Fictional Seattles in film, TV, and games; Harrell’s ‘State of the City’ speech short on specifics; labor union supports big grocery merger; Amazon goes on the Dow Jones Industrials.

Linda’s Tavern marks 30 years (without Linda); Alaska Air flight attendants authorize strike; ‘Twin Peaks’ museum exhibit coming to North Bend next week; the Smith Tower was almost turned residential.

Wallingford’s Changes gay bar at 35; Seattle author Neal Stephenson’s 1995 predictions about AI; bill to raise local property-tax cap dies in Legislature; SPD female employees allege harassment and discrimination.

Video game teaches mega-earthquake survival skills; repeal of ‘lewd conduct’ ban in bars passes state Senate; Starbucks told to rehire labor-organizing barista; WSP officers thought woman with ‘bleeding brain’ was just drunk.

Standing relics of Seattle’s vice-laden past; national site likes Seattle & Spokane’s downtown efforts; ex-owner of Tula’s Jazz Club dies; fighting back against the ‘racial justice backlash.’

Local conceptual artist’s documentations of futility; Ezell’s Famous Chicken marks 40 years (without Ezell); Chateau Ste. Michelle plans big developments (but no more winemaking on site); could end of ‘lewd conduct’ rules help strippers?

Trying to solve civil-rights leader’s slaying 55 years later; Liquor & Cannabis Board pauses ‘lewd conduct’ enforcement; bill to rein in rent-gouging dies in Legislature; OR GOP lawmakers who walked out can’t run again.

Ijeoma Oluo’s new book on how to ‘Be a Revolution;’ Christopher Rufo’s links to ‘scientific racism’ journal; King County youth jail won’t close any time soon; Seahawks to have NFL’s youngest head coach.

Touring play’s exuberant ‘meta’ take on ‘Don Quixote;’ two School Board members resign; Councilmember Nelson opposes even-year elections; AI ‘deepfakes,’ abuse, and disinformation.

City says don’t toss your old AAs in the trash; two gay bars cited for under-dressed patrons; migrant refugees to be kicked out of Kent hotel; ‘pickleball hotel’ coming to Interbay.

The Rocket’s 21-year archives are now online; ex-Vito’s building burns again; New Year’s fireworks are a partial dud; 1/1 is a win/win for Seattle sports fans.

The Ins & Outs for the coming year of imperative action (and, we hope, some fun along the way).

‘Ghosts of Belltown’ group show opens new art space; ‘Jewish Voices for Peace’ mach closes University Bridge; city drug-treatment program already near capacity; could the feds order Starbucks to reopen unionized-then-closed stores?

Are taprooms ‘the new coffee houses’?; Sam Altman’s back at OpenAI (so he’s not going to Microsoft); anti-Israel slogans tagged on Mercer Island synagogue’s walls; Pac-12 football’s demise draws near.

Fancy but tiny (and toilet-less) treehouse no longer for sale; two incumbents now lead in City Council votes; camping to protest Burien anti-camping law; Megan Rapinoe’s career ends with an injury.