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Shannon Cheng

Evan Thompkins, STAR Program Specialist, and Stephanie Van Jacobs, Program Manager at WellPower

Denver's STAR Program Offers Promising Alternative Response to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises

Evan Thompkins and Stephanie Van Jacobs discuss the Denver STAR program, an alternative 911 response model that pairs behavioral health clinicians with EMTs/paramedics. They highlight how STAR provides support for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or other non-violent crises.

Eleuthera Lisch, Director of King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention

King County's Community-Led Approach Showing Promise in Combating Gun Violence

King County shows promise curbing youth gun violence using community-based approach with violence interrupters. Early data indicates fewer youth involved in shootings, fewer re-hospitalizations after gun injuries, less shoplifting near outreach, and 400+ high-risk youth mentored.

Chair of Sierra Club Seattle and long-time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank

Week in Review: December 6, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank

Seattle CM Morales resigns due to mistreatment from colleagues as Rinck takes office. School board recall fails despite public dissatisfaction. KC Exec race heats up. Election data show slight Trump-ward shift due to voter apathy but strong support for progressive revenue. Green Jacket Lady returns!

Sukhi Samra, Executive Director, Mayors for a GI; Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards; Dona Ponepinto, United Way of Pierce County

Tacoma's Guaranteed Income Pilot Yields Positive Results

Tacoma's guaranteed income pilot that gave 110 families $500 monthly improved employment, savings, and well-being, challenging myths about poverty. Recipients increased full-time work and showed better financial stability, proving poverty is about lack of cash, not character.

Seattle political reporter and editor of PubliCola, Erica Barnett

Week in Review: November 22, 2024 - with Erica Barnett

Seattle Council passes 2025 budget 8-1, rejects capital gains tax 6-3. JumpStart funds redirected to general fund despite looming structural deficits. County rejects Rivera’s drug facility proposal. Mungia wins Supreme Court seat, Reichert concedes to Ferguson. State leaders split on Trump strategy.

Jason Schwarz, Director of the Snohomish County Office of Public Defense and Chair of Washington's Council on Public Defense

Public Defense Crisis Deepens as Caseloads Overwhelm System, Supreme Court Weighs Reform

Washington Supreme Court weighs public defense reform as decades-old caseload standards and lack of state funding create crisis. Defenders handle 3x recommended cases amid complex digital evidence, leading to massive delays and staff exodus.

Katie Wilson, general secretary of the Transit Riders Union

Week in Review: November 15, 2024 - with Katie Wilson

Everett passes $20.24 minimum wage; Seattle debates JumpStart tax reallocation amid budget crisis; tech wages hit record high; controversy over streetcar removal proposal; King County Exec Constantine won't seek re-election; Burien City Manager criticized over PDC complaint.