Soundside

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Boeing announces layoffs amidst ongoing worker strike Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

Tensions are rising as negotiations between Boeing and the IAM District 751 hit a stalemate. This comes amid a month-long strike, impacting 33,000 workers.

After contract discussions collapsed last week, both sides have traded accusations, leaving the future uncertain. Adding to the conflict, Boeing announced layoffs affecting around 17,000 employees – nearly 10% of its workforce – in a bid to cut costs.

With financial pressure mounting and workers seeking temporary employment, the big question that remains is: how close are we to a resolution, and what will it mean for the future of both the company and its workers?

Soundside was joined by Harry C. Katz, professor of collective bargaining within Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR).

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.

Guests:

Harry C. Katz, professor of collective bargaining within Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR).

Related Links:

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Have democracy vouchers delivered on their promise to make Seattle elections fairer? Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

Among the many races Seattle voters will weigh in on during the upcoming election, there’s a city council seat up for grabs. Current Position 8 Councilmember Tanya Woo is looking to defend against challenger Alexis Mercedes Rinck.

While Woo and Rinck try to differentiate themselves down the home stretch, they have at least one thing in common. Both are the latest candidates to take part in an election experiment meant to level the financial playing field for office-seekers: Democracy Vouchers.

If you live in Seattle, there’s a good chance you opened up your mailbox during this election cycle, and pulled out an envelope containing these vouchers.

The bright blue slips of paper are kind of reminiscent of Kohl’s cash. Or Monopoly bucks.

But instead of exchanging them to buy a new sweater or to capture Park Place, you can use them to donate to candidates running for local office, like the city council, mayor, and the city attorney.

Next year, democracy vouchers are turning 10 years old.

Back in 2015, advocates made some ambitious promises about the potential of democracy vouchers: they would revolutionize campaign financing and inspire nontraditional candidates to run for office

Voters will get to decide next year if they want to extend the democracy voucher program.

So - have democracy vouchers delivered on those promises?

Soundside host Libby Denkmann sat down with one expert, Dr. Jennifer Heerwig, an associate professor at Stony Brook University in New York, to find out. Dr. Heerwig has explored the impact of democracy vouchers in Seattle with a new book she co-authored, called Democracy Vouchers and the Promise of Fairer Elections in Seattle.

Guest

Dr. Jennifer Heerwig, associate professor at Stony Brook University, and co-author of Democracy Vouchers and the Promise of Fairer Elections in Seattle.

Related links:

3 Big Ways Democracy Vouchers Changes Seattle's Elections at Town Hall Seattle

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Commissioner candidates debate over the future of public lands Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

This year, few Washington races have grabbed as much attention as the one for Commissioner of Public Lands.

The commissioner heads the state Department of Natural Resources, which oversees more than $450 million in revenue and more than 5.5 million acres of public land. The agency is in charge of wildfire preparedness, forest management, and the protection of critical habitat throughout the state.

After a crowded primary and a recount decided by just 49 votes, the top two candidates voters will be asked to decide on are Republican Jaime Herrera-Beutler and Democrat Dave Upthegrove.

Jaime Herrera-Beutler is a former congresswoman representing Washington’s 3rd congressional district in the southwest part of the state. She served from 2011 to 2023.

Dave Upthegrove is chair of the King County Council, which he has served on for 10 years.

They both joined Soundside host Libby Denkmann this week for a lively debate on the future of public lands.

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.

Guests:

Jaime Herrera-Beutler, former congresswoman and Republican candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands.
Dave Upthegrove, chair of the King County Council and Democratic candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What it takes for a local theater company to survive 50 years Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

For decades, the Seattle Children’s Theatre has introduced young people from all over King County to the joy and wonder of live theater.

You can take your little ones to their first play or musical like “Cat Kid Comic Club,” or maybe an interactive dance performance.

There’s a lot going on there each year. It’s part of what makes the Children’s Theatre such a beloved institution. The theater is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall.

Soundside talked with Managing Director Kevin Malgesini about what SCT has coming up this season, along with the steps they've taken to keep the theater strong for years to come.

Host Diana Opong also chats with Karan Hanan, Executive Director of the WA State Arts Commission, about the overall health of Seattle's theater ecosystem.

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.

GUESTS:

Kevin Malgesini - Managing Director of Seattle Children's Theater
Karen Hanan - Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission

RELATED LINKS:

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Microsoft strikes deal to re-open Three Mile Island nuclear plant as energy needs grow Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island is the site of the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history. The nuclear plant near Harrisburg officially closed in 2019, but now, Microsoft is making a deal to restart the facility and buy all of its electricity for the next 20 years.

How likely is this to actually happen? And what does this say about the future of energy and tech?

Guests:

Evan Halper, business reporter covering the energy transition for the Washington Post

Relevant Links:

Washington Post: Microsoft deal would reopen Three Mile Island nuclear plant to power AI

Washington Post:Three Mile Island owner seeks taxpayer backing for Microsoft AI deal

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.

After revising school closure plan, what's next for Seattle Public Schools? Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

The Seattle School District is now planning to close just 5 schools next year. That’s down from the 21 possible closures the district had proposed earlier.

The district has been teasing school closures for months as a part of its “Well Resourced Schools” plan.

Seattle Schools faces a $94 million dollar budget deficit and Superintendent Brent Jones proposed closing schools to help cover that gap.

After the announcement of which schools would close last month, the push back from parents was swift. And the School Board? Well, they weren’t on-board either. Now, with a scaled back plan, the district will need to explore other options to cover its fiscal deficit.

Guest:

Liza Rankin, President of the Seattle School Board

Links:

KUOW:Seattle Schools' proposed closures trimmed from 21 to just 5 schools after backlash

KUOW:Seattle families brace for school closures. What can we learn from last time?

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How Seattle’s Palestinian community is marking one year since the Israel-Hamas war began Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Since Hamas militants attacked Southern Israel on October 7, taking roughly 1200 lives, and capturing hundreds of hostages, the Israeli military has responded with overwhelming force in Gaza.
Bombs and other military actions have killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Most of the homes, businesses, schools and mosques in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed – and millions have been displaced.
And there is no end in sight to the bombardment.
The U.S. State Department says Hamas has refused for weeks to engage in cease-fire talks. Previously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly stalled a cease-fire and hostage deal by adding new conditions to negotiations.
For the past 12 months, Palestinian Americans and the wider Muslim community in the Seattle area have been urging the U.S. to halt weapons transfers and funding to Israel.
On Saturday, roughly 500 protesters gathered at Pier 62 on Seattle’s waterfront to demand change.

Yesterday, we spoke with members of Seattle’s Jewish community about how they’re remembering the first anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israel.

Today, we’re speaking with members of Seattle’s Palestinian and Muslim communities about the effects of the war in Gaza.

Guests:

Akram Baioumy, an Imam with MAPS (Muslim Association of Puget Sound)
Yaz Kader, a Palestinian American and an uncommitted delegate from Washington state at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. He’s also the author of a new Op-Ed in Real Change News, called “Silencing the Palestinian voice at the local and national levels”.

Relevant Links:

Silencing the Palestinian voice at the local and national levels - Real Change

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How a housewife turned unlikely activist helped topple Argentina's military dictatorship Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

How can personal tragedy inspire the most unlikely of people to become activists?

This question is at the heart of Norita, a new documentary screening Oct. 8 at the Seattle Latino Film Festival.

Norita takes a moving look at the life and journey of an Argentinian woman, Nora Cortiñas. She was a mother who became caught in the crosshairs of Argentina’s military dictatorship, which stretched from 1976 to 1983.

Norita’s fearless protest against the government, and search for justice, played a role in toppling the dictatorship, and she spent the rest of her life as a leading voice for human rights.

She died earlier this year in May at the age of 94.

Soundside producer Noel Gasca caught up with Melissa Daniels, a producer of Norita, about the documentary's exploration of Norita's life and legacy.

You can purchase tickets to the Seattle Latino Film Fesitval's screening of Norita here.

Guest:

Melissa Daniel, Norita producer

Related links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From leashing to poop pick up, Dog trainers take on your etiquette questions Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

The Seattle area gets a bad rap for its “frosty” social climate.

But how can that be true when we live with so many “best friends”? Furry ones, at least. There are more dogs than children in the city.

With all those canines sharing space, things can get a bit tense. Complaints run rampant about dog behavior in public, businesses that do or don’t allow animals, and, of course, politeness when picking up and disposing of their poop.

And let’s be real, this is not a conversation about dogs; it is about people who own dogs.

Today, we have two experts with us to talk about how dogs (and people) navigate space, together.

Guests:

Farrah Branson, certified trainer and the animal training manager at the Seattle Humane Society.

Alexis Devine, certified professional dog trainer and the author of the book “I Am Bunny: How a Talking Dog Taught Me Everything I Need to Know About Being Human”

Links:

I Am Bunny Instagram

Seattle Humane Society

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How Seattle’s Jewish community is marking one year since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

One year ago, Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and took hundreds more hostage.

Israel’s military response has killed more than 41-thousand Palestinians in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry says more than half were women and children.

A second front has opened in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli military has been bombarding Iran-backed Hezbollah… which began firing rockets into Israel after October 7th.

Today, destruction, hunger, grief and displacement are the only certainties for millions of people in the path of this widening war.

This week also marks the middle of the Jewish High Holy Days.

In Jewish tradition, it’s a time meant for reflection and consideration of the year before, and preparation for the year ahead.

Today, we’re speaking with members of the Seattle-area Jewish community to hear how they’re marking the anniversary of October 7th. Tomorrow, we’ll hear how the local Palestinian community is reflecting on a year of war in Gaza.

Guests:

Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum leads the Kavana Cooperative, an independent Jewish community in Seattle
Rabbi Daniel Weiner, Senior Rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle
Kate Raphael, a member of Jewish Voices for Peace Seattle

Relevant Links:

October 7 One Year Later: Seattle's Community Commemoration - Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
October 11th ritual and rally for Yom Kippur at the Federal Building - Jewish Voices for Peace Seattle Instagram page
Prayer of Mothers for Life and Peace - Open Siddur

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