Soundside

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The U.S. is in the midst of a gun violence crisis. Medical professionals at Harborview may hold the answers on how to end it Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

In June, the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy declared gun violence a public health crisis.

"Gun violence has become the leading cause of death among kids and teens," Murthy said. "That was not true a decade or two decades ago, but it is true today."

And like many other communities across the country – Seattle is feeling the ripple effects of this crisis.

First Response — a new series from Cascade Public Media’s podcast Northwest Reports — takes a deeper look at how the medical professionals on the front line of this crisis are handling the influx of patients with gunshot wounds, and treating the long-term impacts of gun violence. It also looks at the impact on those medical professionals’ mental health.

Soundside caught up with the co-hosts and producers of Northwest Reports to talk about the series, and how it deepened their understanding of gun violence.

Guests:

Sara Bernard, senior producer and co-host of Northwest Reports
Maleeha Syed, producer and co-host of Northwest Reports

Related links:

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Ditch Washington's Capital Gains Tax? The case for No on I-2109 Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

When you go to vote this November, it won’t just be for President or Governor. You’ll also be voting on a group of initiatives - and these things are complicated. So we’re breaking all of them down here on Soundside this election season.

And this week, we’re turning to I-2109: aka, the measure that seeks to Repeal the Capital Gains Tax.

Passed by the legislature back in 2021, the tax took effect two years ago. It charges a 7% tax on the sales of some types of assets - things like stocks, bonds, and some types of businesses. The tax kicks in on profits exceeding $262,000.

Real estate, retirement accounts, and certain small businesses are exempt. Revenue from the tax goes towards education: the first $500m raised is earmarked for schools, early learning, and child care programs. The rest goes towards school construction and renovation.

This is a tax that’s only paid by an extremely small percentage of Washington taxpayers (.001%). 4,000 people paid Washington state capital gains taxes in 2022 - producing $786m dollars in revenue. Last year, that amount decreased to $433m.

Yesterday, we spoke with former Google engineer Vijay Boyapati about the case to vote “Yes” and repeal the capital gains tax.

Today, we’re speaking with someone from the vote “NO” on I-2109 campaign.

Guest:

Treasure Mackley is executive director of Invest in WA Now, a Seattle-based organization advocating for progressive revenue measures in Washington State - including the Capital Gains tax

Relevant Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remembering Toby Quitsland Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month -- a chance to educate people about the disease and the importance of high-quality care.

Public awareness of breast cancer has greatly improved over the past few decades. For a long time, people diagnosed with the disease tended to keep their experiences to themselves.

That’s why it was groundbreaking, 30 years ago, when NPR health reporter Joanne Silberner profiled a woman named Toby Quitsland, who was experiencing a recurrence of breast cancer.

Her story not only helped build awareness of the disease, it also helped create a special bond between Joanne and Toby’s family.

Toby’s husband Jon recently discovered that he and Joanne both now live on Bainbridge Island. He heard her being interviewed on KUOW, and he decided to mail a letter to the station in hopes of reaching her.

The Washington State Department of Health has launched Vital, a free mobile app tailored for cancer survivors. It provides valuable tools to help patients build skills for their cancer journey and recovery.
You can download the Vital app now on iPhone and Android

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:

Jon Quitsland
Joanne Silberner

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'The Adding Machine' asks if AI has a future in the theatre Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

When tech companies began announcing advanced artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, there was widespread enthusiasm. AI was going to make mundane jobs more efficient; it was going to reshape entire industries and creative processes; and it was going to free up time for humans to do things that were, well, more human – things like creating art.

But in the last few years, it’s been artists themselves raising the alarm around automation. Some see AI as a cool new tool, or another color on the palette; others argue it’s an existential threat to industries that were already struggling to stay afloat.

For local theater director Ryan Guzzo Purcell, the bleeding edge of AI in art is something we can’t approach from an either/or point of view. His latest production with The Feast is a reinterpretation of “The Adding Machine,” a 100 year old play about automation by playwright Elmer Rice.

A new version of the play at Seattle University’s Lee Performing Arts Center updates that notion for modern times, leaning into the question of dealing with automation by incorporating AI at practically every level: the stage design, the production – even the performances.

Soundside producer Alec Cowan spoke with Purcell to learn more about the intersection of technology and stagecraft after attending a recent showing.

Curious about seeing the play yourself? The show runs through Sunday, Oct. 6. You can find tickets here.

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:

Ryan Guzzo Purcell, artistic director at The Feast, a Seattle theater company, and director of "The Adding Machine: A Cyborg Morality Play."

Related Links:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ditch Washington's Capital Gains Tax? The case for Yes on I-2109 Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

When you go to vote this November, it won’t just be for President or Governor. You’ll also be voting on a group of state initiatives - and they’re complicated. We’re breaking all of them down here on Soundside this election season.

And this week, we’re turning to I-2109: aka, the measure that seeks to Repeal the Capital Gains Tax.

Revenue from the tax goes towards education: the first $500m raised is earmarked for schools, early learning, and child care programs. The rest goes towards school construction and renovation.

This is a tax that’s only paid by an extremely small percentage of Washington taxpayers (.001). 4,000 people paid Washington state capital gains taxes in 2022 - producing $786m dollars in revenue. Last year, that amount decreased to $433m.

Supporters of the capital gains tax say that it’s providing needed funds for Washington’s education and childcare system.

Detractors say it’s a workaround for an income tax, which is illegal in Washington state. Some also fear it will drive tech entrepreneurs and companies out of the city.

Today, we're hearing from an advocate for Initiative 2109.

Guest:

Vijay Boyapati is a former Google engineer. He’s currently a software engineer and author of the book “The Bullish Case for Bitcoin”

Relevant Links:

Washington Initiative 2109, Repeal Capital Gains Tax Initiative (2024) - Ballotpedia

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Yakama Nation energy project hits a snag as utilities struggle with green energy expansion Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

The Yakama Nation has found it nearly impossible to access $32 million in a promised federal grant for an irrigation canal conversion project.

The initiative aims to transform old irrigation canals into a solar and small-scale hydropower system, which would lower electricity costs and conserve water in the Yakima Basin.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell celebrated the project earlier this year for its potential benefits.

While incentives for renewable energy are abundant, the bureaucratic processes to implement them can be frustratingly slow.

Soundside caught up with investigative reporter Tony Schick to hear more about why the project is stalling. His recent story on the issue was produced in partnership with OPB, ProPublica, and High Country News.

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:

Tony Schick, investigative reporter and editor at Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Related Links:

The Department of Energy promised this tribal nation a $32 million solar grant. It’s nearly impossible to access - OPB

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A new KUOW investigation uncovers SPD's history of losing guns Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

In October of 2019, an 18-year-old walked out of a Seattle police training building with an officer’s personal firearm.

It was eventually recovered - but questions remained about how the teen was able to access the firearm in the first place, as well as the quality of security at the training facility.

This isn’t the only time an SPD firearm has gone missing.

In August, SPD reported 23 missing firearms, and the department confirmed that those guns haven’t been accounted for since 2017.
This information comes from a KUOW investigation into the department.

Soundside caught up with KUOW investigative reporter Ashley Hiruko to learn more about how the guns may have gone missing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What to make of the Mariner's suboptimal season Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

The 2024 Seattle Mariner's season wasn't just about disappointment, it was a story about fandom, money, masochism, and, sure, losing a 10 game lead in the AL West.

We're breaking down the story lines and commiserating after a long season.

Guests:

Kate Preusser, managing editor of Lookout Landing and host of Meet at the Mitt podcast

Danny O’Neil, author of The Dang Apostrophe, a newsletter on Seattle sports

Relevant Links:

Lookout Landing: Key takeaways from Jerry Dipoto’s Game 161 meeting with the media

Seattle Times: The Mariners say payroll will increase in 2025. How much? | Analysis

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Mayor Harrell looks to payroll expense tax to fix $250 million budget gap Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

This budget cycle, the city is bracing for what could be a contentious debate over how to fund essential services and set priorities for the coming year.

With an estimated $251 million dollar budget shortfall looming, how it will address that gap has become a pressing concern.

Early last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled his office’s plan to tackle the large budget shortfall.

Guests:

Kevin Schofield, founder of SCC Insights and author of Weekend Reads in the South Seattle Emerald. Schofield is also a member of KUOW's board of directors, which does not make any editorial decisions or work directly with KUOW's newsroom.

Relevant Links:

Post Alley: Mayor Harrell's New Budget and Windfall Revenue Provoke Big Questions

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'Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh' is bringing you the tastiest tidbits of the PNW Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

It's time to set aside that uninspired sandwich, or soggy work-from-home salad. You’ll probably also want to cancel any lunch plans you have you have this week, because a new podcast from KUOW and The Seattle Times may convince you to try something new.

Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh is helping listeners find the best bites in Seattle — and beyond.

Soundside caught up with Vinh to find out what inspired the long-time Seattle Times food writer to turn to podcasting, and what he looks for in a good 'ol slice of pizza.

New episodes of Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh drop every other Thursday, and can be heard on the KUOW app — or wherever you get your podcasts.

Guest:

Tan Vinh, Seattle Times food writer and the host of "Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh"

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