Good Morning! Our chilly, dry January continues. I’m not mad in any respect the sunshine, nevertheless it’s 28 levels proper now and that’s simply not walking-to-the-bus climate. It’s imagined to make all of it the way in which as much as the low 40s in the present day, and we’ll have a break from the freezing temps in a single day in the present day, however we’ll dive proper again in tomorrow. Keep heat, try the KCRHA assets in case you want them, and for the love of their little Frito-y paws, hold your animals inside.
Have you ever been having fun with the clear skies? It has been chilly and quiet weather-wise, so we thought we might share some fairly mares’ tails (ice clouds excessive within the ambiance) over Lake Washington this morning!☁️#wawx pic.twitter.com/53OzutZhWM
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 22, 2025
Okay, let’s get the Trump-dates out of the way in which. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Protection, hit a brand new snag in his affirmation listening to. Democrats have a sworn assertion from his ex-sister-in-law, saying that he was often intoxicated and abusive to his ex-wife. The Senate is holding a take a look at vote to see the place issues stand, however “There was no public indication that any Republican is having reservations,” the New York Occasions reported. Cute.
On Ice: In case the DEI memos didn’t get the administration’s racist message throughout, the Justice Division halted all ongoing litigation in its civil rights division, in response to memos obtained by the Washington Publish. The memos don’t state how lengthy the freeze will final, however they primarily shut down the civil rights division for not less than the subsequent few weeks. One memo additionally required that the civil rights division notify the Justice Division’s chief of workers of any consent decrees the division has finalized inside the final 90 days. The Justice Division has negotiated police reform agreements with Minneapolis, Louisville, and Memphis, all of which could possibly be in jeopardy.
Child’s First Racist Laws: Trump acquired his first large legislative win yesterday when the Home handed the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with sure crimes. It was an enormous precedence for the brand new Republican majorities, however don’t neglect: with such slender benefits, it wouldn’t have been doable with out Democratic help. The decision is coming from inside the home.
MAGA Granny Reform: Final evening, my new favourite headline of this Trump administration popped up on my cellphone: “Ex-MAGA Granny is popping down Trump’s pardon of her Jan. 6 conviction.” Pamela Hemphill went to DC on January 6, 2021, simply earlier than she began chemotherapy, considering it was her final likelihood to see Trump communicate. She befriended some Proud Boys (such as you do) and was finally a part of the gang that broke into the Capitol Constructing. Accountability isn’t one thing we’re used to from the MAGA crowd, nevertheless it seems that there’s precedent for turning down a pardon, so she’s free to do it. She’ll keep on federal probation for 9 months. “I don’t wish to be part of them making an attempt to rewrite historical past,” she stated. “It was an riot that day.”
Wildfires Are Again: Name your folks within the LA space—they’re having a nasty day (once more). There’s one other hearth in Los Angeles County, about 45 miles north of town. It grew to greater than 10,000 acres yesterday, and tens of hundreds of individuals are underneath evacuation orders once more, however officers are assured that they are going to have the ability to get it underneath management.
“We’ve misplaced propulsion.” Earlier this week, a lightweight rail prepare stalled, 70 toes above floor, simply earlier than the Tukwila station. Passengers had been caught for an hour whereas they waited for a rescue prepare (which truthfully sounds a bit of enjoyable in case you’re not in a rush to get wherever). However enjoyable and video games apart, technical points have turn out to be frequent sufficient that Sound Transit’s CEO has declared “the existence of an emergency” within the system, which might enable them to get a no-bid work order for pressing repairs. The transit system introduced that by November 2024, out of their 6,500 hours of service, trains had been blocked or lowered for 376 hours, or 6 % of the time. For reference, in New York Metropolis, trains arrived on time 84 % of the time final 12 months. However I’m all for aspiring to some European-transit-style precision right here in Seattle.
The Oscar Noms Are in: The Oscar nomination bulletins had been delayed due to the LA wildfires however got here on this morning. First, the highest traces: Emilia Pérez got here out on prime with 13 nominations, together with finest image. The Brutalist and Depraved tied for second (additionally with finest image noms). In some regional information, Brandi Carlile acquired her first nomination, and Julian Courageous NoiseCat’s Sugarcane was nominated for Finest Documentary. The movie investigates abuse and lacking youngsters at an Indian residential college close to the Sugarcane Reserve. You’ll be able to learn our interview with Julian right here.
Metropolis Corridor Cluster Fuck: Yesterday was the one scheduled discussion board for the finalists for the open metropolis council seat in District 2. And it was…messy. Stranger contributor Nathalie Graham watched the six males (sure, they’re all males) fail to reply most any questions in a substantive means that may give constituents confidence that they might characterize them. Learn extra about it right here.
Farm Employees Unite: Greater than 100 farmworkers and allies went to Olympia this week to foyer the state for higher protections in opposition to unfair labor practices. From KUOW: “Most of the farmworkers who arrived had been from Indigenous Mixtec- and Triqui-speaking communities in Oaxaca. They lobbied lawmakers on the state Capitol accompanied by translators. Despite the fact that President Trump’s immigration insurance policies might goal folks of their communities, organizers stated that received’t cease them from making an attempt to get higher working circumstances. They’re calling on the state for extra protections in opposition to unfair labor practices.” It’s a ballsy reminder that simply because we’re going to be on the protection with Trump for the subsequent 4 years, doesn’t imply we will’t even be on the offense.
Serenity Now: We began placing these on in our home to entertain our cats, however truthfully, it’s such a vibe. I swear that after half-hour of this on within the background, my blood stress is definitely decrease. So, in case you’re feeling a bit of pressured, deal with your self like a home pet in the present day.
