The Sunday Lookout

Zac Eckstein
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A weekly podcast featuring national and local stories that matter to everyday people in Southwest Washington State. zaceckstein.substack.com

  1. 5d ago

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 44 - Oct 25, 2026

    The Sunday Lookout, 10/25/2026 This week is the fourth episode in my midterm election series. I’ve already gone through candidates at all levels of government, talked about the initiatives and propositions, and gave a rundown of how to prepare to vote. Today, we’re going to talk all about polls, ballots, and forecasts. First up, I’ll give you a ballot return update from across the state, including rejected ballot rates, and some details about where we’re winning and lacking here in Lewis County. Next, we’ll talk about a problem that’s happened multiple times this year where propositions have been left off ballots. We’ll talk about a hole in state law that could be easily filled to fix that. After that, we’ll look at some issues-based polling. It turns out that the GOP’s strategy to once again make this election all about the culture war is already backfiring badly. Then we’ll look at some national polling about the US House and Senate races and do some debunking after Speaker of the House Mike Johnson visited Chehalis and served up some lies to John Braun supporters. And finally we’ll take a look at the forecast for the Washington State House, where it’s very likely Democrats will gain a supermajority this year. The Senate isn’t far behind, so what’s that mean if we cross both lines? Music I use: Bensound.com License code: HN2TEEIAPTOLPBOU Artist: : Marcus P. Get full access to The Lookout - Dispatches from Rural Washington at zaceckstein.substack.com/subscribe

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 44 - Oct 25, 2026

  2. Oct 18

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 43 - Oct 18, 2026

    The Sunday Lookout, 10/18/2026 This week is the third in my special midterm election series. Ballots are officially out and it’s time to focus on those races closest to home. Now, you’ll notice I’m not talking about the Sheriff’s race this week, and that’s because tonight, Sunday, at 5pm, I’ll be sitting down with Gabe Frase and Tracy Murphy for a livestreamed conversation over on my Facebook page. Tune in for that for all things sheriff. But first up today, we’ll tackle the coroner race. Warren McCleod and Jessica Stickley are battling it out for the top spot at the morgue. I’ll talk about who I think is the better pick. After that, we’ll jump into a race nobody seems to be paying attention to. The PUD District 1 seat is on the ballot, and believe it or not people are running for it. Next, a local contest close to my heart, we’ll talk about the County Commissioner’s race and I’ll share my struggles about making a choice in this one. Then we’ll dive into the statehouse races, starting on the west side of the freeway with LD20, where Andy Zahn and Evan Jones are challenging Peter Abbarno and Ed Orcutt. And then we’ll hop over to LD19, on the other side of the freeway, and check out what Kevin Moynihan and Terry Carlson are up to against current reps Jim Walsh and Joel McEntire. Music I use: Bensound.com License code: HN2TEEIAPTOLPBOU Artist: : Marcus P. Get full access to The Lookout - Dispatches from Rural Washington at zaceckstein.substack.com/subscribe

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 43 - Oct 18, 2026

  3. Oct 11

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 42 - Oct 11, 2026

    The Sunday Lookout, 10/11/2026 Today we’re going to continue our special midterm election series. Ballots haven’t dropped quite yet here in Lewis County, but some counties, like Thurston, have already mailed theirs out. So this week we’ll focus on the choices on our ballot that go beyond Lewis County. First up, we’ll do the big one, the congressional race between John Braun and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. I’ll give you my perspective on the race and the roles I think our electeds should play in DC. Then, let’s get into those state supreme court races. I bet most of you can’t even name more than one of those candidates, so it’s time to study up! Plus, I’ll give you my recommendations. After that, the millionaires tax repeal is having its final moment in the spotlight before ballots drop. I’ll go over why kids will suffer most if this initiative passes and why an income tax isn’t really that scary anyway. Next, a quick recap of the other two initiatives on your ballot. Both of them are trojan horses for dangerous policies also targeting kids, except these ones target LGTBQ+ youth specifically. I’ll remind you why you should vote no. And finally, we’ll talk about Proposition 1, which is the TRL levy lid lift. I wrote a big breakdown of the library system disaster a few months ago, so I’ll give you an update on where we’re at today. Music I use: Bensound.com License code: HN2TEEIAPTOLPBOU Artist: : Marcus P. Get full access to The Lookout - Dispatches from Rural Washington at zaceckstein.substack.com/subscribe

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 42 - Oct 11, 2026

  4. Oct 4

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 41 - Oct 4, 2026

    The Sunday Lookout, 10/4/2026 For the next few weeks, as we all get ready to receive and return our ballots in this very important election, I’ll be focusing on the choices we have and laying out how and why you should vote this month. I’ll be detailing everything from making a voter plan, how our state laws are protecting us, and even who I think you should vote for. We’ll start this week with a bit of history in terms of how Washington became an all-mail-in state, and I’ll explain why it was a Republican loss that set it into motion in the first place. Then we’ll talk about why, and when, Republicans turned on mail-in voting and why it might be wise for them to slowly back away from those positions. After that, we’ll dive into the various ways Trump could still try to disrupt the election this month, how likely each scenario is, and what it would mean for the results both before and after the vote. Next, we’ll zoom in on what exactly a county auditor does, and I’ll give you my official recommendation for who to vote for in Lewis County’s Auditor’s race. And finally, I’ll explain what a voting plan is, and how to make your own, because everyone says you need one, but a lot of people are too afraid to ask what that even means. Music I use: Bensound.com License code: HN2TEEIAPTOLPBOU Artist: : Marcus P. Get full access to The Lookout - Dispatches from Rural Washington at zaceckstein.substack.com/subscribe

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 41 - Oct 4, 2026

  5. Sep 27

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 40 - Sep 27, 2026

    The Sunday Lookout, 9/27/2026 First up today, yet another local lawsuit as a Pe Ell man whose conviction was overturned is suing Lewis County, Sheriff Rob Snaza, and several county officials. The question behind it all is what is supposed to happen when police or prosecutors have evidence that could help the defense? Next, let’s talk about that weather. Friday's windstorm knocked out power, uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and absolutely shredded a structure on my property. They got the forecast right, but just a little too late, especially considering the unique risk a September wind storm brings. After that, The Department of Natural Resources revised its acreage of newly managed lands down by 30%. We'll talk about what changed and why an innovative fundraising campaign near the Elwha River may point toward part of the solution. Then we'll go to DC, where the Trump administration is using an obscure tool called a pocket rescission, for the second time, to cancel about $810 million Congress already approved. It’s the latest attempt to illegally bypass Congress's power of the purse under the guise of cutting waste. And finally, Washington's toxicology labs apparently have about 14,000 cases waiting to be tested. In some drug cases, the evidence can sit in a queue for almost as long as the crime’s statute of limitations. Music I use: Bensound.com License code: HN2TEEIAPTOLPBOU Artist: : Marcus P. Get full access to The Lookout - Dispatches from Rural Washington at zaceckstein.substack.com/subscribe

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 40 - Sep 27, 2026

  6. Sep 20

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 39 - Sep 20, 2026

    The Sunday Lookout, 9/20/2026 First up today, we’ll talk about the new protection order issued against state rep Joel McEntire and why it’s so hard for the ethics board to hold him to account. Next, the 2024 initiative trying to force us into a long-term relationship with natural gas has been deemed unconstitutional, and why the ruling is not just partisan cherry-picking. After that we’ll talk about Pete Serrano, who Trump just illegally appointed to serve as U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, and who most definitely should not be anywhere near federal power. Then we’ll steal some good news out of New Hampshire for some hopeful news here in Washington as a lawsuit there reinstates the Solar for All grants Trump cut last year. And finally we’ll end with a world premiere happening in Centralia, presented by our friends at Amtrak and their new Airo train models. Music I use: Bensound.com License code: HN2TEEIAPTOLPBOU Artist: : Marcus P. Get full access to The Lookout - Dispatches from Rural Washington at zaceckstein.substack.com/subscribe

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 39 - Sep 20, 2026

  7. Sep 13

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 38 - Sep 13, 2026

    The Sunday Lookout, 9/13/2026 First up today, a federal appeals court told the Department of Energy on Friday that it's been abusing its emergency powers to keep coal plants open — and the same day, DOE turned around and did it again right here in Centralia. Then we'll look at the health insurance rate increase the state just approved, which illustrates perfectly how cuts to healthcare subsidies are destroying vital access for those who need it most. After that, the state superintendent wants two billion more dollars for schools in the middle of a big deficit year. And the lawmakers might now have a choice to hand it over if the state constitution has anything to say about it. Next, McClatchy laid off 17 journalists across Washington and Idaho on Thursday, including at the paper that covers Olympia for a big chunk of this region. And last today, a federal judge issued a ruling in the Paul Bromm case, and I want to talk about the underlying piece of it that actually gets to the true heart of the matter. Music I use: Bensound.com License code: HN2TEEIAPTOLPBOU Artist: : Marcus P. Get full access to The Lookout - Dispatches from Rural Washington at zaceckstein.substack.com/subscribe

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 38 - Sep 13, 2026

  8. Sep 6

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 37 - Sep 6, 2026

    The Sunday Lookout, 9/6/2026 First up today, we’ll explore why so many ballots in last month’s primary were not counted, and what November might look like on that front. Then we’ll look ahead to the pending cliff for medicaid recipients and local hospitals and what Governor Ferguson is trying to do to help soften the fall. Next, we’ll look at two very different legislative ethics complaints that carry a throughline not a lot of people are pulling on. After that, we’ll look at why a new system of 2,200 AI-enabled cameras just installed in Thurston County schools is problematic, to say the least. And last today, we’ll talk about the initiative on your ballot this year that’s not about the millionaires tax or girls sports and why it might be the worst of all three of them. Music I use: Bensound.com License code: HN2TEEIAPTOLPBOU Artist: : Marcus P. Get full access to The Lookout - Dispatches from Rural Washington at zaceckstein.substack.com/subscribe

    The Sunday Lookout, Ep 37 - Sep 6, 2026
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About

A weekly podcast featuring national and local stories that matter to everyday people in Southwest Washington State. zaceckstein.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Zac Eckstein
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Zac
  • Show Website
    The Sunday Lookout