Seattle Nice

Sandeep admits to being "a little buzzed" for this special nighttime taping of Seattle Nice. Nevertheless, he and Erica chew over Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposal to dramatically expand Seattle's Unified Care Team to "address trash and litter, clean up encampments and areas around encampments."  Some of the topics not addressed on this week's podcast:  The Murray / Smiley debate schedule, Erica and Sandeep's favorite restaurants, and the best Tweets about the Mariners devastating 18-inning playoff loss.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Bruce Harrell releases a new budget and the podcast goes berserk.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

As expected Bruce Harrel named interim Adrian Diaz his new chief of  Seattle police.  We debate the wisdom of the pick and prognosticate what will happen with police reform.  Plus, Erica  blasts a recent Seattle Times column about tipping while Sandeep shrugs.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Earlier this month Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that he will expand Seattle's park ranger program. That provoked outrage in some circles, with calls on Twitter for the city council to not "criminalize park users!" This week Erica and Sandeep discuss and debate the backlash and dish about alleged consternation behind the scenes over how to respond. We dish, please donate:  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

This week the pod discusses the politics and policies at Seattle public schools, and debates one of the biggest issues facing the city, possibly ever - leaf blowers.  Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Mayor Bruce Harrell's facing a mini-scandal this week after some controversial comments he made behind closed doors got leaked.  In a meeting with Seattle police. Harrell blasted the city council and King County Regional Homelessness Authority. Harrell isn't denying the comments. He says he's just being his authentic self. Seattle Nice takes a closer look at what Harrell said and the fallout.   Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

This week Seattle Nice takes a closer look at BIG PRIMARY RESULTS and the Seattle city council decision to end a $4 boost to grocery worker pay. Plus, Sandeep and Erica reminisce about the days when they helped made political endorsements at the Stranger. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Erica and Sandeep bring their personal addiction stories to bear in this episode about the fentanyl overdose emergency.  Earlier in the week, King County passed a bill that declared fentanyl a public health crisis. The bill was sponsored by council member Reagan Dunn, who is also running as a Republican in the August primary to represent the 8th Congressional District.  Erica and Sandeep agree Dunn’s motives in pushing the emergency declaration are far more about politics  than policy, but strongly disagree - based on their personal experiences - about where to draw the line between addiction and what Sandeep calls "criminality."This podcast is entirely listener-supported. If you like Seattle Nice, please help us make and distribute it with a donation to our Patreon account.  https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshareSend us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

"Starbucks to close 5 Seattle stores over safety concerns," reported the Seattle Times. Erica is skeptical, calling it "corporate PR," and points to the the company's union-busting efforts in Seattle and around the country.  Sandeep argues the "Twitter left" is getting the story wrong by continuing to downplay the rising crime rate.  This week Seattle Nice also takes a closer look at city efforts to lure more cops with hiring bonuses.  If you like Seattle Nice, where respectful and heated debate is still encouraged, please help support the pod on Patreon. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshareSend us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Inside dopester Sandeep dishes up some breaking news about a city council plan to put ranked-choice voting on the ballot this fall alongside approval voting. Plus, the jury in the Charleena Lyles inquest "says police followed policy in shooting black woman in crisis," reports Publicola. We discuss the verdict and the larger political context.  If you like Seattle Nice, where respectful and heated debate is still encouraged, please help support the pod on Patreon.   https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshareSend us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.comSupport the showYour support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.