Illuminated protests in Cal Anderson Park; Microsoft says its AI biz is doing just fine; Scarecrow Video’s building’s for sale; did Amazon back-to-the-office order help raise downtown residential rents?

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.

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.’

Student’s signs defend Delridge median barrier Rob Saka opposes; WA sues to keep ‘birthright citizenship’ in US Constitution; Providence Oregon med personnel on strike; Ichiro almost unanimous in Hall of Fame vote.

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?

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.

Last chance to see the Icelandic digital fake flowers; local Jimmy Carter tribute; Ferguson orders budget cuts to most state govt. departments; Eddie Bauer merging with JCPenney.

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.

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.

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.