Podcast
Soundside
Hosted by KUOW News and Information · EN
Get to know the PNW and each other.
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Why one Seattle organization says new data doesn't measure Native homelessness accurately — again
2d ago00:16:25Tap to summarizeA new estimate for the number of unhoused people in King County is out. Over the past two years, the new data shows a 9% increase in the homeless population on any given night in King County, and over 18,000 homeless people in the region. One of the standout data points? The new count also suggests a nearly 11 percent decrease in the number of Indigenous people who are unhoused in our region, since 2020. And that should be good news. But the county’s only urban housing and homelessness service provider dedicated to Native people says the latest figures represent an undercount. And according to them, it’s not the first time. Guest Derrick Belgarde, executive director, Chief Seattle ClubRelated LinksThe Chief Seattle club's initial statement King County finds 9% rise in homelessness since 2024 - The Seattle Times2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Initial Report - King County Regional Homelessness AuthorityThank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Pride celerbations are happening across WA during June, including in prisons
2d ago00:03:50Tap to summarizeSeattle will celebrate Pride this weekend: there's the parade downtown on Sunday and Pride Fest on Broadway in Capitol Hill. It's the culmination of a month of celebrations across the state, including one of the units at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. We caught up with one of the organizers of Pride there, which took place earlier this month. Guest: Jennifer Jaylee, one of the organizers of the Pride celebration and member of the queer community support group, PEACE Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Weekend Warmup - Things to do OTHER than Pride and the World Cup!
2d ago00:05:05Tap to summarizeOur Thursday tradition continues with a big list of all the things to do outside of the Pride & World Cup of it all this weekend... That said, there ARE a ton of Pride & World Cup events, so don't miss out if that's your jam too! LINKS: Trans Pride Seattle Seattle PrideFest Seattle PrideFest - Capitol Hill Seattle PrideFest - Seattle Center Seattle Pride - Parade Seattle Pride - Community Events Queer/Pride Festival World Cup - Pride Match Day 2026 Seattle Pirates Landing - Seafair Rusty Scupper's Pirate Daze Gobble Up SLU The Taste NW Buckley Log Show Kenmore Midsommarfest Washington Summer Mead Festival Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Hear it Again: Ever been abandoned on the trail? There's a name for that.
3d ago00:16:36Tap to summarizeHas 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 “Alpine Divorce” was coined in a short story about a murderous husband over 100 years ago - but TikTok has lately adopted the label for less dastardly scenarios. In a recent viral post, a woman sobs as she climbs down a mountain - saying “he left me”. The video has thousands of comments, many of which share similar stories of being left behind on the trail. But how common is Alpine Divorce? And is it actually a bad thing to spend some solo time on the trail? Guest: Alaina Demopoulos, daily features writer for the Guardian Related Link: Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What’s behind ‘alpine divorce’? Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes - Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Front Page: What we know now about homelessness in King County
3d ago00:21:26Tap to summarizeEvery 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 political reporter Jim Brunner Related Links: KCRHA - Point in Time Count Initial Report King County finds 9% rise in homelessness since 2024 WA Democrats chart path to more power in 2026 at Spokane convention Protect Every Animal From Cruelty? Not in 2026, Oregon Democrats Say Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Meet the WWU professor heading to the World Boomerang Championships
3d ago00:13:44Tap to summarizeWhat do you know about Bellingham? Possibly that it’s renowned for its proximity to outdoor activities like skiing, mountain biking, and hiking, or it’s home to Western Washington University and a robust music and craft beer scene. What about that it has a thriving boomerang throwing community? It’s not only thriving, but world renowned. Western Washington University is sending three people to the Boomerang World Championships this year, including marketing professor Ed Love. Guest: Ed Love, marketing professor at Western Washington University going to the World Boomerang Championships in 2026 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Unpacking how supportive housing could affect the number of King County jail visits
4d ago00:14:18Tap to summarizeNew data from King County shows putting people in housing without preconditions like drug treatment has had some significant benefits. The report comes from the King County Department of Community and Human Services and shows a decrease in jail bookings among those in permanent supportive housing programs between 2021-2025. Seattle has been a national leader in using such “Housing First” initiatives. But funding for those programs is at risk, to the tune of $26 million – that’s after the Trump administration released a new rule earlier this month, requiring providers to move away from Housing First programs in order to qualify for HUD grants next year.What more does this data analysis show? And what's lost if federal funding goes away? GuestJelani Jackson, acting director for the Housing & Community Development division within the King County Department of Community and Human ServicesThank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →The AI device that's listening to my aging dad's every move
4d ago00:29:38Tap to summarizeAs Americans age, they have a few options for care in their later years, like moving in with a family member or into an assisted-living facility. Or aging in place.... Increasingly, with the assistance of AI. Steven Blum is a writer from Seattle now based in Austria. He published a piece about his aging father, who lives alone in Seattle and is being monitored through Sensi. It’s an AI device that’s constantly listening for signs of distress. It’s supposed to detect if Blum’s dad has fallen. It was an option that made sense, because his father doesn’t want to move out of his home. He isn’t alone. Last year, the Pew Research Center asked older Americans what they would do if they couldn’t live by themselves anymore. Around 60% said that they’d rather stay in their homes and have someone care for them, instead of moving into an assisted living facility or a nursing home. As Americans enter their later years, AI could be part of their care. Guest: Steven Blum, a writer based in Austria Related links: My Father Wants to Age in Place. AI Will Be Watching | WIRED Assistive tech for older adults is becoming increasingly automated. What are the privacy risks? | KUOW Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Long-running fight over Sodo housing takes a new turn
5d ago00:16:59Tap to summarizeThe long saga of whether Seattle can or should allow housing to be built near the stadiums in Sodo is ... still going. This wrestling match has to do with a couple blocks to the south of T-Mobile Park. The debate was restarted in 2025, when the Seattle City Council passed a bill from then-Seattle City Council president Sarah Nelson. It allowed residential use in the small strip of land next to the baseball stadium. The idea quickly drew backlash from port workers and truckers who operate in Sodo and Nelson’s bill eventually suffered a double-whammy of being declared illegal by a state board and later being repealed by her former colleagues on the council. So… conversation over, right? Turns out, no… Guest: Ryan Packer, contributing editor at The Urbanist Relevant Links: The Urbanist: Legal Appeal from MLB Stadium Authority Restarts Stadium District Housing Saga The Urbanist: Council Committee Greenlights SoDo Housing Proposal Despite Strong Port Opposition Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Front Page: is Washington good for soccer, but bad for billionaires? Plus an immigration law firm crackdown, and Starbucks snafu in South Korea
5d ago00:29:09Tap to summarizeEvery 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 - Journalist and owner of the Streamline Tavern in Seattle Related stories: Soccer beacon Seattle shines on the World Cup stage - The Athletic Empty Rooms and Plunging Prices: World Cup Tourism Is Off to a Slow Start - NYT Public entities across the state are spending around $120 million to host the World Cup, according to a KUOW analysis - KUOW A huge WA immigration law firm rises and falls: The inside story - Seattle Times Why Did Every Starbucks Barista in Korea Have to Take a History Lesson? - NYT Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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