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.

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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.

First on the Scene

News   November 2, 2009 at 5:55 am Morning Fizz

fizz

1. Want to know where to be on election night? The Metropolitan Democratic Club has put together a handy Google map of every party in town.

2. King County Executive candidate Susan Hutchison, who has said repeatedly that abortion is not a county issue (it is) has helped direct  nearly $600,000 over the years to crisis pregnancy centers and other anti-choice groups as a board member for the conservative Stewardship Foundation, Planned Parenthood revealed this weekend.

The total includes $250,000 to Care Net of Sterling, Virginia, $188,600 to Care Net Crisis Pregnancy Center of Pierce County in Tacoma, and $165,000 to Americans United for Life. In addition, the Stewardship Foundation has given nearly $50,000 to fund abstinence-only education materials created by Care Net in Tacoma.

Hutchison has been a board member of the Stewardship Foundation, which was founded by timber magnate David Weyerhaueser, since 2003.

3. Speaking of choice: In an interview with Tony B on KUBE radio Sunday morning, the two mayoral candidates were asked to do a round of word association. During the game , the host asked, jokingly, “Ginger or Mary Ann?” then said, “No, I’m joking.”

The next word was “abortion.” Mallahan’s response: “Ginger.”

After a pause, he said, “I’m sorry, I was still on the last question.” Tony B repeated, “Abortion.” Mallahan paused, said “uh,” then ran down the clock in dead silence.

McGinn’s response to the same word association was “a woman’s right to choose.”

The pair will be on KUOW’s Weekday today at 9 AM for their last face off.

kuow

4. There’s a reason we hyped plugged-in crime reporter Jonah Spangenthal-Lee’s new web site, Seattlecrime.com,  on Saturday morning: We knew it would be the place to turn for scoops and breaking crime news.

Voila: His coverage of Saturday night’s police shooting was the most in-depth and comprehensive report in town—and he was one of the first on the scene, bringing scoops and updates throughout the night.

5. Bailey-Coy Books, a Broadway institution, is closing after 26 years in business. Read Chris Kissel’s inside report here.

This morning’s Morning Fizz is brought to you by Friends of Seattle.

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  • hmmmm

    So, does this mean/imply that Mallahan is anti-choice, or that McGinn can work the radio media a little better? If the first was true, it would be common knowledge; if the latter is true, then what on earth does that have to do with actual qualifications? Why is that even newsworthy?

  • hmmmm

    So, does this mean/imply that Mallahan is anti-choice, or that McGinn can work the radio media a little better? If the first was true, it would be common knowledge; if the latter is true, then what on earth does that have to do with actual qualifications? Why is that even newsworthy?

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    @1,

    It’s funny.

    But for the record: Mallahan is pro-choice—as we reported when we were the first publication to give him the microphone back in May.

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    @1,

    It’s funny.

    But for the record: Mallahan is pro-choice—as we reported when we were the first publication to give him the microphone back in May.

  • Stacy, Stacey, Stacie

    @1, 2

    The correct answer is Mary Ann.

  • Stacy, Stacey, Stacie

    @1, 2

    The correct answer is Mary Ann.

  • http://gomezticator.livejournal.com/tag/2009+election Gomez

    Election Night parties are a bit hollow given all the mail ballots are counted in central locations, rather than hand/computer ballots counted at individual precincts, and we don’t really know by the end of the night who won or lost unless a race is very lopsided.

  • http://gomezticator.livejournal.com/tag/2009+election Gomez

    Election Night parties are a bit hollow given all the mail ballots are counted in central locations, rather than hand/computer ballots counted at individual precincts, and we don’t really know by the end of the night who won or lost unless a race is very lopsided.

  • Trevor

    Mallahan is pro-choice and not very bright. Sadly, the latter quality usually nullifies anything good you could say about his stands on issues.

  • Trevor

    Mallahan is pro-choice and not very bright. Sadly, the latter quality usually nullifies anything good you could say about his stands on issues.

  • justin

    Actually I think Central District News had the best breaking coverage of the cop shooting, though SeattleCrime was up there too.

  • justin

    Actually I think Central District News had the best breaking coverage of the cop shooting, though SeattleCrime was up there too.

  • Wilde man

    with the “Africans like me” comment and the six miles answer, we now have three examples and a definite trend of Mallahprops.

  • Wilde man

    with the “Africans like me” comment and the six miles answer, we now have three examples and a definite trend of Mallahprops.

  • Michael M.

    Election night parties are AWESOME!!! I personally believe that the one at PURR is going to be the best one, the one to really start your night. Hang out at Purr, have a couple beers (Happy Hour until results are released), then pick your party after that.

    I do know that this map of parties will be available at purr to help you figure out where to go after the results come in.

    And there will be plenty of remit envelopes for Approve R-71 (in the event they are in debt following the election end).

  • Michael M.

    Election night parties are AWESOME!!! I personally believe that the one at PURR is going to be the best one, the one to really start your night. Hang out at Purr, have a couple beers (Happy Hour until results are released), then pick your party after that.

    I do know that this map of parties will be available at purr to help you figure out where to go after the results come in.

    And there will be plenty of remit envelopes for Approve R-71 (in the event they are in debt following the election end).

  • gloomy gus

    I’m going to Purr. But then wouldn’t miss the War Room. Win or lose, the McGinn diehards will be wanting some kind of sex, joyous or raging or worried. I can work my elderly magic either way.

  • Good Grief

    McGinn’s party isn’t going to be in his back yard with fresh pressed cider from the Pea Patch?

  • gloomy gus

    I’m going to Purr. But then wouldn’t miss the War Room. Win or lose, the McGinn diehards will be wanting some kind of sex, joyous or raging or worried. I can work my elderly magic either way.

  • Good Grief

    McGinn’s party isn’t going to be in his back yard with fresh pressed cider from the Pea Patch?

  • Peter M

    Hi Josh,
    I think credit for creating the Google map for election parties should go to Brian G. Allen at brian@appropriatetechnologygroup.com. MDC just forwarded the link to the map, but did not actually create or compile the list. Thanks for sharing though, looks like its going to be a fun evening!

  • Peter M

    Hi Josh,
    I think credit for creating the Google map for election parties should go to Brian G. Allen at brian@appropriatetechnologygroup.com. MDC just forwarded the link to the map, but did not actually create or compile the list. Thanks for sharing though, looks like its going to be a fun evening!

  • Ryan

    @1: It clearly means that Mallahan wants to abort redheads. What’s he got against gingers, anyhow?

  • Ryan

    @1: It clearly means that Mallahan wants to abort redheads. What’s he got against gingers, anyhow?

  • RonK, Seattle

    @ 12 – No, it’s obvious Ginger would’ve had the abortion, Mary Ann would’ve put the kid up for adoption.

  • RonK, Seattle

    @ 12 – No, it’s obvious Ginger would’ve had the abortion, Mary Ann would’ve put the kid up for adoption.

  • fun and games

    Hmm, I don’t know anything about Mary Ann or Ginger, and when someone says abortion I think “scariest decision I hope I never have to make.” Guess I shouldn’t run for office.

  • fun and games

    Hmm, I don’t know anything about Mary Ann or Ginger, and when someone says abortion I think “scariest decision I hope I never have to make.” Guess I shouldn’t run for office.

  • ghost

    for people in the south end, the 11th, 33rd, and 34th LD’s & 8th CCD Democrats are having an Election Watch Party at the Glen Acres G&C Club starting at 6pm.

  • ghost

    for people in the south end, the 11th, 33rd, and 34th LD’s & 8th CCD Democrats are having an Election Watch Party at the Glen Acres G&C Club starting at 6pm.

  • Kathryn

    SeattleCrime.com ‘Officer Down’ posted 10/31/09 10:22 PM

    CentralDistrictNews.com ‘Officer shot at 29th & Yesler’ posted on Sat, Oct 31, 2009 10:13 PM

    Not to make a fight out of it since Scott promotes seattlecrime.com as a sourece, but if it is happening in the CD, either Scott or the neighbors will provide the minute by minute story..

  • Kathryn

    SeattleCrime.com ‘Officer Down’ posted 10/31/09 10:22 PM

    CentralDistrictNews.com ‘Officer shot at 29th & Yesler’ posted on Sat, Oct 31, 2009 10:13 PM

    Not to make a fight out of it since Scott promotes seattlecrime.com as a sourece, but if it is happening in the CD, either Scott or the neighbors will provide the minute by minute story..