Soundside

Latest Episodes:

What it feels like to be targeted by Elon Musk Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

Troublemakers is one of the groups behind #TeslaTakedown, an escalating campaign of peaceful protests outside Tesla dealerships across the country. They’re targeting Musk as his Department of Government Efficiency continues to slash federal jobs and restructure agencies, purportedly in an effort to root out waste, fraud and abuse.

The peaceful activism, along with scattered incidents of vandalism against Tesla dealerships and cars, appears to be making a dent in the finances of the wealthiest man on earth. Musk has publicly lashed out against these protests, claiming without evidence that wealthy bad actors are paying people to show up.

Valerie Costa, a Seattle-based co-founder of Troublemakers, is familiar with these allegations. Last month, Musk claimed on his platform X that Costa’s group was funded by the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue.

The next day he linked to an interview with her and simply stated, “Costa is committing crimes.” This has upended her life but it hasn’t deterred her activism.

Guest:

Valerie Costa

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.

Pramila Jayapal on tariffs, immigration, and the latest news out of Washington D.C. Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

The Trump Administration is poised to slap worldwide tariffs on friend and foe alike…. Sending Wall Street reeling today.

And the president’s crackdown on unauthorized immigration has arrived in Washington, with the first big ICE raid of a workplace in our state in Bellingham.

There’s plenty of news out of D.C. hitting home for Western Washington, and joining Soundside host Libby Denkmann the view from congress is Pramila Jayapal. She represents WA’s 7th congressional District, including most of Seattle.

GUEST: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA 7th District)

RELATED LINK:

Immigration officials raid Bellingham roofing company, arresting 37 | The Seattle Times

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.

A new Seattle pilot program offers new access to addiction treatment Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Seattle has tried, and is still actively trying, many different approaches to addiction treatment: law enforcement diversion programs, housing first, medication assisted treatment, drug court, outreach work, the list goes on.

Now, the city has added another attempt to that list by piloting a new program that aims to get people into treatment faster by expanding access to private rehabs.
Guest:

David Kroman, Seattle Times city hall reporter

Related stories:

Seattle pilot program expands access to private substance use treatment - Seattle Times

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.

Microsoft at 50: AI, job security, and the future of the tech industry Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

50 years ago, on Friday, April 4th 1975, two guys from Seattle launched a software company in a strip mall in Albuquerque NM..

That business would soon relocate to Redmond, Washington… and those Lakeside kids, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, did all right. The Windows operating system would go on to dominate the personal computer industry.

Today, Microsoft is one of the most profitable companies in the world. And its presence laid the groundwork for the Puget Sound region as a hub for engineering and technical talent.

The path to where we are now had some bumps: Antitrust problems, and product flops. But after 5 decades the company endures, and thrives – as one of the biggest players in the emerging AI space.

Holding onto that status, and figuring out the next big thing in the tech world, isn’t easy.

In light of the big 50-milestone, KUOW labor and economy reporter Monica Nickelsburg recently sat down with Microsoft’s vice chair and president Brad Smith to discuss the past, and the future, of the company.
Guest:

Monica Nickelsburg, KUOW labor and economy reporter and co-host of the Booming podcast

Related Links:

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.

WA Senate rolls out plan to cover $1 billion transporation budget gap Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

You’ve maybe heard that Washington state’s operating budget has a big hole… in the 12 to 15 billion dollar range?

Well, that’s not the only fiscal crater lawmakers are trying to fill.

The transportation budget is underfunded by around $1 billion dollars right now, with a bigger deficit projected down the road, if nothing changes.
Lawmakers say that would put the brakes on a lot of big projects, including maintenance and highway construction on I-5 and I-90.

A blueprint to fill the budget gap passed the state Senate over the weekend.

The proposal would increase the gas tax by 6 cents.

There are also a bevy of smaller taxes and fees on the table: they could affect you if you ride ferries, drive on 520, go to big concerts, and much more.

Guest:

Senator Marko Liias, represents Washington’s 21st legislative district and is chair of the Senate Transportation Committee

Links:

WA State Standard: WA state Senate OKs gas tax hike and budget built on billions of new taxes

Seattle Times: WA transportation budget lays out options: All cuts or new taxes, fees

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.

Why Adam Smith says the Democrats need a rebrand Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

President Trump is readying new tariffs that will reportedly be his most aggressive trade policy move yet.

The White House is ready to move PAST a scandal involving the Administration’s top national security officials discussing war plans on the encrypted messaging app Signal.

And meanwhile, Democrats are facing anger from their own voters who are deeply displeased with how the party is responding to Trump and his policies.

One Seattle-area Democrat has emerged as a high profile critic of the direction of his party – he says things need to change. And he’s catching flack from the left for some of his recent interviews.

That’s Congressman Adam Smith.

Guest:

Adam Smith represents Washington’s 9th congressional district. It includes parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kent and Federal Way. He’s also the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OR lawmakers debate a constitutional right to climate stability Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

As a resident of a state, you are guaranteed certain rights by your state constitution. In Washington, for example, we have a right to religious freedom and free elections. Oregon is looking at guaranteeing the right for all citizens to live in a healthy environment – including a stable climate. The state legislature is debating whether to have voters weigh in on the change.

If that guarantee does pass, it would allow state residents to sue Oregon if they are denied this right. And it would become part of an international effort to hold governments legally liable for accelerating climate change.

Guest:

Alex Baumhardt, reporter at Oregon Capital Chronicle

Relevant Links:

Oregon Capital Chronicle: Oregonians ask Legislature to let voters decide on constitutional right to healthy climate

Oregon Capital Chronicle: U.S. Supreme Court declines to revive landmark climate suit brought by young Oregonians

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.

Looming taxes on E-Bike sales threaten to put a damper on local bike shops Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

The Washington State Legislature is in the process of hammering out the transportation budget, which is estimated to have a BILLION dollar shortfall over the next two years. according to Transportation Committee Chairman Senator Marko Liias.

Down in Olympia, both the House and Senate have each been working on their own respective bills aimed at addressing the funding gap to get things like highway infrastructure built and maintained…

One provision in the Senate’s bill – which passed on Saturday – has raised alarms for folks in the business of selling E-Bikes.

Soundside host Libby Denkmann is joined by Seattle Bike Blog editor & founder, Tom Fucoloro to talk about why E-Bike shop owners aren't excited about the current proposal.

GUEST: Tom Fucoloro

RELATED LINKS:

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.

A tech startup helping the visually impaired "watch" sports with their fingertips Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Bellevue-based startup OneCourt says its devices enable the “first tactile sports broadcasts." The goal is to give a deeper game experience for sports fans who are visually impaired, and to deliver it in real time.

A social media influencer recently went viral when he took the tablet for a spin at a Trailblazers game. Portland was the first NBA team to provide OneCourt devices at every home game, but more have followed. And OneCourt's goal is to see its devices at every major sporting event in the world.

Guests:

Kunal Mehta and Jerred Mace from OneCourt

Related Links:

OneCourt website

Blind guy welcoming accessibility to the NBA on a new level

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.

As Utah bans fluoride, two Washington cities consider the same Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

The fight over fluoride in drinking water is not new – it’s been around ever since public programs began in the 1940s.

But now, there is a push to end fluoridation programs. United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr has criticized fluoridation, claiming it contributes to a host of afflictions, including bone cancer and thyroid disease.

Around the country, some areas are taking actions to end fluoridation.

Last week, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. That is slated to take effect on May 7th.

Here in Washington, the southwestern cities of Camas and Longview are both considering banning fluoride.

Guest:

Dr. Charlotte Lewis is a pediatrician at Seattle’s Children's Hospital. She’s also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, where her work is focused on increasing access to dental care and expanding pediatricians' understanding and involvement in oral health.

Relevant Links:

Utah Becomes First State to Ban Fluoride in Public Water - NYT
Longview City Council looking to 'punt' fluoride decision to voters - Lower Columbia Currents
Camas could be the first community in Washington to remove fluoride from drinking water - The Columbian

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected