Inside Olympia

Inside Olympia

Hosted by Austin Jenkins. Inside Olympia is TVW's long-running weekly interview show featuring in-depth discussions with state leaders.

Episodes

Inside Olympia -- Millionaires Tax Debate

September 16, 2026 • 54 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia: We dig into the legal and constitutional arguments on either side of the millionaires tax debate.
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Inside Olympia -- Wildfire Response

September 9, 2026 • 54 mins
On this week's episode of Inside Olympia:  The Spokane complex fire was just one of several large and destructive fires this summer. Our focus this week is on the changing wildland fire enviroment. The lessons learned from what happened this year. And what can be done to miitigate and prepare for future fire seasons. Plus, what are the implications of this year's fire season for the property-casualty insurance market? We ask t...
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Inside Olympia -- Exit Interview with Arts Commission Director Karen Hanan

June 24, 2026 • 55 mins
Onthis episode of Inside Olympia:  Austin Jenkins sits down with Karen Hanan, longtime director of the Washington State Arts Commission on the eve of her retirement.
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Inside Olympia -- WA State Labor and Industries Director Joel Sacks

June 17, 2026 • 56 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Host Austin Jenkins goes one-on-one with the Director of the Washington State Labor and Industries Joel Sacks.
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Inside Olympia -- The Future of Local News in Washington State

June 10, 2026 • 55 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Host Austin Jenkins discusses the future of local news with Kaarin Austin, Founding Director of the Washington News Fund and Matt Powers, Professor of Communication at the University of Washington.
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Inside Olympia -- Washington's Evolving Cannabis Market

June 3, 2026 • 55 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia ... How is Washington State regulating the liquor and cannabis industries in an era of declining alcohol sales and market pressures in the marijuana industry? What's driving the market disruptions? And where are the tension points? On the program this week, Will Lukela, Director of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and Justin Nordhorn, the agency's Director of Policy and External Relat...
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Inside Olympia - Artificial Intelligence in Government

May 28, 2026 • 54 mins
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping government, business and daily life, raising urgent questions about trust, transparency and accountability. Arthur Jago from the University of Washington Tacoma and former Seattle Chief Technology Officer Rob Lloyd, now executive director of the Center for Digital Government and the Center for Public Sector AI, discuss AI’s promise and risks, from algorithmic discrimination and wor...
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Inside Olympia -- Former Executive Editor at The Seattle Times and Current President of the WA Coalition for Open Government

May 20, 2026 • 54 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Host Austin Jenkins sits down with Former Executive Editor at The Seattle Times and current president of the WA Coalition for Open Government
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Inside Olympia -- Former Washington State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen

May 13, 2026 • 54 mins
On this episode Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins sits down for an exit interview with former WA State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen.
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Inside Olympia--Author Claudia Rowe on Foster Care

May 6, 2026 • 54 mins
This week’s Inside Olympia examines the unintended harms of the foster care system, featuring The Seattle Times reporter Claudia Rowe, who shares insights from her research on what happens to children after they are removed from their homes.
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Inside Olympia--State Ferries and Passenger Rail Update

April 28, 2026 • 54 mins
This week on Inside Olympia ... Washington State Ferries Assistant Secretary John Vezina and WSDOT Passenger Rail Manager Kirk Fredrickson outline plans to manage heavy summer travel demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Officials detail ferry fleet readiness, staffing and backup capacity, while rail leaders say they sought an additional Amtrak coach to meet demand. Long-term fixes remain years away, including new ferries, while...
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Inside Olympia -- Arne Olson with Energy+Environmental Economics (E3)

April 21, 2026 • 54 mins
Energy consultant Arne Olson, senior partner at Energy and Environmental Economics, warns the Northwest faces a near-term electricity shortfall driven by rising demand, data centers, and resource retirements. He outlines risks of rotating blackouts, limits of wind and solar, the role of natural gas backup, and the cost of meeting reliability and decarbonization goals.
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Inside Olympia - Mel Tonasket of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

April 14, 2026 • 54 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia...Former chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Mel Tonasket, reflects on 55 years of leadership in Indian Country. He discusses the fight against termination, tribal sovereignty, the Centennial Accord, state-tribal relations, economic development, and his message to the next generation of Native leaders.
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Inside Olympia - Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal

April 7, 2026 • 56 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia and for the full hour Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.
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Inside Olympia- State Auditor Pat McCarthy & Jim Brownell with the State Auditor's Office

April 1, 2026 • 54 mins
Is government functioning as intended? That's a question the state Auditor's Office is increasingly asking. How is the office evaluating government effectiveness and accountability? On the program this week: State Auditor Pat McCarthy and Jim Brownell, Assistant Director for State Audit and Special Investigations.
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Police Accountability and the Office of Independent Investigations

March 25, 2026 • 54 mins
This week on Inside Olympia:  Our focus this week is police accountability and specifically Washington's Office of Independent Investigations (OII) which is responsible for investigating police deadly force cases. We hold an exit interview with the first director of OII, Roger Rogoff.  Plus we talk with the lawmaker at the forefront of Washington's efforts to hold police more accountable to the public, Representative Debr...
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Session Wrap with Capitol Press Corps Panel

March 17, 2026 • 54 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Austin Jenkins sits down with members of the Capitol Press Corps and take stock of the historic 2026 legislative session.
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Monica Alexander, Executive Director, Criminal Justice Training Commission

March 10, 2026 • 54 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Host Austin Jenkins sits down with retiring Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, Monica Alexander.
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Dow Constantine, Sound Transit CEO

March 4, 2026 • 54 mins
On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Host Austin Jenkins sits down with Dow Constantine, CEO of Sound Transit.
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Inside Olympia--Senate Democrat and Republican Budget Leaders

February 25, 2026 • 54 mins
This week on Inside Olympia...Austin Jenkins sits down and talks budget and spending with Senate Ways and Means Chair June Robinson and the Ranking Republican on that committee Senator Chris Gildon.
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