Local sociologist says AI’s just an extension of human nature; five conservative state initiatives’ signatures are sent in; Starbucks, Amazon unions ‘are in limbo;’ fewer Seattle residents than (almost) ever are from here.

Local young geneticist turned shoegaze singer; a big (non-musical) ‘metal shredder’ proposed for Bellingham; more threats against synagogues; Biden admin vows to preserve old-growth forests here and elsewhere.

Molbak’s garden store in Woodinville, no longer part of a new development, will now no longer exist; award-winning Junebaby restaurant closing; state ferries’ boss quitting; what’s left of ‘the left’ in Seattle?

HBO doc on the theft of a historic bonsai tree in Federal Way; Sound Transit CEO quits after 16 months; Tacoma officers’ lawyer claims Manny Ellis caused his own death; Zulily claims it was murdered by Amazon.

Local Jews hold Hanukkah rally for a Gaza ceasefire; some of the new year’s new laws; Boeing may get its first female CEO (just not yet); SCOTUS upholds WA ban on anti-LGBTQ ‘conversion therapy.’

UW prof on how every version of a song becomes its own work; rain/flood effects continue; SPOG head bashes police accountability agency; King County Council warns of ‘dire’ budget cuts ahead.

Fixing fish passages under highways will cost the state a lot; city hits new homicide record; Children’s Hospital psych nurses say they need more security; Issaquah’s XXX is now the ex-XXX.

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.

(Cleaned-up) stuff found in local sewers; cryptocurrency tycoon pleads guilty to allowing money-laundering; petition to keep ‘Dykekiki’ nude beach at Denny Blaine; Harrell wants SLU light rail to be less convenient. 

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.

Famous chess-teaching policewoman sues SPD, claiming racism and sexism; ‘progressive surge’ in late ballots might change some races; US Rep. Derek Kilmer won’t run again; Megan Rapinoe’s last game is for Seattle’s first NWSL title.

WA wine biz still needs fiscally-troubled Chateau Ste. Michelle; ‘white powder’ scare at election offices; tire makers sued over salmon-killing chemicals; new City Council could just mean (big) business as usual.

Creative indie video games rise from the margins of an industry in crisis; PCC’s downtown grocery palace closing after less than two years; ex-We Heart Seattle prez accused of theft in Oregon; Convoy’s ‘tech’ has a buyer, but not the company itself.

Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team honored in new documentary; city loses on millions in expired traffic tickets; why a work-from-home activist had to quit Amazon; Seattle Parks Dept. threatens to replace BLM Memorial Garden.

Ex-local actor wears 8th Generation garb on a major magazine cover; grocery mega-merger scheme could go to court; why Alaska snow-crab season was canceled; do you have to be old to be a ‘true Seattleite’?