Seattle Nice

Seattle Nice takes a lively look at a proposed ban on prostitution "loitering," and proposed Stay Out of Stay Out of Area of Prostitution (SOAP) zones. This follows the proposed banishment of some drug users from select areas downtown, called SODAs or “Stay Out of Drug Areas." Check out Erica's extensive coverage on Publicola, and while you're at it please donate to Publicola.  Quinn Waller edits the show. To advertise or just get in touch you can reach Seattle Nice at realseattlenice@gmail.com 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.

Seattle Nice was on our best behavior this week because had company—Scott Greenstone, a politics reporter at KUOW radio and host of the new KUOW podcast Sound Politics! We discussed the statewide election results (Scott reported that the vibe at Republican gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird's party was weirdly "optimistic") and the race to replace Frank Chopp as 43rd District state rep, where Chopp-endorsed Shaun Scott ended the night with more than twice as many votes as We Heart Seattle founder Andrea Suarez, whom even the Seattle Times didn't endorse.And, of course, we talked about Seattle's only local election—the race for City Council Position 8, where incumbent Tanya Woo was trailing challenger Alexis Mercedes Rinck by a wide margin on Election Night. (The gap has only widened since then). Woo, who was appointed to the citywide seat after losing last year's District 2 race to incumbent Tammy Morales, is on shaky ground going into the general election.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.

There's an election coming up for a citywide seat on the Seattle City Council, and the question everyone's asking is: Can a progressive challenger beat a member of the Class of 2023? Tanya Woo, the citywide Position 8 incumbent, actually lost her race for a single-district seat last year but was elevated to a citywide position anyway—not by voters, but by the new centrist City Council majority, who appointed her in January. Her challenger, Alexis Mercedes Rinck, is hoping that voters are ready for at least one more progressive on the council. We discuss whether the voters (a different electorate in this Presidential year than they were in 2023) are ready for a mini-backlash to the backlash.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.

Seattle's City Council says it needs more options to jail people who commit misdemeanors. Criminal justice reformer and MacArthur "Genius" Grant winner Lisa Daugaard joins us to debate and discuss. Daugaard is best-known for helping launch Seattle's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. Plus, Lisa weights in on a recent Seattle auditor's report looking at "place-based problem-solving approach to addressing overdoses and drug-related crime." Finally, Lisa Daugaard on civil or involuntary commitment. Is it coming to Seattle and Washington State?  Our editor is Quinn Waller. 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 interim Seattle police chief Sue Rahr fired an officer for joking about the death of a 23-year-old graduate student. We discuss and debate the case and police accountability in Seattle. Plus, will Joe Biden be the Democrat's nominee?  Quinn Waller is our editor.  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.

Seattle Councilmember Tanya Woo recently reported graffiti to the FBI "as as hate crime," according to Publicola. We take a closer look at Woo's claims and concerns, and debate the civility question.  Our editor is Quinn Waller.  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.

Seattle Nice digs into and debates the other controversial Supreme Court decision about homeless people sleeping outdoors. Our editor is Quinn Waller. 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.

President Truman first coined the phrase "Do Nothing Congress" to blast his Republican opponents. Now, some progressive critics are implying Seattle has a "do nothing" city council.  Has the new, less progressive council accomplished enough in its first 174 days? We debate and discuss, offering multiple perspectives.  Seattle Nice is edited by Quinn Waller.  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.

We discuss and debate Erica's recent article about troubles at the Washington Post, and David's recent piece about the troubles at NPR and his experience at  Seattle affiliate KUOW.  Quinn Waller is our editor. 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.

Garfield students are back in class today after one of their peers was shot and killed last week.  Community members are calling for the city to do more. Erica and Sandeep debate how elected officials should respond.  Quinn Waller is our editor.  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.