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

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: 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].

What Do Starbucks Employees Think of Mayor Wilson? Plus, Summer Asian ArtsFest Starts Today

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by performer and producer Matt Dela Cruz from Pork Filled Productions to talk about Summer Asian ArtsFest [https://porkfilled.com/the-lineup-for-summer-asian-artsfest/]. They talk through what Seattle can expect from the festival, how the organization is looking to build community, and the challenges of being an Asian artist in Seattle right now. After that, Jane is joined by contributor Hannah Krieg and producer Liam Billingham to talk about Katie Wilson’s Blueberry Latte-gate [https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayor-wilson-homeless-shelter-beds-world-cup-deadline] and how being a mayor is different from being a candidate. Finally, the trio talk about the good news they’ve been hearing from all over town.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 16th 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].

Teachers Sneak Full-Length Books Into Class, Nude Beach Verdict Forthcoming, and Bánh Mì Bracket Results

Today on the show, host Jane C. Hu talks with writer and Seattle Public Schools parent Julie Letchner about her reporting that middle schoolers in the city’s public schools don’t have full-length books in their curriculum [https://thebulletinsea.org/issue-32-excerpts-over-excellence-ibd-at-sps/]. She and Jane get into the finances behind this decision and what concerned parents are doing to try and change things. Then, Jane is joined by contributor Guy Oron, who has been covering the trial over nudity at Denny Blaine [https://www.thestranger.com/news/property-owners-around-denny-blaine-took-the-stand-this-week/]. The trial wrapped last week, and Guy gave an update on what the plaintiffs and defense had to say and what the potential outcomes might be ahead of the verdict. Finally, reporter Melissa Santos breaks down the best bánh mì in town according to Axios Seattle’s recent reader bracket [https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/01/vote-seattle-area-best-banh-mi-bracket-vietnamese-sandwich-shops]. Tune in to hear which sandwich spot topped the list, and let us know which is your favorite.  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].