Crossing Division

Hello from post-election Tacoma! So many interesting races; so much tea. Justin Camarata joins host Evelyn Lopez to run through all the local elections, consider the impact (or lack thereof) of independent expenditure campaign ads,...

Election Day 2025 approaches, and it’s a big one for Tacoma! We are electing a new Mayor. four City Council members, Port and Parks Commissioners, and there is a County Charter Review Commission, which we...

Election Day 2025 approaches, and it’s a big one for Tacoma! We are electing a new Mayor. four City Council members, Port and Parks Commissioners, and there is a County Charter Review Commission, which we...

Well, it has been a while since the last Crossing Division podcast. We felt we were becoming too cynical about our local government, and we needed a break (check out Kitchen253.com). But these are hard...

Well, here we are, three weeks from the general election. So many critical races, so many huge issues! This episode of Crossing Division is a companion to the Nerd Farmer voters’ guide podcast. We will...

It can be hard to make friends, connect with your town, feel like you are part of positive changes. Volunteering can help open doors to finding your people and putting down roots in your community....

Tacoma, we love you, and your political controversies never disappoint. Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez sit down with Justin Camarata to discuss, and dish, the city council appointment process to fill district 4, the difficult...

Every ten years, the City of Tacoma engages in a Charter Review. It’s time again, and hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez review and discuss the most significant changes recommended by the Charter Review Committee. Are...

After a hiatus to clear our heads and figure out what we want to still talk about, Evelyn and Joe Lopez are back in the studio to talk about local developments in Tacoma with the...

Well, there are still some ballots left to count, but most races have been called. Tacoma City Council Position 7 will remain with incumbent Councilmember Olgy Diaz, and Tacoma will welcome new District 3 Councilmember...

Last week, hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez talked about local Tacoma elections, and noted that the “No on Tacoma Measure 1” PAC (political action committee) may not have been timely or adequately reporting campaign contributions....

Local elections are never overlooked at Crossing Division. And this year we have several critical races for Tacoma. What direction will our City take? You have a chance to decide just that. Hosts Evelyn and...

Can’t keep up with the indictments? We’re here to help! Joe and Evelyn Lopez go over the four current indictments (and that’s not even counting the E. Jean Carroll case). What are the charges, what...

After Carol Mitchell was dismissed from her key executive position with the Pierce County Executive, and while suing the County for wrongful discharge, Carol put her heart and soul into a new endeavor–the Institute for...

Carol Mitchell has worked at just about every government office and agency in Tacoma. As a well-respected attorney and government leader, she has a deep background in human resources and equal opportunity laws, and organizational...

Perhaps you have heard that there are 34 criminal charges filed against Donald Trump in New York. Perhaps you have heard that the case involves business records, payments to a porn star, and billings by...

We’ve been talking about housing and homelessness regularly on Crossing Division, and in this episode, we have the chance to talk about a really big idea—a game changing big idea. Governor Jay Inslee is proposing...

Next week, the Tacoma City Council will take up the issue of whether to make living on the streets illegal around temporary shelters and waterways. We’ve talked about bans before, and making it a crime...

And with one decision, the US Supreme Court destroys the right to abortion in this country, deciding that the availability of these vital, personal, health decisions should be decided by the states. While other states...

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, issued by the US Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, sweeps away 50 years of legal precedent and healthcare protections to decide: “The Constitution does no confer a right to...

What is a Precinct Committee Officer, and why should you consider running for the position? Filing week is next week (May16-20), and you could run for this most local of elected positions! Chair and Vice...

If you live in the 98404 or 98409 zip codes you can VOTE on creative arts and science projects for your community! Voting is open through May 13. Go to www.tacomacreates.org to vote, or look...

The Pierce County Council recently passed an ambitious comprehensive plan to end homelessness. Councilmember Ryan Miller sits down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about what makes this plan different, and what will be needed...

Currently, there are at least 3,300 of our neighbors living unhoused in Pierce County — realistically, that number is much higher. The situation involves a complicated set of problems: high housing prices, lack of affordable...

Sharlett Mena is running for State Representative for the 29th Legislative District. She sat down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about running for office, what she’s been working on since 2020, and her vision...