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

World Cup Pride Protests, Montlake’s Plan for Permanent Affordable Homes, and Jane’s Three-Ferry Century

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by contributors Marcus Harrison Green and Brett Hamil to discuss the record-setting attendance at the Juneteenth World Cup event [https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/record-juneteenth-crowd-nearly-85000-seattle-waterfront-park/281-c37c26a7-0a15-4ef4-9117-c25c3baa1188] last week and the more contentious collision of Pride weekend with the Egypt-Iran match [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/25/seattle-pride-match-world-cup-egypt-iran] — two countries where being queer can mean facing prison or the death penalty. Then, a proposed Seattle City Council bill could turn a former SR-520 Bridge staging area into permanently affordable homes priced starting at $250K [https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2026/06/montlake-homes-city-making-plans-for-6m-acquisition-of-520-surplus-property-for-new-affordable-homeownership-project/]. But who actually qualifies? And Jane wonders, can nonprofits be trusted to manage this land for decades? Finally, the three talk about weekend plans ranging from seeing Supergirl in theaters, a magazine launch party, and Jane’s three-ferry century bike ride. Oh, and if you’re a City Cast neighbor, [http://membership.citycast.fm/seattle] it’s bonus segment day! Jane is joined by producers Liam and Sam to discuss a new robot built by a Seattle startup [https://www.geekwire.com/2026/this-3-foot-tall-robot-wants-to-be-your-kids-classroom-buddy-and-your-moms-new-friend/] that “wants to be your kid’s classroom buddy and your mom’s new friend.” Tune in for a discussion that ranges from the Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House to intergenerational relationships and transhumanism.  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].

Why the Walrus and the Carpenter Closed and an Update on the Grand Cinema's Threat

Today on the pod, host Jane C. Hu is joined by regular contributor Chase Hutchinson [https://www.instagram.com/hutchthegreat/?hl=en] and newsletter writer [https://seattle.citycast.fm/keep-it-local/places-to-watch-the-world-cup-that-aren-t-sports-bars]and journalist [https://harrycheadle.com/] Harry Cheadle to talk about the latest strikes at The Walrus and The Carpenter and Hilton Hotels, including the very unusual decision for management at the Ballard spot to drop anonymized compensation for some of their workers [https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/1udz1xi/walrus_and_the_carpenter_drop_open_letter_and/]. Then they talk about the upsetting news from Tacoma that a threat was called into the city’s Grand Cinema and how the community rallied around the beloved venue. Finally, the trio talks about a medley of news, including record Lime scooter rentals last weekend, Katie Wilson meeting with the Seattle film commission, and updates on park rangers at The Enchantments this summer. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th 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].

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].