Candidates jump in (and out), police get a $40,000 PowerPoint, and a guest columnist argues that transit riders should get a say in how transit works.
By Erica C. Barnett
Monday, March 10
Two-time candidate and one-time council appointee Tanya Woo filed to run for council again, then apparently decided against it. Also, advocates for people whose rights are threatened by the Trump administration’s actions on health care, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights told a new council committee what’s at risk over the next four years and how they can help
On the second episode of our new limited series podcast on the 2003 movie about the unraveling of a journalistic fraud, Shattered Glass, Josh and I interviewed the reporter who broke the story that led to New Republic reporter Stephen Glass’ undoing. For those who weren’t around or don’t remember, Glass’ fabrications (followed, not long after, by the Jayson Blair scandal at the New York Times) were a huge deal at a time when print outlets considered themselves far superior to online journalism.
Tuesday, March 11
PubliCola Questions: City Attorney Candidate Erika Evans
Erika Evans, until recently an assistant US Attorney at the Department of Justice, told PubliCola that if she’s elected she’ll actively fight against the Trump Administration and prioritize dangerous misdemeanor crimes, like domestic violence and driving under the influence, over prosecuting and jailing people for drug use, sex work, and crimes of poverty.
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Wednesday, March 12
PubliCola Questions: Mayoral Candidate Katie Wilson
Transit Riders Union leader Katie Wilson is challenging Mayor Bruce Harrell on a progressive platform that includes promoting social housing, increasing shelter capacity instead of just pushing unhoused people from place to place, and passing “progressive revenue to make sure we do not go into a financial death spiral.”
Thursday, March 13
SPD Paid $40,000 for Two-Day Media Training Requested by Adrian Diaz Chief of Staff
At the request of Jamie Tompkins, former police chief Adrian Diaz’ former chief of staff, SPD flew two trainers in from out of town to teach them how to get good press and avoid bad press. The paint-by-numbers trainings included advice like “social media has changed how people communicate,” “use the media as a tool,” and “engage in likable behavior.”
Friday, March 14
To End Car Dependency, We Must Change Who Has A Seat At the Table
In a guest post, nondriver Anna Zivarts argues that people who don’t drive deserve a seat on the boards that make decisions about our transportation and land use policies, rather than people who don’t even use the transit systems they’re in charge of.