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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.

Contribution Roundup

News   October 17, 2009 at 9:20 am Erica C. Barnett

A few notable contributions in local races that may have slipped through the cracks in the past few days:

• Venus Velazquez, whose 2007 bid for city council was derailed by a drunk-driving charge just weeks before the election (Bruce Harrell won), gave $350 to incumbent Nick Licata.

• Former Republican U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton  gave $100 to Joe Mallahan.

• The Stranger gave free ad space to Pete Holmes and Mike McGinn valued at $128 and $196, respectively.

• NARAL Pro-Choice Washington donated its membership list to Mike O’Brien, whom they’ve endorsed—an unusual move for NARAL, which doesn’t usually endorse in local races. NARAL is supporting O’Brien because his opponent, Robert Rosencrantz, supports restrictions on choice.

• Tim Burgess and his wife Joleen gave City Attorney Tom Carr a $776 in-kind contribution of food from Safeway for a 9/11 fundraiser.


  • http://peacetreefarm.org N in Seattle

    Slade Gorton, the former Republican congressman Senator…

  • http://peacetreefarm.org N in Seattle

    Slade Gorton, the former Republican congressman Senator…

  • Jim Pleasant

    That’s nice that Slade Gordon (R) is giving Joe the love. What other candidates has ole Slade approved of with his checkbook?

  • Jim Pleasant

    That’s nice that Slade Gordon (R) is giving Joe the love. What other candidates has ole Slade approved of with his checkbook?

  • bah humbug

    Is the Stranger’s constant top o’ the page McGinn/Constantine/Holmes banner considered free ad space for the candidates or endorsements?

  • bah humbug

    Is the Stranger’s constant top o’ the page McGinn/Constantine/Holmes banner considered free ad space for the candidates or endorsements?

  • Michael M.

    Shouldn’t the description of Rosencrantz’s abortion description be “allegedly supports restrictions on choice.”? I’ve spoken with both candidates in this race about the choice issue (it’s VERY important to me), and while it’s true that Mike gives a straight-up “Pro-Choice” answer, Robert’s qualified answer is only “qualified” by his preference that minors tell their parents, however he has constantly stated he does not believe that the law should be changed to this effect, because of the safety of some of the youth who don’t want to tell their parents.

    While what is affected by the City is prevention of unwanted pregnancies (through supporting family planning and education to avoid accidnetal pregnancy), since this is apparently such a big issue for a position that, in my life, has never been a springboard to anything that affects choice, I trust your team asked Mr. Rosencrantz during endorsement interviews, correct?

  • Michael M.

    Shouldn’t the description of Rosencrantz’s abortion description be “allegedly supports restrictions on choice.”? I’ve spoken with both candidates in this race about the choice issue (it’s VERY important to me), and while it’s true that Mike gives a straight-up “Pro-Choice” answer, Robert’s qualified answer is only “qualified” by his preference that minors tell their parents, however he has constantly stated he does not believe that the law should be changed to this effect, because of the safety of some of the youth who don’t want to tell their parents.

    While what is affected by the City is prevention of unwanted pregnancies (through supporting family planning and education to avoid accidnetal pregnancy), since this is apparently such a big issue for a position that, in my life, has never been a springboard to anything that affects choice, I trust your team asked Mr. Rosencrantz during endorsement interviews, correct?

  • Chris Stefan

    @1
    Kind of troubling considering some of the other Republican usual suspects who’ve donated to Joe such as John Stanton, Suzie Burke, and Martin Selig.

  • Chris Stefan

    @1
    Kind of troubling considering some of the other Republican usual suspects who’ve donated to Joe such as John Stanton, Suzie Burke, and Martin Selig.