Category Archives: News

News

BREAKING: 16 Inmates at King County Jail Test Positive for COVID-19

by Carolyn Bick

King County Jail’s downtown Seattle location has confirmed 16 new cases of COVID-19, according to a press release sent to reporters on the afternoon of Dec. 7.

The press release said that an inmate at the jail “reported flu-like symptoms” on Dec. 6. This person had been at the jail for more than a month, and initially tested negative, when they were first jailed, the press release said. 

This means that this person caught the novel coronavirus and developed COVID-19, while they were in jail.

Continue reading BREAKING: 16 Inmates at King County Jail Test Positive for COVID-19 →
News

The Morning Update Show — 12/7/20

The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.

We’ll also post the Morning Update Show here on the Emerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.

Morning Update Show — Monday, Dec. 7

Today on the show:

Guest Host Justin Carder — CapitolHillSeattle.com | Communion Grand Opening! | A Look at Cannabis Equity | Preview of WBBBA | Cafe Red | Coronavirus Update

Continue reading The Morning Update Show — 12/7/20 →
News

Seattle Offers Free Child Care to Qualifying Families Through End of 2020

by Ben Adlin

As 2020 draws to a close, Seattle officials are deploying leftover City funds to make child care free for qualifying families through the end of the year, a move meant to save struggling households hundreds of dollars and encourage new families to enroll.

The assistance, announced last month by the mayor’s office, has already eliminated November and December payments for hundreds of families with children currently enrolled in child care. But money and space are still available, and participating agencies want parents to know there’s still an opportunity to sign up.

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News

King County COVID-19 Cases at ‘Concerning Levels’ and Inaction by Congress Could Force Cuts to Public Health Response

by Andrew Engelson

In an online press conference on Friday December 4, Public Health — Seattle King County Health Officer Jeff Duchin announced that though case levels of COVID-19 in King County dipped slightly in the past week, the impact of activity during the Thanksgiving weekend isn’t yet visible, and infections continue to be at “concerning levels.” Hospitals are currently stretched thin and have canceled elective surgeries to prepare for a potential COVID-19 surge. Duchin also noted that because of uncertainty about a new federal stimulus package, the County is contemplating cuts in critical public health services if Congress fails to act.

Continue reading King County COVID-19 Cases at ‘Concerning Levels’ and Inaction by Congress Could Force Cuts to Public Health Response →
News

The Morning Update Show — 12/4/20

The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.

We’ll also post the Morning Update Show here on the Emerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.

Morning Update Show — Friday, Dec. 4

Today on the show:

Feel Good Friday | Director Dwane Chappelle | LIVE Food Fri-Yay!

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News

Proposed Legislation Attempts to Clarify OPA’s, OIG’s Power to Subpoena in Police Misconduct Cases

by Carolyn Bick

The Office of the Mayor and Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold have announced new legislation that is meant to clarify the Office of Police Accountability’s and the Office of Inspector General’s power to subpoena those involved in or who are witness to possible officer misconduct — including officers themselves. 

The proposal clarifies legislation that was previously unclear due to language in both the City’s 2017 Accountability Ordinance and the 2018 Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) contract that appear to counter one another. 

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News

Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Director, Randy Engstrom, Steps Aside

by Beverly Aarons

After overseeing some of the most aggressive and innovative arts initiatives in Seattle’s history, Randy Engstrom is stepping down as Director of Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS). The Emerald spoke with Engstrom in a telephone interview about his work in the department for the past eight years, his reasons for leaving, and his plans for the future. 

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News

King County Metro to Pause Work on RapidRide R Line Expansion Indefinitely Due to COVID-19-Related Budget Shortfalls

by Jack Russillo

Work on the long-awaited RapidRide R Line that will one day replace the Route 7 bus will be paused indefinitely, King County Metro has decided over the past several months. The halt comes after the King County Council’s vote on the 2021-2022 proposed budget last month. An online public town hall tomorrow, Dec. 4, will provide more updates and allow community members to ask questions about the project’s suspension.

Continue reading King County Metro to Pause Work on RapidRide R Line Expansion Indefinitely Due to COVID-19-Related Budget Shortfalls →
News

The Morning Update Show — 12/3/20

The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.

We’ll also post the Morning Update Show here on the Emerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.

Morning Update Show — Thursday, Dec. 3

Today on the show:

WA Build Back Black Alliance; Police Reform Legislation; LIVE — Besa Gordon; LIVE — Treat Yo Health Podcast; and Coronavirus Updates.

Continue reading The Morning Update Show — 12/3/20 →