Soundside

The retail operator for Eddie Bauer’s North American stores has filed for bankruptcy. Depending on how things turn out, the outdoor gear brand could see the closure of nearly 200 stores across the United States and Canada. The Seattle Times also reports that the company's store operator plans to close its headquarters in Seattle and lay off 60 workers.  This isn’t the first sign of trouble for the Seattle-based business, which faced bankruptcy proceedings in 2003 and 2009.  This latest filing won’t affect the company’s wholesale, manufacturing or online operations -- so it’s not like the brand’s going away completely. But the news still feels pretty big….  Because once upon a time, not too long ago, Eddie Bauer was a premiere spot for outdoor gear. It outfitted the first American to summit Mount Everest.   And there was a time when it was quite the fashion statement to walk into work with an Eddie Bauer puffer.  As the company faces an uncertain future, we decided to reflect on its legacy.  Guests:  Clara Berg, a fashion historian and Curator of Collections at MOHAI. Related links: Our Story – Eddie Bauer Eddie Bauer to close its Seattle headquarters, lay off 60 workers | The Seattle Times Eddie Bauer: From Outdoor Staple to Bankruptcy Watch - Business Insider Retail operator of Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy, will keep stores open during restructuring | AP News Eddie Bauer store operator files for bankruptcy, seeks sale | Reuters 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.

Like many private companies, Nike has implemented diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its workplace. The Trump Administration has long been a vocal critic of such policies. On the first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order, titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.“ The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently disclosed it's investigating Nike for “systemic allegations of DEI-related intentional race discrimination” against white workers. Nike does have regional ties – with headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. But... this is Nike: “Just Do It” and Air Jordans. We’re talking about a global entity, and this investigation could have wide ranging implications for employment practices nationwide. Guests:  Rebecca Davis O'Brien, a labor reporter at The New York Times Related links:  EEOC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against NIKE | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Nike, Accused of Bias Against White Workers, Is Under Federal Investigation - The New York Times What to Know About the Federal Investigation Into Nike - The New York Times Nike and Trump’s Supporters Have Been on a Collision Course for Years - 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.

Eviction cases hit an all time high in King County last year. It’s the latest data point in an ongoing trend. Since the Covid era eviction moratorium ended in 2022, the number of people facing eviction proceedings has risen every year. This is happening even as rents have remained relatively flat.  Hanging over all of this is budget tightening in Olympia state lawmakers are planning a multi million dollar cut to legal assistance for tenants.  Are we at a crisis point when it comes to the number of evictions in our state? Links: Seattle Times: King County, WA eviction levels hit an all-time high, again Guest: Alexis Weisend, real estate reporter at the Seattle TimesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a Seahawks fan, Sunday’s big game was glorious domination.For the rest of the hundred-and-thirty-million plus viewers the defensive showcase was maybe a bit of a snooze. But football fans had other ways to amp up the excitement: Betting cold hard cash. It’s impossible to avoid hearing about betting when you’re watching most sporting events in the US these days -- let alone the biggest game of the year. According to the American Gambling Association, Americans were expected to wager $1.76 billion dollars on this year’s Super Bowl. That’s a near 27% increase over last year. Now, sports betting is still illegal in Washington state outside of tribal casinos.  But, as the mobile betting market has expanded legally into more and more states, alternative means for placing bets have become increasingly popular - even in states like Washington. And according to my next guest, that market isn’t just shaping how we watch the game. It’s changing the game itself. Guest: Danny Funt covers sports betting as a contributor at the Washington Post, and he’s the author of the new book “Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling” 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.

It’s a whirlwind of emotions this today for Seahawks players and fans.  Seattle wasn’t supposed to dominate its division, or field another historic defense, or win the Super Bowl for the second time in team history. But that’s exactly what happened this season, culminating in yesterday’s 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots. From the trophy presentation at Levi's Stadium to the triumphant confines of Seattle bars … KUOW’s Natalie Akane Newcomb brings us this audio postcard. 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.

At the start of 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: KUOW Politics Editor Cat Smith Related Links: Super Bowl 2026: Dominant Seahawks show they’re here to stay Review: Bad Bunny brought Puerto Rico's history and culture to a revolutionary Super Bowl show Super Bowl LIX averages record audience of 127.7 million viewers Trump, Bad Bunny and Puerto Rico’s Perennially Broken Power Grid - POLITICO Trump bashes Bad Bunny’s halftime spectacle - POLITICO "Good Will Dunkin' : The Pilot" Seahawks owner Jody Allen isn’t a placeholder. She’s an essential leader When the Seattle Seahawks sell, will any tech execs step up for the 12s? 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.

This weekend, Seattleites will be able to buy drinks from the city’s first Thai coffee shop: Nudibranch Coffee, which is set to open its doors Feb. 7 on Capitol Hill.  The shop will serve drinks that reflect Thailand’s popular flavors and hot climate. Nudibranch also plans to host low-cost community events at the shop, like guest chef nights and gallery walks. This cafe-slash-community-space is just a few days away from opening its doors... But we were able to steal some time from the busy owners to hear how the vision for Seattle’s first Thai coffee shop came together. Guests:  Emily Sirisup and Cole Arnesen, two of Nudibranch Coffee's founders  Related links:  Nudibranch Coffee | Explore Thai Coffee Today Nudibranch Wants to Be Seattle’s First Thai Coffee Shop | Eater Seattle Nudibranch will bring Thai coffee to former Capitol Hill vegan doughnut shop | CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News 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 Thursday, Soundside Producer Jason Megatron Burrows brings you the highlights for how to spend your weekend... And there are a couple of big events happening THIS WEEKEND, right?  Maybe something sports related? LINKS: Olympic Opening Ceremony Olympic Women's Hockey @ Rough & Tumble Ballard Full Watch Party Schedule Ear Hustle | Town Hall Seattle Eagle Festival | Arlington, WA Enumclaw Wine & Chocolate Festival Chocolate “Escape Room” challenge Washington State Gaming Expo / Anime Washington The Grave Plot Film Fest Seahawks at Patriots Super Bowl LX Game Center 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.

From now through 2027, various lanes over the Ship Canal Bridge in Seattle will close, making an already-challenging traffic situation worse.  WSDOT has encouraged travelers to Seattle, especially commuters, to consider using the bus instead of clogging the freeway with more cars. But that might be a hard sell. Perennial concerns about safety, reliability, and access have plagued King County Metro, and other transit options. And elsewhere in the city, Mayor Katie Wilson has called for a dedicated lane for the crosstown Route 8 bus.   We're talking about it all, plus putting your questions (and complaints) to the general manager of King County Metro.  Guest Michelle Allison, general manager, King County Metro 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: Axios Twin Cities newsletter co-author Kyle Stokes Related stories: Trump administration pulling 700 immigration agents from Minnesota - Axios How Minnesota's rapid responders track ICE agents in real time - Axios Melinda French Gates reacts to new details about Bill Gates in the Epstein files - NPR 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.