Citizen Tacoma

For this episode, we’re joined by two organizers of Safe Homes for All, Zev Cook and Kiss’Shonna Curtis. Zev and Kiss’Shonna talk about their goals for Measure 1, including enforcement, recognition of tenants’ unions, and more. This is a companion episode to our conversation with affordable housing providers who shared some of their concerns about the measure on a previous...

This episode’s guest on Citizen Tacoma is Martha Lantz, former Vice Chair of the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. She’s on the podcast to walk listeners through the questions the commission has put to the voters as citizens consider how to amend the Pierce County Charter. The hot topic is, of course, whether we should elect or appoint our sheriff. But there are many other amend...

This episode of Citizen Tacoma features Amanda DeShazo and Jason Scales. Amanda is the executive director of the Affordable Housing Consortium. And Jason is the executive director of LASA. These two leaders of nonprofit affordable housing providers in Tacoma and Pierce County join the podcast to share their perspective on the ongoing affordable housing crisis in our community, as well as their spe...

So…. what’s happening with our ballots in the 2026 election? Normally, we say that Washington is a state where we “mail in” in our ballots. But, what do we do if we don’t trust the post office to deliver our ballots? We dig into these questions with Pierce County’s top election official, Linda Farmer. (Her answer: drop it off.) After the break, she also discusse...

This episode, Citizen Tacoma is joined by two community leaders—Joe LeRoy of Hope Sparks, and Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff of Pediatrics Northwest. We discuss the overall state of children’s mental health in Tacoma and Pierce County, and we also dig deep on an innovative model between Hope Sparks and Pediatrics Northwest that attends to children’s mental health as part of regular pediatric vi...

Matt Mauer, President of the Board of Commissioners of Tacoma Parks, joins us to talk about the budget challenges at Parks Tacoma. What happened, what is the board doing about it, and what can the public expect going into the future? Links Channel 253 membership

Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker sits on the board of Sound Transit and Pierce Transit. In this episode, we check in on what’s happening with Sound Transit, including the future of light rail connection to Tacoma. We also preview Pierce Transit, a possible ballot initiative in November, and finish up with Tacoma’s grown bike and pedestrian network. Enjoy! Links Channel 253 mem...

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we’re joined by Sherrana Kildun, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity. We discuss the housing affordability crisis and what can be done to address it. Sherrana also shares information about the work Habitat is doing in Tacoma and Pierce County around homeownership. And, Habitat is looking for owners for some of their projects! Check out this episode a...

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we are joined by Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. In the first half, we discuss the current government shutdown, the fight over health care, and the rule of law under the Trump administration. In the second half, we look ahead to what Tacoma’s next mayor will face. Links Channel 253 membership

In this episode, we sit down with Silong Chhun, running for Tacoma’s City Council seat representing District 4. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Silong Chhun Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I’m Erik Hanberg! I’ve hosted the Citizen...

In this episode, we sit down with Sandesh Sadalge, running for Tacoma’s City Council seat representing District 4. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Links Sandesh Sadalge Support Channel 253 with a membership A note from the host Hello! I’m Erik Hanberg! I’ve hosted the C...

Let’s talk parks! As a former parks commissioner myself, I was excited to talk to some candidates for the parks board of Tacoma for the first time. I decided to focus on Position 3. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Pete Reyes. We talk about the state of our parks, climate change, serving youth, and more. Check it out! Links Elect...

Let’s talk parks! As a former parks commissioner myself, I was excited to talk to some candidates for the parks board of Tacoma for the first time. I decided to focus on Position 3. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Bronwyn Clarke. We talk about the state of our parks, climate change, serving youth, and more. Check it out! Links Cl...

There’s an “open” seat on the City Council, which means the incumbent isn’t running. Position 6 is a “city-wide” position, which serves all of Tacoma. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Jessica Johnston. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions...

There’s an “open” seat on the City Council, which means the incumbent isn’t running. Position 6 is a “city-wide” position, which serves all of Tacoma. Both candidates for this seat sat down with Citizen Tacoma. For this episode, we are joined by Latasha Palmer. We talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions fa...

The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Whitney Steves. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Li...

The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Anthony “Tony” Ginn. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year....

The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Anders Ibsen. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Link...

The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Steve Haverly. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Lin...

The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Jesse Carlos. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check it out! Link...

The people of Tacoma are electing a new mayor this year! Six candidates have filed to run for office… and every one of them sat down for an interview on the Citizen Tacoma podcast! For this episode, we are joined by Councilmember John Hines. On the podcast, we talk about the big issues that voters are thinking about this year and some of the big decisions facing the council next year. Check...

What’s happening with Tacoma’s streets? An initiative would help fund continued street improvements. What happened with the last one? How are our streets doing? And what will it cost? Whenever we have transportation questions, we turn to Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker. Tune in. Links Kristina Walker Yes to Prop 1 Channel 253 membership

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we sit down with Lowell Wyse, executive director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation. We talk about Tacoma’s urban forest, the canopy, protections for heritage trees, “Home in Tacoma,” making 2025 the year of the tree, and much more. Links Tacoma Tree Foundation Channel 253 membership

Longtime Channel 253 host Evelyn Lopez joins the podcast to look back at Tacoma’s 2024 and chat about the year ahead. We also look back at some highlights of the podcast Crossing Division . Note, we recorded this earlier in December before the board of Metro Parks called a special meeting to appoint Alisa Lee to the board. Evelyn was correct! They decided to handle this before they lost thei...

Sarah Rumbaugh represents District 2 in Tacoma. On this episode, we go on-location to Cremello Cafe to talk about vandalism and small businesses in Tacoma. We also discuss homelessness, grease traps, Tacoma’s tree canopy, “structural deficits,” and much more. Enjoy this episode with Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh. Links Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh Channel 253 membership