Citizen Tacoma

Mar 26 2025 100 ep. 46 mins 166
Citizen Tacoma Podcast artwork

Citizen Tacoma explores how Tacoma's local politics function and how regular people get involved to make change. We talk to elected officials, candidates, activists, organizers, and learn how to engage and make government work for us.

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Tacoma Streets Initiative with Councilmember Kristina Walker

Mar 26 2025 31 mins  
What's happening with Tacoma's streets? An initiative would help fund continued street improvements. What happened with the last one? How are our streets doing? And what will it cost? Whenever we have transportation questions, we turn to Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker. Tune in. Links Kristina Walker Yes to Prop 1 Channel 253 membership

Lowell Wyse, Tacoma Tree Foundation

Feb 04 2025 41 mins  
On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, we sit down with Lowell Wyse, executive director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation. We talk about Tacoma's urban forest, the canopy, protections for heritage trees, "Home in Tacoma," making 2025 the year of the tree, and much more. Links Tacoma Tree Foundation Channel 253 membership

Looking back at Tacoma’s 2024, with Evelyn Lopez

Dec 30 2024 63 mins  
Longtime Channel 253 host Evelyn Lopez joins the podcast to look back at Tacoma's 2024 and chat about the year ahead. We also look back at some highlights of the podcast Crossing Division. Note, we recorded this earlier in December before the board of Metro Parks called a special meeting to appoint Alisa Lee to the board. Evelyn was correct! They decided to handle this before they

Representing Tacoma’s District 2, Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh

Dec 16 2024 43 mins  
Sarah Rumbaugh represents District 2 in Tacoma. On this episode, we go on-location to Cremello Cafe to talk about vandalism and small businesses in Tacoma. We also discuss homelessness, grease traps, Tacoma's tree canopy, "structural deficits," and much more. Enjoy this episode with Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh. Links Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh Channel 253 membership

Representing Tacoma’s District 4, meet Councilmember Sandesh Sadalge

Dec 11 2024 36 mins  
Sandesh Sadalge was appointed to represent Tacoma's District 4 after the passing of Catherine Ushka earlier this year. On this episode of Citizen Tacoma, Councilmember Sadalge shares his story: what brought him to Tacoma and what's happening in District 4 and on the City Council. We dive into grease traps (not literally), Home in Tacoma Phase 2, and Tacoma's tree canopy. Enjoy this

Tacoma Fire, with Local 31 president Allyson Hinzman

Nov 28 2024 32 mins  
Today's guest is Tacoma firefighter and union president Allyson Hinzman. She talks about how she moved from corporate America to firefighting in her hometown and then lays out the challenges she sees with Tacoma's ability to respond to fires and medical emergencies, specifically in light of next year's City of Tacoma budget proposals. Links Tacoma IAFF Local 31 Channel 253 membe

Election security with Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer

Nov 01 2024 28 mins  
On this special edition of Citizen Tacoma, Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer joins the podcast to talk about election and ballot security with host Erik Hanberg and Sound Producer Doug. We discuss drop boxes, the security at the election center, voter tabulation, misinformation and much more. Linda also brings some trivia questions! Enjoy Links Pierce County Elections About L

Marty Campbell, candidate for Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer

Oct 07 2024 22 mins  
We've got a pair of candidate interviews for you! We invited the two candidates for Assessor-Treasurer to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the role. This is an often overlooked race, but it's just the kind of wonky civic topic we like to tackle at Citizen Tacoma. This interview is with Marty Campbell. Tune in to this interview and then check out all the rest of the can

Kent Keel, candidate for Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer

Oct 07 2024 31 mins  
We've got a pair of candidate interviews for you! We invited the two candidates for Assessor-Treasurer to sit down with Citizen Tacoma and talk about the role. This is an often overlooked race, but it's just the kind of wonky civic topic we like to tackle at Citizen Tacoma. This interview is with Kent Keel. Tune in to this interview and then check out all the rest of the candidat

Back to school with Director Lisa Keating, Tacoma Public Schools

Sep 07 2024 49 mins  
Lisa Keating, one of the five Tacoma school board members, joins Citizen Tacoma for a Back-to-School-themed episode. We check in on what's happening with the district, including graduation rates, online schools, meals, the partnership with the Port, school calendar and holidays, and much more. Links Lisa Keating and the school board Channel 253 membership