Is Seattle a Top-Tier City? Plus, How Long Does It Take To Become a ‘Seattleite?’

Why Isn’t Ballard Getting Light Rail? Plus, is Melinda French Gates Going To Bring Back the Sonics?

Today on the podcast, Jane is joined by contributor and Urbanist contributing editor Ryan Packer to catch us up on the latest from Sound Transit’s controversial decision to defer The Ballard Link Extension, [https://www.theurbanist.org/sound-transit-board-oks-major-st3-update-casting-ballard-into-limbo/] and also the appeals to Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan, [https://bsky.app/profile/typewriteralley.bsky.social/post/3mnariivna22z] and why they maybe shouldn’t have happened. They are also joined by comedian, cartoonist, and contributor Brett Hamil, [https://www.instagram.com/bretthamilcomix/] who brings the cheers and jeers. Finally, they discuss the closure of Wild Waves and plans to turn it into a giant warehouse, the broken window at one of the Throne toilets downtown, and the news that Melinda French Gates has a minority stake in the parent company of the Kraken. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 3rd episode: Travel Dundee [http://traveldundee.com/citycast] Seattle Art Museum [https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/whats-on/exhibitions/beyond-mysticism-the-modern-northwest] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j34YPQEJITe8C79PdhI9m-bq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfAaGM6CgtoOFjOlS3jPCyG6DnfjOyh5KujXm1o9EToHrM1mAqmqAxgaApdLEALw_wcB] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastseattle/], or email us at seattle@citycast.fm [seattle@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up [https://seattle.citycast.fm/newsletter] for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle [https://membership.citycast.fm/seattle] Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at https://citycast.fm/advertise/citycast.fm/advertise [http://citycast.fm/advertise].

Can the City Fix Aurora Ave? Plus, How To Stay Safe During Smoke Season

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by City Cast Seattle contributors Hannah Krieg [https://www.theburnerseattle.com/] of The Burner and Guy Oron [https://gossipguy.net/] of Gossip Guy to talk about the latest on all sorts of issues: The controversy over the residents of Aurora Ave trying to take matters into their own hands [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/seattle-officials-introduce-bill-to-help-residents-battle-gun-violence/] and stop shootings, the news that PCC workers are striking over a watermelon pin [https://www.theburnerseattle.com/post/pcc-sent-two-workers-home-over-palestine-pins-now-most-of-the-store-wears-watermelon-stickers-in-s] and what it represents, ICE moving around hunger-striking prisoners, [https://www.thestranger.com/news/ice-retaliates-against-hunger-strikers-at-nwdc/] and the double weather whammy of smoke ready week [https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/] and today being the hottest day of the year [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/western-wa-weather-warmest-day-so-far-this-year-likely-on-tuesday/?utm_source=marketingcloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Morning+Brief+06-01-26_6_1_2026&utm_term=Active%20subscriber] so far. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Travel Dundee [http://traveldundee.com/citycast] Seattle Art Museum [https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/whats-on/exhibitions/beyond-mysticism-the-modern-northwest] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j34YPQEJITe8C79PdhI9m-bq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfAaGM6CgtoOFjOlS3jPCyG6DnfjOyh5KujXm1o9EToHrM1mAqmqAxgaApdLEALw_wcB] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastseattle/], or email us at seattle@citycast.fm [seattle@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up [https://seattle.citycast.fm/newsletter] for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle [https://membership.citycast.fm/seattle] Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at https://citycast.fm/advertise/citycast.fm/advertise [http://citycast.fm/advertise].

Your Guide to June in Seattle

Today on the show, Jane is joined by producers Ashley and Liam to dig into their summer bingo cards – think of a three ferry bike ride and seeing the DubSea Fish Sticks [https://gofishsticks.com/] when Mariners tickets get too expensive. Then they discuss what Seattle has going on this June, from the most wholesome place to watch the FIFA World Cup (the library [https://www.spl.org/event-calendar?trumbaEmbed=calendar%3Dkalendaro%26search%3Dworld%20cup]) to the city’s best Pride event (gays eating garlic bread in the park [https://queersocialclub.com/events-seattle/gays-eating-garlic-bread-in-the-park]). Plus, Cole Wilder, director of exhibition at Northwest Film Forum, comes on for the last segment to talk about their new program “Reel to Real: Desire and Reality in Queer Adult Cinema.” [https://nwfilmforum.org/series/reel-real-desire-reality-queer-adult-cinema/]  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 1st  episode: Travel Dundee [http://traveldundee.com/citycast] Seattle Art Museum [https://visitsam.org/minigolf?utm_source=citycast&utm_medium=podcast] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j34YPQEJITe8C79PdhI9m-bq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfAaGM6CgtoOFjOlS3jPCyG6DnfjOyh5KujXm1o9EToHrM1mAqmqAxgaApdLEALw_wcB] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastseattle/], or email us at seattle@citycast.fm [seattle@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up [https://seattle.citycast.fm/newsletter] for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle [https://membership.citycast.fm/seattle] Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at https://citycast.fm/advertise/citycast.fm/advertise [http://citycast.fm/advertise].

Should South Seattle Have A Say in ‘Bike Weekends?’ Plus, Zuckerberg’s Superyacht and Women In Vinyl

Today on the podcast Jane C. Hu is joined by contributors Brett Hamil and Marcus Harrison Green, as well as special guest Glenn Nelson, journalist and founder of the Trail Posse, to discuss his op-ed about why this summer’s expansion of Lake Washington Boulevard Bicycle Weekends is another ‘erosion of one of the very few simple pleasures enjoyed by the BIPOC and other marginalized communities that have been push-broomed into South Seattle [https://southseattleemerald.org/voices/2026/05/25/opinion-a-bad-cycle-for-south-seattle-the-inequity-of-expanded-closure-of-lake-washington-boulevard].’ Then, Brett and Marcus talk about Mark Zuckerberg's superyacht [https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-opinion/meta-superyacht-mark-zuckerberg/4242280], which appeared the same day 1400 people were laid off at Meta. Lastly (for non-neighbors), The Stranger’s Audrey Vann [https://www.thestranger.com/author/audreyvann/] discusses the experiences of women working in record stores [https://www.thestranger.com/music/invite-only/]. If you’re a neighbor, stick around for our colleague Elizabeth Kauma’s argument for changing our state bird. Learn more about the  sponsors of this May 29th episode: Travel Dundee [http://traveldundee.com/citycast] FRS Clipper [https://www.whalewatching.com/] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastseattle/], or email us at seattle@citycast.fm [seattle@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up [https://seattle.citycast.fm/newsletter] for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle [https://membership.citycast.fm/seattle] Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at https://citycast.fm/advertise/citycast.fm/advertise [http://citycast.fm/advertise].

Is Seattle a Top-Tier City? Plus, How Long Does It Take To Become a ‘Seattleite?’

Today’s episode of City Cast Seattle is all about, well, Seattle. First host Jane C. Hu chats with contributor Chase Hutchinson and creative producer Liam Billingham about whether Seattle truly is the most livable city in the U.S. [https://www.travelandleisure.com/seattle-named-most-livable-us-city-11910577] Then Jane is joined by contributor Marcus Harrison Green and audience development manager Ben Keenan to break down Charles Mudede’s piece about how real cities have bodegas [https://www.thestranger.com/spring-arts-2026/real-cities-have-bodegas-80527647/] and what that says about Seattle. Finally, contributor Eula Scott Bynoe joins Jane and executive producer Ashley Smith to shed some light on what makes a true Seattleite after Ashley rants about a gate-keepy comment on our Instagram account [https://www.instagram.com/p/DVMrCd3kvAF/]. If you enjoyed this interview with  Nik Coutinho, the Head of Sales and Marketing at FRS Clipper, learn more here. [https://www.whalewatching.com/] Learn more about the  sponsors of this May 28th episode: Travel Dundee [http://traveldundee.com/citycast] Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/citycastseattle/], or email us at seattle@citycast.fm [seattle@citycast.fm]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up [https://seattle.citycast.fm/newsletter] for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle [https://membership.citycast.fm/seattle] Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at https://citycast.fm/advertise/citycast.fm/advertise [http://citycast.fm/advertise].