ty Bird flu virus found in Los Angeles County wastewater By www.latimes.com Published On :: Sat, 2 Nov 2024 00:51:56 GMT Public health officials maintain the risk of H5N1 bird flu infection remains low. They are searching for the source. Full Article
ty House GOP leaders concerned for slim majority with Trump poaching members By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:35:19 +0000 House Republican leaders are preparing for temporary losses to their slim majority as President-elect Donald Trump recruits members to serve in his Cabinet, chipping away at the party’s already narrow margins in the lower chamber. So far, Trump has nominated two House lawmakers to service in his administration: House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), […] Full Article House Congress Donald Trump House Republicans Trump Transition Washington D.C.
ty Schumer deputy rejects talk of pushing Sotomayor to retire: ‘Idle speculation’ By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 23:10:02 +0000 Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) dismissed talk of replacing Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as unrealistic amid calls on the Left for her to step down. “I think that is idle speculation, and whoever makes those calls can’t count,” Durbin told reporters on Tuesday, pointing to the short window the Senate has to wrap […] Full Article Senate Congress Dick Durbin Donald Trump Sonia Sotomayor Supreme Court Washington D.C.
ty House swears in two new members to cushion GOP majority before spending fight By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:12:14 +0000 The House welcomed two new members to its ranks on Tuesday, putting the chamber at near-full capacity as lawmakers prepare for another spending fight and Democrats look to pass any final pieces of legislation before Republicans take control of Congress next year. Reps. Tony Weid (R-OH) and Erica Lee Carter (D-TX) were sworn into office […] Full Article House Congress House of Representatives Mike Gallagher Sheila Jackson Lee Washington D.C.
ty New House members descend on Capitol Hill for orientation as majority remains in play By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:30:27 +0000 New members-elect arrived on Capitol Hill for orientation on Tuesday eager to jump in and get to work as the House prepares for fresh faces to join their ranks with a majority still in play. With most races in the 2024 election called, both Democratic and Republican representatives-elect participated in forums, meetings, and orientation classes […] Full Article House 2024 Elections Congress House Democrats House of Representatives House Republicans Washington D.C.
ty Freedom Caucus chairman says Speaker Johnson should be challenged to avoid ‘Soviet-style’ election By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 02:24:57 +0000 Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) believes there should be more than one person in the race for House speaker to avoid a “Soviet-style” election following reports that hardline conservatives are hoping to find a challenger for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). So far, Johnson is the only person seeking the speaker’s gavel after alerting his […] Full Article House Congress Freedom Caucus House Republicans Mike Johnson Speaker of the House Washington D.C.
ty McConnell successor shrouded in uncertainty ahead of monumental Senate vote By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:34:46 +0000 Republican senators emerged Tuesday night from a candidate forum largely tight-lipped on which of their colleagues they would support to replace Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on the eve of a secret ballot vote and President-elect Donald Trump’s visit to Washington. Two hours of huddling behind closed doors with the trio of contenders fielding […] Full Article News Senate Congress John Cornyn John Thune Mitch McConnell Rick Scott
ty Off-duty California deputy shot dead by police on golf course By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:16:48 GMT An off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy was shot and killed by police at a golf course on Tuesday after he allegedly started shooting his gun following a domestic situation. Full Article
ty OpenAI forms safety and security committee as concerns mount about AI By www.latimes.com Published On :: Tue, 28 May 2024 18:43:19 GMT The company said it formed a safety and security committee, which is expected to make recommendations within 90 days. The move comes after a number of controversies, including a dustup with actor Scarlett Johansson. Full Article
ty How Netflix is using 'Too Hot to Handle' games to build its reality TV audience By www.latimes.com Published On :: Thu, 30 May 2024 13:30:21 GMT As Netflix continues to invest more in games, it is expanding its titles based on its popular reality shows including 'Too Hot to Handle' and 'Selling Sunset.' Full Article
ty Phishing attack hits L.A. County public health agency, jeopardizing 200,000-plus residents' personal info By www.latimes.com Published On :: Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:41:18 GMT The personal information of more than 200,000 people in Los Angeles County was potentially exposed after a hacker used a phishing email to steal login credentials. Full Article
ty How much does your city know about you? This Southern California city opens up By www.latimes.com Published On :: Thu, 1 Aug 2024 10:00:25 GMT Long Beach's digital rights platform consists of data privacy notices for about 20 unique city-deployed technologies that collect personally identifiable information. Full Article
ty AI safety bill passes California Legislature By www.latimes.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Aug 2024 19:50:47 GMT After clearing many hurdles in the state Legislature, Sen. Scott Wiener's bill to require developers to put safeguards around their advanced AI models is one step closer to becoming law. Full Article
ty A computer on your face? Snap and others still trying to make augmented reality glasses a reality By www.latimes.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Sep 2024 18:17:31 GMT Tech giants including Meta, Snap, Google and others are racing to build smart glasses. It could change our lives for the better or worse. Full Article
ty Opinion: California's AI safety bill is under fire. Making it law is the best way to improve it By www.latimes.com Published On :: Thu, 19 Sep 2024 10:00:25 GMT If Gov. Newsom vetoes SB 1047, the forces of anti-regulation — AI companies — will have little incentive to work on alternatives. Full Article
ty Mark Hamill, Jane Fonda, J.J. Abrams urge Gov. Newsom to sign AI safety bill By www.latimes.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Sep 2024 12:00:47 GMT Hollywood celebrities, including "Star Wars" star Mark Hamill, director J.J. Abrams and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher sign a letter urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AI safety bill SB 1047. Full Article
ty Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes AI safety bill opposed by Silicon Valley By www.latimes.com Published On :: Sun, 29 Sep 2024 20:36:24 GMT Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AI safety bill SB-1047, which was opposed by tech companies including ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Facebook parent company Meta. Full Article
ty Facing skepticism, Elon Musk unveils prototype for driverless robotaxi By www.latimes.com Published On :: Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:01:30 GMT Elon Musk unveiled the Cybercab on Thursday night at a highly anticipated event, where he also showed off new protoypes of a robovan and humanoid robot. Full Article
ty After year of adversity, Stallworth glad to be back By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT When Donte Stallworth signed with New England last offseason, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told him he’d made a mistake. Shanahan was smiling when he said that today. But Shanahan admitted he did not want to lose Stallworth a year ago. Full Article
ty Gene Proximity to Nuclear Speckles Drives Efficient mRNA Splicing By www.the-scientist.com Published On :: Wed, 30 Oct 2024 04:00:42 GMT Nuclear architecture investigation provides insights into the role of nuclear bodies in RNA processing. Full Article News News & Opinion
ty A Neural Thermostat Sets the Intensity of Immune Responses By www.the-scientist.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2024 04:00:24 GMT Specialized neurons in the brainstem and vagus nerve provide potential therapeutic targets for treating inflammatory disorders. Full Article Magazine Issue
ty 'Honey Badger' Tyrann Mathieu leaving a sour taste to some By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT The Redskins will have a chance to draft LSU corner Tyrann Mathieu. Two years ago, that would have been an exciting possibility. Now? After missing last season because he was kicked off the team, reportedly for multiple positive drug tests? It's far from a no-brainer and, really, it depends on your philosophy. Full Article
ty Judge boots Cowboys for Trump founder from New Mexico county commissioner post over Jan. 6 By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Sep 2022 17:16:29 GMT A judge ordered Cowboys for Trump co-founder Couy Griffin to leave his Otero County commissioner post effective immediately. Full Article
ty Biden's auto safety official forced to resign from temporary role By www.washingtonexaminer.com Published On :: Sun, 17 Dec 2023 14:33:37 GMT The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's acting head Ann Carlson will resign on Dec. 26. Full Article
ty General Election Night 2024: Grab Your Anxiety Meds and the Vice of Your Choice, LFG!!! By www.thestranger.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 16:44:00 -0800 Follow along for continuous Election Night 2024 coverage! by Stranger Election Control Board ???? Welcome to the General Election 2024 Live Blog. Election Day is here, and it’s time to grab your anxiety meds and vice of choice and tuck in for a wild ride. Chances are, we won’t know the results of the presidential election tonight (though we’ll likely know who won Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan by the end of the night—we’ll keep you posted.) But in the meantime, we should have results for some of our most important local elections before we all go to bed tonight. As always, we’ll be lurking at their parties, judging their snacks, and capturing the election night magic/anxiety/crushing defeat. If you haven’t voted yet, there’s still time! But run, don’t walk. Check your voter registration here. If you’re not, you can still register and vote at one of seven voting centers in the county, which are open until 8 pm today. Remember to bring your Washington State driver's license, and a state ID, or memorize the last four digits of your social security number when you go. If you’re already registered to vote, awesome. The ballot should be in your mailbox unless you took it out and put it somewhere weird, but if it’s not, you can print out a new one or go vote in person at a King County voting center. Once you’ve filled out your ballot, find your nearest drop box here. Once you’ve voted, if you need to be with people who are just as stressed as you, come on by The Stranger and KEXP’s election party at the Crocodile. The party started at 4 pm but we'll be there until midnight—join us! Now back to business. Want a refresher on the races as we count them down? Check out our endorsements here. Here’s a very non-exhaustive list of the things to know going in: We’re going to elect a new governor! (Bob, you better have food at your party this time.) Both The Stranger and the Seattle Times endorsed Bob Ferguson, and he was squarely in the lead in recent polls, so we’re not too worried about MAGA-dude Dave Reichert running the state. Alexis Mercedes Rinck! The most recent polling puts the progressive newcomer a whole 24 points ahead of Council appointee Tanya Woo. Woo came in second in the August primary, but Woo’s campaign manager called the gap between the two candidates (Rinck’s 50.2% to Woo’s 38.4%) “brutal.” It looks like Woo’s big business supporters abandoned her in the general, so we’re hoping to send a proper progressive to City Hall tonight. Now here’s one for the books, folks—a real blue-on-blue showdown in the 9th Congressional District. We’ve got 14-term Congressman Adam Smith, who is also a House Armed Services Committee bigwig, going head-to-head with civil rights firebrand Melissa Chaudhry. What’s the primary dividing line? What else: Gaza and the ongoing horror show that Smith pretends to wring his hands over while quietly writing blank checks for the next round of airstrikes. He's made empty calls for a ceasefire, while Chaudhry has called for an arms embargo. With no fears of a Republican winning in the state's only majority POC- district, it'll be interesting to see if the race serves as a referendum on Smith's support of the Israeli genocide. Have you read about Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s opponent in this election? Local families say David Olson is cozy with Moms for Liberty, a far-right parents group that opposes inclusive policies and lessons on race, gender, and sexuality in school; and he helped the Peninsula School District push away critical race theory and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training while parents and students raised concerns about racism and discrimination in his district. The race for Superintendent of Public Instruction is a nonpartisan race, which is likely why the most recent polls show that 21% of voters plan to vote for Reykdal, 18% for Olson, and a whopping 61% had no idea who they’re voting for. We hate this, and we’ll be watching it closely. All eyes are on Clallam County. This little bellwether county at the top of the Olympic Peninsula has backed every presidential winner since 1980. Will they keep their streak? Check back regularly—we’ll keep you updated through the night! Outgoing Governor Jay Inslee Takes the Stage 9:26 pm Jay Inslee speaking at the convention center. SECB Inslee was the last to speak at the WA Dem election party, opening his speech by saying, “I’ve been waiting for Bob Ferguson to take over my job for years…” People Are Doing Therapy Crafts at the Crocodile 9:11 pm Color the pain away. BILLIE WINTER Sure, we got a lot of good news locally, but holy shit things are still VERY TENSE. So folks are crafting, donating to Shout Your Abortion, and, of course, drinking at the Crocodile to soothe the stress. Shout Your Abortion's free swag at the party. BILLIE WINTER Cheers or something! BILLIE WINTER Attorney General Bob Ferguson Declares Victory 9:02 pm Bob Ferguson made it clear he's not gonna take Trump's bullshit (if it comes to that, please god don't let it come to that). SECB Ferguson declared victory in the Washington State Governor’s race from the stage at the WA Dem election party, as he leads his opponent, former US Representative Dave Reichert, by about 13 points. Ferguson declared that if the presidential election results in another four years of Donald Trump, there is no other statewide candidate in the nation more “prepared to defend your freedoms against that administration than I am.” Everything We Know So Far About Local Results 9 pm Alright folks, do yourselves a favor and turn a blind eye to that "other race" going on (unless you’re a glutton for punishment and want to dive headfirst into an instant doom spiral). But hey, there’s actually some decent news in the local returns. Here’s your super-quick breakdown that won’t exactly soothe your soul but might take the edge off: Nick Brown is mollywhooping Republican Pete Serrano in the Attorney General race. Brown, who has that “Obama” appeal we’re told, is ahead 56.85% to 43.06%. Chris Reykdal, who’s held down the Superintendent of Public Instruction role since 2017, might not be packing up anytime soon; he’s beating David Olsen 53.1% to 45.84%. Over in the Commissioner of Public Lands showdown, Dave Upthegrove is trouncing Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler 54.6% to 44.87%. Sal Mungia’s narrowly ahead of Dave Larson, with 50.6% of the vote to Larson’s 49.91% in the race for State Supreme Court Position #2. Seattle is maybe, possibly, finally, saying goodbye to Tanya Woo. The never-elected city council member currently trails Alexis Mercedes Rinck 42% to 57%. In Congressional District 9, genocide enabling Adam Smith will most likely defeat Melissa Chaudhry. The race currently sits at 70% to 30%, respectively. In what we believe experts refer to as a one-sided ass-kicking, Democratic Socialist Shaun Scott has a gargantuan lead of 68% to 31% over Andrea Surez in the race to replace Frank Chopp in the 43rd district. And in what should be a surprise to no one Bob Ferguson is likely our next governor. He currently leads Dave Reichart 56.47% to 43.34% Turning to the initiatives… The good: Initiatives 2066, 2109, and 2124 are sinking fast, with nearly 60%, 70%, and 54% of counted ballots giving them the thumbs-down. There’s a little light at the end of the tunnel! The not-so-great: Initiative 2117 is pulling 53% in favor. Still, three out of four ain’t bad! And finally, in the race everyone was teetering on the edge of sanity about for the last five months. In the state auditor’s race, Pat McCarthy leads Matt Hawkins 59.21% to 40.66%. If you’ve been losing sleep over this one, maybe you’ll get a nap tonight. Nick Brown Feels Good After Initial Results (But Won't Wear Sparkly Cowboy Hat) 8:56 pm Nick, why won't you wear the cowboy hat too? SECB Nick Brown thanked his team and his supporters and told us he didn’t see a world where he wouldn’t win at this point. As of 8:39 pm, Brown had 56% and his opponent, Pete Serrano, had 43%. As Brown thanked everyone and headed to main ballroom to give a speech, he pointed out his kids, who were sporting those blue cowboy hats. All But One Initiative Rejected 8:45 pm State Representative Nicole Macri reacting to tonight's local results. SECB Spirits were high in the Defend WA room at the WA Dems Election Party. Defend WA organized the campaign to reject the four initiatives that sought to repeal the Capitol Gains Tax, the Climate Commitment Act, Washington’s public Long Term Care program WA Cares, and a law intended to reduce Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions. Voters roundly reject the first three of those initiatives, I-2109, I-2117, and I-2124. Unfortunately for Washington’s hopes to decrease our reliance on natural gas in favor of electric power, voters appear to have voted yes on I-2066, which would effectively prevent the state from trying to electrify anything in any building. Insane. State Representative Nicole Macri said Defend WA knew that would be a hard fight because of a lot of early misinformation about the law I-2066 sought to repeal. She says Washington tried to get ahead of the nation, but the change confused voters, and they seem to want the state to go a little slower. But the results aren’t finalized. At last check, numbers showed 51.1% voting “Yes” and 48.84% voting “No.” Also, Macri said the fact that the capitol gains tax remained in place was great. “We need this,” Macri said. Holy Fucking Shit, Shaun Scott 8:37 pm Shaun "Holy Fucking Shit" Scott speaks. SECB “Holy fucking shit!” screamed the man next to us, reading the election results from his laptop. “Shaun Scott–67 percent.” That’s as far as he got before the emcee took over to lead a call and response shout of “I believe that we can win.” Rep. Darya Farivar got 87.52%, while Alexis Mercedes Rinck got 57.32%. She acknowledged the anxiety people may be feeling about the presidential race, but she and the crowd kept up the energy. Election officials have not counted all the voters, but all three candidates are looking like winners, which would be a serious victory for local progressive politics and a rebuke of reactionary conservatism. Rep. Farivar told the room that they all had work to do. “I’m so grateful that locally we have Alexis to defend things at the City level,” she says. “I am absolutely thrilled I’m going to have a partner in these shenanigans.” Scott began his speech by saying his victory came five years ago to the hour of his 2019 defeat running for City Council—and that tonight he finally got it done for the essential workers, the students, the parents, the teachers, and everybody who would benefit from the economic justice he campaigned on. Alexis took the mic last. The crowd cheered when she said a queer Latina would represent them on Seattle City Council.“But I know I stand on the shoulders of many who pave the way and I promise I won’t be the last.” The TV is back on, but people are too busy hugging and shaking hands to pay much attention. Suarez Is Cheery, Losing 8:34 pm Suarez promises to run again. SECB Suarez kept a cheery attitude despite dismal results—31.4% to Shaun Scott's 67.7%. She says she can't swing back from her poor showing at the first drop. But even though she lost, Suarez maintains that she won. "When you run, you win just by getting your message out there," says Suarez. "Winners never quit, and quitters never win." Saurez hugged her small group of supporters after her results dropped. She comforts them by promising to run again. She's not sure for what, but she's always had one eye on the citywide council seats in 2025. No One Seems to Notice the Local Election Wins at the Dem Party 8:17 pm Look, y'all! Local results are in! SECB At the large WA Dem party at the convention center, all eyes remained fixed on the national races as Dems swept local results. Speeches will come later, but initial results show the Governor, Attorney General, and Lands Commissioner races all went to the Dems. The First Batch of State and King County Results Are In! 8:06 pm See statewide results here! See King County results here! We're reading and thinking and typing as quickly as we can to bring you some analysis very soon... For now, a cat in a stroller: A cat in a backpack at the Sea-Meow convention at the Seattle Center last weekend. MADISON KIRKMAN Hey! We Were Watching That! 7:59 pm Turn it back on! SECB Somebody shut off the TV at Saint John's. The presidential race is looking a little scary, isn’t it? Nick Brown Jumped in the Ocean This Morning 7:55 pm Yes, that *IS* Nick Brown. SECB Attorney General candidate Nick Brown woke up at 5:15 this morning and jumped into the ocean to start his day. Then he did some other campaign stuff, and right before heading to the Dem watch party, he had dinner with his campaign team and Governor Jay Inslee. Brown said he’s excited for his chances tonight and he had a better ground game than his opponent. As we chatted, someone walked past and said, “That’s Nick Brown.” He looked up, confused for a moment, and then said, “I gotta get used to that.” The charm is charming. Upthegrove's Mooching off Brown’s Campaign 7:49 pm Dave Upthegrove and his husband Chad. SECB Candidate for Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove just arrived with his husband Chad. Upthegrove doesn’t have his own suite at this thing, it would have cost him $2,000, which made us gag. We appreciate thrifty Upthegrove stashing his stuff in Attorney General Candidate Nick Brown’s room. Upthegrove says he feels good about his chances to win his race, and he hopes to be toasting with a glass of champagne at his parent's house later tonight. Meanwhile, at Our Election Party at the Crocodile... 7:46 pm Billie Winter Thank god for Miss Texas 1988. You Have 15 Minutes to Drop Off Your Ballot 7:45 pm This ballot box on Capitol Hill even comes with live music! Polls close in 15 minutes! But the party is just getting started at this dropbox on Capitol Hill... pic.twitter.com/ddNfGYQw63 — The Stranger ???? (@TheStranger) November 6, 2024 Capitol Hill Protest Update 7:30 pm A total of five people have been arrested for property damage, according to SPD. The property damage was, apparently, spray paint. They used the helicopter for some spray paint. There are now five total arrests. The group has broken up. We will update here with additional information if anything changes. pic.twitter.com/YcmKUium3V — Seattle Police Department (@SeattlePD) November 6, 2024 Loose Protest Leads to Arrests on Capitol Hill 7:10 pm The Seattle Police Department made at least four arrests for property destruction at a protest on Capitol Hill tonight. Some flyers posted earlier in the week called for people to show up at Cal Anderson Park at 6 pm on Election Day to protest the “genocide abroad and a militarized police state at home.” Apparently, a lot of cops are out on the hill tonight on their bikes according to one of the photographers we have assisting us with election coverage. SPD said the King County Sheriff’s Office has their helicopter out to assist them with the situation. The Social Justice League Will Save Seattle 7:08 pm People are too nervous to party at Saint John's. SECB We’ve arrived at Saint John’s in Capitol Hill for the combined election night party for progressives Shaun Scott, a candidate for the 43rd District, District 46 Rep. Darya Farivar, and Alexis Mercedes Rinck, the Seattle City Council candidate challenging appointee Tanya Woo for Position 8. The Stranger endorsed all three of these progressive candidates this year, and if the results tonight are anything like the midterms, all three are likely to win. It’d be a jolly vibe if everyone wasn’t so goddamn nervous about the presidential election. The people wearing Harris/Walz shirts are looking from their phones to the big screen TV showing minute-by-minute updates from NBC. The room was filling up and a group of guys asked to sit at our table, including Harrison Jerome, a volunteer with the Rinck campaign from the start because he thinks she’s good on housing affordability. “I’m a renter and I want to live in Seattle and by my parents,” he said. “But it gets harder and harder every year. Feels like if you didn’t move here in the ’90s you pretty much have no hope of owning a home.” As we talked, his eyes barely left the screen. A minute later, Rinck walked in the door, trailed by a cameraman from Fox 13 with a blindingly bright light. On the back porch, she tells me she tried to take it slow today. She made some calls, did some sign waving, and ran off the pre-election jitters. She says that over the past few weeks, voters have been eager to share their personal experiences with affordability, safety, and their loved ones struggling with substance use disorder. “They just want to be heard,” she says. “...They want to know how the City can play a role in addressing those things.” Boooo, Bob Ferguson! 6:56 pm Ferguson's folks are turning people away at the door. SECB Ferguson won’t let anyone in his party. So excited for this man to represent the Democratic Party. Big tent with no room for the people. ☹️ He won't let us in and we're jealous because we want to make friends with this girl. SECB Good Gossip (but No Free Booze) at Andrea Suarez's Party 6:49 pm TELL US WHERE WOO'S PARTY IS, ANDREA. SECB State House candidate Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle fame hosted a small gathering at Cotto (no free booze, remind us to Venmo request Brady). In a small crowd of less than a dozen, Suarez gave us lots of attention. She said she had never seen us in so much clothing! We called her rude in the moment, but we forgive her. She also loudly prompted We Heart Seattle's Tim Emerson to tell us how many people the organization has housed this year. He said eight. Suarez said there's a lot of good We Heart Seattle does, but people get fixated on the times she's moved tents and stuff. She said more coverage should come about the positives of her controversial organization after the election. But after an Aperol spritz, we really gossiped like girls. We learned that Suarez recently officiated a wedding for two of her "original litter pickers," relitigated her talent show-related trauma, and shit-talked consultants. Suarez also tattled on Council Member Tanya Woo, who told us she wasn't having a public party. Turns out she's hosting a gathering on the waterfront. Suarez grumbled about Woo not agreeing to a combined party. She said she feels a little insecure about the fact that people came to her party early so they could get to Woo's event in time for the results. Speaking of, Council President Sara Nelson popped in briefly. She left around 6:15 pm, probably to get to Woo's event, according to Suarez. Feeling snubbed, we plotted briefly to crash Woo's party. We offered to pick up litter for 3 hours in exchange for the address for Woo's secret party, but she didn't rat her all the way out. Unfortunately, we just missed Council President Sara Nelson. She kept plenty of space between us before she rushed out the door. Oh Hey, Kay!6:39 pm And another one. SECB Democratic convention delegate Kay Acholonu doubled up on the cowboy hats, sporting the one from tonight and the one from the Democratic Convention. Immaculate Vibes at Representative Pramila Jayapal’s Party 6:33 pm DO THE HATS LIGHT UP????? SECB In a swath of empty, lonely, cold rooms, Jayapal’s party set itself apart as the place to be in this convention center tonight. She lucked out that the air conditioning in her room crapped out, we walked in and immediately felt like we were actually at a party, not a failing mega church’s Sunday service (seriously convention center lighting is terrible for the vibes). Jayapal says she expects Democrats to win the presidency tonight, as well as the House. We noted that one of her former campaign staffers, Shaun Scott, is on the ballot tonight, and she says a whole host of great new and old local candidates are on the ballot this year, name-checking Bob Ferguson among them. We left Jayapal with a drink in her hand and in conversation with Leesa Manion, who seemed relieved to no longer be standing in a mostly empty room. Do You Need to See a Picture of a Cat Wearing a Cheeseburger Hat? 6:29 pm That fucking New York Times needle is back, goddammit. A cat in a cheeseburger at the Sea-Meow convention at the Seattle Center last weekend. MADISON KIRKMAN You Have Two Hours Left to Vote, Seattle! 6 pm Washington polls close at 8 pm! Not even registered? There’s still time! Haven’t dropped off your ballot yet? Find the nearest drop box and get to it! As Hannah Krieg wrote on Monday: As of 9 am Monday, 50% of King County’s 1.4 million registered voters cast a ballot. That’s a much higher engagement rate than in typical odd-year elections, where less than half of registered voters usually participate. However, turnout still falls short of the nearly 86% we saw in 2020. Young people need to pick up the slack. About 21% of registered voters are 65 or older, but with a whopping 71% of those voters turning in a ballot, they make up 30% of the returned ballots. As for voters under 35, they account for 28% of all registered voters, but make up only about 19% of the returned ballots. Young people: You tend to vote better than old people. Sorry, not sorry. Please get to the ballot box! Early Birds Arrive at the Big Dem Party 5:53 pm King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion (center) starting the party at the Convention Center. SECB King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion arrived at the Dem party at the Convention Center. She looked around for a second and commented how quiet everything was. They’d only just opened the doors, but we agree with her. Manion said she feels like the election will be solid on the local level, and she’s “going to live in the land of hope” about the presidential race. And Now for a Message from the Great Riz Rollins 5:33 pm Riz Rollins has entered the chat with some thoughtful words for the night, from our election party at the Crocodile: View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Stranger ???? (@thestrangerseattle) Alllllll the Democrats Are Gathering at the Convention Center, Where They're Passing Out Sparkly Cowboy Hats 5:20 pm It's giving Cowboy Carter. SECB We arrived at the Seattle Convention Center to the smell of popcorn and the vibes of one of those conferences where you learn to sell real estate. Candidates expected here tonight include US Senator Maria Cantwell, Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson, Governor Jay Inslee, US Representative Pramila Jayapal, Candidate for Attorney General Nick Brown, King County Councilmember and Public Lands Commissioner candidate Dave Upthegrove, and the Defend WA Coalition who mounted the opposition to the statewide initiatives. Excited to see Ferguson spend the whole night avoiding someone placing one of these sparkly hats on his head. Chris Reykdal Is More Nervous About Presidential Race Results Than His Own 5:14 pm Brandy the dog (left) and Chris watching early national results before Washington's numbers come in. COURTESY OF CHRIS REYKDAL “It’s been a long 18 months, but I’m glad it’s over,” says Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. Just home from work, he plans to swing by a function with the Thurston County Democrats tonight. He'll be back by 8 pm to lock in and watch the numbers. Reykdal got screens. His campaign manager’s got screens. They’ll be watching the county-by-county numbers in his race, as well as races in the Legislature, the open State Supreme Court race, the Commissioner of Public Lands Race, and the I-2109 ballot measure to repeal the state’s gains tax, a big deal for education. They’ll throw MSNBC on the TV for the presidential. The clear favorite, Reykdal is more nervous about Trump and Harris than his own race. The Superintendent race is technically a non-partisan, but the only non-partisan part about it is that voters won’t see either candidate’s political preference on the ballot. Practically speaking, the Democrat-endorsed Reykdal and his Republican-endorsed challenger David Olson have vastly different visions for our schools. Reykdal is a progressive former teacher, former state legislator and the two-time OSPI incumbent. He cares about feeding poor kids, diversifying the workforce, paying teachers what they deserve, and protecting queer and trans kids from the onslaught of “anti-woke” attacks from right-wingers. Republican-endorsed David Olson is one of those right-wingers. As a member of the Peninsula School District school board, he made friends with his local chapter of Moms for Liberty. He said in his nearly 11 years on that board fighting DEI and “critical race theory” was one of his proudest moments. Despite this clear contrast, a Northwest Progressive Institute survey of 571 likely voters found that despite the stark ideological divide, 61% did not know who they were voting for. Of those who did know who they supported, Reykdal held a narrow three-point lead (21%) over Olson (18%). Andrew Villeneuve, founder and executive director of the NWPI, said in an email that the lack of party affiliation explains the large group of undecided voters in this race, even though previous polling shows Washingtonians are enthusiastic about Reykdal’s policy positions. “For those voters taking the time to study the candidates, it should become apparent pretty quickly that Chris is fired up to tackle the tough issues head-on.” (The NWPI has worked with Reykdal for years on issues like no-cost meals and school seismic safety, he says.) Rekydal says that’s just a reality of his race. “I do think it’ll be closer than it was four years ago, but I also think it’s just the fact that there isn’t an obvious D or an R by a name,” he says. “They just don’t have the traditional political cues.” The Big East Coast Dump Results... 5:04 pm Several polls on the East Coast just closed, and the New York Times is projecting: Trump wins Florida, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Harris wins Maryland, Massachusetts, and Delaware. Polls are still open here in Washington for another almost 3 hours! Get your ballots in! There are tons of local elections worth voting on! Here's another cat in a backpack. A cat in a backpack at the Sea-Meow convention at the Seattle Center last weekend. MADISON KIRKMAN Vermont Goes to Sanders and Harris 4:30 pm But you already knew that wouldn't happen, didn't you? Related: New York Times called Kentucky and West Virginia for Trump. Don't worry, we have more cat pictures for later. MSNBC Calls Indiana for Trump 4:06 pm Don’t panic. It’s early. Here's a picture of a cat preparing for space travel. A cat in a backpack at the Sea-Meow convention at the Seattle Center last weekend. MADISON KIRKMAN Melissa Demyan's Brain Feels Like Goo 3:55 pm Demyan with her partner in their special occasion tracksuits. COURTESY OF MELISSA DEMYAN Melissa Demyan, the brave labor organizer taking on Rep. Larry Springer, the Stranger Election Control Board’s least favorite so-called Democrat in the State House, says her brain feels like goo right now. Her campaign’s reached more than 63,000 voters, knocked on 10,000 doors, made 1,300 phone calls, and pitched 500 signs in lawns. And this morning, she and her partner put on their matching Adidas tracksuits—saved for special occasions—to do some last-minute get-out-the-vote effort. When The Stranger called her (we only took 5 minutes of her precious time, we are very considerate!), she said she still had one more “lit drop” before she could head to her party at Ixtapa in Redmond Ridge. She plans to treat herself to a sipping shot of the nicest tequila in the house while she watches the results roll in for her race and across the country. Jane Fonda will not be in attendance. Iconic actress Jane Fonda endorses labor organizer Melissa Demyan to unseat 20-year incumbent Rep. Larry Springer in the 45th LD, who she said we should really call a Republican. Fonda also asks voters to vote NO on the Let's Go Washington initiatives. pic.twitter.com/0jaW7IYQmc — Hannah Krieg (@hannahkrieg) October 11, 2024 Every action counts for Demyan. She came within striking distance of Springer in the primary, but he outspent her about five to one. Still, given the outpouring of community support and her team's tireless ground game, she anticipates a close match. Either way, Demyan’s proud of the race she and her supporters ran. Demyan felt especially hartened when a supporter responded to a campaign text to tell her that her 8-year-old is telling everyone they encounter that she’s her favorite candidate besides Kamala Harris. Melissa Chaudhry: Not Stressing, Eating Cake 2:45 pm Why didn't you send a picture of the cake, Melissa? COURTESY OF MELISSA CHAUDHRY After a long weekend of door knocking, flyering, and general get-out-the-voting, U.S. House of Reps candidate Melissa Chaudhry is ready to celebrate with her supporters and the broader movement against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. “I’m doing party prep and not stressing. I repeat—not stressing,” Chaudhry told the Stranger Election Control Board in a phone call this afternoon. She’s throwing a party at the Mall of Africa Restaurant in SeaTac where her supporters will enjoy food, non-alcoholic drinks (coconut water appears to be the crowd favorite, she says), and a cake frosted to resemble her campaign yard signs. Until then, Chaudhry says she’ll be keeping up with prayer, but she won’t be praying for a victory. Her competition, Warhawk Rep. Adam Smith, secured more than 50% of the vote in the primary. Flushed with cash from the defense industry and pro-Israel PACs, Smith has a pretty good chance at winning the general too. If she loses, Chaudhry says she will continue to do “much of the same work” she’s done on the campaign. “Dozens and dozens and dozens of people have told us that they're registering to vote or their whole families are registering to vote for the first time because of my campaign,” says Chaudhry. “And that's the kind of grassroots engagement and political empowerment that we need to make democracy real.” She also hopes her campaign sends a clear message to Smith that his constituents want investment at home, not in genocides across the globe. A Rainbow Appears1:44 pm Don't forget to breathe. SECB As we were preparing all our election night coverage, this rainbow appeared over the city. Good omen? Full Article Elections 2024
ty Slog AM: Kamala Harris Concedes, Trump Adminstration Takeover Begins, and Alexis Mercedes Rinck Is The Most Popular City Council Member By www.thestranger.com Published On :: Thu, 07 Nov 2024 08:34:00 -0800 The Stranger's morning news round-up. by Hannah Krieg A perfect day for a biiiiiig walk: We could all use a little sunshine right now. Today, Seattlites can expect on-and-off sunny skies—I think the weather nerds of the PNW call it “sunshowers”—and temperatures in the high 50s. Council President Rinck: We got another ballot drop last night! Here in Seattle, Alexis Mercedes Rinck has only expanded her decisive lead on the City Council’s faildaughter Tanya Woo. And it's not just Woo that Rinck’s got beat. Her vote count trumps the combined total of the 2023 City Council victors and she’s got a 26,000-vote lead over Council President Sara Nelson’s 2021 campaign. Rinck may be a minority opinion on the council, but she represents more of the electorate than any other member. Nail-biter: Washington’s 3rd Congressional District is still too close to call. U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez leads her far-right challenger Joe Kent by about 12,000 votes. We should have a clearer picture in the coming days, but for now the whole country is watching—this race is among the handful that will decide if Republicans retain their majority in the House. Another close one: It’s still a tight race for I-2066, the hedge fund millionaire's initiative that would ban the state from encouraging electrification. Something good on Twitter: After a landslide victory, State House elect Shaun Scott has earned a meme. ???????? pic.twitter.com/RNI4iERKsK — Shaun Scott ???????? (@eyesonthestorm) November 6, 2024 Joever: Yesterday, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation to concede she had lost the 2024 presidential election. She kept her remarks very positive, very boilerplate Democrat. If she truly believed Trump is the threat to the American people he is, she should have come for blood. But, no. The Democrats love to capitulate to the right. And, it's part of why they lost so spectacularly. They championed an extreme and inhumane immigration platform, shrugged their shoulders at Israel’s utter decimation of Gaza, and totally abandoned working people crushed by the weight of the affordability crisis. I know you’re smart and you already know this, but as the #Resist libs start to re-recognize the ever-present threat of fascism—the precarity of reproductive access, queer and trans liberation, immigrants’ rights, workers protections, and more—remember that the Democrats' constant sidesteps to the right landed us here. well, as long as you had fun! https://t.co/FtJ9HJ4T8P — Lead Actor from Pixar’s Sodas (@ByYourLogic) November 7, 2024 Trump transition begins: President-elect Donald Trump’s allies have started lobbying for positions in his administration. According to CNN, Trump will use these positions to “reward” those who have remained loyal to him. That’s also a key feature of his plan: make the administrative state, or what they often call the “deep state,” more friendly, thus radically expanding the executive's power and efficiency. Some top positions seem narrowed down. Trump’s likely considering 2024 co-campaign manager Susie Wiles, his former budget director Russ Vought, CEO of the America First Policy Institute Brooke Rollins, or his former US trade representative Bob Lighthizer for White House Chief of Staff. Rumor has it he will also find jobs for loathsome little rat Elon Musk and anti-vax nut job RFK. Cool. Off the hook: Trump’s victory may mean the end of his two federal criminal cases related to his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his mishandling of classified documents. His team delayed the cases until after the election, banking on a victory so Trump could fire special counsel Jack Smith and end the cases. As for his New York hush money case, Trump is scheduled for sentencing later this month, but his team will likely argue he’s entitled to constitutional protections afforded to sitting presidents after his election. Solidarity: Yesterday, Cascade PBS workers staged an informational picket outside their workplace to pressure their bosses to meet their three demands in their contract: higher wages, better benefits, and strong workplace protections. And, boy, do they deserve higher wages. According to their press release, the Cascade PBS CEO made nearly seven times the average unit member’s salary in 2023. Greed is a fucking disease. Today at noon, @CascadePBSUnion members used our lunch break to rally for fair wages and a fair contract. If you’re in the area, drop by and say hi - we’ll be the ones in the bright red shirts ✊ pic.twitter.com/ZR9pEwK6jV — Cascade PBS Union (@CascadePBSUnion) November 6, 2024 In honor of our incoming commander-in-chief: He’s a theatre girly. Full Article Slog AM Slog AM/PM
ty Seattle Police Department Shares Plan to Fill Up King County Jail Beds By www.thestranger.com Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0800 In an email sent to all Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers on Tuesday, SPD Deputy Chief Eric Barden celebrated the end of King County Jail’s misdemeanor booking restrictions and told officers to immediately begin increasing arrests. Barden called the decision “another great step forward for the City and, particularly, for Seattle PD.” by Ashley Nerbovig In an email sent to all Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers on Tuesday, SPD Deputy Chief Eric Barden celebrated the end of King County Jail’s misdemeanor booking restrictions and told officers to immediately begin increasing arrests. Barden called the decision “another great step forward for the City and, particularly, for Seattle PD.” Not so great for Seattle’s poorest and most vulnerable residents, who will comprise the “overwhelming majority of people” jailed under this change, said King County Department of Public Defense Interim Director Matt Sanders in a statement to The Stranger Thursday. In September, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Executive Dow Constantine announced an agreement to lift booking restrictions, which had previously prevented SPD officers from jailing people pre-trial for low-level and non-violent crimes such as low-value theft, criminal trespass, and public drug use. The restrictions went into place because of COVID-19 and remained active due to low staffing at the jail, which is a predicament still plaguing the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). Department spokesperson Noah Haglund said that the jail has 60 staffing vacancies as compared to the start of 2024 when it was closer to 100. But with those 40 additional guards, Constantine believes the new agreement balances booking needs with the wellbeing of jail staff, Haglund said. The agreement, which took effect November 1, increased the number of jail beds the City could use for misdemeanors to 135. Barden explained in his email Tuesday that in the six months prior, SPD held on average about 90 people a day on misdemeanors at the jail, so the increase would mean an additional 45 beds available to officers per day. The jail held well over 200 people on misdemeanor charges per day in 2019, according to Barden. “So, while we are moving in the right direction, we are nowhere near pre-pandemic capacity,” Barden said. With booking restrictions lifted, Barden told officers to book people into jail “whenever there is a public safety interest.” The only time officers should not consider booking someone, Barden counseled, was when the City reached or neared its 135-bed capacity. “Otherwise, booking decisions consistent with pre-pandemic assessments should be utilized.” The email made no mention of considering diversion options. In a call with the Stranger, Barden explained that "public safety interest" meant officers should arrest if they believe a person could continue to be a problem for a business, the community, or residents in the area, and said officers should not arrest if those factors aren't present. Barden argued that arresting people can both remove them from a cycle of crime, prevent further decompensation for people in a mental health crisis, and set them on a path toward recovery. Sanders disagreed with that perspective and pointed to studies that show jailing people pre-trial undermines public safety in many cases, and increases the chances that someone commits another crime. Even one to two days in jail can disrupt a person’s life, making it difficult to maintain stable housing, secure medical care for behavioral health conditions, or hold down a job. Lifting the booking restrictions means people presumed innocent might spend time in jail for the lowest level of crimes that might not even end up charged, and still have their entire lives disrupted, Sanders said. Barden said he understood that perspective, but as he drives around Seattle he sees more disorder than he did before the booking restrictions went into place. As a result, even while the restrictions remained in place in 2023, property and violent crime in Seattle fell compared to 2022, and homicides fell in 2024, which speaks to an empirical improvement in public safety, if not a subjective cosmetic change to downtown Seattle. The City has made it clear in the past two years that it plans to use cops to address substance abuse, poverty, and people with mental illness, all issues many argue would be better addressed through social services and unarmed alternative response teams. The City has tried to establish new diversion paths, and when it created its drug law earlier this year it came with a policy requiring SPD to consider diversion before booking someone in jail for drug use. Barden said that lifting booking restrictions would not change that. Returning to a pre pandemic booking mindset means potentially returning to the days when officers threw people in jail for stealing $30 sleeping bags and souvenir pennies. We reached out to City Attorney Ann Davison to ask her perspective on whether she also planned to crack down on prosecuting low-level, misdemeanor crimes, as she’s advocated for in the past, but she declined to comment. Update: The Mayor's Office told the Stranger that it believes the City needs an adequate number of jail beds and the ability to book people into jail and people who cause harm in the City should be held accountable. But, "jail is not always the first or most appropriate option," and Harrell has strongly advocated "for diversion and treatment options to help nonviolent offenders get the services they need." Full Article News
ty Slog AM: City Budget Hearing Tonight, Rob Saka Seeks End of South Lake Union Streetcar, Trump Set on Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State By www.thestranger.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:25:00 -0800 The Stranger's morning news round-up. by Ashley Nerbovig Goooooood morning: The National Weather Service predicts a 50% chance of rain today, with a breezy evening ahead. Meteorologists expect wind speeds to possibly top 29 miles per hour, so batten down your rotting porch pumpkins people! Time to talk dollars: Want to tell the City Council how to spend your tax dollars? Go to public comment tonight at 5 pm at City Hall. Or you can participate remotely. You can go to tell them to support a capital gains tax, or oppose cuts to tenant services. Or tell the Council to respect the Jumpstart spend plan and actually use the payroll tax to pay for affordable housing, as it was intended. Check back on the blog for more coverage of the budget from Hannah. ICYMI: With the blowout loss for former Council Member Tanya Woo, Hannah tells City Council Member Sara Nelson to count her days. Local politicos plan to mount a serious challenge to the conservative Council President Nelson next year in the hopes of ousting her and her pro-cop, pro-business agenda out of office. Rob Saka Seeks Street Car phase-out: Saka proposed phasing out the South Lake Union streetcar and redirecting the funding to bus service in the City. The budget for the street car is about $4.4 million, which isn't a whole lot of money when you consider Saka wants $2 million to remove the Delridge median so he can take a left turn. Last week, the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) completed its investigation into Seattle Police Department (SPD) Officer Kevin Dave, who hit and killed 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula as she crossed through a crosswalk in January 2023. The OPA found Dave violated the department's driving policies as well as its policies requiring officers to follow the law. The City must hold a Loudermill hearing for Dave, which allows him to tell his side of the story before deciding on his discipline, so it may be a couple months before we know the final outcome. In the meantime, Dave continues to fight the traffic ticket Republican City Attorney Ann Davison issued him for his killing of Kandula. Seattle Municipal Court shows Dave's next hearing is scheduled for 8:30 am on December 18 in courtroom 301. BREAKING: OPA concluded its investigation into SPD Officer Kevin Dave on Friday and sustained policy violations for breaking the law and vehicle operation. Next step will be deciding discipline for him. — Ashley Nerbovig (@AshleyNerbovig) November 11, 2024 What's your plan for this week anyway? Maybe you're checking out Christmas Dive Bar? Or maybe it's too soon? Maybe you're trying to enjoy something with more Thanksgiving vibes? Well, as always, our sister publication EverOut has you covered with the top 41 things to do this week in Seattle. Republicans likely to control the US House: As it stands, Republicans have won 214 seats in the House, with Democrats at 205, and 16 races yet to be called. To control the House, Republicans need only to pick up another four seats, which they seem highly likely to do. Congress returned to Washington this week, ready to start setting Trump's right-wing agenda into motion. Trump plans to pick Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State: The worst people in American continue to jockey for a position in Trump's new administration, with Florida Republican Rubio possibly securing the role of America's top diplomat, according to Politico. We're sure to hear more names in the coming days, including people such as Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, who Trump may consider for Secretary of Education. The nightmare continues. Israel kills 14 in Gaza: Two Israeli strikes killed 14 people in an area Israel had mostly declared to be a humanitarian zone. The deaths included at least two children, according to the Associated Press. Migos’ “Bad And Boujee” (Feat. Lil Uzi Vert): Been a minute since I checked out Tom Breihan's the Number Ones column, and I'm glad I plumbed it for a song today because I normally wouldn't think about Migos around holiday season, but that's when "Bad and Boujee" climbed to the number one spot on the charts, so I suppose that makes it a holiday classic. Full Article Slog AM Slog AM/PM
ty How Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s Victory Reclaimed Public Safety as a Progressive Issue By www.thestranger.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:29:00 -0800 Tuesday’s catastrophic results at the federal level mask a different, more durable, and deeply consequential result here in Seattle: Voters chose a public safety candidate from the left. by Kamau Chege Tuesday’s catastrophic results at the federal level mask a different, more durable, and deeply consequential result here in Seattle: Voters chose a public safety candidate from the left. For close observers, the result was no surprise: Alexis Mercedes Rinck, running on a strong message of smart, sensible, and progressive public safety and stability, won her primary handily, led in the polls in the lead up to the general election, and easily defeated an incumbent councilmember citywide with more votes than any city council candidate has ever won in a Seattle election. The critical takeaway is how she won. Rinck, unlike other candidates from Seattle’s left wing in recent years, conceded to the obvious but difficult-to-navigate reality that Seattle voters view public safety as the single most important issue in local elections and, importantly, that those views actually reflect a material reality that bears serious public attention and public work. Missing from the campaign were efforts to browbeat voters for being concerned about public drug use, visible homelessness, and a pervasive sense of disorder in our streets. Unlike her opponent, however, Rinck’s policy proposals to tackle voters’ biggest concerns are evidence-based. She supports deep investments in affordable housing — and is willing to raise revenue to pay for it. She’ll work to expand mental health treatment opportunities for those who need it. She’ll fully fund critical municipal services that connect people to resources before they fall into crisis. And she’ll work to build more housing everywhere. Woo’s campaign, meanwhile, felt rudderless and contradictory to itself. She was at once painting herself as an outsider seeking change, but also as an incumbent who got progressive results. But in facing a charismatic, competent opponent who conceded that Woo’s main issue was central but ran on doing something about it that might actually work, Woo’s campaign collapsed. At the beginning of the year, a campaign based on public safety seemed like fertile ground for Woo and her colleagues on the city council who won their elections hammering the same themes against a left that failed to counter pandemic-era attacks about defunding the police. Rinck’s progressive campaign neutralized those attacks by recognizing a fundamental liberal principle: that when public spaces become private domains — whether through encampments or open air drug markets — they deny public amenities to the many while inadequately serving the few who are unhoused or in crisis. The solution most people want, as Tuesday’s results suggest, lies not in costly incarceration or aimless sweeps but in moving people from crisis to care. The public’s fixation on safety and stability in this election should not surprise us. Fears about safety flourish in populist moments, in cities divided between haves and have-nots, and in places grappling with widening inequality. As zoning laws continue to strangle our ability to build, crisis care programs are starved for funding, and democratic institutions strain under populist pressure, voters gravitate to a basic need for physical and psychological security. Rinck’s campaign offers us a model and a playbook for organizing with hope and meeting people where they are — even if that is initially a place of fear and contradiction. Her campaign, and those we hope will follow it in winning back the City Council for progressives, offers abundance in the face of scarcity and hope in the face of despair. We’re facing bleak times as a country. Perhaps it’s precisely because things are so bad right now that we can't give in to despair, whose pernicious power is its ability to narrow our attention to narratives that only encourage more despair. Its impact results in our inaction. As implausible as it seems, this moment demands hope, and specifically, hope as action. We must remind ourselves and each other of our own agency, and our ability to imagine a better future, a better system. Despair calls on us to retreat. Hope asks: what if we win? Then demands we go out and make it happen. On Tuesday, Rinck did just that. Kamau Chege is a democracy reform advocate. Rian Watt is an economic justice advocate. Full Article Guest Rant
ty City Council to Vote on Final Amendments to 2025-2026 Budget By www.thestranger.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:01:00 -0800 This week the Seattle City Council will discuss and vote on a long list of amendments for the 2025-2026 budget. Here are the big fights to look out for. by Hannah Krieg This week the Seattle City Council will discuss and vote on a long list of amendments for the 2025-2026 budget. Here are the big fights to look out for. Capital Gains: Comrade Cathy Moore (she’s earned the title until she pisses me off later in this same post) proposed a 2% tax on profits exceeding $262,000 from the sale and exchange of stocks, bonds, and business interests. The tax could generate anywhere from $16 million and $51 million in its first year and would only apply to about 860 of the city’s wealthiest residents, according to central staff analysis. Moore wants to use that money to pay for fund rental assistance, homeownership programs, and to fight food insecurity. However, my typical expert sources on progressive revenue declined to comment on Moore’s proposed spending priorities. Notably, Moore did not propose explicitly codifying those priorities and it's not like anyone respects spending plans anyway! Moore’s tax would be a local expansion of the statewide capital gains tax that the good people of Washington overwhelmingly voted to protect from a right-wing attack earlier this month. That same attack, an initiative backed by hedge fund millionaire Brian Heywood, stopped the previous council from voting on a capital gains tax in their last budget process. At the time, The Stranger (me, it was me) lamented that the incoming conservative council would decline to take up the fight, or if one brave member did, they simply wouldn’t have the votes to pass it. Council Member Tammy Morales and Rob Saka are co-sponsoring the amendment, a collaboration that signals broad support. Morales represents the leftmost voice on the council and Saka usually aligns with the conservative majority. If you want the amendment to pass, my best advice is to urge Council Members Joy Hollingsworth and Dan Strauss to vote yes — they seem the most likely path to a majority. Other revenue: Morales has her eye on other revenue streams. Even though the Mayor proposed a balanced budget, filling the looming deficit largely by raiding JumpStart funds that ought to pay for affordable housing, the City will still face another, smaller deficit in 2027. Morales requested Central Staff to write plans implementing a digital advertising excise tax and an excise tax on “professional services” such as realtor, accountant, architect, and other services. Thinking ahead. We love to see it. SLUT shaming: Saka proposed an amendment asking the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to make a plan to retire the South Lake Union Streetcar, which people sometimes call the “SLUT” even though the acronym would actually be “SLUS.” In a press release, Saka said he’s “deeply concerned that residents aren’t getting what they paid for” from the SLUT. Before the pandemic, the SLUT saw 500,000 riders a year, but in 2023, it only saw about 175,000, according to the Urbanist. “There are much more effective ways we could be investing our transit dollars and that’s why I’m proposing the executive take a serious look at alternatives with my amendment,” Saka said in a press release. “This isn’t about killing transit – it’s about ensuring our transportation dollars are wisely spent on expanded transit service in the area that people will actually use! At its core, this is a 1-for-1, transit-for-transit investment that would require a thoughtful transition of service.” He and his cosponsors Moore and Bob Kettle also proposed an amendment to scrap the plan to connect the two streetcars from the Capital Improvement Program. For Our Boys In Blue: If you thought the Mayor’s budget and the Chair’s subsequent balancing package couldn’t get any friendlier to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), you would be wrong. Moore proposed an amendment to ask SDP to draft a plan to provide officers with childcare, possibly run by the City. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of public childcare for everyone, but the City Council and the Mayor consistently give special treatment to the cops over other City workers and Seattle residents. Moore will likely make a feminist appeal over the amendment because figuring out officers’ childcare woos may encourage more women, often saddled with more responsibility in raising children, to join the force. Renters rights: Morales answered one of the loudest calls from the working people of the budget — reverse Harrell’s defunding of renters services. Her amendment would fully restore tenant services to the tune of nearly $1 million over the biennium. Since all amendments must come with a funding source, Morales suggested taking the money from the Office of Economic Development and reducing funding for the Mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan. Guess we won’t get a second Space Needle anytime soon, but the amendment just might save your housing. However, Moore proposed a proviso that limits funding for eviction legal services to those who make under 200% of the area median income. That’s inline with State law and while City law provides some flexibilty, the Housing Justice Project says they haven't taken on clients above 80% this year at all. The proposal mirrors one introduced earlier this year by King County Council Member Regan Dunn. Both of them must have been following the conservative media circus around the landlord in Bellevue who claimed his tenant was loaded, but choosing not to pay rent. That narrative of the freeloading tenant has gained popularity with landlords, most notably the Low Income Housing Institute. Speaking of provisos: Moore also partnered with Council Member Martiza Rivera on a proviso that would hold hostage $29.5 million —or six months of funding —earmarked for shelter services through the Human Services Department (HSD). HSD can lift the proviso by submitting a report and answering a list of questions. You can read up on all the amendments up for individual vote here. Over the next few days, watch the council discuss final amendments in real time on the Seattle Channel or follow my play-by-play on Twitter. Full Article News
ty 8 Ways To Help Increase The Shareability Of Your Content By www.rssfeedsgenerator.com Published On :: Mon, 13 Apr 2015 13:09:49 +0000 Creating shareable content is key for spreading brand awareness and is a very important aspect for online marketing success. Not only is great content one of the most important foundations of your website, it is the driving force for online engagement and has been known to improve relationships with existing readers/clients as well as gain […] Full Article eBusiness Tips content management tips content sharing technologies content syndication
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ty Fitlady Support Sporty 60D. By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Fri, 4 Oct 2002 16:11:49 GMT Support stocking socks to offer some relieve to your stressful feet. 60 denier. Suitable to go with sporty shoes. Treated to provide anti-perspiration and anti-bacteria. Freesize (foot length: 7" - 12").1021 color only. See Sizechart. Price: USD5.96 Full Article
ty La Vora Support Plus Panty Stocking. By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 16:11:49 GMT La Vora women super sheer pantyhose for daytime wear. Make your legs beautifully smooth to touch. High spandex content provides support and clearly follows the contour of your legs without slag, making it also suitable for slender legs. Freesize (S-L, 145-185cm). Colors Fairlady,1404,Inca,1012,Honey,306,Black. Price: USD4.45 Full Article
ty Futuro Women`s Beyond Support Pantyhose Reinforced Toe. By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Thu, 2 Oct 2003 16:11:50 GMT Futuro women medical pantyhose. Firm compression 20-30mmHg (class 2). Improve circulation and reduce discomfort from leg fatigue, ankle swelling and other venous insufficiencies. For post surgical patients. Full-cut panty with control top for firming and shaping. Reinforced toe and heel (RHT). Comfort waistband. Manufacturer guarantee. Sizes S,M,L. See Sizechart. Price: USD49.29 Full Article
ty Futuro Women`s Beyond Support Pantyhose French Cut. By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Thu, 2 Oct 2003 16:11:50 GMT Futuro women medical pantyhose, mild compression 8-15mmHg (class 1). Improve circulation and reduce discomfort from leg fatigue, ankle swelling and other venous insufficiencies. Enhanced toe with run gaurd. Ultra sheer. Soft and silky. French cut lace panty design. Comfort waistband. Manufacturer guarantee. Sizes S,M,L. See Sizechart. Price: USD35.40 Full Article
ty Albert Andre Therapeutic Pantyhose KK1. By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 16:11:50 GMT Albert Andre medical graduated compression (bi-elastic) Lycra pantyhose with therapeutic massage effect. Stimulate blood circulation and hence avoiding vein dilation, tiredness and 'pins and needles' in the legs. Reinforced heel and toe (RHT) for longer wear. With heel pockets for comfort. Class 1 compression (20-30mmHg). See Sizechart. Price: USD37.35 Full Article
ty Music Legs French Cut Sheer Pantyhose. By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:11:51 GMT Sheer pantyhose with French-cut from Music Legs. Semi-opaque panty. Lace up thigh. Onesize (5' ~ 5'10", 100 ~ 175lbs). Hard-paper envelop packing. Colors White,Black. Price: USD7.47 Full Article
ty New collection: Elegance pantyhose By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 08:00:00 +0800 Two new collections of pantyhose by Elegance. Elegance Panty Stocking leg fashion and Elegance Sheer Soft Pantyhose. 100% nylon. Full Article
ty New collection: La Vora Support Pantyhose By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 08:00:00 +0800 A new collection of pantyhose by La Vora. High spandex content to follow the contour of your leg without any slags. Full Article
ty TrustSG Fair 2003 - Suntec City By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Fri, 4 Jul 2003 08:00:00 +0800 Roadshow for TrustSg fair at Suntec City with WKRZ 91.3 FM, UFM 1003 onstage radio coverage from 4-Jul-2003 to 6-Jul-2003. We will be offering the Kendall Travel Socks for sale at a special price of S$19.90. Original price is $29.90. We will accept C.O.D. for Kendall Travel Socks at the fair venue. Full Article
ty New collection: Mediven medical pantyhose By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 08:00:00 +0800 Two new collections of medical pantyhose by Medi. Mediven Elegance Medical Panty class 1 and class 2, for the relief of tired, aching legs, minor varicose veins, and mild swelling. 6-months manufacturer warranty. Full Article
ty New collection: Propeds Opaque Support Pantyhose 70d By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 08:00:00 +0800 A new collection of pantyhose by Propeds. Contour enhancing velvet touch, sheer to waist with mild compression. Full Article
ty New collection: Sheer Backseam Pantyhose By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 00:52:24 +0800 A new collection of sheer backseam nylon pantyhose by MusicLegs®. Have the elegant looks of the fully-fashioned stockings of the 1950s. Sexy stockings that is perfect for your favorite dress or lingerie. Full Article
ty New collection: Seamless Pothole Pantyhose By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 00:53:01 +0800 A new collection of seamless pothole pantyhose by MusicLegs®. Very hot to go with minis and shorts. Large potholes about 1 inch (2.5cm) apart. Full Article
ty New collection: Microfibre Full Support Pantyhose By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 05:39:27 +0800 A new collection of microfibre full support pantyhose by GaLeries®. Full support with mild compression benefits for tired legs. Enhanced with Microfiber yarn to give a soft-feel and resilient support. Seamless sheer to waist. Sandal toe. Full Article
ty New collection: Open Crotch Support Pantyhose 15 Denier By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 06:10:47 +0800 A new collection of Open Crotch support pantyhose by GaLeries®. Open crotch feature for convenience and hygiene. With anti-bacterial action. Firm hold of your legs for full day wear. Comfortable elastic band. Sandal toe. Full Article
ty New collection: Silky Support Pantyhose 15 Denier By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Wed, 1 Dec 2004 06:28:11 +0800 A new collection of Silky Support Pantyhose by GaLeries®. 15 denier sheer silky pantyhose for that glamorous look. Firm hold of your legs for full day wear. Sheer support. Comfortable elastic band. Sandal toe. Full Article
ty New collection: Silky Support Pantyhose 15 Denier Queen By www.newlook.com.sg Published On :: Wed, 1 Dec 2004 06:30:17 +0800 A new collection of Silky Support Pantyhose by GaLeries®. 15 denier sheer silky pantyhose for that glamorous look. Firm hold of your legs for full day wear. Sheer support. Comfortable elastic band. Sandal toe. Plus size. Full Article