In Act I, Sandeep and Erica tackle #poopgate. Seattle council member Kshama Sawant says someone's been throwing bags of human feces on her lawn and accuses police of dragging their feet in the investigation. In Act II, the pod asks: Does council member Dan Strauss need to worry about a proposed new redistricting map ? And what was he thinking when he barred the press from a public event? In Act III, in keeping with these troubling times, there can be no tidy resolution and there is no third act....
Oct 22, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Sandeep admits to being "a little buzzed" for this special nighttime taping of Seattle Nice. Nevertheless, he and Erica chew over Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposal to dramatically expand Seattle's Unified Care Team to "address trash and litter, clean up encampments and areas around encampments." Some of the topics not addressed on this week's podcast: The Murray / Smiley debate schedule, Erica and Sandeep's favorite restaurants, and the best Tweets about the Mariners devastating 18-inning playoff l...
Oct 16, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Bruce Harrell releases a new budget and the podcast goes berserk. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com 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....
Oct 02, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 32
As expected Bruce Harrel named interim Adrian Diaz his new chief of Seattle police. We debate the wisdom of the pick and prognosticate what will happen with police reform. Plus, Erica blasts a recent Seattle Times column about tipping while Sandeep shrugs. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you...
Sep 22, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Earlier this month Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that he will expand Seattle's park ranger program. That provoked outrage in some circles, with calls on Twitter for the city council to not "criminalize park users!" This week Erica and Sandeep discuss and debate the backlash and dish about alleged consternation behind the scenes over how to respond. We dish, please donate: Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on P...
Sep 17, 2022•29 min
This week the pod discusses the politics and policies at Seattle public schools, and debates one of the biggest issues facing the city, possibly ever - leaf blowers. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com 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....
Sep 10, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Mayor Bruce Harrell's facing a mini-scandal this week after some controversial comments he made behind closed doors got leaked. In a meeting with Seattle police. Harrell blasted the city council and King County Regional Homelessness Authority. Harrell isn't denying the comments. He says he's just being his authentic self. Seattle Nice takes a closer look at what Harrell said and the fallout. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the sh...
Sep 02, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 28
This week Seattle Nice takes a closer look at BIG PRIMARY RESULTS and the Seattle city council decision to end a $4 boost to grocery worker pay. Plus, Sandeep and Erica reminisce about the days when they helped made political endorsements at the Stranger. Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and the unique, hard-hitting local journalism and commentary you ...
Aug 06, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 27
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 strongl...
Jul 23, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 26
"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 i...
Jul 16, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 25
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. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?...
Jul 09, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 24
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. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_sourc...
Jul 02, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 23
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 ...
Jun 17, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 22
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. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare ...
Jun 11, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 21
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. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=crea...
May 27, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 20
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. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare 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...
May 20, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 19
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. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your su...
May 07, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 18
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. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patr...
Apr 30, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This week Erica has some "Seattle Nice" things to say about Seattle's new Republican City Attorney Ann Davison. Plus, the pod debates a new Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce poll that confirms everything Sandeep believes about Seattle voters. 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. https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter...
Apr 23, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Erica and Sandeep tackle two of the biggest issues facing Seattle this week according to local news reports: Income inequality and a growing dog poop crisis. If you like Seattle Nice please help support it on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events a...
Apr 08, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Erica and Sandeep discuss the King County Regional Homelessness Authority with some agreement, plenty of disagreement and requisite Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome references. Two podcasters enter. Do two podcasters leave? If you like Seattle Nice please help support it on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support...
Apr 04, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Seattle TV reporter Jonathan Choe was reportedly fired this week after Tweeting about a far-right Proud Boys rally. But before this incident Choe composed other controversial Tweets about homelessness and crime. Sandeep and Erica discuss and debate Choe’s larger oeuvre, as well as the underlying issues. If you like Seattle Nice please help support it on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can ...
Mar 25, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This week Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell postponed his plan to crack down on disorderly conduct along Third Avenue in downtown Seattle. Erica and Sandeep do a deep dive on that decision, and disagree about the criticism Harrell's facing. Sandeep and Erica also offer competing Gen X takes on why the majority of Gen Z college grads tell pollsters they want to move to Seattle. Is it 1992 all over again? Can Gen Xers really offer any useful insight on this topic? We report, you decide. If you like Seat...
Mar 19, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 12
On Friday Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell talked up his "Operation New Day" crime-fighting campaign with law enforcement leaders including U.S. Attorney Nicholas W. Brown and the DEA's Frank Tarentino. Will the focus on downtown "hot spots" work to address a spike in serious crime? Longtime friends and political opponents Erica and Sandeep do not agree. A special appeal this week: If you like Seattle Nice please help support it on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_sou...
Mar 05, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 11
All of sudden, nearly everyone from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to members of the City Council to the business and philanthropic communities are talking about encampments on the streets of downtown Seattle. What gives? Are efforts to remove encampments going to work? And are they fair to homeless people? If you like Seattle Nice please help support this pod on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that ...
Feb 25, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Former hippie Erica calls out former hippie and new Seattle City Council member Sara Nelson. Sandeep plays defense. At issue: Crime against small businesses, and a fight on the city council over symbolic resolution-making. If you like Seattle Nice please help support this pod on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Y...
Feb 12, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Sandeep and Erica take sides in the raging debate on the left over crime after Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell holds a presser on public safety. We also hear their takes on Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat's explosive crime column and KEXP DJ John Richard's crime tweets. If you like Seattle Nice please help support this pod on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to ...
Feb 05, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Erica and Sandeep ponder the puzzling decision to invite former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani to a King County GOP event (now reportedly cancelled) and debate proposed voting reforms. Even when we agree we disagree. If you like Seattle Nice please help support this pod on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your suppor...
Jan 30, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Are we dense enough? That's the question state lawmakers are taking up this month. Erica and Sandeep both say no, but still find plenty to disagree about. If you like Seattle Nice please help support this pod on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live event...
Jan 22, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Seattle's eviction moratorium is extended as is Sandeep and Erica's witty repartee on the latest "short but not so sweet" edition of Seattle Nice. If you like Seattle Nice please help support this pod on Patreon https://patreon.com/seattlenice?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Send us a text! Note that we can only respond directly to emails realseattlenice@gmail.com Support the show Your support on Patreon helps pay for editing, production, live events and th...
Jan 15, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 5
