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President Trump welcomed both Democratic and Republican governors to the White House on Friday. As that meeting was underway, the Supreme Court handed down a major ruling against tariffs. The decision could affect a number of states, including Wyoming, where trade and energy production play an important role in the state’s economy. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon.
Cascade PBS Staff
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It’s cold. Earlier this week we saw a few tiny flurries of snow, even! And while some weather reports suggest we might soon break out of this chilly, mid-40s prison we’ve been locked in, it’ll be by just a few degrees. And probably rainy. It’s the perfect weather for soup. So we took a break from screaming about Trump and City Hall, and switched gears for a minute to appreciate some of our favorite warm and comforting bowls of soup. Don’t worry, we’ll start yelling at politicians again soon.
Look, this whole soup is fucked up. The curry noodle soup from Northern Thailand comes out looking like a sculpture, with a nest of fried noodles perched on top of perfectly poached chicken and surrounded by a thick curry broth—creamy and spiced so it feels like it warms you from the inside out. When it’s served, you’ll get three things on the side: raw red onion, chopped pickled veg, and a deep red chili oil. After your first bite, you’ll be tempted to roll up your sleeves and forget about these little treats. Do not be that fool. These bits and bobs are what turn each bite into its own experience. Is your palate feeling a little tired of the richness of the broth? Add a little pickle on top of that spoonful of noodles. Repeat until you see the bottom of the bowl. HANNAH MURPHY WINTER
Yes, the Ballard oasis Situ Tacos is primarily known for its fried Lebanese Mexican tacos, but soups are one of owner Lupe Flores’s favorite things to make, and it shows. As the shop’s resident animatronic parrot, Armando, occasionally squawks: “Don’t sleep on the soups…uh, don’t sleep in the soup. Uh, the soup is super!” They rotate weekly, and there’s a meat and veggie option each day, so you might encounter molokhia (Lebanese seven-spice chicken and rice stew), chorizo potato kale, Lebanese veggie stew, fideo con bistec, vegan pozole rojo, zuppa toscana, pumpkin curry, broccoli cheddar, chicken tortilla, or something else altogether. Whatever it is, it’s sure to be soul-soothing and seasoned to perfection—you really can’t go wrong. Get a combo with tangy, crunchy slaw and/or a couple of tacos for dunking. JULIANNE BELL
I first happened upon Halcyon Brewing’s vegan butternut bisque by chance. Well, sort of. I was attending Ravenna Brewing Company’s annual “Soup Battle,” where local bars and breweries go head-to-head with their best soups, mostly because my good friend runs the event. Saddled with four delicious soups, I didn’t know where to begin. But Halcyon’s yellow-y orange soup with a swoop of coconut milk and a crack of black pepper on the top beckoned. I finished my bowl. It was sweet, it was savory, and it had a nice kick of spice—the brewery’s homemade chili crisp— that warmed my insides. Something vegan had no right to be so good and so creamy. Everyone at my table agreed that it should take the top prize.The rest of the Soup Battle patrons thought so, too—Halcyon’s vegan butternut bisque won the coveted Golden Ladle. NATHALIE GRAHAM
I’m not about to tell you how to order pho. And I’m not going to try to convince you that Pho Than Bros is the best pho in Seattle, even though every bowl comes with a sweet little custard-stuffed pastry puff. Pho is personal, pho is sacred. How I pho and how you pho can be—and should be!—very different experiences, each one custom-tailored after years of slurping and experimenting and learning the hard way that your sriracha threshold isn’t nearly as high as you thought it’d be. And, at Than Bros, I have perfected my order. I get a small veggie pho with no mushrooms, no cilantro, and extra broccoli, then I load it up with black pepper, a fat ring of hoisin sauce, a delicate squeeze of sriracha, and as many of the bean sprouts that I can manage before my husband says, “Stop taking all the bean sprouts.” I finish it off with a squeeze of lime and dig in.
This isn’t an invitation for you to try what I think is the best pho in Seattle; this is an invitation for you to find your own. But if you’re looking for a place to start, or a change up from your usual, to me, Than Bros is perfect. It’s my happy place. And it comes with a cream puff. MEGAN SELING
Metropolitan Market’s cioppino has been there for me since I was a child, when my parents would bring home a pint of the hot seafood stew on chilly winter nights when they didn’t feel like cooking. The rich, tomato broth, seasoned with white wine, and filled with a potpourri of shrimp, mussels, salmon, and white fish, will always feel like a luxurious treat, despite coming from a grocery store’s hot food buffet. Considering that cioppino was created as a way for fishermen to use up unsold seafood at the end of the day, I would advise not making it yourself. Not because it’s difficult, but because it will cost you approximately $5 million to buy four types of fresh seafood. Instead, buy a 16-ounce cup from your nearest Metropolitan Market store for a mere $7.39, and buy yourself a nice warm cookie while you’re at it. AUDREY VANN
Massive Chinese hand-pulled noodles boiled to a perfect chewiness texture, doused in a delectable yellow curry sauce and flavorful broth with chunks of tofu and cabbage, in a bowl so massive you might need two people to finish it. It’s the hearty Asian noodle dish you dream of on a frigid evening. It’s Biang Biang Noodles’ Curry Tofu Dry Mix.
If you’ve been to Biang Biang, you might be thinking, Seriously? This isn’t soup, it’s a quart of hot oil. Well, to that I say: 1) oil is a liquid, and Managing Editor Megan Seling said we could write about “anything served in a bowl that is at least 50 percent liquid,” and (2) this oil is delicious.
Call it soup, call it hot oil, call it a bowl of molten comfort—the Curry Tofu Dry Mix does exactly what the best soups are supposed to. It satisfies your savory tooth and warms you up when the weather’s unforgiving. So if you’re asking me to grab a casual dinner with you on a dreary winter day, gimme those chopsticks and a Chinese soup spoon and find me at Biang Biang. MICAH YIP
The biggest mistake I’ve made in my life was going to Gorditos for years and only ordering one thing from the menu: A veggie burrito, wet, with a side of chips and salsa. It’s no Veggie Nolasco from Mama’s, but I love it, and I have probably eaten hundreds of them in my 45 years on the planet with zero regrets. Well, zero regrets until one fated day in December. On that day, I was finally turned on to other parts of Gordito’s menu. Did you know they have tacos! And enchiladas! They even serve breakfast! What have I been doing all my life!? And, most importantly on a cold winter’s day such as the ones we’ve been experiencing this week, they have soup. Their current soup is a vegan pozole that is an explosion of flavor in your mouth. A savory red base that tastes not unlike a brothier version of the red sauce they ladle over my beloved burrito is loaded with onions, zucchini, corn, mushrooms, and hominy, which gives each spoonful a toothsome, meaty bite. The broth is salty and rich, in a craveable way, and while eight-ounces with a side of chips is definitely enough to be its own meal, I recommend opting for the four-ounce cup, adding a taco to your order, and then proceeding to use every curved chip in the bag as your spoon. MEGAN SELING
If I am going to pay to eat soup outside of my home, it’s going to be ramen. And the best ramen I’ve found, for a vegetarian such as myself, is from Ooink. There’s a Fremont location, but I can only speak for the Capitol Hill spot—the one in the strip-mall above the lit QFC on Broadway and Pike.
My order is the Spicy Vegetarian Miso Ramen (it can be made vegan, and there’s a version without “spicy” in the title). Not to worry: it has a warm kick, but is not the kind of spice that will make you cough or harsh your tastebuds.
The sturdy buckwheat noodles have just the right amount of tooth, and the miso broth has depth without being too salty or greasy—common traps that many vegetarian broths fall into when trying to overcompensate for something they do not need to overcompensate for. The toppings are correct: a springy pile of kikurage, little heaps of corn and green onions, a few sheets of seaweed, and a handful of happy baby bok choy that are blessedly not soggy and therefore retain a hint of peppery mustard flavor. This ramen also features a pat of melting corn butter, and a subtle sesame dressing drizzled onto the greens. I get mine without the tofu skin, but that’s just a personal preference (or aversion, maybe, that has something to do with its resemblance to, um, the second word there).
The star of the bowl is the house-made chili crisp. I sometimes wait until I absolutely have to stir it in because it’s such a banger taste all on its own; it’s crunchy and a little smoky and a little sweet, and the sesame seeds and spicy peanuts keep it interesting as you make your way to the bottom. Vegetarian ramens can get weird, and feel half-assed, but Ooink’s well-balanced version is the way to do it. EMILY NOKES
Julianne Bell
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Passport is our extended library of captivating dramas, inspiring arts performances, thoughtful documentaries, trusted news and more. Donate to support public media in your local community and enjoy the member benefit of Passport.
Cascade PBS Staff
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Two U.S. citizens are dead after ICE officers killed poet Renee Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, leading to a partial retreat from the Trump administration. What does the future hold? This week, host Bonnie Erbé is joined by historian Claire Potter of the Political Junkies Podcast.
Cascade PBS Staff
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Red Coat & Rainbow Cap + Pigtails – 1 Line
Mon Feb 16 – Bearded in a red coat reading a paper. You got off at Capitol Hill 10:25pm. Multicolor cap, 2 pigtails. We kept locking eyes.
Erika at Wuthering Heights
You introduced me to your Mikey, I introduced you to mine. I mentioned literary role play. Shall we roam the wily, windy moors?
Valentine’s Sunday Bear Social
U stood around for moment. Starstruck didn’t know what to say asked if this was yr beer so stupid walked away. U are still handsome like back in 2010
Elevator Mishap at Trader Joe’s
You: cutie in a black hoodie. Me: blue coat & grocery anxiety. You asked to talk to me as the elevator door closed. I felt immediate regret. Do over?
Redhead with an Office Crush
We work on the same floor in our downtown office building. I smile at you whenever I see you in the hallways. Come talk to me if you’re single too!
V Day Pool side chat at Streamline
You – cute smile, me – cute dress. We people watched until your friends took you to Ozzie’s. Wish I asked you stay a little longer.
Absinthe Angel Eyes
You: cutie with the green eyes enjoying a Green Fairy at the Bohemia cabaret. Me: someone you locked eyes with, wishing I was said Green Fairy.
Attractive woman with brunette hair
Wearing glasses at the Steve Forbert show at the Tractor Tavern. You were kind and bought me a beer at the shown on Valentines day. I’d welcome an opportunity to gt to know you more.
Is it a match? Leave a comment here or on our Instagram post to connect!
Did you see someone? Say something! Submit your own I Saw U message here and maybe we’ll include it in the next roundup!
Anonymous
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Good Morning! Did you see a little snow yesterday? It was spotty, and fleeting, and it might be the only snow we get this year, so I hope you got a taste of it. Today promises to be cold (low 40s), but probably dry, so get outside for a bit. Tomorrow, the rain starts again.
MAHA Moms Revolt: On Wednesday, Trump invoked a Korean-war era law that allows the government to force the manufacture of supplies “in the interest of national defense.” What’re we manufacturing? Glyphosate—a probably-carcinogenic pesticide that’s sold in the hardware store aisles as Roundup. And the anti-vax, raw milk chugging, horse dewormer-obsessed MAHA crowd is pissed. The founder of Moms Across America (named Zen Honeycutt, of course), which has led the anti-glyphosate campaign, called it “an egregious offense to what he promised,” and Republicans are worried that it could impact how many women vote red in the midterms. To be clear, MAHA is off base on a lot, but they’re right to hate this pesticide. Studies have shown that it very likely causes cancer. But it’s a Monsanto favorite, and every decision is for sale in Trump’s America.
UN Who? On Thursday morning, President Trump emceed the inaugural meeting of his knock-off United Nations, aka the Board of Peace, which he created and oversees. (Any nation can get a permanent seat, as long as they’re willing to pay $1 billion to get it.) In the meeting, Trump announced that the US was committing $10 billion in aid to Gaza, but Congress doesn’t appear to have appropriated that money, so who knows where he’s getting it. “Beyond that, there were few clear objectives from the meeting. It was like the United Nations General Assembly, if everything about the United Nations revolved around Donald Trump,” the New York Times wrote.
Speaking of Peace: Trump is sending the largest force of American warships and aircraft to the Middle East in decades, and said that Iran needs to strike a meaningful deal with the US about their nuclear program, “otherwise, bad things happen.” He’s given the country “10-15 days” to strike a deal that’s been deadlocked for years.
Israeli Settlers Kill Palestinian American: His name was Nasrallah Abu Siyam, and he was 19 years old. According to residents, settlers marched into the town of Mukhmas and attacked a farmer. When villagers intervened, Israeli forces joined the settlers and, according to residents, that empowered the settlers to start firing into the crowd. Settlers in the West Bank killed 240 Palestinians last year, a campaign that the UN says could be considered ethnic cleansing. Nasrallah Abu Siyam is the first Palestinian killed by settlers in 2026.
Tariff Tumble: On Friday morning, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Trump does not actually have the authority to impose his insane tariffs. So far the Treasury Department has collected about $240 billion in tariff revenue since Trump’s “Liberation Day” last April, and they could be forced to issue massive refunds, which, in Brett Kavanaugh’s wise words, would be a “mess.”
New Neon: Pike Place Market got its first new neon sign in almost 100 years. It’s mounted on the elevator shaft attached to the Waterfront Park. I think it classes up the place.
Vote ID Law Would Do Its Job: Sen. Maria Cantwell and Washington election officials warned that the Trump-backed SAVE America Act (which requires proof of citizenship to vote) would turn our midterm elections into chaos. Fortunately, even Republicans in the Senate think it’s harmful bullshit, so it’s got slim chances.
Mom and Dad Are Fighting Again: Governor Bob Ferguson has some big feelings about the Millionaire Tax—namely, who should benefit from it, and who gets a tax break alongside it. But rather than working directly with lawmakers on it, state legislatures are complaining that at every stage, he’s simply taking to the microphone to bah-humbug their work. In this comically short session, they have just three weeks to land this plane.
The Latest from NWDC: Nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma told KUOW that since the beginning of Trump’s second term, they’ve seen a spike in ICE detainees coming to the hospital as patients. They say that agents have repeatedly ignored standard practices to safeguard patients’ privacy, health, and safety, including “refusing to leave detainees’ rooms during catheter changes, shackling a detainee so tightly to a bed they caused nerve damage to the person’s hand, and refusing to wear required masks and gowns in rooms where patients had communicable diseases,” KUOW reported. “I feel like [ICE agents] treat [detainees] like they’re animals,” one nurse told them.
Are you a renter? Probably. And if you are, you have until midnight to fill out the mayor’s renter survey. This is an opportunity to tell the City how much your rent has spiked, what kinds of bullshit charges you deal with every month (wtf is a valet garbage fee, really), and any other challenges you deal with as a renter just trying to keep a roof over your head.
Coming Home With the Gold: After a perfect Olympic season, the US Women’s hockey team won the gold in overtime against Canada. Hilary Knight, the captain of Team USA (and the Seattle Torrent), scored the shot that tied up the game, and at the same time, broke the record for most career Olympic goals (15 of them, if you were wondering). The players are coming home next week, and the Torrent will play their first post-Olympics game against the Toronto Sceptres on Friday the 27th.
More Olympics Shine: US figure skater Alysa Liu won the gold on Thursday, breaking a 24-year drought for women’s figure skating. For reference, the last time the US won a gold in women’s figure skating, Liu hadn’t even been born. And to make it even more badass, she claimed the win after a two-year break from the sport. The US women’s curling team also made it to the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years.
Have you played Routle today? It’s like Wordle, but for the King County Metro system. You get the shape of the route on a blank background, and five guesses. Are you King of the Bus?
A Song for Your Friday: A perfect track to make your commute feel like a little adventure, or to keep you company while you take a walk for your stupid mental health before the rain comes.
Hannah Murphy Winter
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Lights, camera, action! Latin American literature intersects with all sorts of other kinds of art, including film. In this episode of Crash Course Latin American Literature, we explore the exchange between these two art forms, and how one piece of pop culture can help illuminate another.
Cascade PBS Staff
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A'lelia Bundles on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Cascade PBS Staff
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Information from Washington State Department of Transportation
Two lanes of the northbound State Route 99 First Avenue South bridge over the Duwamish River are closed until further notice following a bridge inspection on Wednesday, Feb. 18, that identified concerns with the steel grid deck.
In addition to the lane closures, out of an abundance of caution, the Washington State Department of Transportation Wednesday night reduced the speed on the bridge to 25 mph to limit additional stress on the deck. The HOV lane is open to all traffic until further notice to help with traffic flow, and traffic can exit at Michigan Street.
The bridge remains open and operational, including for maritime traffic. Vessel openings will continue as needed.
Bridge engineers are on site again Thursday, Feb. 19, conducting a more detailed assessment. It is too early to outline a repair plan or timeline. WSDOT expects to have a preliminary report and provide updates to the public as repair plans are developed. The public can expect an update by Friday, March. 6.
People traveling through the area should plan for ongoing delays. Travel times will be longer and less predictable, particularly during peak travel times.
This comes on top of existing lane reductions on northbound I-5 as part of the Revive I-5 program to preserve the Ship Canal Bridge. Together, these conditions will place additional pressure on the regional transportation system.
Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow for extra time, consider alternate routes and use WSDOT’s mobile app and real-time travel map for current conditions.
WSDOT continues coordination with the Seattle Department of Transportation and transit partners to monitor conditions and manage impacts where possible.
The First Avenue South Bridge is a movable double-leaf bascule bridge with two sections that lift from the center to allow marine traffic to pass along the Duwamish River. The northbound span was originally built in 1956 and rebuilt in 1998 and carries approximately 48,000 vehicles per day.
During its last inspection in 2024, the bridge was rated in fair condition. Like many structures across the system, this bridge requires ongoing maintenance and targeted maintenance repairs. In 2020, WSDOT undertook a select panel replacement project to replace 14 select deck panels. This lane reduction highlights the critical need for investment in preservation of our transportation system. Governor Ferguson proposed a $2.1 billion investment in preservation including $1.1 billion for bridges.
patr
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Information from Washington State Department of Transportation
Two lanes of the northbound State Route 99 First Avenue South bridge over the Duwamish River are closed until further notice following a bridge inspection on Wednesday, Feb. 18, that identified concerns with the steel grid deck.
In addition to the lane closures, out of an abundance of caution, the Washington State Department of Transportation Wednesday night reduced the speed on the bridge to 25 mph to limit additional stress on the deck. The HOV lane is open to all traffic until further notice to help with traffic flow, and traffic can exit at Michigan Street.
The bridge remains open and operational, including for maritime traffic. Vessel openings will continue as needed.
Bridge engineers are on site again Thursday, Feb. 19, conducting a more detailed assessment. It is too early to outline a repair plan or timeline. WSDOT expects to have a preliminary report and provide updates to the public as repair plans are developed. The public can expect an update by Friday, March. 6.
People traveling through the area should plan for ongoing delays. Travel times will be longer and less predictable, particularly during peak travel times.
This comes on top of existing lane reductions on northbound I-5 as part of the Revive I-5 program to preserve the Ship Canal Bridge. Together, these conditions will place additional pressure on the regional transportation system.
Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow for extra time, consider alternate routes and use WSDOT’s mobile app and real-time travel map for current conditions.
WSDOT continues coordination with the Seattle Department of Transportation and transit partners to monitor conditions and manage impacts where possible.
The First Avenue South Bridge is a movable double-leaf bascule bridge with two sections that lift from the center to allow marine traffic to pass along the Duwamish River. The northbound span was originally built in 1956 and rebuilt in 1998 and carries approximately 48,000 vehicles per day.
During its last inspection in 2024, the bridge was rated in fair condition. Like many structures across the system, this bridge requires ongoing maintenance and targeted maintenance repairs. In 2020, WSDOT undertook a select panel replacement project to replace 14 select deck panels. This lane reduction highlights the critical need for investment in preservation of our transportation system. Governor Ferguson proposed a $2.1 billion investment in preservation including $1.1 billion for bridges.
patr
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The Transportation Committee met February 19 to discuss Senate Bill 6148 that would allow Sound Transit to issue bonds up to 75 years to raise much needed capital.
Washington state legislators are considering a significant shift in infrastructure financing that would allow regional transit authorities to issue bonds with terms of up to 75 years. The proposal, Senate Bill 6148, aims to help agencies like Sound Transit manage rising construction costs and align state law with recent changes in federal lending programs.
Addressing the “2030s Pinch”
The bill, which has already cleared the Senate Transportation Committee and is currently on its Second Reading, seeks to provide financial flexibility as major light rail expansions to Everett and Tacoma face inflationary pressures. Under current law, the maximum term for these bonds is 40 years.
Prime sponsor Senator Mark Liias argued that the extension would allow Sound Transit to utilize the federal TIFIA (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) loan program, which Congress updated in 2022 to allow 75-year terms. Supporters, including local executives and labor representatives, testified that this tool is essential to keep projects on schedule and avoid “financial pinch points” projected for the 2030s.
“This is about letting them utilize the federal program that was created for this purpose and to get maximum benefit out of it to build infrastructure,” Liias told the committee.
Financial Trade-offs and Opposition
However, the proposal faces sharp criticism over the long-term costs of debt. Staff analysis provided to the committee illustrated that with a 75 year bond compared to 25 years, the total interest and principal paid would nearly double.
Critics, including Tim Eyman and representatives from Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill “saddles multiple generations with debt” for an organization they described as over budget. Opponents also noted that higher interest rates are often demanded by bondholders for longer terms, further increasing the ultimate cost to taxpayers.
Safeguards and Parity
Sound Transit officials emphasized that the 75-year term would likely be used “limitedly” and that the agency’s AAA bond rating provides a layer of market scrutiny. They noted that TIFIA loans offer a unique advantage: the ability to refinance or call in the loan at any time if interest rates drop. As a trade-off for this new authority, the bill would remove Sound Transit’s eligibility for regional mobility grant program funds to ensure other agencies are not disadvantaged.
Streamlining Fish Barrier Projects
In the same session, the committee also discussed Senate Bill 5690, which targets coordination between the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and local utilities during fish barrier removal projects.
Triggered by a federal injunction requiring the state to replace culverts blocking fish passage by 2030, the bill mandates that WSDOT provide utilities with at least one year of advanced notice for relocation work. Proponents, including local Public Utility Districts, stated that better coordination could prevent the waste of millions in taxpayer and ratepayer funds caused by abandoned or uncoordinated projects.
Next Steps
As SB 6148 sits on the Senate floor, it must still pass a full Senate vote before moving to the House Transportation Committee for a similar cycle of public hearings and executive sessions. If passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor, the bill would take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session.
patr
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The arrest of a sibling of the reigning monarch has no precedent in modern British history. For more on the fallout in the United Kingdom, Amna Nawaz spoke with BBC Studios special correspondent Katty Kay.
Cascade PBS Staff
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Passport is our extended library of captivating dramas, inspiring arts performances, thoughtful documentaries, trusted news and more. Donate to support public media in your local community and enjoy the member benefit of Passport.
Cascade PBS Staff
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Have you been on the 1 Line this week? If so, you might have seen a little Easter egg on the schedule board: the 2 Line.
On February 14, Sound Transit started running the 2 Line in Seattle, but only between Lynnwood and Chinatown-International District. Its cross-lake connection will commence on March 28. Nevertheless the “practice run” to Chinatown-International District is causing some confusion and, in some cases, consternation. But what’s the fuss all about? It’s a transitional moment to what might be the biggest public transportation event since the Capitol Hill Station opened nearly a decade ago. And to be honest, all of the busiest stations on L1 are located between Northgate and Westlake. But, yes, it’s not really the 2 Line, but the train says it is (I’m what I’m)—so, when riding it, as I did on February 16 and 18, you’re feeling the near future by way of the simulated mood of the 2.
There’s a real benefit for riders with this “practice run”: it really adds an extra train to key stations on the line. Look for yourself: If, say, you leave U District Station (after grabbing a gyro at Cedars of Lebanon) and want to get to Capitol Hill Station (where you will down a quick drink at Post Pike and Cafe), there is now a train running every 3 to 4 minutes. This is the kind of frequency that the riders of Vancouver BC’s automated SkyTrain enjoy.
So, now it goes like this: You enter the station, and as you approach the platform, you see the train is already there and about to close its doors and depart. You think about running–but it’s too late. Its doors close. It begins moving. Before February 14, feeling the whole world was against you when this happened made total sense, because every train on 1 Line had 10 minutes or more on it. But now with 2 Line you can sing to yourself these words, which are popular in African countries like Botswana and in some movie about lions that don’t eat their subjects: “hakuna matata.”
There will be another train in a couple of minutes. So, chill and think about some idea in a book that impressed you. Before that the thought is completed, “whoomp! There it is.” The train to take you to where you want to be.
Charles Mudede
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On Monday, the millionaires’ tax bill passed the Washington state Senate and headed to the House. Great, more revenue! But there’s more to it than a 9.9 percent income tax on annual earnings above $1 million—including tax breaks for big, wealthy corporations
This week’s unexpectedly strong revenue forecast ($827 million more than projected over the next two years) coincides with town halls across the state. If you live in the 37th (Southeast Seattle), the 36th (Northwest Seattle), or the 43rd (Central Seattle) Legislative Districts, it’s more important than ever to show up this Saturday and make your legislators explain why they’re giving big business a break while our social programs wither.
For example, the millionaires’ tax includes a tax break of over $550 million to big businesses making over $250 million. Not a single senator proposed an amendment to address this tax break and Gov. Bob Ferguson has supported it, even while decrying the absence of meaningful tax cuts for working people.
And then, right after the millionaires’ tax passed, the Senate passed SB 6347, repealing a recent increase to the estate tax. This passed with a 27-member bipartisan majority, with eleven Democrats casting a dissenting vote. Our state Senate appears to be attempting to play both sides: cutting backroom deals with big business to hand them huge giveaways while attempting to appease the majority of us who support taxing the rich.
While we will not know specific details about the proposed budget from legislators until Sunday, backlash against existing cuts to social services have painted an ugly picture of what’s at stake. In the Governor’s budget, there are roughly $800 million in cuts, including to education and healthcare.
Up to 14,000 children will lose childcare coverage thanks to cuts to our childcare subsidy program. Also on the table is a $569 million reallocation of Climate Commitment Act funding, steeply reducing state resources for climate resiliency and environmental protection. This follows the billions of dollars in cuts the state legislature approved last year, including devastating cuts to higher education and “the largest cut to abortion access in Washington history.” Still reeling from last year’s funding cuts to everything from food vouchers for working families, to subsidized child care eligibility for parents, to health care access for seniors and immigrants, we need to hear from our lawmakers what their plan is to keep that from happening again.
Fortunately, there’s still time for the House to amend the bill. House lawmakers can also reconsider HB 2100, Rep. Scott’s tax bill that mimics Seattle’s own Jumpstart tax on big corporations. As The Stranger reported last week, Rep. Scott’s payroll tax could bring in revenue by 2027, while revenue from the millionaires’ tax wouldn’t be available until 2029. (HB 2100 is currently stalled in the House Finance Committee—but as it’s a bill concerning the budget, House Democrats can choose to act on it at any point during this short session.)
So show up this Saturday and let your representatives know working Washingtonians want to tax the rich, ditch the corporate carveouts, and fully fund the social safety net.
Fatema Boxwala (she/they) is an activist, artist and computer scientist living in Seattle. She is the founder and coalition leader of Tech4Taxes, a group of tech workers advocating for progressive revenue in Washington state. Oliver Miska (any pronouns) is a political consultant with Solidarity Policy and currently under contract with Lavender Rights Project. Hannah Sabio-Howell (she/her) is the communications director of a labor rights organization in Washington, organizing with workers across sectors to raise wages, enforce labor standards, and challenge corporate influence.
Fatema Boxwala
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The installation of a water barrier and other restoration efforts were celebrated at the Roxhill Bog, which is part of Roxhill Park, on February 19. A series of community organizations working with Seattle Parks and Recreation made the work possible.
photo by Patrick Robinson
On a classic Pacific Northwest day, local advocates, scientists, and city officials gathered at Roxhill Park to celebrate a “major milestone” in the restoration of the Roxhill Bog. The event marked the successful completion of a pilot project designed to rehydrate one of Seattle’s last remaining peat wetlands, which had been slowly drying out for decades.
The Power of Peat
Peat bogs are rare, ancient ecosystems that take millennia to form. Created from Sphagnum moss, sedges, and grasses in oxygen-deficient (anaerobic) conditions, peat develops into a dark, sponge-like material that can consist of up to 90% water.
These wetlands are ecological powerhouses that serve several vital functions:
• Carbon Sequestration: Bogs are “huge key carbon” sinks, collecting more carbon than forests.
• Water Filtration: As the headwaters of the 3.5-mile Longfellow Creek, the bog filters and cleans water that eventually supports coho salmon and other wildlife downstream.
• Flood Mitigation: By acting as a natural sponge, the bog slows down storm water, reducing downstream flooding and stabilizing flows.
Restoring the Headwaters The restoration milestone centered on the installation of an underground groundwater block. Steve Winter, a hydrologist with Natural System Design, explained that the barrier was installed eight feet deep to intercept groundwater and bring it back to the surface. “When you see that surface water, that represents a surface that’s about 4 feet above where it was for the past many, many decades,” Winter said, noting that keeping peat wet is essential to prevent it from disintegrating.
Voices from the “Peat Party” The celebration featured speakers from the various organizations that formed the coalition behind the project:
• Sharon Leishman (Duwamish Alive Coalition): Leishman highlighted the power of individual stewardship, specifically praising local resident Scott Blackstock, who raised the alarm about the drying bog over 20 years ago. “This is like a great example of how stewardship that’s collaborative can really move the needle,” she remarked.
• Daisy Catague (Seattle Parks and Recreation): Catague described the bog as a “living classroom” and a “rare ecosystem”. She stated, “Today is much more than a project. It’s about what happens when community refuses to give up a place they love”.
• Shannon Woodard (Delridge Neighborhood Development Association): Woodard spoke to the human element of the park, sharing how green spaces help build community for residents in affordable housing. “These spaces are really truly what bring us together. And it is so rare to find them in neighborhoods in Seattle,” she said.
• Neina Chapa (American Rivers): Chapa, who jokingly dubbed the event a “Peat Party,” emphasized that the project serves as a “proof of concept” for integrating nature into urban storm water systems. She noted, “By restoring this peat wetland, we’re not only improving one site, we’re helping clean and store water, improve salmon health, [and] reduce the impacts of flooding”.
Looking Ahead While the current success is limited to one section of the bog (known as “cell 4”), the coalition views this as just the beginning. There are three other cells where this restoration could be extended, further strengthening the “thriving environment” of West Seattle and protecting the unique ecosystem for future generations.
patr
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Welcome back to Pop Loser! This week, the Queer/Pride Festival lineup dropped, the Cass Elliot biopic was cast, and I have one special request from God (spoiler alert: it involves The Traitors). I’ll also share two new songs that I’m currently obsessed with, and in a new segment, Questions from the Cutting Room Floor, Grammy-winning opera singer J’Nai Bridges shares her go-to karaoke songs.
The lineup for Queer/Bar’s Queer/Pride Festival has dropped with highlights like It-Girl Keke Palmer, Southern hip-hop queen JT (of City Girls), house music heavy Honey Dijon, TV personality/pop diva Erika Jayne, NYC rapper Junglepussy, and (oh my god!) reality TV legend/DJ Tiffany Pollard.
Kurt Cobain’s death continues to be investigated, 32 years later. After spending three days looking “exhaustively” at crime scene materials, an unofficial private sector team of forensic scientists claims to have found contradicting evidence to the official autopsy verdict, which ruled Cobain’s death a self-inflicted gunshot. The team claims that there was organ damage that “doesn’t happen in a shotgun death,” along with questions about the location of the shotgun shell and the unsullied nature of his hands. Following these claims, a spokesperson for the King County Medical Examiner’s Office responded, saying that they are standing by the initial autopsy ruling.
Mama has been Cas(s)t. A Cass Elliot biopic is officially in the works, starring Baby Reindeer breakout actress Jessica Gunning, who will portray the Queen of Laurel Canyon and Mamas & the Papas vocalist. The film will be adapted from the memoir My Mama, Cass, written by the singer’s only child, Owen Elliot-Kugell.
RIP Billy Steinberg. On Tuesday morning, the songwriter behind pop hits like Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” Madonna’s “Like A Virgin,” and countless others died at the age of 75. It was also announced that founding member/drummer of Irish punk band the Pogues Andrew “the Clobberer” Ranken died last Tuesday at the age of 72. On Sunday, Georgia indie rock band Manchester Orchestra shared that their drummer, Tim Very, had died at just 42. “We’ve all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief,” writes the band. No cause of death has been reported.
God, if you’re real, prove it to me by making this happen. Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher shared on X/Twitter last week that he’s “been asked” to compete on the next season of The Traitors. This is bananas, and I am so here for it. Actually, can we get both Liam and Noel in the castle, please!?
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Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Grammy-winning opera singer J’Nai Bridges about her technique, inspirations, and upcoming performance in Carmen for The Stranger’s forthcoming print edition. Since there were so many fun questions that didn’t make it into the final edit, enjoy the newest segment, Questions from the Cutting Room Floor, for a sneak peek of the interview. The Seattle Opera’s Carmen plays at McCaw Hall, May 2–17.
What is your favorite song to sing in Carmen?
Oh, my gosh. Honestly, I love singing her first aria, the Habanera (“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle”). I have to admit, though, it’s always a little bit frightening, because it’s the first thing I sing and it’s so well known. There is so much pressure, but I just try to make it my own thing. I love singing it because everybody knows it.
Who is your favorite singer, opera or otherwise?
I mean, I have to say Whitney Houston for non-opera. She could never do any wrong with that voice—she could have been an opera singer, as far as I’m concerned. Her range was just so large and seamless. Also, she puts feeling and passion into every single word. I listen to her for inspiration almost every day.
For opera, it’s Leontyne Price. For me, she is voice—the color, the ease, the power, and the agility.
Do you ever sing karaoke? What is your go-to song?
I actually love karaoke. I never sing opera, obviously. I like to sing Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart.” It’s low, and it goes high, and it’s really in my range. I also like to sing fun things like TLC’s “No Scrubs” and Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.”
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Benefit for the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network with Tres Leches, Coral Grief, Black Ends, Flesh Produce, Clutz Feb 19, Baba Yaga, 7 pm, 21+
Cat Power: The Greatest Tour 20th Anniversary Feb 20, Paramount Theatre, 8 pm, all ages
King Sheim, Buddy Wynkoop, Russian Blue Feb 20, Barboza, 6:30 pm, 21+
Whitney Ballen, Small Paul, Don Piano Feb 20, Sunset Tavern, 8 pm, 21+
Lola Kirke, Sabine McCalla Feb 21, Fremont Abbey, 8 pm, all ages
The Seattle Opera: Fellow Travellers Feb 21–Mar 1, McCaw Hall, times vary, all ages
Bitchin Bajas, Geologist Feb 22, Sunset Tavern, 8 pm, 21+
Joan Shelley, Nathan Salsburg Feb 22, Ballard Homestead, 7:30 pm, all ages
Suzanne Vega: Flying with Angels Tour Feb 22, Neptune Theatre, 7:30 pm, all ages
Glitterer, Graham Hunt, Prize Horse Feb 23, Black Lodge, 7 pm, all ages
Want to see these recs a day earlier? Subscribe to Pop Loser here!
“While Feather Hawk Deer Hunter” by Lana Del Rey
Whoopsie-daisy, yoo-hoo, I love this song. We all thought Lana’s highly anticipated tenth album, Stove, would be a full-on country album, but if this first single gives any insight, it’s looking like it’ll be orchestral, cinematic, and witchy (one YouTube commenter called the track “There’s a Coven Under Ocean Blvd”). I heard it for the first time only two hours ago and have already listened to it 10 times. It’s catchy, intriguing, and features Lana-isms like “I got a nicotine patch for the summer / Yeah, I’m a ghost, doesn’t mean I feel nothin’ / Put it on my ass, no tan lines, summer / I love my daddy, of course we’re still together.” Listen to it. Then listen to it again.
Experimental ambient artist and singer Ana Roxanne has announced her first album in six years, Poem 1, out May 1. The album’s first single, “Keepsake,” is a dreamy piano ballad that showcases her vocals with angelic clarity, a big shift from her sound collage/instrumental style on her previous album, Because of a Flower. I can’t wait to see the rest of the album reveal itself.
Pop Loser is a Stranger newsletter that comes out every Wednesday. Subscribe here!
Audrey Vann
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Passport is our extended library of captivating dramas, inspiring arts performances, thoughtful documentaries, trusted news and more. Donate to support public media in your local community and enjoy the member benefit of Passport.
Cascade PBS Staff
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Woman Killed By Driver in Capitol Hill Identified: Her name was Lilliana Moreno. On Monday night, the 27-year-old was crossing East Pike Street when she was hit by a car making a right turn from Bellevue Avenue. She was trapped under the car for 20 minutes and died at the scene.
ICE Arrests: According to the Deportation Data Project, ICE arrested 2,000 people in Washington between late-January and mid-October of last year, a 140 percent increase from the same period in 2024. Roughly 47 percent of those arrested had no criminal history.
Seahawks for Sale: Paul G. Allen’s estate has begun the sale process, the team announced on Instagram. Allen’s will directed his sister/estate chair to sell all his sports holdings and donate the proceeds to “philanthropic efforts.” But don’t worry, the team is unlikely to leave the city.
8 Skiers Dead, 1 Missing: On Tuesday, a deadly avalanche in California overtook a group of 15 skiers and guides in the Sierra Nevadas near Lake Tahoe. Eight are dead and one is missing. Six were rescued and one was still in the hospital last night. An avalanche warning was issued Tuesday morning. Authorities are investigating the decision to proceed anyway.
College (Re)Bound: After a pandemic-era decline, community college enrollment in Washington has rebounded. New data from the Washington Student Achievement Council shows a 7.5 percent increase in community college enrollment between 2024 and 2025. Four-year universities aren’t so lucky—undergrad enrollment only rose 1 percent last year, and actually declined 7.5 percent among first-term freshmen.
We’re Suing Trump Again: Attorney General Nick Brown and 14 other state attorneys general are suing the federal government for decimating clean energy programs created and funded by Congress. Trump is not supposed to do that!
Weather: It’s COLD! It’ll be mostly cloudy with a high near 40 and there’s a slight chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m. Tonight will also be cloudy with a low of 27.
Underdog: I have very little interest in the Winter Olympics. The only real clip I’ve watched is of this dog crashing a cross-country skiing course to join two skiers crossing the finish line. And really, it’s the only clip I need.
Ex-Prince Arrested: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested today on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly sharing confidential documents with Jeffrey Epstein. The former prince was stripped of his titles in October for his association with the convicted sex offender.
Put it On My Card: Actually, don’t—I don’t want to pay extra. Starting March 1, you’ll be charged a 3 percent fee when you use a credit or debit card to pay for a Washington State Ferry fare. Added in the 2025-26 state transportation budget, the new fee is meant to offset the cost of processing card payments. Officials estimate it’ll bring in $7.4 million over the next two years.
Lunar New Year Began Tuesday: Looking to celebrate? Here’s EverOuts’ list of Lunar New Year events around the city.
Ramadan Also Began Tuesday: WBUR’s Here & Now put out this segment yesterday on the importance of the date fruit when breaking the fast, and follows reporter Hana Baba as she shops for Ramadan and talks with other Muslims about the date.
Micah Yip
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A federal judge ruled an exhibit featuring people enslaved by Washington must be restored to its original place after the Trump admin had it removed. Renowned historian Jon Meacham argues that the move was part of a campaign to sanitize America's history. Meacham’s new book, “American Struggle,” looks at critical moments in history in which disagreements over the direction of US were in focus.
Cascade PBS Staff
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