Hey there, Seattle! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Award-winning Author Book Signing and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Former SPD Chief, Sheriff Sue Rahr slams Bite of Seattle 'failure', 'political theater' (komonews.com) — Former Seattle Police Chief and ex-King County Sheriff Sue Rahr is sharply criticizing how city leaders handled public communication after the Bite of Seattle shooting, arguing the five-hour delay hurt trust and left residents scared. She praises officers' on-the-ground response but calls the fallout "political theater" and questions whether Seattle's current political climate will deter strong outside candidates from seeking the chief's job. Rahr urges a focus on leadership, culture, and rebuilding trust inside SPD.
2. More King County workers to return to downtown Seattle (everettpost.com) — King County is bringing thousands more employees back into downtown Seattle offices, reopening the long-closed Administration Building and requiring most executive-branch workers to be on-site three days a week starting next month. The move mirrors the City of Seattle's own in-office rules and could boost foot traffic for downtown businesses, even as some employees and unions push back against the return-to-office mandate and its multimillion-dollar build-out costs.
3. Seattle Fire, King County public safety agencies encrypt radio channels in mid-August (seattle.gov) — Seattle Fire and many King County public safety agencies have begun encrypting key radio channels as of Aug. 18 to better protect sensitive information and responder safety under the new PSERN system. Seattle Fire will fully encrypt most operational channels by Aug. 31, while dispatch channels 4 and 5 remain open so the public can still hear basic incident details. Agencies say transparency will continue through delayed audio, releases, social media, and public records.
4. Hearing date set for recall petition against Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson (fox13seattle.com) — Seattle residents are pushing a recall petition against Mayor Katie Wilson, with a King County Superior Court hearing set for Aug. 31 to decide if it can move toward the ballot. The filing cites public safety concerns in several Seattle neighborhoods and policing decisions, while the mayor's office defends its record on safety, housing, transit, and affordability. The hearing is open to the public.
5. 1 killed in downtown Seattle shooting (fox13seattle.com) — A person was shot and killed Tuesday night near 8th Avenue and Marion Street in downtown Seattle, and police are still searching for the suspect. Seattle police are urging people to avoid the immediate area while they investigate, with few details yet on the victim, suspect, or motive. This is a developing situation, with updates expected from FOX 13 Seattle.
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Ok Seattle! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
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