Twihards Help Quileute Tribe, Archie McPhee Owner Changes Course, and AI Enters Civics
Today on the podcast, Jane is joined by contributor Brett Hamil and creative producer Liam Billingham, both non-robots. Jane runs down the Archie McPhee saga, and then Liam, Brett, and Jane discuss owner Mark Pahlow’s apology, as well as discuss what responsibility consumers have in knowing what their money is supporting. Then the trio discuss former Councilmember Sarah Nelson’s new initiative, CivicTide, which uses AI to track city council legislation and “solve for the hassle of civic engagement.” They discuss the challenges of civic engagement, ways to improve how our city reports information, and why the ‘neutral’ style of AI isn’t really neutral.
Finally, Jane is joined by journalist Lyric Aquino to discuss how Twilight fans are helping to support the Quileute tribe, who inspired details for the hit films and now must move their village out of a tsunami zone.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 23rd episode:
Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at seattle@citycast.fm. 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.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Seattle and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Seattle Expands Civil Rights, a Dynamic Pricing Ban Has Safeway Making Threats, and Amtrak Trains Get a Glow-Up
City Council and Mayor Wilson have been busy: a landmark ordinance protecting polyamorous people and diverse family structures just passe...

Why Starting a Publishing House is Punk. Plus, E-Scooter Safety and Listener Mailbag
Today on the podcast, it’s all about books! Jane is joined by Diana Le, writer and publisher at Girl Noise Press, and Katie Lee Ellison,...

Is Seattle Overly Reliant on Big Tech Money? Plus, a Novel You’ll Finish in a Day
With all the headlines in the last few weeks, it’s hard to parse what is happening with AI – the bot swarms, the threats to humanity (?!)...

What’s Your Absurd Seattle Documentary Idea? Plus, Local Sightings at NWFF
Today on the podcast, Jane is joined by Camille Hermida-Fuentes, co-director of the Local Sightings Film Festival at Northwest Film Forum...

What It Takes to Raise a Kid in King County Right Now
City Cast Partner Studios presents Weaving Our Future: Stories for a Fair Economy, a five-part series on what a fair economy looks like i...

Recess Shrinking, Macklemore Dropped, and WA's Trees Are Under Attack. Plus, Mayor Wilson's Gun Violence Plan
A beautiful but deadly beetle has arrived in Washington for the first time, and host Jane C. Hu talks with Daria Gosztyla, an urban and...

Can We Eat Lettuce Again? Plus, Where To Get a Pumpkin Spice Latte
Jane’s back from vacation! And she needs to know what’s going on, so contributors Lex Vaughn and Hannah Krieg join to update her on all s...

What Does Public Safety Really Mean? Plus, Community Garden Origin Stories and Goodbye to Spot Saver
For Brett Hamil’s last day as fill-in host, contributor Guy Oron and producer Sam J Leeds join to dig into the real numbers behind Seattl...

SPS Budget Realities and Students Using AI. Plus, Do Bite of Seattle Texts Vindicate Mayor Wilson?
With school (almost not) back in session, Brett is joined by Seattle Times Reporter Claire Bryan to discuss the school year that almost w...

Dr. Doom Crashes City Council, Cybercabs Start Test Driving, and the UW Parking Garage Skaters Love
Brett Hamil is back as guest host to explain why a supervillain showed up to give public comment at a Seattle City Council meeting and ot...
