Soundside

A new book examines the theory that lead and arsenic poisoning may have affected the brain development of serial killers like Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgway.  Childhood exposure to these poisons might provide a partial explanation for these horrific crimes. The book is “Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers.”  It’s part memoir; part examination of anthropology, criminology, and also the ecological history of the Pacific Northwest. Guest Caroline Fraser, author of “Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers.” She grew up on Mercer Island and won the Pulitzer Prize for her biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder in 2018.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Upstairs at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, MoPop, right now you can take a trip through the musical genres and artists that trace the arc of Black history in America, from gospel foremothers like Rosetta Tharpe and Mahalia Jackson, to the soul songs of Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. The exhibit is called Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music. Soundside host Libby Denkmann caught up with curator Adeerya Johnson for a tour of the exhibit. GUEST: Adeerya Johnson, Associate Curator at MoPop RELATED LINK: Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music | Museum of Pop Culture 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.

We are officially in the summer busy season. Solstice, pride, Juneteenth — if you’re looking for something to do this week, have no fear, there’s something for you. Soundside is off tomorrow for Juneteenth, so we're bringing you an EARLY edition of the WEEKEND WARMUP.  Here with stuff to do this weekend is Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows! LINKS:  Juneteenth | Atlantic Street Center NAAM | Juneteenth Juneteenth — ACLT Summer of Soul Series Juneteenth 2025 | Mercer Island, Washington Juneteenth 2025 | Shoreline City Hall Juneteenth - Stewart Heights Park, Tacoma 2025 Juneteenth Commemoration - Washington State Historical Society Washington Brewers Fest   MOPOP - 25th Anniversary Fremont Solstice Parade Fremont Fair Summer Bonsai Solstice | Pacific Bonsai Museum  Marysville Strawberry Festival Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival 2025 Georgetown Pride 2025 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.

Boys and ghouls, allow me to tell you about the mad doctor who injects himself with an experimental serum, turning the scientist into a hideous monster that terrorizes a hospital. This twisted tale is from the mind of Richard Lyford, a 19-year-old indie filmmaker in Seattle, who wrote, directed and starred in the short horror film The Scalpel. But he wasn’t influenced by horror legends like John Carpenter or Wes Craven or George Romero.  No, The Scalpel was filmed in 1936, and film historians considered it lost for almost 90 years.  It’s now been restored and re-edited, and been accepted to more than 150 film festivals throughout the country.  Guest: Composer Ed Hartman Related Links: Trailer for The Scalpel Lost 1936 Seattle film saved by local composer takes festival circuit by storm Zion Film Fest 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. The Scalpel Festival RunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel and Iran continue to trade missile and drone attacks as the war stretches into its fifth day.  This conflict started last week with Israeli airstrikes that targeted top military commanders and nuclear facilities in Iran.  Here in the Seattle area, members of the Iranian diaspora are experiencing a familiar anxiety: Trying to keep tabs on friends and family during a bloody conflict.  We talk to four members of Seattle's Iranian diaspora and get additional analysis on the conflict from a Washington, D.C.-based expert.  Guests Omid Roustaei, The Caspian Chef, cookbook author and Iranian-American psychotherapist Rep. Darya Farivar, Washington state Representative, D-46  Aria Fani, director of the Persian and Iranian Studies Program at the University of Washington  Faraz Zarghami, also known as DJ Dancing Faraz Alex Vatanka, senior fellow, Middle East Institute   Related links The Washington Post: Israeli attacks leave Iranians fearful and hopeful    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Guest Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times arts critic and debut novelist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of Americans across the country gathered over the weekend in support of “No Kings Day”, a nationwide protest against the Trump Administration.  Marches were planned to contrast with a military parade at the nation’s capital, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Army. The events also coincided with President Trump’s birthday. And it all came after a week of escalating tensions between the federal government and California officials, where immigration raids had prompted clashes between protestors and police… and Trump had called in the military against the wishes of the state’s governor. Across Washington on Saturday, cities from Olympia, to Wenatchee, even passengers on a ferry from Bainbridge island had “No Kings” protests. We wanted to get a sense of what the protests felt like across the state - and how the momentum of crowd participation could spark further action. Guests: KUOW reporter Casey Martin Seattle University assistant professor of law Pilar Margarita Hernández Escontrías Former Spokane city council president Ben Stuckart Related stories: LIVE: Crowds descend on Seattle for ‘No Kings’ protests - KUOW Mysterious notice tells immigrants to check in at Seattle-area federal building. Several get detained - KUOW Tukwila police fire pepper balls on protesters at unusual ICE check-in - Seattle Times More than 30 arrested at immigration protest in Spokane sparked by arrest of 2 immigrants - Spokesman Review 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.

Lawmakers in D.C. are still working on President Trump's big beautiful bill. That's the budget reconciliation measure focused on extending his first term tax cuts, boosting defense spending and immigration enforcement and cutting some spending. Should it become law, it's expected to cut into benefits for millions of Americans –  specifically, federal food assistance programs. It's expected to slice hundreds of billions from SNAP, or food stamps.  Around 10 percent of Washington state's population get SNAP benefits, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Washington State Standard estimates tens of thousands in the state could lose federal food aid if the bill passes.  We hear from the executive director of a Seattle food bank about the proposed cuts to SNAP and how they could affect the food bank’s operations and clients. And we get an update on the bill's progress from a D.C.-based reporter.  Guests Orion Donovan Smith legislative reporter, Washington, D.C. Bureau, The Spokesman-Review Gloria Hatcher-Mays executive director, Rainier Valley Food Bank 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.

Well, I don't know about YOU, but President Trump has big weekend plans: On Saturday, he's going to be enjoying a military parade in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Army, which also happens to fall on his birthday. There are hundreds of protests planned in cities across the country as counter-programming to this parade. They're organized under the umbrella of the "No Kings" theme. That includes here in Washington State, and the No Kings website says 80 protests are planned in places from Anacortes to Walla Walla.  The Kitsap Sun has a list of where those are happening on Saturday and how to stay safe at KitsapSun.com But not to worry, there are a TON of other weekend events coming up: LINKS: Black Night Market — Friends of Waterfront Park Brass Screw Consortium - Port Townsend Maple Valley Days - Lake Wilderness Park An Evening with John Cusack & Screening of "High Fidelity" - Tacoma Seattle Flying Dragon Boat Club - South Lake Union Park 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 weekend, the FIFA Club World Cup descends on Seattle.This isn’t the big tournament that pits national teams against each other that’s coming in 2026. Instead, this tournament features club teams from around the world. Spectators in Seattle will be able to see storied squads take the pitch throughout June.  For clubs, there is big money at stake but the majority of that money, at least when it comes to Major League Soccer, is set to go to the clubs’ owners. U.S. players, including ones with the Seattle Sounders, won’t see much of it. So players have been speaking out about, what they call, a cash grab. U.S. fans of the beautiful game are now following an ugly contract dispute.  Guest: Pablo Mauer, staff writer at the Athletic Relevant Links: The Athletic: Sounders protest MLS’ Club World Cup player payout cap, backed by MLSPA   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.