Seattle's trusted source for breaking news, political analysis, and investigative reporting since 2009. PubliCola.com/supporthttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mlvhuzbrl22bThe More We Love got a city of Seattle contract to create a “receiving center” for women leaving the sex trade last year. Women who lived and worked there say the shelter offered few services and exposed some of its clients to harm. https://publicola.com/2026/03/26/a-tough-love-shelter-provider-has-a-foothold-in-liberal-seattle-but-former-residents-and-staff-say-they-failed-to-deliver-on-promises/15 May 2026 13:47 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvhuzbrl22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mltd7qog5k2hIn First Shakeup, Mayor Wilson Gets New Chief of Staff After Conflict With Council Over Shelter Legislation Kate Kreuzer, the current chief of staff, will work on "special projects" while Esther Handy will take over the job on an interim basis. https://publicola.com/2026/05/14/in-first-shakeup-mayor-wilson-gets-new-chief-of-staff-after-conflict-with-council-over-shelter-legislation/14 May 2026 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltd7qog5k2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mls7q65qnc2wSeattle Considers Creating Special Fire Taxing District to Help Close Budget Deficit The proposal, which would require voter approval, could take $150 million or more out of the general fund without counting toward the state-mandated local property tax cap. https://publicola.com/2026/05/13/seattle-considers-using-special-fire-district-tax-to-close-budget-deficit/14 May 2026 06:44 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mls7q65qnc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mlqos67mpk2wElections Complaint Targets Conservative Podcaster Brandi Kruse and Let's Go Washington The complaint hinges on whether Kruse's frequent advocacy for the initiative campaign is a form of in-kind donation or editorial commentary. https://publicola.com/2026/05/13/elections-complaint-targets-conservative-podcaster-brandi-kruse-and-lets-go-washington/13 May 2026 16:08 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqos67mpk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mlorspi5n22gMayor Says KCRHA's Initial Response to Audit Findings "Did Not Adequately Address My Concerns" The homelessness agency submitted a five-page response to an April 22 directive to explain how it plans to address five "high-risk" audit findings. https://publicola.com/2026/05/12/mayor-says-kcrhas-initial-response-to-audit-findings-did-not-adequately-address-my-concerns/12 May 2026 21:57 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlorspi5n22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mlo77dmp3s2gSeattle Nice: Mayor-Council Conflict and a Data Center Moratorium Wherein I go off on AI. https://publicola.com/2026/05/12/seattle-nice-mayor-council-conflict-and-a-data-center-moratorium/12 May 2026 16:24 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlo77dmp3s2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mlgoan3xds2jThis Week on PubliCola: May 9, 2025 Cops burn through sick time, county official accused of stalking must wear GPS monitor, Sound Transit announces "affordable" ST3 alternative, and much more. https://publicola.com/2026/05/09/this-week-on-publicola-may-9-2026/09 May 2026 16:31 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlgoan3xds2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mlepdghbck2iThe News About Sound Transit Is Grim. Why Are Most Seattle Politicians Pretending It Isn't? Only Dan Strauss, whose Seattle council district stands to lose an entire voter-approved light rail line, seems appropriately pissed. https://publicola.com/2026/05/08/the-news-about-sound-transit-is-grim-why-are-most-seattle-politicians-pretending-it-isnt/08 May 2026 21:46 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlepdghbck2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3ml7i7flrqs2aCouncil Committee Approves Larger New Shelters Amid Cloud of Mayor-Council Conflict The mayor's office asked the council to pull the proposal at the last minute because they didn't like some of the proposed amendments, prompting heated exchanges on the eve of the vote. https://publicola.com/2026/05/06/council-approves-larger-new-shelters-amid-cloud-of-mayor-council-conflict/06 May 2026 19:55 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml7i7flrqs2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3ml5gogzjjk2sNo Wonder the Pundit Class Can't Stand Her: We Discuss the Mayor's "Gaffes," Shelter Buffer Zones, and the KCRHA's Financial Plight Listen to this week's episode of Seattle Nice! https://publicola.com/2026/05/05/no-wonder-the-pundit-class-cant-stand-her-we-discussion-the-mayors-gaffes-shelter-buffer-zones-and-the-kcrhas-financial-plight/06 May 2026 00:22 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml5gogzjjk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3ml4zixgqhk2hAfter “Cavalier” Social Media Posts, Judge Says County Assessor Accused of Stalking Must Wear GPS Monitor After All Wilson tried to blame PubliCola for turning the court and public against him. She didn’t buy it, saying his own actions were to blame. https://publicola.com/2026/05/05/after-cavalier-social-media-posts-judge-says-county-assessor-accused-of-stalking-must-wear-gps-monitor-after-all/05 May 2026 20:26 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml4zixgqhk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3ml4rz54cp22kCounty Council Launches Action to Address Homelessness Authority's Financial Issues The plan is to assess the KCRHA's "corrective action" proposal and address immediate problems, then come up with a longer-term plan that could include dissolving the agency. https://publicola.com/2026/05/05/county-council-launches-action-to-address-homelessness-authoritys-financial-issues/05 May 2026 18:12 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml4rz54cp22khttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3ml26hmcbnc2dAudit: Retiring SPD Officers Routinely Burn Through Months of Sick Time, Costing City Millions Each Year Officers who are "functionally retired" (including a current assistant chief) call in sick for months, earning full pay until they formally retire and cash out their vacation leave. https://publicola.com/2026/05/04/audit-retiring-spd-officers-routinely-burn-through-months-of-sick-time-costing-city-millions-each-year/04 May 2026 17:17 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml26hmcbnc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mkvfffhud22fThis Week On PubliCola: May 2, 2026 Homeless agency audit fallout, councilmembers propose no-shelter zones, delivery worker pay increases, and more https://publicola.com/2026/05/02/this-week-on-publicola-may-2-2026/02 May 2026 19:38 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkvfffhud22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mkt2tnw2ks2dDespite Dire Warnings, Delivery Worker Wages Went Up Under PayUp Law; Council Plans Data Center Moratorium Even more news from PubliCola to end the week. https://publicola.com/2026/05/01/despite-dire-warnings-delivery-worker-wages-went-up-under-payup-law-council-plans-data-center-moratorium/01 May 2026 21:24 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkt2tnw2ks2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mksqn5xcnk22Former Burien City Attorney and Ex-SPOG Leader Both Run for Office; Seattle Is Paying Two Salaries for One SPD Position Today's Morning Fizz! https://publicola.com/2026/05/01/former-burien-city-attorney-and-ex-spog-leader-both-run-for-office-seattle-is-paying-two-salaries-for-one-spd-position/01 May 2026 18:21 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksqn5xcnk22https://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mkqe2e5dfk2hCounty Considers New Contract Oversight Office; Return-to-Office Booster Calls In Remotely as County Employees Criticize Three-Day Mandate Today's Afternoon Fizz: https://publicola.com/2026/04/30/county-considers-new-contract-oversight-office-return-to-office-booster-calls-remotely-as-county-employees-criticize-three-day-mandate/30 Apr 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqe2e5dfk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mkpwrvrugs25Proposed Changes to Wilson’s Shelter Plan Include Shelter-Free “Buffer” Zones, Mandatory Security Councilmember Maritza Rivera said the buffers are about "ensuring that shelters are not placed near schools, near kids and playgrounds." https://publicola.com/2026/04/30/proposed-changes-to-wilsons-shelter-plan-include-shelter-free-buffer-zones-mandatory-security/30 Apr 2026 15:33 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkpwrvrugs25https://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mkltwbaxps2bSPD Chief Questions Whether LEAD Diversion Program is "Meeting Expectations" Barnes allowed that LEAD was better than "no diversion at all," while Councilmember Rivera said the city has already "thrown a lot" of money at the program. https://publicola.com/2026/04/28/spd-chief-questions-whether-lead-diversion-program-is-meeting-expectations/29 Apr 2026 00:31 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkltwbaxps2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mkj5il4hdk2nAfter Board Meeting on Damning Audit, Talk Turns to "Winding Down" Homelessness Authority "Did we find fraud at KCHRA? The answer to that remains unclear." https://publicola.com/2026/04/27/after-board-meeting-on-damning-audit-talk-turns-to-winding-down-homelessness-authority/27 Apr 2026 22:44 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkj5il4hdk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mkdptxmths2vThis Week on PubliCola: April 25, 2026 A forensic audit finds widespread problems at the homelessness agency, county workers rally against in-office mandates, and a ton of other stories you may have missed this week. https://publicola.com/2026/04/25/this-week-on-publicola-april-25-2026/25 Apr 2026 18:57 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkdptxmths2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mkbhmk5kzs2vKCRHA Board Will Meet Today to Discuss Disastrous Forensic Audit Lots of questions face the regional homelessness authority in the wake of a report that found significant issues with its budget and accounting practices. https://publicola.com/2026/04/24/kcrha-board-will-meet-today-to-discuss-disastrous-forensic-audit/24 Apr 2026 21:24 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkbhmk5kzs2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mk7f4qvy4s2sAlarming Audit, Missing Millions: Is the End Nigh for KCRHA? Listen to this week's 🚨emergency podcast🚨 to learn more about what's happening at the region's homelessness authority! https://publicola.com/2026/04/23/alarming-audit-missing-millions-is-the-end-nigh-for-kcrha/24 Apr 2026 01:34 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk7f4qvy4s2shttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mk7c4gb2gk2wFulfilling a Campaign Promise, Wilson Announces Denny Way Bus Lanes Coming This Year The 8 will be less L8. https://publicola.com/2026/04/23/fulfilling-a-campaign-promise-wilson-announces-denny-way-bus-lanes-coming-this-year/24 Apr 2026 00:40 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk7c4gb2gk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mk6rqxgzgc24UPDATED WITH MANY NEW DETAILS from a forensic report on the region's embattled homelessness agency Forensic Audit Finds Homelessness Agency Lacked Basic Accounting Standards, Lost Track of at Least $13 Million https://publicola.com/2026/04/22/forensic-audit-finds-kcrha-unable-to-account-for-13-million-in-public-funds/23 Apr 2026 19:48 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6rqxgzgc24https://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mk4sscu4j22bForensic Audit Finds KCRHA "Unable to Account for $13 Million" In Public Funds Mayor Wilson and Councilmembers Express Rising Concerns About Embattled Homelessness Agency https://publicola.com/2026/04/22/forensic-audit-finds-kcrha-unable-to-account-for-13-million-in-public-funds/23 Apr 2026 01:01 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4sscu4j22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mk4nmxoclk2cSeattle Times Fails to Credit PubliCola for Reporting on County ASSESSOR's Social Media Posts (Sorry for the brain-freeze headline error that was up for a few seconds!) When media behemoths refuse to credit, it devalues small outlets that provide original reporting on a fraction of their budgets. https://publicola.com/2026/04/22/seattle-times-fails-to-credit-publicola-for-reporting-on-county-executives-social-media-posts/22 Apr 2026 23:29 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4nmxoclk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mk2bwnreck23Hey, @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social you literally GOT this story from me. I broke it days ago on Bluesky and then on my own website, PubliCola. THE POST WAS DOWN BY YESTERDAY. I RAN INTO YOUR REPORTER WHO THANKED ME FOR BREAKING THIS NEWS today. Give my independent outlet credit immediately. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/king-county-council-calls-for-assessor-to-resign-as-he-posts-on-social-media/22 Apr 2026 00:54 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk2bwnreck23https://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mk25r2rjlc23Union Members, King County Employees Protest Three-Day Office Mandate Many employees have never had to work from an office in downtown Seattle, and have jobs that take them to far-flung locations. https://publicola.com/2026/04/21/union-members-king-county-employees-protest-three-day-office-mandate/21 Apr 2026 23:39 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk25r2rjlc23https://bsky.app/profile/publicola.bsky.social/post/3mjxor7rxhk2zCounty Assessor, Charged With Stalking, Posts Taunting Pics as Council Again Demands His Resignation Wilson said he can't wear the monitor, which a judge ordered to ensure he complies with a restraining order, because of a condition that requires him to soak his legs. https://publicola.com/2026/04/20/county-assessor-charged-with-stalking-posts-taunting-pics-as-council-again-demands-his-resignation/21 Apr 2026 00:06 +0000at://did:plc:4p533dkbdgdf2vyso5tiqfxs/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjxor7rxhk2z