City Cast Seattle

Jane is back in the host seat, and she’s joined by special guest Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck to ask about the potential data center moratorium, the upcoming renewal of the Seattle Transit Measure, and what the deal is with her new friend, SDOT mascot Sal the Salmon. Contributors Guy Oron and Brett Hamil also join to discuss T-Mobile's new Starlink deal, Albertsons' alleged buy-one-get-one...

For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouchers to every voter to donate to the candidate of their choice in municipal elections. Recently, Jane sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about how these Democracy Vouchers work, how many people are participating, and what the impact on local elections has been. Plus, is the “Seattle Freeze” a real thing? Learn more about...

Today on the podcast Ashley is joined by a bevy of guests, including Seattle Public Library’s head librarian Tom Fay to talk about the surprising cost of e-books for our library system, reporter and editor Erica C. Barnett to explain the close to $20 million in funding the King County Regional Homelessness Authority cannot account for as well as the potential dissolving of the agency, and producer...

Today on the podcast Ashley is joined by regular contributor Ryan Packer and first-time guest KEXP DJ and co-founder of Timber! Outdoor Music Festival Kevin Sur to talk about the recent monopoly ruling against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, the dominance Ticketmaster has over the local music scene, the state of music festivals, and what makes Timber! so unique. Next, Ryan discusses changes coming t...

Today on the show, guest host Ashley Smith is joined by contributor Chase Hutchinson and special guest Ava Wood, AKA 365 Hockey Girl, content creator and newsletter writer. Ava brings everything you need to know about The Torrent’s final game. She says the team may be last in the standings, but Saturday's season finale against Montreal could be their most important game yet thanks to the "gold pla...

Today on the show, guest host Ashley Smith is joined by Libby Watson of No Hate in WA State to discuss two controversial bills focused on LGBTQ youth that Washington will vote on this fall. Resident parent Liam Billingham joins to ask questions about how these policies affect parental rights. Then, Ashley and Liam are joined by contributor Brett Hamil to chat about why you and the neighbor who is...

This week, executive producer Ashley Smith is filling in for Jane, and she’s bringing updates on the data centers maybe coming to Seattle, the fight between the Community Assisted Response & Engagement (CARE) team and the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), and, of course, good news for your Good News Day Tuesday. Joining Ashley are contributor Hannah Krieg and producer Sam. Hannah breaks down t...

Happy 420 Day, Seattle! Today on the podcast, our team put together some of our favorite recent conversations that fit today’s theme. We’re talking about the Trump administration's moves to reclassify weed, the legal landscape of psychedelics in Washington, and why Jane’s pizza takes are ideal for the munchies.  If you’re enjoying the show, support it by joining our membership program! City Cast S...

Today on the show, Jane’s learning about threats to Seattle’s co-op preschool system from parent educator and developmental psychologist Dr. Jharman Lightner. Will our leaders intervene in time to save the program? Plus, sports journalist Maggie Mertens from The Forecast and contributor Marcus Harrison Green break down some big changes to the Storm’s roster. And Jane has some ideas for how to spen...

Today on the podcast, Jane gets the lowdown on Washington’s public defender crisis from the Stranger’s Nathalie Graham. Nathalie also breaks down why this year’s judicial elections are such a big deal. And contributor Chase Hutchinson is back, this time with intel on the best documentaries coming to the Seattle International Film Festival. Plus, Jane shares news of an upcoming affordable housing o...

Jane sits down with the founders of CHUM News, Seattle's newest online magazine mixing art, food, politics, and culture. Photographer Meron Menghistab and journalist Adam Willems share how they launched their worker-owned publication to fill gaps in the local media landscape, and contributor Brett Hamill discusses the vital role of independent arts media. The group also dives into surprising data...

Today on the show, Jane is joined by public information officer for Sound Transit (and king of Numtots) Henry Bendon and contributor Hannah Krieg to chat about the next steps for Sound Transit 3 and when we can expect light rail in West Seattle and Ballard. Then they discuss the news that 5 new data centers have been proposed for Seattle and what that could do to our electricity costs. Finally, th...

As tax day approaches, Jane is joined by journalist Andy Engelson and contributor Guy Oron to explore the national tax strike protesting military spending and immigration enforcement, and to answer the question: what happens if you don’t pay? Then, as Jane says, “in a sentence not often uttered in the English language: taxes got me thinking about polyamory.” Jane and Andy discuss protections for a...

Today on the show, Jane is joined by contributor (and Elvish speaker) Marcus Harrison Green and creative producer (and Orc) Liam Billingham to discuss what the actual cost of the $470 million library levy will be for homeowners. Then they talk about the GeekWire piece about Anduril, the defense company that is quietly building drone ships on the ship canal, and its eccentric owner, Palmer Luckey,...

It’s Local News Day, and Jane is digging into Seattle's evolving media landscape. Annika Anand, who is helping to build the Washington State News Alliance, joins to discuss how media outlets are adapting to this moment in our information ecosystem as well as collaborative approaches to supporting local journalism across the state. Then, contributor Chase Hutchinson and producer Sam share insights...

Today on the show, Jane is joined by The Urbanist contributing editor and transportation advocate Ryan Packer and contributor Brett Hamil to talk about how tree advocacy is challenging pro-density advocates. Then they talk about the future of light rail in Ballard and West Seattle, and how to be optimistic with all the doom and gloom going around. Finally, they discuss a challenge to the millionai...

It’s National Beer Day, and since Seattle and a dank IPA go hand in hand, today Jane is chatting with Rodney Hines, co-founder and CEO of Metier Brewing. They talk about the rise of the social-only drinker, N/A options, representation in brewing, and the question we had to ask: has Seattle reached peak beer? Then, contributor Hannah and producer Sam join to talk about whether or not being a legisl...

Today, Jane is joined by Diana Fakhoury, director of the Rachel Corrie Foundation, to talk about how and why Washington state made the decision to sell $62 million in corporate bonds from the Caterpillar company, and how other states could follow suit. Then Jane is joined by Brett Hamil and Ashley to talk about the news that measles has arrived in Seattle. Finally, they open up the mailbag and tal...

While both Seattle and Denver have a professional Women's Soccer team (go Reign!), Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has inv...

Today, Jane explores Seattle's scrappy literary scene with writer and Nonfiction for No Reason founder Katie Lee Ellison, as well as contributor Marcus Harrison Green, with spring book recommendations and insight into local lit events. They then unpack the complex world of prediction betting markets, examining Robinhood's preemptive legal battle against Washington state and Kalshi's controversial...

Today is our 100th episode! So exciting! Thanks for listening. If you want us to get to our next 100, consider joining our neighbor program and getting some great perks! To celebrate our episode centennial, Jane is joined by contributor Chase Hutchinson and executive producer Ashley Smith to talk about the challenges to mail-in voting by the Trump administration, the latest in food and shopping ne...

Is April Fool's Day dead? Host Jane C. Hu and producers Liam Billingham and Sam J Leeds, as well as contributor Lex Vaughn, debate whether we've outgrown the need for pranks, plus they share recent news headlines so bizarre they sound fake. Then it's time for our April recommendations, from cherry blossom mochi to laser dome 4/20, as well as the history of the fight for indigenous fishing rights –...

Today on the podcast, Jane is joined by  Joey Lopez, co-executive Director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, to discuss how churches can give their land back to communities as congregations decline. Then she is joined by contributor Hannah Krieg and Producer Liam Billingham to talk about Mayor Katie Wilson’s surveillance town hall and why it didn’t make anyone happy. Finally, they talk abo...

Jane is joined by contributor Marcus Harrison Green to discuss his latest piece in the South Seattle Emerald, speaking to local veterans about the war in Iran. Then, contributor Brett Hamil goes on a rollercoaster ride of emotions about public restrooms in Pioneer Square. And finally, all three discuss tipping culture in Seattle, what happened to the 15% option, and why some Seattleites are using...

More affordable housing is needed in places like Seattle. Some cities, however, are doing better than others at meeting this need. Austin, Texas, for example, is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by some measures, than the second most successful city. However, this fast-growing city is also seeing a shortage in housing that middle- and lower-income...