Nancy Pelosi, the newly-minted Speaker of the House, got a a bill through the House that could reopen the government. Trump will probably refuse to sign it.
Nancy Pelosi, the newly-minted Speaker of the House, got a bill through the House that could reopen the government. Trump will probably refuse to sign it. ZACH GIBSON / GETTY IMAGES

Activists clap back at Sea-Tac: After large demonstrations this summer to protest the Trump administration putting literal children in actual cages, the City of Sea-Tac sent the immigrant rights group who organized it a $37,000 bill for “crowd control.” Now those activists are suing the city. The organizer who received the bill told Crosscut’s Lilly Fowler, “I suspect that because I myself am an immigrant that they thought I would be easy pickings.” Liberals aren’t the only ones who get slapped with huge security fees; the UW College Republicans sued the school last spring over a $17,000 security fee for a rally featuring Joey Gibson and the Proud Boys.

Flu comes in like a wrecking ball: It’s (kind of) officially flu season! And let me guess, you didn’t get vaccinated this year. Well don’t feel too bad, neither did I. But I’ve got good news for both of us: IT’S NOT TOO LATE! Last winter’s flu was one of the deadliest on record, so the best way to make sure you and the people in your immediate vicinity don’t die is to get a wee little shot. Don’t be like those anti-vaxxers on Vashon Island, be better. You all will be the first to know when (if) I get my flu shot!

'Gentrification machine' gases up: The influx of high-income technology jobs has sent sweeping waves of development and gentrification across Seattle, but two ex-Microsoft tech bros want to take a much more active approach. A Redmond based company called SmartCap Group is calling on tech investors to pour some of their lucrative company stock holdings into real estate projects in low income areas. This may not be all bad—some investors have poured their money into development projects like solar energy—but this could snowball into a movement that swallows some of Seattle’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.

New otter in Tacoma: A rescued sea otter is finding a new home at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo this weekend after becoming too fond of humans during rehabilitation. Does this program run in reverse? Like if I hate most humans, can I go live in the ocean with all the sea otters? Asking for a friend...


House passes plan to reopen government: Mitch McConnell hasn’t been getting anywhere near enough shit during this shutdown but that’s about to change. Nancy Pelosi took the gavel back from Paul Ryan’s cold, dead hands yesterday and passed a bill to reopen the government that has a zero percent chance of getting Trump’s gaudy signature. So all in all, some stuff has happened, things have been said, but we’re no closer to a solution than we were 14 days ago.

Gay rights in Asia: Thailand could become the first country in Asia to recognize same-sex couples with a bill backed by the country’s military government to grant civil unions. Separately, two men in Hong Kong have launched a legal challenge to the government’s ban on same-sex marriage.

Three storms on the way: It’s still raining. It probably won’t be tonight. It definitely will be tomorrow night. Who knows after that? Go Seahawks.


R. Kelly is a scumbag: I know this isn’t exactly breaking news. He’s was charged with child pornography (but acquitted) and settled out of court on multiple lawsuits for inappropriate sexual contact with a minor. I found out in the first grade when for the winter show that year, our grade was going to sing R. Kelly’s empowerment ballad “The World’s Greatest.” But at the very last second, the teachers changed it and wouldn’t tell us why. How do you explain to a bunch of 8-year-olds that they guy they’ve been singing has allegedly serially preyed on young, teenage girls? A new Lifetime docuseries aired last night on the 25 years of Kelly’s misconduct and it’s definitely worth your time.


Food, glorious food: A whopping 362 restaurants and bars opened up in Seattle last year! Yeah, I guess 71 spots closed, but that’s still almost 300 new places to try. Yet, I still end up going to the same three places every week because I’m a basic bitch who likes what I like.

This weekend's best Seattle entertainment options include: The Big Ass Boom Box Festival, a poetry performance with Mary Lambert, and the beginning of the Shellfish Showcase.