City Light also snitched to ICE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement subpoenaed the utilities company at least four times in 2017. Each time, City Light handed the detailed information over — we’re talking social security numbers, names, and phone numbers — without any sort of legal review, Crosscut reports.
Howard Schultz is really very sorry: Howard Schultz, the Executive Chairman of Starbucks, apologized this morning for the arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia Starbucks. A manager at that store called 911 on two men who were waiting for their friend. They were arrested for doing nothing. “I’m embarrassed, ashamed,” Schultz said, “I think what occurred is reprehensible at every level.” Starbucks will be closing all of its U.S. stores for an afternoon next month to host racial bias trainings.
‘U Suck’ at driving: An electronic sign on I-5 glowed bright with the words ‘U Suck’ yesterday. WSDOT has apologized and said the mistake was due to a training error, it was not a commentary on anyone’s driving skills.
Just what we need, a stink bug invasion: Brace yourself, Western Washington. The stink bugs are coming. They’re everywhere in King, Thurston, and Pierce county. Researchers at Washington State University have received 300 calls about the bugs in just three weeks. Seal all the cracks in your house unless you want some unwanted house guests. I don’t think that’s possible at my house. Too bad they can’t pay rent.
Amazon warehouse ‘like a prison’: The guy who went undercover and saw UK Amazon warehouse workers were peeing in bottles said the culture was prison-like. Workers didn’t have enough time for lunch breaks and were penalized for taking sick days. Amazon denied the claims he made in his original article, failing to recognize the atmosphere of their work environment.
New city-education levy: Mayor Durkan is proposing a new property-tax levy to fund $636.5 million for pre-school, K-12, and college programs. The catch is it would cost median homeowners $249 per year. That’s a bit more than the levies that are set to expire and cost homeowners $170 annually. The proposal is targeted for the November ballot.
Research vessel can’t handle the Cut: A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) boat crashed into the seabed and a concrete wall of the Montlake Cut while passing through yesterday. The amount of damage to the ship is unknown.
Drive-thru drive-by: A fight broke out in the drive-thru of an Everett Memo’s Mexican Restaurant. The passengers of a black Audi got out of their car and started pounding on the driver in a different car through his open window. After the victim drove away, the black Audi allegedly pursued him and fired several shots.
Revel in the sun: Rejoice!
FINALLY! #KOMOnews pic.twitter.com/GA7mznubSw
— Seth Wayne (@SethonKOMO) April 18, 2018
Barbara Bush died: The former first lady died yesterday at 92. She and former president George H.W. Bush had been married for 73 years. Barbara decided earlier this week to cease medical treatment for her failing health. She died yesterday evening in her home in Houston.
Man who deliberately infected others with HIV jailed: Daryll Rowe was sentenced to life in prison. Rowe is the first person to be convicted of intentionally spreading HIV in England. Rowe had 10 victims, only five of whom contracted the virus. He intended for all of them to. The challenge for English law enforcement was proving that intent.
CIA director’s secret North Korean trip: Mike Pompeo wasn’t celebrating the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Weekend. No, he was laying the groundwork for a North Korean summit with the U.S. If all goes to plan, this meeting will be the first time a sitting president has met with North Korea’s leader.
Alex Jones sued by Sandy Hook families: Jones has repeatedly said that the Sandy Hook massacre didn’t actually happen. He’s accused the parents of slain children of being “crisis actors” and his followers have sent them death threats. Now, two families are suing Jones, Infowars, and, a related company, Free Speech Systems LLC. They are seeking $1 million in damages. The suit was filed in Texas, where Infowars is based.
Stockholm member mural to be painted over: A giant painting of an erect, blue penis was met with stiff resistance in Stockholm. The painting covered an entire side of a building. It was up for just a week but received a lot of complaints. It’ll be gone soon. The link has the picture of a penis, just a heads up.
Tonight’s best Seattle entertainment options include: The first installment of a new stand-up comedy night hosted by Brett Hamil and Emmett Montgomery, Joketellers Union, an electronic show with Jean-Michel Jarre, and a poetry reading with Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Susan Rich.
On Wednesdays we usually take a look at how you start the day. For a change of pace, here’s how we do it.
What The Stranger staff is eating this morning:
Here’s Kevin Shurtluff’s breakfast submission from Distro. He has to fuel up for an early start on the road.
Too many rights and lefts on an empty stomach can be exhausting. It’s egg tostadas with a berry and banana smoothie.
An Atkins Travel Trail bar and coffee for Christopher Frizzelle.
Cap Hill dandy boys Ryan Sparks and Callan Berry enjoy a delicate morsel befitting of Keck Family Publishing employs.
A merriment of dates, cheeses, and fruit lines their rosy cheeks, served to them in customary fashion: by their hierarchical juniors on the editorial team. As it is Wednesday, this morn’s parcels were served by Sydney Brownstone.
Nikoli Shaver whipped up a homemade savory scone and a cup of coffee. People don’t really bake any more. People should bake more, Shaver writes.
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