County Assessor, Charged With Stalking, Posts Taunting Pics as Council Again Demands His Resignation
Wilson said he can't wear the monitor, which a judge ordered to ensure he complies with a restraining order, because of a condition that requires him to soak his legs.
publicola.com/2026/04/20/c...
SPD Gives Medal to Officer Who Chased Man Into Traffic, Leaving Carful of Kids Behind
The department used 911 audio of a panicked domestic violence victim, without obtaining her consent, in its video promoting the officer's courage for apprehending her abuser.
publicola.com/2026/04/20/s...
This Week on PubliCola: April 18, 2026
Homelessness Authority Undergoes Forensic Audit, County Assessor Gets Out of Wearing Ankle Monitor in Stalking Case, and More News from this Week
publicola.com/2026/04/18/t...
As Seattle Goes It Alone on Shelter, Homelessness Authority Faces Forensic Financial Audit
The audit looms large as Mayor Katie Wilson opts to keep the city in charge of a top campaign priority—adding 1,000 new shelter beds this year, and 4,000 by the end of her term.
publicola.com/2026/04/17/a...
King County Assessor Won't Have to Wear Ankle Monitor in Stalking Case
"I will have absolutely no contact with Miss Keller for as long as I live," the assessor, John Arthur Wilson, said. Wilson was arrested and charged for violating an earlier no-contact order.
publicola.com/2026/04/15/k...
King County Assessor Says He Can’t Wear Ankle Monitor In Stalking Case Due to Medical Condition, Burien Puts City Manager on Leave, and More
Three new stories in today's Afternoon Fizz, only on PubliCola: publicola.com/2026/04/14/k...
Seattle Nice: Mayor Wilson's Shelter Plan, King County Assessor's Stalking Charges, an Ambitious Library Levy, and More
Check out our podcast, with new episodes every week.
publicola.com/2026/04/13/s...
This Week on PubliCola: April 11, 2026
Shelter expansion, anti-apartment pushback, Northeast Seattle gets dedicated cops, and a bunch more stories you may have missed this week.
publicola.com/2026/04/11/t...
Developers Ask for Mandatory Affordable Housing Fee Holiday as Permits for New Apartments Dry Up
The fees, passed in 2019, reflect a view that that new market-rate apartments create negative impacts that developers must mitigate.
publicola.com/2026/04/10/d...
County Assessor Pleads Not Guilty to Stalking, Must Wear Ankle Monitor
A Seattle judge issued a five-year no-contact order against the assessor, who was arrested last year for showing up at his ex's house in violation of a previous order.
publicola.com/2026/04/09/c...
Larger Library Levy Moves Forward; Founder of AI Worker Surveillance Startup Appointed to Ethics Commission
Today's Afternoon Fizz.
publicola.com/2026/04/09/l...
Don’t just follow @ericacbarnett.bsky.social and @publicola.bsky.social — financially support Erica and Publicola’s work as well:
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SPD Dedicates Three Officers to Magnuson Park, Citing Success with "Disorder" and Property Crimes
"It's not always about the highest-crime area," Chief Shon Barnes said.
publicola.com/2026/04/08/s...
Seattle Council Hears from Renters Who Want Quality of Life and Homeowners Who Want to Keep Neighborhoods to Themselves
The backlash comes as Mayor Katie Wilson, a renter, proposes accelerating and going bigger on the city's 10-year zoning strategy.
publicola.com/2026/04/07/s...
Mayor Wilson Wants to Expand Housing Faster; Councilmember Rivera Wants to Audit Human Services
Listen to (and read my take on) the latest episode of Seattle Nice!
publicola.com/2026/04/06/s...
This Week On PubliCola: April 4, 2025
Wilson and Zahilay Push Forward on Housing Rivera Wants to Audit HSD, and More
publicola.com/2026/04/04/t...
Rivera Plays Grinch to Library Supporters, Saka Holds Committee Hostage for Extended NBA Rally
Today's Afternoon Fizz!
publicola.com/2026/04/03/r...
Councilmember Wants "Audit of Human Services Contracts." That's a Big Ask.
Rivera said that in light of a damning but unrelated audit of county programs, the city should be better safe than sorry and audit its human services spending too.
publicola.com/2026/04/03/c...
Wilson Says She'll Accelerate Comprehensive Plan and "Go Bigger" on Density
The mayor told PubliCola her plan would move the timeline up a year and add more housing in neighborhoods—not just on "busy, noisy, dirty" roads.
publicola.com/2026/04/02/m...
County Executive Floats Countywide Housing Levy, 500 New Housing Units or Shelter Beds by Mid-2027
publicola.com/2026/04/01/c...
Hannah Sabio-Howell Says It's Time to Replace Longtime Legislator Jamie Pedersen
The 29-year-old first-time candidate says the progressive 43rd District wants a leader who will prioritize the needs of working people and renters.
publicola.com/2026/03/31/h...
Ron Davis, Running for the State House on an Urbanist Platform, Says North Seattle Is Ready for a Change
He's challenging 15-year incumbent Gerry Pollet, who he calls the "chief NIMBY in the Democratic Caucus"
(Now with an update from Pollet's team)
publicola.com/2026/03/30/r...
This Week On PubliCola: March 28, 2026
Surveillance cameras, high-tech toilets, an interview with pro-housing councilmember Eddie Lin, and more.
publicola.com/2026/03/28/t...
This Week on PubliCola: March 28, 2026
Surveillance cameras, high-tech toilets, an interview with pro-housing councilmember Eddie Lin, and more. By Erica C. Barnett Monday, March 23 Seattle Nice: Does Mayor Wilson Really Believe Police Surveillance Enhances Safety? Was Mayor Katie Wilson’s…
Seattle Councilmember Eddie Lin: "Go As Big As We Can" On Growth in Comp Plan
Listen to the latest episode of Seattle Nice!
publicola.com/2026/03/27/s...
Seattle Councilmember Eddie Lin: “Go As Big As We Can” On Growth in Comp Pla
By Erica C. Barnett This week on Seattle Nice, we talked to City Councilmember Eddie Lin, who's serving his first term representing Southeast Seattle's District 2. He's the third council member to represent this district…
Seattle Gives High-Tech Toilets Another Go, Starting in Pioneer Square
The new loos will only be accessible through an app, QR code, text message, or access card.
publicola.com/2026/03/25/s...
Seattle Gives High-Tech Toilets Another Go, Starting in Pioneer Square
By Erica C. Barnett Anyone who has walked through Seattle's densest neighborhoods—First Hill, downtown, Capitol Hill—knows that it's damn near impossible to find a public restroom outside libraries, parks, and tourist-heavy…
What Is the NYU Policing Project, and Why Did the Police Chief Resign from their Board?
Until Monday, Police Chief Shon Barnes was on the board of the Policing Project, which Mayor Wilson has tapped to do a security audit of police surveillance cameras here. By Erica C. Barnett On Monday,…
