A couple of items get a little bit closer to reaching a ballot in 2012 -- but one's a lot further along. Meanwhile, Occupy Bellingham is evicted, business owners prepare for the minimum wage increase and an arrest in the Christmas Eve murder of a Woodinville teacher. more ›

Today, City Council heard public statements regarding a resolution proposed by Occupy supporter Nick Licata, which addresses the concerns of the Occupy Wall Street/Occupy Seattle movement. Many from the Occupy camp came to deliver educated, well-researched testimony. It was nice to see, and was met with a big reward: the unanimous passage of a new, pro-Occupy resolution that would encourage the City of Seattle to re-examine its banking practices and its efforts toward economic justice. more ›

A high school stabbing and a downtown stabbing as Gregoire goes head-to-head with the unions, the City Council considers a program to help car campers, and a bike that looks like sperm delivers... sperm. more ›

Remember way back in April when Gregoire vetoed huge chunks of SB 5703? The law would have granted additional protections for medical marijuana patients and practitioners, but the veto rendered it useless at best. The City Council tried the best it could for dispensaries to be legal, taxable businesses under city law. Three months later, only 68 out of 105 of the city's operating medical marijuana dispensaries are following those city guidelines, the city's business licensing division tells Cienna over at the Slog. Keeping with the city's tradition of not prosecuting marijuana offenses, despite some occasional computer errors to the contrary, the city is contacting the dispensaries to gently remind them, but the question remains: did the dispensaries not know the law, or do they just not care? more ›

Way back in March of 2002, the City entered a Consent Decree with El Centro de la Raza and SHARE/WHEEL, the organization that operates homeless encampments Tent City and Nickelsville. This agreement due to "exceptional circumstances" "pressing needs" of the city's homeless population, provided a set of guidelines for operation of Tent City over the following 10 years. The City Council Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee will hear public comment today on a proposed new homeless encampment ordinance to replace the existing policy, put forward by 2001's Consent Decree, set to expire this March. The biggest difference? While the new ordinance recognizes that secular organizations can host encampments under currently existing laws, SHARE/WHEEL says that the proposed ordinance essentially nullifies their agreement -- for everyone except religious organizations. (Updated with comments from Nick Licata's office!) more ›

Normally, board appointments aren't exactly a topic of public frenzy. But after Seattle's recent rash of police brutality peaking at the death of John T. Williams, followed by a period of extreme unrest between the Seattle Police Department and the citizenry about oversight, board appointments to the Office of Professional Accountability's police review board become key. more ›

The City now mandates that employers give their workers paid sick leave! Most seem pretty excited, but a few are still skeptical. Is mandatory sick leave a boon for Seattle's workforce and necessary to our public health, or another burden on business owners already strained by a damaged economy? more ›

Ever not taken a sick day because you needed the cash? If the City Council doesn't change its mind, a bill could be passed Monday that mandates paid time off if you're sick. more ›

Start your morning with a little Foxy Knoxy. Plus: tons of crimes, one crime in a stupid hat, noble police dogs and a body found in a trash can, with a couple of lawsuits sprinkled on top. more ›

The City Council has put their stamp of approval on an agreement between the City and the County over the King County Jail -- one that would put the County's space to use, and sparing the City from having to build a new one. more ›

Soon, SPD officers may not ride horses, because money. The Seattle City Council is even turning down money from the Seattle Police Foundation to preserve the program. But is this maybe for the best? You tell us! more ›

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 ›

Another day, another look at who's in your voters' pamphlet. Read up, so you can make an educated decision about the future of the Seattle City Council. It matters. We promise. more ›

The bottom line is this: if you do want the deep-bore tunnel to replace the viaduct, you check "APPROVED." If you do not, hit "REJECTED." But there are a lot more details, which we cover here, as part of our voter's guide series. more ›

Primary elections are already around the corner. We won't be endorsing any candidates, but we can tell you a little about them and let you make your own decisions. Today, we're focusing on Position 1. Who's your pick? more ›

What did you do last night? Because we watched City Council incumbents and hopefuls rap, dance, sing, wrap leftovers in foil, dunk and yes, answer tough questions. more ›

In addition to Candidate Survivor, a lot of things happened last night. Among them: Charges in the shooting spree at Muckleshoot Casino and in last weekend's road rage killing, railroads, art theft, gang violence, aggressive bikini-wearing and more money to charity:water in the heartbreaking memory of a 9-year-old girl. more ›

As we reported this last month, Mayor Mike McGinn, along with Seattle Police Chief John Diaz and other city officials, are pushing for later last calls as part of the Mayor's Nightlife Initiative. Yesterday the City Council put its seal of approval on the measure, putting it in the hands of the Washington State Liquor Control Board. They have until September 23 to respond. more ›

Our City Council knows what it wants and asks for it: late-night drinking. Meanwhile King County Council can't even get all its members in the same room at the same time. And not even three alarms can stop a wedding, all in today's Headlines. more ›

Initiatives, agreements and amendments, oh my. Today, everyone was in talks and meetings--and some came out smelling like roses. more ›

In a truly practical, taking-care-of-business move, the City Council voted Monday to approve a series of common-sense regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries, establishing medical marijuana dispensaries as the businesses as they are and clarifying some finer points of the law. On the Seattle city level, at least. more ›

If you were one of the many concerned about how construction of WSDOT's latest SR-520 project's impact to the Washington Park Arboretum, take note. The City Council approved a measure today to execute measures to the park to make it suck less to be around during construction -- and some of them are being implemented by the end of the summer. more ›

As you surely know, Seattle Channel's lanky, even-keeled host, C.R. Douglas, announced his impending retirement last month. And though the hunt is on for his replacement, Douglas will be sorely missed--not just for his uncanny ability to get the City's most blustering politicos to open up and give real answers on important issues, but for his ability to break up awkward moments and even, occasionally, lighten tense situations. more ›

Something called the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon will be happening on Saturday. It will, somehow, block Alaskan Way. [Seattle Times] more ›

In today's ridiculously long morning headlines: the Space Needle pride flag, the City Council race, Gregoire signing a lot of things, how screwed we are in an earthquake (still), officer-involved shootings, and more. Plus, an adorable video of a lioness failing to eat an adorable human baby. more ›

The Seattle City Council's site got a makeover, and we're big fans. more ›

More details on the School District ethics as that crisis winds down, an Alaskan wildfire and upgrades to the Aurora Bridge -- but mostly just a whole lot of old-fashioned violence. more ›

With a tunnel vote becoming a distinct possibility, arm yourself will all the knowledge you can get about this contentious issue. Today's episode: City Council says yes to a referendum. more ›

Girl Reporter Sarah returns to her deep-bored beat to let you know that yes, you get a vote. Start reading now, so you're prepared when ballot time rolls around. more ›

An exciting phone call from Richard Conlin leads to an actual statement regarding today's Special Meeting that Wasn't. more ›