Soundside

Tacoma can sometimes feel like a place for the little-er guy. Where an aspiring entrepreneur can start a small business without the hyper expensive rents and other daily costs of a city like Seattle.  But, according to recent reporting by the News Tribune, one city regulation may be stifling small food businesses in Grit City. And it has to do with some of the … greasier parts of the job. Most cities, including Seattle and Tacoma, require restaurants to install machines that prevent grease, fat, and other materials from washing down the drains and into the sewer system. But, what those traps look like, and how much they cost, can vary greatly, depending on where a business is located. And that can mean business owners look elsewhere when considering a new space. 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. Guest: Kristine Sherred, Food Reporter at The News Tribune Related Links:  Rigging the system.’ Is Tacoma’s grease-trap policy killing its small-restaurant scene? - The News Tribune Tacoma contends restaurant grease traps are vital. Is its oversight of them lacking? - The News Tribune As pandemic ravaged restaurants, Tacoma tightened rules for offering food delivery - The News Tribune City of Tacoma response to grease trap stories, courtesy of Maria Lee (Media & Communications Office):  The City recognizes that for new small business owners, the cost and logistical challenges of installing a GGI can be significant. The policy aims to balance environmental protection with economic development. While the City has worked diligently with this community on outreach, the City also recognizes that the challenges faced by some small business owners suggests a need for ongoing dialogue between the City and the business community to explore potential solutions that support both objectives. At this point in time, staff are analyzing potential changes to the City’s Side-Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Availability Manual and FOG Program. The need for these changes was recognized in 2023 as part of broader City comprehensive planning efforts, and analysis began in earnest as early as the second quarter of 2024. Once staff has completed its analysis, and those recommendations are presented to the City Manager and the City Council, that same information will also be shared with the public. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle Public Schools continues to stare down a $100 million budget deficit.  It’s a problem that’s sparked frustration, protests, and even a legal battle over the district’s leadership.  Plans to close schools drew a lot of backlash— and have been shelved, for now. Yet, the question remains: how will the district balance its books? To help answer that question and a few more is KUOW’s education reporter Sami West. Guest: Sami West, KUOW Education Reporter Related Links: KUOW - Judge throws out attempted recall of Seattle School Board president KUOW - Seattle Public Schools drops contentious closure plan following months of waffling amid backlash KUOW - What the election means for school funding in Washington state 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.

It’s Giving Tuesday, a day to take a pause from the holiday hustle and bustle, and give back to our community through charitable causes.  One way a lot of people like to give back is by donating food or money to their local food bank. While grocery prices are stabilizing, grocery prices are up about 20% compared to four years ago.  So how is inflation impacting food banks ahead of this holiday season? We put together a panel of three food bank organizers to get a better understanding of how inflation is impacting their day to day work, and the communities they serve. GUESTS: Otis Pimpleton, food services manager for the Rainier Valley Food Bank Eric Williams, team member at Second Harvest Inland Northwest Jan Coen, founder and food bank coordinator for the Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank RELATED LINKS: Rainier Valley Food Bank   Second Harvest Inland Northwest Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank & Community Services See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the late 1800s, logging has been a major industry in the Pacific Northwest, and its impact on the region's economy and environment have been significant. For the towns that depend on logging, the profession comes with a lot of pride. But it’s also one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 4 in 100,000 people die from injury at work. For loggers, it’s more than 10 times as much. Logging has always been dangerous work. But how it can be done safely is still something many are trying to figure out.  To learn more, Soundside spoke with Kurtis Lee, economics correspondent for the New York Times, and the University of Washington's Dr. Marissa Baker.  Guests: Kurtis Lee, economics correspondent for the New York Times.  Dr. Marissa Baker, assistant professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences. Related Links:  Read Kurtis Lee's story on logging in Oregon here:  Logging Is the Deadliest Job, but Still an Oregon Way of Life - The New York Times Read Dr. Marissa Baker's research on logging here: Determinants of Stress, Fatigue, and Injury Risk for Loggers and Log Truck Drivers | Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center Job Satisfaction in the Logging Industry | Blogs | CDC 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.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the WTO protests in Seattle, a raucous action by 50,000 protesters who descended on the city in the fall of 1999. Their aim? Shutting down a conference of top decision makers at the World Trade Organization. When this coalition of activists succeeded in stopping the WTO’s opening ceremonies, the “Battle of Seattle” became an inflection point in a growing struggle between advocates for free trade – and groups fighting for the rights of labor, farmers, the environment and more. Comprising over 100 interviews, author DW Gibson’s book, One Week to Change the World, tells a new oral history of the protest through the eyes of people who participated.  This segment originally aired on Soundside in June.  Guests: DW Gibson, journalist and author of One Week to Change the World. Related Links:  One Week to Change the World | Book by DW Gibson | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster 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.

If you’re a parent with kids in public school, you’re likely familiar with the "lunch crunch." Across the state, a growing squeeze on lunchtimes is leading many students to eat lunch quickly -- if at all.  A recent investigation from KING 5 reveals that many schools are falling short of meeting recommended lunch time benchmarks. This is critical time that helps kids stay full and focused throughout the day.  Soundside's Diana Opong was joined by Chris Ingalls, KING 5 investigative reporter, to discuss his recent story on how much time students have to eat lunch throughout Washington state.  Guests: Chris Ingalls, investigative reporter for KING 5.  Related links: Read Ingalls' KING 5 investigation here: School lunch time crunch for Washington students | king5.com 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.

Fantasy football season is well underway, with many players excited about the upcoming playoffs.  I know next to nothing about fantasy football and had to get a primer from Soundside Producer Alec Cowan, who is playing in KUOW’s league.  He says it’s essentially regular people trying their hand at being NFL managers: drafting players, and forming rosters for each game. There are elaborate points systems based on how NFL players do each week.  There’s a reason why people take part in fantasy leagues – to feel closer to friends, family or to spend time with coworkers. For people who are incarcerated, fantasy football creates a connection to the outside world. Guest: Antoine Davis, an incarcerated journalist in Washington State, pastor, and Inside Director of Organizing for Look2Justice.  Relevant Links: Defector: What Fantasy Football Means To Incarcerated ManagersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soundside is taking a break this week to celebrate Thanksgiving. Don’t worry - we’ll be back with new episodes next week. Until then, we’re bringing you some of our favorite stories from the show.  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. Stories Featured:  Artists vs AI: Indie creators are noticing the emergence of artificial art 'It’s like you have 80 sisters.' Rat City Roller Derby hearkens back to indie Seattle roots Yakima Canutt: The Washington cowboy who became a stuntman Weekend Warmup Links: Seattle's Turkey Trot Spokane "Huffin' for the Stuffin'" Arlington "Run Your Buns Off" Other Turkey Trots Bellingham Mukilteo Woodinville  Gig Harbor  Tacoma Seattle’s Christmas Market WINTERFEST at Seattle Center Kumail Nanjiani at the Moore Theater Cyndi Lauper at Climate Pledge Arena See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soundside is taking a break this week to celebrate Thanksgiving. Don’t worry - we’ll be back with new episodes next week. Until then, we’re bringing you some of our favorite stories from the show.  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. Relevant Links: One option for slowing climate change? Block out the sun Seattle Synchro's small but mighty part in this year's Olympic games For Seattle drag performers, sick days are not an option A man, a dog, a mission to Ukraine See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first days of Robert Lester’s ambitious canoe journey started with a lot of walking. That start was in Butte, Montana on Silver Bow Creek -- the starting point of a 1300-mile trip through the Columbia River basin to the Pacific Ocean.  Lester made the trip in a two seat canoe. He was joined by 18-year-old Braxton Mitchel, who’d never canoed beforehand.  That journey took 55 days and is the focus of a new documentary from Lester and director Neil Larson, titled “The Columbia River Canoe Project.” At its heart is a story about ambition – both from the canoers themselves, and humans who have drastically changed the river with massive projects like dams.  Canoer Robert Lester and director Neil Larson joined Soundside to talk about the project ahead of local screenings in West Seattle, Edmonds, and Bainbridge Island Nov. 22-24.  Guests: Robert Lester, canoer and focus of "The Columbia River Canoe Project." Neil Larson, director of "The Columbia River Canoe Project."  Find information about local showings here: Columbia River Canoe Project — Mountain King 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.