Blissful Solstice! And welcome to the longest evening. The solar will set at 4:20 pm at this time, and gained’t come again till 7:55 am tomorrow morning. Solstice “day” is formally tomorrow. Construct a bonfire, mild candles, get witchy. (The Seattle Occasions has a roundup of nighttime walks within the woods). And after we have fun our longest evening, the times begin getting longer once more.
Harrell’s battle on taggers: Lol. King County prosecutors filed greater than 30 legal instances in opposition to 16 taggers round Seattle. Many of the costs are for first- and second-degree malicious mischief (which all sounds very festive). The fees targeted totally on two huge crews that you just’ve in all probability seen on onramps round city: MSP, or “Making Suckas Panic” and BTM, “Large Time Mobb.” DOTCOM additionally received a shoutout. At a press convention, Prosecutor Leesa Manion known as it “felony-level conduct,” and Seattle police Detective Robert Belshay known as it “mainly organized crime.” Prosecutors stated that they’re solely searching for restitution in these instances, so not less than they admit that they’re in it for the money.
Replace from Ashley at 9:15 am!
Seattle’s new high hog: Mayor Bruce Harrell introduced Shon Barnes as Seattle’s new chief of police Friday. Barnes at the moment leads the police division in Madison, Wisconsin. In contrast to in Harrell’s final police chief search, he held completely zero public boards to solicit public enter. If Harrell had, individuals might need introduced up accusations that Barnes mishandled police accountability instances and requested an officer about her sexual orientation of their exit interview. I would wish to keep away from that if I used to be Harrell. Barnes nonetheless must be confirmed by Metropolis Council.
Obeying (and profiting) upfront: The ACLU introduced yesterday that by a FOIA request, they obtained information that exposed that “ICE is actively contemplating proposals to increase immigration detention in California, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington state.” One of many proposals is from GEO Group Inc., which already operates Washington’s solely for-profit jail: the Northwest ICE Processing Heart, which in accordance with La Resistencia, has seen 13 starvation strikes this yr alone.
Get your flu pictures, children: Vaccination charges are down throughout the nation, however we’re actually taking the cake right here in Washington. Baby flu vaccination charges are down 15.9 proportion factors—greater than double the nationwide decline. King County’s largely preserving it collectively (we solely dipped by a couple of proportion factors) however the state numbers are regarding: To date this flu season, the CDC has reported 200 pediatric flu deaths, a report excessive for a non-pandemic flu yr. I do know it sucks for like, a second, however get your shot.
Birds and Cows and Cougars, Oh My: Farmers are calling the hen flu “Covid for Cows.” The virus has hit California dairy farms arduous—impacting greater than 600 of them within the final 4 months. In the meantime right here in Washington, two wild cougars died of the identical flu. (TIL that our cougar inhabitants is small and fairly inbred, in order that they’re particularly weak to illness. The extra !) To date we’ve had 14 confirmed and possible instances in people within the state. The CDC nonetheless maintains that the chance to people is low, however cougars and California dairy farmers are feeling anxious.
Justice for Ayşenur: The household of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26-year-old Seattlite who was shot within the head by Israeli troopers within the West Financial institution, met with the Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week to demand a U.S. investigation into her killing. Eygi’s widower, Hamid Ali, instructed the Seattle Occasions that even their “low expectations weren’t met.” Her sister instructed the paper that Blinken “primarily stated he wouldn’t be doing something.” The household is making an attempt to speak to members of Congress who could be keen to place stress on the administration.
ICYMI: Obtained a uterus? Obtained excellent news for you. Yesterday, Stranger contributor Megan Burbank reported on a brand new invoice that was launched into the Washington state legislature that might require medical professionals to debate ache administration choices earlier than inserting an IUD. From Megan: “Should you’ve ever gotten an IUD—or talked to a fellow drunk lady in a rest room line for just a bit too lengthy—the ache that may accompany an insertion will not be new data. After I surveyed IUD customers—or would-be customers—about their experiences most just lately, I used to be instantly flooded with responses describing ‘mind-bending ache,’ extended failed insertion makes an attempt, repeated makes use of of the phrase ‘brutal,’ and comparisons to issues like ‘a small dragon … making an attempt to claw out of my physique for 24-36 hours.’” The cervixes of Washington state thanks, Rep. Amy Walen.
The Strike Earlier than Christmas: Get your peppermint mocha some other place, Starbucks is occurring strike at this time. Stranger Contributor Conor Kelley reported that their bitter negotiations have reached a breaking level. Starbucks Staff United (SBWU) stated that the corporate has did not cut price in earnest, in order that they’re launching 5 days of escalating walkouts, beginning at this time. Learn extra about it right here.
We did it! Bear in mind when homicide hornets have been one of many seven plagues visited upon us in 2020? Nicely officers introduced that we’ve eradicated them from the USA. “It’s a uncommon day when the people really get to win one in opposition to the bugs,” stated Sven Spichiger, an entomologist with the Washington state Division of Agriculture, to KUOW.
Retaining the lights on? For the 20-somethingth time since 1976, the federal government might shutdown tonight. Looming shutdowns at all times really feel like political theater, however this time, the President-elect is making an attempt to swing his dick round earlier than he’s even in workplace, trying to shoehorn in a two-year suspension of the federal debt restrict. Home Speaker Mike Johnson rejected that proposal, however now we’re again to the place we began. If the federal government shuts down, a reminder that it’s an enormous employee subject. Many will likely be furloughed, and their work will halt (which already sucks) however employees which are thought of “important”—together with 59,000 TSA employees—will likely be pressured to work by the shutdown with out pay.
Mangione might face the demise penalty: Luigi Mangione, who’s charged with the deadly capturing of the UHC CEO, was already charged in New York, the place the demise penalty is unlawful—which means probably the most extreme punishment he might obtain could be life with out parole. However yesterday, prosecutors added 4 federal costs for stalking throughout state traces and homicide. Nearly all of states (27 of ‘em) have stopped utilizing the demise penalty, together with New York and Washington state. Cuz possibly the federal government shouldn’t kill individuals.
Slightly deal with: A contact of very lesbian nation to your morning. Julien Baker (who, on the very least, as one third of boygenius) and indie singer-songwriter TORRES teamed up for the queer nation album of your desires, and “Sugar within the Tank” is their first single. It’s been caught in my head for days and I’m not mad at it.
