Seattle businesses are going to get hit by $200M head tax
SEATTLE, WA — Seattle City Council has passed a progressive payroll tax on the city’s largest businesses with a vote of 7 – 2. That margin makes it veto-proof, an important note considering that Mayor Jenny Durkan has signaled opposition to the tax. The tax,…
The Seattle City Council has unanimously voted to repeal two separate loitering ordinances
SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle City Council has unanimously voted to repeal two separate loitering ordinances over concerns that both were rooted in racism and had disproportionately negative effects on minority and marginalized communities. The first ordinance repealed Monday was Seattle’s drug traffic loitering law,…
King County ready for phase 2 reopening
KING COUNTY, WA — Monday, the King County Council unanimously voted to approve Resolution 20-09, a resolution supporting King County’s application to enter Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start plan. The move essentially finalizes the county’s Phase 2 application and means King County could…
Seattle woman goes to jail for protesting and never gets a hearing
SEATTLE, WA — Last Sunday, May 31, Joan Fochs got the call to shut down early at the Interbay grocery store where she works, as the city braced for another night of protests against police violence. She closed up shop, packed up water bottles and…
Washington state just approved CARES Act that will help residents with rent
SEATTLE, WA — The city council on Monday approved a proposal to accept millions in federal CARES Act funds, $4 million of which will be allocated to assist renters who are behind on their payments due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a news release, Mayor…
Nordstrom closing stores and cutting budgets in Seattle
SEATTLE, WA — Retail giant Nordstrom announced store closures and budget cutbacks Wednesday as the company tries to adapt to business lost due to the coronavirus outbreak. In total, Nordstrom says it will close 16 full-line stores. Which stores will be closed has not been…
Seattle declared a state of emergency after heavy rain
SEATTLE, WA — Flood concerns continue Thursday in Puget Sound as heavy rain continues to pour throughout the region. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Issaquah Creek through Thursday night, and high waters were causing fresh problems on roads in King and…
COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing in the state of Washington
SEATTLE, WA — COVID-19 is hitting the state of Washington hard. The total number of illnesses linked to the new coronavirus in Washington jumped by nearly 200 Thursday, as state health officials reported seven more deaths connected to COVID-19. At least 1,376 patients have tested…
34 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Seattle
SEATTLE, WA — State health officials confirmed 34 more cases of COVID-19 in Washington on Sunday, bringing the state’s total to 136. The new totals include 12 new cases confirmed in King County, including two deaths last week by patients whose cases were not announced…