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Who Was The Enslaved Black Child Depicted In Famous 18th-Century Portrait? Researchers Can Now Tell His Story

Researchers have definitively identified 'Jersey,' the enslaved Black child depicted in an 18th-century portrait by Joshua Reynolds, as a real individual. Challenging prior assumptions that such figures were often imaginary, the findings confirm Jersey's service in the Royal Navy and his later baptism as George Walker, shedding light on the historical presence and contributions of marginalized persons.

Waves Of Passengers Evacuated From Cruise Ship Hit By Deadly Hantavirus

The MV Hondius cruise ship, impacted by a hantavirus outbreak, commenced the evacuation of 94 passengers from 19 nationalities at the Port of Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife, Spain, with further repatriations slated for Monday.

In The Black Church, Women’s Hats Still Testify

Church hats remain a significant symbol within Black church culture, worn by Black women as expressions of devotion, dignity, and self-expression. This enduring tradition is rooted in scriptural interpretations, post-Emancipation history, and the creative contributions of Black women across generations, asserting worth in spaces that often sought to diminish their presence.

FBI Search Of Black Virginia Senator’s Office Sparks Fury

Federal agents have searched the Portsmouth office of Virginia State Sen. L. Louise Lucas in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation. The action has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and Black voters, who view it as political retribution for Lucas's influential role in the state's contentious redistricting battles.

Civil Rights Leaders Prepare For Fight After Axing Of Voting Rights Act

The U.S. Supreme Court's April 28 ruling, which invalidated Louisiana's second majority-Black congressional district, has drawn sharp criticism from Civil Rights leaders, who assert the decision undermines the Voting Rights Act and facilitates expanded partisan gerrymandering by Republicans.

The WSJ Got It Wrong: It’s This Administration Who Has A Jim Crow Fantasy

The Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais is set to significantly impact minority voters, effectively weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This ruling could enable states to suppress Black voter turnout and diminish Black congressional representation, potentially to levels not witnessed since the Reconstruction era.

Love Notes, Letters, and Trolls: May 2-May 8

This week, The Stranger‘s comment section was all about one thing: the Laurelhurst Community Council’s agreement with Seattle Children’s Hospital to limit how many helicopters can land on the hospital’s roof, carrying sick and injured children. We heard from everyone: protestors, medical professionals, parents, and residents of Laurelhurst who were also pissed about this arrangement. […] The post Love Notes, Letters, and Trolls: May 2-May 8 appeared first on The Stranger.

Spectator 2026-03-05

This Is Not Inevitable

Valerie Veatch’s work will make you feel all kinds of things: dismayed, icky, but also empowered with the knowledge that we are not, in fact, actually doomed to a future of AI overlords. Across her career, the Seattle-born filmmaker has made numerous documentaries about the impact of technology on our personal and collective lives. Me […] The post This Is Not Inevitable appeared first on The Stranger.

The Best Bang for Your Buck Events in Seattle This Weekend: May 8–10, 2026

We’ve got the ingredients to a wonderful weekend, with cheap and easy things to do from Linda From Work, Dining Dead, Understater to West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day to a World Migratory Bird Day Celebration to Tilth Alliance’s May Edible Plant Sale. For more ideas, check out our top picks of the week. LIVE […] The post The Best Bang for Your Buck Events in Seattle This Weekend: May 8–10, 2026 appeared first on The Stranger.

The Best Pizza, Pork, and Lumpia Spots

I can’t be the only person with a family member who is a liability with customer service—be it checking in to a hotel or sending a dish back at a restaurant. For me, that person happens to be my beloved mom. My Filipino mother Shellani is a self-described picky lady: choosy about what she wears […] The post The Best Pizza, Pork, and Lumpia Spots appeared first on The Stranger.

Podcast: Seattle Medium Opens Nominations For Best Of The Best Northwest Awards

The Seattle Medium has launched the inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Reader’s Choice Awards, an initiative designed to celebrate individuals, businesses, organizations, and leaders who significantly contribute to the Pacific Northwest community. The campaign is presently in its nominations phase, emphasizing community participation to identify those making a substantial impact.