Soon to be banned?
Soon to be banned? Getty

Bump stocks could be banned in Washington: Just a matter of months after a bump stock was used in Las Vegas to carry out the deadliest mass shooting in American history, Washington state lawmakers are voting to ban them. A bill banning the modification that allows a gun to fire more rapidly has passed the Washington Senate and a House committee. If it passes, bump stocks would be illegal to manufacture or sell starting on July 1st. House speaker Frank Chopp tells the Stranger he has the votes to pass the bill. They would become illegal to own in July 2019.

Homeless sweeps slow as shelter beds fill up: City rules mandate that the Navigation Team, the city workers responsible for camp removals, must be able to offer shelter beds before they can clear an unsanctioned encampment. The most popular shelters, the ones that operate 24/7, allow dogs, couples, and substance use, have all but filled up. This makes the Navigation Team’s job harder because the alternatives they can offer to the people living in these camps are not as attractive. The slow-down is hard for the Not In My Backyard-types who call the Navigation Team to complain about camps. But, it’s also hard on the homeless because the system put in place to get them out of homelessness is simply not working.

Everett teen charged for planning school shooting: Joshua Alexander O’Connor’s grandmother found a journal detailing his plans to shoot his classmates at ACES Alternative High School in Everett. She called 911. He planned to use a semiautomatic rifle as well as explosives to make the shooting “infamous.” He was charged Thursday with attempted First Degree Murder, First Degree Robbery, and Third Degree Assault.

Legislature stalling on increasing background checks: More gun control and gun safety legislation is being voted on by Washington state lawmakers. A bill that raises the legal age to a buy a gun to 21 and would require additional training and annual background check renewals has not passed the full Senate. Supporters of the Second Amendment believe the emphasis should be placed on mental health.

Cold snap this weekend: Brace yourselves, Canada is sending down some cold air to Western Washington. It’s predicted to be the coldest weekend of the winter and, fingers crossed, there’s a slight chance of snow in Seattle. It could be a President's Day miracle!


Romney riles up the mormons: With the announcement that he's running for senator of Utah. I’m pretty sure it was something he was trying to be coy about, in typical Mitt fashion, but we all knew. There was no mention of Trump in his announcement. But, he did mention he has 24 grandchildren. That’s a lot of grandchildren. Also, Mitt Romney is 70 and we have the same birthday.

Our adulterous, womanizing president strikes again: Donald Trump cheated on Melania with Stormy Daniels. We know this. But, there were multiple other women he was seeing at the same time. A New Yorker piece released in the early hours of this morning outlines another affair that started in 2006. This one was with Karen McDougal, a Playboy Playmate. Her story corroborates many of the details Daniels and a string of other women experienced during affairs with Trump. Not only that, but it tells of the cover up by American Media Inc, publisher of The National Inquirer. A.M.I. does these types of cover ups for a number of high profile people and, apparently, wields them as blackmail. There is a strong insinuation in the article that A.M.I. could have control over Donald Trump.

Possible copycat arrested in South Carolina: A Snapchat picture of a masked male holding a rifle with the caption “Round 2 FL Tomorrow” circulated around social media and caused panic in South Florida. Authorities identified the origin of the post as South Carolina. They have apprehended the juvenile who made the post.

Three billboards outside of Grenfell, London: There have been little to no answers about the horrific apartment fire that killed 71 people last summer. The fire department offered a possible explanation, that a fridge-freezer malfunction could have sparked the fire, but people want more concrete answers. They’re channeling the strategy of Frances McDormand’s character in Academy Award nominated “Three Billboards outside of Ebbing, Missouri.” Orange and mobile, the billboards read “71 DEAD.” “AND STILL NO ARRESTS?” “HOW COME?”

Team USA made up of humans, not gods: Mikaela Shiffrin, poised to win back-to-back gold in slalom, finished fourth. Nathan Chen, the U.S. national champion figure skater, flubbed his short program. Both failed simultaneously on live television. There's a certain whiplash when you remember the Olympics is a ton of nationalistic propaganda and the athletes are just people, too.

Vincent Zhou made up the slack:


And Adam Rippon was incredible: Obviously


South Korea medaled in a non-skating event: A first in Winter Olympics history.


Jeffrey Tambor officially leaves “Transparent”: He departed amidst an investigation into sexual harassment claims made against him. Tambor denies the accusations and says he is “profoundly disappointed in Amazon’s handling” of the situation.

Insane security footage from convenience store robbery: Choose your fighter.


Scott Pruitt gets insulted a lot in airports: The head of the EPA has thin skin and needs to fly first class to avoid mean words. He and other EPA staff spent $90,000 in June alone on travel costs. That's ridiculous. But, to the people insulting Scott in airports, don't stop. You are American heroes. Do it while he's standing in line at TSA.

That week was a long one, we all deserve a fun fact: There are two ATMs in Antarctica. Only one works.

It’s Presidents’ Day weekend, and there are lots of great Seattle events to choose from: Including the Noir City 2018 film festival, Mark Morris Dance Group: Pepperland, and the first night of Protest Fest.