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.

x close
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.

Rumor: Seattle Times Considering Bankruptcy

News   October 8, 2009 at 3:51 pm Josh Feit

We’re hearing chatter (once again) that the Seattle Times is considering filing for bankruptcy reorganization.

If true, word is the Times isn’t looking at any major changes or additional layoffs, but merely looking to stabilize its financial situation.

Of course, declaring bankruptcy would likely open up the Seattle Times’ long-confidential books to the public. It would also raise questions about whether their lenders have run out of patience. Finally, it would raise questions about whether the Times would seek more concessions from their unionized employees. (In addition to laying off about 500 employees in the last two years, they’ve already won significant wage concessions from the newspaper guild.)

Also if true, this glowing New York Times story published in early August about the Seattle Times would look pretty silly.

Seattle Times spokeswoman Jill Mackie said she could not comment on rumors.


  • Guest

    They must be trying to get their B&O tax rate reduced again….

  • It is election year…

    They must be trying to get their B&O tax rate reduced again….

  • tpn

    [Times] isn’t looking at any major changes or additional layoffs, but merely looking to stabilize its financial situation.

    Well, that’s dandy, except that the Times won’t have a lot of control over that if they file. The judge will; unless the fix is already in for the Blethens.

  • tpn

    [Times] isn’t looking at any major changes or additional layoffs, but merely looking to stabilize its financial situation.

    Well, that’s dandy, except that the Times won’t have a lot of control over that if they file. The judge will; unless the fix is already in for the Blethens.

  • Chris Stefan

    So what are the odds Seattle will soon be a no newspaper town?

  • Chris Stefan

    So what are the odds Seattle will soon be a no newspaper town?

  • joshuadf

    @3, Seattle’s Only Newspaper is still the Stranger.

  • joshuadf

    @3, Seattle’s Only Newspaper is still the Stranger.

  • Smitty

    I heard a rumor that publicola is full of shit. Wonder if I should blog about it and stir up a bunch of speculation without any facts to support it?

  • Smitty

    I heard a rumor that publicola is full of shit. Wonder if I should blog about it and stir up a bunch of speculation without any facts to support it?

  • A boy named Sue

    The Stranger hasn’t been in a newspaper in the years since, under Savage, it turned to shit and the hogs ate it. Even Slog now is nothing but a “news aggregator,” stealing others’ work to stay alive. You can look it up.

  • A boy named Sue

    The Stranger hasn’t been in a newspaper in the years since, under Savage, it turned to shit and the hogs ate it. Even Slog now is nothing but a “news aggregator,” stealing others’ work to stay alive. You can look it up.