Soundside

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July 6 · 22 min
Front Page: The boys are back in town ... and facing controversy. Plus, are the boom years behind Seattle?
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 stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest: KUOW newscaster Paige Browning Related Links: KOMO: Seattle records first homicide-free June since 1970 Seattle Times: Seattle’s population boom has hit the brakes, new data shows The Athletic: Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended The Athletic: ‘Thank you FIFA for reversing a great injustice!’ How Trump, teammates reacted to Balogun’s ban reprieve 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.
July 6 · 15 min
Has TikTok ruined the Enchantments?
The Enchantments are on the up and up. Or at least, things are looking better than last year. The 18-mile stretch in the Cascades has long been a popular destination for hikers and backpackers in Washington. But federal cuts and staffing shortages last year made the Enchantments pretty disenchanting. In 2025, only one ranger was in charge of patrolling the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - which spans 900 miles. That made trail maintenance really difficult. We’re talking trash on the trails, overflowing garbage cans, and overflowing toilets. It didn’t help that last summer, the area saw record-shattering crowds - with 2,400 people visiting on one day during the July Fourth weekend. It’s been a year, and while some things have improved, there’s still a lot of work to be done in the region. Guest: Gregory Scruggs, outdoors reporter for The Seattle Times Related Stories: Here’s where the Enchantments stand for WA summer hiking season | The Seattle Times The Enchantments face dire conditions amid staffing shortage | The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 2 · 19 min
After Spokane anti-ICE protest, FBI reportedly extracted data from demonstrators' phones
Last summer, hundreds of people protested outside of an ICE facility in Spokane. They were trying to stop agents from taking two asylum seekers to an ICE detention center in Tacoma. As the day wore on and the protest grew in size, law enforcement ordered demonstrators to disperse… and then deployed pepper balls and smoke grenades on the crowd. The mayor issued a curfew. By the end of the evening, around 30 people were arrested. But the government’s response didn't end there: A month later, federal prosecutors indicted nine Spokane protesters on felony conspiracy charges. In May, three of those protesters were found guilty of charges related to “conspiracy to impede” federal officers. They face up to six years in prison. It’s an example of the escalating legal strategy the Trump Administration has been using to charge anti-ICE protesters across the country, most recently in Minnesota. And, according to new reporting, federal law enforcement turned to an atypical surveillance tactic to fuel the Spokane case. An investigation from Mother Jones found that the FBI secretly extracted data from protesters’ cellphones confiscated during last year’s protest. Guest: Schuyler Mitchell, an assistant editor at Mother Jones Related links: Public Records Show FBI Secretly Extracted Data From ICE Protesters’ Phones | Mother Jones More than 30 arrested at immigration protest in Spokane sparked by arrest of 2 immigrants | The Spokesman-Review 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.
July 2 · 5 min
Weekend Warmup: It's the 4th of July + USA vs Belgium!
It’s official, Team USA WILL be playing against Belgium in Seattle’s FINAL World Cup match… but that’s not until Monday. We’ve got the entire 4th of July weekend ahead of us, and I’ve got a feeling there will be a LOT of fireworks in our future. Here with a Holiday Edition of the weekend warmup is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows!! LINKS: 4th of July Activities! Chicago - Saturday in the Park (Official Audio) Seafair 4th of July at Gasworks & Lake Union! PARADES! Arlington — 5 p.m. (kids 4:30 p.m.) Bainbridge Island — 1 p.m. Bothell — 12 p.m. (kids 11:15 a.m.) Burien — 11 a.m. Carnation — 11:30 a.m. (kids 11 a.m.) Dupont — 10 a.m. Edmonds — 12 p.m. (kids 11:30 a.m.) Enumclaw — noon Everett — 11 a.m. Issaquah — 10 a.m. Kingston — 12 p.m. Kirkland — 12 p.m. (kids 11:30 a.m.) Tumwater — 11 a.m. West Seattle — 10 a.m. kids FIREWORKS! Arlington — Quake Park 10 p.m. Bellevue — Downtown Park 10:05 p.m. Carnation — Remlinger Farms 9:45 p.m. Everett — Port Gardner Bay 10:15 p.m. Federal Way — Celebration Park 10:15 p.m. Kenmore — Log Boom Park 10 p.m. Kent — Lake Meridian Park 10 p.m. Kingston — Mike Wallace Park 10:15 p.m. Marysville — Ebey Waterfront Park 10 p.m. Sammamish — Sam. Commons 10 p.m. Seattle — Lake Union 10:15 p.m. Snoqualmie — Community Park 9:45 p.m. Steilacoom — offshore 10:30 p.m. Tacoma — Ruston Way 10 p.m. Tumwater — Tumwater Valley Golf 10:15 p.m. EVERYTHING ELSE! Mariners vs Blue Jays Seattle Paddle Rave Dolly Parton Fourth of July Drag Brunch Seattle World Cup Fan Celebration Locations 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.
July 1 · 29 min
The secret history of the Earth Liberation Front
In May of 2001, a building on the University of Washington’s Seattle campus went up in flames, in the middle of the night. It was the work of arsonists. An eco-sabotage group known as the Earth Liberation Front took credit for the attack. For group members, voting and publicly demonstrating wasn't enough to allay their fears of climate catastrophe. The group had three core principles: public education, economic sabotage and to harm property, not people. But members torched the UW building over unfounded claims that professor was making genetically modified trees. The group committed a string of arsons, from Colorado to Seattle. For several years, the FBI designated the ELF as the most dangerous domestic terror organization in the country. The group caused tens of millions of dollars in property destruction in the late 90s and early 2000s, according to the federal government. Soundside host Libby Denkmann talks with the author of a new book about the development of the ELF. Guest Matthew Wolfe, author, “Fires In the Night: The Earth Liberation Front, the FBI, and a Secret History of Eco-Sabotage” Related Links The Rise and Fall of America’s Environmentalist Underground - The New York Times Magazine The many lives of Joseph Dibee, codename 'Seattle' - KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 1 · 20 min
Front Page: What the changes to KCRHA mean for King County, how the latest SCOTUS decisions will impact WA State, and Seattle Dogs!
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 stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest: KUOW Politics Editor Cat Smith Related Links: Seattle, King County announce sweeping changes to homeless service system How the SCOTUS trans athlete ruling affects WA Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s proposed limits Supreme Court Lifts Spending Limits on Political Parties and Candidates Takeaways from Supreme Court term: Trump’s power is enhanced, but he lost some high-profile cases Seattle dog, cream cheese and all, named country’s best hot dog by NYT Which of these 8 Famous American Hot Dogs is the Best? Chef José Andrés Weighs In Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 1 · 15 min
The Evergreen State has too much pot
Revenue in Washington State’s cannabis industry has been declining since it’s peak in 2021. What’s going on? Marijuana farmers say part of the problem is, they have too much pot. Guest: Aaron Pickus - Media Spokesperson for Washington CannaBusiness Association Michael Dykstra - Mount Baker Homegrown (Marijuana grower based in Bellingham) Relevant Links: Oversupply and taxes batter cannabis producers - Tri-Cities Business News Annual Cannabis Sales in Washington - Washington State Information System Washington’s Evolving Cannabis Market - TVW Inside Olympia WA cannabis market faces pressure from federal changes and oversupply - Washington State Standard Cannabis rescheduling arrives, with limits: What the DOJ's final order does and doesn't do - Reuters 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.
June 30 · 20 min
Fantagraphics wanted comics to be treated as art. It changed the publishing industry.
Comics publisher Fantagraphics is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It began as “The Comics Journal” – one of the first magazines that reviewed comics with a critics eye. At the time, it took an adversarial role against the big players in the comic industry: DC and Marvel. It tried to push comics into the realm of art instead of idle time waster for kids. And then it grew into so much more. Guest: Gary Groth, co-founder and president of Fantagraphics Relevant Links: KUOW: Seattle comics publisher Fantagraphics celebrates 50th anniversary 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.
June 30 · 6 min
From Egypt to... Spokane? How the World Cup is building bonds that go beyond the soccer pitch
How much soccer have you been watching these days? For millions of American soccer fans (and probably billions elsewhere), the World Cup has already been memorable: Cabo Verde advancing against the odds, Messi setting records, the U.S. team displaying some world-class offensive magic. In fact ALL of the host countries’ teams – USA, Canada and Mexico – have made it to the knockout rounds. Seattle has played host to four matches so far, and things seem to have gone smoothly here. That’s despite all the anxiety in the lead up, over things like crowds and security. Now, are we at the point where we might be able to say it’s kind of fun to be a host city? Other parts of Washington have been playing host as well, including Spokane: the official tournament base camp for the Egyptian national team, with the team training at Gonzaga University’s Luger Field. GUEST: Mitchell Roland RELATED LINK: World Cup 2026 - Special coverage at The Spokesman-Review 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.
June 29 · 12 min
What the bipartisan housing bill might do for WA and why it's not law — yet
The 21st Century Road to Housing Act, is kind of like a Washington D.C. unicorn, because it passed on a bipartisan basis. Both Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D) and Rep. Dan Newhouse R) were part of strong majorities supporting the legislation. The bill is a collection of measures focusing on the supply side of the housing equation: things that might make it easier for prospective owners to buy a home and for potential home builders to start constructing. But President Trump hasn't signed it, even though it's on his desk. We talk about why not, and what the bill could mean for the Evergreen State. Guest Heidi Groover, real estate reporter, The Seattle Times Related Links What we know about the big housing bill Trump is refusing to sign - The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 29 · 18 min
The exoskeleton that's helping Seattle Mountain Rescue move 'better, faster, safer'
Hiking can be hard. So can trail running. Even harder than both of those? Performing a rescue in the woods. That’s why Seattle Mountain Rescue is using exoskeleton legs, under the brand name Hypershell, that you can wear on your legs to basically... help you move. The hope is that these mechanical legs will help the volunteer rescue team navigate rough terrain and steep inclines to quickly get to people on the trail. We drove out to North Bend to see exactly how this gear works. Guest: Wes Cooper, an Emerging Technologies Director at Seattle Mountain Rescue. Related links: Seattle Mountain Rescue deploys exoskeletons as second team in U.S. to use the tech | KING 5 I Hiked Using Robot Legs in the Grand Canyon. I Didn’t Even Need My Cane | CNET I Hiked a Mountain Wearing $2,000 Robotic Legs. It Was a Walk in the Park. - WSJ 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.
June 29 · 20 min
Front Page: is the future of the Democratic party... socialist? Plus a big capital gains windfall, World Cup controversies, and more
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 stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest: sports journalist and author of the newsletters The Dang Apostrophe and The Grudgery, Danny O'Neil Related Links: Mamdani Emerges as Kingmaker, Pushing His Slate to a Primary Sweep - NYT Seattle mayor endorses challenger to WA Senate majority leader - Washington State Standard WA’s rich are leaving? Another tax on wealth smashes records - Seattle Times Has VAR become a lottery at the World Cup? - BBC 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.
June 26 · 16 min
Why one Seattle organization says new data doesn't measure Native homelessness accurately — again
A new estimate for the number of unhoused people in King County is out. Over the past two years, the new data shows a 9% increase in the homeless population on any given night in King County, and over 18,000 homeless people in the region. One of the standout data points? The new count also suggests a nearly 11 percent decrease in the number of Indigenous people who are unhoused in our region, since 2020. And that should be good news. But the county’s only urban housing and homelessness service provider dedicated to Native people says the latest figures represent an undercount. And according to them, it’s not the first time. Guest Derrick Belgarde, executive director, Chief Seattle Club Related Links The Chief Seattle club's initial statement King County finds 9% rise in homelessness since 2024 - The Seattle Times 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Initial Report - King County Regional Homelessness Authority 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.
June 25 · 3 min
Pride celebrations are happening across WA during June, including in prisons
Seattle will celebrate Pride this weekend: there's the parade downtown on Sunday and Pride Fest on Broadway in Capitol Hill. It's the culmination of a month of celebrations across the state, including one of the units at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. We caught up with one of the organizers of Pride there, which took place earlier this month. Guest: Jennifer Jaylee, one of the organizers of the Pride celebration and member of the queer community support group, PEACE Relevant Links: Union-Bulletin: Peer group at Washington State Penitentiary hosts 3rd annual Pride festival 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.
June 25 · 5 min
Weekend Warmup - Things to do OTHER than Pride and the World Cup!
Our Thursday tradition continues with a big list of all the things to do outside of the Pride & World Cup of it all this weekend... That said, there ARE a ton of Pride & World Cup events, so don't miss out if that's your jam too! LINKS: Trans Pride Seattle Seattle PrideFest Seattle PrideFest - Capitol Hill Seattle PrideFest - Seattle Center Seattle Pride - Parade Seattle Pride - Community Events Queer/Pride Festival World Cup - Pride Match Day 2026 Seattle Pirates Landing - Seafair Rusty Scupper's Pirate Daze Gobble Up SLU The Taste NW Buckley Log Show Kenmore Midsommarfest Washington Summer Mead Festival 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.
June 24 · 16 min
Hear it Again: Ever been abandoned on the trail? There's a name for that.
Has something like this happened to you before? You’re on a hike with someone, maybe a romantic partner, and you start slowing down, or want to take a break, but your partner wants to push on. Eventually, you’re left behind as your partner goes ahead without you. And this situation has consequences for the relationship. If so, you’re not alone. The phrase “Alpine Divorce” was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios. In a recent viral post, a woman sobs as she climbs down a mountain - saying “he left me”. The video has thousands of comments, many of which share similar stories of being left behind on the trail. But how common is Alpine Divorce? And is it actually a bad thing to spend some solo time on the trail? Guest: Alaina Demopoulos, daily features writer for the Guardian Related Link: Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What’s behind ‘alpine divorce’? 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.
June 24 · 21 min
Front Page: What we know now about homelessness in King County
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 stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest: Seattle Times political reporter Jim Brunner Related Links: KCRHA - Point in Time Count Initial Report King County finds 9% rise in homelessness since 2024 WA Democrats chart path to more power in 2026 at Spokane convention Protect Every Animal From Cruelty? Not in 2026, Oregon Democrats Say 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.
June 24 · 13 min
Meet the WWU professor heading to the World Boomerang Championships
What do you know about Bellingham? Possibly that it’s renowned for its proximity to outdoor activities like skiing, mountain biking, and hiking, or it’s home to Western Washington University and a robust music and craft beer scene. What about that it has a thriving boomerang throwing community? It’s not only thriving, but world renowned. Western Washington University is sending three people to the Boomerang World Championships this year, including marketing professor Ed Love. Guest: Ed Love, marketing professor at Western Washington University going to the World Boomerang Championships in 2026 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.
June 23 · 14 min
Unpacking how supportive housing could affect the number of King County jail visits
New data from King County shows putting people in housing without preconditions like drug treatment has had some significant benefits. The report comes from the King County Department of Community and Human Services and shows a decrease in jail bookings among those in permanent supportive housing programs between 2021-2025. Seattle has been a national leader in using such “Housing First” initiatives. But funding for those programs is at risk, to the tune of $26 million – that’s after the Trump administration released a new rule earlier this month, requiring providers to move away from Housing First programs in order to qualify for HUD grants next year. What more does this data analysis show? And what's lost if federal funding goes away? Guest Jelani Jackson, acting director for the Housing & Community Development division within the King County Department of Community and Human Services 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.
June 23 · 29 min
The AI device that's listening to my aging dad's every move
As Americans age, they have a few options for care in their later years, like moving in with a family member or into an assisted-living facility. Or aging in place.... Increasingly, with the assistance of AI. Steven Blum is a writer from Seattle now based in Austria. He published a piece about his aging father, who lives alone in Seattle and is being monitored through Sensi. It’s an AI device that’s constantly listening for signs of distress. It’s supposed to detect if Blum’s dad has fallen. It was an option that made sense, because his father doesn’t want to move out of his home. He isn’t alone. Last year, the Pew Research Center asked older Americans what they would do if they couldn’t live by themselves anymore. Around 60% said that they’d rather stay in their homes and have someone care for them, instead of moving into an assisted living facility or a nursing home. As Americans enter their later years, AI could be part of their care. Guest: Steven Blum, a writer based in Austria Related links: My Father Wants to Age in Place. AI Will Be Watching | WIRED Assistive tech for older adults is becoming increasingly automated. What are the privacy risks? | KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.