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.

The Morning Blotter

Brakeless Bike Bandit: A San Diego man vacationing in Seattle reported his bike was stolen at Harvard Av E E Roy S on January 23rd. This, of course, was no ordinary bike. The man’s bike, according to the police report, was apromotional bike used in the filming of “Death Pedal,” a movie about fixies. The police report says the bike is purple with the words Death Pedal written in yellow along the side of the frame. The report does not indicate whether the stolen bike had brakes.

Not Guilty: Teen charged in attack on Metro driver enters plea.

Twist! Capitolhillseattle.com says the man who was shot at Boylston and Union in November is in now in jail. Click here to find out why.

DNA: Seattle police building case against two men suspected in Greenlake robbery.

To Catch a Thief: Police seeking public’s help in identifying “Oxycontin Robber.”

“Worse Than the South Bronx”: Our pals at Centraldistrictnews.com have a wrap-up of last night’s East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition meeting.

Bonus TGIF Police Report: Seattle police are investigating a break-in at the Neighbours nightclub on Capitol Hill. The club’s security cameras recorded footage of a black male in his forties forcing open the club’s door the morning of January 23rd. The man stole 5 bottles of liquor, and tried—and failed—to open a cash register. The man also stole change out of video games in the bar. Police have a clear photo of the man’s face, but officers weren’t immediately able to identify him.

DEATH PEDAL Trailer by Kareem Shehab from Killa Kareem on Vimeo.