It’s getting harder and harder to talk about politics, especially if you disagree. Well, screw that. Seattle Nice aims to be the most opinionated and smartest analysis of what’s really happening in Seattle politics available in any medium. Each episode dives into contentious and sometimes ridiculous topics, exploring perspectives from across Seattle's political spectrum, from city council brawls to the ways the national political conversation filters through our unique political process. Eve ...
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$5M Lawsuit accuses Seattle police of sexual discrimination and harassment
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Four female employees are suing SPD for alleged harassment and sexual discrimination by Chief Adrian Diaz and other leaders. The pod dissects and debates. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Support the Show. Support us on Patreon!By David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep Kaushik
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Why was Seattle's original draft plan for more dense housing watered down?
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25:11
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A big Publicola scoop shows how Mayor Harrell watered down a draft comprehensive plan for "significantly more density in more parts of the city, including single-family neighborhoods, than the final version Mayor Harrell released in March." The pod discusses and debates the policy and the politics, in light of recent polling that suggests most Seat…
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New Poll: Is Seattle's glass half full or still half empty?
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Today's pod gets into new poll results about what Seattle's thinking and feeling. Most people say quality of life in the city has improved somewhat compared to last year. But last year most people said things really sucked. Seattle Nice discusses, debates and digresses. If you have any show requests, hot tips or questions please email us at realsea…
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Seattle's new police contract, $1.35 billion transportation levy and the migrant crisis
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29:53
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This week the pod talks about the new Seattle Police contract, Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposed $1.35 billion transportation levy, and the politics of the migrant crisis in the region. Our editor is Quinn Waller Support the Show. Support us on Patreon!By David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep Kaushik
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Seattle Police contract includes 23 percent retroactive raise
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7:56
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Erica's got the breaking scoop today about the new tentative police contract on Publicola, and Seattle Nice gets into it. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Support the Show. Support us on Patreon!
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Seattle considers changes to police hiring tests and gig delivery worker pay
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Seattle's Police Department is having a hard time bringing in new recruits, so the city council is considering moving to an easier test for job applicants as one possible fix. Erica says that's the wrong solution and Sandeep disagrees. Plus, the podcast debates a proposal to scale back a pay increase for delivery drivers that was passed by the last…
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Shocking presidential primary vote and Seattle Mayor's controversial comprehensive plan
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This week's podcast considers a political sea change in Seattle, and asks if Mayor Bruce Harrell's new comprehensive plan is doomed to fail. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Support the Show. Support us on Patreon!By David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep Kaushik
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Did Seattle's new council overreact to recent protests at city hall?
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Raucous protests rattled the new Seattle city council this week, leading to 6 arrests. Did the council react appropriately or overreact? Our editor is Quinn Waller Support the Show. Support us on Patreon!By David Hyde, Erica Barnett, and Sandeep Kaushik
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Mayor Bruce Harrell says Seattle's making progress under his leadership
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42:09
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Seattle Nice parses the vibes and debates the substance of Mayor Bruce Harrell's third State of the City talk. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Support us on Patreon! Support the Show. Support us on Patreon!By David Hyde, Erica Barnett, Sandeep Kaushik
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Erica and Sandeep disagree about the merits of a proposed social housing initiative. It proposes to raise $50,000,000 a year through new business taxes to create publicly owned, permanently affordable housing. Is it the right plan to help address Seattle's affordable housing crisis? Our editor is Quinn Waller. Support us on Patreon! Support the Sho…
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Gay bar raids, voter turnoutgate and a mistrial
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25:13
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This week Erica and Sandeep somehow manage to agree more than they disagree as the pod dives into three stories that appeared in The Stranger. Seattle’s Queer Community Demands Swift Change After Raids of Gay Bars Council President Sara Nelson Opposes Effort to Increase Voter Turnout Mistrial for 'Stop the Sweeps' Protester Charged with Standing on…
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Tanya Woo's controversial Seattle city council appointment
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Erica throws shade on the council's appointment of CID activist Tanya Woo to an open Seattle city council seat. Sandeep counters. Hilarity ensues. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Support the show Support the Show. Support us on Patreon!By Erica Barnett, Sandeep Kaushik, David Hyde
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This is a preview of a special members-only episode, in which we grapple with two of Erica's recent breaking stories: “Harrell Administration Consultant Tim Ceis Urges Businesses to Back Tanya Woo for Open Council Seat,” and the “implosion” of a key player in Seattle’s effort to address homelessness, “We Are In.” To hear the full episode please don…
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Who is likely to get Seattle's open city council job?
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We learned this week that 72 people have thrown their hats in the ring to replace former Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who represented Seattle's at-large Position 8. The Council will pick one of them to serve until voters get their say in the the fall election. Please donate to help keep the podcast going and support our editor, Quinn Waller, here…
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Who really wants Teresa Mosqueda's old job on the Seattle city council?
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43:56
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Today on the pod we talk about who is vying to replace exiting council member Teresa Mosqueda, city council appointments, and more! Please donate to help keep the podcast going and support our editor, Quinn Waller, here. (patreon.com/seattlenice) Want to advertise your podcast or business? Contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com If you want to help su…
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Rockin' New Year's Eve special predicting Seattle's future
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This week's pod sails into uncharted waters with some bold predictions about what's likely to happen in Seattle next year. Please donate to help keep the podcast going and support our editor, Quinn Waller, here. (patreon.com/seattlenice) Want to advertise your podcast or business? Contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com If you want to help support Sea…
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In this special holiday edition, we discuss the biggest stories of the year and are haunted by a ghastly question from the podcast's past, "Would Seattle politics be better off without Twitter?" Please donate to help keep the podcast going and support our editor, Quinn Waller, here. (patreon.com/seattlenice) Want to advertise your podcast or busine…
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What's next for Seattle with a new city council?
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Five new faces are joining the Seattle city council. What really changes next year? Please donate to help keep the podcast going and support our editor, Quinn Waller, here. (patreon.com/seattlenice) Want to advertise your podcast or business? Contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com If you want to help support Seattle Nice, please review us wherever yo…
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Centrists flip Seattle city council. Now what?
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Seattle voters have spoken. But what did they say? And what will the next council actually do? All questions are answered on this podcast. Please donate to help keep the podcast going and support our editor, Quinn Waller, here. (patreon.com/seattlenice) Want to advertise your podcast or business? Contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com If you want to …
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Will Urbanism Win Seattle's city council races?
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It's become a political brag for some candidates to call themselves "urbanists" in big blue cities like Seattle. So what is urbanist ideology and how's it doing in this year's city council election? Whatever happened to running against growth? Please donate to keep the pod alive here and help support our editor, Quinn Waller. Want to advertise your…
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On Drugs: Seattle council races, final stretch edition
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36:52
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This week all the city council races we didn't get to last time, plus some fresh back-and-forth about city drug policy. Please donate to keep the pod alive here. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Want to help the pod and raise awareness about your own podcast or business? We've got a special for the month of October only! Contact us realseattlenice@gmail…
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Election fever burns hot in two Seattle city council races
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26:53
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Districts 1 and 2 are the hot topics for this week's SPECIAL ELECTION EPISODE, featuring lack of sleep + lively discussion. Please donate to keep the pod alive here. Our editor is Quinn Waller. Want to help the pod and raise awareness about your own podcast or business? We've got a special for the month of October only! Contact us realseattlenice@g…
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Was the plan to end homelessness in downtown Seattle doomed to fail?
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"The King County Regional Homelessness Authority’s Partnership for Zero program—a heavily hyped public-private partnership aimed at ending unsheltered homelessness in downtown Seattle—is ending," Erica C Barnett wrote on PubliCola. Erica and Sandeep dig into the details and disagree about whether it was the right concept in the first place. Please …
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Will the Seattle police video scandal provoke reform?
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Seattle police officer Daniel Auderer was caught joking about the death of a 23-year-old student on his own bodycam video. We discuss the subsequent outrage and debate whether the scandal could lead to meaningful changes within SPD. Our editor is Quinn Waller. If you want to advertise, please contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com If you want to help…
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Will Seattle's proposed drug law make a difference?
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28:40
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On Tuesday a Seattle city council committee is considering a new drug ordinance. Sandeep and Erica are skeptical that it will do much to address Seattle's drug crisis or improve public safety. Tune in to hear them break it down, and the phrase "smoke and mirrors" used several times. Our editor is Quinn Waller. If you want to advertise, please conta…
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Blame game on Seattle's hotel shelter program
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25:00
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Erica C. Barnett has been reporting on Publicola about problems with a "short-lived hotel shelter program run by the Lived Experience Coalition —a group of advocates who have direct experience with homelessness." Who is to blame? Plus, burning hot takes on Burning Man getting stuck in the muck. Our editor is Quinn Waller. If you want to advertise, …
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9 new progressive taxes are on the table in Seattle. Which ones, if any, are likely to pass? Plus, “Council Declines to Fast-Track Law Empowering City Attorney To Prosecute Drug Users.” Please donate to keep this show alive! Our Patreon link is here. Our editor is Quinn Waller. If you want to advertise, please contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com I…
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Seattle city council primary results are in! This week's episode delivers everything you need to know about what those results mean. Plus, talk about Erica's recent vacation and Sandeep's favorite musical. Please donate to keep this show alive! Our Patreon link is here. Our editor is Quinn Waller. If you want to advertise, please contact us realsea…
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Sandeep and Erica discuss and debate the election eve zeitgeist as the city readies for the August 1st primary. Plus, David asks for our pundit's predictions, but as the Magic 8 ball says, "Reply hazy, try again." Please donate to keep this show alive! Our Patreon link is here. This episode was edited by Quinn Waller. If you want to advertise, plea…
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Erica and Sandeep make their picks for the hottest Seattle city council races of 2023, and debate some of the issues that are driving the debate in this pivotal election year. Please donate to keep this show alive! Our Patreon link is here. This episode was edited by Quinn Waller. If you want to advertise, please contact us realseattlenice@gmail.co…
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Baseball Sweep Denial and D4 Showdown in Seattle
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This week, it's a Seattle Nice doubleheader. First, Seattle launches a big encampment removal before MLB All-Star Week, but the Mayor's office claims there's no link to the event. Plus, the latest candidate showdown in Seattle's City Council District 4 race. Please donate to keep this show alive! Our Patreon link is here. This episode was edited by…
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In this episode Erica and Sandeep debate the departure of Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell, the new "Downtown is YOU" activation plan, and the politics of Kshama Sawant's latest rent control proposal. This episode was edited by Quinn Waller. Check out our sponsor, the You Know Me Now podcast. And you can also DonateSupport — You Know Me Now If you want…
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In the most-anticipated podcast episode of 2023, Erica and Sandeep debate Seattle's drug law controversy. This episode was edited by Quinn Waller. Check out the You Know Me Now podcast. This week's sponsor. And you can also DonateSupport — You Know Me Now If you want to advertise, please contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com If you want to help supp…
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What's really going on with King County homelessness policy?
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38:17
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Erica broke the big news that Marc Dones is stepping down as head of King County regional homelessness authority while she was on vacation. Now, Erica's back to tell you what she couldn't Tweet from Bulgaria She and Sandeep get into the fallout, and discuss what's next. This episode was edited by Quinn Waller. Please review us wherever you get your…
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Some Seattle electeds want to make public drug use illegal. The proposal came after state lawmakers failed to replace the current drug possession law, which will expire July 1. Erica and Sandeep debate the wisdom of the city proposal and talk about drug politics and policy at all levels. This episode was edited by Quinn Waller. Check out the You Kn…
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Voters approve crisis center levy. Now what?
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Looks like King County votes said yes to creating five crisis care centers. What will the levy do to address the region's mental health crisis? What won't it do? Sandeep and Erica break it down. This episode was edited by Quinn Waller. Check out the You Know Me Now podcast. This week's sponsor. And you can also DonateSupport — You Know Me Now If yo…
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Will Bruce Harrell's Executive Order on Drugs make a difference?
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This week Mayor Bruce Harrell issued an executive order on plans to tackle Seattle's drug crisis. Will it work? He also spoke about downtown "revitalization." Surprisingly, both Sandeep and Erica have some positive things to say, albeit laced with the usual skepticism and questionable jokes. The episode's sponsor is the You Know Me Now podcast Dona…
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Lisa Daugaard's plan for "public disorder" on Third Avenue
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27:54
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In this preview episode, the pod heads to the most notorious area in Downtown Seattle, Third Avenue. It's become the epicenter for "public disorder," according to our special guest Lisa Daugaard, who is leading Seattle's latest effort to try and improve things. Erica and Sandeep ask some pointed questions about what her "Third Avenue Project" is up…
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Is Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison doing a good job with "repeat offenders."
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36:58
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Erica and Sandeep debate a recent report by City Attorney Ann Davison touting her success with repeat offenders, also known as high utilizers. More reading: City Attorney's office High Utilizer report Erica's at Publicola The Seattle Times editorial board Some background reporting from KUOW The episode's sponsor is the You Know Me Now podcast Donat…
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Sound Transit board votes to skip Chinatown and First Hill
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Sound Transit made a big decision about the future of light rail in Seattle this week, which Erica covered in Publicola. "After five hours of public testimony and a lengthy, often contentious debate, the Sound Transit board voted Thursday to adopt as its “preferred option” for the light rail extension through downtown Seattle a last-minute, back-of…
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How to interpret Mayor Harrell's State of the City address
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Erica and Sandeep analyze and debate Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's 2023 State of the City address. This episode was brought to you by: Magic Consulting 206-999-4071 reachgabemagic@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-meyer/ If you want to advertise, please contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com @realseattlenice on Twitter If you want to help su…
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Your questions about Seattle council races, pedestrian deaths, and more
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The Seattle Nice team answers your questions about a range of timely topics including one about politics in the city council race for District 2, which is starting to heat up. The team also answers a question about pedestrian deaths, and another about where the money is going to come from to support the social housing part of the social housing ini…
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How to vote on the Seattle social housing levy I-135
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24:07
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Looking for last-minute advice on how to vote on Seattle's social housing levy, or just hoping to be entertained by initiative talk? SN has you covered. Erica makes the case for voting yes. Sandeep, playing the role of wet blanket this week, says he "can't get there" on I-135. This episode was brought to you by: Magic Consulting 206-999-4071 reachg…
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Will the last person leaving Seattle City Council — turn out the lights
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Seattle Council member Teresa Mosqueda is one of the more powerful people in city government. But this week she announced she's got other plans - a run for the King County Council. Sandeep and Erica discuss and debate the motivations behind the big news. This episode was brought to you by: Magic Consulting 206-999-4071 reachgabemagic@gmail.com http…
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Billions and billions to end homelessness in King County
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The pod takes a closer look at a new 5-year plan to “dramatically reduce" homelessness in King County. Erica and Sandeep discuss the merits of the plan including the estimated $12 billion price tag. This episode was brought to you by: Magic Consulting 206-999-4071 reachgabemagic@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-meyer/ If you want to adver…
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Emergency Podcast: Socialist Alternative's Kshama Sawant won't run again
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43:28
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We process the political earthquake that just hit Seattle: Kshama Sawant's announcement that she won't run for council in 2023. Sawant is moving on to launch a new national worker's movement. The pod debates Sawant's legacy, speculates about the motives behind this big move, and gets into how this might affect the Seattle city council and the 7 cou…
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Does historic preservation in Seattle go too far?
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Today we bring you a lively debate on the future of Seattle's past after the city council acted this week on a mid-century modern former bank building on Denny, which is today a Walgreens. In a rare moment of agreement, Erica and Sandeep both think the city needs to find a way to tear down more landmarked buildings like that one to make way for mor…
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Why isn't Seattle's Alex Pedersen running for re-election, really?
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Now a third Seattle City Council member, Alex Pedersen, has announced he's not running for re-election. That's leading politics buffs to wonder, WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON? Tune in for definitive answers to that question, and ratings of Alex Pedersen's record on council so far. Bonus content: Some pundits are also asking a counterfactual question th…
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Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's Year in Review
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Erica and Sandeep reluctantly rate Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's first year in office. If you like Seattle Nice and want it to continue, please share it with friends and rate us highly wherever you get your podcasts. Support the Show. Support us on Patreon!By Erica Barnett, Sandeep Kaushik, David Hyde
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Would Seattle politics be better off without Twitter?
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If Twitter collapses under Elon Musk's ham-handed leadership, would that be a good or bad thing for Seattle politics? If you want to advertise, please contact us realseattlenice@gmail.com @realseattlenice on Twitter If you like Seattle Nice and want it to continue, please share it with friends and rate us highly wherever you get your podcasts. If y…
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