Soundside

Unionized Starbucks workers have started their fourth day on strike.  Workers walked off the job in over 40 cities last week.  And this year’s strike has gotten attention from high-profile politicians. Both Seattle mayor-elect Katie Wilson and New York's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani called on customers to boycott the coffee chain.  Last week, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) urged Starbucks to cut a deal with the union.  So what’s holding up negotiations?  GUEST: Casey Martin, KUOW reporter covering the strike RELATED LINKS:  Unionized Starbucks' workers strike in Seattle, across the country Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re probably heard the term “microplastics.” And you’ve probably also heard that they’re bad for you.  A write up from Stanford Medicine says, quote, “they’re in the water we drink, the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the air we breathe.” But what exactly are they?  A local doctor is helping us understand what exactly these particals are, and how or if we should avoid them. GUEST: Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a professor of pediatrics and adjunct professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington and the Seattle Children's Research Institute RELATED LINKS: Microplastics and our health: What the science says - Stanford Medicine Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In early October, film buffs around the region received some bittersweet news… The historic Egyptian Theater in Capitol Hill – which had been closed for repairs – would not reopen as a public theater. The Seattle International Film Festival decided to end its lease, saying it was a difficult decision but that it just wasn’t financially feasible.  This comes on the back of the closing of the Grand Illusion and AMC 10 theaters in the U-District.  In an era of streaming services and movie studio consolidations… What DOES it take to keep the independent theater scene thriving? GUESTS:  Beth Barrett - Artistic Director SIFF Kenny Alhadeff - Owner, Majestic Bay Theater Chase Hutchinson - Freelance Writer and Movie Critic RELATED LINKS:  For SIFF, Seattle’s Cinerama was a marquee purchase. Has it paid off? SIFF lays off staff amid financial challenges Seattle movie theater update: SIFF will end lease at historic Egyptian 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.

Here at Soundside, we've got lots of plans this weekend. Paige Browning is playing in a Kickball tournament, while Jason is planning on cheering for her... Supervising Producer Sarah Leibovitz is doing LAUNDRY... What joy! As for YOU, here are all your options from this week's Weekend Warmup...  LINKS:  SIFF Cinema Italian Style 2025 Sew, Quilt, Needlework, Craft, Expo & Festival in Puyallup Gobble Up Northwest! - Urban Craft Uprising Seattle International Auto Show The 2025 DB Cooper Conference Seattle Kraken vs San Jose Sharks Gilman Village 2025 Winter Fest Grit City Comic Show UW Huskies Men’s Football vs Purdue Death and Music | Town Hall Seattle 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.

Seattle has been a target of anti-car activism since at least the early 1960s, when the construction of I-5 carved up the Chinatown International District. Washington architect Paul Thiry said the creation of the freeway signaled when Seattle started to lose its identity as a city. But what would a less car-centric Seattle actually look like? Whom would it benefit? And is it even feasible?  The hosts of "The War on Cars" podcast join "Soundside" for more. They’ve co-written a new book: “Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves From the Tyranny of the Automobile.” They’re both based in Brooklyn, New York, but joined KUOW's Paige Browning in our Seattle studio.  GUESTS:  Sarah Goodyear, host, The War on Cars podcast Doug Gordon, host, The War on Cars podcast RELATED LINKS:  What Comes After the ‘War on Cars’? - Bloomberg ‘Life After Cars’ with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon - Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast 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.

Seattleites have been closely watching election results for nearly a week since polls closed. That’s because the city’s mayoral candidates were in a tight race. Longtime Seattle politician and current Mayor Bruce Harrell is trying to win a second term. His challenger is Katie Wilson, a Democratic socialist who has never held elected office before.  Last night’s vote tally gave more clarity about who is likely to lead the city next year.  GUEST: Cat Smith, KUOW Politics Editor RELATED LINKS:  KUOW: Wilson’s lead increases in Seattle mayoral race, leaving Harrell further behind 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.

Bruce Lee holds a special place in Seattle’s heart – and Seattle played a key role in Bruce Lee’s life. He attended the University of Washington. He taught martial arts around the city. And after his tragically young death, at the age of 32, Lee was buried at Lake View Cemetery on Capitol Hill.   A biography by author Jeff Chang traces this journey alongside the cultural and political context in which Lee was becoming the international icon he is today. It’s called “Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America.” In the book Chang shows how the rise of Bruce Lee mirrored the rise of Asian American identity and the ways that they each shaped each other.  GUEST: Jeff Chang, author of "Water Mirror Echo"  RELATED LINKS:  Book Review: ‘Water Mirror Echo,’ by Jeff Chang - The New York Times ‘Water Mirror Echo’ explores how Bruce Lee still shapes Asian America Remembering Bruce Lee, and his time in Seattle, on the 80th anniversary of his birth | 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.

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.

Seattle's pro women's soccer team have returned to the National Women's Soccer League playoffs. Seattle Reign play the Orlando Pride on Friday in a win-or-go-home match. But do the Reign have the potential to make a deep playoff run?  Soundside producer Gabrielle Healy gets into it. Plus, everything you need to know about coach Laura Harvey and ChatGPTgate.  Guest Susie Rantz, writer for Sounder at Heart covering Seattle Reign Related Links All even in Orlando, 1-1 - Sounder at Heart The constant amidst chaos: Lauren Barnes’ Reign - Sounder at HeartSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s weekends like these where you WANT a solid plan for what to do, so you’re not just stuck sulking about the weather.  And while Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows may be on his way to sunny Florida AS WE SPEAK for a weekend in Tampa, he still left us with a smattering of potential options: LINKS: Port Gamble Ghost Conference Best of the Northwest Fall Show 2025 - Seattle NW's Largest Garage Sale & Vintage Sale Brew: A Clue-Themed Winter Beer Festival America's Test Kitchen Live at Food Fight with Rachel Belle GeekGirlCon - 15th Year! Captain Slinky Presents Oddmall Emporium of The Weird Light the Forest: Pilchuck Glass School Seahawks vs. Cardinals SIFF Talking Pictures: Ken Jennings presents Quiz Show Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s getting harder for unhoused people in Tacoma to find a place to spend the night. Last week, the city council there voted narrowly, 5-to-4, to expand buffer zones where encampments are not allowed.  The new ban, which went into effect this week, includes areas within two blocks of public schools, parks, libraries, and most of downtown and Hilltop. Critics say this only makes it harder for people to find a place to sleep. Guest: Tacoma News Tribune reporter Cameron Sheppard Related Links: How will Tacoma’s encampment-ban expansion impact plans to address homelessness? In a split vote, Tacoma council decides fate of homeless camping-ban expansionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In April, 25-year-old Alex Kuhnhausen died of a bacterial infection he contracted at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. This isn’t unheard of – last year, there were 39 deaths reported in Washington prisons.  But the details of Alex Kuhnhausen’s decline and death raise questions about decisions by prison officials and medical staff; decisions that many believe contributed to his death.  Guest: Reporter Brandon Block Related Links:  How a WA prison turned a treatable ailment into a death sentence 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.

When you step into the Seattle Asian Art Museum’s new exhibit… you feel small. You’re surrounded by light, blocks of color reaching across the floor, creeping up the walls. The art takes up space, immersing you in light and shadow, as though you’ve entered another world. Steel cubes carved with meticulous designs hang from the ceiling. Papercraft covered in embroidery line the walls. What looks like a giant doily hangs from strings by the entrance.   All lit to project intricate patterns across the space. This is "Geometry of Light," an exhibit the museum opened in late August. The artist behind it is Anila Quayyum Agha, the first Pakistani American to ever have a solo exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. She talked to Soundside about her art, what it's like to be the first Pakistani American to have an exhibit at the museum and what she hopes people take away from "Geometry of Light."  Guest Anila Quayyum Agha, the artist behind "Geometry of Light."  Related links:  Anila Quayyum Agha: Geometry of Light | Seattle Art Museum Anila Quayyum Agha Uses Patterns to Break Patterns - The New York Times About — Anila Quayyum Agha  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.

As voters head to the polls amid a contentious mayoral race in Seattle, we’re looking to the past to try to answer a lingering question.  It’s hard to win reelection as a Seattle mayor. The last time it happened was nearly two decades ago.  Why has it been so long?  We're going directly to the source for more: Democrat Greg Nickels was mayor of Seattle for two terms, between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2009. He served on the King County Council for 14 years prior to his election.  KUOW's politics editor Cat Smith brings us that conversation.  Related Links Outgoing Mayor Greg Nickels leaves stamp on Seattle - The Seattle Times, published in 2009 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.

TRIGGER WARNING - SELF HARM INVOLVING CHILDREN In 2022, the body of 13-year-old Jay Taylor was discovered behind a grocery store in Gig Harbor.  Jay had died by suicide, a tragedy that only grew more shocking when police realized he’d livestreamed the act on Instagram, encouraged by the people watching.  Jay Taylor was a victim of 764, a global online group of predators that victimizes kids, some identified to be as young as nine years old. They coerce them to send nude photos, commit self-harm and even take their own lives.  Guest: Barrett Gay, digital research analyst of domestic and international right-wing extremism at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Related Links: ‘It broke me’: Inside the FBI hunt for the online predators who persuaded a 13-year-old to die There Are Dark Corners of the Internet. Then There's 764 FBI targets 250 suspects in '764' network of online predators manipulating kids into violent, explicit videos Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The immigration detention center in Tacoma, Washington has quickly reached capacity this year under the Trump administration’s push to scale up deportations. The population inside nearly doubled in a matter of months, raising some concerns about staffing levels and reported delays for detainees accessing lawyers or medical care. The experience for those inside detention has also shifted in some profound ways due to new policies, including cuts to legal aid programs, restrictions on who is eligible for bond and increased fees for court filings. A new KUOW documentary, “Inside ICE Detention,” opens a window into this time of rapid transition at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma and looks into who is getting detained, how they are treated and some of the new pressures people are facing as they try to fight deportation. The story centers on the experience of a woman named Espinoza, who was arrested during an ICE workplace raid in Kent, WA. Espinoza was four days away from getting married to her partner of 12 years when the raid happened, and she grapples with hopelessness in detention while trying to navigate a way out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you believe that we’re already at the end of October? Time is a weird soup. This week has been jam packed with things, AND we have an election next Tuesday.  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s enjoy the weekend!!  LINKS: Seattle Short King Contest Seattle Kraken vs NY Rangers - Sat 11/1 Short Run Comix Festival Seattle Opera - The Pirates of Penzance Brewallup 2025 Washington State Toy Show Sea-Meow Convention 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs - Seattle vs Minnesota - Mon 11/3 Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks - Mon 11/3 Seattle Welcome Day - Tues 11/4 DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Nov. 1 — El Centro de la Raza Nov. 1 — Phinney Center Nov. 1 — Shoreline Recreation Center Nov. 1 & 2 — Seattle Center Nov. 1 & 2 — Town Hall Seattle (ticketed event) Nov. 2 — Tacoma Art Museum Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like so many others, Jas Ikeda struggled with the images and stories coming out of Gaza – of the widespread destruction and the growing starvation.  Like others, she felt frustrated that more wasn’t being done to help the people caught in the conflict. Unlike most others, Ikeda has a lot of sailing experience. So when she heard about the Global Sumud Flotilla, she jumped at the chance.  The flotilla consisted of 42 small to mid-sized vessels, setting out from Spain, carrying food, supplies, and hundreds of activists. The stated goal was to challenge Israel’s blockade and show solidarity with Palestinians. They were intercepted and detained by the Israeli military on October 1 – an outcome they knew was likely. She and the other activists were held for about six days.  The timing of Ikeda’s voyage, capture and release, coincided with a historic moment.  Just three days after Ikeda was released Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The deal, which was negotiated and pushed by the Trump Administration, included an agreement that - QUOTE - "Full aid will be immediately sent.” Such aid would be a lifeline for Palestinians. In August, Gaza was confirmed to be under famine conditions. The ceasefire deal gave a lot of hope to aid organizations that have been stymied by the tight control Israel holds over the border.  But flare ups of violence have threatened that aid. On Tuesday, the Israeli military struck targets in Gaza, killing more than a hundred people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating terms of the ceasefire.  GUESTS:  Jas Ikeda - Washington resident, and member of the Global Sumud Flotilla Mara Kronenfeld - Executive Director of the UNRWA USA National Committee LINKS:  Israel takes steps to shut down international aid groups in Gaza and the West Bank This Weekend’s Violence in Gaza Shows How Fragile the Cease-Fire Really Is What aid organizations say is needed in Gaza amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan - ABC News How fast can much needed food and aid get to Palestinians? Netanyahu Orders Strikes in Gaza, as Israel Says Hamas Violated Cease-Fire More Food Reaches Gaza, but It’s Still Not Enough 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.

Washington State highways and bridges are in need of a serious refresh. That’s according to a WSDOT official who told the Washington State Transportation Commission this month: “We are in the early stages of critical failure due to lack of funding.” - Troy Suing, Director, Capital Program Development and Management, Washington State Department of Transportation “Preservation” generally refers to the long-term work needed to sustain already existing infrastructure. WSDOT says it’ll need an additional $8 billion dollars over the next decade to do that work. Jerry Cornfield at the Washington State Standard reported that while the Legislature did approve a 15.5 BILLION dollar budget for the next two years…. less than a billion dollars was earmarked for preservation over that time. That’s well short of the $1.6 Billion needed to keep pace with the wear and tear put on our state’s infrastructure. GUEST: Senator Marko Liias - Chair of the WA State Senate Transportation Committee LINKS:  ‘Early stages of critical failure’: Funding outlook is grim for WA road upkeep - WA State Standard Meeting Agenda – October 14-15, 2025 – Washington State Transportation Commission Washington State Transportation Commission - Meeting Video Move Ahead Washington Legislature approves bipartisan plan to fund Washington state transportation future 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.

Update, 11:45 am, 10/31: Two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to fund SNAP using the USDA's contingency funds. Read more from The Associated Press. _________________________________________________________________________________ 10/29: More than 1 in 10 people in Washington state rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Most of those recipients are in households with children.  And all of them will get cut off from those benefits on October 31st if the partial federal government shutdown doesn’t end by then.  This week, Governor Ferguson said he’d direct over 2 million dollars in weekly food aid to state food banks should the shutdown continue.  That program will start November 3rd.  But is that enough to make up for the loss of SNAP benefits? Guest Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks, race and equity reporter, The Seattle Times Related Links WA to direct $2.2 million a week to food banks as SNAP cutoff nears  - The Seattle Times WA SNAP benefits to run out Nov. 1 if government shutdown persists - 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.