The US seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday after it tried to evade our blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. While it does not break the fragile ceasefire that expires Wednesday, the Iranian military called it an act of piracy, which is not going to help peace negotiations. On Sunday, President Donald Trump said US representatives were returning to Pakistan for talks, but again threatened to destroy Iran’s infrastructure if we don’t reach a deal. Those representatives will be in Islamabad tonight.
A pickup truck hit two cyclists on Aurora early this morning. Police say officers and medics were called to the scene at Aurora Avenue North and Roy St. around 4:20 a.m. A man and woman “unfamiliar with the area” riding one Lime bike said they crossed Aurora Avenue when they meant to turn left onto the sidewalk. They were taken to the hospital in serious condition. The driver showed no sign of impairment, and was released from the scene, police said.
After a decade of work, Skyway’s Black Panther Park officially opened Sunday. Brothers Aaron and Elmer Dixon, founders of Seattle’s chapter, helped cut the ribbon. Sitting next to a mural of themselves, Elmer told the Seattle Times it was a reminder that they “made some difference.”
Kash Patel Sues The Atlantic: The FBI Director is suing the Atlantic for $250 million for reporting that he is a drunken buffoon who doesn’t know what he’s doing. He calls this defamation. Patel told Reuters that the story was a “lie” the magazine published even after they were given the truth. Before publication, the FBI sent this statement, attributed to Patel: “Print it, all false, I’ll see you in court—bring your checkbook.”
My favorite part of the article:
“On multiple occasions in the past year, members of his security detail had difficulty waking Patel because he was seemingly intoxicated, according to information supplied to Justice Department and White House officials. A request for “breaching equipment”—normally used by SWAT and hostage-rescue teams to quickly gain entry into buildings—was made last year because Patel had been unreachable behind locked doors, according to multiple people familiar with the request.”
Japan Has the Shakes: The country’s cabinet office and meteorological agency warn there’s a 1 percent chance of a mega quake in the next week after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake off its northern coast this morning. Authorities issued a similar warning in December when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit. Nothing happened. Let’s hope nothing happens again.
Lesbian Disaster Area: Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are splitting up after 10 years, the couple announced Friday on their podcast “A Touch More.” Now, they’ll just do their own podcasts. I had no idea they had any podcasts.
🎊: US Customs’ tariff refund portal opens today, two months after the Supreme Court ruled that most of the President’s tariffs were unconstitutional. The agency said it owes American businesses an estimated $166 billion.
Another Mass Shooting: A man in Shreveport, Louisiana shot and killed seven of his young children and their cousin at two homes early Sunday. Most were shot in the head while asleep. Shamar Elkins also shot his wife and a woman believed to be his girlfriend, authorities said. They survived. Police killed Elkins after he fled in a carjacked vehicle.
China Tells Travellers to Avoid SEA Airport: According to China’s Consular Affairs, 20 academics with visas travelling to the US for a conference were denied entry to the country after unreasonable inspections by Customs and Border Protection agents. The Chinese foreign ministry and embassy told citizens with plans to visit the US to become versed in entry regulations and be prepared for questioning.
WA Rep. Larry Springer to Retire: The conservative Democrat from Kirkland, 79, was first elected in 2004. Before that, he spent a decade on the Kirkland County Council. In 2024, he fought off a challenge from the left and was facing more intraparty challenges this year. He’s one of more than a dozen current members of the House retiring or running for another office in November.
