Latest News

Mayor Hires Temporary New Comms Team; Councilmembers Tell SPD: Keep Hiring, We’ll Pay for It!

1. Mayor Katie Wilson is hiring two new temporary communications staffers: Crystal Nicole Fincher—the political consultant, podcast host, and co-owner… The post Mayor Hires Temporary New Comms Team; Councilmembers Tell SPD: Keep Hiring, We’ll Pay for It! appeared first on PubliCola.

SPD May Slow Hiring in 2026 Amid Budget, Training Challenges

Seattle police hiring could slow despite rising officer numbers, as budget pressures and training bottlenecks reshape staffing plans that could affect response across neighborhoods, including the South End.

This forensic scientist gives the deceased back their names

When someone dies in King County, without identification or family to claim them, State Forensic Anthropologist Benjamin J. Figura steps in to help solve the mystery. We talk with him about the work. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why the Walrus and the Carpenter Closed and an Update on the Grand Cinema's Threat

Today on the pod, host Jane C. Hu is joined by regular contributor Chase Hutchinson and newsletter writer and journalist Harry Cheadle to talk about the latest strikes at The Walrus and The Carpenter and Hilton Hotels, including the very unusual decision for management at the Ballard spot to drop anonymized compensation for some of their workers. Then they talk about the upsetting news from Tacoma that a threat was called into the city’s Grand Cinema and how the community rallied around the beloved venue. Finally, the trio talks about a medley of news, including record Lime scooter rentals last weekend, Katie Wilson meeting with the Seattle film commission, and updates on park rangers at The Enchantments this summer. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode: Woodland Park Zoo Seattle Restored Washington State Fair Argosy Cruises Grand Central Bakery Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Wednesday Evening Headlines

Bill Gates suspects Epstein tried to blackmail him according to newly released testimony, activists sue to protect the sunflower sea star, and the AI boom is driving interest in nuclear energy. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COLUMN | In Rainier Beach, Not Every Gunshot Means Danger - But It Feels Like It

Caravan of Care Brings Free Health Services to Goodwill on Dearborn

From dental cleanings to ORCA card help, Evergreen Goodwill's outdoor resource fair on Dearborn aims to meet community needs in one place.

County’s Midyear Budget Sparks Controversy Over Harm Reduction, Human Service Contracts, and Lobbyists

1. After PubliCola reported on a King County Council supplemental budget amendment that would have prohibited spending county funds on safer… The post County’s Midyear Budget Sparks Controversy Over Harm Reduction, Human Service Contracts, and Lobbyists appeared first on PubliCola.

Is the World Cup melting the Seattle freeze?

The tensions surrounding some international teams playing in the Men's World Cup don't seem to be impacting many of the fans who’ve come for the matches. Trains have been packed, soccer jerseys are all over downtown. And so far, locals seem to be exceptionally welcoming despite Seattle’s reputation for coolness. KUOW’s Casey Martin and Jerry Brewer from The Athletic are here to break it down. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Restoring the Cascade Volcano Names, Henry Overload, and Drone Ships on the Canal

Today, we're bringing you some of our favorite segments over the last few months, just in case you missed them. Creative producer Sam J. Leeds brings us a rant about art by the muralist Henry, and we talk with Seth Geiser, the manager of urban planning and design for the Downtown Seattle Association, about public art and why Henry murals are popping up everywhere. Contributor Marcus Harrison Green and creative producer Liam Billingham talk with me about Anduril, the defense company named after Lord of the Rings that is quietly building drone ships on the ship canal. And finally, contributor Hannah Krieg and Cascadia Journal's Andrew Engelson join the pod to talk about whether the Cascade volcanoes should reclaim their indigenous names. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Woodland Park Zoo Seattle Restored Washington State Fair Argosy Cruises Grand Central Bakery  Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Tuesday Evening Headlines

WA man arrested in connection with White House attack plot, WA is on the brink of merging its carbon market with California and Quebec, and Sound Transit just had its busiest day ever on light rail. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Report: Homelessness in King County Continues to Grow, with 21 Percent Increase in Unsheltered Homelessness Since 2024

By Erica C. Barnett The King County Regional Homelessness Authority released a high-level summary  of its biennial “point in time… The post Report: Homelessness in King County Continues to Grow, with 21 Percent Increase in Unsheltered Homelessness Since 2024 appeared first on PubliCola.