Is Seattle Anti-Business? Plus, Cruise Ship Impact & Renaming the Cascades

GPS Leads Driver Into Mount Baker Light Rail Station. Plus, How To Keep Beloved Local Businesses Open

Today on City Cast Seattle, a Utah woman drove her Mazda up the light rail tracks and into Mount Baker Station. Host Jane C. Hu explores this bizarre transit incident with guest Meron Menghistab, co-founder of CHUM News, and contributor Lex Vaughn, founder of The Needling. They ask, how did she get that far, and what can we do to prevent this from happening again? Meron also brings CHUM’s new report on lessons learned from the shuttering of three beloved local businesses [http://chum.news/closing-time]: Columbia City Ale House, Waterwheel Lounge, and Shanty Tavern. The three discuss what the city can do to better support local businesses in the long run and what role individuals play in a healthy local economy. Then, it’s time for weekend recommendations, which include DJ sets on the Seattle/Bainbridge ferry [https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2026/washington-state-ferries-sails-75th-anniversary] to celebrate Washington State Ferries’ 75th anniversary, as well as Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the Park [https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/s/V9EZFrKCg8].  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Travel Dundee [http://traveldundee.com/citycast] 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-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].

Will Another Transit Tax Measure Pass? Plus, Buying a Building for the Community

Today on City Cast Seattle, we start with an incredibly local story: Joining host Jane C. Hu is Jed Sundwall, founder of the Downtown Loyal Heights project [https://dtlh.org/], which aims to purchase an $8.8 million redevelopment site at the corner of NW 80th and 24th Ave NW. Jed tells Jane how he decided to try to purchase land he has always wanted to develop, and how he’s taken on a big project despite having little experience in real estate or development. Jane is then joined by arts writer Jas Keimig and City Cast contributor Chase Hutchinson to talk about the news that Katie Wilson wants to double the transit measure to increase the frequency of buses. The trio gets into what this means for taxes, public transit users, and the Mayor’s priorities. Finally, they talk about Hannah Sabio Howell’s campaign brand identity based on a piece Jas wrote for CHUM [https://www.chum.news/the-art-of-campaigning], the news that SIFF is championing high-quality exhibition with a 70mm run of The Odyssey at SIFF [https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/siff-bringing-back-70mm-screenings-for-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey/], and finally, Jas’s Substack and screening project Unstreamable [https://unstreamable.substack.com/]. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Travel Dundee [http://traveldundee.com/citycast] 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-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].

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].