🚧 More I-5 delays on the way

Mixed Messages Reported on Open Drug Use Arrests

Okay, so this one is complicated. Try to stay with me. Departing SPOG president Mike Solan accused Mayor Wilson of ‘ordering officers to stop arresting people for open drug use.’ Solan’s statement called this an example of ‘Suicidal Empathy,’ and that it will lead to ‘death, destruction, and more human suffering will be supercharged.’ The problem is, Mayor Wilson gave no such order. [KOMO]

• What happened? On Jan. 1, 2026, SPD Chief Shon Barnes sent an internal email saying that most people caught using or possessing drugs should be referred to Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), which is meant to send low-level offenders into supportive programs. According to PubliCola, this was a vast oversimplification of a recent City Attorney's Office (CAO) policy clarification on public drug use offenses.
• What did the CAO say? Recently elected City Attorney Erika Adams directed her prosecutors to refer drug cases to an internal team to see if those accused were eligible for LEAD, which was a policy change from previous City Attorney Ann Davison, who, along with mayor Bruce Harrell, empowered SPD to arrest people for simple drug use and possession. [PubliCola]
• What’s the rundown? So, Erika Adams issues a memorandum that says the City Attorney’s Office will change policy and start pushing more towards diversion and treatment than persecution. SPD Chief Barnes puts out an email saying that all drug-related cases will go to LEAD, and this turns into an accusation by SPOG president Mike Solan that the Wilson administration is basically going to ignore all open drug use in Seattle. Wilson responds with the following statement: "You’ll know when I announce a policy change, because I'll announce a policy change.” (Presumably, she then dropped the microphone she was holding)
• Has anything actually changed? No. SPD will continue to make arrests for drug-related charges with probable cause, and the CAO will implement its policy going forward. The policy of Adams’ office and Wilson’s is closer to the policy in effect before 2023, when Mayor Harrell and Ann Davison changed it.

Expect Delays on I-5 All Year, Basically 🚘

I-5 will shut down this weekend from downtown Seattle to the University District, and starting next Monday, the left lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge will close as well. This will last until the World Cup games, stop for a bit, and then pick back up on the right side of the bridge for five months. Expect all sorts of delays and be ready to leave earlier than usual. [KIRO 7]

More Layoffs and Restructuring at SIFF 🎞️

City Cast Seattle contributor Chase Hutchinson is reporting that SIFF laid off three more positions and is doing an internal restructuring, according to an e-mail sent to staff earlier this week. Most alarming is the apparent cancellation of this year’s summer youth film camp for kids aged 9-14. At least the union-repped cinema staff will not face pay cuts. More on this with Chase later in the week. [Seattle Times]

Get Ready to LOVE Curling 🥌

Seattle is sending two curlers to the Olympics in Italy this February. Luc Violette and Ben Richardson are part of Team Casper and practice their throws and sweeps at the Granite Curling Club in Seattle. I find curling kind of peaceful to watch, so I’m excited! [OPB]

We’re Good at Dating and Resolving! 💕

Seattle’s dating scene ranked in the top five this year, according to (checks notes) WalletHub. Additionally, we’re apparently really good at keeping our New Year's Resolutions according to…oh, WalletHub again. Okay, sure, we’ll take it.

Amazon Loses Bid to Dismiss Price Gouging Lawsuit 💰

Seattle District Judge Robert Lasnik says Amazon must face a lawsuit accusing the company of price gouging during the COVID-related states of emergency between January 2020 and October 2022. Prices rose dramatically on pain relievers, toilet paper, baking soda, and face masks. [Reuters]