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Guy Oron

@guyoron.net

Seattle-based writer and journalist. Pronouns: he/they. Subscribe to my newsletter Gossip Guy for free! gossipguy.net

1129 Posts3215 Follower300 Folgt
Crystal Fincher@finchfrii.bsky.social · 15h ago

refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refresh refr #waelex

Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 16h ago

Gotta give credit to Kshama Sawant, she mobilizes volunteers like a general. The campaign has canvassers tabling out in the smoke since 7am at every light rail station in the South End.

Canvassers tabling for Kshama Sawant
The Stranger@thestranger.com · 17h ago

The Stranger Election Control Board will be out partying with the candidates as we wait for the last ballots to trickle in and be counted. Stay tuned as we live blog Primary Election Night 2026.

The Stranger's 2026 Primary Election Night Extravaganza - The Stranger

We’ve lint-rolled the ashy remnants of Eastern Washington off our slacks, we’ve taken a fat rip from the office’s Simply Orange gravity bong (we’re smokemaxing), and we’re ready to raid the buffet tab...

thestranger.com

Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 21h ago

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.

Election turnout at 20%Young people voting less than old people
Zeke Hausfather@zekehausfather.com · 3d ago

I'm not sure folks have realized just how crazy the second half of 2026 and 2027 will be for global temperatures – on the back of a record-smashing El Niño event. Here is my latest estimate of where both years will end up compared to global temperatures since 1850.

Bild
Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 6d ago

UPDATE: After a day of speculation, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has announced SPD Chief Shon Barnes’ official resignation after less than two years on the job. Deputy Chief Andre Sayles will serve as interim chief. Wilson did not share the reasoning for Barnes (apparently forced) resignation.

Mayor Wilson Announces Resignation of Chief Barnes and Appointment of Andre Sayles as Interim Chief Press conference to be held 11am tomorrow SEATTLE, WA — Today, Mayor Katie B. Wilson accepted a letter of resignation from Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. Chief Barnes was appointed by Mayor Bruce Harrell in late 2024 and has made substantial contributions to public safety in Seattle. "It has been an honor to serve the Seattle Police Department and this city," said Chief Barnes. "The men and women of this department show up every single day with professionalism and dedication, and what they did in the aftermath of the Bite of Seattle tragedy reflects the very best of who they are. I am proud of them and I have deep faith in the future of this department and in the vision for community-based policing that is taking root here. Seattle is committed to building a department that is truly connected to the communities it serves, and I believe in where that work is headed. I hope this transition gives the city and this department the opportunity to return full focus to what matters most, addressing youth gun violence and preventing more tragedies. That work is too important, and Seattle deserves nothing less.”"Chief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service," said Mayor Wilson. "The courage and professionalism that the officers of the Seattle Police Department showed deserves to be honored. I share Chief Barnes' hope that we can return our focus to addressing youth gun violence and ensuring that every family can feel safe in their neighborhood and across the city.” The mayor is appointing Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as Interim Chief of the Seattle Police Department. Deputy Chief Sayles brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, including serving as Chief of Police in Beloit, Wisconsin. In 2025, Sayles joined the Seattle Police Department as Deputy Chief of Administration and Investigations. Under his oversight, SPD's Gun Violence Reduction Unit and homicide detectives have continued to close difficult cases, including the arrest of a suspect in the fatal shooting of two teenagers near Rainier Beach High School. The mayor believes he is the right Interim leader for SPD in this moment and to ensure continuity while we conduct a thorough search for a permanent chief.“My vision for public safety in this city is grounded in transparency, trust, and genuine collaboration with the community,” said Mayor Wilson. “Keeping people safe requires trust, and trust requires that this department shows up in neighborhoods every day, builds relationships with residents, community organizations, and small businesses, and is accountable to the people it serves.” “This situation is very difficult, and I admire the mayor for acting decisively to move forward and rebuild strong and engaged leadership inside the department so SPD members can build trust with the communities they serve,” said Sue Rahr, former SPD Interim Chief and retired Sheriff. The mayor will hold a press conference tomorrow morning at 11:00am at City Hall to introduce Chief Sayles and provide information on the process for a permanent chief.
Mhgreen3000@mhgreen3000.bsky.social · 7d ago

If every life has equal value, every loss deserves equal mourning. My latest column examines why Seattle rallies after some tragedies but too often looks away when violence strikes Rainier Beach, Hillman City, Brighton, and other South Seattle neighborhoods.

COLUMN | Gun Violence Didn't Move to Seattle Center. Our Attention Did.

Seattle rallied when gun violence struck its "civic living room." Marcus Harrison Green asks why South End deaths have so rarely received the same urgency.

southseattleemerald.org

Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 7d ago

Sources at City Hall are saying that Mayor Katie Wilson has just fired Seattle Police Department Chief Shon Barnes. This comes just days after the Bite of Seattle mass shooting, when Barnes was out of town at a conference. Barnes has been criticized for his frequent out of town trips.

Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 7d ago

I'm excited to be participating in this year's @realchangenews.org Vendor Week to celebrate the 100s of essential and hardworking vendors of Seattle's only street paper. Please join me in fundraising for Debbie Nichols, you can send her a tip via Venmo. (Don't forget to include her badge no. 10542!)

Debbie Nichols photoWant to support my vendor, venmo Real-Change with "10542"Debbie is one of hundreds of Real Change vendorsVendors buy the Real Change newspaper for $1.25 and sell it for $4
Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 7d ago

NEW: Seattle politicians are no longer bickering over the kids' lunch money. After a contentious week, the mayor and city council have agreed on a plan to fund both universal free school meals and targeted food assistance, without delay. Via @thestranger.com: www.thestranger.com/news/seattle...

Seattle City Council and Mayor Strike a Deal After Messy Fight Over School Meals - The Stranger

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and members of the Seattle City Council have squashed the beef over school meals, reaching an agreement to pay for universal free meals during school days and vouchers for t...

thestranger.com

Ryan Packer@typewriteralley.bsky.social · last wk.

Just as new reporting shines a light on the extent that major transit projects are essentially being defunded by the Trump Administration, King County Metro is taking steps to detach Seattle's next RapidRide line from the federal funding queue. www.theurbanist.org/metro-set-to...

Metro Set to Go It Alone on RapidRide R Line, Won't Seek Federal Funding

The R Line is set to replace the Route 7 by 2032, with County Executive Girmay Zahilay promising to "fast track" the RapidRide project last year. But amid the bleak federal transit funding landscape, ...

theurbanist.org

Erica C. Barnett@ericacbarnett.bsky.social · last wk.

Um holy shit - Police Chief Shon Barnes got PISSED at @soseaemerald.bsky.social reporter Connor Nash when Nash asked about my reporting that Barnes is out of town a lot; Barnes said, "No YOU listen!" and then angrily said my "reports are WRONG." My reporting is based on his schedule.

Hana Kim on Instagram: "#seattle #spd #seattlecenter #washingtonstate #massshooting"

779 likes, 215 comments - hanakimontv on July 27, 2026: "#seattle #spd #seattlecenter #washingtonstate #massshooting".

instagram.com

Daniel Swain@weatherwest.bsky.social · 2w ago

Unfortunately, and as anticipated, yesterday's widespread lightning-following-heat event amid severe drought has sparked a large number of additional wildfires, expanding existing outbreak across OR, WA, & BC. Numerous heat signatures & large smoke plumes are evident. #ORwx #WAwx

Current snapshot from NOAA Wildfire Fire Portal showing dozens of large, active fires (heat signatures and smoke plumes) from Oregon into southern British Columbia
Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 2w ago

I find Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's statement puzzling. Instead of magnanimously taking the W on universal school meals, she says something antagonistic toward the council. Doesn't bode well for this year's budget season.

But it might not be that easy as Wilson pointed out in an emailed statement. “Now Council is proposing to pull this funding from our general fund, which is already facing a $175 million deficit,” Wilson said. “I look forward to seeing which critical services they plan to cut from the general fund to make their numbers work. I ask them to reconsider the fiscally responsible approach my office originally put forward. Feeding every student in Seattle is a goal we share, and my office is eager to work with the Council to find the best path forward.”
Vivian McCall@vivmccall.bsky.social · 2w ago

@guyoron.net has been covering the fight over universal meals in Seattle schools all week for @thestranger.com. After voting to delay the implementation of the program for a year, and getting yelled at, Hollingsworth, Strauss, and Foster announced a face turn. www.thestranger.com/news/seattle...

Seattle City Council Revives Universal School Meals - The Stranger

So it turns out students may get universal free school meals this fall after all! This afternoon, Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth and Councilmembers Dionne Foster and Dan Strauss anno...

thestranger.com

Nathalie Graham@gramsofgnats.bsky.social · 2w ago

Oops looks like voting against universal school meals is not popular and yelling at politicians works! @guyoron.net has the story www.thestranger.com/news/seattle...

Seattle City Council Revives Universal School Meals - The Stranger

So it turns out students may get universal free school meals this fall after all! This afternoon, Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth and Councilmembers Dionne Foster and Dan Strauss anno...

thestranger.com

Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 2w ago

NEW: After facing backlash over delaying universal school meals, three Seattle City Council members have announced a plan to avoid the delay by using general funds to pay for the program. @thestranger.com www.thestranger.com/news/seattle...

Seattle City Council Revives Universal School Meals - The Stranger

So it turns out students may get universal free school meals this fall after all! This afternoon, Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth and Councilmembers Dionne Foster and Dan Strauss anno...

thestranger.com

Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 2w ago

Read the full story in @thestranger.com: www.thestranger.com/news/seattle...

Seattle City Council Delays Universal School Meals - The Stranger

Seattle Public Schools students will have to wait another year for universal free school meals. At a nearly four-hour committee meeting today, the Seattle City Council voted 6 to 3 for an amendment th...

thestranger.com

Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 2w ago

BREAKING: The Seattle City Council has just voted 6 to 3 to delay the implementation of universal free school meals to fall 2027, and instead fund a new targeted food voucher program for students and families on weekends and school breaks.

Guy Oron@guyoron.net · 2w ago

BREAKING: The Seattle City Council has just voted 6 to 3 to delay the implementation of universal free school meals to fall 2027, and instead fund a new targeted food voucher program for students and families on weekends and school breaks.