Civil Rights Office Director Put On Leave Over Employee Complaints, Union Alleges Interference in Investigation
The director, Derrick Wheeler-Smith, alerted the city's investigations unit in advance to expect some "false" complaints from what he described as "a few disgruntled staff."
Wilson Announces First Steps Toward 1,000 Shelter Beds: Simpler Leases, Larger Tiny House Villages, More Money for Shelter
The package of proposals represents a subtle shift away from "housing first" to "enhanced shelter first" for people with behavioral health needs.
publicola.com/2026/03/04/w...
As City and County Consider Banning New ICE Facilities, Local Jails Are Exempted from Seattle's Ban
The city council sponsor faced internal pushback on language that also barred new jails, while King County's legislation prohibits new jails and federal detention centers for a year.
This Week on PubliCola: March 1, 2026
Staff call for civil rights office shakeup, CARE chief says police contract hobbles her team's ability to respond to crises, state elevator reform bill advances, and much more.
publicola.com/2026/03/01/t...
Seattle Nice: Are These Three Controversies All About Union Power?
We discuss backlash over the mayor's new pick at City Light, the police guild's stranglehold on alternative first response, and city workers' effort to remove their boss for what they call discriminatory behavior.
In Rare Tragedy, Man Dies Inside Rainier Beach Library Branch
The man, who staffers initially thought had overdosed, died of chronic alcohol use, according to the county.
publicola.com/2026/02/27/i...
Former City Department Director Broke Election Law; City IT Director Resigns; LGBTQ Advocates Call for Removal of Civil Rights Director
Three stories in today's Afternoon Fizz.
publicola.com/2026/02/27/f...
Elevator Followup: Reform Bill Watered Down
The bill would still allow smaller elevators in many new buildings, reducing costs and making missing-middle housing more viable.
New from
@joshfeit.bsky.social
publicola.com/2026/02/27/e...
SPD’s National Recruitment Push Includes Police Chief’s Alma Mater; Chief Attended Tiny Desk Concert with Security In Tow
Today's Morning Fizz.
publicola.com/2026/02/25/s...
Police Contract Has Prevented Unarmed Crisis Responders From Doing their Jobs, CARE Chief Says
Police have said their contract bars the CARE team from responding to calls outside private businesses, along with other explicit restrictions. The result: cops still respond to most crisis calls.
Staff Call for Removal of Civil Rights Office Director, Citing “Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, and Mismanagement”
publicola.com/2026/02/23/s...
This Week on PubliCola: Mayor Wilson walks back opposition to surveillance cameras, Councilmember Lin wants to repeal stadium district housing law, state commission deals a blow to public defense, and more.
publicola.com/2026/02/21/t...
I was on @kuow.org's Week In Review, discussing the proposed millionaire's tax, Mayor Katie Wilson's State of the City address, and whether local efforts to create friction for ICE are useful or merely performative. With host Bill Radke, Republican consultant Randy Pepple, and KUOW's Maleeha Syed.
Mayor Katie Wilson: "If We Turned Off the Cameras, It Would Become More Difficult to Solve Many Crimes"
This one's a must-listen.
publicola.com/2026/02/20/m...
City Council Legislation Would Repeal Law Allowing Apartments Near Stadiums
Last year, a state hearings board ruled that the law was invalid. The city could appeal or attempt a fix, but there appears to be little appetite for either option.
publicola.com/2026/02/19/p...
Seattle Nice Interviews Progressive Legislator-Turned-Chamber Leader Joe Nguyen
Listen to a preview of our latest episode!
publicola.com/2026/02/18/5...
State Ruling Represents a Blow to Public Defense; Settlement In SPD Killing of 23-Year-Old Will Cost Taxpayers Millions
Today's Afternoon Fizz.
publicola.com/2026/02/17/s...
This Week on PubliCola: February 14, 2026
Nine stories from PubliCola you may have missed this week.
publicola.com/2026/02/14/t...
Homelessness Authority Rescinds Tiny House Village Grant, Gives Money to Salvation Army Instead
LIHI worked to secure the funds in Seattle's budget. KCRHA said the nonprofit took too long to secure a site.
publicola.com/2026/02/13/h...
New Councilmember Dionne Foster: Police Cameras "Should Be Turned Off and Come Down."
Listen to the latest episode of Seattle Nice!
publicola.com/2026/02/13/n...
Review Finds Multiple Police Failures Preceded Violent Response to Counteprotests During Anti-LGBTQ Event in May
Police didn’t engage with community before the anti-LGBTQ event, weren’t familiar with Capitol Hill and its history, and referred to protesters as “transtifa,” the report found.
Updated tonight: @andyengelson.bsky.social reports for PubliCola that the city of Seattle has reached a settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, the 23-year-old killed by a speeding SPD officer, totaling at least $29 million.
publicola.com/2026/02/10/c...
ACLU Drops Lawsuit After City Attorney Evans Drops Blanket Affidavit Against Judge; Council Gets New Central Staff Director
Today's Afternoon Fizz!
publicola.com/2026/02/10/a...
Sex Worker Advocates Demand Action from the City After Prosecutors' Dehumanizing Presentation
The advocates want the city to listen to more diverse perspectives and stop infantilizing and ignoring sex workers who support a peer-led support system, rather than a carceral approach.
Bill Targeting Sex Buyers Would No Longer Result in Immediate Felony Charges
But an attempt to decriminalize sex work—another component of the “Nordic model”—failed.
publicola.com/2026/02/09/b...
I have a column up on @publicola.bsky.social about an important piece of city infrastructure. Elevators.
PubliCola's @joshfeit.bluesky.social has a new Maybe Metropolis column today about a Washington state proposal that would make accessible housing more affordable by reforming elevator standards that too often result in no elevators in new buildings at all.
publicola.com/2026/02/06/e...
Top Advisor to Mayor Wilson Leaves Temporary Job After Ethics Director Reverses Course
And: Where was the police chief during last weekend’s spate of deadly shootings?
publicola.com/2026/02/05/t...
Seattle Police Department Reverses Course on Public Records After Lawsuit Loss
SPD provides actual disclosure dates to records requesters after a judge rules they were violating state public disclosure law.
publicola.com/2026/02/05/p...
With a Year of Zoning Changes Ahead, Mayor Wilson Can Still Put an Urbanist Stamp on the "One Seattle Plan"
publicola.com/2026/02/02/w...
