austin

Austin

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

nashville

Nashville

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

seattle

Seattle

twincities

Twin Cities

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Seattle

Liam Billingham

Today we welcomed Mayor Katie Wilson to the show. We have been a 

 than Katie Wilson has been the mayor, so it feels a little bit like we’ve grown up together. Here’s a little preview of what Jane and Katie talked about:

🏙️ How has it been going from organizer to mayor?

  ”From business to labor to community organizations… there's more of a need to have some kind of relationship where you're able to work together even if you don't always agree on things, and that is kind of the baseline that I've been trying to establish with everyone.”

  ”The sense that I have is that the response from Seattle residents is really overwhelmingly positive. I think there's a wide recognition in Seattle that we need to make our transit system work, right? Seattle voters have consistently, overwhelmingly supported funding transit, and I think we all know that when we're putting our public funding into something, we wanna make sure that it works well.”

⏸️ Hitting pause on surveillance expansion: “

Moving forward I want to get a much clearer sense of the legitimate place of surveillance technology in our larger public safety system. What are the limits of that? How can we make sure that we have as good as possible protections in place?... Surveillance should be a very small, modest part of public safety.”

That’s just a little bit of what they cover. But there’s also AI-policy, Ballard encampments, car-free park weekends, and a lot more. 

Jane talks to Mayor Wilson about surveillance, public interest, AI, and more for the City Cast Seattle podcast

Mayor Katie Wilson Responds to Critics

Mayor Katie Wilson Responds to Her Critics

Local News

Sam J Leeds

Laurelhurst discourse has spread across Seattle like wildfire over the last week. It boils down to the resurfacing of a decades-old agreement between the residents of Laurelhurst and Seattle Children’s Hospital. The agreement limits the number of medical helicopter flights that can land at the Laurelhurst hospital, due to concerns about noise and wind disturbances apparently outweighing children’s medical emergencies. 

Seattle Children’s is the go-to hospital for specialized pediatric care for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Currently, only the most serious cases are allowed to land at the hospital. The rest land 1.2 miles away at the University of Washington’s Graves Field and ride in an ambulance the rest of the way. Laurelhurst neighbors the hospital and is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city with the median household income sitting above the census’ $250,000 threshold.

In the 1980s Seattle Children’s began trying out medical airlift programs using helicopters to get around the traffic. The hospital was given a conditional-use permit from the City, but neighbors tried everything they could to block the project including lobbying the state legislature to enact laws that would make it harder for hospitals all over the state to build helipads

In 1992, the Seattle City Council granted formal approval of the helipad. However, as a compromise most flights were directed to Graves Field at UW, unless the emergency was… extra emergent. Plus, they created a Helicopter Advisory Committee (two doctors, two members of the community, and two officials from the City and the County) to review the “clinical rationale” for each landing decision.

Though this agreement is 30 years old, it apparently gained attention again because of 

a now-deleted thread by a helicopter pilot on X

 (FKA Twitter), then Reddit picked it up, then the 

 began. In a statement last week, the hospital said it receives “3 or fewer helicopter transports per week” and that nearly all of those patients are admitted to an intensive care unit. Laurelhurst Community Council’s website went down shortly after this discourse bloomed again, but The Stranger has the details on their meeting minutes. [

Here's a detailed breakdown of the history between Seattle Children's Hospital and their Laurelhurst neighbors, including what's going on now

What’s Up With Seattle Children’s and Laurelhurst?

Did you know WA gas prices are among the highest nationally? Yesterday, the average price per gallon for regular gas in Washington was $5.39 – that’s higher than most gas prices across the country. Washington drivers already pay among the 

. For the first time in four years, the national average is above $4/gallon, so local drivers are really feeling the pinch. [

Drivers turn to tribal stations for lower prices: 

Washington tribes retain a portion of fuel tax revenue collected on gas sold at their stations. This, combined with other tax agreements, enable tribal stations to offer lower prices than most surrounding businesses — and many drivers say they are going out of their way to fill up at those stations. [

 About 20% of the world's oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, so any 

 can quickly drive up prices worldwide. But war leading to these global disruptions in oil supply are just part of the picture. Our state’s gas prices are higher than most of the country already due to policies like our high gas tax (55.4 cents per gallon, in addition to 18.4 cents in federal gas taxes) and Washington’s cap-and-invest carbon program. Taken together, Axios reports this adds roughly $1 per gallon. [

 stations in the city, and I’m glad to see my trusty ARCO station is top of the list at $5.29 (a still eye-ball popping number). Liam suggests Costco gas as a slightly more affordable option. And Ashley says now might be a good time to pay in cash. Or, as Jane likes to remind us, it’s even cheaper to take public transit or free to ride your bike – and with the sun out, now’s a good time to start.

Did we miss anything important? Have a good spot or tip for us? Send an email to seattle@citycast.fm

The latest news about local gas prices and tips from our team on how to find more affordable gas in Seattle

Where To Find the Cheapest Gas

Tips for Finding the Lowest Gas Prices in Town

City Cast Seattle Staff

Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host — their knack for spotting what matters proved them to be a reliable voice for 2025’s biggest local stories. Now, we’re turning to them to forecast what’s in store for 2026. From political shifts to data centers, their perspectives offer a candid preview of the issues and surprises that could shape our hometowns.

Curious what’s around the corner? Catch their unique insights 

, where all 13 hosts predicted this year’s biggest stories. Here’s a preview of that conversation:

Zohran Mamdani’s election in New York has energized Democratic Socialists across the U.S. 

 with the election of Katie Wilson, but it’s yet to be seen if she has the same star power or sway inside City Hall.

City Cast Seattle host Jane C. Hu says the linchpin of Wilson’s election is likely to come with this summer’s FIFA World Cup, as advocates for the city’s unhoused population watch whether Wilson will sweep encampments as previous mayors have.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what she decides there, because there's going to be tension between what people elected her for and what action she’s actually able to take,” Hu says.

Many City Cast cities are seeing a surge in data center development. “It’s going to be a doozy” of a conversation in 2026, as our CEO David Plotz pointed out.

In Madison, the mayor and much of the City Council last year proposed a 

one-year moratorium on zoning certificates

 for new data centers while they try to better understand how data centers could impact the electric grid and energy bills. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin says Madisonians are “up in arms.”

“Folks are concerned that this might be a bubble, that this could be another dot-com bubble where Silicon Valley folks rush in, move to scale, and then they’re like, let’s abandon ship,” Martin says.

But aren’t data centers great for the economy? Plotz 

, suggesting that data centers contributed to the tech economy in Washington, D.C. Well, that got the group fired up.

“We’re also talking about doing it in really beautiful green spaces that we don’t want to be cluttered with this kind of nonsense,” says City Cast Pittsburgh host, Megan Harris.

And the conversation didn’t end there. From an affordability crisis to massive infrastructure changes, here’s what each of our hosts predicted for this year’s biggest news.

 gives Democrats a safe congressional seat — and candidates are chomping at the bit to announce their bids. But now that they don’t have to court Republican voters, Salt Lake is wondering: Could Democrats explore Mamdani-level progressivism?

. There’s a housing crisis, a stagnant population, and a nearly 50-year-old reputation for economic gloom they can’t seem to outrun. Tax increases may help, but Pittsburgh’s got to figure out how to attract more people if the city ever wants to really evolve.

? With rising homelessness, controversial city spending, and Austin voters overwhelmingly rejecting Prop Q, which would have raised property taxes, Austinites will be focused on what the city is spending on and why it’s not being spent more equitably.

. With real estate investment lagging, downtown Portland will likely see an increase in unique, temporary, and creative storefronts as property managers and the city will shift toward a “punk rock mall” model.

, which could open the door to a competitive primary and potentially transform a new generation of Democratic leadership.

The Twin Cities, a longtime hub for legal immigration, is facing rising tension as 

ICE continues to target the Somali community

. One Republican state representative has already spoken out against Trump’s rhetoric, but there are also voices supporting the president’s language. Which way will things shift in 2026?

Elon Musk’s The Boring Company is building twin 9.5-mile 

 between downtown Nashville and the airport, with future extensions proposed. Is this the right move for Nashvillians? In 2026, locals will continue to question safety, oversight, and a lack of geological testing, especially considering the city’s limestone terrain is vulnerable to sinkholes.

Denver wants to help build new stadiums for the Broncos

 and its first National Women's Soccer League team, sparking debates over public funding, community benefits, and transparency. Pushback includes concerns about backroom deals and threats from NWSL owners to leave if demands aren’t met. The teams are promising huge economic impacts for the whole city. We expect Denver to look very different in the years to come.

 is uncertain amid mass firings, agencies possibly relocating, and a Supreme Court case threatening civil service rules. The city’s economy, housing market, and politics all hinge on whether the federal workforce remains.

 in our lifetime. Driven by increased marketing efforts and major events, including an NCAA tournament, MLB All-Star Game, FIFA World Cup, and the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, Philly is determined to expose the world to the city.

Nevada’s new crime bill, which goes into effect this year, will allow judges to “order out” anyone with a criminal charge from the 

. What are the implications for the city’s tourist corridor when individual rights are sacrificed for the goal of encouraging tourism? And how could similar bills affect tourism nationwide?

Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host. So we’re turning to all 13 of our hosts, including Seattle's Jane C. Hu, who are sharing the biggest stories shaping their hometowns in 2026.

2026 Predictions for Seattle and Across the City Cast Network

The Biggest Stories We Predict for Seattle in 2026

Ashley Smith

Excessive rain and wind in Washington State has led to flooding, landslides, and evacuations in our area. River levees have given out, roads and highways have been closed, and thousands of people have been affected. We’ve put together a list of resources for flood victims and hope you’ll be able to find something helpful here. For live updates, we recommend 

Call 9-1-1 for emergencies and track the 

 also lets you check evacuation levels near you.

 for homeowners on getting financial relief after the flood.

 its grounds to livestock threatened by flooding.

 and tips on how to fill and stack them effectively.

The Red Cross allows you to donate directly to 

The Washington Secretary of State runs the 

, which ensures donations go to organizations doing active work on the ground.

The Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group has a 

 to help those specifically in Whatcom County.

, a grant program from Neighborhood Farmers Markets that has previously provided over $790,000 to date to assist small farms facing disasters.

Donate to the local affiliates for United Way through the Skagit County 

Did we miss anything? Let us know by sending an email to seattle@citycast.fm

Resources, maps, shelters, funds, and other useful information regarding the historic flooding near Seattle, Washington.

Emergency Shelters and Funds for Those Affected by Flooding in Washington State

Flood Resources and How To Help Victims

On Nov. 6, the Supreme Court temporarily allowed the Trump administration to block trans, nonbinary, and intersex people from choosing passport sex markers that align with their gender. The ruling halts a lower-court order and lets the administration enforce the policy while a lawsuit (

) works its way through the courts—a process that could take five years or longer.

Sex markers only began appearing on passports in the mid-70s, and the federal government started allowing them to be changed with medical documentation in the early ‘90s. For many trans, non-binary, and intersex travelers, this Supreme Court decision creates real safety concerns, as mismatching sex markers on passports can effectively out them.

City Cast Seattle spoke with Bryanna Jenkins from the 

, a Seattle-based organization that provides policy and legal advocacy as well as wraparound supportive housing to the state’s Black and Indigenous gender diverse communities. Bryanna shared advice for navigating this moment, which City Cast Seattle has summarized:

If I live in Seattle and need to get or renew a passport, what do I do?

If you were born in Washington state, you can request 

an amendment to the sex listed on your birth certificate

Many local banks offer free notary services to their customers.

If you have never received a passport before, you can apply for one with this updated birth certificate, and 

 be able to receive a passport with the correct gender marker.

Because the State Department will have any previous passports, including sex markers on file, they will default to those.

What if I have an “X” sex marker on my passport and I want to change it?

If you were issued an “X” passport in the last year, and this latest ruling means safety is a concern, you can submit a DS-5504 to change your marker back to “F” or “M” for free.

However, the State Department will only issue a marker that aligns with your sex at birth, and do have access to the marker on your last passport.

If you want to keep what you have, you do have time! The State Department only started issuing “X” markers in 2022, meaning the oldest passports with an X won’t expire until 2032.

What if I wasn’t born in Washington and can’t change my birth certificate, or already have a passport on file with the State Department?

Washington State still has its own laws when it comes to state-issued IDs.

You can still update your driver's license in Washington with an M, F, or X on your WA ID, as well as the enhanced ID that allows you to travel to Canada.

You can also use your enhanced ID for travel within the US.

The Washington Department of Licensing has all the information you'll need for this process 

To request a change to a standard ID in person, make an appointment at your 

. Bring your current license or state ID card and verbally confirm your gender.

To request a change to an enhanced ID in person, you’ll also make an appointment at your 

. Bring your current license or ID and a completed 

change of gender designation request form

How long until this case makes its way through the courts for a "final" ruling?

If similar cases are any indication, it could take five years or longer for the case to work its way through the court system. In the meantime, the Supreme Court ruling only applies to the preliminary injunction.

This slowness can feel frustrating and confusing, and also the pace gives advocates time to shift public opinion and support. Though if the case goes back to the Supreme Court, it would make sense to assume the justices would decide the merits of the case along the same ideological lines as the opinion stated in the Nov. 6 majority opinion.

Bryanna advises that decisions around documentation should attempt to balance safety and dignity: “You have to ultimately do what feels safest for you, especially if you are someone who has to travel a lot. The goal is to get in and get out safely. Because things are heightened right now, we want to make sure we're moving in ways that can go under the radar. If you want to buck up against the system, that's up to you.”

In other words, as Dean Spade said in an interview on the podcast 

, “The most important place to want to see ourselves reflected in our genders is with each other, and not with the government. … There's no shame or blame in choosing whatever is slightly safer for you.”

How to navigate passport gender markers in WA

What Should Washingtonians Do About Passport Gender Markers?

Lovers of smaller bands, comedy acts, and offbeat cinematic gems you can’t see anywhere else in Seattle will now be without two places to do so, as the 

Staff at the Crocodile confirmed to City Cast Seattle that they were emailed by management last Monday about an all-hands meeting on Tuesday where the upcoming closures were then announced. The date for the closure is potentially as early as mid-December, though the calendars on the respective venues’ ticketing websites had shows until 2026 remaining up as of Monday morning.

In response to an inquiry from City Cast Seattle, management declined to comment.

The news represents a significant setback for what was supposed to be a period of vibrant new life for the Crocodile. In 2020 they 

announced they had hosted their last show at their original home in Belltown

, the location where iconic local bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam once graced the stage. The venue 

 with a main 750-capacity showroom upstairs, the 300-capacity downstairs venue Madame Lou's, as well as the 100-seat theater and comedy club Here-After. Dropping the theater and comedy club is a considerable downsizing that will leave yet another gap in the arts for a city still trying to bounce back from the pandemic.

Leigh Bezezekoff, the Co-Director of the 

Washington Nightlife Music Association (WANMA)

, a trade organization for the state’s live music, performance and nightlife venue workers, told City Cast in an interview that losing these spaces hurts working musicians and audiences alike.

“It’s absolutely devastating. We were really excited about them opening and taking that leap to open a bigger space because it offered more diversity,” Bezezekoff said. “It’s heartbreaking when any music ecosystem loses their small rooms because that is a building ground for so many artists of all genres to work out, get experience on stages, connect with fans and build their fanbase.”

As much as this is a story of losing venues, it’s also part of 

to the first statewide music census released this month by WANMA

, Washington’s musicians only earn 29% of their income from music, with nearly half of the state’s artists considering relocation due to housing costs. This is despite the music sector directly contributing $6.4 billion annually to the state’s GDP, which is nearly six times what’s contributed by spectator sports at $1.2 billion. Bezezekoff said this is but one data point of many capturing the perilous state of the industry.