Citizen Tacoma

On this episode, we welcome Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker, a Pierce Transit commissioner and a Sound Transit board member. We discuss what’s happening with transit in Tacoma and the wider region. We focus on the bus driver shortage that is affecting the 590 and 594 routes, light rail, the PT Runner service, the “Stream,” and much more. Links Kristina Walker Channel 25...

Welcome back to another episode of Citizen Tacoma! Michelle Douglas joins the podcast to discuss hunger in Pierce County. She gives an update on some of the ways Emergency Food Network and the food pantries across the county are serving those who need food. We also check-in about the arts, the economy, downtown Tacoma, and more. Enjoy! Links Emergency Food Network Channel 253 membership  

Did you know that Tacoma is governed by a “charter?” And that every ten years, a group of citizens gets together to review it and propose new changes. It’s true! Steve Wamback is the chair of the committee that is tackling this process. With more than 50 meetings planned in six months, they have a big workload ahead of them. So what are they looking at? How does the process work?...

Welcome back to another episode of Citizen Tacoma! Melissa Malott joins the podcast to discuss the health of Commencement Bay and what’s threatening it. She gives an update on some of the industrial uses in the port and the work CHB is doing on that front. We get into the proposed rebuilding of the animal rendering plant and much more. She also speaks a little bit about the Tacoma Charter Re...

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland joins the podcast to talk about the recent speakership elections, government shutdowns, conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, bridging the digital divide, her view on what’s at stake in the 2024 elections, and more. Links Marilyn Strickland Channel 253 membership

On this episode, we welcome Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker, who is a commissioner with Pierce Transit and a board member with Sound Transit. We discuss what’s happening with transit in Tacoma and the wider region. We focus on the opening of the extension of the Link T Line in Tacoma. We also look at bus rapid transit, access to transit, and we check in on projects in Seattle and on the Eastsid...

Korey Strozier, one of the five Tacoma school board members, joins Citizen Tacoma for a Back-to-School-themed episode. We check in on what’s happening with the district, including technology, high schools, leadership, budget, trans students, and much more. Links Korey Strozier and the school board Channel 253 membership

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we check in with County Councilmember Marty Campbell. What’s the county up to? What’s happening with Pride Month, homelessness, public safety, bike and pedestrian safety, and more? Are elected officials on the West Coast “incompetent?” Tune in for a wide-ranging interview. Links Marty Campbell, District 5 Channel 253 membership  

We’ve got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with John Frazier. We talk about what she sees as the top issues affecting the district and how she sees herself working with the council. We also ask every candidate to fill in the...

We’ve got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with Malando Redeemer. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the district and how he sees himself working with the council. We also ask every candidate to fill in th...

We’ve got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with John Frazier. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the district and how he sees himself working with the council. We also ask every candidate to fill in the bl...

We’ve got a big pack of candidate interviews. We invited the five candidates to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the issues affecting District 3 and Tacoma. Four responded (so far?). This interview is with Chris Van Vechten. We talk about what he sees as the top issues affecting the district and how he sees himself working with the council. We also ask every candidate to fill in t...

Filing week is coming up in Washington State, which is when candidates file for office. This year, we are electing candidates to parks, schools, ports, city councils, and other “nonpartisan” seats. Rosie Ayala ran for office (and won!) in 2021 to become a commissioner on the Metro Parks board of Tacoma. She joined the podcast to talk about that experience and give notes to anyone consi...

On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, Commissioner Rosie Ayala joins the podcast to talk about what’s happening with Metro Parks: playfields, natural resources, climate change, and more! Give it a listen. Links Commissioner Rosie Ayala Channel 253 membership

Citizen Tacoma continues its five-part “Better Know a District” series! This episode, Joe Bushnell joins the podcast to talk about what’s happening in District 5. We check in on what’s happening on Hosmer Street, growing jobs in Tacoma, tree canopy, policing in Tacoma, and where “Tacoma’s Tacoma” is. Check it out! Links Joe Bushnell Channel 253 membership 

Citizen Tacoma continues its five-part “Better Know a District” series! This episode, Sarah Rumbaugh joins the podcast to talk about what’s happening in District 2. We check in on downtown, the camping ordinances, the port of Tacoma, and more. We also look more broadly at what she’s tracking in Tacoma this year. Links Sarah Rumbaugh Channel 253 membership 

In this first episode of 2023, the Citizen Tacoma podcast sits down with John Hines to talk about what’s happening in District 1. We check in on Proctor planning, the Cushman substation, the tiny house village, and more. We also look more broadly at what he’s tracking in Tacoma this year. Links John Hines Channel 253 membership 

Steve Krupa joins the Citizen Tacoma podcast to talk about his run to be on the Tacoma Municipal Court, position 3. We discuss what he considers when he casts a ballot for judicial seats, judicial discretion and the role judges play, policing and the criminal justice system, and much more. Give it a listen! Links Steve Krupa for Judge Channel 253 membership

Sergio Flores joins the Citizen Tacoma podcast to talk about his run to be on the Tacoma Municipal Court, position 3. We discuss what he considers when he casts a ballot for judicial seats, judicial discretion and the role judges play, policing and the criminal justice system, and much more. Give it a listen! Links Sergio Flores for Judge Channel 253 membership

Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson joins the Citizen Tacoma podcast to talk about her run to be Washington Secretary of State. We discuss election administration, the challenges of election disinformation, ranked choice voting, and the other duties of the office. Give it a listen! Links Elect Julie Anderson Channel 253 membership

Incumbent Secretary of State Steve Hobbs joins the Citizen Tacoma podcast to talk about his run to retain his seat. We discuss election administration, the challenges of election disinformation, ranked choice voting, and the other duties of the office. Give it a listen! Links Elect Steve Hobbs Channel 253 membership

Paula Lonergan is running for Pierce County Council District 7. In this episode, we talk about her background, her priorities, and the issues the district (and Pierce County as a whole) is facing. Links Elect Paula Lonergan Channel 253 membership

Robyn Denson is running for Pierce County Council District 7. In this episode, we talk about her background, her priorities, and the issues the district (and Pierce County as a whole) is facing. Links Elect Robyn Denson Channel 253 membership

Linda Farmer is running for Pierce County Auditor. In this episode of Citizen Tacoma we talk about the auditor’s role in managing free and fair elections, licensing, and who won the 2020 Presidential Election. Links Linda Farmer Channel 253 membership

Deryl McCarty is running for Pierce County Auditor. In this episode of Citizen Tacoma we talk about the auditor’s role in managing free and fair elections, licensing, and who won the 2020 Presidential Election. Links McCarty for Auditor Channel 253 membership