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Police Chief Says No Plan to Slow Hiring Amid Budget Crunch; City Attorney Says “SOAP Orders Don’t Work” at Aurora Ave. Safety Event

1. Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, responding to a question from PubliCola, said the police department does not plan to… The post Police Chief Says No Plan to Slow Hiring Amid Budget Crunch; City Attorney Says “SOAP Orders Don’t Work” at Aurora Ave. Safety Event appeared first on PubliCola.

At Least Six States Are Bowing Out Of Trump’s ‘Great American State Fair’

President Donald Trump's 'Great American State Fair,' set to open on June 25, aims to feature pavilions from every U.S. state and territory. However, several states, including Oregon, Washington, and Illinois, have declined invitations to participate. Officials cite significant financial costs and growing concerns over the event's partisan nature as primary factors in their decisions.

Supreme Court Blocks Alabama From Executing Inmate With Method Lower Court Found Cruel And Unusual

The Supreme Court has blocked Alabama from proceeding with an execution using nitrogen hypoxia, a method that experts describe as causing 'air hunger' and which a federal court previously ruled violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

They survived one of the worst mass shootings in US history. What life looks like 10 years after Pulse

A decade following the Pulse nightclub shooting, survivors have detailed their complex physical and psychological recoveries. Their narratives highlight ongoing efforts to address gun violence and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, with some individuals channeling their experiences into advocacy and personal pursuits, such as makeup artistry, as a means of healing and community engagement.

For Sale: Children’s Nutrition

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the FY2027 Agriculture appropriations bill, which enacts a $200 million reduction in funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and diminishes the fruit-and-vegetable benefit, directly impacting the nutritional support for pregnant women, infants, and young children.

OPINION | Seattle's World Cup Plans Reach the Waterfront. Why Not the South End?

From Rainier Avenue to Beacon Hill, South End business advocates ask why neighborhoods rich in culture, food, and small businesses were left out of Seattle's World Cup spotlight.

Zahilay Outlines Affordability, Safety Priorities in First State of the County Address

From affordable housing and expanded child care to new bus routes and violence prevention funding, Zahilay used his first State of the County speech to spotlight early wins and future priorities.

Mediums Collective Brings Raza Pride to Capitol Hill

Zahilay Outlines Vision For A More Connected King County In First State Of The County Address

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, in his inaugural State of the County address, presented an ambitious agenda designed to cultivate a more connected King County. The executive's plan emphasizes critical investments in housing affordability, expanded child care provisions, strategic transit enhancements, comprehensive behavioral health services, and targeted public safety initiatives.

Another Upheaval on Mayor Wilson’s Staff as Communications Director Departs

By Erica C. Barnett In the latest upheaval at the mayor’s office, Mayor Katie Wilson’s communications director, Seferiana Day, is… The post Another Upheaval on Mayor Wilson’s Staff as Communications Director Departs appeared first on PubliCola.

New Study Reveals 1 In 5 Young People Use AI Chatbots For Emotional Support

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics indicates that nearly one in five adolescents and young adults are turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for emotional support during times of distress. This development raises significant questions concerning the appropriate deployment and inherent limitations of such digital mental health tools.

Why ‘Climate Justice’ Isn’t Resonating In Communities Most At Risk

A new study published in the journal PLOS Climate indicates that the term "climate justice" is not effectively reaching its intended audience, with two-thirds of respondents, including those in Black and low-income communities, reporting unfamiliarity, thereby challenging advocates to reconsider their communication strategies.