Best Seattle City Council Podcasts (2024)

1
Week in Review: elections, Seattle City Council, and streetcars 51:46

24d ago51:46

51:46

Guest host Brian Callanan discusses the week's news with The Needling editor Lex Vaughan, political analyst and contributing commentator Joni Balter, and former Washington state Representative and Senator Bill Finkbeiner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By KUOW News and Information

1
As Seattle City Council gets up to speed, election results may signal voter discontent 15:30

17d ago15:30

15:30

Primary election results continue to roll in. And sure, your head may have been turned by that flashy State Lands Commissioner race. But if you’re a Seattle resident, a very consequential city council contest should also be on your radar. The at-large 8th district seat is up for grabs this November. The citywide position was formerly held by Teresa…

1
New study examines increasing suicide rates in Asian American youth 19:02

12m ago19:02

19:02

This week (September 8th to 14th) is National Suicide Prevention Week. Deaths by suicide in young people have risen by more than 60% in recent decades. And in 2022, it was the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-14. Behind that tragic statistic is a lot of nuance, though. For example: Alaska Natives, American Indians, and White youth a…

1
Is Design Review dying in Seattle? 41:33

3h ago41:33

41:33

The city council is making plans to speed up the process for building in downtown Seattle by exempting certain buildings from design review. Erica and Sandeep agree about the merits of the proposal, while David as devil's advocate tries to insert some skepticism into their urbanist love fest. We also talk about the King County Council's about-face …

1
Week in Review: ballot recount, climate law, and school safety 51:41

9h ago51:41

51:41

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Commute Seattle’s Alex Hudson, Seattle Channel’s Brian Callanan, and columnist and former Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By KUOW News and Information

1
Asahel Curtis' photography continues to suprise archivists nearly a century later 10:37

4d ago10:37

10:37

At the turn of the 20th century, Asahel Curtis was a prolific photographer who traveled throughout Washington. His work captured the state as it underwent big changes, owing to rapid industrialization. For decades, a massive collection of Asahel’s glass plate negatives has been held at the Washington State Historical Society in Tacoma. The plates, …

1
"The importance of giving folks their flowers" - Black & Loud Fest highlights Black performers across the PNW 20:10

2m ago20:10

20:10

If someone asked you to name three Rock musicians that are Black, could you? Some people might be able to, but in general there aren’t a lot of them. This is despite the fact that the genre traces its roots back to Black blues, gospel, and rhythm and blues artists in the United States. The rock music industry and academic scholarship of the genre i…

1
Burien faces new challange to homelessness policy, this time on religious grounds 15:45

9m ago15:45

15:45

There’s a new wrinkle in the debate over homelessness policy in the city of Burien. Last September, Burien passed a controversial ordinance banning camping in much of the city, Meanwhile, a local church decided to step in and offer its property as a temporary encampment for the homeless. Burien requested that the church, the Oasis Home Church, get …

1
PFAs in Spokane's well water? Maybe recall a County Commissioner 14:28

24h ago14:28

14:28

Spokane County Commissioner Al French is facing a recall effort over his handling of disclosures of contaminated groundwater in the West Plains. The “Clean Water Accountability Coalition” is sounding the alarm about PFAS—sometimes called 'forever chemicals’—in well water. And let's not forget to mention that French is also running for re-election t…

1
How small acts of “dignity” can help vulnerable populations 20:04

22h ago20:04

20:04

One of the best coffee spots in Bellingham isn’t a cafe, at least according to some of the folks in the city’s unhoused population. Instead, it’s a casual coffee cart that pops-up twice a week, at a free lunch program, known as the Maple Alley Inn. While the coffee is decent, the main attraction is the person running the cart. 85 year-old Ursula De…

1
2024 Episode 35: Back-to-School Safety, Budget Cuts Brewing, and More! 28:47

1d ago28:47

28:47

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a legal case finally dropped against former Councilmember Kshama Sawant, problems with a police accountability watchdog group, an investment in back-to-school safety, a major b…

1
As light rail expands, suburbs plan for density 10:24

5m ago10:24

10:24

Riders packed trains on Friday to see four new stations on the One Line, which now stops in Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood. At the 148th Street Station, Shoreline celebrated the occasions with a marching band, speeches, and bubble machines. The suburb has been planning for this moment for years, that’s apparent when you step off the tra…

1
A look at the Seahawks before their home opener on Sunday 15:08

11m ago15:08

15:08

Being a sports fan in Washington State is akin to riding the Extreme Scream at the fair: big highs, and REAL SUDDEN LOWS. Yes, I’m looking at you, Seattle Mariners… With the Seahawks kicking off their regular season at home this weekend against the Denver Broncos, hope springs eternal! And it felt like a good time to check in on what’s been cooking…

1
King County Council is unanimous: keep the youth jail open 24:57

16m ago24:57

24:57

Members of the King County Council have moved to officially say the county’s youth jail should remain open. The council voted last week eight-to-zero in favor of a non-binding resolution to declare its support for keeping the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center in operation – with some improvements. The move comes just over four ye…

1
Week in Review: youth detention center, school safety, and the Washington state GOP 51:40

10d ago51:40

51:40

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with political analyst Joni Balter, Geekwire’s Mike Lewis, and Seattle Times Jonathan Martin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By KUOW News and Information

1
2024 Episode 34: Patrons-First Podcast on the Democratic Convention, with Guest Host Scott Greenstone! 29:37

1h ago29:37

29:37

This week, it's a patrons-first podcast with an insider's look at last week's Democratic National Convention! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel speaks with guest co-host Scott Greenstone of KUOW about Scott's reporting at the DNC, the rising significance of Washington State in this year's national elections, and more. If you like this podcast and w…

1
Why Washington is a bellwether for the presidential election 20:49

5d ago20:49

20:49

The Democratic party is riding the Good Vibes Express after its Chicago convention. And a look at polling averages gives them reason to celebrate: Since becoming the nominee, Vice President Harris has shaken up a relatively static presidential race: She’s now running slightly ahead of former President Trump nationwide. In swing states, she has pull…

1
WSU researchers are on a quest to digitize over 30,000 bees, butterflies and other pollinators 9:42

7m ago9:42

9:42

Washington State University's MT James Entomological Collection is the largest insect museum in the state, it holds around three million specimens. In 2022, state legislators allocated $50,000 for the collection to digitize pollinators, like bees, moths, flies, butterflies and other insects that carry pollen. Adding the 30,000 pollinators in WSU’s …

1
Christian Nationalism and its effect on Yakima city politics 20:09

19m ago20:09

20:09

Last year, the Yakima City Council made a landmark decision by passing a proclamation to designate the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride month. Less than a year later, the council voted to reverse that decision. The move was celebrated by far right religious leaders like Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk and Sean Feucht, who took to X to applaud the dec…

1
Budget woes, cellphones, and safety: educators share their thoughts going into the new school year 29:43

9m ago29:43

29:43

For many Washington students, and parents, the school year is just about to start - if it hasn’t already. And they're not the only ones gearing up for the new year. Teachers and school staff are about to step into a new year with all sorts of new questions about how their respective school systems will be run. So, we wanted to check in with a panel…

1
It's time to do a vibe check on the state of remote work 25:53

9d ago25:53

25:53

Earlier this month, City of Seattle workers were told most of them will have to return to the office at least 3 days a week starting this fall. Meanwhile… a certain large tech and online retail company (named after a river in South America) has reportedly started a mulling the minimum number of hours employees must stay on site to count towards its…

1
Mia Zapata and The Gits are often defined by a tragic murder, drummer Steve Moriarty's book tells a different story about the band 17:48

7d ago17:48

17:48

In the early 90s, Seattle was at the center of a sonic revolution. Grunge, a homegrown sludgy rock sound, became a global commodity. At the same time, another sound was making its mark on Seattle. The Gits were a band on the precipice of national stardom, standing out with their punk sensibility and charismatic female vocalist, with music labels ci…

1
How Thurston County is aiming to bring homelessness to "functional zero" 23:41

9d ago23:41

23:41

Addressing homelessness is looking a little different in Thurston County these days. The county, which includes Olympia, just became the fifth community in the nation to collect data on every single adult experiencing homelessness. The county’s partner organization says that data includes the names and circumstances of each person counted. And the …

1
No, Seattle's most notorious brothel madam was not a Gilded Age Girl Boss 25:12

2d ago25:12

25:12

We know a few things about the woman known as Lou Graham, for sure: She was a brothel madam in Seattle at the turn of the century. And she’s immortalized in one of the city’s popular ghost tours. Maybe you’ve even felt her spiritual presence while passing through tunnels underneath Pioneer Square. Beyond that, facts are sparse. But plenty of legend…

1
Week in Review: Democratic National Convention, Summer Freedom Fest, and Costco 51:23

17d ago51:23

51:23

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Washington Policy Center’s David Boze, and KUOW’s Libby Denkman and Dyer Oxley. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By KUOW News and Information

1
Is Seattle's downtown really recovering? 37:28

15d ago37:28

37:28

Surrogates are calling Mayor Bruce Harrell's downtown recovery plan a "roaring success" for the city. Are they right? We debate that, and whether "return to work" is overrated. What is the good life, Seattle? To advertise or just get in touch you can reach Seattle Nice at realseattlenice@gmail.com Our editor is Quinn Waller. Support the show Suppor…

1
How a battle over owls points to a bigger question in conservation 19:31

1h ago19:31

19:31

Last winter, federal officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a program to save the perpetually threatened northern spotted owl. The problem? Invasive barred owls are crowding out our local forest -- they're bigger, and more aggressive. The solution? Culling half a million of those owls over the next 30 years. On its face, the is…

1
The battle for Public Lands Commissioner turns to a recount 14:12

25m ago14:12

14:12

At this point, most of Washington’s primary election results have been called. Bob Ferguson will face Dave Reichert in the race for governor. Tanya Woo and Alexis Mercedes Rinck are vying for a spot on the Seattle City Council. Goodspaceguy once again failed to get onto the November ballot. But – in one race, the drama has remained at a fever pitch…

1
What goes on beyond the tv stream at the DNC 12:55

3d ago12:55

12:55

When some people picture political conventions, they might imagine a grand stage lit up with dazzling lights, a seemingly never ending stream of speeches - and a sea of enthusiastic supporters cheering their hearts out, waving lots and lots of American flags. Since Monday, the Democratic National Convention has been underway in Chicago. There have …

1
For the first time in its history, McNeil Island is releasing more patients than it's taking in 24:11

18h ago24:11

24:11

Chances are high that you’ve never been to McNeal Island before. Few have - the island, located in the Puget Sound, southwest of Tacoma, isn’t accessible to the general public. The only people that are allowed are staff and pre-screened visitors at the Washington State Special Commitment Center - the first post-prison institution for people designa…

1
How a century-old church in Tacoma is trying to become affordable youth housing 12:26

10m ago12:26

12:26

Picture a historic church in Tacoma’s Proctor neighborhood, bathed in afternoon sunlight, poised for a dramatic transformation. Julie Cain, who purchased the church in 2021, envisions turning it into affordable housing for young adults. The project aims to address local housing needs and foster a supportive community, with plans for shared rooms an…

1
Fitz Cahall on 17 years of finding new adventures outdoors 25:41

12m ago25:41

25:41

When Fitz Cahall started his “Dirtbag Diaries” podcast in 2007, he was an avid outdoorsman struggling to make ends meet as a travel writer. At the time, this whole ‘on demand audio storytelling’ thing was kind of new, and Fitz saw it as a way of bringing new life to his joy of the outdoors. Today, he’s replaced his wild life bouncing around in a va…

1
Renters say "junk fees" create real harm 13:27

23m ago13:27

13:27

Imagine you are renting a property and your grass dies and gets brown (this is the Pacific Northwest, where, aside from some unseasonable August rain, it’s pretty dry all summer). Then you get a note from your management company that letting that grass die violates the property’s rules and fines you $125. Then, on top of that, the company charges y…

1
How solitary confinement affects the mental health of WA State inmates 11:31

4m ago11:31

11:31

The Washington State Department of Corrections has pledged to stop the use of solitary confinement in state prisons, in most cases. And the agency says it has made progress on that goal. But a recent report from the agency’s own independent watchdog, the Office of the Corrections Ombuds, says isolating inmates for extended periods of time is still …

1
Weekend rain a welcome relief as wildfire burns near Stehekin 13:28

18d ago13:28

13:28

The summertime is usually the peak season for tourists in Stehekin, Washington – a small community of around 100 people at the north end of Lake Chelan. It’s only accessible by boat or floatplane, making it an ideal place for a lakeside getaway or entry into the North Cascades wilderness. But the geography and topography that make Stehekin unique a…

1
Fewer WA children are in foster care amid state effort to keep families together 14:44

29m ago14:44

14:44

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which oversees the state’s foster care system, celebrated a milestone last week: The number of children in foster care has dipped below 5,000. That’s down significantly from 9,171 kids in foster care in 2018 – a reduction of more than 50% in six years. This is seen as progress among experts who have …

1
Hear It Again: He broke his neck diving into a pool. 20 years later, new technology is helping him recover 21:57

3d ago21:57

21:57

For decades, the road to recovery after a spinal cord injury has meant years of physical therapy. The goal is often small but meaningful improvements in body function. Being able to stretch your fingers that much farther, or grip just a bit harder. Jon Schleuter’s path began after he broke his neck diving into a pool 20 years ago. Soundside's Libby…

1
Are SOAP zones the right way to clean up Seattle? 46:27

23d ago46:27

46:27

Seattle Nice takes a lively look at a proposed ban on prostitution "loitering," and proposed Stay Out of Stay Out of Area of Prostitution (SOAP) zones. This follows the proposed banishment of some drug users from select areas downtown, called SODAs or “Stay Out of Drug Areas." Check out Erica's extensive coverage on Publicola, and while you're at i…

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Seattle City Council Podcasts

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