Soundside

There’s a major reshuffling of leadership happening at one of the videogame industry’s top companies.  After 38 years at Microsoft, Phil Spencer is stepping away from his role as CEO of Microsoft Gaming.  His was an incredibly long tenure, and it’s leaving many to wonder what it means for XBox, Microsoft Gaming, and gamers alike. GUEST: Todd Bishop - Co-Founder of Geekwire LINKS: Xbox chief Phil Spencer retiring after 38 years at Microsoft; Asha Sharma named new gaming CEO Who is Asha Sharma? A closer look at Microsoft’s surprise pick to lead the Xbox business Analysis: The best thing that the new Xbox CEO can do is ... nothing Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward. Guest: Paul Queary - Editor and Publisher at The Washington Observer Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WNBA fans, mark your calendars for March 10th. That's a key deadline that could determine when the teams actually hit the court. If the league and players can’t shake hands on a new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, by next Tuesday, the 2026 season could be delayed. The Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike is president of the WNBA players' union, and she's led the union as labor negotiations have progressed for over a year. The two sides are months past their original deadline for a deal.   We talk about the key issues driving bargaining with a reporter covering the league.  GuestSabreena Merchant, staff writer, The Athletic Related LinksWNBA’s new CBA offer boosts pay, fast-tracks max deals for stars like Caitlin Clark, AP source says - The Associated PressKelsey Plum sees WNBA's offer as a 'win,' but CBA talks continue - ESPN What a March CBA deal would mean for WNBA free agency, expansion and the draft - The AthleticThank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotesSoundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Much of your technology - your phone, your kid’s ipad, your electric car… wouldn’t function without computer chips. They’re basically tiny pieces of silicon semiconductor wafers that drive our tech-focused economy. And their supply chain is highly centralized. Most chips come from just one country, Taiwan. And Taiwan is in a very delicate geopolitical position. China has claimed sovereignty over the island democracy since the founding of the PRC, in 1949.  If China ever decided to exert its claims using military force – that could put chip production in danger. Potentially leading to the largest economic downfall since the Great Depression.  According to documents obtained by the New York Times, it’s an issue tech companies here in the US have known about for years, and have largely tried to ignore. Guest: Tripp Mickle, Silicon Valley reporter for the New York Times Related stories: The Looming Taiwan Chip Disaster That Silicon Valley Has Long Ignored - NYT Nvidia’s Quarterly Profit Hits $43 Billion on Strong A.I. Chip Sales - NYT Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Gates has been under scrutiny since the Justice Department released files that put his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein on display.  ….. But these files also show that Epstein’s connections within the company Gates co-founded, Microsoft, were more widespread than previously known.  Epstein built relationships with several of Microsoft’s top executives. He traded gifts and advice with them, and even invited some to his island.  And, through these big players, Epstein also got access to the inner workings of the company.  Guests:  Karen Weise, a technology correspondent for The New York Times who’s based in Seattle  Related links: How Jeffrey Epstein Ingratiated Himself With Top Microsoft Executives - The New York Times Records show deeper ties between Epstein, ex-Microsoft exec Myhrvold | The Seattle Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are many people who would describe themselves as resisting fascism.  But, for a small group, “antifa” is more than just a label.  In his new book, journalist Christopher Mathias reports that for self-identified members of antifa, the bulk of their work actually involves infiltrating right-wing extremist groups. Often, this takes the form of intelligence gathering online. In some cases it means disguising themselves for in-person operations: becoming members, showing up, getting peoples’ real names and plans. One man did just that in the Seattle area. Mathias tells his story in a new book.  Guest Christopher Mathias, journalist covering antifa and the far right, author, "To Catch A Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right"Related Link What’s behind the White House’s anti-antifa order - Soundside, KUOWWhite nationalists claimed WA man doxxed them. How a judge responded - Tacoma News Tribune Antifa used to unmask neo-Nazis, now it’s exposing ICE: ‘Predators don’t get anonymity’ - The GuardianThank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotesSoundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local Iranian community members gathered at a vigil Sunday afternoon at Seattle City Hall to share art, music, dance and healing conversation. The stated purpose of the event was to memorialize those who lost their lives during the Islamic Republic’s deadly crackdown on protesters in January, which had a death toll estimated in the tens of thousands. With the U.S. and Israel striking Iran over the weekend, the event also provided a place to process the beginning of war. The event was organized by the Seattle Isfahan Sister City Advocacy group. ALSO: analysis of the widening conflict in the Middle East with Reşat Kasaba, professor at the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies. RELATED LINKS: Iran Hits Back Across the Mideast, Targeting U.S. Bases and Allies Hegseth insists the Iran conflict is 'not Iraq' and is 'not endless' What to Know About the Widening Fallout From the Bombing of Iran Push from Saudis, Israel helped move Trump to attack Iran  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sound Transit system is updating, maybe you've heard. After three new light rail stations opened up south of Seattle in December, the light rail is set to start running across Lake Washington about a month from now. But budget issues may complicate plans for the future lines. We'll get into that and much more. Guest: Dow Constantine, CEO of Sound Transit Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the FINAL Thursday of February, and MARCH starts this weekend.  Two of our Soundside producers are celebrating their birthdays this weekend, (Happy Birthday Maleeha Syed and Gabi Healy!!) Women’s hockey is BACK at Climate Pledge Arena, AND it’s the final days of Black History Month, so let’s go out & do some stuff!! Here’s Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows to get us caught up on all that’s happening! LINKS: Mad Science: A night of Improv and Laughter Seattle Torrent vs Toronto Scepters Kraken vs Canucks Sea Slug Animation Festival 2026 Poulsbo Blues & Jazz Festival Tacoma Beer Week Events Free Rose Pruning Demonstration - Woodland Park Zoo Doughboys - Seattle Theatre Group 4th Annual Black Makers & Creatives Art Exhibit Iranian Vigil & Solidarity Art Exhibition Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days people are using AI chatbots for everything.  These chatbots have a wealth of information at their metaphorical fingertips. But the accuracy of the information that they offer us is, well, questionable. But it makes sense why some people turn to AI for medical advice. They’re usually free, which gives them an upper hand when healthcare in the United States is so expensive.  They’re also easy to access, so people can get their questions answered immediately, instead of waiting for an opening at their doctor’s office.  And they’re trained to be empathic, which is especially appealing to patients who don’t feel valued in medical settings.  In this "Ask a Doctor" segment, we explore the world of health advice and chatbots with two medical professionals.  Guests:  Angad Singh is a family medicine physician. He's also an Associate Chief Clinical Information Officer and Clinical Associate Professor at UW Medicine. Danielle Bitterman is an assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Lead for Data Science and AI at Mass General Brigham. Related links: A.I. Chatbots Are Changing How Patients Get Medical Advice - The New York Times How to Use ChatGPT for Health Advice | Right as Rain Health Advice From A.I. Chatbots Is Frequently Wrong, Study Shows - The New York Times Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.