Seattle News, Views, and Brews

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a legal case finally dropped against former Councilmember Kshama Sawant, problems with a police accountability watchdog group, an investment in back-to-school safety, a major budget question for the Seattle City Council, and an answer to one of our patron'...

This week, it's a patrons-first podcast with an insider's look at last week's Democratic National Convention! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel speaks with guest co-host Scott Greenstone of KUOW about Scott's reporting at the DNC, the rising significance of Washington State in this year's national elections, and more. If you like this podcast and want to get this patrons-first content before anyone else, pl...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a disagreement over mental health funding for Seattle schools, the Seattle's push for "exclusion zones" for prostitution or drug crime, a race to the finish to pass legislation for the City Council, a look at substance use disorder response in Se...

It's a patrons-first podcast on the future of Seattle Public Schools! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel talks with Seattle Council PTSA President Samantha Fogg about declining school populations (and funding), school closures planned for the fall of 2025, and school safety, too. If you like this podcast--where you can learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break--please support i...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the arrest of Belltown Hellcat driver Miles Hudson, an ultimatum from DoorDash to the City of Seattle, a new agreement with the King County Jail, a push for low-income energy assistance, and a response to one of our show patron's questions. If you like thi...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the City's new plan to incarcerate misdemeanor offenders in a jail in Des Moines, an update on public safety from Interim SPD Chief Sue Rahr, the swearing-in of Chief Amy Smith of CARE (Community Assisted Response and Engagement), a troubling poll for stat...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the continuing delay on passing new app-based delivery driver legislation, an update on equitable development projects, concerns about light rail expansion in West Seattle, a drop in the overall crime rate, and the story behind impending rate hikes for Seattle ...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the finalized version of the transportation levy headed to voters, tweaks to Housing Levy spending and the approval of an offices-to-housing measure, a new report on drug overdoses and crime, two new measures likely to qualify for your ballot, and an inside loo...

After the Mayor's announcement about expanding CARE (Community Assisted Response and Engagement, Seattle's third public safety department), questions remain: how have CARE's 911-alternative behavioral health teams performed? Does expanding CARE mean we need fewer police officers? With host Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel, special guest Amy Smith, Acting Chief of the CARE Department, breaks down these issues and mor...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a delay in Seattle Public Schools' announcement to close 20 elementary schools, a push for improved public safety in our school system, a request to continue the work done by the street outreach company We Deliver Care, a move to put funding for social hou...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a bombshell announcement from former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz, the legal case building against the Belltown Hellcat, mental health investments at the county and city level, and a new challenge emerging over how Seattle police recruits are tested. If you like this ...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the privacy questions surrounding a proposed expansion of police surveillance, a new vacant building law meant to prevent dangerous fires that's apparently overdue, the legal challenges surrounding the so-called Belltown "Hellcat" driver, an expl...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss Mayor Bruce Harrell's decision to remove Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz from his post, a delay for the City Council on two votes (to lower app-based delivery driver wages and proviso some equitable development initiative funding), and the interesting bac...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the Seattle City Council's vote on police recruitment and retention, a possible conflict of interest on an upcoming vote for Councilmember Tanya Woo, a dismal week of developments for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, a public hearing on the...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the Seattle City Council's approval of the police officer's union contract, a growing budget deficit, a pushback on the Mayor's Comprehensive Plan proposal from some unlikely political allies, a new opioid treatment center in downtown Seattle, an...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the unauthorized encampment of asylum seekers in a Seattle park, a new, larger Transportation Levy proposal, an investigation into harassment and sexual discrimination within the Seattle Police Department, a warning from a major utility about possible blackouts...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a moment of anger on the City Council (and the legislation behind it), a new public safety "framework" proposed by Mayor Harrell, the progress of a measure that would change wages for delivery drivers, the approval of a backdated police contract that ...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the unusual committee-level rejection of some affordable housing legislation, a new plan to prevent fires in vacant buildings, the unveiling of a citywide Transportation Plan, a possible extension of the Multifamily Tax Exemption program, and an answer for one ...

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the historically-early budget process beginning for the Seattle City Council, a new piece of equitable development legislation, a squabble over police hiring (and testing), a reduction of library hours, and an answer to one of our patron's questions about ...