Coverage of policing, gun violence, drug policy, emergency response, and public safety reform across Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson agreed to a $4,000 ethics settlement after admitting he violated state ethics law by flying former adviser Mike Webb on a State Patrol aircraft. Furthermore, the same week the settlement was announced, Axios revealed a secret approval policy requiring most state agencies to clear press releases and reporter responses through the…
Seattle data center plans triggered the largest constituent response City Hall has seen in years. 54,000 messages flooded council inboxes after the Seattle Times revealed four tech companies wanted to build five hyperscale data centers consuming 369 megawatts — roughly one-third of Seattle’s average daily power. Two developers have since withdrawn. Three Council members introduced…
The dissolution moved from rhetoric to reality on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski formally introduced legislation to end the county’s participation in the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. Vice Chair Reagan Dunn co-sponsored. A companion Seattle measure from Councilmember Maritza Rivera is moving in parallel. The plan: a formal council vote…
The downgrade announced April 23, 2026 revised Washington State’s bond outlook from stable to negative. Washington still holds its Aaa (Triple-A) rating — for now. However, the state ranks dead last in the nation for financial reserves at just 8.4% of tax revenues. Reserves are projected to crash to 1.4% by 2028. A formal credit…
