In the News

Their ranks include ex-federal prosecutors, a retired judge, a one-time assistant police chief, even a former priest. But a group of prominent Catholics say they still can’t get an audience with Seattle’s new archbishop in their push to address the fallout of a lingering scandal. Members of Heal Our Church, a Seattle-based alliance of practicing Catholics who seek a public review of how the Roman Catholic Church’s worldwide sexual abuse scandal secretly festered within the parishes of Western Washington, contend they’re being stonewalled by Archbishop Paul Etienne. … Read More

Seattle, Portland and New York City are suing the Trump administration over the president’s threats to withhold federal funds from so-called “anarchist jurisdictions.” The cities say the administration lacks the authority to unilaterally add conditions to congressionally appropriated funds. They also say U.S. Attorney General William Barr’s designation of the cities as anarchist last month, based on any factors he deemed appropriate, was arbitrary and capricious. … Read More

An alarming increase in animal cruelty cases in Seattle are being reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Seattle Animal Shelter said the number of severe animal cruelty cases so far in 2020 has doubled compared to previous years combined. … Read More

I-976, the $30 car tab measure approved by voters in 2019 has been struck down by the Washington State Supreme Court. It was found to be unconstitutional for violating the single subject rule and inaccurate ballot title. … Read More

The Trump administration is asking about racial justice training sessions held for Seattle city employees and about potential civil rights violations related to the trainings. Seattle officials say the training broke no laws. Instead, they see the detailed questions as an attempt to defend the status quo. … Read More

Seattle Community Court (SCC), a structured pretrial release program that aims to reduce incarceration, recently launched in an effort to rapidly resolve low-level, non-violent cases by connecting participants to community resources and providing valuable service to local communities. … Read More

Two years after a workgroup convened by the city recommended that Seattle drop its drug traffic and prostitution loitering laws, the Seattle City Council on Monday unanimously voted to strike the ordinances from the books. … Read More

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes announced Wednesday his attorneys will review all the misdemeanor cases referred to his office involving peaceful protesters and could decide to dismiss some cases or refer others to a community-based, restorative-justice program. … Read More

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes announced Wednesday that he intends to withdraw the city from the pending motion that is currently before U.S District Judge James Robart to end the federal consent decree. The motion will be withdrawn until the city and its accountability partners can conduct an assessment of Seattle Police Department’s response to the recent demonstrations. … Read More

On the day Gov. Jay Inslee plans to cut programs to help the poor and the middle class, a majority of the Washington Supreme Court justices refused to consider Seattle's appeal of a lower court decision that ruled the city's income tax unconstitutional. The Court doesn't give reasons for rejecting petitions, so we don't know why they did that. … Read More