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.

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.

98-year-old Black sculptor’s major show at SAM (whose guards may go on strike); Amazon workers in 20 countries to stage labor actions; ‘the Battle in Seattle’ at 25; suit over Sea-Tac pollution to proceed.

SAM’s lobby ‘tree’ installation going away; Auburn tightens anti-homeless law; Boeing, machinists to resume contract talks; conflicting protests mark one year of the Gaza siege.

Artists’ variations on Charles Peterson’s classic Nirvana photos; Harrell’s Comprehensive Plan gets more criticism; NTSB head slams Boeing’s disaster response; Zulily may get an in-name-only comeback.

‘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?

Pictures and stories of notable Seattle buildings; local lawyer sues Instagram over users’ drug dealing; judge says Amazon violated labor laws in NYC warehouse elections; federal COVID ‘emergency’ ending.

Local art exhibits for King Day weekend; Legislature to consider tax breaks for ‘news providers;’ Amazon NY warehouse union drive wins on appeal; the Kraken are on a winning streak, U District’s Kraken Bar not so much.

SCOTUS ‘Roe’ decision sparks large protests here and elsewhere, affects the mood at the returning Pride parade, draws many responses from politicians and corporations; Mariners, Angels engage in an old-fashioned baseball brawl.

Fremont Parade (both parts) back in full force; could Amazon run out of potential warehouse workers?; insurance commissioner Mike Kreidler’s pressured to resign; Watergate, at 50, compared to Jan. 6 coup attempt.

Mt. Rainier’s a lot less snowy and icy these days; state auditor’s office sez city’s ‘Black Brilliance Project’ grants were barely within the law; Portland police allowed far-right rally members to mostly just do their thing; 15 writers in search of Utopia.

A rare sign of beauty amid the heat-borne misery; it likely won’t get this hot again this year; Councilmember Mosqueda wants to rename the city’s ‘single family’ zones; today’s mask-off day in King County.

After the Big Snow, get ready for the Big Melt; the Lava Lounge building gets closer to demolition; Sen. Murray says she was ‘within inches’ of the Capitol mob; the state reports 1 million vaccine shots.

Hundreds attend many Biden-Harris celebrations around town; the local COVID risk is now ‘higher than ever;’ the closed-since-March Local 360 restaurant may reopen after all; Ken Jennings remembers Alex Trebek.

More pix of quarantiners at home; KEXP’s widened spectrum of sounds (and voices); Durkan says she’s not responsible for SPD’s actions; COVID modelers say schools should only open if case counts go down.