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New Council Legislation Could Make Your Utility Bills Cheaper

By Erica C. Barnett City Councilmember Dan Strauss, along with Council President Joy Hollingsworth, is proposing legislation this week that… The post New Council Legislation Could Make Your Utility Bills Cheaper appeared first on PubliCola.

City, County Plan to “Embed” Consultant to Address Financial Issues at Homelessness Agency

By Erica C. Barnett Mayor Katie Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay both announced that they plan to “embed… The post City, County Plan to “Embed” Consultant to Address Financial Issues at Homelessness Agency appeared first on PubliCola.

Seattle Turned on the Surveillance Cameras Before It Wrote the Rules

By Phil Mocek On Friday, Mayor Katie Wilson activated the Stadium District surveillance cameras for the duration of the FIFA… The post Seattle Turned on the Surveillance Cameras Before It Wrote the Rules appeared first on PubliCola.

Wilson Backs Down on Tenant Protection Rollbacks, Fire Department Funding Plan Fizzles, Privacy Advocates Push Back on Surveillance During World Cup

1. Mayor Katie Wilson’s office confirmed that Wilson will not be proposing changes to the city’s just cause eviction ordinance… The post Wilson Backs Down on Tenant Protection Rollbacks, Fire Department Funding Plan Fizzles, Privacy Advocates Push Back on Surveillance During World Cup appeared first on PubliCola.

This Week On PubliCola: June 6, 2026

AI use by SPD, doubling taxes for transit, fare gates at light rail stations, and more. By Erica C. Barnett… The post This Week On PubliCola: June 6, 2026 appeared first on PubliCola.

Seattle Nice: Mayor Wilson Doubles Down on Transit Sales Tax

By Erica C. Barnett On this week’s third (!) edition of Seattle Nice, we have a short but (I think)… The post Seattle Nice: Mayor Wilson Doubles Down on Transit Sales Tax appeared first on PubliCola.

Wilson Caves on Stadium Surveillance, Two More Cops Allege Discrimination as SPD Settles Earlier Claims

1. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson used unspecified “general but credible threats to safety and security” during the upcoming World Cup games… The post Wilson Caves on Stadium Surveillance, Two More Cops Allege Discrimination as SPD Settles Earlier Claims appeared first on PubliCola.

SPD’s Chief Spokesperson Asked AI for Help with Interview Prep, Rewriting Blog Posts, and More

SPD says the communications director only used AI tools a handful of times, and only “to evaluate their utility” By… The post SPD’s Chief Spokesperson Asked AI for Help with Interview Prep, Rewriting Blog Posts, and More appeared first on PubliCola.

Spectator 2026-05-28

Spectator 2026-06-04

Investigation Found That KCRHA Director Retaliated Against Staffers Who Complained

By Erica C. Barnett An investigation last year found that a “preponderance of the evidence” supports the conclusion that King… The post Investigation Found That KCRHA Director Retaliated Against Staffers Who Complained appeared first on PubliCola.

No More Laissez-Fare: Pilot Program Will Install Fare Gates at Up to 14 Stations

By Erica C. Barnett Sound Transit is recommending a “pilot” project that would add fare gates to as many as… The post No More Laissez-Fare: Pilot Program Will Install Fare Gates at Up to 14 Stations appeared first on PubliCola.