The government shutdown is not a victimless crime! Credit: aaaaimages/Getty Images
The government shutdown is not a victimless crime!
The government shutdown is not a victimless crime! aaaaimages/Getty Images

Carbon emissions on the rise: The U.S. emitted 3.4 percent more carbon dioxide last year than we did in 2017, despite a record number of coal power plants closing this year. Emissions have declined for the past three years, but a strong economy, a relatively cold winter and the Trump administration’s penchant for cutting environmental regulations encouraged more heating, manufacturing and transportation. So just because we stop mainline coal doesn’t mean we’re going to get clean. We’ve got a whole bunch of dirty habits.

Cancer on the decline: Well, at least in America. A new study shows that cancer rates have been dropping continuously for the past 25 years with a 27 percent drop in cancer death since the peak in 1991. That’s 2.6 million fewer cancer deaths. There’s still a lot of work to do in closing racial gaps in cancer outcomes, but those gaps have significantly narrowed over the last few decades. For the world as a whole, cancer rates are only rising with 9.6 million deaths just last year.

Councilmember Kshama Sawant closely tied with Socialist Alternative: According to documents obtained by Seattle City Council Insight. Sawant has allegedly ceded her power on the City Council to the local socialist group, a fact she deliberately shielded from her constituents. The documents suggest that the Socialist Alternative group directed her yes vote on Carmen Best as Seattle’s Chief of Police and controls staffing in Sawant’s office.

Chilly wind and wet rain: As Bob Dylan sang, “The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.” Actually Bob, the answers are just in this tweet.

Primetime President: In case you missed Nathalie’s Slog PM last night, Donald Trump will be addressing the nation tonight about the “crisis on the Southern Border.” News networks (or as Trump calls them, “the enemy of the people”) don’t necessarily have to give the president primetime coverage—they refused a request by Obama to speak about immigration in 2014—yet NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, CNN, MSNBC and Fox News have already announced they’ll be showing the speech. Yes, they’re concerned he’ll spend every single word of it lying to the American people, but I guess that’s no different from any of his other speeches.

I’d propose CNN put a lie counter on the screen that ticks ever higher as Trump spouts nonsense claims. Or, maybe just don’t watch. His administration has indicated they may declare a state of emergency at the southern border, which could allow them to build a wall without congressional approval. But Democratic leaders are calling for equal airtime tonight to respond to his claims and they might just get it.

Shutdown hits Mount Rainier: After a heavy snowfall, officials closed the last remaining road into the park and the animals couldn’t be happier. Badgers, bears, and birds alike are enjoying a nice little vacation away from you people, finally getting some goddamn peace and quiet.

Quackin me up: As if museums weren’t freakin rad enough already, some of the biggest art and natural history museum around the world are sending each other ducks.

Trouble in Hanford: Washington’s famous radioactive waste site is getting new attention from the Department of Energy who wants to reclassify up to 56 million gallons of radioactive material as low-level waste. Oregon isn’t convinced. They believe these proposed changes would give the DOE too much autonomy in how they deal with dangerous waste at Hanford. They’re especially concerned about shallow landfills in the area to store radioactive waste that have to withstand centuries of abuse.

Fonzie to the rescue: In case any Seahawks fans out there are still feeling butthurt about the loss, here’s the man, the myth, the legend, Henry Winkler with a pep talk. I swear this man could make a tomato bisque recipe sound inspiring.

Tonight’s best Seattle entertainment options include: A screening of Brett Morgen’s 2017 documentary Jane accompanied live by the Seattle Symphony, a chance to hear Thomas Kohnstamm read from his novel Lake City, and the first of two concerts with “vintage pop” singer Kat Edmonson.

Timothy Kenney is a former Slog AM intern. He's written for multiple Seattle outlets, helped CNN cover a mudslide in Sierra Leone, and almost threw up on James Franco once.