Seattle News, Views, and Brews

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the finalized version of the transportation levy headed to voters, tweaks to Housing Levy spending and the approval of an offices-to-housing measure, a new report on drug overdoses and crime, two new measures likely to qualify...

After the Mayor's announcement about expanding CARE (Community Assisted Response and Engagement, Seattle's third public safety department), questions remain: how have CARE's 911-alternative behavioral health teams performed? Does expanding CARE mean we need fewer police officers? With host Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel, special guest Amy Smith, Acting Chief of the CARE Departmen...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a delay in Seattle Public Schools' announcement to close 20 elementary schools, a push for improved public safety in our school system, a request to continue the work done by the street outreach company We Deliver Care, a...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a bombshell announcement from former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz, the legal case building against the Belltown Hellcat, mental health investments at the county and city level, and a new challenge emerging over how Seattle police rec...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the privacy questions surrounding a proposed expansion of police surveillance, a new vacant building law meant to prevent dangerous fires that's apparently overdue, the legal challenges surrounding the so-called Belltown...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss Mayor Bruce Harrell's decision to remove Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz from his post, a delay for the City Council on two votes (to lower app-based delivery driver wages and proviso some equitable development initiativ...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the Seattle City Council's vote on police recruitment and retention, a possible conflict of interest on an upcoming vote for Councilmember Tanya Woo, a dismal week of developments for the King County Regional Homelessness...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the Seattle City Council's approval of the police officer's union contract, a growing budget deficit, a pushback on the Mayor's Comprehensive Plan proposal from some unlikely political allies, a new opioid treat...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the unauthorized encampment of asylum seekers in a Seattle park, a new, larger Transportation Levy proposal, an investigation into harassment and sexual discrimination within the Seattle Police Department, a warning from a maj...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a moment of anger on the City Council (and the legislation behind it), a new public safety "framework" proposed by Mayor Harrell, the progress of a measure that would change wages for delivery drivers, the approval o...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the unusual committee-level rejection of some affordable housing legislation, a new plan to prevent fires in vacant buildings, the unveiling of a citywide Transportation Plan, a possible extension of the Multifamily Tax Exempt...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the historically-early budget process beginning for the Seattle City Council, a new piece of equitable development legislation, a squabble over police hiring (and testing), a reduction of library hours, and an answer to one of...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman , city hall reporter for the Seattle Times, discuss a new budget forecast for the City of Seattle, a new twist in negotiating a contract for the Seattle Police Officer's Guild, a report on how SPD officers are using force, Seattle's newly-propos...

Amy Smith, Acting Chief of Seattle's CARE Department (Community Assisted Response and Engagement, home to the city's 911 Center and its 911 alternative response teams) joins the podcast to discuss Seattle's changing approach to public safety.  Host  Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel discusses the work of the CARE teams, the challenges facing 911 call takers and dispatchers, and the...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the Seattle City Council's interaction with the King County Homelessness Authority, proposed changes for thousands of app-based workers in Seattle, the charges brought against a group that protested at City Hall, a new fi...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the launch of public comments on Seattle's Comprehensive Plan, another expansion of the Seattle Preschool Program, new land use legislation from Councilmember Tammy Morales, prioritizing where sidewalks are built in Seatt...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a push for Seattle Police Department pay raises, a public safety tour led by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, a lawsuit from the King County Sheriff regarding Burien's new camping ban ordinance, problems with a new processing...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss Mayor Harrell's new Comprehensive Plan proposal, King County's fentanyl crisis plan, a victory for state Republicans as three voter initiatives get passed into law, challenges for Seattle's Municipal Court after...

Extra! Extra! We've added a podcast this week to talk about a protest that led to six arrests at the Seattle City Council meeting.  Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the larger context of this protest and what it may mean for the Council in the weeks ahead. Plus, Brian and David are taking a look at Mayor Bruce Harrell's new transportation pl...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! It's a patrons-first podcast with a focus on education, early learning, and childcare, featuring special guest Dr. Stephan Blanford, Executive Director of Children's Alliance of Washington !  Blanford, a former Seattle School Board Director, breaks down the turmoil facing the Board and Seattle P...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times break down Mayor  Bruce Harrell's State of the City Address, the transformation of Council President Nelson from outsider to leader, a multi-million dollar question for voters emerging from the state transportation budget, the ci...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the approach of the Seattle City Council's new Public Safety Committee, a bombshell report for the Seattle Police Department regarding its treatment of female officers, a renewed push by Governor Inslee on carbon pricing,...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman , City Hall reporter for the Seattle Times discuss Mayor Harrell's influence over a new City Council, the beginning of the Council's work at the committee level, a battle over "lewd conduct" for the Liquor and Cannabis Board, the reins...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! In this patrons-first podcast, Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel breaks down a host of new statewide housing proposals with Rep. Mia Gregerson (D-33)--including lot-splitting, "co-living" single-room occupancy units, mobile home park tenancy, and more--and tackles a troubling issue with voter tu...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the newest member of the Seattle City Council, a hiring freeze by the City of Seattle up against a major budget deficit, a plea for state help from tribes dealing with the fentanyl epidemic, a sobering anniversary for Roe v. W...