If pure evil had been a basketball workforce, it’s now formally racked up sufficient victories over the previous few days to be thought of the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the late 90s. However don’t despair [insert some delusionally optimistic sounding nonsense bastardized from a Mel Robbins TikTok that still allows you to hold a shred of dignity]. Now’s the time to be stalwart, not consider expatriating! [Note: We’re totally fucked. Double-check Asana for the time of Thursday’s Costa Rican citizenship meeting].
Climate: What precisely can I let you know you can’t already see trying exterior your window? There’s snow! Icy streets have already brought about a number of crashes and spin outs throughout King County, so should you completely must hit the highway this morning, please watch out! Scattered snow showers will proceed all through the morning earlier than the temperature rises ever so barely, bringing rain. Seattle public faculties are all going distant instruction right now with a two-hour delay.
Trump desires to take over Gaza: Yesterday, Trump stood alongside conflict prison Netanyahu as he unveiled his plan for renewed American imperialism. In a stark reversal of his 2016 vow to withdraw the US from the Center East, Trump floated the concept of seizing management of Gaza, displacing the Palestinians—whose homeland it’s—and remodeling the world right into a luxurious seaside actual property venture, branding it “the Riviera of the Center East.” This “long-term possession partnership” would require US troops on the bottom and large tax {dollars}—a plan Individuals, nonetheless decrying the price of eggs, won’t be too desirous to assist. Trump known as Gaza a “demolition website,” conveniently ignoring the context of how that may have occurred, as he casually prompt forcing Palestinians into exile in Egypt and Jordan. Critics have rightly denounced the proposal as ethnic cleaning and a blatant violation of worldwide legislation. (And by “critics,” we imply “individuals with eyes”). And that is week three. Buckle up.
CIA Gives Purchase Out: The teardown of the executive state marches on, and in a twist I by no means noticed coming, I discover myself oddly aligned with CIA personnel. On Tuesday, the Central Intelligence Company supplied buyouts to its complete workforce as a part of a “holistic technique to infuse the Company with renewed power,” in response to a CIA spokesperson—who, let’s be trustworthy, won’t have a job subsequent week. New CIA Director John Ratcliffe is aggressively aligning the company with Trump’s priorities. Federal workers who’ve thought of taking buyouts have obtained contracts stating that by accepting the deal, they “without end waive” the correct to take authorized motion in opposition to their company. Unsurprisingly, the American Federation of Authorities Workers (AFGE) and two different unions have filed a criticism, calling the buyout supply “arbitrary and capricious” and a violation of federal legislation.
RFK on Monitor to Turn into Well being Secretary: With the nomination handed alongside for consideration to a full vote on the Senate flooring, the percentages appear ever in his favor. Upon approval, the anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorist would oversee an 80,000-person workforce and the $1.7 trillion U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers—or no less than till Musk locks him out of the system. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis known as Kennedy a “disrupter”—a buzzword Shark Tank has ruined for all of us—and prompt, “It’s time to place somebody in there who’s going to go wild.” Precisely what tens of millions of Individuals on Medicare and Medicaid have been praying for.
Kremlin Asset Tulsi Gabbard Additionally on Monitor: The Senate Intelligence Committee superior the nomination of Cruella de Vil cosplayer Tulsi Gabbard for Director of Nationwide Intelligence on a party-line vote of 9 to eight, with all committee Republicans in assist. Gaetz crashed and burned, so that each different nominee may soar! If confirmed by the total Senate, the previous Democrat and famous Islamophobe would handle a price range of greater than $70 billion and oversee 18 intelligence companies.
Households Sue Trump for Banning Gender-Affirming Care: Seven households, alongside plaintiffs PFLAG and GLMA, filed a lawsuit Tuesday difficult Trump’s government orders halting federal assist for gender-affirming well being take care of transgender individuals underneath 19. The ACLU and Lambda Authorized, representing the plaintiffs, are looking for to dam the order, calling it “illegal and unconstitutional” in a courtroom submitting. They argue the order, one of the crucial aggressive federal assaults on transgender rights up to now, withholds federal funds beforehand licensed by Congress, violates anti-discrimination legal guidelines, and infringes on parental rights. Like challenges to state bans, additionally they contend the coverage discriminates by permitting federal funds for a similar therapies when not used for gender transition. Kristen Chapman, a plaintiff who moved from Tennessee to Virginia to entry take care of her 17-year-old daughter, Willow, noticed their scheduled Medicaid-covered appointment canceled the day after Trump signed the order. The lawsuit, filed in Baltimore federal courtroom, goals to dam what advocates name a full-scale assault on transgender existence. Because the case progresses via the courts, consideration will flip to which hospitals take a stand and which quietly comply.
Seattle Youngsters’s Halts Trans Teenagers Surgical procedure: Relatedly, as our resident badass Vivian McCall reported, Seattle Youngsters’s Hospital simply pulled the plug on a transgender teen’s high surgical procedure on the final minute—allegedly to appease a Trump government order that treats gender-affirming care like some sort of nationwide safety menace. The hospital gained’t say outright what’s taking place, however scrubbing its web site of trans healthcare information is about as delicate as a drunk magician. In the meantime, the teenager’s household isn’t ready round to see how dangerous it will get—they’ve seen this film earlier than, and spoiler alert: it doesn’t finish effectively.
Donkeys Are Alright! Two Bellevue donkeys, Juan and Julio, lacking since they had been stolen from their barn Sunday afternoon, had been discovered alive and effectively in Fall Metropolis after a great Samaritan tipped off the cops on Tuesday. King County Sheriff’s Workplace and the Bellevue Police are actually working to reunite the donkeys with their proprietor, Allison Smith who’s nonetheless reeling from the theft of her trailer and the misery brought about to her horse, Ozzy. And although the animals have been reunited, her unique message to all could be donkey thieves nonetheless applies: “Get your individual f***ing donkey.” I couldn’t agree extra.
Rinck Operating for Reelection: Seattle Metropolis Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck is operating for a full four-year time period as a result of, as we all know, preventing for housing affordability, group security, and fundamental human dignity remains to be thought of a radical act on this city. After successful a particular election in 2024 with 58 % of the vote, she’s again with endorsements from over 30 native leaders and a cussed refusal to let greed and paperwork grind this metropolis into mud. With a background in fiscal coverage, human companies, and emergency response, she’s truly making an attempt to resolve issues as a substitute of passing ineffectual laws (SODA zones, Drug ordinance, and so forth.) that crushes our metropolis’s soul.
Duwamish Given Probability at Recognition: Final week, a US District Courtroom informed the Division of the Inside to cease dragging its toes and rethink the Duwamish Tribe’s petition for federal recognition. The choice provides the tribe the prospect to current new proof that reveals they’re nonetheless the identical Duwamish Tribe that signed the 1855 Treaty of Level Elliott. It’s a small win for them, nevertheless it’s a win—now the tribe has the shot at not solely recognition but additionally federal advantages. That’s if there are any advantages left to go round after this administration will get finished.
Metro Installs New Security Obstacles: King County Metro is putting in new protecting limitations between bus drivers and passengers to enhance security, following growing issues about driver assaults, together with the lethal stabbing of Shawn Yim in December. The brand new limitations are safer and sturdy than earlier ones, with locks and bolstered designs to cut back the danger of assaults. These upgrades are a part of a broader effort to deal with security issues, with plans to retrofit round 1,300 buses at an estimated value of $15 million.
A Particular Place in Hell: Not gonna lie, these two tales have me questioning my abolitionist bonafides and total perception in humanity however right here they’re. Cameron James Taylor, a Seattleite and former US Military soldier, was sentenced to 87 months in jail for sexually assaulting a 5-year-old youngster at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This conviction is a part of a historical past of prison sexual offenses, together with prior convictions and an “Aside from Honorable” discharge from the Military. Following his sentence, Taylor will probably be required to register as a intercourse offender and serve 10 years of supervised launch. On the identical day Taylor was sentenced, a Seattle lady was charged with second-degree homicide after allegedly beating her 14-year-old son to dying for not finishing his chores. The boy suffered over 1,100 accidents from hours of abuse.
We Want Love: Okay, so desperately wanted abrupt topic change: Charles Mudede and Daudi Abe lately explored how early rap was all about post-puberty testosterone and barely a shred of emotional depth. Males—boys, actually—speaking about every little thing however love. Then LL Cool J drops “I Want Love” in ’87, and growth! Vulnerability enters the sport, shaking up the entire rap world. Quick ahead a long time later and we’ve bought every little thing from Technique Man and Mary J. Blige’s “You’re All I Want” to Missy Elliott’s “Work It,” the place rap isn’t nearly being robust; it is about longing, need, and even pleasure. Who knew? Seems, love has been creeping into hip-hop all alongside, making us rethink what it means to be “exhausting.” Take a look at the whole rundown right here.
And in that vein, right here’s a throwback from the one and solely Miss Lauryn Hill:
