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Renee Messelin, First Black Woman Soldier To Serve Overseas, Honored At Lincoln Cemetery Memorial

A powerful ceremony in Elwood, Illinois, recently honored World War I veteran Renee Messelin, the first Black woman soldier to serve overseas for the U.S. military. This recognition highlights Messelin's pioneering service, which had previously been obscured, marking a significant step in acknowledging her historical contributions.

EPA Rollback Could Bring Dirtier Air To Black Communities

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a decision to delay or adjust stricter diesel emission standards, a move the agency projects will save the trucking industry billions. However, public health advocates contend that this rollback disproportionately harms Black communities, who are already overexposed to traffic-related pollution near freight corridors due to historical inequities.

We Expect More From Jay-Z. Why Not BET?

Journalist Julienne Louis-Anderson highlights a perceived inconsistency in public scrutiny, contrasting the lack of political discourse at the recent BET Awards with the intense criticism directed at Jay-Z for his collaboration with Target, a retailer that faced a Black consumer boycott over its revocation of DEI policies.

Saving Black Mothers Starts Outside The Hospital

A recent Word In Black livestream event convened experts, including Dr. Kaytura Felix and Tamara Mason, to address the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black women. The panel concluded that systemic issues, rather than biological factors, drive these disparities, advocating for community-based solutions such as expanded midwifery care, mental health support, and financial stability initiatives.

The Growing Cost Of Homelessness

San Francisco residents and hotel owners have initiated legal action against the city, alleging the Tenderloin district has been permitted to become a containment zone for rampant illegal drug use and other illicit activities. This development coincides with analyses, such as that by author David W. Marshall, which link the modern homelessness crisis to policy shifts under the Reagan administration, including significant reductions in affordable housing funding and social safety-net programs.

DOOM LOOP: Gettin' Stuff Done!

Counclimembers share their ideas for the mayor's Transit Measure.

July PhinneyWood Housing Market Snapshot

This is a monthly contribution to the PhinneyWood Blog by Greenwood realtor Doron Weisbarth For the past several years, one thing has remained remarkably consistent in our PhinneyWood neighborhood: buyers […]

The Roundup: Black Panthers Had It Right — Feed All Kids

In this week's edition of The Roundup, Mike Davis talks to Councilmember Dionne Foster and Mayor Katie Wilson about free meals for schoolchildren.

Fremont events July 22-25

Here’s some good stuff happening in the neighborhood:  July 22: Trans/Nonbinary Craft Evening Sabina is hosting a crafting night for trans and nonbinary folks at Ophelia’s Books, 3504 Fremont Ave N. Bring your own project or make repurposed book-page envelopes — supplies provided (small donation for materials requested). Cis friends and family welcome too. All […]

Indigenous Violence Survivors See Fewer Services After Federal Cuts

Thirty years of art on the Ridge: PhinneyWood Art Walk returns August 14–15 

Some neighborhood traditions just get better with age. This summer, the PhinneyWood Art Walk celebrates its 30th year — three decades of turning Phinney Ridge and Greenwood into a walkable gallery.  Mark your calendars: […]

Cyclospora: Public Health – Seattle King County issues update

Public Health – Seattle & King County issued the following information July 16 about a national outbreak of Cyclospora, aka explosive diarrhea: