Frank Sumrall – MyNorthwest.com Seattle news, sports, weather, traffic, talk and community. Sun, 22 Jun 2025 06:20:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8 /wp-content/uploads/2024/06/favicon-needle.png Frank Sumrall – MyNorthwest.com 32 32 Study claims this PNW city made the biggest strides in driving safety in the nation /chokepoints/study-pnw-city-driving-safety/4101791 Sun, 22 Jun 2025 13:00:19 +0000 /?p=4101791 As millions of Americans embark on record-breaking amounts of domestic travel, the Pacific Northwest qualified as having the biggest improvement in driving safety in the nation.

Bellevue ranked No. 1 as the most improved driving city, according to the , climbing 133 spots on the list from 2015, the last time this data was collected.

Other PNW cities, including Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Salem, and Anchorage ranked among the most improved in the nation.

“Drivers in Washington,听Oregon, and Alaska are safer behind the wheel than they were a decade ago, with some of the largest reductions in collisions nationwide,” the study read. “Bellevue, Washington, leads the way to earn the title of most improved city. Other Northwest cities making significant strides include Anchorage, Alaska, and聽Portland, Oregon.”

Seattle currently ranks No. 100 in the nation, 84 spots higher than its 2015 ranking, just edging out Portland’s No. 102 ranking (up 81 spots). Tacoma trails slightly at No. 110 on the list, up 54 spots.

Bellevue ranks No. 41, while Salem ranked No. 54, up 66 spots.

“This data also shows that cities in the Pacific Northwest make ideal road trip destinations as they鈥檙e both safe and scenic!” the study claimed.

Nationwide trends in driving safety

The report revealed that Texas聽leads the nation in safe driving, with four cities in the top 20. One city in Texas, Brownsville, was named the safest city in America for driving.

For the most dangerous driving cities, Boston was named the most collision-prone city in the nation, where drivers are nearly 3.5 times as likely to be in a collision compared to the national average. Seven of the 10 cities with the highest collision rates are located in the Northeast, including聽Boston,听Washington, D.C.,听Baltimore,听补苍诲听Philadelphia.

Three cities in California rounded out the top 10 for the most dangerous cities to drive鈥擫os Angeles, Glendale, and Oakland.

First launched in 2005, the Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report revisits collision data every decade to reveal surprising shifts in driving safety across the country.

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Trump addresses nation after bombing ‘the bullies of the Middle East’; 成人X站, KTTH react /national/trump-bombing-kiro-ktth-reactions/4102142 Sun, 22 Jun 2025 02:57:19 +0000 /?p=4102142

笔谤别蝉颈诲别苍迟听Donald Trump聽said Saturday that the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining聽Israel鈥檚 effort to decapitate the country鈥檚 nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran鈥檚 threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict.

While addressing the nation during a press conference at 7 p.m. Saturday, Trump called Iran 鈥渢he bully of the Middle East鈥 and warned of additional attacks if it didn鈥檛 make peace.

鈥淚f they do not, future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier,鈥 Trump said at the White House after the bombings of Iran鈥檚 nuclear facilities were announced earlier.

Trump portrayed the strike as a response to a long-festering problem, even if the objective was to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

鈥淔or 40 years Iran has been saying death to America, death to Israel,鈥 Trump said. 鈥淭hey have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs with roadside bombs.鈥

Trump said he worked 鈥渁s a team鈥 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the collaboration was 鈥減erhaps鈥 like 鈥渘o team has worked before.鈥

But Trump also noted that no military in the world except for that of the U.S. could have pulled off the attack.

The U.S. president warned during his address that he will not hesitate to strike other targets in Iran if peace does not come quickly in the Middle East.鈥

There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days,鈥 he said.

Trump said that while the nuclear facilities struck by the U.S. on Saturday were the most 鈥渓ethal,鈥 鈥渢here are many targets left.鈥

鈥淚f peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed, and skill,鈥 he added.

United Nations leader condemns US strikes

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he was 鈥済ravely alarmed鈥 by the 鈥渄angerous escalation鈥 of American bombers attacking nuclear sites in Iran.

鈥淭here is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control 鈥 with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,鈥 he said in a statement.

He added that 鈥渁t this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos鈥 and called for further diplomacy.

US Representatives react to the bombings

Roger Wicker, a senior U.S. senator from Mississippi, called the decision to attack Iran “correct.”

U.S. Senator John Fetterman agreed, echoing his support for the decision.

But Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., voiced his unease with the bombings, as he previously argued that the U.S. should remain on the sidelines of Israel’s war with Iran.

“I think it’s a big mistake,” Smith said. “We have started a war with Iran, and that is an incredibly unpredictable thing to do, and it’s not clear what the objective is. Yes, we want to set back their nuclear program. How far is this going to set that back? We don’t know exactly.

“What are we trying to accomplish? Is regime change a part of it? Is it the hope that we’re going to set back their nuclear program? Are we going to somehow force them to the table?” Smith continued. “I think it’s an incredibly dangerous thing to do, and keep in mind, Iran will respond in one way or another, and then what? We have many bases in the region, in Bahrain, in Qatar, in Iraq, in the UAE, in Syria.”

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., both called Trump’s decision “unconstitutional.”

成人X站, KTTH react to the breaking news

In response to the bombings, Iran鈥檚 Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on聽 that Tehran “reserves all options” to retaliate, and that the event will have “everlasting consequences.”

“With so much chaos happening domestically under this administration, I鈥檓 very worried that we are now directly involved in the Iran-Israel conflict,” Ursula Reutin, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show,” said. “President Trump had campaigned on the promise of ending our involvement in expensive and endless wars. And now, here we are, just six months into his second term, and we are bombing Iran. What is the end game? What happens when Iran retaliates?

“While I agree that we need to stop Iran鈥檚 nuclear capabilities, I would also have more confidence if we had more stable, qualified leadership than those four men who were at the podium tonight,” Ursula added.

The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, thanked Trump, claiming the strikes marked a “decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope.”

“This is a historic move. However, I can鈥檛 say I am surprised,” 成人X站 fill-in host Angela Poe Russell shared. “All signs were pointing in this direction. It鈥檚 a sad day when we find ourselves in a violent conflict, and I do worry about the repercussions.”

Jake Skorheim, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show,” called the operation an “amazing accomplishment” by the U.S. military.

“After reading about some of the locations and reported depths of these facilities (Fordow reportedly being 90m deep), it鈥檚 an amazing accomplishment,” Skorheim said. “Prayers for our soldiers’ safety in the region.”

KTTH hosts argued this was the best plan moving forward in terms of dealing with Iran.

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 negotiate with Iran鈥攖he last two decades have proven that,” Jason Rantz, host of “The Jason Rantz Show,” said. “This was necessary.鈥

Rantz also said that 鈥60 days means 60 days,鈥 a reference to a deadline for Iran to agree to end its plans to develop nuclear weapons.

Midday host Guy Benson, also a Fox News contributor, called the strikes the 鈥渃orrect decision.鈥 But he warns of danger ahead.

“Iran has a ballistic weapons arsenal (though Israel has largely defanged it) and terrorist cells,” Benson said. “Two causes for trepidation鈥攁nd also two reasons why preventing Iran from getting nukes is absolutely the right call.”

Contributing: The Associated Press

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Fremont鈥檚 naked bike ride set to pedal through rainy solstice Saturday /local/fremont-naked-bike-ride/4101721 Sat, 21 Jun 2025 12:00:38 +0000 /?p=4101721 The next solstice parade in Fremont is Saturday, and with it comes lots of naked, painted bicyclists.

Approximately 1,000 nude cyclists are expected to ride ahead of Saturday’s parade. Their schedule is to paint themselves in the morning, ride to Gas Works Park, and form up with the other bikers at 12:30 p.m. Then, they’ll ride from Gas Works Park to the start of the parade, and then, by 12:45 p.m., loop on the parade route as desired, exiting when the ride is over at a “clean-up paint party.”

Getting together in advance to get painted is “actually the best part,” Bradford, who first rode nude in 2007, told .

“I can’t even believe that many people are going to be riding their bikes naked for the Fremont Solstice parade,” 成人X站 host Ursula Reutin said.

The 聽debuted in 1989, according to Axios, with the first biking streakers appearing shortly after in the early ’90s. Two naked riders were arrested in 1998, but the tradition became widely accepted by the 2000s.

Poor weather on the horizon

Rain is on the docket for Seattle this weekend, despite it being the official summer solstice.

There’s as high as a 75% chance of rain on Saturday, starting at 7 a.m. Chances of rain drop to sub-50% by 1 p.m., with Sunday also expected to receive some rain. Clouds are supposed to cover the Seattle skies for most of the morning and early afternoon on Saturday.

“It’s not going to be that warm, it’s going to be a little chilly,” 成人X站 host Gee Scott said. “It’s going to be chilly and wet, but we might have more participation (in the bike ride).”

Even with the dour summer weather, recommends putting sunscreen on first, then body paint. The best “paints” for the naked cyclists are either face paints or theatrical make-up liquids and cakes.

“The event is in public, and people will be taking photos. Take that into consideration with your costuming, and if you are planning to get painted at Gas Works Park,” The Seattle Bike Blog wrote. “It鈥檚 not in the spirit of the event for creepy dudes to be taking lots of photos, but it could happen. Also, don鈥檛 be that guy.”

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Body found in Southwest County Park in Edmonds /local/body-southwest-county-park-edmonds/4101686 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:55:25 +0000 /?p=4101686 The Edmonds Police Department is investigating a found body after community members discovered and reported it in Southwest County Park Thursday afternoon.

The recovery of the body required navigating difficult terrain on the north side of Olympic View Drive, according to the Edmonds Police Department (EPD). The body was identified as an adult man.

The body was found just before 6 p.m. Thursday. Police have yet to determine how long the body was in the area.

The cause of death will be determined by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

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Suspect arrested after shooting at police officer in Rainier Valley /crime_blotter/shooting-rainier-valley/4101664 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:59:44 +0000 /?p=4101664 A suspect was found and arrested after shooting at a Seattle Police Department (SPD) officer at Pritchard Beach off 55th Avenue S. in the Rainier Valley.

According to SPD investigators, the suspect fired at an officer at approximately 6:30 a.m., who then subsequently fired a Taser at the suspect.

The suspect fled the scene. A perimeter was established in the area to look for the suspect before he was found. The officer involved in the confrontation was not injured.

It’s not known what led up to the shooting, as of this reporting.

“We were just laying in bed, and then we heard two shots, and then heard two more shots,” a witness told 成人X站 Newsradio. “Then, we look out, and see about 20 police cars come down through.”

This is the second shooting to happen in Seattle Friday morning. SPD stated the two shootings aren’t related.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Second Friday morning shooting

A standoff between Seattle Police and an armed suspect is taking place Friday morning near the 3200 block of E. Madison Street in Seattle, approximately 8 miles away from the Pritchard Beach shooting.

According to 成人X站 Newsradio, three Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers responded to a domestic violence disturbance when a woman ran out of the building with an injury. Officers quickly determined she had been shot, and took her to a nearby hospital.

鈥淎 call went out regarding a domestic violence disturbance,鈥 SPD Chief Shon Barnes said. 鈥淥fficers responded four minutes later and discovered a female in the front yard who ran to the officer鈥檚 arms. The female collapsed, and we discovered that she had been shot.鈥

The suspect fired at police from inside the building, prompting one SPD officer to fire back.

No officers have been injured, as of this reporting.

Officers with the聽聽(SPD) remain on scene at an apartment on E. Madison Street, between 32nd and 33rd Avenues E. The shooting happened at approximately 5 a.m.

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Wenatchee memorial scheduled tonight for Decker girls: How to attend or watch /local/wenatchee-memorial-decker-girls/4101638 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:38:42 +0000 /?p=4101638 A public memorial for the three Wenatchee girls who were found dead at a campsite near Leavenworth after a scheduled visit with their father, Travis Decker, is scheduled for Friday.

The memorial for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at Rocky Reach Park in Wenatchee, located off Highway 97A.

“This memorial offers our community a meaningful space to come together in shared grief, love, and support,” Amy Edwards, the organizer of the event, said on the GoFundMe for the girls’ mother. “Out of deep respect for Whitney and her family, we ask all attendees to be present with care and compassion as we cherish the lives and memories of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. This will be a time of unity, love, and reflection鈥攈onoring their lives together.”

While attendees are encouraged to wear purple, pink, and green clothes in honor of the girls during the service, the event also stated that people can wear 鈥渨hatever makes them feel beautiful.鈥

Participants should bring their own chairs, blankets, and candles or glow sticks. Water is also recommended.

Due to limited parking, several shuttles will be available to pick up people from the following locations: Old Station, where a continuous shuttle service will start at 5:30 p.m. and run throughout the entire event, and at Lincoln Elementary, where buses will load at 5:30 p.m. and depart at 6 p.m.

will be livestreaming the memorial for those who wish to pay their respects but cannot attend in person. Streaming will begin at approximately 7 p.m. Friday.

You can聽.

Latest on Decker manhunt

The Chelan County Sheriff revealed he has been consulting investigators from some of the nation鈥檚 most notorious fugitive cases as multiple law enforcement agencies search for Travis Decker, the man accused of killing his three young daughters at a campground near Leavenworth.

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison is also working with a U.S. Marshals psychologist on site in Wenatchee to better understand what Decker might be thinking, in addition to using tips from psychics with federal agents.

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison spoke with 成人X站 Newsradio about the ongoing search for the homeless, former soldier, Travis Decker, who has been at the center of a three-week manhunt in central Washington.

Wednesday afternoon, there was a new helicopter search in the mountains near the town of Cashmere in Chelan County. Flight tracking data showed a government-owned UH-72A Lakota Eurocopter circling the area around Mission Creek Road, in some spots that were less than a mile from Cashmere.

Contributing: Luke Duecy, 成人X站 Newsradio

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Suspect dead after standoff with Seattle police, prompted by an officer-involved shooting /local/seattle-police-standoff-shooting/4101641 Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:11:20 +0000 /?p=4101641 The suspect in the standoff with Seattle Police near the 3200 block of E. Madison Street in Seattle is dead, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) confirmed.

The standoff ended Friday morning at 10:45 a.m. following an officer-involved shooting. SWAT teams and the Seattle Police Department (SPD) were negotiating with the suspect, who barricaded himself after allegedly shooting his girlfriend and firing shots at officers. A shelter-in-place order, now lifted, was issued for nearby residents at 7:45 a.m.

“They don’t know, however, if he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, or in the exchange early this morning around 5 a.m. with Seattle police officers, if one of those bullets hit the suspect,” 成人X站 reporter Luke Duecy said.

The suspect was described as a 53-year-old white male with a previous criminal history.

“He had served time for a double homicide in the past, and he had been out of prison for years now,” Duecy added.

According to 成人X站 Newsradio, three SPD officers responded to a domestic violence disturbance when a woman ran out of the building with an injury. Officers quickly determined she had been shot, and took her to a nearby hospital.

“A call went out regarding a domestic violence disturbance,” SPD Chief Shon Barnes said. “Officers responded four minutes later and discovered a female in the front yard who ran to the officer’s arms. The female collapsed, and we discovered that she had been shot.”

The suspect, the woman’s boyfriend, fired at police from inside the building, prompting one SPD officer to fire back. The shooting happened at approximately 4:50 a.m.

No officers have been injured, as of this reporting.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

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More Microsoft layoffs to come this summer /local/microsoft-layoffs-summer/4101372 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:46:26 +0000 /?p=4101372 More Microsoft layoffs are coming this summer as the company continues to heavily invest in artificial intelligence (AI).

Thousands of jobs are expected to be axed, with the sales team taking the largest hit. The cuts are expected to be announced early next month, following the end of Microsoft鈥檚 fiscal year, according to .

Last month, Microsoft cut approximately 3% of its global workforce, totaling approximately 6,000 employees鈥攊ncluding 1,985 workers in Washington, as shown by . This was the largest round of layoffs for the company since 2023, when 10,000 employees were let go.

Microsoft stated the cuts were not related to performance, but instead an effort to reduce layers of management. Microsoft had 228,000 employees worldwide as of last June.

成人X站 Newsradio and MyNorthwest have reached out to Microsoft for comment.

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‘Workers鈥 rights must be respected’: Seattle Taiwanese restaurant to pay nearly $600K in settlement /local/taiwanese-settlement-seattle/4101342 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:48:34 +0000 /?p=4101342

Din Tai Fung, a series of Taiwanese restaurants with locations in the Puget Sound region, among other states, agreed to settle with the Seattle Office of Labor Standards over violations related to paid sick time and wage theft.

The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) launched an investigation and found that the restaurant chain actively discouraged employees from using sick leave while also failing to provide required rest and meal breaks, which are required by law.

Din Tai Fung agreed to pay $567,361 to 1,245 employees in the settlement.

“The number of employees at a single restaurant who experienced PSST and wage theft violations highlights the need to increase awareness of these laws,” OLS Director Steven Marchese said. “It underscores the importance of workers knowing their rights in the workplace and serves as a reminder to businesses that compliance with Seattle labor laws is not optional鈥攊t鈥檚 a legal requirement, and workers鈥 rights must be respected.”

Additionally, Din Tai Fung agreed to develop and implement a written paid sick and safe time policy, implement meal and rest break policies, and eliminate its attendance points policy.

Locally, Din Tai Fung has three locations in Seattle and Bellevue, and a fourth location in Tukwila. There are 590 employees across the three Seattle/Bellevue locations.

“We are thankful to the City of Seattle for protecting our rights as workers,” one Din Tai Fung employee said. “These are the values we represent as a city and community, and we will continue to fight for them.”

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to know that my rights as a worker are protected,” another Din Tai Fung employee said. “I鈥檓 happy to know that going forward, Din Tai Fung will be a safer place to work.”

Din Tai Fung generates most revenue per location for a restaurant chain

Din Tai Fung earns the most money per location among chain restaurants in the U.S.

In 2024, Din Tai Fung鈥檚 16 U.S. restaurants earned $27.4 million per location, according to , nearly double the next-closest chain, the steakhouse Mastro鈥檚.

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Bellevue pimp sentenced to 35 years after posting crimes on social media /crime_blotter/bellevue-pimp-social-media/4101307 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:22:06 +0000 /?p=4101307 A Bellevue man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for multiple charges, including human trafficking and promoting prostitution, after he was caught bragging on social media about the amount of money he made from being a pimp.

The Bellevue Police Department (BPD) began its investigation last year after discovering potential signs of human trafficking when responding to a domestic violence call. The department used social media posts posted by Cedric Dorsey II, under the social media profile “CCC Cash Chasen Ced,” to build a case against him.

“I am happy to take what they post and include it in the scope of our investigation,” Bellevue Police Major Ellen Inman said, according to . “That鈥檚 the way I look at social media and the way that people advertise their criminal activity – if you advertise it and make it available for us to use in our investigation, then that鈥檚 what we鈥檒l do.”

BPD stated Dorsey, 32, trafficked women for sex, and would use violence against them to control them.

Initial domestic violence call that prompted investigation

When Bellevue Police investigated the initial domestic violence call, the woman told police Dorsey was her boyfriend, and that he was forcing her to perform sex work and give him the money earned. The woman later claimed he stomped on her face and forced her to hand over all her earnings. Dorsey would move her between cities, including Seattle, Kent, Renton, and even Las Vegas, and sell her for sex.

“It鈥檚 really important that traffickers are held accountable because if they aren鈥檛, they will constantly seek other women to exploit,” Braelah McGinnis, prosecutor with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, told KOMO News. “This is very important for the community, this is happening in our backyards. These are our women and young men.”

When Bellevue officers used a warrant to search Dorsey’s home, they found three firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, alongside $12,000 in cash.

Dorsey, who already has multiple felony convictions including theft, burglary, attempting to elude police, organized retail theft, and possession of a controlled substance by a prisoner, was charged with second-degree human trafficking, first-degree promotion of prostitution, and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

His 35-year sentence will be followed by a term of community custody.

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Fugitive who escaped Sea-Tac custody captured after six weeks on the run /local/fugitive-escaped-sea-tac-custody/4101281 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:07:37 +0000 /?p=4101281 A fugitive who’s been on the run for approximately six weeks after escaping from police custody at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) was found and arrested Wednesday.

Sedrick Stevenson, 28, fled from custody on May 4 while waiting to be extradited to Kentucky. According to released surveillance video, he went down an escalator, through the airport garage, and then made his way to the light rail station. He was last seen exiting the Capitol Hill station.

“As they were waiting for check-in, there was someone ahead of them at the United ticket counter, they were waiting to check in, and this person decided to bolt, just started running 鈥 two people chased him,” Sea-Tac spokesperson Perry Cooper told .

He was eventually located and arrested after the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF) executed a search warrant on the 1400 block of Madison Street Wednesday. According to the investigators on the case, Stevenson was assisted by Mildrena McClarin, who was arrested for second-degree rendering criminal assistance.

U.S. Marshals’ statement on Stevenson’s capture

“This arrest sends a clear message: No matter how long it takes or how far someone runs, justice will catch up with them,” U.S. Marshal Donrien Stephens said in a press release. “Our deputies and task force officers worked tirelessly and with unwavering dedication to bring Stevenson back into custody. The community can rest easier, knowing a dangerous fugitive is no longer on the streets.”

Stevenson was already a convicted felon who had managed to escape custody before. He faces multiple charges, including possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, third-degree assault, and first-degree enhanced possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

He was initially being extradited to Kentucky for 2020 charges, including passing counterfeit bills, and possession of drugs and a gun.

The Bowling Green Police Department also stated that he had assaulted a police officer.

Stevenson was booked into the King County Jail.

Contributing:

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‘Less is more’: Chief Barnes praises Seattle Police ushering peaceful 鈥楴o Kings鈥 protest /gee-and-ursula/spd-seattle-police-protest/4100978 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:29:05 +0000 /?p=4100978 When approximately 70,000 people took to the streets of Seattle to participate in a “No Kings” rally against the Trump administration, Seattle Police had a tall task in ensuring everything went smoothly and peacefully.

“What is your message to the (department) to be successful with such a big turnout like that?” 成人X站 host Ursula Reutin asked Shon Barnes, the Chief of the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

“The message was simple, less is more,” Barnes said on “The Gee and Ursula Show.” “We don’t get involved unless we absolutely have to. We have an operational plan. We try to communicate with people before, during, and after events.”

The department issued officers from its Police Outreach and Engagement Team (POET) to take time to connect with organizers in advance, while also being present during the rally. When the daytime demonstration concluded, no reports of property damage or injuries were made.

“We had no arrests, we had no uses of force. People were thanking us along the parade route when they saw us for being there,” Barnes said. “People were thanking us for allowing them to be able to come here and say their piece. And again, we’re neutral in it. We’re just people who are trying to facilitate free speech. We don’t have a say either way, and I think people really appreciate that.”

A separate demonstration took place Saturday night in downtown Seattle. The group gathered in front of the federal building downtown, lighting fires and blocking traffic. Four people were arrested once the dust settled.

None of the four people arrested are believed to be Seattle residents. They’re accused of assault, obstructing a public officer, and intimidating a public official.

“I don’t know if I would put those two events together,” Barnes said. “I think we saw people who made the federal property a flash point, and for those people who are listening, please don’t do that because it’s federal property, and they have their own police departments. If you are arrested, you will be subject to some federal charges. If they wanted to stand out there and protest, that’s fine, but doing things like setting scooters on fire, yeah, we can’t allow that because that’s not an exercise of free speech. That’s a safety issue, and we want to make sure that it is safe for everyone.”

Barnes, SPD pitted against the Trump administration

Barnes stated that Washington state law prohibits SPD from being involved in ICE immigration aids, just as SPD is barred from collecting information about immigration status. Last week, Barnes said he expects to be jailed by the Trump administration for standing up for First Amendment rights amid ICE protests.

“I just wanted people to know my commitment and what that commitment is to the City of Seattle,” Barnes said after being asked what brought on his comments on being jailed. ” I’ve been in a position to protect people, whether it was at school or with my friends or with what I was taught from my father. That’s kind of why I chose to go into policing.”

Barnes added that, while it’s not his personal philosophy, Washington state law is the law he must abide by.

“If the National Guard were to come here to Seattle, is there a plan in place between you and the officers of SPD?” 成人X站 host Gee Scott asked.

“If the National Guard or Army, whoever it is deployed by the president, their responsibility is to guard federal property and or assist in guarding federal employees in doing their work,” Barnes answered. “So, if that’s the case, they would not really have any interference with day-to-day operations of the police department.”

Recruiting efforts to expand SPD staff

The SPD is hiring approximately six times more officers this year compared with the same period in 2024, according to .

“Year to date, we’ve hired 87 police officers. Last year, in 2024 from January to December, we had hired 87,” Barnes shared. “So, halfway through the year, we’re at 87. Last year, we had a net of one. This year, we have a net of 47.”

Barnes said he is pushing the department to hire 200 police officers.

‘Shout out to our HR department, shout out to our background investigation investigators,” Barnes said. “They’re there, hard at work, and they were gracious enough to speak with me for a couple of minutes, but I want to encourage them for the hard work that they’re doing.”

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on聽鈥淭he Gee and Ursula Show鈥聽weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on 成人X站 Newsradio.聽

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‘I should be able to run it the way I see fit’: Pierce County Sheriff clashes with county over ICE cooperation, budget /jason-rantz/pierce-county-sheriff-ice/4100913 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:29:51 +0000 /?p=4100913 Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank’s desire to cooperate with the federal government and ICE has pitted him in a fight against the county’s prosecuting attorney, who cited his cooperation was a direct conflict with the state’s sanctuary laws.

Swank joined “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH to point out the hypocrisy of this decision.

“After I was elected the sheriff of Pierce County, the county council passed an ordinance that said, in order for me to make any changes to the sheriff’s office, I had to ask permission from them,” Swank said. “Meaning, if I wanted to promote anybody, make a command staff or anything like that, I had to ask permission from them. That’s against the state constitution. The state constitution and the Attorney General clearly ruled that I have the ability to set up my office how I want to set it up, because I’m independently elected. And Mary Robnett, who’s the prosecuting attorney, said her legal advisor said no, they had the right to do that.”

Washington鈥檚 sanctuary law, known as the聽, passed in 2019, hampers the current administration鈥檚 efforts to carry out the mass deportations. The sanctuary law prevents local police from assisting federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement through local resources.

Both Swank and Robnett were in King County Superior Court this week after Swank attempted to have his own independent attorney represent him in this matter. The judge sided with the prosecutor鈥檚 office, barring Swank from having an outside attorney represent him.

“I want an attorney, and so Mary Robnett, the prosecutor, is my legal advisor,” Swank said. “I’m at odds with her. I say that her legal counsel was wrong, and she doesn’t care. She says, ‘I’m your legal advisor.’ And so I said, ‘I want my own attorney.’ And she says, ‘No, you can’t have your own attorney. I’m your legal advisor.'”

Pierce County prosecuting attorney always at odds with sheriff

While Swank clarified that she isn’t acting in bad faith, and that this is just a disagreement where she is interpreting the law wrong, he did note that he remains suspicious because she has continuously endorsed his opponents.

“I don’t know if it’s anything more sinister or not,” Swank said. “I’ve been involved in politics for a long time, Jason, and you know politics, sometimes people want to get their gift backs.”

Court records obtained by showed Swank and Robnett have been at odds with each other for months on several issues, including the sheriff鈥檚 intention to cooperate with the federal government and ICE. Swank wants to enter into agreements with ICE, but Robnett has stated that, under state law, he doesn鈥檛 have the legal authority to do so.

A Seattle judge weighed in

A temporary injunction was granted by the judge Monday to prevent Swank from using his own attorney, but there will be a hearing later in July. As for additional next steps, that’s between Swank and his attorney.

“I’ll be talking with my attorney and asking him about what next steps he’ll do for me, and if he will do them,’ Swank said. “If he won’t do them, then I guess I’ll have to try to find some other attorney, I don’t know.”

He stated that his commanding staff at the sheriff’s office is in full support of him.

“It’s a big, huge county, and we have a big police agency. I should be able to run it the way I see fit,” Swank said. “I’ll answer to the council if I waste money and answer to the voters if I don’t do the right thing.”

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. 鈥 7 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the聽podcast here. Follow Jason Rantz on聽,听,听, and聽.

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Amazon expected to reduce its workforce as it embraces AI /local/amazon-workforce-reduction-ai/4100838 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:51:21 +0000 /?p=4100838 Amazon is expected to reduce its workforce over the next few years as it implements more AI services and functionality, the company announced Monday.

聽“In virtually every corner of the company, we鈥檙e using Generative AI to make customers’ lives better and easier,” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy wrote in a . “Technologies like Generative AI are rare; they come about once in a lifetime, and completely change what鈥檚 possible for customers and businesses. So, we are investing quite expansively, and the progress we are making is evident.”

The company’s ongoing adaptation of AI is expected to reduce the corporate workforce. While the shift to AI will create some new jobs, according to Jassy, the company expects an overall decline in the number of employees.

“As we roll out more Generative AI and agents, it should change the way our work is done,” Jassy stated. “We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs. It鈥檚 hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company.”

Where AI will be further used in Amazon

Examples of expanded AI implementation to improve the efficiency of various Amazon sectors include using the technology for inventory placement, demand forecasting, and customer service, which will, in turn, reduce the need for employees in these sectors.

“Those who embrace this change, become conversant in AI, help us build and improve our AI capabilities internally and deliver for customers, will be well-positioned to have high impact and help us reinvent the company,” Jassy added.

Amazon has undergone several rounds of layoffs over the past few years, while also requiring its corporate employees to return to work in-office.

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2 dead after car plunges off Edmonds ferry dock during high-speed police chase /crime_blotter/edmonds-ferry-dock-police/4100826 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:57:02 +0000 /?p=4100826 A police chase led to a car plunging off the Edmonds ferry dock, killing at least two of the five occupants.

Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Snohomish County Sheriff鈥檚 Office told 成人X站 7 that deputies were chasing the car when it drove onto the ferry terminal and off the dock into the water. The police chase started after 11 p.m. Tuesday.

The vehicle was traveling at 79 mph in a 60 mph zone along I-5, causing police to initiate a pursuit.

“The ferry showed up, but they wouldn’t let it land, and so it was just kind of floating around out here a little bit aimlessly,” a witness, Steve Dondero, told . “It was doing little circles, and then eventually came back, and it was shining its tracking light on the water, I think, presumably trying to help them find people or whatever.”

Two people have been confirmed dead, while four others were taken to Harborview Medical Center. Their conditions are currently unknown, as of this reporting. Their ages ranged from 29 to 48 years old.

The ferry route was out of service for approximately 3.5 hours as law enforcement investigated the incident.

WSP originally reported six occupants in the car; however, it later released an update that there were five occupants.

Contributing:

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Amazon delays launch of 27 satellites in its pursuit of creating internet service /local/amazon-satellites-internet-service/4100423 Tue, 17 Jun 2025 19:00:34 +0000 /?p=4100423 United Launch Alliance (ULA) was set to launch Amazon’s second group of satellites for its Kuiper internet satellite constellation Monday before a last-minute cancellation.

“The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 carrying Amazon鈥檚 second Project Kuiper mission, Kuiper 2, is delayed due to an engineering observation of an elevated purge temperature within the booster engine,” ULA stated at 9:51 a.m., just 40 minutes before the launch was set to happen. “The team will evaluate the hardware, and we will release a new launch date when available. ”

The 27 satellites that were expected to launch were all in the name of Project Kuiper鈥擜mazon鈥檚 initiative to provide fast, reliable broadband to customers around the world.

The term “satellite constellation” refers to a group of similar satellites working together with tightly coordinated movements to achieve a common purpose.

This was the second set of satellites launched into space, following the first set that launched in April. Amazon’s overarching goal is to have more than 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit, requiring 83 separate launches.

Project Kuiper

“Billions of people around the world don鈥檛 have reliable access to broadband,” Amazon wrote in a prepared statement. “Poor connectivity means limited access to modern communications, education, health services, and other important resources, which can create an economic disadvantage for unserved and underserved communities.”

Amazon cited that the idea came from simply traveling an hour away from Seattle, where Amazon’s headquarters are based, and losing connection in more rural areas. Project Kuiper is specifically headquartered in Redmond.

“Our standard customer terminal delivers downlink speeds up to 400 megabits per second (Mbps),” Amazon stated regarding its internet service’s speed. “Our largest model, which is intended for enterprise, government, and telecommunications applications, delivers up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), and our ultra-compact model delivers up to 100 Mbps.”

Project Kuiper has been in development since 2018.

A new launch date has yet to be announced, as of this reporting.

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No arrests after clash between protesters and police escalated in Tukwila Saturday /mynorthwest-politics/arrests-tukwila/4100458 Tue, 17 Jun 2025 17:15:58 +0000 /?p=4100458 No arrests were made after a demonstration in front of the Department of Homeland Security field office escalated into a clash between police and protesters, the Tukwila Police Department (TPD) confirmed.

Tacoma Police had to deploy pepper balls and pepper spray to remove protesters blocking access to the Department of Homeland Security office Saturday. Approximately 200 protesters rallied and created several blockades, deterring traffic throughout parts of the city. Graffiti was spray-painted on the building while white paint was thrown about.

The police were called after DHS employees from inside the building reported that they were trapped inside, according to .

“Officers gave numerous loud and clear verbal commands via PA for those blocking the south entrance/exit of the facility to move away from the drive or be subject to arrest,” TPD said in a prepared statement on . “Many in the crowd complied with those commands and moved out of the drive to the sidewalk, where they continued to exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully protest. We thank those who complied with our verbal commands and exited the drive.”

But some protesters came prepared to deal with police, equipped with makeshift shields to protect themselves and frozen water bottles and rocks to throw at officers.

The clash was in response to the day before, when approximately 100 immigrants were ordered to report to court on their compliance with their provisional release from custody by ICE. The check-in was reportedly a part of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP). The people who were summoned were not undocumented immigrants, having legal status to be in the U.S.

Around 200 immigrants checked in with federal immigration authorities. Two were detained by officials, according to .

The protesters came to the Department of Homeland Security building on Saturday to prevent people from entering.

“We would like to reiterate that our officers do not participate in immigration enforcement or otherwise assist in questioning or detaining individuals based on their immigration status or nationality in accordance with our policy and Washington State law,” TPD stated.

TPD revealed no injuries were reported in addition to no arrests, but the department was contacted by a woman stating that she had been assaulted during the demonstration.

Brandi Kruse details attack at Tukwila protest

It’s unconfirmed if the woman who reported she was attacked was independent journalist , who revealed on “The John Curley Show” that, while covering the protest in Tukwila Saturday, she was immediately surrounded and eventually attacked.

鈥淎t first, they were just dumping water on me, which is assault, but it could be worse. Or, I guess, what I really hope was water,鈥 Kruse shared. 鈥淲e tried to de-escalate, just walk away. That鈥檚 when they started hurling stuff at me from behind.鈥

Kruse was then sprayed in the face with hornet and wasp killer.

鈥淚t was really painful,鈥 she added. 鈥淎ll this is happening, and we continue, with my security, just to try to walk away, and they鈥檙e not interested in letting us do that. It was very clear. They were interested in assaulting me. They were interested in shutting me up and stopping my ability to document their criminal conduct.鈥

Kruse mentioned a man, who appeared to be undercover, came over and said he had video of what happened. However, Kruse said, as soon as the Antifa group realized he wasn鈥檛 one of them, they began assaulting him.

鈥淪ix or seven Antifa, all black-clad, jumped on him. He鈥檚 on the ground, in a fetal position. They鈥檙e kicking him. They鈥檙e stomping him. Just insane stuff, 鈥渟he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I told my security, I said, 鈥楬elp him.鈥 And he jumped in. And that鈥檚 when he was threatened. A guy threatened to pull a gun on him.鈥

Due to the seriousness of the attacks, Kruse and her team filed reports with the Tukwila Police Department.

鈥淭hese people hide their faces, but we filed a report with the hopes that maybe we can get some better video, we can get some surveillance video, or something that will give us some identifying information on these individuals, specifically a man who threatened us with a gun and then the individual who unleashed the spray into our eyes,鈥 she shared.

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Pomas Fire near Glacier Peak wilderness reaches 360 acres, 0% contained /local/pomas-fire-glacier-peak-wilderness/4100393 Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:06:59 +0000 /?p=4100393 The , a wildfire burning 36 miles northwest of Entiat in the Glacier Peak wilderness, has reached more than 360 acres in size as of Monday afternoon.

Firefighters are actively working to control and extinguish the fire. Crews believe a lightning strike prompted the fire.

Someone first noticed the fire on June 13, with smokejumpers responding within an hour. The fire is inaccessible by road, making it difficult to extinguish. Additionally, the fire聽is burning in an area filled with heavy, dead, down timber from the 2015 Wolverine Fire.

“No evacuation orders have been issued,” The U.S. Forest Service stated. “However, road closures are currently in effect at the time of this post.”

The U.S. Weather Service in Spokane, the U.S. Forest Service for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and Chelan County Emergency Management have all responded to the fire with resources and support.

The fire is 0% contained, as of this reporting.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

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‘Incredibly hateful and dehumanizing’: WA rep warns of rising political violence after Minnesota assassination /mynorthwest-politics/political-violence-minnesota/4100037 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 21:02:42 +0000 /?p=4100037 A massive, nearly two-day search for the man聽suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another ended when law enforcement located him crawling in a field in the woods near his home.

The search for Vance Boelter was the 鈥渓argest manhunt in the state鈥檚 history,鈥 Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley told .

Washington Congressman Adam Smith spoke with CNN Monday about his biggest concern, that this was likely a politically motivated attack.

“My biggest concern is that we, as a society, are normalizing political violence, and you see this on many points on the political spectrum, the denigration and attacking of elected officials that you disagree with, it becomes incredibly hateful and dehumanizing,” Smith said on CNN.

Boelter was arrested and charged聽with two counts of murder and two of attempted murder. He is accused of posing as a police officer and fatally shooting聽former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman聽and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.

Authorities said he also shot Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette. They were injured at their residence, approximately nine miles away.

Authorities did not give a motive as they announced Boelter鈥檚 arrest.

A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle that was left at the crime scene, said two law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about health care facilities, according to the officials.

An escalation in political violence

The shootings聽come听补蝉听political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed, and intimidated amid deep political divisions.

“You see this in much of the dialogue that we have, no one side of the political spectrum has a monopoly on it,” Smith continued. “Certainly you’ve seen it on the right and the left. But President Trump is the biggest problem here. I mean, he has used hateful, degrading rhetoric from the day he decided to run for president.”

Lawmakers said they were disturbed聽by the attacks as Twin Cities residents mourned.

鈥淭his cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences,鈥 Walz said Sunday.

On Sunday evening, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared a statement from Yvette Hoffman expressing appreciation for the outpouring of public support.

鈥淛ohn is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods,鈥 Yvette Hoffman said in a聽text that Klobuchar posted on social media. 鈥淗e took nine bullet hits. I took eight and we are both incredibly lucky to be alive. We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark.鈥

Brightly colored flowers and small American flags were placed Sunday on the gray marbled stone of the Minnesota State Capitol along with a photo of聽. People scrawled messages on small notes, including, 鈥淵ou were our leader through the hardest of times. Rest in Power.鈥

Pam Stein came with flowers and knelt by the memorial. An emotional Stein called Hortman an 鈥渁bsolute powerhouse鈥 and 鈥渢he real unsung hero of Minnesota government.鈥

Contributing:

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‘On the right side of history’: 70,000 join peaceful No Kings protest in Seattle before unrest flared up after dark /kiro-opinion/no-kings-protest-seattle/4100107 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:30:57 +0000 /?p=4100107 More than 70,000 people turned out for the “No Kings” protest that started at Cal Anderson Park at 12 p.m. Saturday before marching to the city’s downtown neighborhood.

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) reported that the line of protesters was more than 1.5 miles long. Police also reported there was not a single report of property damage during the daytime demonstration.

“Once again, whenever there has been a mass protest and a bunch of people are protesting about a topic, they have never been wrong. They have always been on the right side of history,” 成人X站 host Gee Scott said. “That’s where we are right now. There is no both sides. There will be people, a lot, that are on the wrong side of history, and there will be people on the right side of history, just like in the Civil Rights movement, just like in the early 1900s, there are people that are literally on the wrong side of history.”

The Cal Anderson protest and march was one of dozens of “No Kings” rallies held throughout the Puget Sound area and one of more than 1,000 demonstrations nationwide.

Late-night demonstration stains earlier protests

“We checked in with Seattle Police again (Monday) morning to see if there were any arrests on Saturday, and they emphasized that during the day, everything was peaceful,” 成人X站 host Ursula Reutin said. “At night, they said there was, and this is my words now, a small group of hooligans who caused damage downtown. There were some arrests, but according to SPD, they said those folks had nothing to do with the earlier peaceful protests.”

Small fires sprouted up, with trash and public city bikes being dragged into the flames. Roads near the downtown Seattle Target were blocked by barricades set up by protesters. Surrounding downtown buildings and cars were targeted for vandalism and graffiti throughout the night.

During the late-night protest, a person on a motorcycle with a flaming torch helped set a box on fire, which was then rushed to the entrance of the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, according to SDOT footage obtained by .

Antifa was also spotted during the late-night protest.

“I do know that when you wrestle with a pig and you win, you still get dirty,” Gee said. “And ultimately, I just foresee this continuing. There will be National Guard deployed, Marines deployed. President Trump has already talked about increasing his attention and focus on raids on the cities that did not vote for him.”

In Tukwila, tensions escalated even further. Police deployed tear gas after several blockades were set in the afternoon during protests, deterring traffic throughout parts of the city.

“This is very hard because if you just take 100 people, and 99 out of the 100 are doing what they’re supposed to do, not causing any type of violence, then you have one person, it takes just one person to throw something at the law enforcement or do something outrageous, then it becomes a problem,” Gee said. “To the police officers, I want to tell you respectfully, I understand and appreciate what you have to do out there. It can’t be easy. I know it has to be hard. I know that you don’t want to go to work every single day. We wish all of this wasn’t happening, but you do have some bad actors that are out here.”

“I don’t have a problem with how Tukwila Police responded because they started acting up. They had to do it,” Ursula added. “If you’re starting to throw things at officers, they’re going to respond. I don’t think you and I have an issue with that.”

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on聽鈥淭he Gee and Ursula Show鈥聽weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on 成人X站 Newsradio.聽

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