Soundside

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest: Jane C. Hu, a journalist and the hos...

On occasion, we welcome field recordists from the area to share a sound they think is exemplary of the Pacific Northwest.  Today, we have a sound from frequent contributor Gordon Hempton aka the Sound Tracker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This segment includes discussion about sexual assault. Washington state’s Special Commitment Center sits on McNeil Island in the Puget Sound. It’s operated by the Washington Department of Health and Social Services and houses about 150 people who were detained or committed there – sometimes for decades – after they committed acts of sexual violence.  It isn’t a c...

Andy Juris grew up on a wheat farm in Klickitat County, in southern Washington near the Oregon border, watching his dad and his grandpa work together on the farm.  Andy is a fourth generation farmer – he understands the difficulties of the industry. But he says, in the past few months, things have changed. Andy’s farm machinery uses a lot of diesel, so, like everyone, he’s f...

This year we’re trading in our smartphones for corded landlines and dial-up internet! Right?  Well, maybe not. But people have definitely been trying to use their phones less . Digital cameras and refurbished iPods have gotten more popular in the past few years, especially in younger generations.   And on TikTok there’s the trend of “analog bags” – peop...

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST:   Omari Salisbury – found...

April Fool’s Day is thankfully behind us, and while they DO say that “April Showers bring May Flowers,” it looks like we’ve got a partly sunny weekend ahead…  Let’s check out what there is to do in the next few days! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS:  Norwescon Sakura-Con Seattle's Easter Swing Women Made Film Festival in Everett,...

Has something like this happened to you before?  You’re on a hike with someone, maybe a romantic partner, and you start slowing down, or want to take a break, but your partner wants to push on. Eventually, you’re left behind as your partner goes ahead without you. And this situation has consequences for the relationship. If so, you’re not alone.  The phrase “Alpin...

The King County Council has made some moves lately to limit federal immigration enforcement within the county. Last week, council expanded on Executive Girmay Zahilay’s order that bars ICE and other agencies from using county property to make arrests . And earlier in the month, the council passed an emergency moratorium on new ICE detention facilities. Those include holding centers for peopl...

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Austin Jenkins, national reporter co...

Late last year, an atmospheric river caused devastating flooding across Western Washington.  Today, some estimate the region-wide damages may be over a billion dollars.  For parts of Whatcom County, it was the second major flood in less than five years. And they are looking for solutions. New reporting from the New York Times highlights how communities around the Nooksack River are debat...

“Learn to Code.” A decade ago that slogan was everywhere as computer programming was seen as a job that not only paid well, but almost guaranteed job security, especially in a tech hub like Seattle.  But in the last four years, more than 700,000 tech workers have been laid off.  And while overhiring during the pandemic, and rising interest rates, are believed to have sparked...

A couple years ago, Seattle passed a law to pay delivery drivers more for their labor.  The policy guaranteed these gig workers minimum compensation . The idea was to protect people working for apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash.  …. And it stirred up some big reactions.   Delivery companies protested the change. Restaurant owners said the policy hurt business. And some Ci...

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Congresswoman Suzan DelBene RELATED...

It’s Opening Day at T-Mobile Park. In just hours, Mariners fans will be back in the stands, ready to cheer on the team as they look to improve on last year’s record-breaking playoff run. The M’s won the AL West, but fell agonizingly short of the World Series…  It’s an interesting feeling, being a Mariners fan right now. First of all, our nachos float in a souven...

It's beautiful here in the U-District, and as it is when it's nice outside, we want to go do stuff this weekend! As we do every Thursday, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with all the events fit to print and worthy of your excitement! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS:  Mariners Opening Weekend Puck Place Market 2026 Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge Onda O...

Amanda Ogle's car got stolen in 2017, and she fought for over a year to get it back from a Seattle towing company. Her bill? $21,684.  Ogle was unhoused at the time, so her 1991 Camry wasn’t just a way to get around; it was her home.  Her case attracted coverage in The Seattle Times and elsewhere, and now her saga is the plot of a movie, Tow , starring Rose Byrne.  Guests : Am...

Just this morning, the NBA Board of Governors approved exploring two possible expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.  Yes, you’re allowed to squeal, but listen carefully: this is not a done deal, the team is not back yet. But here's why one sportswriter (and Sonics enthusiast) won't be apologizing to any Thunder fans in Oklahoma City anytime soon.  Guest Danny O'Neil, sportswrit...

If you watch HBO's hit series "The Pitt', you'll actually see a real-life nurse on screen: Ned Brower. He plays nurse Jesse Van Horn.  Brower is an actor with real-life ER experience.  Two careers are usually enough for most people. But he's also a musician. He started working as an EMT and later became a nurse after making his name with the band Rooney.   Brower’s new project...

From New York to Phoenix, at least fourteen major airports across the country will see ICE agents deployed today, according to White House border Czar Tom Homan .  The immigration agents are being sent to bolster TSA staffing amid an ongoing partial federal government shutdown. In many places, that has led to security checkpoint lines that stretch for blocks and have travelers waiting hours t...

Washington, like the entire country, has been hit hard by fentanyl.  in 2025, King County has recorded more than 650 overdose deaths involving the synthetic opioid, which can be 50 times stronger than heroin .  650 is a devastating number but it’s actually down from a peak in 2023, when more than 1,000 people died from fentanyl-related overdoses in the county. The drop mirrors...

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Mike Lewis - Freelance Journalist RE...

Seattleites can now buy drinks from the city’s first Thai coffee shop: Nudibranch Coffee, which opened its doors on Capitol Hill in February.  The shop serves drinks that reflect Thailand’s popular flavors and hot climate. We're talking tangerine-iced Americanos and Coconut Clouds (the latter has coconut water, espresso and sweet cream floated on top).  Before the shop offici...

It is GREY and WET here in Western Washington, so let’s get out & do some STUFF this weekend!  As we do every Thursday, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows is here with all the events fit to print and worthy of your excitement! HOST: Soundside producer Jason Megatron Burrows LINKS:  Taste of Iceland Seattle 2026 | A Festival of Food, Music & Culture Plate of Nations B...

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. GUEST: Seattle Times reporter David Kroman...