The Northwest Politicast

Jeff Pohjola
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola will explore the issues and politics of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most.

  1. 4d ago

    Police Camera Backlash Reaches Renton

    Concerns over privacy and potential abuse are prompting communities across the country to rethink automated license plate readers, and Renton could be next. Jeff talks with ABC’s Jim Ryan about the backlash against Flock Safety cameras, allegations that officers have used the technology outside their professional duties, and new safeguards the company says will make searches more accountable. The debate now comes down to whether those changes are enough to restore public trust as Renton prepares to vote on whether to keep its Flock contract. PLUS: With the midterms about two and a half months away, President Donald Trump’s poll numbers are sinking. ABC News political analyst Steve Roberts explains why concerns over the economy, inflation and the war in Iran are beginning to test even some voters who previously backed Trump, while Democrats hold an advantage in the generic congressional ballot but face their own challenges with turnout, redistricting and candidate selection. AND: Amazon is confronting a new labor and regulatory challenge in New York City. Bloomberg’s Spencer Soper explains a proposal that would require Amazon to directly employ thousands of delivery workers now hired through subcontractors, why supporters think that could strengthen worker protections and union organizing, and how Amazon could respond if New York adopts the plan. The episode also looks at the effort to recall Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

  2. Aug 1

    Mayor Wilson’s Political Crisis Deepens

    The fatal shooting at the Bite of Seattle has left three people dead, four wounded, suspects still being sought, and Mayor Katie Wilson facing a deepening political crisis. Jeff talks with Northwest Newsradio anchor Scott Carty about the five-hour delay before officials briefed the public, breakdowns between the mayor’s office and Seattle police, the departure of Police Chief Barnes, and why city leaders and residents say they still do not have the answers they need. PLUS: The discovery of a ghost gun and an illegally modified automatic weapon at the shooting scene is renewing debate over gun laws and public safety. Former FBI special agent in charge Rich Frankel explains what makes a weapon a ghost gun, why it is harder to trace, and how investigators can still use ballistics and other forensic evidence to connect firearms to a crime. AND: Andre Sayles takes over as Seattle’s interim police chief as detectives continue searching for multiple suspects. Jeff looks at Sayles’ background, the latest on the investigation, and two difficult legal paths that could be used to remove a Seattle mayor from office. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

  3. Jul 17

    Election Claims, Speech Bets, and UFO Files

    President Trump is again raising doubts about American elections, this time in a primetime speech ahead of the midterms. Jeff talks with ABC’s Steven Portnoy about the president’s claims involving China, voter databases, noncitizens, dead voters and the SAVE America Act. Portnoy explains what the newly released documents do and do not show, why stolen voter data is not the same as altered votes, and why the president’s claims conflict with assessments his own intelligence officials gave him in 2021. PLUS: A White House teleprompter operator is under investigation for allegedly using advance access to President Trump’s speeches to place bets on prediction markets. ABC’s Peter Charalambous explains how the operator allegedly wagered on more than a dozen Trump speeches, including the State of the Union, and how the president’s tendency to go off script may have even cost him money. AND: The push to end the twice-yearly clock change gets another chance in Congress, but permanent daylight saving time still faces questions in the Senate. Then, ABC’s Jim Ryan walks through the Pentagon’s latest release of UFO, or UAP, files, including newly declassified videos, images and documents that are intriguing, but still far from proof of alien life. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

  4. Jul 11

    Trump Threatens to Stall Bills Over SAVE Act

    President Donald Trump is threatening not to sign legislation until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, tying a broadly supported bipartisan housing bill to his push for sweeping changes to federal election rules. Jeff talks with ABC’s Allie Pecorin about the president’s standoff with Congress, why the housing bill could still become law without his signature, and why the SAVE America Act faces a much tougher path in the Senate despite Republican control of both chambers. PLUS: A U.S. Olympian is now facing a felony charge tied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool controversy. ABC’s Steven Portnoy explains the case against David Hearn, his not guilty plea, the allegations surrounding damage to the pool, and why his attorney argues the Trump Administration is trying to shift blame for a botched repair project that had already become a political headache. AND: Israeli intelligence is reportedly warning of credible threats against President Trump from Iran, including a possible bounty and assassination threat. Former FBI special agent in charge Rich Frankel explains how U.S. intelligence would assess and try to confirm that kind of information. The episode also looks at Mitch McConnell’s extended hospitalization and what his absence means for a closely divided Senate. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

  5. Jun 27

    Cost of Living Looms Over Midterms

    The midterm elections are four months away, and the latest Quinnipiac polling shows warning signs for President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans and Democrats. Jeff talks with ABC News polling director Emily Guskin about what voters are saying on cost of living, health care, immigration, birthright citizenship, transgender athletes and the economy. The numbers show broad agreement on some issues, deep partisan divides on others and a political environment where voters are unhappy with nearly everyone in power. PLUS: The U.S. Supreme Court issues two major immigration rulings while the country waits for a decision on birthright citizenship. ABC’s Steven Portnoy explains why the justices sided with the Trump Administration on asylum access at the border and temporary protected status for Haitians and Syrians already living legally in the United States. AND: Washington’s budget outlook is getting worse. New taxes are adding money to the state forecast, but weaker economic expectations, slower job growth and lower personal income are cutting projected collections by nearly a billion dollars through 2031. Jeff also previews America Northwest, Scott Carty’s Fourth of July special celebrating the Northwest’s contributions to the country. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

  6. Jun 19

    Iran Deal Sparks Criticism as Inflation Worries Grow

    President Donald Trump is back from overseas touting a new memorandum of understanding with Iran, but not everyone is buying it. Jeff breaks down the 14-point agreement with ABC’s Steven Portnoy, including immediate sanctions relief, Iran’s pledge on nuclear weapons, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days, and plans for a $300 billion international fund tied to Iran’s economic development. The deal is drawing criticism from regional allies, Democrats, and some Republicans, even as Trump dismisses opponents as foolish, jealous, or stupid. PLUS: The U.S. economy may be facing another round of headwinds. ABC News reporter Mason Leath explains why the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady but is now weighing the possibility of rate hikes as inflation concerns grow. Oil prices, tariffs, gas prices, and the aftermath of the Iran conflict are all part of the picture, and the result could be more uncertainty for American households heading into the midterms. AND: The World Cup is raising fresh security concerns in an era of political violence and drone warfare. ABC News crime and terrorism analyst Brad Garrett looks at the reported plot to attack a White House UFC event, what it says about the growing threat of drones, and why major venues, including Lumen Field, will need layered defenses as the tournament continues. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

  7. Jun 13

    World Cup Kicks Off as Seattle Confronts Bigger Issues

    The World Cup is underway, and Seattle is about to take its turn on the global stage. Jeff looks at the politics, economics and security concerns surrounding the tournament with reporting from Denise Whitaker, including her conversation with UW Bothell professor Ron Krabill, director of the UW Global Sport Lab. Krabill explains how soccer can be used as a tool for diplomacy and economic development, why the benefits of hosting are more complicated than a single visitor or revenue number, and how questions about security, protest rights, ICE and human rights are likely to follow the tournament from city to city. PLUS: Seattle leaders are promising a new crackdown on violence, prostitution and sex trafficking along Aurora Avenue in North Seattle. KOMO’s Jeremy Harris breaks down the city’s plan, including targeted street closures, more visible police patrols, more gun-case prosecution and possible extreme risk protection orders aimed at people found with guns in the corridor. Scott Carty also highlights the “Poison the Fantasy” campaign, a local effort aimed at reducing demand for sex trafficking by forcing buyers to confront the damage their actions can cause. AND: World Cup security will be intense, especially with Iran scheduled to play in Seattle during a period of heightened global tension. ABC’s Alex Stone explains what fans can expect around stadiums, hotels and fan zones, including no-fly restrictions, drone detection, federal air marshals and a zero-tolerance approach to unauthorized drones near World Cup events. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

  8. Jun 5

    Republicans Balk, Then Back ICE Funding Bill

    Senate Republicans spent weeks sounding alarms about President Donald Trump’s proposed anti-weaponization fund, but when the votes were counted, most of them still backed a $70 billion immigration enforcement package that does nothing to restrict it. Jeff breaks down the overnight Senate vote with ABC’s Allie Pecorin, including why some Republicans wanted guardrails to stop money from going to people who assaulted police officers on Jan. 6, why those efforts failed, and why Todd Blanche’s claim that the fund is dead may not be the final word. PLUS: Blanche’s path from acting attorney general to permanent attorney general is getting more complicated. ABC’s Peter Charalambous explains why a guilty plea from former national security adviser John Bolton may help Blanche with Trump, while the anti-weaponization fund, the Epstein files and his past work as Trump’s personal attorney could create trouble on Capitol Hill. AND: Climate change is creating new pressure for Washington businesses, farms and communities as the state faces another drought emergency. Brian Calvert reports on shrinking snowpack, early water restrictions and the statewide push to rethink how Washington manages water in a future with more rain in winter, less snow in the mountains and hotter, drier summers. The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most. Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.

See All (29)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola will explore the issues and politics of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Pohjola
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Pohjola
  • Show Website
    The Northwest Politicast

You Might Also Like