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.

The Morning Blotter

News   January 25, 2010 at 8:31 am Jonah Spangenthal-Lee

Gas Thieves Strike in Ballard: A report just released by SPD says thieves made off with 70 gallons of gas from a Ballard gas station earlier this month. The report says two men pulled up to a 76 station on NW 58th St and 15th Ave NW on January 17th, used a credit card to start a gas pump, removed the pump cover with a screwdriver, and broke off a pin which meters the flow of gasoline. The tampering went unnoticed by an “elderly” clerk, and the men were able to make off with 70 gallons of gas. A gas station staff member told police the men may have returned the next day in a different vehicle, but drove off when contacted by an employee. Police were able to get the license plate off of one of the vehicles, which is registered to an address in Kent.

Stoppin’ Lights: State legislature looking to reduce hefty red light camera fines.

Also in the Legislature: Assault weapons ban looks likely to fail.

Meanwhile in Tukwila: Bus driver beaten, cop cars collide.