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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.

GPS Leads Driver Into Mount Baker Light Rail Station. Plus, How To Keep Beloved Local Businesses Open

Today on City Cast Seattle, a Utah woman drove her Mazda up the light rail tracks and into Mount Baker Station. Host Jane C. Hu explores this bizarre transit incident with guest Meron Menghistab, co-founder of CHUM News, and contributor Lex Vaughn, founder of The Needling. They ask, how did she get that far, and what can we do to prevent this from happening again? Meron also brings CHUM’s new report on lessons learned from the shuttering of three beloved local businesses: Columbia City Ale House, Waterwheel Lounge, and Shanty Tavern. The three discuss what the city can do to better support local businesses in the long run and what role individuals play in a healthy local economy. Then, it’s time for weekend recommendations, which include DJ sets on the Seattle/Bainbridge ferry to celebrate Washington State Ferries’ 75th anniversary, as well as Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the Park.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Travel Dundee Seattle Art Museum Argosy Cruises Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

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.

At City Club Event, Mayor Answers Questions Like “Why Isn’t Pizza Cheap Yet””

  By Erica C. Barnett FOX 13 anchor Han Kim interviewed Wilson last night at an event sponsored by City… The post At City Club Event, Mayor Answers Questions Like “Why Isn’t Pizza Cheap Yet”” appeared first on PubliCola.

Will Another Transit Tax Measure Pass? Plus, Buying a Building for the Community

Today on City Cast Seattle, we start with an incredibly local story: Joining host Jane C. Hu is Jed Sundwall, founder of the Downtown Loyal Heights project, which aims to purchase an $8.8 million redevelopment site at the corner of NW 80th and 24th Ave NW. Jed tells Jane how he decided to try to purchase land he has always wanted to develop, and how he’s taken on a big project despite having little experience in real estate or development. Jane is then joined by arts writer Jas Keimig and City Cast contributor Chase Hutchinson to talk about the news that Katie Wilson wants to double the transit measure to increase the frequency of buses. The trio gets into what this means for taxes, public transit users, and the Mayor’s priorities. Finally, they talk about Hannah Sabio Howell’s campaign brand identity based on a piece Jas wrote for CHUM, the news that SIFF is championing high-quality exhibition with a 70mm run of The Odyssey at SIFF, and finally, Jas’s Substack and screening project Unstreamable. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Travel Dundee Seattle Art Museum Argosy Cruises Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Seattle Nice: Is Seattle’s Housing Market In Trouble?

By Erica C. Barnett On the latest episode of Seattle Nice, we talked to Redfin’s chief economist, Daryl Fairweather, about… The post Seattle Nice: Is Seattle’s Housing Market In Trouble? appeared first on PubliCola.