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Week in Review: December 5, 2025 - with David Kroman

Governor Ferguson's all-cuts budget vs. progressive taxation, Trump Team targets Washington voter data, Seattle doubles down on affordable housing support, Wilson announces first hires and Lin sworn in, South King County gets three new light rail stations

Senator Rebecca Saldaña Maps Out Legislative Priorities for 2026 Session

Senator Rebecca Saldaña outlined her 2026 legislative priorities, including protecting healthcare access, defending immigrants, and reforming Washington's regressive tax system with a payroll tax on high earners

Week in Review: November 28, 2025 - with Erica Barnett

Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay are shaping their administrations. Wilson cuts deputy mayors to one, while Zahilay reviews 100 jobs. The city budget adds $50M in spending but leaves a $140M deficit. Pipeline spills and ICE surveillance raise safety concerns.

Decoding the 2025 Elections in Seattle and WA: An Insider's Analysis

The strategists who saw it coming explain what pundits missed

Week in Review with Robert Cruickshank - Seattle Elects Progressive Mayor Katie Wilson

Wilson's Path to Victory, Scandal Erodes Harrell Support, Progressive Sweep Across Seattle, Tax the Rich: A Winning Message, Seattle's Progressive Pragmatism, Challenges Ahead, Wilson's Strengths, Looking Forward, School Board and State Legislature

Week in Review: October 10, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank

Mariners, Seattle wastes homelessness money, SPOG undermining popular CARE team, Seattle School Board rejects cop at Garfield, use dropboxes to vote!

Week in Review: September 5, 2025 - with Melissa Santos

WA, OR, CA form vaccine alliance amid federal policy shifts. Investigation suggests fire officials coordinated immigration enforcement targeting firefighters. Sound Transit faces massive shortfall as regions clash over priorities. Seattle delays school phone policy. Waymo begins testing.

Seattle Moves Forward with Surveillance Expansion Despite Lack of Pilot Data, Raises Federal Access Concerns

Seattle City Council will vote Sept 9 to expand surveillance pilot before collecting evaluation data. Program adds cameras citywide despite limited evidence of success & concerns about federal access to data amid Trump admin immigration enforcement.

Week in Review: August 29, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank

Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action, $15m Uber Eats settlement, UFCW 3000 backs Wilson, ethics investigation targets City social media activity, biker hit where safety upgrades were cancelled, school board updates, protests against Microsoft use by IDF

Hacks & Wonks 2025 Post-Primary Roundtable

During the Hacks & Wonks Post-Primary Roundtable, seasoned political strategists cover the recent 2025 primary results - what they mean, how they happened, and what's next - with the people who actually do the work of winning (and sometimes losing) campaigns in Seattle and King County.

Week in Review: August 22, 2025 - with Erica Barnett

Seattle moved Christian nationalist rally to Gas Works Park. Police Chief received $50K bonus meant for officers amid budget crisis. Trump admin threatens sanctuary policies & mail voting. Court allows ICE facility inspections.

Week in Review: August 15, 2025 - with David Kroman

Business tax overhaul coming to November ballot. Council acts to expand surveillance despite concerns. Seattle economic forecast improves but warns of risks. Groups sue to get Tacoma $20 minimum wage initiative on ballot. Moderate incumbents face significant challenges in the general election.

Week in Review: August 8, 2025 - with Josh Cohen

Seattle voters delivered a decisive message for change in Tuesday's primary election, with progressive challengers leading incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell and other moderate office holders in what political observers are calling a sweeping rejection of the current administration's moderate policies.

Hacks & Wonks Producer's Cancer Diagnosis Prompts Early Detection Reminder

Shannon Cheng, longtime producer of the Hacks & Wonks political podcast, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, prompting an important reminder about the critical value of preventative health screenings. Cheng, who has worked as both editor and producer of Hacks & Wonks and has worked alongside Crystal for years, was