Does Seattle Like National Chains? Plus, Why Downtown Isn’t Dead After All

Does Seattle Like National Chains? Plus, Why Downtown Isn’t Dead After All

Today, Jane C. Hu is back, and she’s talking about the latest business news in Seattle. Joining her are Alex Halverson [https://www.seattletimes.com/author/alex-halverson/] of the Seattle Times and regular contributor Marcus Harrison Green [https://southseattleemerald.org/voices/2026/06/11/column-when-corporations-leave-seattle-communities-pay-the-price-its-time-to-invest-locally]. They discuss the latest developments for Anduril, the very-real-but-fantasy named weapons company based here in Seattle that is expanding its footprint to Bellevue. [https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/autonomous-weapons-firm-anduril-betting-big-on-seattle-office-shipyard/] They also talk about the news that DocuSign is staying in Seattle, and perhaps that downtown Seattle is going to remain attractive to local businesses and their employees who value good transit, nightlife, and all the pluses of a big city. The trio also discuss whether Seattle likes national chains and the give-and-take between employers and what they owe the city. Finally, they discuss their favorite spots to watch the World Cup [https://seattle.citycast.fm/things-to-do/where-to-watch-the-world-cup-games]. If you’re a neighbor (sign up if you’re not [https://membership.citycast.fm/subscription]), stick around for a conversation about the state of thrifting in Seattle with Jane, Sam, and Ashley. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 15th episode: Seattle Restored [https://bit.ly/4tWwPPc] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j34YPQEJITe8C79PdhI9m-bq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfAaGM6CgtoOFjOlS3jPCyG6DnfjOyh5KujXm1o9EToHrM1mAqmqAxgaApdLEALw_wcB] pFriem Family Brewers [https://www.pfriembeer.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].

Phone-Free Concerts and Public Schools, World Cup Expectations, and the Crocodile’s Comedy Pivot

Today on the podcast, producer Liam Billingham takes over the host seat to ask the important questions like what Phoebe Bridgers [https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/phoebe-bridgers-seattle-tour] and Seattle Public Schools [https://komonews.com/news/local/focusing-more-on-memes-than-on-math-gov-ferguson-proposes-statewide-k-12-cellphone-ban-elementary-middle-high-student-testing-scores-district-washington-development-math-reading-science-history-legislation-bill-children] have in common (hint: it has to do with cell phones) and what format is the film The Odyssey best viewed in? Liam is joined by executive producer Ashley Smith to give a rundown of the changes coming to Seattle in preparation for the first World Cup [https://seattle.citycast.fm/things-to-do/where-to-watch-the-world-cup-games] matches, including the pedestrian-only zones downtown and new digital kiosks. Then contributor Chase Hutchinson breaks down what the new ownership of The Crocodile [https://www.thestranger.com/news/the-crocodile-plots-its-future/] means for the iconic venue, as well as why Tacoma might be getting its own sitcom, [https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article315943319.html] and if Seattle should do the same.   Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Seattle Restored [https://bit.ly/4tWwPPc] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j34YPQEJITe8C79PdhI9m-bq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfAaGM6CgtoOFjOlS3jPCyG6DnfjOyh5KujXm1o9EToHrM1mAqmqAxgaApdLEALw_wcB] pFriem Family Brewers [https://www.pfriembeer.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].

Are You Saying ‘Bagel’ Wrong? Plus, WA Tightens the Belt and We Say Goodbye to Hilary Knight

Today on the podcast, Host Jane C. Hu brings on linguistics professor Kara Becker to explain that, actually, audience development manager Ben Keenan’s PNW accent is normal and part of an evolving way people speak all around the country. Then, Jane is joined by Ava Wood, AKA 365 Hockey Girl, [https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl/] and contributor Brett Hamil [https://www.instagram.com/bretthamilcomix/] to discuss the distressing news that Torrent fan favorite Hilary Knight is headed to Detroit via Las Vegas, as well as what the league will look like next year. Finally, the trio runs through some headlines: Costco’s gas records, 10K people signing up for the Seattle Social Housing lottery, and the news that Governor Ferguson wants to find ways to save some money across the state. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 10th episode: Seattle Restored [https://bit.ly/4tWwPPc] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j34YPQEJITe8C79PdhI9m-bq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfAaGM6CgtoOFjOlS3jPCyG6DnfjOyh5KujXm1o9EToHrM1mAqmqAxgaApdLEALw_wcB] pFriem Family Brewers [https://www.pfriembeer.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].

Council Votes on Data Center Ban Today, Wilson Activates Stadium Cameras, and Condos for Cars?!

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by contributor Hannah Krieg and guest Adam Willems, co-founder of CHUM news, to talk about surveillance, data centers, and test their general Seattle news knowledge in a new quiz. First, Adam shares what he learned about the forthcoming data center moratorium being voted on this afternoon in his reporting for The Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/03/seattle-datacenter-moratorium]. He explains the last-minute amendment passed last week, which allows existing datacenters in Seattle to apply for expansions to their power usage, up to 20 megawatts of additional power, during the moratorium. Then Jane and Hannah break down the “general but credible threat” that Mayor Katie Wilson says led her administration to turn on surveillance cameras in the Stadium district ahead of the World Cup, [https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/WASEATTLE-41ab1b0?wgt_ref=WASEATTLE_WIDGET_389-2026] and what it means for the city’s approach to surveillance. Finally, how well do you know our city’s recent headlines? Jane created a news quiz to test your Seattle knowledge against two local journalists. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Seattle Restored [https://bit.ly/4tWwPPc] Argosy Cruises [https://www.argosycruises.com/cruises/harbor-cruise/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23766433622&gbraid=0AAAAADbb-j34YPQEJITe8C79PdhI9m-bq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfAaGM6CgtoOFjOlS3jPCyG6DnfjOyh5KujXm1o9EToHrM1mAqmqAxgaApdLEALw_wcB] pFriem Family Brewers [https://www.pfriembeer.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 Sound Transit Getting Fare Gates? Plus, The World Cup’s Turf Makers

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by Kade Krichko of Ori Magazine [https://ori-mag.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorvucN2JE8NTE6kfciz57ECMV-vf5pLyp-x_NCklY6LIe1H-UG5] to talk about the real World Cup heroes: sod farmers. Kade tells Jane all about the elaborate and logistically challenging process of making grass for the World Cup. Then, Jane is joined by executive producer Ashley Smith and queen of the side hustle Eula Scott Bynoe to talk about ways Seattleites can profit off the World Cup, and ways Sound Transit could close its budget deficit. Mystery soda machine revamp [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Hill_mystery_soda_machine], anyone? Learn more about the sponsors of this June 8th episode: Seattle Restored [https://bit.ly/4tWwPPc] 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].