Hacks & Wonks Crystal Fincher

Senator Manka Dhingra joins Hacks & Wonks for an in-depth interview to discuss her campaign for Attorney General and plans to address WA’s most pressing issues.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find Manka Dhingra at @electmanka.
 
Resources
Campaign Website - Manka Dhingra

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank!
They discuss:
Republican Divisions Threaten Party's Chances in Governor's Race
Corporate-Backed Super PAC Boosts Conservative Democrat's Campaign
Seattle Councilmember Seeks to Roll Back Gig Worker Protections
Mayor's Office Cuts Anti-Displacement Proposals from Growth Plan
New Light Rail Line Set to Open on Eastside
Business Group Launches Campaign to Relocate Light Rail Station
Seattle Children's Hospital Refuses to Share Patient Records with Texas AG
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank, at @cruickshank.
 
Resources
Nick Brown Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Attorney General Race from Hacks & Wonks
 
“MAGA Republican Semi Bird endorsed by Washington GOP for governor” by Scott Greenstone for KUOW
 
“The WA GOP put it in writing that they’re not into democracy” by Danny Westneat from The Seattle Times
 
“Corporate backers of Mark Mullet launch an independent expenditure to boost his flagging campaign” by Andrew Villeneuve from The Cascadia Advocate
 
“Nelson Bill Would Eliminate Minimum Wage for "Gig" Drivers—and Slash Workers' Rights” by Erica Barnett from PubliCola
 
“Seattle hospitality giant buys into City Council member’s Fremont Brewing” by Paul Roberts from The Seattle Times
 
“Mayor's Office Removed All New Anti-Displacement Proposals from Draft "Anti-Displacement Framework"” by Erica Barnett from PubliCola
 
“Planners Proposed Bigger Upzones Before Harrell’s Team Intervened, Records Show” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist
 
Discover the 2 Line | Sound Transit 
 
“How will your life change when Bellevue's light rail opens?” by Joshua McNichols from KUOW
 
@cruickshank on Twitter/X: “The Seattle Chamber of Commerce is out with a new campaign to Save South Lake Union. From what? you may ask. From a subway station that would be at the center of the neighborhood and serve more riders than their inferior “couplet” plan.”
 
Email Sound Transit Board of Directors at emailtheboard@soundtransit.org
 
“Seattle hospital won't turn over gender-affirming care records in lawsuit settlement with Texas” from The Associated Press
 
“Medical provider leaving Texas over AG investigation into gender affirming care for minors” by S.E. Jenkins from CBS News Texas
 
Find stories that Crystal is reading here
 
Listen on your favorite podcast app to all our episodes here

Nick Brown joins Hacks & Wonks for an in-depth interview to discuss his campaign for Attorney General and plans to address WA’s most pressing issues. 
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter/X at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at @finchfrii and find Nick Brown at @nickbrownnow.
 
Resources
Campaign Website - Nick Brown

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by staff writer at The Stranger covering policing, incarceration and courts, Ashley Nerbovig!
They discuss:
GOP Candidate Dave Reichert's Anti-LGBTQ Views
Boeing Faces Scrutiny Over Safety Issues and Alleged Cover-Up
Tacoma to Implement ShotSpotter Despite Concerns
Local Guaranteed Basic Income Pilots Show Promising Results
Seattle Police Officer's Troubling Past Revealed
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Ashley Nerbovig, at @AshleyNerbovig.
 
Resources
Denver's STAR Program Offers Promising Alternative Response to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises from Hacks & Wonks
 
“Dave Reichert to Pierce County Republicans: "Marriage Is Between a Man and a Woman"” by Rich Smith from The Stranger
 
“Boeing whistleblowers describe ‘criminal cover-up,’ safety risks to Senate” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times
 
“Tacoma police to test gunshot-detection system. Shotspotter has faced criticism elsewhere” by Puneet Bsanti from The News Tribune
 
“ShotSpotter is a Failure. What’s Next?” by Hannah Cheves of the MacArthur Justice Center
 
“IMPD will not go ahead with gunshot detection system” by Sarah Nelson from The Indianapolis Star
 
Seattle Considers Controversial Surveillance Technologies with Flawed Approval Process from Hacks & Wonks
 
“ShotSpotter: Why waste money we don’t have on technology that doesn’t work?” by Marcus Harrison Green from The Seattle Times
 
“How King County’s $500-a-month guaranteed income program fared” by Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks from The Seattle Times
 
Guaranteed Basic Income Final Evaluation | Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County
 
“Guaranteed income returned to Pierce County this week. Why free money deserves a shot” by The News Tribune Editorial Board
 
“Seattle Police Knew Officer Who Struck and Killed Pedestrian Had “Checkered History,” But Hired Him Anyway” by Andrew Engelson from PubliCola
 
Find stories that Crystal is reading here
 
Listen on your favorite podcast app to all our episodes here

On this topical show, Crystal welcomes Evan Thompkins, STAR Program Specialist with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and Stephanie Van Jacobs, Program Manager at WellPower!
The STAR program offers a promising alternative response to mental health and substance use crises, providing individuals with the support and resources they need while reducing the burden on traditional police response. With strong community support and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Denver residents, the STAR program is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those it serves. As cities across the country grapple with the challenges of addressing these complex social issues, Denver's STAR program serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through community-driven, collaborative solutions.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter/X at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at @finchfrii, find Denver Department of Public Health & Environment at @DDPHE and WellPower at @WeAreWellPower.
 
Resources
Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) Program | City and County of Denver
 
Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) | WellPower
 
2022 Mid-Year Report | Support Team Assisted Response (STAR)
 
“Denver successfully sent mental health professionals, not police, to hundreds of calls” by Grace Hauck from USA Today
 
“These First-Responder Superheroes Don’t Wear Capes or Even Uniforms” by Matt Levin from Oprah Daily
 
“Denver's STAR set to expand amid tension over its future” by Esteban L. Hernandez from Axios

“As STAR expands, community members feel left out of planning. Here’s why it matters.” by Victoria Carodine from Rocky Mountain PBS

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Staff Reporter for Real Change and creator of the Gossip Guy newsletter, Guy Oron!
They discuss:
Washington's Ban on High-Capacity Magazines Ruled Unconstitutional
Three New GOP Initiatives
Boeing Whistleblower Raises Safety Concerns
Seattle City Councilmembers Call for Improvements to Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Levy Faces Scrutiny
Alternative Response Plans Hindered by Police Union Agreement
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Guy Oron, at @GuyOron and gossipguy.net.
 
Resources
“State Legislative Session Falls Short on Housing As Seattle Comprehensive Plan Process Ramps Up” from Hacks & Wonks
 
“WA’s ban on high-capacity gun magazines ruled unconstitutional” by David Gutman from The Seattle Times
 
“State GOP chair files 3 new initiatives to WA voters” by Claire Withycombe from The Seattle Times
 
“New Boeing whistleblower alleges serious structural flaws on 787 and 777 jets” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times
 
“Boeing’s long fall, and how it might recover” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times
 
@typewriterally on Twitter/X: At a meeting of the 34th District Dems tonight, both CM Rob Saka and Tanya Woo, when asked about the Seattle Comp Plan, say they hope Mayor Harrell improves the plan before it gets to council. "This is not Alternative 5," Saka says. "We need to do better."
 
Transportation Levy Proposal | Share your input by April 26
 
“Harrell Proposes Modest $1.35 Billion Transportation Levy Renewal” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist
 
“Advocates Urge City to Adopt More Ambitious, Less Car-Centric Transportation Levy” by Erica Barnett from PubliCola
 
“Transportation Levy Needs to Put us on Track to meet our Climate, Safety, and Equity Goals” from Seattle Neighborhood Greenways
 
“Proposed Contract Kills Any Hope for Real Police Alternatives in Seattle” by Ashley Nerbovig from The Stranger
 
Find stories that Crystal is reading here
 
Listen on your favorite podcast app to all our episodes here