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Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Morning Fizz (Are You Going to Listen to Us Now?)

News   February 3, 2009 at 7:51 am Josh Feit

fizz4

1. King County Executive Ron Sims, off  to join the Obama administration, has asked the Council to appoint an interim “caretaker”—someone who pledges not to run, so that the voters can pick the new KC Executive in November without being biased by a council-crowned incumbent. But Sims himself got appointed as KC Executive in 1996 before running successfully for the spot three times.

2. An anti-death penalty proposal was floating around the Democratic caucus in the State House this session, but was waved off by Seattle-area Speaker of the House, Rep. Frank Chopp (D-43, Wallingford).

3. If a King County Council Member fills Executive Ron Sims’ spot, State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36, Ballard) is interested in taking their vacant seat on the Council. (As we reported yesterday, so is State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36, Ballard).

4. Highly recommended art show at Davidson Galleries, 313 Occidental Ave. S., this Thursday—First Thursday—from 6-8pm. (I’ll post more details about it on Thursday.)  


 

5. Do the Democrats in Olympia have the nerve to pass this comprehensive education accountability bill over the teahcers unoin’s objections?


  • Libber-tine

    I’m trying to figure out why anyone would want to serve as a ‘caretaker’ in a year when the Executive is going to be responsible for putting together a budget that will decimate critical county services and programs.

  • Libber-tine

    I’m trying to figure out why anyone would want to serve as a ‘caretaker’ in a year when the Executive is going to be responsible for putting together a budget that will decimate critical county services and programs.

  • Particle Man

    Jeanne Koll-Wells? Hmmm. That would have the same end result for John Burbank, a cause and effect I first posted on here prior to the shut down of comments.
    Both paths assume that cooler heads will prevail among the existing council and that the D’s will unite around Larry Phillips. This would require others like Dow and Bob to decide without much time to test the waters that they have no interest in seeking the exec job. I just don’t see how this is going to happen.

  • Particle Man

    Jeanne Koll-Wells? Hmmm. That would have the same end result for John Burbank, a cause and effect I first posted on here prior to the shut down of comments.
    Both paths assume that cooler heads will prevail among the existing council and that the D’s will unite around Larry Phillips. This would require others like Dow and Bob to decide without much time to test the waters that they have no interest in seeking the exec job. I just don’t see how this is going to happen.