City Cast Seattle
🗳️ An incredibly close County Executive race
November 3, 2025
Hi Seattle! Liam, City Cast Seattle Producer here. November is here! Did you eat a lot of candy this weekend? Me too. Did you set your clocks back an hour? Me too. Are you confused what time it is? ME TOO. Let’s make sure you aren’t confused about the news.
What's CITY Talking About
The Absolute Latest on Elections!
We have an election tomorrow. It feels like the lead-up has lasted for years. Here’s what’s going on:
- The King County Executive Race is Incredibly Close: Claudia Balducci holds a 2% lead over Girmay Zahilay in recent polling, but Zahilay leads in ballots already cast. [Seattle Times]
- Candidates Weigh in on Homelessness: Both incumbent Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson appeared on FOX13 to talk about homelessness. Harrell spoke to Wilson’s lack of experience, and Wilson spoke about how the city needs to build more shelters. [Fox13 Seattle]
- Consultant Mystery and Staff Pressure: PubliCola has two pieces on Harrell this week, one claiming he paid a Tukwila consultant $5,000 a month for reasons that remain unclear and another that asserts his department heads felt pressured to give money to his campaign. [PubliCola]
- Use the Dropbox, Seattle: It’s too late to mail your ballot via USPS. Here is a map of dropboxes to use instead. [Seattle Times]
Also Worth Your Time
🏫 UW Grant Funding Paused: The federal shutdown means that no one is reviewing documents necessary for the approval of grants and payments at the university. This could result in research delays and staff furloughs. [KNKX]
👻 Ghost Students Steal Financial Aid: Community Colleges all over Washington are trying to stop grifters from using AI and other tools to apply to schools and do assignments as a way to steal financial aid. Puget Sound Community College says at least $100K has been stolen. [KUOW]
🎵 Seattle Times Reports on Venue Closings: Early this week, contributor Chase Hutchinson broke the news that Crocodile venues Madam Lou’s and Here-After were closing. This story was then virally misreported online, resulting in a FOX13 segment setting the record straight (and featuring City Cast Seattle host Jane C. Hu). Well, now the Seattle Times is also reporting these closures. [Seattle Times]
🎰 This Seattle FOX13 Anchor is a 3-time Jeopardy Champion: Who is Aaron Levine? That’s correct, Liam! [Seattle Times]
What To Do
Monday, Nov. 3
- 🏅2025 Honor Awards for Washington Architecture | Town Hall
- 🩸Stop The Bleed Traning | Miller Community Center
- 📚Rachel Runya Katz & Ava Wilder | Elliot Bay Book Company
- ⚽Seattle Sounders FC vs. Minnesota United FC | Lumen Field
Tuesday, Nov. 4
- 📚 Ed Yong | Town Hall
- 🎵 Stanley Jordan Plays Jimi & The Dead | Jazz Alley
- 🖼️ Form Over Function | Seattle Art Source
- 🎙️she's green LIVE on KEXP | KEXP Studio (NW Rooms)
Wednesday, Nov. 5
- 🤝 Seattle Renters’ Commission meeting | Seattle City Hall
- 📖 Max Delsohn presents 'Crawl' | Seattle Public Library (downtown)
- 🏒 Seattle Kraken vs. San Jose Sharks | Climate Pledge
- 🎼 Open Rehearsal, Seattle Symphony | Benaroya Hall
- 🖼️ Ten Thousand Things | Wing Luke Museum
There’s a rumor going around that Sam posted a photo of me in a shark costume. Must investigate. But speaking of fish, here’s what the Ballard Locks look like without any water. As one commenter said, you can practically smell it! Gross. Stay dry, Seattle!
— Liam
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