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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.

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.

Auditor: KCRHA’s Corrective Action Plan Fails to Take Audit Findings Seriously

By Erica C. Barnett Clark Nuber, the firm that conducted a damning forensic evaluation of the King County Regional Homelessness… The post Auditor: KCRHA’s Corrective Action Plan Fails to Take Audit Findings Seriously appeared first on PubliCola.

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