I dont see how we #SaveTheShowbox at this point.
I don't see how we #SaveTheShowbox at this point. Lester Black

First, this: I feel weird.

The tweet even has the state media confused: "Trump tweets bizarre video suggesting he could be president '4EVA'" reads Fox News's headline. They described the video as sure to "send shivers down the spines of his biggest critics," which, yes, I would say it did. Fox News says the video was originally created by a Twitter user named Carpe Donktum.

Showbox is "officially unsaved": A King County Supreme Court judge ruled that expanding Pike Place Market to include the Showbox was an illegal zoning change, writes David Kroman over at Crosscut.

What does that mean for the Showbox going forward?: While the Showbox is still being considered for landmark status, the status only protects the venue's specific architectural features. Even with the landmark status, the venue could still theoretically be turned into, like, a fancy high-rise lobby for the 1% while keeping the building's cool features. Maybe they'll be benevolent and throw up some photos of the Showbox when it was alive and kicking on the walls. An attorney for the venue's property owner, Roger Forbes, has said that “all options are on the table” going forward. All options except, of course, expanding the Pike Place Historic District to include the Showbox.

Finally, Washington's U.S. Rep. Adam Smith is team #ITMFA: Or, in his chief of staff's words, "Congressman Smith believes we must move forward with an impeachment inquiry," reports the Seattle Times. Smith joins Rep. Jayapal in being the only members of Washington's delegation to call for impeachment proceedings, but they both join 74 other representatives across the country who support an impeachment inquiry.

Did you catch the new Stranger Things trailer?: It came out yesterday. Season 3 of the popular Netflix original series premieres on July 4.

We're living in the Upside Down: And KIRO Radio personality Dori Monson likes e-bikes. I don't want to give the man too much credit—welcome to the club, my dude—but you have to click the link and see the pic.

GeekWire obtained a list of “prohibited” software at Microsoft: It, predictably, is mostly made up of their competitors and includes Slack, Amazon Web Services, Google Docs, Grammarly, and GitHub.

1,500 public-housing residents in Seattle can now ride the bus for free: In February, Mayor Durkan announced that the city would offer 1,500 Seattle Housing Authority residents FREE and UNLIMITED Orca passes. The residents are now able to sign up for their free passes, writes Heidi Groover at the Seattle Times.“With a limited income, you watch everything,” said one resident to Groover. “If the laundry goes up a quarter it’s noticeable. It’s noticeable to us because everyone in here is on limited income. It will make a big difference.”

ICE is expected to begin immigration raids in 10 cities on Sunday: A tweet from Trump gave it away. The tweet suggested the department will deport "millions" of undocumented immigrants, but the acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary has been predictably quiet about details of the operation. The upcoming operation is anticipated to target 2,000 people, according to CNN. David Gutman with the Seattle Times is reporting that the Seattle area is likely not one of those 10 cities.

Finally, a positive story about healthcare: From turtle to terminator.

"In time, people will come to see it as a great aircraft": Is what Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group (IAG), said about Boeing 737 Max jets on Tuesday. It's one of the best quotes from this week's Paris Air Show—which had plenty of drama as Boeing publicly endured multiple ongoing crises in front of their entire industry—organized by the Seattle Times staff.

More animal news: Beautiful, just beautiful.


In case you were wondering if the Stranger Election Control Board got fed today: After yesterday's disappointing lack of carbs during our endorsement meetings for the fall elections, the Stranger Election Control Board was rewarded today when Crystal Liston brought hard cider, kombucha, "chocolate krak," and wildflower seeds. She is from Issaquah. I guess that's what people eat out there. We were happy for the booze and krak.

What the fuck is happening with Iran: In case you missed all the drama last night and this morning, the New York Times has a helpful breakdown. Some bullet points:

  • Donald Trump approved military strikes against Iran on Thursday evening. It was supposed to be carried out before sunrise to avoid human casualties. And then Trump called it off.

  • Why did he call it off? Trump said the prospect of human casualties stopped him. He said he had 10 minutes to spare before he made the decision.

  • This wouldn't have been his first military action in the Middle East, as he struck targets in Syria in 2017 and 2018.

  • Does Trump need congressional approval to go to war with Iran? Not necessarily.

    • Maybe that absurd Trump meme is a distraction from this: In an essay for New York magazine, E. Jean Carroll, a famous advice columnist and writer, has accused Donald Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room 23 years ago. She claims to have the unwashed coat she was wearing at the time of the alleged assault (and is wearing it on the cover of the magazine, below). The piece in New York details the allegation, with the author concluding by saying she has never had sex with anybody ever again after that incident. The White House, apparently a witness in that dressing room, has called the allegations "completely false and unrealistic." Carroll becomes the 16th women to come forward with allegations against Trump of inappropriate conduct, reports PBS.

    Art to look forward to: Have a good weekend! Enjoy the longest day of the year!