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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.

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.

Update on April 25 South Seattle Gang Melee

The police report provides more details about a giant shootout outside a south Seattle party April 25 in which one teenager was shot in the leg and six other people were arrested after a gang-fueled brawl that included gunfire and many roving fights.

It all began at a huge party with over 100 people at a residence near MLK Jr. Way and S. Hudson St., a couple blocks south of the Columbia City light rail station. Several fights had already started in the area, and police mobilized to handle the anticipated trouble.

One 15-year-old partygoer heard a disturbance outside around 11:30 p.m. and went to the front window of the house too observe. Small arms fire started and he was shot in the shin. Residents of the house called 911 to report that shots had been fired into the house.

Police in the area estimated that they heard 30 to 40 rounds fired, which residents of the house said came from a decade-old silver or champagne four-door Chevy Impala with four or five males in it that was driving north on MLK.

After the drive-by, vehicles and partygoers fled in all directions. There were multiple fights in the area between rival gangs, some allegedly threatening others with hand guns.

Police pulled over a Kia Sportage that was fleeing at high speed with its lights off near 33rd Ave S and S Oregon St. Nine people were squished inside the compact SUV. Police found a .38 special revolver in a handbag in the back. All the shell casings were spent. Police could not determine who was in possession of the weapon. The occupants of the car were identified and released.

According to the SPD blotter, the kid shot in the shin told police he did not see who shot him. The blotter also says police pulled over a second car, but there are no further details about it.




  • seattleN

    I don’t know where to begin. The party with over 100 people in a resudential neighborhood with multiple fights or the handgun in the car with all the rounds spent, 9 people in the car who were “identified and released”…. Seriously????

  • Rufus

    Nine people in that tiny car = squished. I wonder what the story was…

    “Well officer, to tell the truth, we were going to try to sneak into the drive-in theater.”