Latest News

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.

Sunday Movies: Vacant Downtown Lots & Housing-Price Dynamics

Why have two downtown lots have remained empty for over a decade? The story of the Seattle Times lot and the Pioneer Square Station lot. (Build Core) Housing price dynamics in the US, UK, and New Zealand. (Patrick Boyle) This is an open thread.

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.

Indigenous Violence Survivors See Fewer Services After Federal Cuts

Friday Roundtable: Link Reductions July-August

Link will have a few maintenance reductions in late July and early August. On Sunday July 26 all day, the Crosslake part of the 2 Line will be replaced by shuttle buses between South Bellevue and International District. The shuttle will run approximately every 10-15 minutes. The 1 Line will run every 8 minutes from … Continue reading "Friday Roundtable: Link Reductions July-August"

Seattle Transit Amendments Results

A Seattle city committee voted on a slate of amendments to the Seattle Transit Measure (STM) levy renewal Mayor Wilson proposed. The meeting video has the proceedings. It’s three and a half hours long, and parts of it were confusing to me. I watched the debates and votes on 6 of the 22 amendments. This … Continue reading "Seattle Transit Amendments Results"

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:

Washington's offseason in quotes, position by position

A compilation of the most interesting things UW coaches and players have said about the roster.