Soundside

A new study out of the University of Virginia combined data from all 50 states to see how COVID restrictions did or didn’t reduce pandemic deaths. Despite criticism – even today – that COVID restrictions were tyrannical and unnecessary, the paper shows that states with more stringent mask and vaccine mandates did in fact save lives, and that states without those measures could have prevented excess deaths had they followed similar strictures.   While hindsight is, in this case, literally 2020 – the study should inform our response to future pandemics. Soundside spoke with the paper's author, Christopher Ruhm, about the findings. Ruhm is a professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Public policy.  Guests: Christopher Ruhm, professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Public policy.  Related Links: How State Policies Impacted Death Rates During COVID | Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy | University of Virginia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many performers, a missed show can mean a huge pay cut.  Drag queens, comedians, musicians, and other entertainers are mostly independent contractors, which means no employer provided health insurance or sick time.  Now, local drag queen Betty Wetter, as well as the dance duo Drama Tops, and Velocity Dance Center, have come together to create the Queer Sick Pay Fund.  The Fund is meant to provide queer nightlife performers in the Seattle area with sick pay and resources when they have to miss a gig.  Guest: Seattle drag queen Betty Wetter Relevant Links: Velocity Queer Sick Pay Fund page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Columbia River is undoubtedly one of the most important rivers in the Northwest. Today, its irrigation provides water for the farms of Central Washington; it’s a vital waterway for salmon; and it provides a critical source of hydroelectric power.  The river is split between the U.S. and Canada, and its headwaters begin in British Columbia. For the last 60 years, one treaty -- the Columbia River Treaty -- has dictated how the two nations manage the river and its dams. But that treaty is quickly approaching an important deadline this September, and if nothing changes, terms in the treaty become less favorable to the United States. In the last month, stakeholders on both sides of the border have come to an "agreement in principle" on an update to the Columbia River Treaty. Negotiations over changes in the treaty have been in the works for the last 6 years. It’s probably something you haven’t heard about before – but it’s a critical piece of the future of the Columbia River and everything that depends on it. This week Soundside’s Libby Denkmann caught up on the treaty’s latest with Nigel Bankes, professor emeritus of law at the University of Calgary. Guests: Nigel Bankes, professor of law emeritus at the University of Calgary Related Links: Agreement in Principle on a Revised Columbia River Treaty | ABlawg U.S. and Canada update 60-year-old Columbia River Treaty | Cascade PBS What’s at stake if the Columbia River Treaty were to end - OPB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 150 years, the United States government operated boarding schools that separated Native American children from their families and communities. The government's goal was to eradicate native languages and culture. At least 17 US Indian boarding schools existed in Washington State. A new report from the Department of Interior outlines the scale and impact of the government's effort. It identifies by name almost 19,000 native children who were sent to boarding schools across the US and roughly 1000 children who died in the boarding school system, including 60 in Washington State. While the report is among the first of its kind, native leaders are saying it's just a start towards understanding the impact of these schools. Deborah Parker, a citizen of the Tulalip tribes and Chief Executive of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, talks about where things stand in light of the new report. Guests: Deborah Parker, Chief Executive of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition Relevant links: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/60-native-children-from-northwest-died-in-u-s-boarding-schools-among-nearly-1000-deaths-nationwide/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/us/politics/native-american-boarding-schools.html 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 show from Cascade PBS looks at the way artists in the Pacific Northwest incorporate their surroundings into drawings, tapestry, and pottery.  ‘Art by Northwest’ showcases local artists inspired by the landscapes and culture of their communities. Each episode explores the stories behind their work, reflecting the unique essence of the Pacific Northwest.  "What I hope for the series is that people see how artists are translating their landscape into their work," says host Brangien Davis. 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: Brangien Davis, host of Art by Northwest and Crosscut's arts and culture editor Relevant Links: Art by Northwest Episode 1 - Leaving the Loom: Tininha Silva Art by Northwest Episode 2 - Collaborating With Trees: Todd Horton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are a lot of stories about the financial challenges facing schools right now: Seattle School District has a $100 million budget gap they need to close and they’re going to be shuttering schools to make ends meet.  Bellevue School District also closed schools to shore up its budget last year. Other districts are looking at million dollar shortfalls and considering school closures or ending programs.  But Marysville School District is facing a particularly challenging landscape. "They have a critically declining financial condition," said Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy. Her office reviews the finances of all 295 school districts in the state. Their report on Marysville’s finances made headlines when it was published last week. McCarthy compared Marysville's situation to Vader School District, which dissolved in 2007 because of severe financial problems. So what is going on at Marysville and how does it fit into the larger landscape of budget challenges at districts statewide?  Guest: Marguerite Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab and a Research Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy Relevant Links: Washington State Standard: Why WA school budgets are getting tighter, and what can be done about it KUOW: Could Marysville schools have to close amid 'uniquely perilous' financial troubles?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two NASA astronauts named Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are currently stuck in space. The pair launched in the Boeing Starliner earlier this year.  Malfunctions have delayed their return from what was originally meant to be an 8 day trip to the International Space Station. Now, they may not be back on Earth until February. And – most galling for Boeing: They may have to hitch a ride with its competitor, SpaceX. So, what exactly happened with Boeing’s new spacecraft? And what will it take to get the Boeing Starliner back on Earth? Guests: Jim Hermanson, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Washington Dr. Wendy N. Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies  Relevant links: AP News: Could 2 NASA astronauts be stuck at the space station until next year? Here’s what to know The Conversation: Boeing’s Starliner launches toward the International Space Station − an important milestone for commercial spaceflight See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While ballots are still being counted, most of the races in last week’s primary election have been decided. But one contest in particular – the race to become the next Commissioner of Public Lands for Washington state – has become surprisingly close.  The Commissioner of Public Lands runs the state Department of Natural Resources – think forest and wildfire policy, along with issues like fish hatcheries and salmon restoration. As of last week, just a few thousand votes separated the two candidates fighting for the final spot in this November’s general election -- and even now, the race is a toss-up. For the latest, Soundside was joined by Seattle Times' Amanda Zhou and Isabella Breda. Both Zhou and Breda are reporters for the Seattle Times Climate Lab. Guests:  Amanda Zhou and Isabella Breda, Seattle Times staff reporters covering climate and the environment.  Related Links:  Democrat Upthegrove moves into No. 2 spot in WA lands commissioner primary | The Seattle Times Here’s where candidates for WA lands commissioner stand on key issues | The Seattle Times See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We wanted to round out today’s show by remembering a man described as the greatest music journalist Seattle ever had - Charles R. Cross. For over 40 years, Cross tracked the pulse of Seattle through its music. He was also known for his biographies of local rock legends: Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. Cross’ family confirmed in a statement that he died on Aug. 9 of natural causes at his home in Shoreline. He was 67.  Charles was also a regular guest on KUOW. .  Our last conversation was back in January. Charles invited me over to his house to pour over archives of The Rocket - the scrappy biweekly music magazine he owned and edited. The paper published from 1979 to 2000, and its writers were tastemakers for the whole music industry  during grunge’s dizzying heights in the ‘90s. When we sat down to talk, Cross had just announced that all 336 issues of The Rocket were available online, a painstaking process that exemplified the deep love he had for the journalism and artists who helped build Seattle culture .  Here’s that conversation. Guest: Seattle-based music journalist Charles R. Cross   Relevant Links: Variety: Charles R. Cross, Music Journalist Who Wrote Heralded Kurt Cobain Biography and Edited Seattle’s Alt-Weekly the Rocket, Dies at 67 The Seattle Times: Charles R. Cross, influential Seattle music journalist, dead at 67 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Primary election results continue to roll in. And sure, your head may have been turned by that flashy State Lands Commissioner race. But if you’re a Seattle resident, a very consequential city council contest should also be on your radar.     The at-large 8th district seat is up for grabs this November. The citywide position was formerly held by Teresa Mosqueda. Last year, she won a spot on the King County Council.  Tanya Woo, a business owner and community organizer in the Chinatown International District, was appointed to the vacated city council seat earlier this year.  She is now running to win that seat outright. But a progressive challenger Alexis Mercedes-Rinck had a dominant showing in last week’s primary. And she may be on track to make Woo’s stint on the council a short one. Guests: David Kroman, Seattle Times staff reporter covering Seattle City Hall Relevant Links: Seattle Times: Seattle incumbent’s lagging primary results signal warning for general Seattle Times: New Seattle City Council members sprint to catch up after slow start Seattle Times: Seattle council delays vote on social housing funding initiative See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.