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.

Afternoon Jolt

Today’s loser: SPD Chief John Diaz.

The story of John T. Williams, the man who was killed by SPD officer Ian D. Birk keeps getting more depressing.

Today’s winner:  Republicans.

Their numbers are growing.

Bonus winner: Bozo the Clown.


  • Trevor

    How is Chief Diaz a “loser”? He’s been handed a golden opportunity to show that, unlike his predecessor, he won’t be pushed around by the Seattle Police Officers Guild and believes in real police accountability.

  • Josh Feit

    Out of disaster an opportunity. Perhaps you’re right, Trevor.

  • http://43rddemocrats.org Michael M.

    As interim chief, he has had a few opportunities to do just that, and has not acted on any of them. I don’t see this being any different.

  • Mongo

    Jolt? More like a giant buzzkill!

  • David Miller

    It’s always different when it involves deadly force.

  • http://www.joeszilagyi.com/ Joe Szilagyi

    He’s already 0/1, given that the cop who kicked a suspect and made the “mexican piss” comments on tape just got a free walk on the criminal charges. If Diaz had any integrity, he’d walk that cop right out of the SPD.

  • Trevor

    He was given a “free walk” from the COUNTY prosecutor on felony hate crime charges. The City prosecutor has yet to weigh in. And I’m not sure where things are with regard to internal SPD discipline processes.