New and returning theater shows cover the Big Issues (with laughs); Microsoft ‘shopping extension’ said to take influencers’ commissions; Ferguson talks of family at his inaugural; Biden talks of dangers to democracy.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s tenure ends while Bob Ferguson’s begins; ‘less-lethal weapons’ bill advances in City Council; Boeing’s market share shrinks a lot; NY investor bets big on ‘affordable’ housing here.

Things to see in southeast Seattle; WA Legislature gets underway; 20 candidates apply to replace Tammy Morales on City Council; guy allegedly tries to stop friend from driving drunk—by shooting him.

Large public art installation on waterfront; Legislative session starts amid potential state financial crisis; fatal police shooting in Centralia; early Boeing whistleblower dies at age 84.

Similarities between Mangione case and a Netflix drama; Jaahnavi Kandula’s killer fired from SPD; WA eviction filings hit record; Canada gets its own political crossroads.

Painter documents city’s changing scenes; Amazon office workers now expected back every day; more light-rail maintenance disruptions coming; trans people moving to WA to escape MAGA 2.0.

AI scientist sees the ‘code’ in biology; Harvard Exit theater cofounder dies; Maserati SUV shot at near Aurora, Merchant’s Cafe not closing for good after all.

Pike Place thrives while most downtown retail doesn’t; will anyone run against Harrell for re-election?; new orca calf spotted in the Sound; my annual Boxing Day sermonette.

Nordstrom family taking chain ‘private;’ Starbucks strike expands; last Pecos Pit BBQ locations closed; victory in racial-discrimination suit against Seattle Children’s.

Jinkx and DeLa’s annual holiday spectacular; new SPD chief nominee named, while case against ex-chief Diaz deepens; suspect in Metro bus driver killing arrested (while on another bus).

A ‘Deluxe’ Xmas tree ornament; workers strike at 10 scattered Amazon facilities; Olympic Hotel sold; Ferguson says he’ll resist any ‘unconstitutional’ acts from the White House.

Neal Stephenson’s novel ‘Snow Crash’ and its lessons for today; did a ‘Star Wars’ valentine card cost ex-SPD chief Diaz’s job?; cop who ran over Jaahnavi Kandula gets $5,000 fine; feds giving $50 mil toward Cascadia light rail planning.

Harrell cans ex-SPD chief Diaz from non-exec job; Inslee’s last budget includes a ‘small wealth tax;’ another child-sex sting operation nabs another schoolteacher; did Amazon sacrifice worker safety for ‘productivity’?

How to move a 4.5-ton statue from state Capitol; WA evictions at ‘record levels;’ King County, UW reach deal to keep Public Health clinics open; feds find ‘deeply troubling pattern of injuries’ at Amazon warehouses.

‘Human composting’ parlor marks five years; another windstorm knocks out power to many; Seattle’s shelters improve on services but remain crowded; Machinists hope to unionize Boeing plants in South Carolina.