Tonight’s Weather Might Get Weird: Yup, the National Weather Service says Seattle will likely see severe thunderstorms Wednesday evening, starting around 5 p.m. Meteorologists are predicting high winds and the possibility of hail as large as two inches in diameter. There’s also a 5 percent chance of a tornado. Charge your phones and computers and all that, maybe scrounge up some candles or extra flashlights if you’ve got ‘em, and you should probably eat that ice cream in your freezer now, too, just to be safe. You don’t want it to melt if the power goes out.
A Tornado Is Unlikely: But they do happen here! Our last significant tornado was in Port Orchard in 2018. So here’s what I learned from living through several tornado watches and warnings in Nashville for 10 years: If a tornado is spotted, head to your basement or the lowest level of your building. If you don’t have a basement, go to the innermost room of your home, preferably a space without windows (bathrooms, closets, stairwells, etc.!). Taking cover in a bathtub is also better than nothing. If you have a bike helmet, throw that on to protect your head. If you’re outside or traveling, GET OUT OF YOUR CAR! Avoid trees. Get to shelter, or, if there are no buildings nearby, lay down in a ditch or the lowest possible spot you can find. Good luck, everybody! They’re terrifying!
Free Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez Zeferino: Early Tuesday morning, ICE arrested Whatcom County man Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez Zeferino,The Bellingham Herald reports. He “has been politically active for many years” and has volunteered as an immigrant rights organizer, including serving on Bellingham’s Immigrant Advisory Committee. The program coordinator for Community to Community (C2C) told the Herald, “We suspect it was because of his political action that he was detained.” By 10 a.m., more than 100 people gathered outside the Ferndale facility to protest his detainment. By Tuesday evening, C2C posted on Instagram that Zeferino was moved to the NW Detention Center in Tacoma. The org is raising money for his defense fund, and they’re urging supporters to call Gov. Bob Ferguson (360-902-4111) and AG Nick Brown (360-753-6200) to demand his release.
“So, About That Signal Chat.” As mentioned in yesterday’s Slog AM, the Atlantic’s editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally included in a group chat on Signal in which a number of White House idiots were texting about the attack on Yemen. They’re denying any wrongdoing in a Senate panel hearing—Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, said no classified information was shared. So this morning The Atlantic published the entirety of their messages.
This Hypocrisy Is Giving Me Heartburn: Yesterday, Trump teased the “possibility of financial compensation for people who were prosecuted for taking part in the riot at the Capitol in 2021,” reports Politico. They participated in an attempted coup! People died! And yet, Trump also said, just days ago, that he “looks forward” to seeing anti-Tesla protestors “get 20-year jail sentences … in the prisons of El Salvador.” This is fascism.
JD Vance Is Going to Greenland: Why? Greenland certainly doesn’t want him there. In a January poll, more than 85 percent of Greelanders said they “do not want to join the US.” Earlier this month “All five parties in Greenland’s parliament issued a joint statement on Friday rejecting President Donald Trump’s latest effort to take control of the strategic Arctic island,” according to the AP. On Monday, Prime Minister Mute B. Egede called the trip “highly aggressive” and said its “only purpose is to demonstrate power.”
Greenland Has the Chance to Do the Funniest Thing Ever: I’m not saying Greenland should detain Vance for trespassing or spying or threatening the country’s national safety or anything, but… what if they did?
About Last Night’s Special Election in PA: As of 10:30 p.m. last night, Democrat James Malone had a 482-vote lead over Republican Josh Parsons in Lancaster County’s 36th Senate District special election, according to LNP Lancaster Online. If Malone wins, he will be the first Democratic state senator in the 36th district since 1979. It’s a small thing, but Elon and Trump were both pushing for Parsons. The duo’s popularity is plummeting. Are they losing their influence? A little? Maybe? Dare we nurture this fragile seedling of hope?
Elon Takes an L: Y’all read Teen Vogue’s profile of Vivian Wilson, right? She’s Elon Musk’s estranged daughter. It’s so good, and Musk got so mad. Over the weekend, after the story came out, he deadnamed Wilson and repeated his bullshit line about how “the woke mind virus” killed his “son.” Vivian’s response? “I look pretty good for a dead bitch.” Perfection.
A New Way to Buy Cake: Yesterday, My Ballard reported this week’s best news so far—a local baker, Nicole Conley, has opened a walk-up “microbakery” on 30th Avenue Northwest. “Think of it like a cake vending machine: You walk up, scan a code, select your treat, and the fridge will open up for you to take your goodies,” writes Meghan Walker. It’s cute! It’s “open” Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until sold out.
We’re Watching, Senators: Washington’s own Maria Cantwell voted yes to confirm Michael Kratsios as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy yesterday. Previously Kratsios was chief of staff for Peter Thiel. This isn’t the first Trump appointee she’s supported. Cantwell also voted yes for Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary, Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation, Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary, and Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Patty Murray has only voted in favor of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. I don’t know that that counts as egregious, really. But we’re watching, Cantwell! Stand up to Trump!
Ferguson Reverses Inslee’s Decision: Timothy Pauley, who is serving consecutive life sentences for murdering three people during an armed robbery in 1980, was set to be released Thursday. Jay Inslee began the parole process on his last day in office. But this week Gov. Bob Ferguson reversed Inslee’s decision. In a statement, Ferguson wrote, “I am unconvinced that Mr. Pauley is truly rehabilitated and fit for release at this time.” Before his decision, Ferguson was receiving pressure from the state House Republican leader and the mayor of Bonney Lake (where Pauley would live) to block Pauley’s parole. Those Republicans sure do seem to have Fergie’s ear, huh?
Big Dumper’s Staying in Seattle: Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is reportedly signing a six-year, $105 million contract extension. This is delightful news for Ms fans and especially for Stranger sports contributor Brittney Bush Bollay who, in November, started this delightful thread:
I make Cal Raleigh’s dumper bigger every day until the Mariners extend him: Day 1
— Brittney Bush Bollay (@brittneybush.bsky.social) November 12, 2024 at 11:26 PM
Eurovision Is Coming: I am very excited. Today, and all days, let’s greet the world with the same energy Malta’s Miriana Conte exudes in her Eurovision entry. You gotta at least listen until the breakdown.
“Those Republicans sure do seem to have Fergie’s ear, huh?”
No huh, common sense means keeping dangerous killers behind bars, uh huh.
As far as I can tell, Vance and Vance are only going to the US’ Pittufik Spacebase (yes, “Pity Fuck”), which is 900 miles north of the capital, Nuuk. Because they don’t need an invite to go to a US Military installation.
ABC: Always Be Clowning.
You’re just now “watching” Maria Cantwell, who voted to invade Iraq in 2003? Better late than never, I guess.
“So this
morning
The Atlantic
published the en-
tirety of their messages.”
the djt’s
War on the
Fourth Estate’s
what’ll keep him in
power for fucking Ever
watch for the Arrests
soon to follow
oh
and
Watch
what You
say, Stranger
I guess to most libs the term “life without parol” really doesn’t mean much does it? This is one reason the US (and the world) is moving a little to the right!
Good Job Fergie for protecting public safety. A convicted 3 time murderer should only leave prison in a body bag.
Sorry Lelo, but if you’ve had many years to volunteer as an immigrant rights organizer, then you have had many years to get your immigration status in order. Enjoy your deportation. It’s hopefully the last time US taxpayers will be paying your way.
@1 the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board determined he was rehabilitated and no longer dangerous. The governor overruling their determination is a purely political move.
@2 – it’s pronounced “bee-doo-feek” and it means “the place where the dogs are tied.” The name was previously Thule which is Greek for “the most northerly place.” The name was changed to better represent the people and culture of Greenland.
And they say conservatives are not culturally sensitive. LOL.
@6: So you’re saying our new governor, the former attorney general who had no trepidations in going after Republicans who cultivated himself as a pragmatic progressive with convictions above politics is now suddenly too scared of political ramifications, or could it possibly be that the triple murderer was too dangerous to be let out?
“And
they say
conservatives are
not culturally sensitive.”
no.
Cons
Weaponize
Culture to Hide
their moral Depravity
so they can bomb the Shit
outta whomever they Please.
“LOL.”
I know.
@9 – well don’t you worry about Greenland. We don’t want to bomb them, we want them to join the Empire.
It’s obviously a political move because freeing inmates has haunted so many governors before (it’s hard to imagine mike huckabee in his current form having mercy on anyone but he was dogged for years after freeing a rapist). In a less reactionary country we would trust the judgement of the committees who are tasked with making these decisions, but these are the kinds of stories the far-right media loves to make hay from and the risk to his career is not worth one guy’s freedom.
@dipshite
and yet
we send
nutnyaoo
2,000lb Bunker
Busters so’s thedjt
can have golfing resorts
in fucking Palestine? pick a
fucking Lane neocons.
@8 what’s more likely: the people who by statute are entrusted to make these decisions just got this one totally wrong and Bob Ferguson, in his infinite wisdom, had to save the day, or this is a political play to recast himself not as progressive but “pragmatic” because he hopes, like Inslee, to run for President someday?
“I am unconvinced that Mr. Pauley is truly rehabilitated and fit for release at this time,” Ferguson continued.
Either you believe your governor is sincere or you don’t.
Megan didn’t explain the embedded Eurovision song from Malta. Y’all need to click that video and watch. Malta tried to get some filthy, filthy (and hilarious) lyrics past the censors. It didn’t work, they were told to take out the c-word, even if it does just mean “singing” in Maltese.
@13 except Inslee did the exact same thing in 2022. From the Seattle Times article.
“But after meeting with the victims’ families and Dave Reichert, who was one of the detectives on the case in 1980, Inslee canceled parole for Pauley, despite his work to rehabilitate himself in custody.
Similar to Ferguson, Inslee argued Pauley, who is currently held at the Monroe Correctional Complex, hadn’t shown remorse for his actions.”
Inslee then choose to reverse his decision on his last day in office without any notification to the victims or explanation on why he was suddenly reversing course. It comes off as a big FU to the victims families and an underhanded move by a politician. Ferguson is right to take a pause and relook at this. Maybe he’ll arrive at the conclusion that this guy deserves parole but the victims families deserve to be heard and the decision should be made transparently.
The power to pardon convicts or commute their sentences has been vested in the person of the chief executive since the days of Roman law. For thousands of years, it has been a discretionary power of the executive, not a right of convicts. Complaining that parole decisions are political is like complaining that water is wet. 😃
Maybe it is all political theater? Inslee gives the green light, turdison puts the shackles back on. Oh wow, look at the new GOV, he good on crime and punishment. He ain’t so bad like all them other liberalls. I gotta give him my “Harumph!” I bet turdison makes a run for PREZ one day and we see this moment all over his campaign fodder.
@12 I think the bombs are to eliminate Hamas. Any future golf courses are just a side benefit.
@14, I would never assume a politician is even capable of being sincere but that’s beside the point. He may actually believe that but if he plans on having a career after his governorship ends he would be foolish to sign off on the release of a murderer serving consecutive life sentences. It’s all risk with no reward, at least not for him.
19
them bombs’re
just precurssors to
the Bulldozers then
the Lux Hotels & LIV-*
backed Golfing Resorts
if only it weren’t
for all them damn
inconvenient Residents
but
fuck
Yeah
like worm-
my always Says
the
Cruelty
is the point
*liv = 54
as in three
rounds of 18 as
Opposed to fore
this Planet Ever-
stratifying Who’ll
launch the 1st nukes
or will it be
something
else
Megan I love your news and commentaries! Best news anywhere! Thank you!
@20: Then it’s a win-win situation. A man who killed three people and devastated three families reminds behind bars and the dems can vote for their Fergie as president someday.
The casinos in Trump Gaza will pay a full 3-2 on single deck blackjack, offer single zero roulette, and a five cent line on baseball. There will be JaiLai, dog racing, and cock fights. No pigeon shoots though as it might make people think an attack was on. It will be the center of World Cup and Premier League wagering.
Companionship and substances are always available to the discerning gentleman in Trump Gaza, but don’t go down any tunnels except the official tourist exhibits of the Israeli military.
Of course, shielded corporate identities are always available.
https://youtu.be/9SFVntcDv3Q?feature=shared
Piffiit Nutaat · Sume
@26: When you add the “feature=shared” parameter after the “?”, you are providing YouTube analytics that the views are originating from this website (thestranger.com).
Probably inadvertent, just an FYI. Not a bad thing.
@19 I see that not even you can polish the turd that SignalGate/Whiskyleaks is.
So I wonder which writer will get to share this shit news – https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattles-payroll-tax-collects-less-than-expected-adds-to-budget-woes/
It will be interesting to see how folks pivot due to the realization that reclassifying folks in the the era of work for home can and is happening (it was nice while it lasted).
Seattle and the surrounding area is far too hilly for a tornado to last long enough to do any serious damage.
There is a reason why they are most common place in the middle of the country where it is FLAT.
That’s not to say we haven’t had water spouts and the occasional funnel cloud, but the likelihood of ever experiencing anything comparable to, say, Kansas or East Colorado, Oklahoma etc is pretty much 0
The cake vending machine is nice, but it’s never going to live up to the “After Hours Pie Vending Machine” at The Berry Patch in Westport, OR, which has been around for decades. OTOH, it’s not 2 1/2 hours away…
https://www.facebook.com/theberrypatchrestaurant/posts/our-pie-machine-is-fully-stocked-at-the-berry-patch-restaurant-its-open-24-hours/774296354501421/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx7q_YskLbo
Get these circus dumbshits out of the fucking government stat and in some fucking clown shoes which would suit them best.
@29: The JumpStart tax began as an “F-U” to Durkan, who’d handed Sawant the largest of her many defeats by getting the EHT repealed. Even after COVID showed just how superfluous much of the office space downtown had become, the “progressive” Council doubled down anyway; partly because there are not many revenue options for any Council, but mostly because their bitter animus toward business warps and distorts their worldview. Now the current Council is stuck with declining revenues from a tax nobody now in power, and certainly not their electorate, even wanted in the first place. I do not envy them.
To answer your question in part, the Stranger has to ignore all of the above, so a story on the failing JumpStart Tax will just have to wait until it can no longer be ignored — which will give the Stranger’s Creative Political Writing majors time to fabricate an explanation which blames Sara Nelson.