Seattle will be crawling with cops on June 2, as criminal intelligence specialists converge at the Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue for the four-day Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit (LEIU) conference. LEIU is an umbrella group that sets standards for undercover policing.

The conference will focus on terrorism and Homeland Security head Tom Ridge has been invited to speak.

Seattle activists, nervous about surveillance in the post-9/11 era, have protest plans. AMY JENNIGES

Dissident Democrats

Both SeaTac house Democrats are throwing down the gauntlet to Democratic leaders. Reps. Dave Upthegrove and Shay Schual-Berke of the 33rd Legislative District are demanding Democrats kill a bill that makes it easier for the Port of Seattle to start on its controversial third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. Upthegrove says the bill--SB 5787--would overturn a decision by the Pollution Control Hearings Board setting high standards for allowable contaminant levels. The Port says the bill restores established standards.

The two dissident SeaTac house Ds say they will refuse to support major Democratic initiatives if the bill--which passed the senate with D support--isn't dumped. SANDEEP KAUSHIK

Olchefske Deathwatch

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Olchefske is on shaky ground as the school board waits for the results of an audit initiated after Olchefske announced a $34 million budget shortfall last October.

Others aren't waiting for the April 16 audit, though. They're calling for Olchefske's head now. Here's the tally so far: On April 4, 85 percent of the teachers union voted to replace Olchefske; on March 28, the Principals Association executive board voted unanimously against Olchefske; staff at Ballard, Cleveland, Garfield, Roosevelt, Chief Sealth, Rainier Beach, and Franklin high schools have asked Olchefske to resign. And dissident school board member Mary Bass essentially called for Olchefske's resignation in these pages last fall ["Mary Contrary," Eli Sanders, Nov 21].

Olchefske has declined the invitations to step down. AMY JENNIGES

Seattle Weekly Update

We reported recently that--facing budget woes--the Seattle Weekly was planning to lay off several editorial staffers [In Other News, Feb 6]. While a photographer, a web designer, and one editorial staffer have since been let go, there are reportedly still more jobs in the balance.

Indeed, when nervous editorial staffers asked about the status of the pending cuts, management confirmed that editorial staff still needs to shrink. Seattle Weekly publisher Terry Coe did not return our call. JOSH FEIT