Crossing Division: Recent Episodes
Channel 253
It can be hard to make friends, connect with your town, feel like you are part of positive changes. Volunteering can help open doors to finding your people and putting down roots in your community. But to be honest, some volunteer activity just sucks the life out of you. How do you find a way to engage that is nourishing and meaningful?
Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez sit down with Dorian Waller, who has been active in local political and social justice groups. Dorian talks about how to get involved, and how to assess whether an activity is good for you, for your health and for your soul.
Let us know what you think. You can email us at truetacoma@gmail.com, or find us on social media @True_Tacoma.
Tacoma, we love you, and your political controversies never disappoint. Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez sit down with Justin Camarata to discuss, and dish, the city council appointment process to fill district 4, the difficult issues facing Congressional candidates for WA=6, and the wild election season ahead.
We are always interested in your thoughts and feedback. Email us at truetacoma@gmail.com or find us on social media @True_Tacoma.
Every ten years, the City of Tacoma engages in a Charter Review. It’s time again, and hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez review and discuss the most significant changes recommended by the Charter Review Committee. Are they good ideas? What happens next?
Here is the April 29 Draft Recommendations–it’s a lot of information, but worth the read: City of Tacoma Charter Review Committee Recommendatons
If you have questions or comments, please get in touch! Email: truetacoma@gmail.com, or find us on most social media as @True_Tacoma.
After a hiatus to clear our heads and figure out what we want to still talk about, Evelyn and Joe Lopez are back in the studio to talk about local developments in Tacoma with the LNG Plant, PSE billing plans, Point Ruston drama, local politics, and other odds and ends.
As discussed in the podcast, here’s a link to a recent article in the Seattle Times about the LNG Plant, violations of clean air laws, and a very fishy financing scheme to use their land customers to pay for a marine fuel terminal. Shenanigans! Puget Sound Energy facility has violated air permit over a dozen times | The Seattle Times
We will try to keep to a more regular recording schedule, maybe every other week, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on our format and topics. You can email us at truetacoma@gmail.com or find us on social media @True_Tacoma.
Well, there are still some ballots left to count, but most races have been called. Tacoma City Council Position 7 will remain with incumbent Councilmember Olgy Diaz, and Tacoma will welcome new District 3 Councilmember Jamika Scott at the beginning of 2024, And Tacoma’s Tenants Bill of Rights is passing; it’s close, but it’s passing.
Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez review the election results that consider what the results signal about Tacoma in 2023. Listen and let us know what you think.
Email: truetacoma@gmail.com Social Media: @true_tacoma
Last week, hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez talked about local Tacoma elections, and noted that the “No on Tacoma Measure 1” PAC (political action committee) may not have been timely or adequately reporting campaign contributions.
This week we dig into the history of the “No on Tacoma Measure 1” campaign and discuss why the pattern of disregard for campaign finance/open government laws is concerning. We get pretty wonky.
Let us know what you think!
Email: truetacoma@gmail.com social media: @true_tacoma
Local elections are never overlooked at Crossing Division. And this year we have several critical races for Tacoma. What direction will our City take? You have a chance to decide just that.
Hosts Evelyn and Joe Lopez break down the local races and focus on three campaigns: City Council Districts 3 and 7, and Tacoma Initiative 1, the Tenants’ Rights measure.
City Council District 3 is an open seat (current Councilmember Keith Blocker is term limited out at the end of this year). District 3 residents will choose between Jamika Scott and Chris Van Vechten. This race features questions about local policing, community activism, and what vision for Tacoma should prevail.
City Council District 7 is a city-wide seat currently held by Olgy Diaz, who was appointed by the City Council to fill the term of Conor McCarthy after he resigned in 2022. Running against Olgy Diaz is Kristen Wynne. Diaz has the backing of many local democrats and unions, while Wynne has support from local businesses and real estate interests. This would usually be a battle between social issues and business issues, but both candidates want strong local businesses and safe neighborhoods–perhaps there is some difference in how to get to those goals, but it’s subtle.
The most interesting issue on the ballot is Tacoma Initiative 1, the Tenants’ Rights initiative. This measure has had a drama filled year with a City Council ordinance that tried to occupy the same ground, the City’s legal challenge to the initiative, Court victory by the Tacoma for All initiative sponsor, and now a huge dump of money into an anti-initiative PAC funded by out of state real estate interests in a last-ditch effort to defeat the initiative (after the City Council and Court shenanigans failed).
We break it all down for you. Please VOTE. Local elections are important to our day to day lives and to our future.
Thoughts or comments on this episode? Send us a note:
truetacoma@gmail.com @true_tacoma (threads, instagram)
Can’t keep up with the indictments? We’re here to help! Joe and Evelyn Lopez go over the four current indictments (and that’s not even counting the E. Jean Carroll case). What are the charges, what...
After Carol Mitchell was dismissed from her key executive position with the Pierce County Executive, and while suing the County for wrongful discharge, Carol put her heart and soul into a new endeavor–the Institute for...
Carol Mitchell has worked at just about every government office and agency in Tacoma. As a well-respected attorney and government leader, she has a deep background in human resources and equal opportunity laws, and organizational management. She hosted a popular local civics TV show for 17 years, and she is not at all afraid to speak up when something is going wrong. She is a local treasure.
Carol sits down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about her cabinet position in the Pierce County Executive’s office as the Senior Justice Counsel, how the inequities in that office increased over time, and her unexpected termination. It is a simply fascinating look behind the scenes into our county’s highest offices.
In Part 2 we will talk about Carol realizing her dream and launching the Institute for Black Justice to relentlessly pursue equity and justice for all.
We always appreciate your comments:
Evelyn Lopez: truetacoma@gmail.com @True_Tacoma
Perhaps you have heard that there are 34 criminal charges filed against Donald Trump in New York. Perhaps you have heard that the case involves business records, payments to a porn star, and billings by Trump’s former attorney. And maybe you’re a bit confused.
Evelyn and Joe Lopez talk through the charges, what they are, and what is needed to make misdemeanor record keeping crimes into felonies. It’s pretty interesting!
Plus, we talk through the far more interesting Dominion v. Fox News case–but then that case settled yesterday so we won’t see the groundbreaking First Amendment litigation after all. Maybe the settlement ($787,5 million paid to Dominion) will serve as a cautionary tale to news media–don’t publish known false narratives because the penalties are high. We will surely see more of these issues over the next year.
Listen and let us know what you think!
Evelyn Lopez: truetacoma@gmail.com @True_Tacoma
We’ve been talking about housing and homelessness regularly on Crossing Division, and in this episode, we have the chance to talk about a really big idea—a game changing big idea.
Governor Jay Inslee is proposing a housing referendum that would allow the state to issue bonds outside the state’s debt limit to frontload $4 billion of housing construction over the next six years. The state’s underlying capital budget will fund approximately 2,200 units between 2023 and 2025. The referendum would add approximately 5,300 additional units between 2023 and 2025 and 19,000 in the remainder of the six years. The referendum would require approval from legislators and voters.
The Governor’s plan involves using the referendum to fund several housing gaps including emergency housing for people experiencing homelessness, housing for people with special needs, additional capacity for behavioral health needs, affordable housing for lower- and middle-income workers and down payment assistance for low-income first-time homebuyers.
Governor Inslee joined host Evelyn Lopez in the lovely Moon Yard Studio to talk about his plans for the housing financing we desperately need.
Thoughts or questions? Get in touch!
Evelyn Lopez: truetacoma@gmail.com @True_Tacoma
Next week, the Tacoma City Council will take up the issue of whether to make living on the streets illegal around temporary shelters and waterways. We’ve talked about bans before, and making it a crime...
And with one decision, the US Supreme Court destroys the right to abortion in this country, deciding that the availability of these vital, personal, health decisions should be decided by the states. While other states...
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, issued by the US Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, sweeps away 50 years of legal precedent and healthcare protections to decide: “The Constitution does no confer a right to...
What is a Precinct Committee Officer, and why should you consider running for the position? Filing week is next week (May16-20), and you could run for this most local of elected positions! Chair and Vice...
If you live in the 98404 or 98409 zip codes you can VOTE on creative arts and science projects for your community! Voting is open through May 13. Go to www.tacomacreates.org to vote, or look...
The Pierce County Council recently passed an ambitious comprehensive plan to end homelessness. Councilmember Ryan Miller sits down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about what makes this plan different, and what will be needed...
Currently, there are at least 3,300 of our neighbors living unhoused in Pierce County — realistically, that number is much higher. The situation involves a complicated set of problems: high housing prices, lack of affordable...
Sharlett Mena is running for State Representative for the 29th Legislative District. She sat down with host Evelyn Lopez to talk about running for office, what she’s been working on since 2020, and her vision...
This is such an interesting conversation! Aaron Sherman joins host Evelyn Lopez to explore how candidates can use social media to engage with voters, elected leaders can connect with constituents, and public agencies can share...
Host Evelyn Lopez talks with Peter Drury and Marquay Seamster about Wellspring Family Services and the organization’s partnership with Tacoma Housing Authority, Tacoma Public Schools, and Pierce County to identify and assist families and students...
King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay wants to demystify running for political office. He is bringing his Build the Bench program to Tacoma on November 20, 2021 (link below). The Tacoma program will feature 28th LD...
Well, it’s been a busy 10 days in Pierce County! The Attorney General filed criminal charges against Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer, and then the County’s investigative report on the Sheriff’s conduct was issued. While...
There are three nominees to fill the 27th Legislative District Senate seat vacancy, and this is the third of three interviews with the nominees. Senator Jeannie Darneille is taking a position with the Department of...
There are three nominees to fill the 27th Legislative District Senate seat vacancy, and this is the second of three interviews with the nominees. Senator Jeannie Darneille is taking a position with the Department of...
There are three nominees to fill the 27th Legislative District Senate seat vacancy, and this is the first of three interviews with the nominees. Senator Jeannie Darneille is taking a position with the Department of...
GET YOUR COMMENTS TO THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION BY OCT 4: https://www.redistricting.wa.gov/ Redistricting Part 2: Evelyn Lopez returns to the studio with Phil Gardner and Marty Campbell to discuss Washington’s redistricting process. The maps are out!...
What do you know about redistricting? It happens every ten years, and it’s based on the population data developed through the census, and it’s the building block of our democracy. Redistricting is the process for...
Perhaps you’ve read the stories in the News Tribune. Perhaps you’ve seen the concerns on social media. It’s true. After four decades, Tacoma’s historic theaters will no longer be managed by local non-profit Tacoma Arts...
“Critical Race Theory.” Do you know what it is? Do you know why it has become an issue in local school board races? Perhaps you should. News Tribune reporter Chase Hutchinson has been following the...
It’s Pride Month in Tacoma! And now also in Pierce County! Did you know that Pierce County had not previously recognized local Pride celebrations? Well, that just changed with the County Council’s proclamation! https://online.co.pierce.wa.us/cfapps/council/iview/proposal.cfm?proposal_num=R2021-110 County...
Content Warning: violence This Crossing Division episode is simply a reading of the probable cause declaration and criminal charges against three Tacoma Police Department officers for the death in custody of Manuel (Manny) Ellis on...
Christine (Chris) Charbonneau, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Indiana, and Kentucky, joins host Evelyn Lopez to talk about the current status of providing contraception, women’s healthcare, and protecting choice in...
Local activists Halley Knigge and Nathe Lawver join host Evelyn Lopez for a discussion of recent events involving our Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer. From calling out more than 40 police units from across the...
Melissa Malott, Executive Director of Citizens for a Health Bay, joins host Evelyn Lopez to discuss the current state of land use in the Tacoma tideflats and port area. This part of Tacoma has been...
Last year we talked with David Thompson about the Food is Free program in Tacoma. The program’s focus was home gardens around Tacoma and tables for sharing produce with neighbors. The program has evolved and...
According to The Urbanist: Tacoma has embarked on a sweeping plan to reform residential zoning in the city. The Home in Tacoma project could transform single-family and multifamily zones by allowing more Missing Middle Housing....
In 2015, in response to police killings and protests around the country, Mayor Victoria Woodards (at the time a Tacoma City Councilmember) and Police Chief Ramsdell developed Project Peace as a program to promote trust,...
Channel 253 continues its partnership with Tacoma’s Downtown on the Go Friday Forums in 2021. This year the forums focus on racism, urban design and transportation. After each forum, we will have a Crossing Division...
In the final Friday Forum of 2021, the discussion focuses on project and government decision making. How do infrastructure ideas become reality? How do problems like faulty sidewalks and inadequate bus stops get fixed? Policy...
Over the last year there has been a rise in hate incidents and hate crimes directed at Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) neighbors in our communities. Recently the hate became more deadly. Last week a...
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has been working on health equity issues for several years. In 2015, TPCHD published a comprehensive health equity report, focusing on increasing the quality of health and life for Pierce...
Part 2 of our discussion about Harm Reduction – Decisions and Consequences, our tie in to the February 26 DOTG Friday Forum: Can Street Safety Be Anti-Racist, and How? Once again, Shannon McMinimee, partner at...
Channel 253 continues its partnership with Tacoma’s Downtown on the Go Friday Forums in 2021. This year the forums focus on racism, urban design and transportation. After each forum, we will have a Crossing Division...
Channel 253 continues its partnership with Tacoma’s Downtown on the Go! In this second DOTG Friday Forum of 2021, the Panel discusses street safety and how safety rules and laws can set up negative interactions...
Ryan Mello has loads of experience with politics and governance in the City of Tacoma, but now he’s moved to a bigger, more partisan, arena in the County. Ryan was sworn in as a Pierce...
Tacoma Public Schools plans to return all grades to some in-person classroom teaching next month. Frankly, the “plans” sound more like “wishes,” “hopes,” “fingers crossed,” “it sure would be nice…” So, what do teachers think...
You’re going to enjoy this conversation! Jani Hitchens was a teacher for a long time before she decided to run for Pierce County Council, and that background in collaborative problem solving comes through loud and...
Imagine if every city, town, county, port district and utility district could offer broadband internet service to their communities! Imagine what a game changer that could be! Internet coverage is essential. Especially now with remote...
Tacoma City Councilmember John Hines and Erica Azcueta, Homelessness and Household Stability Manager for the City of Tacoma, join host Evelyn Lopez for a discussion about Tacoma’s housing and homelessness challenges. This is an excellent...
Over the last week Tacoma social media has been abuzz with concerns about a “new” classroom schedule for Tacoma Public Schools that is to go into effect on February 8. The schedule shows “in person”...
Sometime around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 23, 2021, a crowd gathered at 9th and Pacific in Downtown Tacoma, watching one or more cars spin and burn circles in the intersection. A Tacoma Police Department...
Channel 253 is partnering with Tacoma’s Downtown on the Go Friday Forums in 2021. This year the forums focus on racism and urban design and transportation. After each forum, we will have a Crossing Division...
Channel 253 is partnering with Downtown on the Go to make the 2021 Friday Forums available on podcast. The first Forum focuses on how urban design and crime prevention efforts can perpetuate racism. The panel...
We have a housing crisis in Tacoma. While there are government programs to help our neighbors, and some terrific non-profits too, who is checking on the tents and cars today and providing clean blankets for...
What a week it has been!!! An exciting and historic election on Tuesday, an insurrection and attempt to take over the US Capitol on Wednesday, followed by obsessive twitter and news watching for the rest...
News Tribune reporters Josephine Peterson and Chase Hutchinson, and columnist Matt Driscoll, join host Evelyn Lopez to discuss the actions taken this week to launch a union for the staff of McClatchy newspapers in Washington...
It’s a month past the 2020 general election, and really things should be settled. The votes have been counted, and as of Dec. 8 elections results have been certified by all the states. Washington certified...
Well, no chance for a quiet, reflective end of year in Pierce County! This is 2020 after all, and this week the County Council was presented with a surprise proposal to pull Pierce County out...
Joe and Evelyn Lopez break down the election challenges that have been filed by the Trump campaign and Trump supporters in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada and Arizona. So far, no cases have been successful, and...
Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young joins host Evelyn Lopez to talk about projects and priorities of the County Council. Specifically, the Youth and Young Adults Jobs Program that Derek helped create to provide training and...
Whew, well we are all waiting to see, aren’t we? If you woke up this morning feeling grim, this discussion might help. Evelyn Lopez is joined by campaign consultant extraordinaire, Crystal Fincher of Fincher Consulting,...
Restaurant Rally: November 8-19, 2020. Info here: https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/7032/Restaurant-Rally Pierce County received hella money from the Federal Government to help offset costs and losses from COVID 19. Now, how to spend it all before December 31?...
Election Day 2020 is quickly approaching, and opinions abound! Evelyn Lopez asked Republican campaign consultant Alex B. Hays and Chair of the 27th LD Democrats Justin Camarata to talk about state and local campaigns. Let’s...
Have you been counted? The 2020 Census is a few short questions, and the data is protected. You have one more month to get counted, and we find out from Kamau Chege, Manager of Washington...
If you follow Evelyn Lopez on Twitter (and maybe you should), you probably saw a thread about local politics and the Tacoma Weekly paper. The Tacoma Weekly is a small, local, free publication that you...
Beth Doglio, currently a Representative for the 22 Legislative District, is running for Congress. The 10th Congressional District covers rural, suburban, urban areas, our state capitol, and all of the JBLM military base. We talk...
Did you know that Targa Resources, a fossil fuel pipeline, fuel storage and transportation company, runs crude oil storage and terminaling facilities in Tacoma? Those are the huge tanks you can see along the Hylebos...
Last episode we talked with two Tacoma parents who are figuring out how to balance the educational needs of their kids while keeping them safe in the time of COVID. This week we wanted to...
As the Coronavirus continues to impact our lives, one of the biggest impacts for parents is the decision by schools in our state not to reopen for in person teaching this fall. We talked with...
Crystal Fincher, political consultant and principal at Fincher Consulting, and Erik Hanberg, Metro Parks Board Commissioner and Channel 253 Publisher, join host Evelyn Lopez to break down the primary results from the August 4 election,...
There are more Black women candidates running in Washington than ever before. And just like always, racism and misogynism are creeping into these campaigns through independently funded campaign advertising mailers. Why, in the year 2020,...
This year we elect a new Sheriff in Pierce County, and it’s turning out to be a difficult position to assess. There are four candidates under consideration in the August 4 primary, and while each...
Those of you who are regular listeners may notice that we’re changing from our Coronavirus & Tacoma focus back to our Tacoma’s Talk Show. Why? Well, when we went into lockdown for the COVID-19 virus,...
We have questions about local law enforcement agencies given investigations into Tacoma Police Department conduct and Black Lives Matter protests. We asked Tacoma criminal defense attorney Chris Van Vechten to talk with us about what...
On June 12, 2020 Crosscut published a story about the barriers that Black political consultants were experiencing moving their work into higher profile legislative campaigns. The consultants were urged to “get on the list!” Significant...
Nick Federici, who has worked on legislation and government relations in Olympia for 25+ years, joins us to talk about the state budget forecast (it’s bad), and how this will hurt groups that have little...
Tacoma’s Deputy Mayor Keith Blocker talks about his work with youth in the Black community, the legacy of anti-Blackness and systemic racism. We also discuss Black Lives Matter in Tacoma and where the movement may...
YWCA Executive Director Miriam Barnett joins host Evelyn Lopez to talk about the upswing in domestic violence during the COVID 19 pandemic, and the particular challenges of helping victims who may be isolated at home...
Evelyn Lopez talks with Rachel Graves, lawyer and former news journalist, about how the Coronavirus creates an even more complicated environment for people with disabilities. Also, viruses are often the trigger for the development of...
We are at week 10 of staying home, and it’s been difficult. So, when you come across a ray of sunshine and a spark of joy, you have to grab it. When we saw a...
We delayed our weekly podcast to make sure we had the latest, up to the final deadline filings for all campaigns. And there were some last minute surprises! The election season is on us, and...
Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young joins Evelyn Lopez to talk about the County’s $158 million plan to fight COVID 19, stabilize the economy, and support our community. It’s a lot of money, and it won’t...
This year, Downtown on the Go partnered with Channel 253 to coordinate podcasts of the Friday Forums, and follow-up Crossing Division episodes to further explore the issues raised in the Forums. Go back to check...
Have you been thinking about starting or expanding your garden? Would you like to grow food for yourself and for the community? Whatever the plant questions you have, local plant guru and weed expert Dana...
What campaigns are heating up for the 2020 elections? How do candidates raise money in a “no gatherings” environment? And what do we expect for the summer? 2020 will have some very interesting political races!...
Evelyn and Joe Lopez discuss the Governor’s extended eviction moratorium and what it means for renters and landlords: No evictions or threats of eviction, no late fees or threats to terminate tenancy, no rent increases,...
Host Evelyn Lopez talks with Sarah Low, Executive Director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation about trees, appreciating the benefits of trees, and contemplating the beauty of the trees around us. On April 22 the world...
This week, Evelyn Lopez talks with Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and Pierce Conservation District Water Quality Coordinator Belinda Paterno. Find out about local programs to help small businesses and renters, and how the City of...
This week Evelyn Lopez talks with Saiyare Refaei and Renee Meschi of the Pierce Conservation District. Saiyare and Renee work in the Harvest Pierce County program working with county food programs and community gardens. During...
This week Evelyn Lopez and Joe Lopez talk with Pierce County Councilmember Marty Campbell about Pierce County’s actions on the COVID 19/Coronavirus front. Pierce County has small business loans to help businesses impacted right now,...
Evelyn Lopez and Joe Lopez talk about the latest information about COVID 19/Coronavirus in Tacoma. Things will certainly change, but we will try to give you accurate information as of the podcast date, plus share...
Campaign consultant/political strategist Crystal Fincher and local elected official/Channel 253 publisher Erik Hanberg join host Evelyn Lopez to break down the 2020 Washington Presidential Primary results: The importance of key demographic voting blocks, Whether these...
Locality, responsibility, and maybe, maybe, opportunity. Those are the themes that run through our discussion of current mental health issues in our community. Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young, and local attorney Joe Lopez join host...
Following the February 21, 2020 Downtown on the Go Friday Forum on Moving Into the Future, we are talking about the transit options available in Tacoma right now—for everyone, but especially for individuals with mobility...
Channel 253 is partnering with Downtown on the Go as a media sponsor of DOTG’s Friday Forums. We think that the topic is a good fit with our Crossing Division podcasts, so we will record...
‘Virtually sold out.’ Homes priced under $500K in Pierce County hard to find This February 7 News Tribune article caught our eye, and we thought can it possibly be true? Are there no homes priced...
Following the Jan. 24, 2020 Downtown on the Go Friday Forum on Aging in Place, we are talking about innovative, uncommon housing options. One of the challenges when talking about affordable housing is that most...
This year Channel 253 is partnering with Downtown on the Go as a media sponsor of DOTG’s Friday Forums. We think that the topic is a good fit with our Crossing Division podcasts, so we...
It’s 2020 and another big, eventful year for Tacoma! Host Evelyn Lopez is joined by Tacoma lawyer and civic observer Joe Lopez to talk through and analyze some of the biggest local issues for this...
Tim Eyman. Who is he? Anti-tax crusader? Cynical initiative manipulator? Media attention addict? Maybe all of that, and now a candidate for Governor too! Crosscut’s Melissa Santos (formerly reporting for the Seattle Times and The...
Our state’s plan to resurrect affirmative action programs for public hiring, contracting, and admissions to state colleges and universities appears to be failing as R-88/I-1000 is voted down. But there are other paths to more...
It’s the day after the election, so time for Hulk-Smash 2019, this year without any electric boogaloo. As we anxiously await the second ballot drop later today, Erik Hanberg and Justin Camarata sit down with...
Pierce County has benefited from years of stable and sensible leadership from Sheriff Paul Pastor. But now he’s retiring and someone new will be elected in 2020. There are two well-known individuals thinking about a...
There are two important state-wide initiatives on the ballot this November: I-976 which reduces car tab fees to $30 and significantly reduces funding for transportation projects, roads and infrastructure improvements, and state patrol funding across...
Welcome to Tacoma’s Talk Show! It’s an EARTHQUAKE!!! Oh no, the VOLCANO IS ERUPTING!!! We’re getting ready for the 2019 Great Washington ShakeOut by talking earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and how to survive it all. Joining...
Campaigns are required to file weekly reports of the contributions received, and monthly reports of their expenditures. You can find the reports and overview data at our state’s Public Disclosure Commission website, www.pdc.wa.gov. But you...
Welcome to Tacoma’s Talk Show! In our second housing related discussion, we talk about backyard cottages (ADUs or accessory dwelling units), real estate financing, how to get more housing available quickly, and how one might...
You’ve certainly noticed that we have housing issues in Tacoma – issues that we simply didn’t have ten or twenty years ago. Housing prices are going up, but our housing is still a bargain compared...
The votes are in for our 2019 Primary Election! How did your favorite Tacoma candidates do? Should strategies change as the campaigns move toward the November General Election? What were the take-aways? And most of...
On this second and very special joint episode of Citizen Tacoma and Crossing Division, we were thrilled to sit down with Puyallup Tribal Council Chairman David Bean and Councilmember Anna Bean (yep, they’re cousins). We...
Development at Chambers Bay, the county owned golf course and public park, is the latest land use controversy riling park lovers and environmentalists. Once a gravel pit, the land of Chambers Bay was purchased for...
Did you know that Tacoma High Schools had an 89.3% graduation rate for the class of 2018? That’s terrific! And it is the result of years of work by the district. But are all students...
What do you think should be taught in our high schools? Is diversity education a divisive education, as one of our Tacoma high school history teachers recently claimed in an opinion piece published in The...
Did you participate in the Democratic Party presidential caucuses in 2016? In 2008? Before then? How did it go? Although the Washington State Democratic Party has traditionally used caucuses to select the party’s preferred presidential candidate, this year the party is considering switching to a primary election instead. So, are you pro primary or pro caucus?
Host Evelyn Lopez is joined by Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young (pro primary), local lawyer and former political reporter Rachel Graves (pro primary), State Committee Member for the 3rd Legislative District Democrats Joanne Fleming (pro caucus), and State Committee Member for the Whatcom County Democrats Richard May (pro caucus) to discuss the positives and negatives of caucuses and primaries, and what the Democrats are planning for their 2020 presidential candidate selection process.
You can weigh in and give your choice on whether the process should be a caucus or primary. Go to the Washington State Democratic Party website to vote and comment by April 4, 2019. The State Party will be meeting on April 7 to vote on one of the options. Also, you can check out some of the ideas under consideration at the wacaucus.com demo site.
It’s our country, and our democracy, so give this episode a listen, and then get involved and let the D’s know what you would prefer.
Links * Democratic Party website * Channel 253 membership
It’s a very special crossover episode! Citizen Tacoma and Crossing Division team up to bring you an informative discussion of recycling in Tacoma. Our guest is Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello and Lewis Griffith, Solid Waste Management Division Manager.
Links * City of Tacoma Recycling Survey * How to recycle in Tacoma by Candice Ruud for Channel 253 * Channel 253 membership
Host Evelyn Lopez talks to The News Tribune reporter Sean Robinson about his recent story covering public settlements—usually payouts to settle lawsuits. But, as Sean reports, those settlements were voted on without telling the public how much they were for. What exactly has the County been doing and what are their plans to change this in the future?
Links * Sean’s reporting * News Tribune editorial * Channel 253 membership
Host and attorney Evelyn Lopez is joined by two guests Shannon McMinimee and Rachel Graves (who are also attorneys!) to discuss the October 11, 2018, Washington Supreme Court decision in State v. Gregory that invalidated the death penalty in our state. So what happened? And what comes next?
Links * DeathPenaltyInfo.org * DOC.WA.GOV * The court’s opinion (PDF) * The Seattle Times coverage * The Atlantic’s coverage * The New York Times coverage * The Washington Post’s coverage * USA Today’s coverage * Channel 253 membership
From the text of the case. In State v. Gregory, the Supreme Court held: “Washington’s death penalty laws have been declared unconstitutional not once, not twice, but three times. None of these prior decisions held that the death penalty is per se unconstitutional, nor do we. The death penalty is invalid because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner. While this particular case provides an opportunity to specifically address racial disproportionality, the underlying issues that underpin our holding are rooted in the arbitrary manner in which the death penalty is generally administered. As noted by appellant, the use of the death penalty is unequally applied—sometimes by where the crime took place, or the county of residence, or the available budgetary resources at any given point in time, or the race of the defendant. The death penalty, as administered in our state, fails to serve any legitimate penological goal; thus, it violates article I, section 14 of our state constitution.