Inside Olympia

Latest Episodes:

Inside Olympia -- The Future of Local News in Washington State Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Inside Olympia: Host Austin Jenkins discusses the future of local news with Kaarin Austin, Founding Director of the Washington News Fund and Matt Powers, Professor of Communication at the University of Washington.

Inside Olympia -- Washington's Evolving Cannabis Market Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Inside Olympia ... How is Washington State regulating the liquor and cannabis industries in an era of declining alcohol sales and market pressures in the marijuana industry? What's driving the market disruptions? And where are the tension points? On the program this week, Will Lukela, Director of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and Justin Nordhorn, the agency's Director of Policy and External Relations.

Inside Olympia - Artificial Intelligence in Government May 28, 2026

Show notes

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping government, business and daily life, raising urgent questions about trust, transparency and accountability. Arthur Jago from the University of Washington Tacoma and former Seattle Chief Technology Officer Rob Lloyd, now executive director of the Center for Digital Government and the Center for Public Sector AI, discuss AI’s promise and risks, from algorithmic discrimination and workforce disruption to cybersecurity, public services, emotional reliance on chatbots, and the future role of humans in decision-making.

Inside Olympia -- Former Executive Editor at The Seattle Times and Current President of the WA Coalition for Open Government May 20, 2026

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On this episode of Inside Olympia: Host Austin Jenkins sits down with Former Executive Editor at The Seattle Times and current president of the WA Coalition for Open Government

Inside Olympia -- Former Washington State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen May 13, 2026

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On this episode Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins sits down for an exit interview with former WA State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen.

Inside Olympia--Author Claudia Rowe on Foster Care May 06, 2026

Show notes

This week’s Inside Olympia examines the unintended harms of the foster care system, featuring The Seattle Times reporter Claudia Rowe, who shares insights from her research on what happens to children after they are removed from their homes.

Inside Olympia--State Ferries and Passenger Rail Update Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

This week on Inside Olympia ... Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary John Vezina and WSDOT Passenger Rail Manager Kirk Fredrickson outline plans to manage heavy summer travel demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Officials detail ferry fleet readiness, staffing and backup capacity, while rail leaders say they sought an additional Amtrak coach to meet demand. Long-term fixes remain years away, including new ferries, while new Airo trainsets for Amtrak Cascades are expected to roll out in phases beginning in late 2026.

Inside Olympia -- Arne Olson with Energy+Environmental Economics (E3) Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Energy consultant Arne Olson, senior partner at Energy and Environmental Economics, warns the Northwest faces a near-term electricity shortfall driven by rising demand, data centers, and resource retirements. He outlines risks of rotating blackouts, limits of wind and solar, the role of natural gas backup, and the cost of meeting reliability and decarbonization goals.

Inside Olympia - Mel Tonasket of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Inside Olympia...Former chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Mel Tonasket, reflects on 55 years of leadership in Indian Country. He discusses the fight against termination, tribal sovereignty, the Centennial Accord, state-tribal relations, economic development, and his message to the next generation of Native leaders.

Inside Olympia - Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of Inside Olympia and for the full hour Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

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