Erica and Sandeep bring their personal addiction stories to bear in this episode about the fentanyl overdose emergency. 

Earlier in the week, King County passed a bill that declared fentanyl a public health crisis. The bill was sponsored by council member Reagan Dunn, who is also running as a Republican in the August primary to represent the 8th Congressional District. 

Erica and Sandeep agree Dunn’s motives in pushing the emergency declaration are far more about politics  than policy, but strongly disagree - based on their personal experiences - about where to draw the line between addiction and what Sandeep calls "criminality."

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"Starbucks to close 5 Seattle stores over safety concerns," reported the Seattle Times. Erica is skeptical, calling it "corporate PR," and points to the the company's union-busting efforts in Seattle and around the country.  Sandeep argues the "Twitter left" is getting the story wrong by continuing to downplay the rising crime rate.  This week Seattle Nice also takes a closer look at city efforts to lure more cops with hiring bonuses. 

If you like Seattle Nice, where respectful and heated debate is still encouraged, please help support the pod on Patreon.

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Inside dopester Sandeep dishes up some breaking news about a city council plan to put ranked-choice voting on the ballot this fall alongside approval voting. Plus, the jury in the Charleena Lyles inquest "says police followed policy in shooting black woman in crisis," reports Publicola. We discuss the verdict and the larger political context. 

 If you like Seattle Nice, where respectful and heated debate is still encouraged, please help support the pod on Patreon.
 
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This week Erica joins from an undisclosed location not far from the U.S. Supreme Court.  Here in Washington State, elected officials have been busy reacting to the court's recent rulings, especially the Dobb's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.  Can Seattle save us from this Supreme Court? How about Governor Inslee? 

If you like Seattle Nice, where respectful and heated debate is still encouraged, please help support the pod on Patreon. 

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Publicola broke the story earlier this week about a new SPD labor contract that tries to tackle an intractable problem - ensuring that the discipline of police who break the rules sticks when that process was fair. It doesn't always happen. 

Plus, we learn that Sandeep and Erica are not soccer fans. But they still manage to disagree about the value of a taxpayer-funded stadium that's just managed to help lure the men's World Cup to Seattle in 2026.   

If you like Seattle Nice, where respectful and heated debate is encouraged, please help support the pod on Patreon. 

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On June 1, KUOW and the Seattle Times broke the story that Seattle police stopped investigating adult sexual assaults this year.  Is this a misallocation of police resources or a short-staffing problem? Plus, Erica accuses KEXP's John Richards of boosting the "Seattle Is Dying narrative."  Is she right?  

If you like Seattle Nice, where debate is encouraged, please help support the pod on Patreon. 

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Seattle is facing a looming budget deficit and city leaders are now exploring options for how to address it. A task force is being assembled to look at how to raise progressive tax revenue. That’s not so easy in this regressive tax state where a progressive income tax is not allowed.  Are budget cuts also on the table?  What is to be done?

If you like Seattle Nice, please help support the pod on Patreon. 

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Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

If you like Seattle Nice please help support the pod on Patreon. Any monthly level is very welcome, and it will qualify you for upcoming members-only events and special content.  

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This week Seattle leaders celebrated how the city handled the removal of a homeless encampment at Woodland Park, which included offers of tiny home shelter. Sandeep and Erica both applaud aspects of the effort. But they do not agree on how much progress the city is making on homelessness.  

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Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

Erica and Sandeep discuss the leaked draft Supreme Court abortion ruling and Washington State politics.    

If you like Seattle Nice please help support the pod on Patreon. Any monthly level is very welcome, and it will qualify you for upcoming members-only events and special content.  

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Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.

This week, Erica and Sandeep debate Sound Transit's move to loosen up on fare enforcement. 

If you like Seattle Nice please help support the pod on Patreon. Any monthly level is very welcome, and it will qualify you for upcoming members-only events and special content.  

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Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails [email protected]

Support the show

Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you hear weekly on Seattle Nice.