Viva La Cola!

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.

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: Caffeinated News & Gossip

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1. Local musician Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger) is in Washington, DC today with an organization called Music First. Nelson and two other fellows from the music industry, including local studio owner Glenn Lorbecki, are lobbying for a bill that would make FM and AM radio stations pay a license fee, or royalty, to performers. Currently, these corporate radio stations only have to pay a royalty to songwriters. Nelson is meeting with Senator Patty Murray’s office, Senator Maria Cantwell’s office, and Rep. Jay Inslee’s office about the bill.

(UPDATE: Got an “!!!” text from Nelson who says he’s only five feet away from Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sam Moore —of Sam & Dave fame—who’s also lobbying with Music First.)

seann

2. U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA, 8) broke party ranks last week by voting for the ominbus appropriations act, a $410 billion spending bill that’s sending millions to Washington state. Rep. Reichert was one of only 16 Republicans (and the only one from the Washington state delegation) to vote ‘Yea’ in the 245-178 vote. 

3. Without districts to guide them, City Council wannabes—there are 12 filed to run right now—divine which seat to run for based on what their consultant says. (Consultants base the decision on whom else they’re working for—like maybe the incumbent—and what their competitor consultants are telling their candidates).

Or candidates figure it out by flipping a coin—as rumor has it Robert Ronsencrantz and Sally Bagshaw did to decide which one would run for Jan Drago’s open seat. Bagshaw reportedly won the toss.

4. Rumors that KC Exec Ron Sims’ chief of staff, Kurt Triplett, has a lock on the gig to replace Sims as the interim Executive are premature. Although, Triplett did get the endorsement of county workers—The King County Labor Coalition—yesterday.


  • Particle Man

    Re#4: As I posted a few hours previous, under Monday’s Fizz, Triplett is looking more like the pick every day. Kurt is a steady choice and would likely keep the Sims tallent pool on until a replacment is elected.

  • Particle Man

    Re#4: As I posted a few hours previous, under Monday’s Fizz, Triplett is looking more like the pick every day. Kurt is a steady choice and would likely keep the Sims tallent pool on until a replacment is elected.

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    @1,

    Triplett is definitely on the short list. But Morning Fizz isn’t ready to say he’s secured the gig.

  • Joe

    “tallent” pool?

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    @1,

    Triplett is definitely on the short list. But Morning Fizz isn’t ready to say he’s secured the gig.

  • Joe

    “tallent” pool?

  • Particle Man

    Harvey Danger rocks!
    “Only stupid people are breeding” The best line in a great song.

  • Particle Man

    Harvey Danger rocks!
    “Only stupid people are breeding” The best line in a great song.