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Weekend Listen: PNW Bosnian community celebrates the World Cup, tiny forests are sprouting up in WA, and citizen scientists are counting pikas in the Columbia River Gorge.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms throughout the Northwest. Bosnia and Herzegovina fans celebrated as their national soccer team made history in Seattle this week. The country made it the furthest they’ve been in the World Cup. Northwest News Network contributor Grace Madigan has more about what it means to the Bosnian community in the Northwest. Tiny, pocket forests are sprouting up all around Washington state. On old, abandoned fields and in people’s backyards. These forests are meant to mimic nature and to grow quickly. It also helps increase biodiversity. NWPB’s Courtney Flatt takes us to one of the Yakama Nation’s mini-forests. American pikas are an ’indicator species.’ If they’re doing OK, there’s a good chance the local ecosystem is doing OK. That’s one reason why the Oregon Zoo and other groups are looking for people this summer to go out and count pikas. OPB’s Kristian Foden-Vencil has the story. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Evening Headlines

WA, CA, and Quebec form joint carbon market, WA faces yet another massive budget gap, and Seattle's World Cup match featuring Iran is deeply political and personal for many Iranian Americans living in the Puget Sound region.  It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

REVIEW | Where to Eat an Unforgettable Roadside Meal in Rainier Valley

Once visited by the late Anthony Bourdain, Rainier Restaurant has something special for summer weekend diners.

Nickelsville to Open Rainier Valley Tiny House Village After Long Delays

After years of delays and political battles, Nickelsville's Brighton Village will soon welcome its first residents, bringing 14 tiny homes and a self-governed shelter community to Rainier Valley.

Casual Pride-day with Jas Keimig and Betty Wetter

This week: It’s our annual Pride month special. And is anti-LGBTQ legislation raining on the parade? Is the World Cup? What about the actual rain? And what's in and what's out this Pride Month. Arts writer Jas Keimig and drag artist Betty Wetter break it all down as Seattle enters peak Pride. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Cup Pride Protests, Montlake’s Plan for Permanent Affordable Homes, and Jane’s Three-Ferry Century

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by contributors Marcus Harrison Green and Brett Hamil to discuss the record-setting attendance at the Juneteenth World Cup event last week and the more contentious collision of Pride weekend with the Egypt-Iran match — two countries where being queer can mean facing prison or the death penalty. Then, a proposed Seattle City Council bill could turn a former SR-520 Bridge staging area into permanently affordable homes priced starting at $250K. But who actually qualifies? And Jane wonders, can nonprofits be trusted to manage this land for decades? Finally, the three talk about weekend plans ranging from seeing Supergirl in theaters, a magazine launch party, and Jane’s three-ferry century bike ride. Oh, and if you’re a City Cast neighbor, it’s bonus segment day! Jane is joined by producers Liam and Sam to discuss a new robot built by a Seattle startup that “wants to be your kid’s classroom buddy and your mom’s new friend.” Tune in for a discussion that ranges from the Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House to intergenerational relationships and transhumanism.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Woodland Park Zoo Seattle Restored Washington State Fair Argosy Cruises Grand Central Bakery Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Thursday Evening Headlines

Federal judge sides with WA over Trump's vote-by-mail order, bargaining begins between Seattle Public Schools and teachers union, and The Walrus and the Carpenter and unionized staff reach a tentative agreement to end strike. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Patricia Murphy. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SPD May Slow Hiring in 2026 Amid Budget, Training Challenges

Seattle police hiring could slow despite rising officer numbers, as budget pressures and training bottlenecks reshape staffing plans that could affect response across neighborhoods, including the South End.

This forensic scientist gives the deceased back their names

When someone dies in King County, without identification or family to claim them, State Forensic Anthropologist Benjamin J. Figura steps in to help solve the mystery. We talk with him about the work. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why the Walrus and the Carpenter Closed and an Update on the Grand Cinema's Threat

Today on the pod, host Jane C. Hu is joined by regular contributor Chase Hutchinson and newsletter writer and journalist Harry Cheadle to talk about the latest strikes at The Walrus and The Carpenter and Hilton Hotels, including the very unusual decision for management at the Ballard spot to drop anonymized compensation for some of their workers. Then they talk about the upsetting news from Tacoma that a threat was called into the city’s Grand Cinema and how the community rallied around the beloved venue. Finally, the trio talks about a medley of news, including record Lime scooter rentals last weekend, Katie Wilson meeting with the Seattle film commission, and updates on park rangers at The Enchantments this summer. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode: Woodland Park Zoo Seattle Restored Washington State Fair Argosy Cruises Grand Central Bakery Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Wednesday Evening Headlines

Bill Gates suspects Epstein tried to blackmail him according to newly released testimony, activists sue to protect the sunflower sea star, and the AI boom is driving interest in nuclear energy. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COLUMN | In Rainier Beach, Not Every Gunshot Means Danger - But It Feels Like It