Tolling city streets: Mayor Durkan is looking into implementing a city-street tolling system. It would reduce congestion on Seattle’s busiest streets and would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Seattle would be the first American city to do anything like this. Money from tolls would go toward funding transit, Durkan says. When the Highway 99 tunnel opens, it will be tolled. The effects on those tolls will allow the city to explore the effects of tolling and congestion pricing. The city needs to decide on a toll price first, though.
We’re in for a wet week: The first of three rain systems is hitting us today. Steady rain is expected all morning with showers tapering in the afternoon. Don’t worry, another system is expected Thursday. Then another this weekend. Save money on your water bill and just shower outside this week.
Wed looking to be a wet one for #Seattle & W WA. The highest precipitation amounts for lowlands will be around #Hoquiam & areas off the SW slopes of Olympic Mtns. Snow in Cascade Mnts from #Snohomish county south abv 3500 ft, with 6″-11″ possible. Stay dry! ☂️ #WAwx pic.twitter.com/2M5M38296M
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) April 4, 2018
Value Village owner’s suit against Attorney General thrown out: The suit was filed against Bob Ferguson preemptively by TVI Inc. in order to stave off expected legal action by Ferguson. TVI alleges that Ferguson demanded $3.2 million from TVI in order to settle a 3-year lawsuit. Ferguson sued a week later on the grounds that Value Village misled its customers about how much it gives to charity. The suit against Ferguson was thrown out by a federal judge. The suit against Value Village continues.
The Homeless Person’s Guide to Seattle: Like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy but less fun, a new pocket guide released today will explain resources and handy tips necessary for surviving while homeless in Seattle. It’s really called “The Emerald City Resource Guide” and it was written by the homeless-advocacy group, Real Change. They plan to update it every six months.
Trump is not a criminal target: Mueller told the president’s lawyers that, at this point in the investigation, he doesn’t consider Trump a criminal target. He’s preparing a report on the president’s actions while in office and potential obstruction of justice.
Hunger strike at Walla Walla prison: Prisoners have been refusing food since Sunday. It’s unclear how many prisoners are actually involved but it’s estimated at around 460. The prison has yet to release what the prisoners’ demands are. The strike continues.
YouTube HQ shooter’s motives unclear: A female shooter shot three people at YouTube’s headquarters in San Bruno, California yesterday. It is unclear whether she knew any of the people shot. Police haven’t confirmed her motive, but she had grievances against the site for restricting and censoring her videos and not compensating her enough. She killed herself at the scene. The three victims are at the hospital in fair, serious, and critical condition.
Martin Luther King Jr. was shot 50 years ago today: Seattle Times readers shared their thoughts on that tragic day. What do you remember?
Attempted Thin Mint thief arrested: I know we established yesterday that he wasn’t robbing Girl Scouts for their cookies, but the Thin Mint thief moniker has already stuck. I don’t make the rules. Anyway. The prime suspect in the attempted robbery of a Tacoma Girl Scout has been arrested. Tips from the public made it possible.
A specter of an all-out trade war: China has outlined a second round of tariffs. This time 106 categories of American goods like cars, soybeans, chemicals, and more are the focus. This is a proportional response to Trump’s own plan to put tariffs on Chinese televisions, aircraft parts, cars and car parts, and more. Many of the taxed American goods are manufactured in Republican-led states. China also says it’s willing to negotiate. Will Trump waver?
Predictably, stocks are tanking: The Dow is at its lowest point all year despite relatively good conditions worldwide. Trump had some words of encouragement right before the market opened and everyone saw the Dow fell 500 points:
When you’re already $500 Billion DOWN, you can’t lose!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 4, 2018
Whoa, okay:
DENNIS SMITH JR. DUNK CONTEST REVENGE TOUR pic.twitter.com/4IU5omgarV
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) April 4, 2018
But, that comes in a distant second to Cristiano Ronaldo’s bicycle kick: This is so beautiful I want to cry.
This is absolutely unreal from Ronaldo! pic.twitter.com/VFtPVlJwep
— True Soccer Life ⚽️ (@TrueSccrLife) April 3, 2018
Tonight’s best Seattle entertainment options include: Todrick Hall: American, a concert with HAIM, and Mohsin Hamid’s reading of Exit West.
What you’re eating this Wednesday:
Ellis has been sending me breakfast pictures all week. I guess the thrill of being in Slog AM was unparalleled (everyone else take note).
Lisa couldn’t wait.
Michael wants everyone to know he had an avocado already and is going to reheat his oatmeal.
