Goood morning: I am a little bit cranky as a result of I needed to take yesterday off attributable to a abdomen bug so now I really feel behind this week. However not less than it should be a reasonably day, with a excessive of 44 levels and it will steadily turn into sunnier all through the day. Very like my temper, I anticipate.
Blast Balls listening to: The Seattle Metropolis Council’s Public Security Committee is scheduled to satisfy at the moment to as soon as once more focus on whether or not to repeal a never-enforced ban on the Seattle Police Division (SPD) utilizing blast balls to interrupt up protests and enormous demonstrations. Blast balls, that are like little grenades that explode and typically spray peppery gasoline, have gotten the Metropolis into hassle prior to now; particularly in 2020 when cops used the weapons in ways in which violated SPD coverage, went towards officer coaching, severely injured lots of people (together with stopping one lady’s coronary heart, y’know, minor issues), and resulted in a $10 million settlement for the individuals SPD damage. If you wish to take an actual deep dive into how SPD managed to avoid the Metropolis Council’s ban on blast balls that got here out of the 2020 protests, take a look at Arduous Pressed’s deep dive into the subject. Surprisingly, this Council has proposed 10 amendments to Mayor Bruce Harrell’s proposed repeal of the ban, a few of which seem to be actual makes an attempt to supply oversight to the police division. I will dive extra into these as I comply with together with at the moment’s listening to scheduled for 9:30 am.
Dad and mom demand Governor Bob Ferguson assist wealth tax: As we mentioned briefly in yesterday’s Slog AM, some training organizations have launched a “Billion Greenback Bake Sale” to lift consciousness in regards to the want for training funding for Washington faculties, in line with the Seattle Instances. However are they actually going to patch billion-dollar finances holes with baked items? Nah, their entire schtick is that you just actually cannot promote cookies to repair the large funding improve wanted to take care of Washington’s public training system. It is a good gimmick. Tucked into the story is a reasonably clear critique of Ferguson’s choice to come back out towards a wealth tax. You are shedding the dad and mom, Bob. However that is what occurs if you cater to the millionaires over college youngsters.
Bob may be taught some classes from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum: Over the weekend, Sheinbaum gave an hour-long tackle marking her first 100 days in workplace and reiterated her dedication to Mexican humanism, saying, “For the great of all, the poor come first,” in line with the Mexico Information Each day. She additionally promised to not return the nation to the neoliberal insurance policies of the previous. Wow. She looks like she actually cares in regards to the individuals who stay in her nation, would not she, Bob?
Instacart and Uber reactivate deactivation lawsuit: A brand new Seattle regulation tells Instacart and Uber they’ve to present employees 14 days discover earlier than they deactivate them from working for the apps, be sure people overview the deactivations, base them on “affordable” insurance policies, and supply employees with info and documentation about why they’re not allowed to work for the apps. Instacart and Uber hate this and sued over it. They misplaced, however now they’re interesting the choice, in line with GeekWire.
China wins the tradition battle: With the US authorities threatening to unalive TikTok to “defend” Individuals’ information from China, Individuals have unilaterally stated, “No, really, carry China in,” and began downloading RedNote, which is mainly a Chinese language Instagram-TikTok hybrid, in line with USA Right this moment. Everyone seems to be making the leap, together with Hannah and my sister’s fav TikToker, Dr. Bryanlicious2. We’re all downloading RedNote now. This time subsequent 12 months we’re all going to be talking Putonghua.
Rednote exodus > bluesky exodus
— Hannah Krieg (@hannahkrieg) January 14, 2025
Talking of Hannah: She reported on a number of the individuals who wish to be appointed to interchange Council Member Tammy Morales. The Council plans to carry a particular assembly this Friday to select some finalists.
INBOX: Seattle Metropolis Clerk posted a listing of the 20 “certified candidates” for the District 2 appointment. The Council will maintain a particular assembly this Friday, Jan. 17, to pick finalists. pic.twitter.com/1UUfPNKoIl
— Hannah Krieg (@hannahkrieg) January 13, 2025
Starbucks launches closed-door coverage: Bear in mind in 2018 when Starbucks confronted backlash for certainly one of its managers calling the cops on two Black males who needed to make use of a Starbucks toilet, in the end resulting in their arrest? Effectively, again then, to calm everybody down in regards to the racism, Starbucks instituted an open-door coverage that allowed individuals to be of their shops and use their bogs no matter whether or not they’d made a purchase order. Seven years later, the espresso conglomerate is reversing that coverage, saying they wish to make Starbucks a extra inviting place to enter, and step one to that’s barring entry to the bogs till you agree to purchase a $4 brownie. Racism, union busting, and now classism? As Starbucks would say, “It is simply the fitting factor to do.”
Hegseth’s affirmation listening to: Fox Information alum Pete Hegseth, who has been accused of sexual assault and has a documented sample of extreme consuming, is present process his affirmation listening to to run the Pentagon. Other than the allegations towards him, Hegseth additionally maintains disturbing beliefs, comparable to how he would not consider girls must be in fight. To defend the “smear marketing campaign” (his phrases) towards him, Hegseth, who actually labored for Fox Information, stated the information media “sadly, would not care in regards to the reality.” Will he be confirmed? The Senate will vote after the listening to. If all Democrats vote towards his affirmation, Hegseth can solely stand to lose three Republican votes.
Sen. Jack Reed: “I don’t consider you’re certified to satisfy the overwhelming calls for of this job. We should acknowledge the regarding public experiences… the totality of your individual writings & alleged conduct would disqualify any service member type holding any management place …” pic.twitter.com/WyURc8KUPg
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 14, 2025
Progress on Ceasefire in Gaza: US and Arab negotiators made headway on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in line with the Related Press. As of this morning Hamas has accepted a draft settlement for a ceasefire and the discharge of hostages. Qatar, the mediator on this course of, stated that is “the closest level” Israel and Hamas have come to “sealing a deal” to finish this battle. However we have heard guarantees earlier than about progress in negotiations that in the end led to little or no actual change for the individuals of Gaza, the place Israeli actions have killed greater than 46,500 individuals, displaced about 90 % of the inhabitants, and the place individuals proceed to lack entry to meals and primary medical care, in line with the Guardian. In fact, it could be one thing we do not see till Donald Trump retakes The White Home.
Additionally: the U.S. calls the photographs. Trump stated he needed it over by 1/20. Subsequently, it have to be over by 1/20.
This has by no means been difficult. Biden was not weak, Biden supported the battle. https://t.co/XfNmJSQoob
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) January 13, 2025
Assist the individuals combating the LA fires: As you watch the protection of the fires in Los Angeles, the place the loss of life toll has risen to 24 individuals, it is good to notice that greater than 900 imprisoned individuals are combating these fires for meager wages. However you’ll be able to assist them by means of donations and Keri Blakinger has written a complete piece on how for the LA Instances.
Decelerate, you are doing positive: I have been buzzing this to myself since final week. I like this music. I like murmuring it underneath my breath after which somebody saying, “This music makes me consider you may really be taught to sing on key.” Anyway. Select peace this week everybody, it is a lengthy 12 months forward of us.
