Sound Politics

Latest Episodes:

Wilson recall, shooting fallout, primary election updates: The biggest politics stories of the week Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

This week on Sound Politics... we’re having leftovers, tying up last week's primary elections before heading off to Seattle City Hall, where political pressure is building on the mayor and the police department.

Plus: Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions.
Find tickets and more information here.
Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out this survey.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer this week is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Primary election results 2026: Jimothy vs. your mom Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

If you want to help shape our coverage for the general election, fill out our survey.

On this week's episode: early results are trickling in for the August primary. How did incumbents fare against a slew of challengers?

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann, Catharine Smith, Sarah Mizes Tan, and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Seattle's police chief just get fired? (UPDATE) Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

We now know that Seattle Police Department Chief Shon Barnes has resigned. It caps off a dramatic day at the city where it was unclear whether the Chief Barnes had a job. We're wading through it on this week's Sound Politics.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey, big spender! Former governors rip Dems in Olympia Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Two former Democratic Governors of Washington -- Christine Gregoire and Gary Locke -- have concerns about how much Democrats in Olympia are spending and whether a huge new program like the "millionaires tax" will fix the state’s budget woes.
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump drama in MAGA Washington Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Washington Republicans come in many flavors, and right now, all of them are competing to represent the center of the state in Congress.

On this week’s Sound Politics, we meet the top candidates for an open seat in the 4th Congressional District, and untangle the drama behind the all-important Trump endorsement.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mamdani's Seattle? Not so fast... Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Across the country, progressive Democrats are ousting establishment candidates who have, in some cases, been in office for decades.

Could we see the same dynamic play out in Washington? Or are establishment Democrats here too progressive to be challenged to the left?

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What SCOTUS' trans athletes ruling means for WA Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

The Supreme Court says states like Idaho can ban trans girls from sports. But what does that mean for our state and the initiative we will vote on in November?

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RIP, vote-by-mail? Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Voting by mail is under attack -- from the Supreme Court, from President Trump -- and big changes could be coming this year. Should you be worried about dropping your ballot in the mail?

Guest: Jake Goldstein Street, reporter at The Washington State Standard

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ted Cruz + Maria Cantwell: Healing America With Sports? Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

College sports is chaos right now. But Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Washington's Maria Cantwell are trying to do something about that with the Protect College Sports Act. It just passed the Senate Commerce Committee and heads to the Senate floor next. What's in the bill? And what do politicians gain when they take on this type of legislation?

Guest
Danny O'Neil, Seattle sportswriter and author of The Dang Apostrophe newsletter
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundpolitics/.
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Gabrielle Healy. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Katie Wilson ready for the World Cup? Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Mayor Wilson joins Sound Politics to talk about Seattle's preparedness for the World Cup, CCTV cameras, and her goal to stand up 500 shelter beds before the first match
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundpolitics/.
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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