While King County's proposed $20-a-year licensing fee has been a very, very public debate topic this election cycle, another, larger licensing fee has been brewing in the city of Seattle. The City Council is considering putting a city car tab fee on the ballot to support transit improvements through the Seattle Transportation Benefit District, and this one is much larger: anywhere from $60-$80. $40 was proposed, but apparently will not raise enough money and is off the table. An $60-80 fee would double, or more than double, what drivers currently pay yearly when you factor in the $20 Seattle drivers just started paying, but would go to fund much-needed transit improvements. But living in a state with one of the most regressive tax structures in the nation, a lot of concern has been raised as to whether a fee this high goes too far. This is a pretty complicated issue. Good thing there's a public meeting tomorrow! more ›

The third car/bike accident in just over a week occurred early this morning. How safe IS Seattle for biking, anyway? more ›

Remember how we said the story of a body dump in South Seattle last week, kept getting stranger, despite being pretty bizarre to begin with? Well, with each detail that is released the strangeness continues. Today police announced a 27-year-old man from Shoreline, Gabriel Phipps, has been charged with second-degree murder in the case. According to newly released details, Phipps strangled his victim with a belt while driving before dumping the body. We've all heard and seen of a lot of strange and stupid multi-tasking by drivers, but this is definitely the first (and hopefully the only) time we'll hear this one. more ›