Soundside

Seattle Public Library’s services remain limited today after a ransomware attack took much of the library’s technology systems offline.   In a blog post, the Library said it had been preparing to take computer systems down for maintenance over Memorial Day Weekend when workers discovered a ransomware event affecting the entire network. At this point, it is unclear what the ransomware attackers are after, or how long it will take for the Seattle Public Library’s systems to be back to full operation. Ransomware attacks against large institutions have multiplied in recent years. This week, a hacker group claimed credit for an attack on the auction house Christie’s. The group has threatened to release sensitive information about art collectors unless demands were met.    Soundside is joined by Quentin Hodgson, a senior researcher specializing in cybersecurity at RAND, a non-profit, non-partisan research organization, to discuss the proliferation of ransomware attacks in recent years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The H5N1 bird flu continues to spread to U.S. dairy cows – affecting dozens of herds in at least ten states. The dairy industry has been hesitant to test cows for the virus. The FDA says pasteurized milk is safe to drink. A team of University of Washington and Fred Hutch Cancer Center researchers is working to track the avian influenza by sequencing the virus’ RNA found in milk from the grocery store. Guests: Pavitra Roychoudhury, research assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine who also works at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center. Related links: STAT: Move over, wastewater. Store-bought milk could be another way to track the bird flu outbreak in cows USDA: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock NPR: Limited testing of raw milk for bird flu leaves safety questions unanswered FDA: Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When author Noé Álvarez was growing up in Yakima, WA he remembers hearing accordion music wafting in the orchards where his parents picked fruit, at dance halls, and at house parties. But his grandfather Eulogio – a traveling accordion player – remained a figure steeped in mystery and infamy.  The path to understanding that “ancestral tragedy” sent Álvarez across state and country borders in search of his family’s history and a deeper knowledge of the music that propelled it. That journey is detailed in Noé Álvarez’s new book, “Accordion Eulogies: A Memoir of Music, Migration, and Mexico."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last 18 months, thousands of asylum-seeking migrants have found a temporary home at the Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila. The church isn’t set up to be a long term shelter - but with few beds open in King County’s family shelters each night - this temporary solution has become a lifeline for asylum seekers. But how did this church become a de facto shelter for so many people? A new report from the Seattle Times found that the first asylum seekers to seek shelter at the church were sent there by Seattle city workers, and while Seattle has a plan in place for an emergency shelter to house migrants in the city, Mayor Harrell has so far refused to implement it. Soundside host Libby Denkmann talked to Seattle Times reporter David Kroman about what's behind this breakdown to get migrants the housing they need. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting in 2018, state and federal officials began moving over 300 mountain goats from the Olympic Peninsula to the North Cascades.It was a joint project with local tribes, the Olympic National Park, Washington Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Forest Service. Now, more than five years later, reporting from the Everett Herald indicates the project has had mixed success. Hundreds of goats were successfully moved from the park. But it appears that most of them have since died. GUEST: Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Everett HeraldWe can only make Soundside because listeners support us. Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundsideSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington state has a plan to replace its aging ferry fleet, but it will be years before commuters notice any changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you’re getting ready to hit the trails for the first time, or you’re a seasoned outdoors aficionado — Soundside is here to help you get prepped for hot hiking summer in the Pacific Northwest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Late last month, KUOW announced the station was ending its RadioActive Youth Media program. For 20 years, RadioActive brought listeners the stories and perspectives of young people in the Pacific Northwest. Soundside producer Noel Gasca reflects on what the program has meant to the over 6,000 youth who participated - and what will be lost.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homelessness policy has become a lightning rod in Burien, as the city’s approach toward people sleeping outside has drawn scrutiny and lawsuits. The latest; the city council agreed to build a pallet shelter on land owned by Seattle City Light. King County agreed to give the city a million dollars for the project, but now the city council is considering zoning restrictions that may kill the shelter plans. We can only make Soundside because listeners support us. Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW:https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundsideSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2015 “Our Children’s Trust” took aim at what they thought was a major contributor to ongoing climate problems: that the U.S. government had continued to permit, authorize and subsidize fossil fuel extraction. So, along with 21 plaintiffs whose ages ranged from 8 to 19 years old, they sued the U.S. government. Even though the "Juliana V United States" has never actually gone to trial after 9 years of arguments, the ambition behind the litigation has made an impact on environmental law and helped inspire other climate cases involving young people around the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.