If you're even remotely interested in what's opening, closing, or happening in Seattle, it's wise to immediately begin following the Daily Journal of Commerce's Twitter account. It's as simple as that. more ›

Third choice may be the charm for Gary Locke, the latest pick for Commerce Secretary. If Locke leaves, someone will have to pick up the slack on China, energy, and governmental relations. Ponder this as you walk around Greenlake, which is safe after a bomb scare this morning, PhinneyWood reports. Should you decide to be part of the solution, West Seattle blog has info on upcoming Vidaduct meetings, and MyBallard reports on plans for a car camp for homeless folks. more ›

In her inaugural speech [pdf] on Wednesday, Governor Gregoire hearkened back to the Great Depression and called for "generosity among all Washingtonians" in the next few years as the state navigates the worst economic recession since the 1930s. She also hinted at a new program she has named "Washington Jobs Now," saying that she thinks it could create as many as 20,000 new jobs for the state by cutting unemployment taxes for businesses and pushing forward some $1 billion in public works projects. Yesterday, she revealed the details of the plan [pdf] at the 37th Annual Economic Forecast Conference at enterpriseSeattle. more ›

For a clue as to what a Seattle sans P-I might be like, look no farther than this Seattle Times article on the ragtag group of citzens--gosh, looks like they're the entrenched power elite, actually--that has pluckily banded together to force a tunnel down Seattle's throat, vote or no. Calling the group a collection of "business leaders, neighborhood activists and environmentalists," the story doesn't name any actual activists or environmentalists. There's attorney Tayloe Washburn, from the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce; Rob Sexton, Downtown Seattle Association; and David Freiboth, King Co. Labor Council. The car-friendly folks at the Discovery Institute's Cascadia Center are in on it, too. The group reminds us of the band of merchants in Westerns who are always willing to sell out the rest of the town if it means they won't be personally inconvenienced--or might profit in some way. And of course they always have the mayor's ear. Stakeholders is exactly right. They do think they own the place. more ›

WSDOT has announced they will be re-opening I-5 this afternoon after flooding and debris forced the state to close the highway by Chehalis on Wednesday. The road crews are hard at work making sure the stretch is safe, and will be letting trucks and then regular traffic through at some point later today. That's great news for commerce in general, commuters, and all the weekend shows who were looking at cancellation. Won't it be nice when spring is here and the weather stops wreaking havoc on our city? more ›