📜 Mayor Wilson to sign ICE order

Mayor Wilson To Bar ICE From Using City Property

Mayor Katie Wilson announced yesterday she plans to sign an executive order prohibiting ICE and other federal immigration officials from using city-owned or city-controlled property for civil immigration enforcement activities. This includes parks, parking lots, plazas, garages, Seattle Center, and other locations. She will also require the Seattle Police Department to investigate, verify, and document any reports of immigration enforcement activity. [KING 5]

• Law Enforcement Face Covering Ban Passes WA Senate: The Washington state senate passed a bill banning local, state, and federal police officers from covering their faces, with limited exceptions. It’s unclear how enforcement of the bill would work, and it is expected to face legal challenges from the Trump administration if it becomes law. [Washington State Standard]
• Gov. Ferguson Emphasized Support: On Wednesday, Gov. Ferguson posted on his social media accounts saying, “In the United States, federal agents are roaming around with masks. We just can't get used to that. This bill must move quickly to my desk so I can sign it into law.” Leadership doesn’t expect it to reach a floor vote until mid- to late February. [Gov. Ferguson’s Instagram]
• Responding To Increased ICE Activity: Both the mask ban and Mayor Wilson's executive order come as masked ICE agents reportedly arrested three people and pulled them into an unmarked van on Aurora this month. [Seattle Times]

Starbucks Is Introducing AI “Ordering Companion” ☕

At its annual investor day in New York City, Starbucks announced an AI-powered “ordering companion” for its mobile app. It will ask customers to describe their mood, their goals for the day, or what they want their drink to taste like. The “ordering companion” will translate those vibes-based things into a recipe built from Starbucks’ existing ingredients and let customers complete the order through the app. Is it just me, or does this sound like a barista’s nightmare? [GeekWire]

Jury Awards $30.5 Million To Family Of Teen Killed At CHOP🧑🏻‍⚖️

A King County jury found the city of Seattle negligent in its emergency response to the 2020 fatal shooting of Antonio Mays Jr. at CHOP/CHAZ. The jury awarded about $4 million to the estate of Antonio Mays Jr. and about $26 million to Antonio Mays Sr. [Seattle Times]

Measles Cases on the Rise 💉

Three more measles cases have been confirmed in unvaccinated children in Snohomish County after an outbreak began two weeks ago. The latest measles case, confirmed Tuesday, may have exposed additional residents to the highly contagious disease. “The next two to three weeks could be telling on where this outbreak is going to go,” said Snohomish County health officer Dr. James Lewis. “Now is the time to find out your immunization status and get up to date on vaccinations.” [Seattle Times]

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s Vancouver Office Vandalized 🪧

Shortly after WA Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security office, which includes ICE, some of her constituents made their feelings about the vote clear. Someone threw red paint on a large sign in front of her office, and others have left Post-It notes or large signs. One sign read, “You funded ICE, which is killing American citizens.” [KNKX]

WA Immigrant Solidarity Network Seeks State Funding 📳

The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) is requesting $5 million from the Washington State Legislature to meet the rising demand of people using its hotline. Now in its tenth year, the deportation defense hotline has seen the number of calls it receives quadruple since the second Trump administration's push to increase immigration enforcement. [South Seattle Emerald]

Fresh Bucks Program Has Room for More Enrollment 🥕

Seattle’s affordable fresh food program just brought more than 4,500 households off the waitlist and into the program. The city says they now have room for more enrollment. Fresh Bucks serves about 17,000 income-qualified households. Households receive monthly benefits to buy fruits and vegetables at participating retailers, including farmers' markets and grocery stores. The program is funded by the city’s soda tax. [Seattle Times]