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PubliCola Questions: Girmay Zahilay

PubliCola Questions: Claudia Balducci

Seattle Nice: Your Questions Answered!

Former Police Chief Diaz Headed for Brady List; City's New Payroll System Still Leaves Some Unpaid

Three Fun Things for December 22, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: December 21, 2024

Seattle Nice: Harrell Fires Ex-Police Chief, Metro Killing Raises Transit Safety Questions, and What IS Art, Anyway?

"Illegal Vandalism" Is "Not Art": Prosecutors Announce Felony Graffiti Charges

Seattle Police Chiefs Routinely Minimize Discipline; City Will Pay to Defend Former Chief Diaz Against Lawsuits

Mayor Harrell Fires Former Police Chief Diaz

Head of Anti-Eviction Group Leaves for Job at Homelessness Authority, Ferguson Appointment Could Shake Up Legislature

Council Amendments Could Restore Some Oversight in Bill Removing Restrictions on "Less-Lethal" Weapons

This Week on PubliCola: December 14, 2024

Old-Fashioned Furor Erupts Over Plans for Adult Cabaret License in Ballard

PubliCola on News, Views, and Brews

Legislation Would Remove Restrictions on SPD's Use of "Less Lethal" Weapons for Crowd Control

Seattle Transportation Director Greg Spotts Will Leave After Two Years on the Job

Discussion of Women at SPD Skips Over Men's Behavior

Police Deny Request to Produce Records in a Timely Fashion; Burien City Manager Filed Complaint Against Progressive Council Member

Three Fun Things for December 8, 2024

This Week on PubliCola: December 8, 2024

Seattle Nice: Should Tammy Morales Have Stayed on the Council?

Newest City Council Member "Deeply Saddened" By Morales' Decision to Step Down

City Councilmember Tammy Morales Will Leave the Council In January

Separated at Birth: "In this House" Seattle Liberals and Project 2025

SPD Is Still Delaying Public Disclosure by "Grouping" Records Requests, In Defiance of 2023 Settlement

City Replaces Detailed Legislative Agenda With List of Large-Font Bullet Points

Seattle Nice: Capital Losses

Three Fun Things for November 25, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: November 24, 2024

Office of Police Accountability Director Out, Local Capital Gains Tax Loses Momentum, and More

With Only Morales Voting "No," City Council Passes Budget That Repurposes JumpStart, Cuts Jobs

Seattle Nice: Dow Constantine's Legacy

Last-Minute Amendments, Lack of Transparency Characterize New Council's First Budget

This Week on PubliCola: November 17, 2024

Burien City Manager Filed Complaint Against Public Commenter; Seattle Library Hosts Another Anti-Trans Event

County Says They Have "No Intention" of Turning Sobering Center into a Secure Facility for Drug Law Violators

Three Things I’m Worried About: Trickle-Down Bullying; Martial Law; and Acquiescence

Seattle Police Department Updates Its Emergency Driving Policy

Capital Gains Tax, JumpStart Spending Plan Top Council's Budget Agenda This Week

(More Than) Three Fun Things for November 10, 2024

This Week on PubliCola: November 9, 2024

Seattle Nice: Should Rinck's Win Scare the Seattle City Council's Centrists?

Election Post Mortems on the Seattle Channel and KUOW

Chief of Staff to Former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz Resigns Amid Allegations She Lied to Investigators

Council Ditches Tracking Tool that Provided Unprecedented Transparency Into Its Budget Process

Officer Suspended for Excessive Overtime—Again–After Claiming He Worked 133 Hours In One Week

Alexis Mercedes Rinck Wins Decisively Over Appointed City Council Incumbent Tanya Woo

"I Drag Him, I Throw Him to the Side": Right-Wing Activist Claims "Self-Defense" In Attack on Trans Woman

Seattle Nice: Is the Seattle City Council Race Over?

Harrell's Budget Eliminates Brand-New Tribal Nations Training Program

Council's Budget "Balancing Package" Restores Seattle Channel Programming, Grabs $59 Million More from JumpStart

Rahr Places former SPD Chief Diaz, and His Ex-Chief of Staff, on Leave: "This Is a Complex Situation"

Data Shows Seattle Police Speed Constantly, Even When They Aren't Responding to Calls

Seattle Nice: Real Solutions to Homelessness with DESC's Daniel Malone

Out of Town Notice

Missed Pay, Disappearing Retirement Funds, and Vanishing Vacation: Meet the City's New Payroll System

Consent Decree Will Remain In Place Until City "Gets It Done" On Crowd Control Policies, Judge Says

Harrell's Latest Zoning Plan Modestly Increases Density Compared to Previous, Widely Criticized Draft

Lived Experience Coalition Says KCRHA Owes $365,000; Tanya Woo Proposes No-Protest Zones Around Politicians' Houses

With Affordable Housing at a Crossroads, Many Low-Income Tenants Find Themselves at Risk of Eviction

Seattle Nice: Sue Rahr Knows She Doesn't Know Everything

Three Fun Things for October 13, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: October 12, 2024

Council Splashes Out on Surveillance Cameras and Cop Hiring Bonuses, Lashes Out at Civil Rights Office for Raising Questions

"Disempowering": Advocates Decry Decision to Reduce Role of People Who've Been Homeless at Homelessness Authority

Harrell's Budget Projects $158 Million Deficit, Suggesting the City Isn't Done Using JumpStart to Fix Shortfalls

Interim SPD Chief Sue Rahr: "I'm Super Optimistic About Where We're Headed"

Three Fun Things for October 6, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: October 5, 2024

Seattle Budget Update: Rob Saka Has Questions

Seattle Nice: Listen to the City Council Debate Before You Vote!

What Seattle Will Lose If It Loses the Seattle Channel

Why Does the Mayor's Budget Use Outdated, Inaccurate Estimates for JumpStart Spending?

Seattle Nice Debate Night!

This Week On PubliCola: September 29, 2024

PubliCola on News, Views, and Brews With Brian Callanan

Judge Dismisses Sheriff's Lawsuit Over Burien's Homelessness Policy

New Agreement Redefines Power and Purpose of Regional Homelessness Authority

Harrell's Budget Plan Uses Affordable-Housing Tax to Fund Police, Jails, Sweeps, —and Downtown Beautification

Council Approves 24/7 Police Surveillance of Neighborhoods Across the City

Seattle Nice: Social Housing vs. "Social Housing"

As Budget Cuts Loom, Mayor's Staff Ballooned, Thanks to Workers On "Loan" From Other Departments

Listen: PubliCola on KUOW

Three Fun Things: September 22, 2023

This Week on PubliCola: September 22, 2024

County Will Jail More Seattle Offenders, Council Advances "Alternative" to Social Housing, and Design Review (Temporarily) Ends Downtown

Seattle Nice: Will All the New Drug Laws Help Drug Users?

Department of Public Defense Director Resigns Abruptly

With Police On Hand, Council Adopts Drug, Sex Work Banishment Zones

Effort to Repeal Gig Worker Wages Appears Dead; Design Review Chair Says City Should Get Rid of Design Review

Council "Alternative" to Social Housing Would Raid JumpStart for Small, Short-Term Affordable Housing Pilot

Council Wants to Increase Lateral Police Hiring Bonuses to $50,000 and Make Bonus Program Permanent

Former Community Police Commission Director's 2025 Budget Slashed Staff Unnecessarily

Harrell Opposes Funding Social Housing; County Councilmember Zahilay Seeks $1 Billion Housing Investment

King County Prosecutor's Office Hired Attorney Who Was on Brady List for Falsifying Documents

Council Committee Reinstates "Stay Out" Zones for Drug Use and Sex Work, Along With Prostitution Loitering Law

Seattle Nice: Is Design Review Dying in Seattle?

Office of Police Accountability Letter Sheds Light on Some of the More than 50 Complaints Against Ex-Police Chief

You're Invited to Seattle Nice's City Council Election Debate on October 1

Council Wants To Expand Drug User Banishment Zones, Complaint Against SPD Attorney Dismissed, and Ex-Councilmember Pedersen Denounces Transportation Levy

Maritza Rivera Said She Never Intended to Gut the Equitable Development Initiative. Records Tell a Different Story.

Jaahnavi Kandula's Family Sues City for $110 Million Plus $11,000, In Direct Reference to Officer's Callous Comments

Back from Recess, Council Takes Up Design Review Downtown, Continues to Delay Social Housing Measure

Updated and Improved: The City of Seattle's Employee Directory, Only On PubliCola

Three Fun Things for September 2, 2024

This Week on PubliCola: September 1, 2024

Top Fire Official Helped Concoct Hoax Against Department, Targeting "Woke" Policies Like Vaccine Mandate

CPC Loses Acting Director, SPD Tries Recruiting Via Podcast, MLK Labor Condemns Council Efforts to Punish Sex Workers, Drug Users

County Council Commits to "Maintain Operations" at Youth Jail Until Someone Comes Up with a Better Solution

Seattle Nice: Is Downtown "Revitalized and Transformed" Yet?

Focusing on "Johns" Doesn't Reduce Street Sex Work, Disproportionately Targets Men of Color, PubliCola Analysis Shows

Listen: PubliCola on KUOW and Hacks and Wonks

This Week on PubliCola: August 25, 2024

Community Police Commission Hires Acting Director, Burien Plans Closed-Door Police Chief Selection

Lowering the Amount People Can Drink and Drive Would Save Lives. So Why Has the Legislature Failed to Do It?

Seattle Nice: Will Anti-Sex Work Laws Help Sex Workers?

Moore Says SOAP Zones Won't Apply to Sex Workers; Former Chief Diaz Still Making $28,000 a Month

This Week On PubliCola: August 17, 2025

Council May Wait Until Next Year to Roll Back Renter Protections; Community Police Commission Dismissed Consultant Who Advised Them to Fix Harms They Caused

City and County Plan to Eliminate Homelessness Authority's Implementation Board

Council Rejects Full 2024 Funding for Youth Mental Health, Calls Previous Council Lazy and Irresponsible

The City Council Says Cracking Down on Sex Workers Will Create Services, Stop Sex Trafficking, and End Gun Violence. Don't Believe Them.

Advocates, Scholars, and Legal Experts Say Criminalizing Sex Work Harms Workers, Fails to "Clean Up" Neighborhoods

Three Fun Things: August 11, 2024

Donate to PubliCola and Read This Week's News

Seattle Nice: Post-Primary Edition!

Kevin Dave, Officer Who Struck and Killed 23-Year-Old Student, is Challenging His Traffic Ticket

Council Increases Spending on SPD Marketing, Rejects Proposals to Release Youth Mental Health Funding and Block Expansion of Encampment Removal Team

Let the People Clap! (And Speak!)

Alexis Mercedes Rinck Had a Good Election Night

Wild Day at City Hall as Council Blocks Social Housing from Ballot, Shuts Down Meeting, Retreats to Their Offices to Approve New Jail Contract

City Delays Pay Increases for 1,200 Workers, Saying New Payroll System Takes Priority

SPD Launches New Recruitment Ads, Mayor Harrell Orders Workers Back to Office

Seattle's Community Police Commission, a Key Part of Seattle's Police Accountability System, Is In Trouble

Three Fun Things for August 4, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: August 3, 2024

Seattle Nice: Is Seattle Still in its Backlash Era?

Council Committee Approves Contract With SCORE Jail in Des Moines; SCORE Inmate Died of Overdose in June

Council Proposes Creating Huge New Zone Where Sex Workers Aren't Allowed

City Attorney Davison Proposes No-Go Zones for People Charged With Drug Crimes, Including Possession and Public Use

Council Fizz: Moore To Propose "Prostitution Loitering" Bill, Anti-Woo Graffiti May Be Coming From Inside the Building

City's Plan to Jail Misdemeanor Offenders at SCORE in Des Moines Moves Forward Despite Concerns

Seattle Nice: Will Locking Up More People Fix What Ails Downtown Seattle?

This Week On PubliCola: July 27, 2024

Burien City Manager Accuses King County Executive of "Establishing" Encampment Outside Courthouse

Fact Check: No, It Doesn't "Take Five Convictions" Before Youth Can Be Detained for Firearms Felonies

Jail Bookings Will Resume for Drug Use, Other Misdemeanors In Downtown Seattle

Facing Rising Costs and Dwindling Reserves, King County Audits Employees' Health Care Coverage

"A Shameful Legacy of Defund the Police": Council Blames Protests, COVID for Current Public Safety Issues

"Unacceptable": Burien City Manager Complained to Police Chief, Sheriff About Lack of Immediate Response to His 911 Calls

Three Fun Things for July 21, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: July 20, 2024

Listen: PubliCola on KUOW (a Three-fer!)

Harrell Installed Gym in Basement of City Hall for Himself and His Security Detail

Council Members Approve Fine for Street Racing, Claiming It Will “Deter” Racing, Save Lives

Interim Police Chief Sue Rahr Fires Officer Who Joked About Death of 23-Year-Old Pedestrian

Seattle Nice: Is Civility Dying in Seattle?

Pierce County Declines to Charge Deputy Seattle Police Chief Over Domestic Violence Allegations

Former Police Chief Adrian Diaz Threatened PubliCola Over Post Describing His Coming-Out Interview

This Week on PubliCola: July 13, 2024

Listen: PubliCola on Hacks and Wonks with Crystal Fincher

Man Strangled by Enraged Vehicle Owner Had Just Secured Housing, Enrolled in CoLEAD Program

Decision on Discipline for Daniel Auderer, Police Union Leader Who Laughed Over Death of 23-Year-Old, Coming Soon

Transportation Levy Funds Leary Bypass of Burke-Gilman Trail; Council Escalates Street Racing Rhetoric (and Fines)

Councilmember Tanya Woo Reported Graffiti to FBI as Hate Crime

Auditor: City Needs to Implement Smarter Strategies to Reduce Overdoses and Drug-Related Crime

Former Seattle Police Officer Earning Six Figures, Plus Pension, After Retiring and Returning to SPD In Civilian Job

Three Fun Things for July 7, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: July 6, 2024

Seattle Nice: Are Sweeps the Answer?

Pay Records Show Diaz Still Listed as "Chief," With $338,000 Salary; SPD Won't Respond to Records Requests Until 2025

Final $1.55 Billion Transportation Levy Saves Equity-Based Projects Committee Chair Saka Derided as "Slush Fund"

Seattle's Largest Youth Homelessness Provider Slashes Staff, Plans to Close Some Shelter and Housing Programs

It's Decision Day for the Seattle Transportation Levy

Three Fun Things for June 30, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: July 29, 2024

City Attorney Praises Homelessness Ruling; Mayor Says Seattle's Encampment Removal Policies Won't Change

Burien Forfeits $1 Million for Shelter, Will Contract With Controversial Group for Outreach and Hotel Rooms

State Will Continue Requiring Low-Income People to Pay Back Disability Benefits Through 2025

Council's Public Safety Chair: "We Don't Have the Luxury" of Being Picky About Police Test Scores

Seattle Nice: Is This the "Do-Nothing" Council?

Jury Awards $680,000 to Seattle Protesters Arrested and Jailed for Chalk Graffiti

This Week on PubliCola: June 22, 2024

Afternoon Fizz: Encampment Removal Recommendations, Transportation Equity, and Police Testing

In Transportation Levy Amendments, Councilmembers Saka and Moore Propose Cutting Program to Fund Community-Led Safety Projects

Former Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell Pulled Over for "Obscured License Plate" in North Seattle

Report: Police Hiring Test With 90% Pass Rate, Favored by Deputy Mayor Burgess and Council President Nelson, Isn't Appropriate for Seattle

Diaz Comes Out as Gay to Right-Wing Radio Host, Who Says this Proves His “Innocence”

Seattle Nice: Is NPR (and KUOW) too Woke?

Three Fun Things for June 16, 2024

This Week On PubliCola: June 15, 2024

Another Death at SCORE Jail, Officer In Deadly Collision Didn't Have Valid Washington Driver's License

City Hall Fizz: Shakeups On the Second Floor

Officers Describe SPD Under Diaz as a “Dictatorship” Where Retaliation was Routine

Morning Fizz: Meanwhile, In Burien...

Ad Kiosks Could Be Coming to Downtown Seattle. But Are the "Public Benefits" Worth the Tradeoff?

Interim Police Chief Sue Rahr: "We Have a Lot of Work to Do."

Three Fun Things for June 9, 2024

This Week on PubliCola

Spending Money Earmarked for Student Mental Health Will Require Action from Skeptical Council; Saka Abruptly Cuts Off Presentation on Transportation Equity

A Handful of Supporters Rally for Ousted Police Chief Diaz, Expected to Return to SPD at Former Rank

"I Will Accept Whatever You Think is Best": Woo Says She'll Recuse Herself From Gig Worker Wage Vote

Local Control Can Work to Solve Our Housing Crisis: Here's How

City Attorney Wants to Bring Back Drug Banishment Zones, Harrell's Chief Labor Negotiator Is Out

Council Imposes New Reporting Requirements on Community-Led Development Projects

New Homelessness Authority Leader to Start August 1; Interim Director Powell Won't Stay for Transition

This Week On PubliCola

Seattle Nice: Is Seattle Ungovernable?

Listen: Hacks and Wonks with Crystal Fincher

Afternoon Fizz: Rahr Pledges No Personnel Changes at SPD, Reinstates Assistant Chief Put on Leave By Diaz; Saka Proposes Expanding Transportation Levy

Rivera Backs Off on Amendment That Threatened Dozens of Anti-Displacement Programs

Mayor's Office Nixes Shotspotter-Style Gunshot Locator In Updated Surveillance Proposal

Blaming Blowback on “Disinformation,” Rivera Postpones Vote on Future of Equitable Development Initiative for One Week

Seattle Officer Who Struck and Killed Pedestrian Cited for Two Collisions Before He Was Fired by Tucson Police

"Outstanding Leadership": Harrell Effusively Praises Embattled Police Chief Adrian Diaz While Announcing His Replacement

Adrian Diaz Out as Police Chief Amid Mounting Harassment and Discrimination Allegations

KCRHA Board Scheduled to Vote Tuesday on Last Remaining CEO Candidate

Another Death at SCORE, as Seattle Considers Contract With South King County Jail

Interim KCRHA Director Powell Withdraws Name from List of Finalists for Permanent Position

Police Contract Gives Big Raises to Officers, Still Fails to Meet Baseline Set in 2017 Accountability Law

KCRHA Updates: Chief Financial Officer Fired, Board Approves Budget that Will Shut Down Shelters, CEO Comments on "The LGBTQ Stuff," and—Believe it or Not—More

Seattle Nice: The City's First Overdose Recovery Center

This Week on PubliCola

PubliCola on KUOW's Week In Review

Downtown Recovery Center Will Give Drug Users New Options After an Overdose

City Council Bill Cutting "Gig" Delivery Workers' Pay Moves Forward

Seattle Nice: Live from North Seattle!

In Media Blast, SPD Calls PubliCola's Post On Auderer's Appearance at Major Police Convention "Inaccurate."

State Legislator Told Seattle to Get Serious About Density Before Seeking Funds for Fort Lawton Housing Project

Shakeup on Team Harrell: Budget Director Out, City Attorney's Former Criminal Chief In

Burien Proposes Transitional Housing Ban that May Violate State Law

The Backlash to Harrell's Comp Plan Proves We're All YIMBYs Now

Three Fun Things for May 5, 2024

This Week on PubliCola

Harrell Discusses Gig Worker Minimum Wage Repeal, Burien Restrictions Could Prohibit Tiny House Village

Final Transportation Levy Proposal Boosts Tax Measure to $1.45 Million, Front-Loads Sidewalk Construction

Officer Who Joked About Pedestrian Death Will Represent SPD at Conference; Moore Calls for "More Vice Squads," Criticizes SPD's Response to Harassment Allegations

Seattle Nice: Seattle Police Officers Sue Over Sexual Harassment

Council Kills Morales' Affordable Housing Bill, Arguing for More Process and Delay

Labor Fizz: City Reduces Delay for Workers' Retro Pay; Harrell Praises SPOG Contract for "Enhancing Accountability"

"I'm Losing My Temper": Moore Accuses Morales of Calling Her Council Colleagues "Evil... Corporate Shills"

Burien Moves Forward on Tiny House Village as Mayor Vilifies Police Chief for Not Enforcing Camping Ban

Planning Commission: Harrell's Growth Plan Will Worsen Inequities and Keep Housing Unaffordable

This Week On PubliCola

It's Full Speed Ahead for Nelson's Delivery Driver Wage Reduction Bill

Councilmember Cathy Moore Says She'll Reintroduce Repealed Prostitution Loitering Law "In Short Order"

At Press Conference, Majority of Burien Council Demands Sheriff Enforce Camping Ban They Overturned

Nelson Bill Would Eliminate Minimum Wage for "Gig" Drivers—and Slashes Workers' Rights

Mayor's Office Removed All New Anti-Displacement Proposals from Draft "Anti-Displacement Strategy"

Three Fun Things for April 21, 2024

Seattle Nice: Debating Density

This Week On PubliCola

“He Grabbed Her By Her Hair and Hit Her”: Witnesses Describe Alleged Assault by Ex-KOMO Reporter Jonathan Choe

Changing Seattle's Police Hiring Test Won't Fix SPD's Recruitment Issues, City's Test Administrator Tells Council President

New City Attorney Hire, Changes Coming at KCRHA, Council Seeks "Reversal" of Pandemic Travel Trends

On KUOW: SPD Knew Officer Who Struck and Killed Pedestrian Had "Checkered Past" But Hired Him Anyway

Original Version of Growth Plan for Seattle Called for Much More Density Than Proposal Released in March

Three Fun Things for April 14, 2024

This Week on PubliCola

Seattle Nice: What Can We Learn from a Chamber of Commerce Poll?

Seattle Police Knew Officer Who Struck and Killed Pedestrian Had “Checkered History,” Including Two Collisions, But Hired Him Anyway

City Council Staff Ordered Back to Office Four Days a Week; Workers Hold Out Hope for Earlier Retroactive Pay

Burien City Manager Demands Removal of Police Chief Who Won't Arrest People for Being Homeless

Six Months In, Seattle's New Drug Law Has Had Little Direct Impact on Public Drug Use or Diversion

On KUOW: What's In the New Police Contract?

Advocates Urge City to Adopt More Ambitious, Less Car-Centric Transportation Levy

Nelson Backs Off Proposal to Force Independent Commission To Use Easier Police Hiring Test

Retroactive Pay Increase for City Employees Delayed Until Fall

Three Fun Things for April 7, 2024

Podcast: Hacks and Wonks

This Week on PubliCola

New Police Contract "Does Not Appear to Address Accountability at All," Reform Advocates Say

New Police Contract Offers Big Raises, No Significant Accountability Improvements

After Series of Hurried Meetings, Homelessness Authority Decides to Continue Search for Permanent Leader

Podcast Minisode: Seattle Police Get a 23% Raise

Don’t Open Pike Place to Pedestrians, Council Member Urges

Tentative Police Contract Includes 23 Percent Retroactive Raise, Raising Cops’ Base Salary to Six Figures

The Crisis Care Centers Levy, One Year Later: Where Will the Kids Go?

Seattle Nice: An Easier Police Hiring Test and Delivery Companies' Latest Ploy to Pay Gig Workers Less

Seattle Times Shocked to Learn Even Groups They Disagree With Can Get Street-Use Permits

Three Fun Things for March 31, 2024

Put Homelessness Agency CEO Search on Pause, Former Governor and Seattle Chamber Leader Say

As Burien Countersues Over Homelessness Ban, Another Unsheltered Person Dies Downtown

COVID at City Hall, Why "Consolidation" Won't Fix the City Budget, and More on Burien's Efforts to Kill a Church Encampment

As List of Finalists for KCRHA Director Comes Together, Council Raises Questions About Agency's Future

Woman's Death Raises Questions About Medical Care Standards at South King County Jail

Second Landlord-Rights Protest Fizzles, Finger-Pointing Right-Wing Commentator Thinks Personal Responsibility is for Other People

“Landlord Lives Matter” Protest Against Tenant May Have Been Illegal

Seattle Nice: "One Seattle" or Old Seattle?

In Unusual Move, Council Reverses 20 Budget Bills Imposing Checks and Balances on Executive Departments

Your Local Car Dealer Can't Deceive You, But Your Landlord Can

KCRHA Plans to Ask City for Budget Increase, SPD Command Staff Loses Sole Female Officer

Burien Officials Make Threats, Cast Blame—But Continue to Defend Their Ban on "Living" in Public

The New City Council Is Just Asking Questions

Harrell Throws in the Towel on Housing

On KUOW's Seattle Now: King County Sues Burien Over Camping Ban

New Caseload Standards Aim to Improve Ailing Public Defense System

King County Sheriff Sues Burien Over Homelessness Ban

Thank You, Seattle Mayor Jessica Bateman!

Listen: KUOW's Week In Review

Listen: Hacks and Wonks with Crystal Fincher

At Downtown Event, City Attorney Praises Plan to Jail Repeat Overdose Victims, Police Chief Blames Blake Decision for Rise of Fentanyl

Officer Who Killed Pedestrian Got Recruitment Bonus, Decent Wages for City Workers Will Add Tens of Millions to Budget Gap

Claiming Need for "Protection" from Unsheltered People, Burien Bans Nighttime Homelessness Throughout City

Draft Comprehensive Plan Would Increase Housing Less Than Needed to Accommodate 250,000 New Residents

City Attorney Disqualifies Judge from Criminal Cases, Issues Traffic Ticket to Officer Who Killed Student With His SUV

Three Fun Things for March 3, 2024

Seattle Nice: Did the Council Overreact to Protesters?

Help Sustain PubliCola's Work

Seattle Nice's State of the City

Committee Approves Initiative that Would Roll Back Restrictions on Police Pursuits

“Arrest Those Individuals”: Councilmember Demands Police Response to Protests Outside Locked Council Chambers

King County's Baffling Website Redesign, (Sorta) Explained

Discrimination Complaints, High Turnover, and Disputes Over Strategy Roil SPD’s Communications Office

Take PubliCola's Reader Survey!

Burien Councilmember Tells Unsheltered People Outside Her Condo Building: “I Have Authority. I Live Here and You Do Not”

Seattle Will Take Over Homelessness Outreach and Prevention, Raising Questions About Regional Approach

Officer Who Killed Jaahnavi Kandula While Driving 74 MPH Will Not Face Felony Prosecution

In Muted Midterm Speech, Harrell Says the State of the City is “Persistent”

Seattle Still Emphasizing “Shelter Referrals” As a Sign of Progress on Homelessness, Says Other Cities Must Pitch In

Begrudgingly, Landlords Are Finally Paying Relocation Assistance

Three Fun Things for February 18, 2024

PubliCola on KUOW's Week In Review

SPD Kills Facebook Comments, Attorneys for Cops in Manny Ellis Case Solicit Clients by Boasting About Acquittal

Council’s Public Safety Focus Will Be “Permissive Environment” Toward Crime

The Seattle Police Department Has a Gender Discrimination Problem

Seattle’s MHA Program Should Come with a Tax Break, Not a Fee

Despite Public Opinion, Seattle Cops and Prosecutors Still Prioritize Cracking Down on Sex Work

Seattle Nice: Seattle's Sizzling Social Housing Debate

Seattle Affordable Housing Awards Plummet Amid Economic Challenges

Harrell Considered Hiring Ceis to Embed in Homelessness Authority, Council Starts Government 101 Briefings

Social Housing Backers Propose New Tax on Pay Above $1 Million

Beyond the Border: Addressing the Asylum Seeker Surge in Our Own Backyard

Three Fun Things for February 4, 2024

New Podcast: Sweeps Prosecution, Moral Panic Over Gay Bars, and "Sara Nelson Derangement"

New Podcast: Hacks and Wonks, Hosted by Crystal Fincher

Gay bar raids, voter turnoutgate and a mistrial

New Bite of Seattle Owner Will Keep Despised Payment App; City Will Resume Graffiti Prosecutions

Harrell Asks Embattled Homelessness Authority to Come Up With Budget Cuts

Mayor's Public Safety Plan May Not Include New Legislation, but Existing "Civility Laws" Leave Plenty of Room for Enforcement

What Did Burien Get From Its No-Bid Contract for Encampment Response? We May Never Know.

Amid Backlash Against Therapeutic Alternatives, Youth Jail Will Stay Open Past 2025 Target Date for Closure

Seattle City Attorney's Criminal Division Chief Will Leave at End of February

Seattle Nice Debates Tanya Woo's Appointment to the City Council

Discussing Seattle's Newest Council Member on KUOW's Seattle Now

Tanya Woo's controversial Seattle city council appointment

KCRHA Plans More Focused Homelessness Count, Council President Supports Bills That Would Make It Easier To Take Away Drug Users' Kids

In “Foregone Conclusion,” City Council Appoints Tanya Woo to Citywide Position

Podcast Appearance: Eternally Amy

Harrell Issues Hiring Freeze as New Council Members Vow to “Audit the Budget”

Let’s All Pretend the Fix Isn’t In for Tanya Woo and Take a Look at the Other Seven Council Finalists

Three Fun Things for January 21, 2024

Officer Who Killed Jaahnavi Kandula Was Fired from Previous Police Job; Indian American Community Members Say SPD’s Emergency Driving Policy Must Change

Seattle Nice: Tim Ceis Urges Businesses to Make Sure Woo Wins, Homelessness Group Implodes

State Rep Says Inclusionary Zoning Near Transit Will Prevent Displacement, SPD General Counsel Filed Initial Complaint Against Laughing Cop

We Are In Implodes

Harrell Administration Consultant Tim Ceis Urges Business Interests to Back Tanya Woo for Open Council Seat

We Are In, Public-Private Partnership Behind “Partnership for Zero,” Fires Staff Amid Calls for Investigation

Who will the Seattle Council pick to represent the city?

Who is likely to get Seattle's open city council job?

And Then There Were Eight: Council Narrows Down Nominees for Open Seat

Dozens Apply for City Council Vacancy, Some More Viable Than Others

Long Wait Likely for New Homelessness Director; Landlords May Be Failing to Register Rental Units, Rather than Selling

Seattle Nice: Who Will Get Teresa Mosqueda's Old Seat on the City Council?

Major Staff Shakeup Marks Sara Nelson's First Week as Council President

Who really wants Teresa Mosqueda's old job on the Seattle city council?

Two Years On, the City’s Directory Is Still Unavailable—Except on PubliCola

Three Fun Things for January 7, 2023

Friday Fizz: A Timid TOD Bill; Plus, More Committee Shakeups for the New City Council

New City Council Steps Up With Speeches About Unity and Collaboration

Firm That Evaluated Burien City Manager's Performance Resigns, Saying Critical Report "Was Not Met With the Seriousness It Deserved"

Seattle Nice's 2024 Predictions!

Nine PubliCola Predictions for 2024

Three Fun Things for December 31, 2023

Rockin' New Year's Eve special predicting Seattle's future