So when I saw that Metro Transit had to suspend a route due to safety concerns, it made me angry and sad. The suspended stop is located at 12th Avenue S. and Jackson Street in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. While itā€™s not known as the wealthy neighborhood, there are a lot of hard working people there, small businesses and senior citizens.

The fact that the city couldnā€™t protect their ability to safely catch a bus at their preferred stop is embarrassing and unacceptable.

More on the street closure from Metro Transit: Metro Transit suspends service in Seattleā€™s Little Saigon over safety concerns

The problems in the area are no secret. The Seattle Police Departmentā€™s (SPD) showed an increase in certain crimes this year compared to last. In 2024, 164 aggravated assaults and 74 robberies occurred in that one small neighborhood.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Marjorie Taylor Greeneā€™s ā€˜good ideaā€™ is actually pretty disturbing

Thatā€™s more than one robbery a week and more than a dozen assaults a month. That isnā€™t normal and even though you may not live there, the policies and practices that allow this to happen are something we all should call out.

This time last year many Seattle residents were feeling optimistic. The mayor had a new council in place that leaned more to the center and they talked a good game about public safety.

Seattle Police now have a well-respected interim police chief in Sue Rahr. Yet, here we are.

I canā€™t make assumptions about why; but hereā€™s what I do know for sure: Where there is a will there’s a way. And when the Major League Baseball All-Star Game came to Seattle, the city cleaned up the area fast. The city glistened and shined.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Seattle physician exposes how algorithms in healthcare can negatively impact patient care

Going back further to the pandemic, necessity forced us to adapt and pivot and do things we never imagined.

So make no mistake, the city can solve this and Iā€™m personally asking them to do so. Do for them what you would do for tourists and with the care you would want for your own neighborhood.

The government should work harder on this issue, so that vulnerable people impacted, donā€™t have to.

Angela Poe Russell is a Seattle-based media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more of her commentaries and storiesĢżhere

If youā€™ve never heard of a TED Talk, itā€™s a platform that showcases expert speakers on a variety of topics. My friend, Dr. Michelle Terry, recently gave one in Seattle about this very issue, specifically algorithms. The technology works behind the scenes, giving us a risk score and therefore impacting treatment.

Angela Poe Russell: Marjorie Taylor Greeneā€™s ā€˜good ideaā€™ is actually pretty disturbing

Days before the speech, she asked if I would listen and share my reactions. Well afterward, I was deeply concerned and had questions.

Dr. Terry had me sit down at my computer and use a government-sponsored online tool, The National Cancer Instituteā€™s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool.

The test took only 5 minutes and it had me answer a few questions about my age, when I started my menstrual cycle and my ethnicity. Within seconds, it told me my risk of getting breast cancer was low. Then she had me take the assessment again; but this time, I would change my race to white. Turns out that with everything else being the same, my risk was 5% higher.

While the algorithm seemed to think my chances of getting breast cancer were higher as a white woman, Dr. Terry emphasized you canā€™t tell someoneā€™s genetics because of their color.

ā€œWhen we go to the doctor, we expect that the doctor will treat us as individuals and will listen to our stories and make a diagnosis based on science,ā€ explained Dr. Terry. ā€œRace is not a good proxy for genetic differences, it’s just not. How someone may present in terms of the color of their skin or texture of hair might not even be from a particular country.ā€

The bottom line is race is not biological. However, Dr. Terry said race is still used in algorithms for other conditions as well. The one she talked about in her TED Talk was heart disease and women. Her advice to counter the algorithms is to advocate for yourself and ask this question of your healthcare provider.

“‘How did you come to this recommendation?’ shared Dr. Terry. “Then ask a follow-up question and say ‘Do you know if race was included in the algorithm?'”

Angela Poe Russell: A quality admired by Trump, is likely what hurt Harris

Dr. Terryā€™s speech should be released later this month through TED Talk.

Technology is a tool, but in healthcare, it canā€™t be the ultimate one.

Angela Poe Russell is a Seattle-based media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more of her commentaries and stories here.

To catch you up, Greene posted on the social platform X the following message to her Republican colleagues in the House and Senate: “If we are going to release ethics reports and rip apart our own that Trump has appointed, then put it ALL out there for the American people to see.”

More from Angela Poe Russell: A quality admired by Trump is likely what hurt Harris

For my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate,

If we are going to release ethics reports and rip apart our own that Trump has appointed, then put it ALL out there for the American people to see.

Yes..

all the ethics reports and claims including the one I filed

²¹±ō±ōā€¦

ā€” Rep. Marjorie Taylor GreenešŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø (@RepMTG)

Greene goes on to mention Jeffrey Epstein’s files and recordings, and claims Epstein wasnā€™t/isn’t the only asset. She said if weā€™re going to dance, letā€™s all dance in the sunlight.

On the surface, this sounds great. Folks who never agree with her even love it. It seems like a call for transparency and accountability. But letā€™s step back.

Her comments suggest she is privy to sexual assault claims involving elected officials. People being paid off with taxpayer money. She also suggests some of them might be connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

So, she has this insight and is now demanding transparency? Why now?

We know Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Matt Gaetz, is alleged to have had sex with an underage girl as part of a trafficking scheme.

More on Matt Gaetz: Woman testified that she saw Matt Gaetz having sex with 17-year-old, attorney says

He resigned from Congress days before the ethics committee was to release its report, pretty much ending the investigation. But many Democrats and some Republicans still want those details. He is, after all, being nominated for the role of Americaā€™s chief law enforcement officer.

So, if I’m getting this straight, Greene is threatening to expose alleged perpetrators in the spirit of protecting someone accused of being a perpetrator. Make it make sense.

I want transparency in government and I want elected officials who arenā€™t afraid to speak up when they see something wrong. Sadly, in this case, It feels like sheā€™s more concerned with preserving her agenda than pursuing truth.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and regular fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio

It was a question that Haunted Vice President Kamala Harris in interviews.

Reporter question: “Would you have done something differently than President Biden during the past four years?”

Harris: “There is not a thing that comes to mind and I’ve been a part of the decisions that have had an impact. The work that we have done, for example, capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month for our seniors is something I care deeply about.”

More Angela Poe Russell: The irony in Amazonā€™s new return-to-work policy

I was struck by people being surprised by her struggle to answer the question, because Frankly, I was not.

Letā€™s go back for a moment.

When Biden became the Democratic Presidential nominee in 2020, he considered a dozen women for the role and ultimately landed on Harris.

This is despite tangling with him over his opposition to bussing to desegregate schools.

Harris: “Do you agree today that you were wrong to oppose busing in America?”

Biden: “I did not oppose busing in America. What I opposed is busing ordered by the Department of Education. That’s what I opposed.”

Harris: “Was that not a failure of states in America to integrate public schools in America? I was part of the second class to enter a public school in Berkely, California almost two decades after Brown v. Board of Education.”

Biden: “Because your city council made that decision.”

Harris: “So that’s when the federal government should step in. That’s why we have the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. That’s why we need to pass the Equality Act and pass the ERA becuase there are moments in history where states fail to preserve the civil rights of our people.”

Trump even weighed in, saying she was very disrespectful.

Angela Poe Russell: We can help people who feel lonely

Despite this,Ģż Biden hired her for the job, tas, but if weā€™re talking about policy,Ģż Her response – while not pretty – was an instinctive loyal one.Ģż The kind of loyalty that Donald Trump says he values most.Ģż I mean –Ģż he never recovered from the Nikki Haley insults. She is canceled.

Could strategists have helped Kamala craft a better response? absolutely,king a huge chance and she ultimately made United States history. So you can imagine how she might feel about a question that is essentially asking her to share how she would be better than her ā€œbossā€ or to criticize the job he did.

Itā€™s one thing if your boss is being unethical or committing crime

Itā€™s a difficult needle to thread and while loyalty well placed may not serve you well in politics. In life, itā€™s a quality I 100% respect.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and regular fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio.

Itā€™s unclear how many were working from home part-time, but even if itā€™s a fraction, the impact on traffic after Jan. 2 might be jarring. The roads are already congested now.

More ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio opinions: As Election Day falls on a divided nation ā€” can we try to find peace?

But what I find most fascinating about this bold move to go five days a week is no mention of the impact on the environment. This is surprising, considering it was Amazon that got the naming rights to the new Seattle Arena and called it . The name is supposed to serve as a reminder of the “urgent need for climate action” and it echoed the to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2040.

And Amazon has done a lot since it announced this five years ago. It has…

• Invested in companies that innovate in ways that protect the planet
• Expanded the use of electric delivery vans, cargo e-bikes and on-foot deliveries
• Developed climate pledge-friendly labels on products so customers can find them

To me, putting thousands of people back on the road five days a week seems to counter what they say is important.

According to by Cornell and Microsoft, remote workers have a 54% lower carbon footprint. Hybrid workers also have a reduced carbon footprint, ranging from 11% to 29% lower on average, depending on the individualā€™s lifestyle.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Election anxiety is real, hereā€™s how to navigate all the political chaos

Look, I get it. Amazon employees returning to work is great for our local economy, especially for the small businesses; and in my view, there is something about working together in person.

But whatā€™s really driving this all or nothing? If Iā€™m just looking at financial results, the company has not suffered with hybrid work. Just this week, it reported increased to 15.3 billion compared to 9.9 billion this time last year.

While I do agree that, as an employee, we work for someone else, in the case of Amazon, this feels like a community decision. The companyā€™s footprint is too big from a traffic and environmental perspective, so I wonā€™t be telling those Amazon employees to just suck it up because I have a feeling most of us will be doing it also.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and contributor to ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio

Itā€™s a feeling I hadn’t experienced in years. I started breathing faster, my heart raced and I just had this sinking feeling. Then it hit me: I was having anxiety. Election-related anxiety. This has never happened to me. And you know the craziest part? It wasnā€™t directly about the presidential candidates.

You see, over the weekend, like a lot of people, I had consumed social media, news and advertisements.

In the last 48 hours, I heard someone suggest you couldnā€™t possibly be Christian if you were voting for a certain party. Another called someone to set fire to ballot boxes. One ad called a candidate the c-word and one speaker called one of the candidate’s staff members “a pimp.” And I wish that were all of it. Meanwhile, nearly half of Americans think members of the opposing party are evil.

More on PNW politics: Show me the ā€˜Dark Moneyā€™ in Washington politics

Itā€™s the nature of an election to be competitive and high stakes, but I think itā€™s safe to say that we have officially gone off the rails.

What our country needs right now to get us back on track is a good hard reset from this election anxiety. A return to some basic principles.

Two things we can do right now

1. Slow down. Most of the ads and rhetoric right now are fear-based. And if you get anxious or angry — it triggers a part of your brain called the amygdala — when that happens it disables your rational mind. Your ability to reason temporarily goes out of the window. So if you are feeling stressed or angry, calm down before posting or engaging in political conversations. And when you are calm, err on the side of kindness. Rolling in the mud with people ultimately gets everyone dirty.
2. Let go. Itā€™s a hard pill to swallow, but youā€™re likely not going to change someone’s mind. It’s true people do change views. But on their terms. Continuing to push is like beating your head against the wall.

More from Angela Poe Russell: The ā€˜weirdā€™ problem surrounding former Seattle Seahawk Russell Wilson

Now, that doesnā€™t mean do nothing ā€“ you can volunteer or use your platform to educate others on issues.

found more than seven in 10 adults said the election is a significant source of stress. Understandably, a lot is at stake, but regardless of the outcome, we canā€™t forget we have the capacity to make things around us a little better. As the saying goes, when you canā€™t find the light, be the torch.

No matter who is in office, we all have the power to do that.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and contributor to ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio

Let me explain.

Ever since he left Seattle, itā€™s like some people are obsessed with the idea of him either failing or being fake.

Remember when he left Seattle for Denver and all of the stories that were leaked? There was talk about alleged diva demands (parking spots, offices), unusual warm-ups on airplanes and conflicts.

Angela Poe Russell: We can help people who feel lonely

Then, he goes to Pittsburgh and before he could play his first game, you had talking heads (Bomani Jones and Dominique Foxworth) saying stuff like this.

“Weā€™re going to test this Russell Wilson gimmick really tough here,” Jones said. “The guy always says the right things.”

“They’re sick of him here in Pittsburgh,” Foxworth declared. “He’ll be a backup forever.”

Really? A gimmick. Someone with his stats? Itā€™s one thing to critique someoneā€™s football skills, but being criticized because you are saying the right things or that heā€™s too rehearsed or square.

More Angela: Hurricane Helene latest warning how climate change is affecting weather, storms

Whatā€™s fascinating is that some people are more angry and outraged at him for requesting an office and a parking space than they are about players driving under the influence and breaking the law. Let that sink in for a minute.

Maybe Iā€™m taking this personally. I remember being that “weird” girl in school. The girl who stood to address teachers, who talked too proper and, who knows, maybe I did like attention!

Regardless, with Russell Wilson, itā€™s time to put things in perspective. At the end of the day, heā€™s been a respectful teammate, a seemingly present father — and an active community member.

As far as I see it, the only thing weird about Russell is our reaction to him.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and contributor to ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio.

He immediately reacted, looking astonished and explained that no one ever asks him that and how much he appreciated it. Then he took good care of me and offered something extra. I thought that was an isolated incident until weeks later, when I was at a different place, the same thing happened. Once again, it was a younger guy. Ever since, Iā€™ve been scratching my head, trying to make sense of it.

I shared my experience with Richard Taylor, an author, speaker and mental health advocate.

“I think it speaks to a greater issue of the fact that we live in a world where statistics have shows the number of people who have grown to feel lonelier even in a span of ten years is up like 50 percent,” he said.

revealed 1 in 10 adults feels lonely everyday. And for people ages 18-24, that number triples. And guess what? In Washington, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, — closer to 50%.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Hurricane Helene latest warning how climate change is affecting weather, storms

Taylor said people experiencing this can walk around feeling invisible.

“We want to feel seen,” he said. “We want to know that we are more than just a number but that somebody knows our name, somebody acknowledges our existence. That somebody sees us as a human being whoā€™s living life just like they are. We want to know that we matter.”

So whatā€™s causing all this loneliness? Some experts believe we are just busier and have more distractions like unlimited streaming and social media. We just donā€™t prioritize connecting with people.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Shopping malls are taking a stand against unruly teens

How often do we see folks out with friends, yet glued to their devices? The irony is loneliness can make us want to isolate, even though the thing we need is each other. Turning this around is going to require being intentional.

In one of my old neighborhoods, we used to have dinner together on the same day each week, rotating houses and hosts. I miss those! So many good memories and true connections. But little things can make a difference as well, like saying hello to a stranger and prioritizing relationships.

Looking someone in the eye and wishing them a good day. Asking how they are and maybe following up. Itā€™s time to do more of those things, and it wonā€™t cost us anything but our comfort.

Usually, the things worth having are outside our comfort zones anyway.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and contributor to ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio.

She has lived in Florida for 55 years while I lived in the area for nearly three decades, so weā€™ve gone through a few hurricanes in our lives. As a reporter, I have worked and covered some of them as well.

During our conversation, we spoke in disbelief at the devastation of Hurricane Helene, our fears about Milton and how we just canā€™t remember it ever being this bad.

More on Hurricane Helene: More Washington first responders deployed to North Carolina

It made me wonder, what does science tell us about my momā€™s hunch? For answers, I turned to , Senior Scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“The numbers of hurricanes making U.S. landfall, whether it’s major hurricanes or total hurricanes, is actually relatively stable over time since 1900,” Knutson said.

However, what is different is that the hurricanes we do have are more devastating, with science pointing to global warming as the culprit. To be more specific, sea levels are rising, so hurricanes are riding in on sea levels six to eight inches higher than they were a century ago.

Another factor causing more intense hurricanes? More rainfall due to warmer water.

“Our models, when we simulate hurricanes in a warmer climate, have higher rainfall rates,” Knutson said. “There’s more rainfall because, in a warmer atmosphere, the atmosphere is holding more water vapor systematically. So these hurricanes, which are converging air in toward the center and sort of wringing it out in these thunderstorms, that air that’s coming in is holding more water vapor in this warmer climate on average than in the pre-industrial situation.”

This means stronger hurricanes that give residents a bigger storm surge and more flooding.

Folks, we need to wake up. Read the tea leaves, if you will. This is not good for any of us — especially lower-income people who are most impacted because they may not be able to afford to live in places that shield themselves from these weather changes.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Shopping malls are taking a stand against unruly teens

Also, the impact of climate change goes way beyond storms and reaches into the food supply, health and access to water.

at home to make a difference and our actions can also include letting our elected officials know this matters to us.

Look, Iā€™ve never been too granola or an environmental activist, but I think, for our own sakes, we might all need to be.

Angela Poe Russell is a Seattle-based media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more of her commentaries and storiesĢżhere.

Let’s look at some recent changes in mall policies.

After several fights at Moreno Valley Mall in California, management said they would require teens to wear lanyards that have their names and parents’ contact information.

At — New Jersey’s oldest mall — on Fridays and Saturdays, anyone under the age of 18 needs needs an adult chaperone after 5 p.m. The mall is also adding “waiting zones” for teens who need to be picked up after the curfew begins.

A mall in Pittsburgh has a similar rule and if a teen gets banned from the mall, the accompanying adult will also be banned for the same time period.

In Atlanta, some retail shops noticed a drop in sales after implementing a chaperone policy for minors.

More from Angela Poe Russell: What countryā€™s ideas should we steal from next?

This is happening all over the country and, to be honest, I’m grieving. I’m grieving because our teens need a safe place to go just to hang out and have fun. Remember the COVID-19 pandemic? They were locked in on screens all day. We were wishing for the days they could just go hang out at a mall in person with people.

When I think about some of my favorite childhood memories, they happened at the mall. It was where I had my first job. It was where I met my first real boyfriend. It was where I met the singers of my favorite band.

Most of us have those memories and never in a million years did I think a visit to the mall by a teen would now require a parent or guardian.

Angela Poe Russell commentary: Solving the homeless crisis will make us all a little uncomfortable

Clearly, something needs to be done, but, hopefully, we can find another way. Instead of chaperones, perhaps it’s the ID system where every teen has to check in. Or maybe more malls implement metal detectors like Lenox Mall in Atlanta.

Look, I know these are horrible choices. But the majority of teens are well behaved and should be able to meet up with friends, have a meal, shop, make memories.

I get it, itā€™s a new day, but preserving a sliver of the good ole days for most teens is good for them and for business.

Angela Poe Russell is a Seattle-based media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more of her commentaries and stories here.

I just returned from a trip to Portugal, and I couldnā€™t help but spot a few things that I think could make us better.

More ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio Opinions: Enough of the broken muffler noise from motorcycles

First, plastic water bottles. Donā€™t worry, Iā€™m not trying to take them away. But in Portugal, when I tried to screw the cap completely off, it wouldnā€™t budge. Iā€™m sure I was comical in my attempts to remove this stubborn top. But, as it turns out, that was the point. When you open a water bottle there, just enough of it stays attached. This is the result of a new law. This year, countries in the European Union had to phase out loose caps in an effort to protect the environment.

Did you know that in America alone, we consume per year? Bottlecaps are one of the deadliest ocean pollutants for sea life. And they degrade slowly.

The second practice Iā€™d like us to adopt: Can we go back to juicing our own oranges? At a grocery store in Lisbon, they make it easy. You simply hold your container underneath the machine, push a button and, in seconds, you have a container of fresh juice! The cost? Less than $2! Weā€™re paying triple for weeks-old juice that doesnā€™t taste as good.

Pasteurizing is great for those who are pregnant or immunocompromised, but fresh just tastes better and keeps the maximum amount of nutrients.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Our inaction allowed Sean Combsā€™ alleged abuse to continue

And the last practice has to do with language. In Portugal, like in a lot of places, many folks are multilingual. Our tour guide knew four languages. Meanwhile, Americans are still struggling to learn just one. Itā€™s estimated that only 10% of American schoolchildren can speak another language. In Europe, that number is 65%.

Thatā€™s because, in the U.S., access to a foreign language depends on the state and the school. There is no national standard. Despite evidence that shows itā€™s good for a childā€™s brain, improving memory and making them more adaptable. Plus, learning a language gives you a window into someone elseā€™s world, which can increase compassion and understanding. I donā€™t know about you, I think the world could use more of that.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio.

Itā€™s a bible verse that often rings true in everyday life. The caveat? When you have money and power, it just seems to take longer.

Jeffrey Epstein. R. Kelly. Harvey Weinstein. All went unchecked for years. And there are many others who have yet to face justice. Now, in the case of music mogul Sean Combs, the accusations go back more than 15 years.

More ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio Opinions: With claims that Haitian migrants eat pets, fact-checking remains vital to debates

While I blame him for his alleged actions, Iā€™m also reserving some anger for something else that stood out while reading the indictment — the people who knew about his behavior and did nothing about it.

The indictment against Diddy even said that physical abuse was quote “recurrent and widely known” and that he relied on associates, employees and business influence. Are we, as a society, so desperate for relevance and money that we can look at something so wrong and just pretend itā€™s not happening?

Itā€™s understandable with trauma and recovery that victims are too fearful and ashamed to come forward. And Combs allegedly used violent tactics to keep them quiet.

But what about the bystanders? I think weā€™ve all had those moments where we see something and we want to speak up, but we freeze. And hours later, we wish we would have said or done something.

In some cases though, we do have an opportunity to make it right.

After the dust settles, you reflect and make a choice. And that choice is typically between courage or comfort. Being a whistleblower, it’s never easy being the person who speaks up. You can make enemies and face tons of harassment ā€¦ or even violence.

In a majority of cases, it can be safely done, and I hope Diddyā€™s case is a wake-up call. A reminder that people engaging in this behavior do so because we as a culture are allowing it. Nothing changes if everyone looks the other way. And hereā€™s the thing, intervening can happen in many different ways and it can be done safely.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Solving the homeless crisis will make us all a little uncomfortable

On the website , under the learn tab and bystander link, you can find on what to say and do.

While sex traffickers must own their crimes, we have to admit we are part of a culture in which this behavior exists. But whether it is allowed to continue is on us.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio.

But with the nationā€™s highest court weighing in, cities have options again.

While I donā€™t agree with sweeping the issue under the rug and shuffling people around, a city does need flexibility and authority. I still remember when tents took over a park in Ballard near a library for more than a year. A small business that had been there for years was forced to move if it wanted to survive. They were devastated. Our small businesses donā€™t deserve that.

Good government considers everyone.

More ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio Opinions: Gee & Ursula take on the generational socks war

So now that cities have the power again, what should they do with it? In my view, with authority also comes great responsibility. No city in Washington should be without shelter space and every city worth its salt should be doing all it can to encourage affordable housing. If not, they are part of the problem.

And this is where we come in. To solve this homeless crisis, weā€™re going to have to meet in the middle. Blocking solutions because they are close to where we live is unacceptable. At the same time, the nonprofits running affordable housing programs need to abide by certain rules.

Most people, in good faith, oppose these programs because of concerns over public safety and what it means for their No. 1 investment. People running these nonprofits need to be sensitive and respect that. And moreover, create agreements that they must uphold to be there.

Personally, I live near a and things have been fine. Good neighbors. But another place that recently opened — an affordable housing apartment — has been a nuisance. I recently watched a few residents smoke weed in someone elseā€™s front yard.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Is JD Vance a candidate of contradictions?

That behavior should come with a warning with the risk of being kicked out. If being on the street and facing a civil penalty are possible consequences, then hopefully theyā€™ve learned a lesson.

If a nonprofit running a housing model is allowing people to do drugs and they donā€™t have the staff to manage it, then perhaps they should live somewhere where they can have a minimal impact on the communities surrounding them.

At the end of the day, the extremes arenā€™t working. All the hundreds of millions of dollars spent in Washington and the homeless population is increasing. This new legal freedom is a time to do something different, and I have a feeling that progress towards a homeless crisis solution looks like middle ground.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio.

“I think if you talk to young women whether they have children or they don’t want to have children, what you consistently hear is a lot of young women feel like they don’t have options,” Vance said. “I saw this with my own wife, who’s a working mother. She is a very accomplished litigator. She has three beautiful kids. She always felt like she had to balance being a good mom with being the kind of litigator she wanted to be. I just want women to have more choices.”

Unfortunately the next question centered on cat ladies again, but letā€™s unpack what he said in this moment, which was “I want women to have more choices.”Ģż Okay, where do I start?

Well,Ģż the good news is that if this is how he feels, there are policies he can support right now that will have a drastic impact on womenā€™s lives.

More Angela: Whoā€™s responsible for ending political mudslinging?

For example, the state of Washington has paid family and medical leave. If someone needs to care for a child or a sick relative, the government supports them in doing so. Itā€™s one of only 13 states in the country to have it, and Ohio, where he’s from, isn’t one of them.

Vance last year did champion legislation that would benefit some families ā€“ it was called the It attempted to help parents who decide to stay home, avoid fees imposed by their employer related to health care premiums. I think this is good. But if you want women to have more choices. This isnā€™t scratching the surface!

Other documented policies that improve conditions for mothers:Ģż affordable quality childcare.

But in 2021 when the universal childcare and early learning act came up – JD Vance said in a “Universal day care is a class war against normal people.”

Another Angela commentary: One of our most important jobs is endangered ā€” journalism

And in he called it a massive subsidy to the lifestyle preferences of the affluent over the preferences of the middle and working class. This left me very confused – but here is what I do know for sure: Iā€™ve worked with dozens of non profits over the years and one of the most impactful was a program here in Washington that gave parents childcare grants so they could go to school.

Many were in minimum wage jobs and couldnā€™t advance financially without an additional skill or degree and childcare was the ultimate barrier. Giving them grants changed everything. And I loved seeing so many lives transform.

Saying you want women to have more choices, but then blocking programs that give them options is like talking out of both sides of your mouth.

Most of us can handle disagreeing with a candidate on issues but itā€™s 2024 and the days of politicians saying one thing and doing another arenā€™t over.

In this info age, it definitely wonā€™t go unnoticed.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio.

So, The Seattle Times and staff reporter Rebecca Moss did that work themselves. They built a database using state and national court records and police reports to identify new crimes committed after people are released. Their work found one in four people released were arrested for new crimes ā€“ including one in seven reoffending in a serious manner.

More on WA sex offenders relocating: Why sexually violent predators are being housed in local communities

As concerned as I was about what was uncovered, I also couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I am thankful for investigative journalism. These journalists spend weeks or months working on one topic and oftentimes, we, the public, reap the rewards as they shine a light on something we did not, but need to know.

Sometimes, this work even leads to law and policy changes.

Journalism is vital, but jobs are disappearing

As vital as this role is to our communities, itā€™s endangered. We are losing journalism jobs fast. According to the employment firm , we lost approximately 3,000 jobs in that industry last year — up nearly 50% from the year before.

How do we hold people in power accountable if not for journalists pulling back the curtain?

Iā€™ll never forget my first real news job in television in Mobile, Alabama. While asking a few additional questions during an interview and doing some digging, I discovered that a man selling shirts to benefit hurricane victims through the Red Cross was actually pocketing the money for himself.

If you think about it, the work of journalists ignited some of the biggest moments in U.S. history — Watergate and Abu Ghraib for example. Locally, the same goes for outlets like ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ NewsRadio, MyNorthwest and The Seattle Times; and we canā€™t forget veteran TV journalists like Susannah Frame and Chris Ingalls, whose reporting has shattered the status quo in education, healthcare, veterans affairs and beyond.

More from Angela Poe Russell: The Olympic moment that spoke volumes about America

There are things you can do to help. I discovered you can to a fund at The Seattle Times to support investigative stories. Itā€™s called Times Watchdog. Iā€™m sure other local papers have similar efforts. If you canā€™t donate, consider subscribing to a news outlet.

We all know our world is changing with AI and social media. And as much as people criticize the news media, we canā€™t forget it’s in our own best interest to protect it.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more ofĢżher stories here.

I was reminded of this after the U.S. Womenā€™s Soccer team won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was huge because the women’s team hadnā€™t won Olympic gold in soccer in more than 12 years. The team just got a new head coach in the legendary Emma Hayes from England. In fact, sheā€™d only been on the job 72 days and after the electric gold medal match, take note of what Hayes had to say.

“I love America,” Emma Hayes told Mike Tirico after winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. “It made me, and I always say that. It definitely made me.”

More from Angela Poe Russell: Sidewalks in disrepair hurt WAā€™s disabled community

Here was a woman who grew up in England and spent 15 years successfully coaching Chelsea FC; and her statement upon winning was “I was born in England, but made in America. I love America.”

While I wasnā€™t there to ask why she feels that way, I do have a theory. Quite simply, America offered her opportunities England could not. England is playing catch up when it comes to women and girls having equal opportunities to play soccer or football recreationally and professionally.

In 1921, the country banned womenā€™s football. That ban lasted 50 years and, as you know, even when laws change, it can take a while for culture to catch up. At the first womenā€™s World Cup in 1991 that featured 12 teams, England wasnā€™t one of them.

England didnā€™t get their first professional women’s soccer league until 2018. By this time, Hayes had done coaching stints in New York and Chicago. Her dad was the one who encouraged her to head to the U.S. because womenā€™s soccer was booming over there.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Whoā€™s responsible for ending political mudslinging?

This wouldnā€™t have been possible without Title IX passing in 1972. The number of girls playing sports in high school increased tenfold in a span of 30 years. In college, the percentage of female athletes tripled.

It was just last year when England passed a measure requiring girls have equal access to all school sports. So when the Womenā€™s National Team Coach Emma Hayes said she was “made in America,” I feel that.

During an election year when things can feel so ugly and folks are strained financially to such a degree, this is a nice reminder that we are doing some good stuff here. Itā€™s also an inspiration to ensure that the “land of opportunity” isnā€™t just something we say, but a hope we continue to fulfill.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more ofĢżher stories here.

More ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio Opinions

• Dave Ross: Political ralliesā€™ crowd size, whoā€™s faking it and whoā€™s complaining about it
• Charlie Harger: Kamala Harris needs to start answering some press questions
• Ursula Reutin: America is a melting pot and diversity is one of our greatest strengths

Even though Iā€™ve walked a lot over the years — taking kids to school, running errands — I never considered what it must be like for a person in a wheelchair.

More from Angela Poe Russell: Whoā€™s responsible for ending political mudslinging?

That is until a friend dealing with Multiple Sclerosis had to start using one. All of a sudden, empathizing with his new experience meant noticing that he could not easily navigate our “walkable” neighborhood.

The sidewalks are a mess. revealed only half of the sidewalks in Washington currently comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. In some cities, like Auburn and Marysville, more than 70% were out of compliance, either being too narrow or steep, having huge gaps or not having a curb cut or ramp.

In a world that was already confining, the infrastructure around my friend and others using wheelchairs made the world even smaller. Now that itā€™s summer, Iā€™ve noticed another barrier. Plants, bushes and other vegetation encroach on the sidewalk, if not covering half of it.

People like me can just walk around or go on the street. A person in a wheelchair cannot. While itā€™s no more than a minor nuisance to you, it could be a critical barrier for someone else.

More from Angela Poe Russell: The lesson we all can learn from President Biden

So the moral of the story is that walking in someone elseā€™s shoes always exposes a new perspective. Regarding this one, maybe consider taking some time this weekend to look at your sidewalk. If you see an issue, report it to the city or county. But if it’s something you can fix, like cutting back vegetation to clear a path, I know some folks who would surely appreciate it.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more ofĢżher stories here.

More ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio Opinions

• Dave Ross: King County bested by Wahkiakum for voter turnout, what is wrong with you people?
• Charlie Harger: Kamala Harris needs to start answering some press questions
• Ursula Reutin: America is a melting pot and diversity is one of our greatest strengths

And lately, in our political landscape, things are definitely dirtier. I think it’s time news publications and broadcast stations did something bold by choosing not to air any of it.

Now, before you claim censorship, hear me out.

More from Angela Poe Russell: The problem plaguing American culture ā€” “itā€™s all about me” disease

What we get to see, hear and read on social media, radio and TV is already filtered anyway by someone. If a candidate gives a one-hour speech, itā€™s a news reporter or producer who picks what to post, air or print. To see something in its entirety, you typically have to go fishing for it online.

And because shocking sound bites seem to get everyoneā€™s attention, that is what most news outlets choose to air. This might be great for business and its bottom line — while being somewhat entertaining — but is it good for us? Not many of us have time to go watch an entire speech or to read every candidate’s platform.

So it begs the question: What are we losing when most of the soundbites and political coverage involve name-calling and political mudslinging? How is normalizing this impacting children? What are we not hearing or learning about the people seeking elected office? Even if a candidate did spend time talking about their policy and platform plans and aspirations, that doesnā€™t end up making it on the highlight reel. And isnā€™t that what should be featured?

More from Angela Poe Russell: The unlikely scapegoat in the Donald Trump assassination attempt

Additionally, if we stopped giving the name-calling so much oxygen, it might force candidates to come up with something better to get our attention. The question is: Are we ready for this? If weā€™re being honest, we are part of the problem. Craving the drama and the amusement to our own detriment. The truth is when weā€™re ready for the change, those filtering the content will need to follow.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more ofĢżher stories here.

More ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio Opinions

• Charlie Harger: Once again, Gen X is left out of current political landscape
• Dave Ross: How AIā€™s heavy-energy usage kills any climate progress
• Spike O’Neill: The dangers of vilifying DEI

But I must admit the experience was tainted by some people in attendance.

At first, I thought of my experience as mid-range annoyances, but I realized thereā€™s a deeper issue at play. Iā€™m going to call it the “itā€™s all about me” disease. It impacts good people of all backgrounds. It relies on a hyper-focus on one’s own needs and nobody else’s. The impact is a culture in which we donā€™t look out for each other, leaving us even more isolated.

Sadly, because of this, John Legendā€™s performance took a backseat to the sideshow in the audience.

More from Angela Poe Russell: The unlikely scapegoat in the Donald Trump assassination attempt

People who were already fortunate to have front seats chose to stand and block the view of others. Even the police couldnā€™t get them to sit down. It got so heated that one person came from the back and stood in front of her just to prove a point. The audience erupted in applause. Legend was in the middle of a song so I had to imagine he must have been pretty confused.

Then later, as the sun set, the moon emerged and temperatures settled into that just-right feel, people thought “Oh wait, I need to leave and beat traffic!”

And just like that, as John Legend is singing his most famous songs and fans are connecting to him and his music, scores of people start streaming out of the venue. Many even walked right in front of the stage as he was performing. It was awkward and rude, and became a perfect example of the rampant “itā€™s all about me” mindset plaguing this country.

Keep in mind, this is an intimate outdoor venue — not an arena. People have coolers, chairs, blankets.

Most canā€™t simply get out of their seat and discreetly leave. The process of packing up and schlepping your stuff out is disruptive. And in that moment, it was clear no one cared to think about their impact.

More from Angela Poe Russell: The lesson we all can learn from President Biden

In the large scheme of things, this isnā€™t a huge deal — especially in the context of everything going on in the world. Itā€™s a concert. But whatā€™s driving it is a huge problem. And that is the lack of regard for the feelings and experiences of others. We desperately need more empathy.

Itā€™s so lacking right now, shows it is currently the most important leadership skill.

It’s the skill that will separate you from the pack. But this shouldnā€™t be a skill reserved for leaders, but one we need for life. Period. Because the “itā€™s all about me” mindset only leads to the destruction of us.

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more ofĢżher stories here.

More ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio Opinions

• Charlie Harger: Local media must keep shining light on crime-riddled Aurora Avenue
• ‘Disarray’: ³ÉČĖXÕ¾, KTTH hosts comment on Biden withdrawal, Harris ascension
• Dave Ross: Biden is out of the presidential race, just as Farenthold predicted. What can he predict next?

While there were slight variations — most talked about toning down the rhetoric. That gave me hope.

But minutes later in an interview, , a Republican from Tennessee, said that DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) was to blame for this tragedy.

He pointed out the head of the Secret Service is a woman and discounted her experience.

“Somebody really dropped the ball. You’ve got … a DEI initiative person who heads up our Secret Service,” Burchett said. “She worked at Pepsi before this. I know she was a former Secret Service agent. But still, this is what happens when you don’t put the best players in.”

Setting the record straight, Kimberly Cheatle was a senior director in global security at Pepsi and prior to this she spent almost 30 years with the Secret Service in various capacities. Somehow, that wasn’t enough. It had to be her gender and DEI.

More from Angela Poe Russell:ĢżThe lesson we all can learn from President Biden

Donald Trump rally aftermath: No one said, “See, we should have not hired men.”

When you look at the biggest corporate failures in our country from retailers like Kmart and Bed Bath & Beyond to companies in the financial sector like Enron and Signature Bank, they were all led by men. But no one assumes they werenā€™t the best person for the job.

And no one questioned their credentials. No one said, “See, we should have not hired men.”

They were business people who made mistakes.

But, clearly, something went wrong in the security at that campaign rally. And that must — and will — be investigated.

Angela Poe Russell content: We need to end the Pride flag debate, take real action

But I can tell you that the investigation shouldnā€™t start with someoneā€™s gender.

When someone says,” They should have hired the best person for the job.” that line assumes the person hired didnā€™t meet the qualifications. And look, if we’re all being honest, people less qualified get promotions all the time ā€“ through politics, nepotism, you name it ā€“ and they come in all genders and colors.

So blaming DEI just feels like someone hoping to score political points on the back of a tragedy.

More on the 2024 presidential election

• ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio video: Should President Biden drop out of the race?
• From the audience: How my fatherā€™s age makes me scared for Joe Biden
• Dave Ross: Now I get my say on Joe Biden, Donald Trump during the presidential debate

Angela Poe Russell is a local media personality and a fill-in host on ³ÉČĖXÕ¾ Newsradio. You can read more of her stories here.