Microsoft CEO responds to Chinese firm’s proclaimed AI breakthrough; Ferguson vows to help families split by deportation; UW football’s former ‘Dawgmother’ dies; yep, we’ve got another pro-cop Councilmember.

Lunar New Year now a state holiday; WA immigrants and advocates fighting back; Seattle’s first two homicides of 2025; Storm sending Jewell Loyd to Las Vegas.

US judge in Seattle affirms ‘birthright citizenship’ (for now); protesters stop transphobic presentation at UW; GOP bill would kill Evergreen State College; Oscar nods for Brandi Carlile, ‘Sugarcane’ doc.

Dawn Cherny’s semi-abstract sculptures lighten up the Frye; glass artist Ginny Ruffner dies; local leaders, advocates vow to fight mass deportations; booming social-media outfit Bluesky isn’t really ‘Seattle based.’

Marchers insist on civil rights and democracy; Costco Teamsters authorize nationwide strike; City Council seekers cut to 6 finalists; did a now-former Stranger editor have an affair with a Council candidate?

Remembering multimedia visionary David Lynch; AI outfit taking over Pier 70; county exec candidates all vow to resist oppressive pressure from DC; MLK Day (oh, and something else) happening Monday.

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.

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.

Local author’s novel about a ‘feral girl’ found in the woods; SPD has one more officer than last year; ‘where the left went wrong on homelessness;’ Canadian pol suggests WA join Canada.

An immigrant (and her luggage) star in new local play; Council divided on big housing plan; Apple announces major Seattle office expansion; SPOG appeals a records case—that it already won.

Mama’s Mexican Kitchen building razed; Jackson’s Catfish Corner folds; Seahawks win last game but miss playoffs due to tiebreakers; Bill Nye gets a Medal of Freedom—of Science!

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.

Remembering a vital music journalist and zine editor; another deadly Boeing plane disaster; Seattle’s oldest restaurant/bar closes tonight; Jimmy Carter’s proud legacy.

Rick Steves on social media’s ‘corrosive effect’ on tourism; electricians flock to central WA for data-center projects; more nasty weather with the usual effects; Brits comment on US politics with choice (sad) words.

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.