…
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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson on homelessness, CCTV cameras, and more
Every month Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson sits down with Soundside to discuss the latest news and answer your questions. This month: gun violence prevention, expanding the city's CCTV pilot program, and increasing shelter availability. Plus: Libby and David break down today’s top headlines. Today on...
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The City Hall Pit: Why a hole in downtown Seattle has persisted for more than 20 years
We dig into a giant hole in downtown real estate: the story behind why a full city block has remained undeveloped for more than 20 years. Plus: Libby and David break down today’s top headlines. Today on the show: Former Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess, Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin, and...
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Inside the race to fix bugs in Microsoft's software
New ProPublica reporting reveals how a new AI tool, made by Anthropic, is reportedly detecting software bugs faster than Microsoft can address them. And the clock to patch those vulnerabilities is ticking fast. Soundside talked with ProPublica tech reporter Renee Dudley about her reporting on…
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Soundside's Weekend Warmup - the one before we're off for a month!
Soundside is going on a working hiatus for the month of August, but we'll be back and better than ever the day after Labor Day... But until then, Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows has a bunch of events to keep you busy until we're back! LINKS: Seattle Mariners vs Tampa Bay CAPITOL HILL...
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El Niños can be a real headache, especially for WA's fishing industry
If you didn’t know, we are in the middle of an El Niño. Scientists say it has the potential to be one of the strongest in recent years. This is the weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean that periodically pushes warm water toward the West Coast. El Niños cause all kinds of problems, including...
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"Don't broadcast your notes, broadcast the game." Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs reflects on 41 years with the team
Long summer nights with the Mariners on the radio are a rite of passage in the Pacific Northwest. This weekend the team is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and whether you grew up with the M’s as a kid during the glory days of Ken Griffey Jr. in the Kingdome, just started following as the Big...
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Why some parents and teachers want the president of Seattle's teachers union to step down
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...
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'Small part of a far larger problem': Emergency department doctor on ghost guns
Police took a 15-year old into custody in connection to a mass shooting at the Seattle Center that left three dead and several others injured. Police later said that 15-year old had a “ghost gun." This refers to a type of firearm that’s often assembled at home and manufactured without a serial...
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What to do about that scourge of summer: odorous house ants
We are officially deep into a Pacific Northwest summer: we’ve already experienced wildfire smoke, 90 degree temperatures and for the unlucky amongst us, you may have also have seen small black ants crawling across your kitchen counters and floors. I’m talking about odorous house ants. So named...
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Washington clemency board members say Gov. Ferguson is sidelining their work
The Washington state Clemency and Pardons Board hears cases of people currently incarcerated and makes recommendations to the governor for commutations. These recommendations can allow someone to leave prison before their sentence is completed. In Washington state law, someone’s case would need…
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Front Page: Spokane wildfires, Seattle police chief resigns, man's death in a Federal Way hospital
Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the…
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The latest on the Spokane wildfires
17 large wildfires continue to burn across Washington state. In Spokane, three major fires sparked on Saturday, collectively burning over 8,000 acres and 700 structures. 67,000 people are under evacuation orders. KUOW reporter Paige Browning joined Soundside with the latest. Guest: KUOW reporter,...
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Washington’s Supreme Court could see big changes in 2026. Here are the candidates on your primary ballot
The future of Washington’s new “millionaires tax” is at stake this election season. And not JUST the ballot measure asking voters to weigh repealing the tax in November. The justices on the state Supreme Court will decide a separate legal challenge to that historic measure. In a highly unusual...
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WA blocked over 100,000 license plate searches from feds, but immigration raids and vehicle arrests are still rampant
Here’s a number for you: 108,170. That is the number of times immigration enforcement has attempted to look up a Washington license plate number and been denied since November of last year. That number comes from the state and it’s one that Governor Bob Ferguson has been touting, citing the value...
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Weekend Warmup: Seafair, Softball, and Spider-Man
As we do EVERY Thursday, Soundside has your list of all the best ways to decompress this weekend... LINKS: Cinema Therapy LIVE! THE PRINCESS BRIDE ECSFF - Short Film Festival Michael Mann's Manhunter: The Final Cut Lake City Summer Festival & Parade Kite Festival | Pierce County, WA Seattle…
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How juvenile court handles cases when kids are accused of serious offenses
Police have one 15-year-old suspect in custody in connection to the mass shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday. Earlier this week, a King County Superior Court Judge found probable cause for three counts of first-degree assault and a single count of second-degree illegal possession of a firearm.…
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The Seattle Center shooting, from the perspective of a father who lost his son to gun violence
People in Seattle are still processing a mass shooting on Sunday that left three dead. It happened on the final day of the Bite of Seattle, a lively food festival that draws thousands of attendees every year. A day after the shooting, Arron Murphy-Paine helped organize a vigil at the Seattle...
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" Easier for a kid to get a gun than a summer job": 2 violence intervention experts on the Seattle Center shooting
More information is still emerging about the Seattle Center shooting. For now, we know that police have said they believe at least two people participated in the shooting. Police have one suspect in custody, who is just 15 years old. Police have also claimed the shooting could be gang-related.…
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Mayor and Police Chief share more information about Bite of Seattle shooting
We’re continuing our coverage of Sunday’s shooting at Seattle Center, where three people were killed and several more wounded. A 15 year old suspect is in custody. Police say they believe a 19 year old who is one of the deceased was also involved in the shooting. Seattle's mayor, and chief of...
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Front Page: Seattle Center shooting
Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the…
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How this empty QFC became a hub for punk rock, movie lovers and more
Wanna go see a movie? We could check out what’s playing at The Beacon…. Or Majestic Bay… …. Or…. We could pop by the old QFC on 15th Avenue on Capitol Hill. That’s where a local community group has been hosting movie nights for the past few months. This QFC stands for the “Quality Film Club.” It...
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Why a Seattle Symphony bassist started a fight with City Hall over housing density and orcas
Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan has hit a snag. The plan is the set of zoning changes that plans the city’s future growth – the current one in the works outlines a lot more housing density in the city. State law requires such a plan be in place, but Seattle’s has been delayed by administrative…
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Soundside's Weekend Warmup: Derby Days, River Days, and HORSEGIRLS!
Hi friends, another weekend is upon us with PLENTY to go and see and do. LINKS: Timber! Outdoor Music Festival - Carnation, WA 4 Days Of Aloha - Vancouver, WA Redmond Derby Days - Redmond, WA Renton River Days - Renton, WA Bite of Seattle - Seattle Center Kaiser Permanente Seafair Torchlight Run...
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Attorney General Nick Brown discusses his lawsuits against Kalshi and Paramount
It’s a war of definitions, and Kalshi just lost a battle. On Monday, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the “prediction market” company. Judge John McHale found Washington state is likely to succeed in proving Kalshi is actually an online gambling site.…
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Video Games won't be on discs much longer. Do gamers care?
The economics behind the most popular video games are, in a word, staggering. Case in point: Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to be released later this year, and according to IGN, it made $260 MILLION dollars during the first week of pre-orders. Some analysts estimate that the game could rake in…
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Seattle City Council weighs ending some environmental appeals as growth plan stalls
Haven’t heard about Seattle’s comprehensive plan recently? Well, the city council is supposed to be working on it, but the process is on hold because of appeals. Just to catch you up: The comprehensive plan is a set of zoning changes that are supposed to be a blueprint for future growth. It’s...
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Primary Elections 2026: Brent Hennrich, candidate for Washington's 3rd Congressional District
Here on Soundside, we're covering Washington’s most competitive races ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election. Historically, one of the tightest in the state is the 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington. This area includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Skamania Counties....
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What justice might look like after the deadly implosion in Longview
State regulators are still investigating the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant to see what went wrong and whether the catastrophe that killed 11 workers in Longview could have been prevented. The investigation is expected to be concluded by the end of the year ans it’ll determine whether the…
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Why one Yakima Valley farmworker decided to "self deport"
After a lull earlier this year, we’re seeing a surge of immigration arrests in recent weeks across the U.S. In the wake of two fatal shootings by ICE agents this month, the Trump administration has issued conflicting policies about how officers will conduct arrests. Fears of detainment and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Soundside leads the Puget Sound conversation with smart questions, lively debates, and direct access to the region's most influential voices. Timely, insightful, and unmistakably local, it's where the Pacific Northwest comes to dig into the news.
HOSTED BY
KUOW News and Information
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