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Seattle Times Layoffs and Buyouts Hit Young and Veteran Staffers; Here's Who's Leaving

by Heidi Groover • Saturday at 1:24 pm

Though leadership at the Seattle Times is prioritizing short, trending posts, theyre also promising reporters our commitment to investigative journalism and quality enterprise stories has not changed.
Though leadership at the Seattle Times is prioritizing short, trending posts, they're also promising "our commitment to investigative journalism and quality enterprise stories has not changed." Seattle Municipal Archives

In a combination of layoffs, buyouts, and voluntary departures, the Seattle Times newsroom is losing 22 people, according to internal emails obtained by The Stranger. The names on the list mark a loss of talent ranging from ambitious and energetic young staffers to editors who've been at the Times for decades. The departures come as the Times struggles with falling advertising revenue and attempts to become "more urgent [and] more reader driven."

Here's what we know about who's leaving:

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Politics • Comedy • Resist Trump

Kellyanne Conway is an Idiot But We Will Always Have the Bowling Green Massacre

by Tricia Romano • Saturday at 11:56 am

Kellyanne Conway
Kellyanne Conway The Stranger

Earlier this week, Trump plaything/talking head/ alternative fact-spewer/ I'm not really sure what her job actually is/ spouted off some completely untrue nonsense about a terrorist massacre in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2011, which never happened.

She was talking about the immigration ban on Chris Matthews' "Hardball," her very own personal safe space, when this tangle of words that mean nothing came out of her mouth:

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Blabbermouth

Blabbermouth Podcast: The No-Holds-Barred Plan for Fighting Trump on His Supreme Court Pick (and Everything Else)

by Eli Sanders • Saturday at 10:57 am

Episode 86 talks about the avalanche of alarming actions from the Trump administration, and how Democrats in the US Senate could start using holds to push back.
Episode 86 talks about the avalanche of worrying decisions from the Trump administration—and how Democrats in the US Senate could start using "holds" to slow Trump's roll. Nate Gowdy



Has there ever been a week in American politics like the one that just passed? Dan Savage, Rich Smith, and Eli Sanders start off by trying to digest the Trump administration’s blitzkrieg of alarming actions and policy pronouncements. Dan also offers some advice for a caller who—like Dan—is currently trying to resist Trump from Europe.

After that, Sydney Brownstone talks about something perhaps lost in the flurry of democracy-rattling Trump activity: his administration’s reported moves to allow the Dakota Access pipeline to go forward, despite many months of objection and action at Standing Rock. (And despite the Obama administration’s efforts to slow down or halt the pipeline project.)

Finally, Rich talks to Dan and Eli about the latest trend in demanding action from your Democratic US Senator: calling for “holds” to be used to grind Senate business to a halt in response to Trump's policy proposals and Supreme Court pick. Plus...

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News • Crime • Race

SPD Officer Gives First Public Account of Shooting Che Taylor, Never Personally Saw A Gun on Taylor

by Lester Black • Friday at 10:42 pm

SPD Officer Michael Spaulding testifies Friday about arresting Che Taylor. Credit: Mike Siegel/ Seattle Times
SPD Officer Michael Spaulding testifies Friday about arresting Che Taylor. Credit: Mike Siegel/ Seattle Times Credit: Mike Siegel/ Seattle Times

Seattle Police Department Officer Michael Spaulding spoke publicly Friday for the first time since he and SPD Officer Scott Miller, shot and killed Che Taylor last February.

Spaulding’s testimony described a chaotic scene in the minutes before the shooting, with moving cars and unexpected individuals muddling the officers’ attempts to safely arrest Taylor.

Spaulding also admitted that he shot Taylor without ever personally seeing the gun that SPD alleges was holstered on Taylor’s hip during the incident.

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News

Resigned Port CEO's Last Performance Review Alleges Ethical Violations Including $24,500 Bonus, Gifts from Port Tenants

by Sydney Brownstone • Friday at 7:24 pm

The port commission is expected to discuss more of the reasons behind Ficks departure at their next meeting on Tuesday.
The port commission is expected to discuss more of the reasons behind Fick's departure at their next meeting on Tuesday. Port of Seattle

Two weeks before Port of Seattle CEO Ted Fick resigned, members of the Port Commission raised serious concerns Fick's judgment and ethics, according to documents obtained by The Stranger.

According to the documents, obtained by public records request, port commissioners made note of three major issues with Fick's tenure—including a one-time payment of $24,500 to himself, multiple gifts in the form of sports tickets from port tenants, and a conflict of interest involving port business and Fick's father. In addition, one of the port commissioners expressed concern about a sexual harassment complaint in Fick's last performance review.

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Weed

The Week in Weed: Figuring Out Weed's Future Under Trump, Spokane Smokes Up, Vaginal Suppositories Hit the Market

by Amber Cortes • Friday at 6:14 pm

Donald Trump And Vladimir Putin, Shotgunning Forever
Donald Trump And Vladimir Putin, Shotgunning Forever Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images News

It’s been an eventful week for cannabis news as the industry tries to discern marijuana’s hazy future under the new Trump administration, and some states decide on whether on-site or public consumption is something they want.

Also: a new cannabis-based vaginal suppository hits the market, Valentine’s Day gifts for stoners, and Seattle’s one “beautiful dispensary.”

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Books • Politics

RETRACTION: Milo Yiannopoulos Is Not a White Nationalist

by Rich Smith • Friday at 5:26 pm

Guys, I have been cucked.
Guys, I got cucked by Milo. Mike Force

In a post published to Slog on December 29, 2016, we identified Milo Yiannopoulos as a white nationalist in the headline: "White Nationalist Lands $250,000 Book Deal."

That headline was incorrect and it has been changed. Milo Yiannopoulos is not a white nationalist. He is a prominent figure in the alt-right movement. (Incidentally, he claims he doesn't identify as alt-right. But he's senior editor at Breitbart.com, which Stephen Bannon, former executive chairman of the blog, described as "a platform for the alt-right." In other words, Yiannopoulos claims he isn't in the circus, but to the outside observer, he is a ringleader.) Anyway, The Stranger regrets the error.

I’d like to go further, though, and say that the mistake is particularly embarrassing for me. Just last week, I urged readers to follow George Orwell’s advice in “Politics and the English Language.” Like Orwell, I think using precise language when talking about politics is critically important. The term “white nationalist” means something. It’s pretty simple. White nationalists dream of a white nation.

Richard Spencer, president of the National Policy Institute, which the Southern Poverty Law Center declares an “academic racist” organization, is a white nationalist.

"White nationalism calls for the establishment of a country exclusively for white people," German Lopez writes in Vox, "even if that means forcing people of other races to move but not necessarily be killed—what Spencer once called a “peaceful ethnic cleansing.”

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Things To Do

34 Places To Watch The 2017 Super Bowl In Seattle

by Stranger Things To Do Staff • Friday at 5:05 pm

shutterstock_517347670.jpg

The Seahawks may not be playing, but there are still plenty of Seattle bars playing the Super Bowl this Sunday. Here are 34 places that will have food and drink specials, giant TVs, puppies, and more.

recommended Get all this and more on the free Stranger Things To Do mobile app—available now on the App Store and Google Play. recommended

BALLARD
Kickin' Boot
Kickin' Boot will offer special food and drinks and host games and giveaways (including some weird Falcons and Patriots skull memorabilia things) for the game.

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Things To Do

Last-Minute Plans: 82 Free, Cheap & Easy Things To Do In Seattle This Weekend: Feb 3-5, 2017

by Stranger Things To Do Staff • Friday at 4:05 pm

Dont forget: Saturday is National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, and Full Tilt Ballard will have a pajama party (with breakfast-themed ice cream flavors and waffles à la mode) to celebrate.
Don't forget: Saturday is National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, and Full Tilt Ballard will have a pajama party (with breakfast-themed ice cream flavors and waffles à la mode) to celebrate.

If you don't have plans for the weekend yet, or are looking for better ones, we've got you covered—here are 82 last-minute things you can do this weekend that won't cost more than $10. See them all below, ranging from Sex and Cannabis with Dockside Cannabis to the Ghostfish Brewing's Second Anniversary Party, and from the fourth annual Skate Like A Girl Benefit (with headliners including Kimya Dawson) to the Storyville Rising-themed speakeasy at Seattle Immersive Theatre. For more options—including places to watch the Super Bowl, the best movies playing this weekend, and events to plan ahead for in the rest of February—check out our complete Things To Do calendar.

recommended Get all this and more on the free Stranger Things To Do mobile app—available now on the App Store and Google Play. recommended

FRIDAY
1. The Backslide Gospel, Cellar Bells, Teresa & The Wolves
The Backslide Gospel play what they refer to as "sifted, sauteed, flambeed, rock 'n' roll," and they'll be joined by Cellar Bells and Teresa & The Wolves.
(West Seattle, $7)

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Politics

UPDATED: Federal Judge in Seattle Grants Nationwide Temporary Restraining Order Against Travel Ban

by Sydney Brownstone • Friday at 3:53 pm

We are a nation of laws, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said at a press conference after the hearing. Not even the president can violate our Constitution.
"We are a nation of laws," Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said at a press conference after the hearing. "Not even the president can violate our Constitution." SB

Judge James L. Robart of the Western District of Washington has just ruled in favor of the Washington State Attorney General's motion for a temporary restraining order on key sections of POTUS's Muslim ban.

The temporary restraining order immediately halts federal officers from enforcing sections of the ban that target refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. It also stops federal officers from enforcing the part of the ban that grants exemptions to refugees on the basis of their religion.

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Chow

Beacon Hill's Dim Sum House Serves Small Dishes That Are Simple Yet Flavorful

by Angela Garbes • Friday at 2:50 pm

SIU MAI These steamed pork dumplings are among the most popular and recognizable dim sum dishes.
SIU MAI These steamed pork dumplings are among the most popular and recognizable dim sum dishes.

On a cold day, the front door and windows of Beacon Hill's Dim Sum House fog up quickly. Steam—rising from the many bowls of congee, plates of chow fun noodles, and baskets of steamed-to-order dumplings that fill its cozy dining room—travels through the air and clings to the glass like a moist kiss. When you walk in, you are welcomed into the modest restaurant's warm, soy-sauce-scented embrace.

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Politics

Senator Patty Murray Is Prepared to Filibuster SCOTUS Nominee

by Rich Smith • Friday at 2:00 pm

Leader in the fight against DeVos, joiner in the fight against Judge Gorsuch.
Leader in the fight against DeVos, joiner in the fight against Judge Gorsuch. SENATE.GOV

For the last two weeks, Senator Patty Murray has been busy trying to delay the nomination process of Betsy DeVos and Tom Price, two key members of Trump's proposed cabinet of incompetents. In the midst of the chaos, Trump announced Judge Neil Gorsuch as his SCOTUS pick. Referencing the Republican obstruction of Obama's SCOTUS nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) came right out and said Republican senators stole the seat and are trying to fill it with an "illegitimate and extreme nominee," adding that he'll "do everything in his power to stand up against this assault on the Court." Senator Elizabeth Warren backed him up, saying she'd block Gorsuch as well. Murray's response was that she had "serious concerns about moving forward" with his nomination.

An aide says Murray is willing to "join with those who plan to exercise their right to filibuster to stop [the appointment of Gorsuch]. And she would certainly object to consent being given to move this nomination."

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Savage Love

Savage Love Letter of the Day: The Wedding Party

by Dan Savage • Friday at 1:30 pm

DAN.jpg

My girlfriend and I got married this past December (after 24 years together) in a panic after Trump won. We're in Colorado and most of our family are back on the East coast. In the interest of saving money and getting it done quickly, we eloped with the plan to have a big proper reception/party with everyone the next time we both traveled back home.

That WAS the plan, until apparently my wife's brother decided to move his wedding up to the summer. I'm sure they didn't do it maliciously (everyone was very happy we finally tied the knot), just rather thoughtlessly. But here we are and there's a bit of a conflict. We can't afford to go back east more than once a year, so we want to go home to attend their wedding, but now we're going to have to share the spotlight with them. I can't help being more than a little resentful of this. It's supposed to be our big day, right? I don't want to ruin their big day, but I feel like our thunder is being stolen. My friend suggested throwing two parties, but that seems excessive and ridiculous.

Sharing Our Spotlight

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Weed

Getting High With Mom After the Women's March on Washington

by David Schmader • Friday at 12:51 pm

Authord David Schmader and his mom, Rosemary.
Author David Schmader and his mom, Rosemary.

Rosemary is a 75-year-old woman I met when I emerged from her birth canal in 1968, on what happened to be her own birthday—a coincidence made weighty by the personal, moral, and aesthetic similarities that grew over the years between my mom and me. Among our shared viewpoints: Women matter, bullies suck, cheese rules, God is overrated, and a whole lot of Trump-based anxiety might be displaced if we committed to getting ourselves to the Women's March on Washington, together.

We also both love lightly altered states and conversation, and so, after returning safely from our electrifying day in DC with a half-million others who love women, hate Trump, and appreciate witty signage, my mom and I got lightly high on THC tincture and did our best to relax.

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Music

Truckasauras and Shannon Perry Cover the Lead Track from Cult Film Liquid Sky; Proceeds Go to ACLU

by Dave Segal • Friday at 12:12 pm

Truckasauras: putting the art in catharthis.
Truckasauras: putting the "art" in catharthis, via Liquid Sky.

On their new single, veteran Seattle electronic group Truckasauras cover "Me & My Rhythm Box (Adrian Sings)," the standout track from the nihilistic cult sci-fi film Liquid Sky. Featuring Gazebos' glam, brash singer Shannon Perry on vocals, this version embellishes the stark original with a panoply of synth pyrotechnics and more robust beats. All proceeds for this single and everything else on Truck's Sauco label will go to the ACLU if you make your purchase today. It is just one of many local labels donating funds to the American Civil Liberties Union via a Bandcamp campaign happening today. Others include Pleasure Boat and Further. In addition, Eiderdown is contributing its revenue to Northwest Immigrant Rights Project through this Sunday. These labels all champion high-quality electronic/experimental music as well as progressive causes. Much respect.

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