Patrick DePoe, a former elected member of the Makah Tribal Council, current Director of Tribal Relations for the Department of Natural Resources and candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands, outlined his vision for managing the state's natural resources while emphasizing his unique professional and lived experience. As always, a full text transcr…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Senior Advisor at The Urbanist and Executive Director of The Economic Opportunity Institute, Rian Watt! They discuss: Washington State Democrats Pass Ceasefire Resolution Everett Herald Layoffs Spark Concerns Over Local News Coverage Seattle Social Housing Initiative Moves Forward Seattle Public Schools …

Dave Upthegrove, a former legislator and current King County Councilmember and candidate for Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands, recently discussed his bid for the position, highlighting his priorities and outlining his vision for the future of the state's natural resources management. As always, a full text transcript of the show is ava…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle Times City Hall reporter, David Kroman! They discuss: Former Seattle Police Chief Comes Out, Uses as Defense Against Sexual Misconduct Allegations Seattle Police Department Recruitment Test Controversy Seattle Police Officer's Invalid Driver's License Scandal Auburn Police Officer on Trial for Mu…

Chris Reykdal, current Superintendent of Public Instruction, joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss his re-election campaign. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find Chris Reykdal at @chrisreykdal.…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by reporter covering social justice issues for NPR member station KNKX, Lilly Ana Fowler! They discuss: Gun Violence Impacting Schools Burien Police Chief Resigns & City Manager Calls Police On Homeless People Almost Every Day Governor Inslee on Emergency Abortions PayUp Minimum Wage Legislation Repeal COVI…

Reid Saaris, an educator and former non-profit leader, joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss his campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find more information …

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank! They discuss: Seattle Public Schools Consider Closing Multiple Schools Amid Budget Deficit Seattle's Wealth Disparity: Median Home Price Surpasses $1 Million, City Boasts 54,000 Millionaires City Council …

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion discusses progress and challenges in her first 18 months - highlighting efforts to rebuild law enforcement relationships, reduce juvenile crime, and address violent crime through collaboration and early intervention. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle political reporter, editor of PubliCola, and co-host of the Seattle Nice podcast, Erica Barnett! They discuss: Gubernatorial Candidate Mullet Files Ethics Complaint Against Ferguson Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz Demoted After Discrimination Allegations Sue Rahr Announced as Interim Police Chie…

State Senator Patty Kuderer joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss her run for Insurance Commissioner - pledging to be a strong consumer advocate, push for universal healthcare, and get tough on insurance companies. She touts her legislative record and experience as an attorney representing policyholders. As always, a full text transcript of the show is av…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and Founder and Editor of The Needling, Lex Vaughn! They discuss: PayUp Legislation Repeal Sparks Controversy and Recusal Issues in Seattle City Council Another Discrimination Lawsuit Against SPD Police Recruitment and Standards Snohomish County Achieves 10% Reduction in…

On this topical show, Crystal welcomes Edmund Witter, Senior Managing Attorney at the King County Bar Association's Housing Justice Project, for a conversation about how the eviction crisis is exacerbating an already dire situation as Washington state grapples with record homelessness. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at o…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of People Power Washington, Shannon Cheng! They discuss: Three Bob Fergusons File for Governor During Filing Week in Republican Stunt Boeing Faces Criminal Prosecution for 737 MAX Crashes Gig Worker Pay Protections Face Repeal Amid Political Tensions and Mayoral Speculation Comprehensive Plan Coali…

Mayor Bruce Harrell has introduced a draft proposal for a $1.35 billion transportation levy to renew the expiring Move Seattle Levy. The proposed nine-year levy aims to address street repaving, bridge maintenance, and spot improvements for transit, but falls short of the transformative vision advocated for by transportation and climate activists. U…

Senator Manka Dhingra joins Hacks & Wonks for an in-depth interview to discuss her campaign for Attorney General and plans to address WA’s most pressing issues. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchf…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank! They discuss: Republican Divisions Threaten Party's Chances in Governor's Race Corporate-Backed Super PAC Boosts Conservative Democrat's Campaign Seattle Councilmember Seeks to Roll Back Gig Worker Protec…

Nick Brown joins Hacks & Wonks for an in-depth interview to discuss his campaign for Attorney General and plans to address WA’s most pressing issues. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitter/X at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at @finchfrii and find Nick…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by staff writer at The Stranger covering policing, incarceration and courts, Ashley Nerbovig! They discuss: GOP Candidate Dave Reichert's Anti-LGBTQ Views Boeing Faces Scrutiny Over Safety Issues and Alleged Cover-Up Tacoma to Implement ShotSpotter Despite Concerns Local Guaranteed Basic Income Pilots Show …

On this topical show, Crystal welcomes Evan Thompkins, STAR Program Specialist with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and Stephanie Van Jacobs, Program Manager at WellPower! The STAR program offers a promising alternative response to mental health and substance use crises, providing individuals with the support and resources t…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Staff Reporter for Real Change and creator of the Gossip Guy newsletter, Guy Oron! They discuss: Washington's Ban on High-Capacity Magazines Ruled Unconstitutional Three New GOP Initiatives Boeing Whistleblower Raises Safety Concerns Seattle City Councilmembers Call for Improvements to Comprehensive Plan…

On this topical show, Crystal Fincher and Executive Director of The Urbanist, Rian Watt, dig into how housing policy shapes the future vision for our communities, why the recent legislative session didn’t live up to its “Year of Housing 2.0” billing, and how the Seattle Comprehensive plan falls short and can be improved. As always, a full text tran…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle political reporter, editor of PubliCola, and co-host of the Seattle Nice podcast, Erica Barnett! They discuss: Seattle Police Contract Raises Budget Concerns, Accountability Questions Thurston Sheriff's Hiring of Officer Involved in Manny Ellis' Killing Illuminates Broader Accountability Issues B…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Assistant Managing Editor for Diversity and Inclusion and the Social Justice Columnist for The Seattle Times, Naomi Ishisaka! They discuss: New Candidates Running for Seattle City Council Everyday Gun Violence Seattle Dual-Dispatch Pilot is Underutilized Ferguson’s Police Centric Plan Deaths at Tacoma IC…

King County is taking a comprehensive, community-focused approach that early data suggests is helping steer young people away from cycles of violence. In an interview with the Hacks & Wonks podcast, Eleuthera Lisch, director of the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention, discussed the promising impacts of the county's community viol…

Hacks & Wonks Week in Review: Presidential Primary, Legislative Retirements, Police Recruitment in Seattle, Seattle Public Schools Board, and Burien Gets Sued Presidential Primary Takeaways In this week's presidential primary, Trump and Biden secured enough delegates to clinch their parties' nominations. While Trump's impact worries moderate Republ…

In a recent interview on the "Hacks & Wonks" podcast, Tacoma City Councilmember Olgy Diaz provided an insider's guide on how to prepare and run for elected office. Drawing from over a decade of experience in political campaigns and advocacy, Diaz offered detailed advice for prospective candidates. Diaz stressed knowing your "why" for running as a m…

Week in Review: Conservative Initiatives, Comprehensive Plan, and Ax Murderer Controversy Conservative Initiatives Pass Democratic Legislature In a surprising move, the Democratic-majority in the Washington state legislature passed three conservative ballot initiatives into law, bypassing the need for a public vote. The initiatives ban a state inco…

In an interview with the Hacks & Wonks podcast, King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined the county's approach to addressing the region's homelessness crisis - a crisis he says fundamentally stems from a lack of affordable housing. "The reason people don't have housing is because they can't afford housing," Constantine said. "It's a tremendou…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Editor of The Stranger and noted poet, Rich Smith! Crystal and Rich discuss the significance of the Stranger endorsing “Uncommitted Delegates” in the March 12th Presidential Primary. They then celebrate the legislature’s passage of the Strippers’ Bill of Rights and mourn the deaths of rent stabilization …

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by metro news columnist and opinion editor for The News Tribune in Tacoma, Matt Driscoll! With two weeks left in the State legislative session, Crystal and Matt dig into several bills with potential for huge impact and needing public support to get across the finish line - HB 2114 (rent stabilization), HB 1…

On this topical show, special guest host Shannon Cheng welcomes back Amy Sundberg and BJ Last from Solidarity Budget to discuss how the City of Seattle is rushing to bring three surveillance technologies to the streets of Seattle with minimal public input - a final public meeting happens next week on Tuesday, February 27th, 6pm! Amy and BJ fill Sha…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank! Crystal and Robert chat about Raise the Wage Renton’s special election win, how a rent stabilization bill passed out of the State House but faces an uphill battle in the State Senate, and the authorizatio…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle Times City Hall reporter, David Kroman! Crystal and David dig into why Seattle is putting less money into new affordable housing project this year and how this week’s launch of a second social housing initiative by House Our Neighbors may be appealing to voters wanting to see progress on the issu…

On this topical show, Crystal welcomes Everett Maroon, Executive Director of Blue Mountain Heart to Heart, for a conversation about their work in Southeast Washington using a harm reduction philosophy to support people, stabilize lives, & promote health and wellness in the community. Crystal and Everett chat about how the opioid epidemic has impact…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle political reporter and editor of PubliCola, Erica Barnett! Crystal and Erica discuss public outcry over targeted inspections of LGBTQ+ establishments and Seattle Council President Sara Nelson’s remarks opposing even-year elections for local races. They then turn to news from King County that the …

On this topical show, Crystal welcomes Andrew Villeneuve, founder of the Northwest Progressive Institute! Crystal learns about the Northwest Progressive Institute’s (NPI) work to advance progressive policies through their focuses on research and advocacy, what’s covered in NPI’s long form blog The Cascadia Advocate, and the importance of reframing …

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle Times politics and communities reporter, Daniel Beekman! Crystal and Daniel discuss the unsurprising Seattle City Council vacancy appointment and what we might see from a business-backed, Harrell-picked legislative body as they navigate a hiring freeze, a large budget deficit, and upcoming import…

On this topical show, Crystal welcomes Renton City Councilmember Carmen Rivera and Raise the Wage Renton Steering Committee member Maria Abando to learn more about the upcoming citizen initiative on the February 13th special election ballot. Modeled after the successful Raise the Wage Tukwila initiative that passed with over 80% of the vote in 2022…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank! Crystal and Robert dive into the open machinations of the big corporate donors to appoint their preferred candidate to a Seattle City Council vacancy and how the messy process has leached its way into Sea…

Please enjoy this re-air of our listeners’ favorite topical show of 2023! On this topical show re-air, Crystal chats with former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and his former Senior Communications Advisor Robert Cruickshank about the missed opportunity for generational impact through how decisions were made about Seattle’s waterfront and the SR99 tunnel…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Washington State government reporter for McClatchy, Shauna Sowersby! Crystal and Shauna recount the terrifying details of a hole blowing out the side of a Boeing 737 MAX 9 midflight, the response by Alaska Airlines, and what steps the National Transportation Safety Board is taking to get to the bottom of…

As the public and policy makers at various levels of government are pressured to double down on punitive status quo approaches, we hope everyone listens to this re-air of Crystal’s robust conversation with criminologist Damon Petrich about the ineffectiveness of incarceration. As lead author of the seminal work “Custodial Sanctions and Reoffending:…

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and Founder and Editor of The Needling, Lex Vaughn! Crystal and Lex dive into the new year’s headlines with a debate over Space Needle NYE drone shows vs fireworks, a rundown of new Washington state laws taking effect, and a discussion of why it’s important to look past …

As a new year starts with hope and possibility, please enjoy this Sept 2023 re-air where @finchfrii welcomes Dr. Ben Danielson, director of AHSHAY (Allies in Healthier Systems for Health & Abundance in Youth) Center, for an important conversation about ending youth incarceration. With King County’s commitment to end youth detention by 2025 looming …

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle political reporter and editor of PubliCola, Erica Barnett! Crystal and Erica discuss how a City of Seattle audit of registered rental properties shows a shift from smaller rental properties to larger apartment buildings that mirrors national trends, rather than being a direct reaction to tenant p…

On this topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Dr. Stephan Blanford, Executive Director of Children’s Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation on childcare. They delve into the importance of childcare as an economic driver and its societal impacts through preparing kids for success in school and life. A review of the state of childcare in Washingto…

Seattle budget season may be over but it’s never too early to start preparing and studying up for next year! On this topical show re-air, special guest host Shannon Cheng chats with Amy Sundberg and BJ Last from Solidarity Budget about the City of Seattle budget process. After covering budget basics and where we’re at in Seattle’s budget process, t…

The makeup of Seattle City Council may be changing a lot next year, but the issues they’ll face won’t. Over the six weeks leading up to ballots being mailed out for the 2023 general election, Hacks & Wonks presented our series of interviews with most of the Seattle City Council candidates! On this topical show re-air, join Crystal and Shannon behin…

On this topical show re-air, Crystal chats with Bothell Mayor Mason Thompson about what got him engaged in public service, what issues are top of mind in Bothell, and how he approaches making meaningful change when the system is biased to keep things the same. Mayor Thompson believes that continuing as we always have will only make our current prob…