Now serving the solution to Americas race problem?
Thinks it's now serving the solution to America's race problem? Rob Wilson / Shutterstock.com

The #RaceTogether Backlash: First of all, what is #RaceTogether? Starbucks says it's an attempt at a national conversation on race—particularly between Starbucks baristas and Starbucks customers. "If we just keep going about our business," CEO Howard Schultz said recently, "and ringing the Starbucks register every day, and ignoring this, then I think we are, in a sense, part of the problem." Slate calls the whole thing "well-meaning but slightly cringe-inducing." The Atlantic looks at why a Starbucks exec deleted his Twitter account over the harsh response to the initiative. (He's since un-deleted the account.) Vice airs the point that Starbucks could start by paying its workers better. This open letter from Race Forward points out that "just any old conversation won't do." Here's Schultz responding to the criticism on CNBC. And here's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Schultz: "While in awe of his chutzpah, I’m also in shock that he thinks this will actually work."

Merry Thursday, the "Mode Wars" Are Over! That is, if Seattle votes for a new transportation levy this fall, says Mayor Ed Murray. His proposed ballot measure is meant as a follow-up to the 2006 "Bridging the Gap" measure, which cost $365 million and was approved by Seattle voters. Murray's plan would cost $900 million, Heidi Groover reports, and would be paid for through property taxes. "Bridging the Gap costs 36 cents per $1,000 assessed value; this new plan would be 61 cents per $1,000 assessed value," Heidi writes. "For the owner of a $450,000 house, that translates to an increase from $162 to $275 a year. That’s a substantial jump that will likely be passed down to renters, too, but the city is pitching it as an affordability measure because, they say, increasing the efficiency of transportation will cut costs for residents who now spend about 17 percent of their expenses on transportation."

Speaking of Affordability, Meet the King County Census Tract Where $35,000—and not $125,000—Is Median Income: Gene Balk continues his fascinating dive into local income-inequality data, and this time arrives in a Kent census tract where the median household income is just above $35,000 a year. "While that might seem very low to be categorized as middle income," Balk writes, "remember that the $15-an-hour 'living' wage, which has caused so much controversy in Seattle, would only pencil out to an income of $30,000 for a full-time job."

Speaking of Income Inequality: "In Seattle, the rich are indeed getting richer," Janet I. Tu reports. "The incomes of Seattle’s top earners grew faster than in any other of America’s 50 largest cities between 2012 and 2013, according to a new report from the Brookings Institution."

Back in January, Space Needle owners advised their employees how to live on less. Instead, Space Needle workers have continued to ask for something more than the 35-cent raise they got last time their salaries were increased.
Back in January, Space Needle owners advised their employees on how to "live on less." Instead, Space Needle workers have continued to ask for something more than the 35-cent raise they got last time their salaries were increased. Alex Garland

Space Needle Workers Demand Wage Increases: Yesterday, reports Sydney Brownstone, "more than 50 Space Needle workers and supporters gathered in front of the landmark with signs and a megaphone to ask their bosses for a raise. It's been nearly three years since non-tipped Space Needle workers last received one (that raise was $0.35), and in the meantime a National Labor Relations Board panel has found the Space Needle Corporation in violation of labor law for discouraging union organizing." When they tried to deliver their demands to the Space Needle's corporate offices downtown, they were turned away.

State Auditor's Home Searched by Feds, Spokesperson with Best Name EVER Explains: "Agents of the US Treasury Department this week served a search warrant at the Tacoma home of state auditor Troy Kelley, the Tacoma Police Department said Wednesday," according to the Seattle Times. "Loretta Cool, spokeswoman for the department, said agents spent about five hours at the home on Monday. 'As far as I know they were there only one time,' said Cool." What were they searching for? It's unclear.

Shooting Last Night in Downtown Seattle: "Police are investigating after a man was shot in downtown Seattle Thursday morning," KING 5 reports. "It happened just before 3 a.m. near Third Avenue and Pike Street. The man had multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries."

Welcome to Oregon: Where kids can't use sunscreen at school "because it's considered an over-the-counter drug."

Obama to Order Greenhouse Gas Emission Cuts: "President Obama will sign an executive order on Thursday to cut the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions, a White House official said, his latest use of presidential power to address the root causes of climate change," the New York Times reports. "It is part of Mr. Obama’s effort during his last two years in office to use an expansive interpretation of his presidential authority to counter strong opposition from the Republican-controlled Congress to enacting climate legislation."

Governor Jay Inslee Is Doing a Reddit AMA at 1 p.m. Today: Check Slog later this morning for six climate-change-related questions you need to ask the governor.