🧊 How to responsibly report ICE sightings

Seattle on Edge After Schools Shelter-in-Place

Due to unconfirmed reports of ICE activity near multiple Seattle Public Schools, a shelter-in-place was initiated on Tuesday at six schools. According to Seattle Public Schools (SPS), the campuses included Mercer International and Aki Kurose middle schools, Cleveland STEM High School, Maple Elementary, Dearborn Park International, and Beacon Hill International. [The Stranger]

• What Happens During a Shelter-in-Place? In an email to parents, SPS said all exterior doors were locked, but normal school operations continue inside the building. SPS also said that, out of an abundance of caution, many schools remained in this status for the entirety of the school day.
• How to Report an ICE Sighting: Unconfirmed ICE sightings have kept Seattle on edge. If you want to report a sighting, it’s important to remember the SALUTE model (which we cover on today’s podcast 🎧): size, action/activity, location, uniform, time, and equipment. The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network also runs a hotline for firsthand information. You can text or leave a voicemail at 1-844-724-3737.
• What Are My Rights? KUOW has this primer on how to navigate an encounter with ICE.

Artists Propose Installation at Gas Works to Limit Fall Risk 🎪

Gas Works Park has long been held up as an example of bioremediation for the public good. But, since 2012, at least three people have died after falling from the park’s structures. Now, artists are proposing “a smooth, serpentine wall of colorful panels [that] weaves around the rusting Gas Works bones.” A good idea in theory. In the rendering, though … I gotta say it looks like a cross between tenting a house for termites and a circus big top. [Seattle Times]

Meta Layoffs Come to WA as Part of Reality Labs Division Cuts 👨🏽‍💻

Meta is laying off more than 300 workers in the Seattle area and Washington state. The company is cutting employees at four facilities located in Seattle and on the Eastside, as well as approximately 97 employees who work remotely in Washington. This is reportedly part of a shift from investing in the “metaverse” to focusing on AI. [GeekWire]

Seattle Unemployment Rising Faster Than the National Average 📈

The local jobless rate topped 5% in November, according to the latest federal data. Among the 56 metros with more than 1 million people, only eight saw bigger increases than Seattle. [Axios]

James Beard Recognizes Seattle Chefs and Restaurants 🤌🏻

The James Beard Awards announced Wednesday that two Seattle restaurants — Little Beast in Ballard, and The Wayland Mill in Wallingford — are in the running to be named Best New Restaurant in America. Those plus 15 more Washington state chefs, restaurants, bars, and bakers were named semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. My personal favorite, Ahmed Suliman, of Cafe Suliman, was nominated for Emerging Chef. [Seattle Times]