"The best news of the night was Seattle library levy winning with a whopping 72% of the vote. Local suburban wet blanket The Seattle Times opposed the measure, and its editors' tears will now be collected to run water-saving toilets in the downtown library."

Cascadia Journal@cascadiajournal.bsky.social · 17m ago

In today's #Cascadia Journal, we wrap up WA election results, note that Portland has the worst air quality in the world right now, and look at the annual paddle to the Nisqually Medicine Creek potlach, which has deep significance for Coast Salish people: www.cascadia-journal.com/cascadia-tod...

El-Sayed's line in his acceptance speech, "if we come through this, and when we come through this -- Inshallah" and the big smile afterwards -- is one of the best things I've seen in American politics in a long time.

Amazing that this is advancing so quickly and without objection given just a year ago everyone was sure renter protections were going to get rolled back big time.

Mayor Katie B. Wilson@mayor.seattle.gov · 18h ago

Yesterday’s unanimous committee vote to ban predatory rental junk fees is a key step toward greater transparency and fairness for renters. -Mayor Katie B. Wilson and Councilmember Dionne Foster

Seattle voters are currently approving the library levy renewal by nearly 72%.

Ryan Packer@typewriteralley.bsky.social · 15h ago

Greetings from the Yes Seattle Libraries election night party at Reuben's downtown, featuring CM Dionne Foster.

Nails are being bitten in Michigan.

OK my quick take on King county elections: Ron Davis is the prince of late ballots and I'm gonna go on a limb and say he might pull it off in the 46th, Tomiko Santos will face a close race in the 37th in November, Sen majority leader Jamie Pedersen seems safe in 43rd and YAY SEATTLE LOVES LIBRARIES!

Earth to King County Elections: everything OK up there?

Why does every election in the US seem to depend on Macomb county?

Jake Tapper just murdered an abuser on live TV. That's one hell of an interview.

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 20h ago

🤯 Rep. Max Miller's interview with Jake Tapper was one of the most self-destructive things I've ever witnessed on cable news. Here's the whole thing:

Yesterday’s unanimous committee vote to ban predatory rental junk fees is a key step toward greater transparency and fairness for renters. -Mayor Katie B. Wilson and Councilmember Dionne Foster

On the job tonight for @washingtonstatestandard.com contributing to their live blog. I’ll be in Bellevue checking out the WA Dems party for Congressional incumbents Adam Smith, Suzan DelBene, and Kim Schrier washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/08/04/l...

Live coverage: Washington's 2026 primary election • Washington State Standard

Washington's primary election has arrived. The top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the November election regardless of party.

washingtonstatestandard.com

There’s only 6 hours left to vote in today’s primary elections. Only 20% of voters in King County have turned in their ballot so far. Boomers are out voting Gen Z by almost 5 to 1.

In today's news from across #Cascadia, Spokane wildfire is suspected arson, OR lawmakers want to ban new data centers for 3 years, WA's creepy trans sports ban wants girls' genitals inspected, and two festivals celebrate the diversity of Seattle's south end. www.cascadia-journal.com/cascadia-tod...

Cascadia today: One Spokane fire suspected as arson + OR lawmakers propose data center ban + creepy WA ballot measure wants to inspect girls' genitals

Suspect arrested for arson in Spokane wildfire As wildfires continue to burn uncontained in and around Spokane, the AP reports that a 37-year-old man in custody on suspicion of first-degree arson for...

cascadia-journal.com

Seattle! Vote in a ballot box by tomorrow at 7:59 pm 👀 Use @electioncheatsheet.org and it will take less than 10 minutes.

If you're on a budget, you can create a box fan air purifier in about 10 minutes with these instructions: www.epa.gov/sciencematte...

Do-It-Yourself Air Cleaners: Making Cleaner Air More Accessible | US EPA

EPA and other health, environmental, and nonprofit organizations have provided instructions for creating do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners.

epa.gov

The Seattle Times@seattletimes.com · 2d ago

Wildfire smoke from a trifecta of catastrophic wildfires will roll in Tuesday and could cause the air quality to be unhealthy and reduce visibility.

There are details on how to help people impacted by Spokane wildfires in today's newsletter:

Cascadia Journal@cascadiajournal.bsky.social · 2d ago

More than 600 homes destroyed in devastating Spokane wildfires, court ruling could free hundreds held in Tacoma ICE camp, and a BC First Nation nursery grows native plants to restore damaged lands. Your #Cascadia news roundup: www.cascadia-journal.com/cascadia-tod...

Is our city ready with smoke shelters & a system to get people inside tomorrow — not just in the daytime but at night? Why is there a scramble every time? We know these types of events will be more & more frequent and yet we don’t have a sustainable and comprehensive plan to protect community. 😢

Doing the thing...

Absolutely incredible that Westneat and other critics of the mayor believe Shon Barnes was appointed by her and that SHE should have "worked out" his desire to travel constantly with him as part of his contract, when he was appointed by Bruce Harrell in 2024. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Seattle City Hall rarely runs smoothly. This week it hit new lows

The spectacle of the neophyte mayor and the frequent flyer police chief, both failing at their jobs when they were needed most, is not going to pass lightly.

seattletimes.com

Have you voted? Your ballots are due in a ballot box by 8 pm Tuesday. Want help? Check out the REAL progressive voters guide for Seattle: electioncheatsheet.org

Lefty Cheat Sheet — Aug 2026 Primary

A quick guide on how to vote lefty using sources YOU trust!

electioncheatsheet.org

Ryan Packer@typewriteralley.bsky.social · 4d ago

It's time to post the current election turnout breakdown by age bracket chart again and remind you that ballots are due by Tuesday!

The Blue Angels didn't fly today because of a little Cascadia wind. We'll take that as a victory.

Cascadia 1, Blue Angels, 0

Cascadia Democratic Action@cascadiademocratic.bsky.social · 4d ago

Thanks to everyone who stopped by Cal Anderson today for CDA's Water Not Jet Fighters drive! We raised over $100 and received more than one thousand N-95 masks to help farm workers and those without shelter deal with heat & wildfire smoke. Plus the Blue Angels didn't fly! VICTORY FOR #CASCADIA 💙🤍💚

This is extremely concerning. Stay safe, Spokane friends.

Spokane Rising@spokanerising.com · 4d ago

Holy crap. Level 3 (GO NOW!) zone now includes urban Spokane, south of Francis to Wellesley. Level 2 (GET SET!) zone now extends east of Division. Not to be alarmist, but at this rate, it’s not inconceivable that the Old Trails Fire merges with the Fairview Fire.

Amazing fly-by. #Seafair

Hard to see this when resources and communities in Eastern WA and OR are already stretched thin dealing with existing fires. Large swathes of Washington east of the Cascades face a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” with this Red Flag Warning - rare, dire language from the NWS.

‘Extremely critical’ fire danger Saturday in central, eastern Washington

As August begins this weekend, a very serious fire weather threat will develop east of the Cascade crest due to strong westerly winds and low humidity.

kiro7.com

Today! Cal Anderson park in Seattle, noon--4pm Saturday Aug 1. Screw the Blue Angels, help our neighbors. Donate bulk bottled water and N-95 masks or make a monetary donation through our Ko-Fi. We'll be handing out earplugs & ICE whistle kits too. Hope to see you there!

I'm remembering the press conference when Adrian Diaz resigned as SPD Chief, and he was practically in tears, and Mayor Harrell kept him on the SPD's payroll while delivering a spectacle for the press.

Worshipping at the church of #PizzaFriday

Looking forward to riding light rail to Ballard when I'm 92 years old.

The Urbanist@theurbanist.org · 5d ago

The new 2060 timeline for light rail stations in Interbay and Ballard assumes Sound Transit isn't able to unearth any major cost savings or unlock additional financial tools. But the agency painted an optimistic picture for a 2042 opening. Story: www.theurbanist.org/full-ballard...

Just a reminder, after a week full of scoops and general insanity at Seattle City Hall, that my work is funded directly and entirely by reader contributions and subscriptions. LOTS of options here, from newsletter subscriptions to one-time donations to my physical address, for checks!