Soundside

Have you ever walked into a bookstore, lonely and single, and hoped you’d meet the love of your life?  We know there are at least a few of you out there. That's part of the setup for Moira Macdonald’s debut novel “Storybook Ending.” It’s a story about loneliness, friendship, reading – and of course, the singular pleasure of spending time between the shelves of a cozy book shop in Seattle. The spot in question, titled “Read the Room”, is based on Ravenna’s Third Place Books, one of Macdonald's regular haunts.  We talk to Macdonald, the longtime Seattle Times arts critic, about writing her novel, her recommendations for great summer reads and Seattle's best movie theaters.  And a note - this conversation first aired in June. Guest Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times arts critic and debut novelist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From new statewide legislation freezing rent hikes at up to 10 percent for most tenants, to the Seattle City Council banning the use of algorithmic rent fixing, there's a lot of news to keep in mind if you’re a renter or a landlord. And summer is moving season – prompting lots of questions about the rights for renters regarding repairs, fees and beyond. We review some frequently asked questions for renters in Seattle. Guest Teo Popescu, design, graphics, and data editor at KUOW Related links What are your rights as a Seattle renter? Here are the basics Note: KUOW's explainer serves as an overview of the most frequently asked questions about renter rights in Seattle. For a complete guide, review the Seattle renters handbook and the Seattle renters resource page, visit nonprofits like the Tenants Union, or call the Renting in Seattle helpline at: 206-684-5700. 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.

Libby may be out today, but … We’ve made it to the end of the work week!  And since tomorrow is a holiday, you’re probably trying to figure out what to do with a whole THREE DAYS of free time in front of you… But don’t worry, I’ve got the big list of everything to do on the 4th of July and BEYOND!  WELCOME to the Weekend Warmup! LINKS: FIREWORKS!!! Arlington — Quake Park 10 p.m. Bellevue — Downtown Park 10:05 p.m. Carnation — Remlinger Farms 9:45 p.m. Everett — Port Gardner Bay 10:15 p.m. Federal Way — Celebration Park 10:15 p.m. Kenmore — Log Boom Park 10 p.m. Kent — Lake Meridian Park 10 p.m. Kingston — Mike Wallace Park 10:15 p.m. Marysville — Ebey Waterfront Park 10 p.m. Sammamish — Sam. Commons 10 p.m. Seattle — Lake Union 10:15 p.m. Snoqualmie — Community Park 9:45 p.m. Steilacoom — offshore 10:30 p.m. Tacoma — Ruston Way 10 p.m. Tumwater — Tumwater Valley Golf 10:15 p.m. PARADES! Arlington — 5 p.m. (kids 4:30 p.m.) Bainbridge Island — 1 p.m. Bothell — 12 p.m. (kids 11:15 a.m.) Burien — 11 a.m. Carnation — 11:30 a.m. (kids 11 a.m.) Dupont — 10 a.m. Edmonds — 12 p.m. (kids 11:30 a.m.) Enumclaw — noon Everett — 11 a.m. Issaquah — 11 a.m. Kingston — 12 p.m. Kirkland — 12 p.m. (kids 11:30 a.m.) Tumwater — 11 a.m. Seattle Center’s 40th Annual Naturalization Ceremony Civic Engagement! Write your elected officials! SPORTS! Seattle Mariners vs Pittsburgh Pirates Seattle Sounders vs Columbus Crew Pioneer Square Fest Fairhaven Chicken Festival - Bellingham The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody 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.

The Senate passed the Big Beautiful Bill, sending it back to the House of Representatives for a final vote on Donald Trump’s sweeping spending package.Aside from extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, the legislation includes cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, caps on student loans, and higher fees on people going through the legal immigration process. It also increases spending on defense and border security, limits taxes on workers who earn tips and increases the child tax credit.Republican lawmakers are quickly trying to pass the bill by July 4, when Trump said he wants to see it on his desk.Soundside checked in with a few Seattle-area Congress members who are trying to stop the bill from passing into law. Guests: Suzan DelBene represents Washington’s 1st congressional district and chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Pramila Jayapal represents Washington’s 7th congressional district. Related stories: Senate passes Trump’s megabill after pulling all-nighter - POLITICO The winners (and losers) in Trump's 'big beautiful' tax bill - USA TODAY 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.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that a Maryland couple could pull their child out of classes where the material involved books with LGBTQ themes.  The six conservative justices ruled that parents should not be required to expose their children to class materials that go against their religious beliefs.  Coincidentally, almost exactly one hundred years ago – in July 1925 – there was another famous legal debate over what kids learn in the classroom that took place in Tennessee.  The so-called Scopes Monkey Trial was ground zero for one of America’s first culture wars: The debate over whether or not evolution should be taught in schools.  Guest:  Alexander Gouzoules, associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Law and co-author of The Hundred Years' Trial: Law, Evolution, and the Long Shadow of Scopes v. Tennessee 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.

2025 has been a busy year for Danni Askini. As Executive Director of the Gender Justice League, Askini is involved in multiple lawsuits fighting Trump Administration policies related to trans rights. She’s also the co-chair of the Washington Families for Freedom coalition, created this year to fight potential state ballot measures that could impact trans youth. And – by the way – she’s the Executive Director of Trans Pride Seattle, which just hosted its annual celebration at Seattle’s Volunteer Park on Friday. Danni Askini and fellow trans rights activists are confronting a rapidly shifting landscape. Include President Trump’s executive orders banning trans people in the military, targeting funding for hospitals that provide gender affirming care for minors, and declaring the U.S. only recognizes two “immutable biological” sexesAnd Supreme Court decisions including last week’s ruling the effectively upholds bans on trans healthcare for minors in 27 states, which has opened the door to re-considering states right to ban Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for adults.  Day by day, trans rights are changing and eroding, in a way that’s hard for even a plugged in advocate to keep track of.  We sat down on Monday afternoon to talk about it all. Guest:  Danni Askini: Executive Director of the Gender Justice League, co-chair of the Washington Families for Freedom coalition, and the Executive Director of Trans Pride Seattle. Related stories: The Cass Review An Evidence-Based Critique of “The Cass Review” on Gender-affirming Care for Adolescent Gender Dysphoria Utah lawmakers’ own study found gender-affirming care benefits trans youth. Will they lift the treatment ban? - The Salt Lake Tribune 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.

Idaho’s governor has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff following the killing of two firefighters, and wounding of a third, in Coeur d’Alene yesterday. Firefighters were responding to a grass fire in a natural area with hiking and mountain biking trails. When they arrived, a man opened fire, in what the local county sheriff is calling an ambush.  And a note: this interview was taped at 11:30am. Information may have changed by the time you're hearing this. Guest: Kaye Thornbrugh is a reporter with Coeur d’Alene Press Related stories: Sheriff: Suspected shooter ambushed firefighters who asked him to move vehicle - Coeur d'Alene Press Fire chief: 'It's going to be a long road' - Coeur d'Alene Press 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.

Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer says she has a problem. As more visitors get into the great outdoors in her rural Washington county, more and more people are calling for help, and requiring search and rescue operations.  Scheyer says things need to change: She’s announced plans for an ordinance that would impose a fine on anyone who requires a search and rescue due to what she terms “reckless” or “negligent” actions.  But is it fair to expect hikers in need of help to pay for assistance? We talk with her about that question and more.  Guest Summer Scheyer, sheriff of Skamania County.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Civil rights groups are scrambling to get ahead of a looming change to the status of babies born to immigrant parents without permanent legal status.  Unless additional legal actions are successful, there are just a few weeks until the Trump administration’s restrictions on birthright citizenship are set to take effect in a majority of states across the country, following a Supreme Court ruling on Friday.  Washington was one of several states challenging President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship. But while the SCOTUS ruling didn't directly address the Trump administration's restrictions on birthright citizenship, the ruling has wide implications for the power of the judicial branch to rein in the executive. We talk with Washington's Attorney General, Nick Brown, about SCOTUS rulings, universal injunctions and birthright citizenship.  Guest: Washington Attorney General Nick Brown 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.

Voters will pick a new King County Executive this November. And the race has taken a dramatic turn as candidate and current King County Assessor John Wilson has been repeatedly accused of stalking and harassment. Last month his ex fiancee and domestic partner Lee Keller was granted a second restraining order against him. Members of the King County Council have called on Wilson to resign, which he has rebuffed.  Wilson has vehemently denied all allegations of domestic violence and stalking. He says he and Keller have a “stormy” relationship and that many of her allegations are incorrect.  Guest: KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone Related stories: King County assessor says he won't resign amid stalking allegation scandal - KUOW 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.