Hayat Norimine, an Eastern Washington native, is Seattle Met’s news and politics hound and PubliCola reporter. She also contributes features and writes politics and culture stories throughout the magazine.

Hayat began her journalism career as an English editor in Amman, Jordan, and later became a local government and Southwest Washington politics reporter at The Daily News in Longview. She has a degree in creative writing at the University of Washington and a master’s degree in journalism at Northwestern University. She now lives in West Seattle with her husband and Bedouin dog.

The Chief Search

Community Advocates Outraged Over Process, Urge Mayor to Consider Best for Police Chief

Members of the search committee said the hiring process was flawed and want the city to consider all five semifinalists.

05/30/2018 By Hayat Norimine

The Chief Search

Carmen Best Won't Be Seattle's New Police Chief. Here Are the Choices.

The interim police chief's institutional knowledge ultimately worked against her.

05/25/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Immigration

Ramzy Baroud Is Stateless

Despite his U.S. citizenship, the Palestinian author can’t return to the place he grew up.

05/22/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Light a Fire 2018: Lifetime Achievement

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center’s Mary Ellen Stone Has Always Fought for Survivors

To Stone, getting involved in KCSARC was a no-brainer: “I’m going to make our world better for my nieces and my grandnieces.”

05/22/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Light a Fire 2018: Acting Globally

VillageReach Goes the Last Mile

Blaise Judja-Sato's organization is breaking down barriers to basic health care.

05/22/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Light a Fire 2018: Game-Changing Action

How Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Stopped a One-Way Ticket to a Death Sentence

“There’s always been this overwhelming need...but then you have the Trump administration upping the ante.”

05/22/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Light a Fire 2018: Best New Nonprofit

Unloop Delivers from Incarceration into the Hopeful Hands of Computer Tech

Unloop wants to empower inmates with competitive skills in a high-wage industry and a support system after prison.

05/22/2018 By Hayat Norimine

A Better Place

Light a Fire 2018: Honoring Seattle's Best and Brightest Nonprofits and Volunteers

05/22/2018 By James Ross Gardner, Stefan Milne, Hayat Norimine, Rosin Saez, Allecia Vermillion, and Allison Williams

Progressive Taxation

Coalition of Businesses Launch a Campaign to Overturn the Head Tax

The group filed a campaign, called No Tax On Jobs, with the Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission on Friday.

05/21/2018 By Hayat Norimine

King County

Career Public Defender Will Run for King County Prosecutor

Daron Morris is challenging 11-year incumbent Dan Satterberg.

05/17/2018 By Hayat Norimine

This Washington

State Will Pay for Postage on Ballots for All Voters Outside King County

"This is about leveling the playing field and making elections equal for all citizens of Washington state."

05/16/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Progressive Taxation

Seattle City Council Passes a $47 Million Head Tax

Starting in 2019, the city will tax top businesses $275 per employee per year.

05/14/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Progressive Taxation

Council Members Approve $75 Million Head Tax, Reject Durkan's Plan

The long battle for an employee hours tax continues.

05/11/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Olympia Dispatch

House Democrats Suspend Tacoma Legislator from Committee Post After Harassment Allegations

"It really felt to me that if I wanted to work in the Legislature, this was something I needed to compromise on."

05/10/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Progressive Taxation

Head Tax Debate Heats Up

The council has five supporting votes, and the mayor's still a wild card.

05/09/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Congress

Washington Leaders Respond to Trump's Withdrawal from the Iran Deal

U.S. senator Patty Murray said the deal "offers us the best path to safety and security."

05/08/2018 By Hayat Norimine

City Council

Council Extends the City's Statute of Limitations for Harassment Claims

Seattle residents or workers will have more time to bring a discrimination complaint forward.

05/07/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Ethics & Elections

Ethics Commission Recommends Loosening Conflict of Interest Rules

"My voice for those who have elected me is very important," council member Sally Bagshaw said.

05/07/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Murray Allegations

Former Foster Son, the First Accuser, Sues Murray and the City

The complaint alleged defamation and slander, accusing Murray of abusing his power and city officials of "reckless disregard for the truth."

05/04/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Morning Roundup

Amazon, the Head Tax, and the Waterfront

Council member Kshama Sawant said Amazon was attempting "extortion."

05/03/2018 By Hayat Norimine