Snap Judgment

Who Will Be Seattle's Next Mayor?

In the August primary, voters advanced former U.S. attorney Jenny Durkan and urban planner Cary Moon to face off in the November 7 general election. The city’s on the cusp of electing its first female mayor in 91 years. But who has the edge?

09/20/2017 By Kendall Candioglos

Snap Judgment

Is Secure Scheduling a Success?

In July, Seattle implemented a law requiring large retailers and food service employers to give workers their schedules two weeks in advance, compensate them if their schedules change, and provide 10 hours between opening and closing shifts.

08/18/2017 By Liz Weber

Snap Judgment

The Debate Over Housing at Discovery Park

Magnolia neighborhood residents successfully sued when the city tried to acquire 34 acres of U.S. Army land abutting Discovery Park for affordable housing. Now council members have inked a five-year lease on the space.

06/12/2017 By Liz Weber

Snap Judgment

Should Sound Transit Rethink the Car Tab Increase?

Voters approved the Sound Transit 3 plan in November 2016, continuing the old—some would say “inflated”—car valuation system and added a tax increase of 0.8 percent. A necessary tax or are Seattle residents being taken for a ride?

05/15/2017 By Liz Weber

Snap Judgment

Would Breaching Dams on the Snake River Save Local Orcas?

Scientists at Friday Harbor’s Center for Whale Research say local orcas are starving and that the solution is to boost salmon runs by breaching four dams along the Lower Snake River. Junk science or a damn fine idea?

01/27/2017 By Matthew Halverson

Snap Judgment

Can King County Afford to Ground Its Search and Rescue Helicopter?

The county flies one of just two such choppers in the state.

11/16/2016 By Matthew Halverson

Snap Judgment

Are Safe Use Heroin Sites a Good Idea?

King County’s Heroin and Prescription Opiate Addiction Task Force has recommended testing two medically supervised sites where people can safely inject and smoke drugs. Validation of hard drug use or necessary step to combat an epidemic?

10/21/2016 By Stefan Milne

Snap Judgment

The Denny Regrade Is Back

Colloquially obscure since the ’90s, the name Denny Regrade is back to describe the previously underdeveloped pocket of the Denny Triangle where Amazon’s new Doppler building sits. Reasonable return or redundant revival?

04/22/2016 By Allecia Vermillion

Snap Judgment

How Could Free Rent Help You Reach Your 10-Year Goals?

This April a group of Seattle landlords will choose the winner of an essay contest asking that question. The prize: a year of free rent. Publicity stunt or public good?

03/28/2016 By Scott Johnson

Snap Judgment

Urban Planners Want to Lid I-5

Recent proposals for lidding the downtown portion of I-5 and expanding the Washington State Convention Center have some dreaming of a more spacious city center. Pour that concrete or let the sun shine in?

01/25/2016 By Joanna Sappenfield

Snap Judgment

No More Cars at SAM

After nearly nine years greeting visitors in the entryway of Seattle Art Museum, Cai Guo Qiang’s 'Inopportune: Stage One'—aka the one with the flying, exploding cars—will be removed in January. Pump the brakes or hit the gas?

12/28/2015 By Joanna Sappenfield