Will Queer/Bar Closing Hurt the Drag Scene? Plus, 43rd District Endorsements and World Cup Joy

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 [https://zoo.org/visit/] Seattle Restored [https://seattlerestored.org/explore/passport/] Washington State Fair [https://www.thefair.com/] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/] Grand Central Bakery  [https://www.grandcentralbakery.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].

Will Queer/Bar Closing Hurt the Drag Scene? Plus, 43rd District Endorsements and World Cup Joy

Today on the podcast, Jane is joined by contributor Hannah Krieg [https://www.theburnerseattle.com/] and CHUM’s Adam Williams [https://www.chum.news/] to talk about the news that Queer/Bar is being sold to the owners of the Cuff, and what that means for Seattle’s drag performance scene. They also talk about Hannah Sabio-Howell getting the endorsement for the 43rd District Democrats over longtime incumbent Jamie Pedersen, and the good vibes and joy that Seattle is experiencing from the World Cup, as well as other good news.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 23rd episode: Woodland Park Zoo [https://zoo.org/visit/] Seattle Restored [https://seattlerestored.org/explore/passport/] Washington State Fair [https://www.thefair.com/] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/] Grand Central Bakery [https://www.grandcentralbakery.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].

The Croc's New Owner, the Lenin Statue's Wild Origin, and What's Happening at 12th and Jackson

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu and producer Liam Billingham [liam.billingham@citycast.fm] sit down with the new owner of The Crocodile, Comedy Tent’s managing director, Chris Copen to ask all about the future of The Crocodile. They dig into plans for the smaller stages, and what 1,000 survey responses in under an hour from Seattleites says about how much this city cares about our arts venues. Then, contributor Marcus Harrison Green joins to unpack Mayor Katie Wilson's new crackdown at 12th and Jackson — and whether it will have a real impact. Plus: the surprisingly wild history of Fremont's Lenin statue and our listeners shout out some of their favorite spots around town in our Monday Mailbag. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Woodland Park Zoo [https://zoo.org/visit/] Seattle Restored [https://seattlerestored.org/explore/passport/] Washington State Fair [https://www.thefair.com/] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/] Grand Central Bakery [https://www.grandcentralbakery.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].

How Can We Make Seattle Streets Safer for Cyclists? Plus, the Futures of Harborview and Harbor Island

Today on the podcast, Jane C. Hu is joined by contributors Ryan Packer and Chase Hutchinson to discuss some of their recent work. The trio discusses the latest from Ryan on Harborview Hospital’s expansion [https://www.theurbanist.org/harborview-expansion-plan-hits-trouble-with-parking-costs/], and how costs have pushed its opening by 3 years. They also talk about the recent death of Maridee Bonadea [https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2026/06/15/woman-killed-while-biking-near-fauntleroy-ferry-terminal/], a 76-year-old cyclist who was struck in West Seattle, and how we can make Seattle streets safer. Finally, Chase brings the news that Harbor Island Studios has been saved for one more year [https://www.thestranger.com/news/harbor-island-studios-is-set-to-get-another-reprieve-what-comes-next/], but the future is uncertain. Finally, in our Neighbors-only bonus [https://membership.citycast.fm/seattle], Sam, Liam, and Jane talk about their weekend plans, which, for some reason, include egging Liam’s house? Learn more about the sponsors of this June 18th episode: Washington State Fair [https://www.thefair.com/] Seattle Art Museum [https://seattleartmuseum.org/whats-on/exhibitions/beyond-mysticism-the-modern-northwest?utm_source=citycast&utm_medium=podcast] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j0P_RIbWgaE5NnOttqD8xzVv&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_vnQBhCxARIsADcZyxKZLsr7DpakRhkDAj6BSSBpSswDcMWVrbwQJ3N3BKJ6gCtVz9q-ZdEaAs_OEALw_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].

No James Beard Wins, a New Spider Just Dropped, and Is JumpStart Bad for Downtown?

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu chats with contributor Brett Hamil and producer Sam J Leeds to dig deeper into Seattle's six-year James Beard Award drought [https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/16/seattle-james-beard-drought-continues-atoma-surrell-best-chef]. Jane asks what it says about the city’s restaurant scene and whether the city's best food might just be flying under the radar. The three also dig into the World Cup energy transforming downtown Seattle, what the Downtown Seattle Association's new economic report [https://cdn.downtownseattle.org/app/uploads/2026/06/New-Report-JumpStart-Promised-Growth.-Seattle-Got-an-Economic-Slowdown-1.pdf] is arguing about the JumpStart tax, and the Seattle Social Housing Developer plans to open another 1670 units over the next 5 years [https://www.king5.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/seattle-social-housing-every-district-goal-1670-units-5-years/281-c2585c94-9cab-4dcc-b319-46c24bf58adc]. Plus, a Yakama Nation naming ceremony for a newly discovered spider [https://www.underscore.news/land/environment/newly-discovered-spider-species-receives-yakama-naming-ceremony/] in the Columbia River Gorge. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Washington State Fair [https://www.thefair.com/] Seattle Art Museum [https://seattleartmuseum.org/whats-on/exhibitions/beyond-mysticism-the-modern-northwest?utm_source=citycast&utm_medium=podcast] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j0P_RIbWgaE5NnOttqD8xzVv&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_vnQBhCxARIsADcZyxKZLsr7DpakRhkDAj6BSSBpSswDcMWVrbwQJ3N3BKJ6gCtVz9q-ZdEaAs_OEALw_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].