What a King County case says about abuse in a national police youth program

In May, King County prosecutors filed sexual assault charges against a King County sheriff’s deputy. They said he raped a 17-year-old girl.  Prosecutors claim the abuse started while the two were alone on a ride-along in his police SUV while she was participating in Explorers, a national youth mentorship program, with the Burien Police Department.  And that allegation mirrors a disturbing pattern of abuse within Explorers programs at law enforcement agencies nationwide. We talk with a reporter who has investigated the program about what she found.  Guest Lakeidra Chavis, former reporter, The Marshall Project Related Links In Police Youth Program, Abuse Often Starts When Officers Are Alone With Teens in Cars - The Marshall Project King County sheriff’s deputy charged with rape, sexual misconduct  - The Seattle Times 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.

A Senate seat in Washington’s 26th district is looking like a barn burner. The district covers Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Port Orchard and the Key Peninsula. And Democrats are hoping to keep that district from flipping.   Democratic state Senator Deb Krishnadasan is the appointed incumbent in this fight. She finished the primary about 1,000 votes ahead, setting up an incredibly tight race for this November.    She’ll square off against Republican state Representative Michelle Caldier, who has served the district for 6 terms in the House. It’s a classic Republican versus Democrat race with the potential to diminish Democratic control in the Senate. Guest: State Senator Deb Krishnadasan from Washington's 26th Legislative District Relevant Links: WA State Standard: New leader in electoral battle for WA state Senate seat WA Observer: Mostly-Microsoft money headed for hot legislative races See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a story about the internet and our country’s political polarization.It’s also a story about our thirst for answers, and the race to score ideological points following a tragedy. And that rush to blame and to explain creates an environment where totally innocent people are run over by the runaway train of internet speculation, viral misinformation, and prejudice. That’s what happened to one Seattleite a few days ago. She’s a paralegal, and a trans woman – and last week, to a portion of the internet, her photo became the face of the shooter who assassinated Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Her image went viral in right-wing social media circles, along with threatening anti-trans rhetoric.  Obviously all of that was a lie. But the situation also had very true consequences for her life. Guest: Michaela, Seattle resident A note: We are only using Michaela's first name because of concerns about harassment. Related stories: Conservatives falsely accused her of assassinating Charlie Kirk. It started with Dr. Pepper jokes - KUOW No, this transgender woman is not the Charlie Kirk assassin - The Advocate 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.

At 11am on Monday, September 15th, students at high schools across Seattle walked out of class, and headed to Seattle Public Schools’ district office downtown. They were protesting changes to lunch times, announced last week by the district, that they say will negatively affect student experience at school. KUOW reporter Noel Gasca was at the Seattle Public Schools district office, where students are gathering to protest, and joined us to explain. Guest: KUOW reporter Noel Gasca Related stories: Seattle students ready to fight ‘horrendous’ schedule change - Seattle Times One lunch SPS - Student led instagram page 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.

Since May 8, 1792, European colonists have called the large volcano just off the coast of Puget Sound "Mount Rainier." It was given that name by a British explorer, Captain George Vancouver – a gift to his friend, Rear Admiral Peter Rainier.  But prior to Vancouver’s arrival in what eventually became Washington state, the Indigenous peoples in and around the Salish Sea called it by many names. A linguistic paper from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians traced those many names for the mountain – where they came from, and what they mean. This conversation originally aired on May 5, 2025.  Guests: Zalmai ʔəswəli Zahir, linguist and Lushootseed language teacher Related Links:  Puyallup Tribal Language - Analysis of the Many Names of the Mountain Puyallup Tribal language consultant publishes first comprehensive analysis of the many Native names for Mount Rainier - ʔuhuyəxʷ ti dᶻixʷ pipa ʔə tiiɫ qa sdadaʔ ʔə tiiɫ skʷatač, ʔux̌alad ti ʔəswəli | Puyallup Tribe Puyallup Tribal Language - 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.

You know what time it is. It's WEEKEND WARMUP TIME! Links:  SPORTS Mariners - LA Angels - 9/11-14 Sounders - LA Galaxy - 9/13 Reign - Racing Louisville FC - 9/14 Seahawks - AWAY vs Pittsburgh 10am 9/14 Wallingford Bratwurst Festival The Chehalis Flying Saucer Party Seattle — Cider Summit Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival - Kent Sip Suds & Si - North Bend Autumn Sip & Stroll - Gig Harbor Historic Downtown Snohomish Wine Walk Vino in the Village – Magnolia Black & Loud Fest at The Crocodile Bite of PhinneyWood | The PNA Local Sightings 2025 – Not One Drop of Blood - Northwest Film Forum 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.

November’s general election could bring a group of new faces to Seattle City Government.  Today we’re diving into the race for City Council’s Position 8 seat. That’s a city-wide post, representing ALL of Seattle, as opposed to just one geographic district. The incumbent in this race is Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck.  She won the seat after a special election last year. Now, Rinck is widely seen as the most progressive voice on the council. In this summer’s primary, she got a whopping 78% of the vote.  This fall, Rinck is facing off against a REPUBLICAN business owner in the general election: Rachel Savage. GUEST: Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck RELATED LINKS: Alexis Mercedes Rinck ST Editorial Board - No endorsement for Seattle City Council, Position 8 Seattle City Council Unanimously Approves "Seattle Shield Initiative" For November 2025 Vote Alexis Mercedes Rinck - Council | seattle.gov  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.

A brand new contemporary art space opened up last month in downtown Seattle. It's called Cannonball Arts, and Soundside recently got a sneak preview. GUESTS: Brent Watanabe, a Seattle based artist who specializes in computer-controlled installations Greg Lundgren, Creative Director of New Rising Sun RELATED LINKS: Cannonball Arts Downtown Seattle’s Bed Bath & Beyond building to become an arts center Real-Deal Out-There Art - The Stranger 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.

November’s general election could bring a group of new faces to Seattle City Government.  Today we’re diving into the race for City Council’s Position 8 seat. That’s a city-wide post, representing ALL of Seattle, as opposed to just one geographic district. Our first candidate in this Position 8 race is Rachael Savage. She’s a small business owner in Capitol Hill – she runs a crystal and incense shop on Broadway. And she’s a member of the Broadway Business Improvement Association.  Savage is running the most conservative campaign in city politics this year, as she tries to upset incumbent Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s bid for reelection. Rinck is currently the most progressive member of Seattle’s City Council. While this is not Savage’s first foray into city politics, it is her first time running for office. GUEST: Rachael Savage RELATED LINKS: Savage Citizens Capitol Hill crystal shop owner and candidate for City Council says launching initiative effort to ban homeless camping in Seattle Seattle City Council Position 8 candidates outline platforms 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.

What will it take to save the Lake City Fred Meyer? Is it even possible? Lawmakers and local shoppers are asking those questions after Kroger announced last month that the Lake City location would be part of a wave of regional closures.  Local residents remain worried about where people will go for prescriptions and fresh produce, especially elderly and low-income residents, who may not have access to a car. Guest Paul Roberts, Seattle Times business reporter Related Links Lake City Fred Meyer faces closure. Lawmakers want to change that 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.