"Our neighbors want to be able to raise their families here, and have access to good schools and safe neighborhoods. Our neighbors want the buses to come on time. Our neighbors want to build the damn trains. Our neighbors want to feel safe crossing the street." -Seattle CM Dionne Foster

We have to talk about Alexis Mercedes Rinck's speech today.

Excited for new leadership in 2026!!

NEW STORY // WSDOT Eyes Major Transformation for SR 99 in Snohomish County Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/06/w...

fantastic article with data showing how congestion pricing is one of the most effective transportation policies ever. as a day 1 congestion pricing supporter it has been so satisfying to see the program be so successful www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

I’m super proud to have written the Urbanist’s most-read article of 2025. The Urbanist is a civic treasure that analyzes, informs, and advocates for a better community.

The big moment has arrived! Congrats to Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson. Seattle Transit Fairy Pauline Van Senus is swearing her in.

Again, it's in the public interest to have lighter vehicles.

A newly released state report breaks down how Washington's first attempt at offering e-bike rebates went. 84% of the $1,200 rebates offered turned into new bike purchases – compared to just 24% of the $300 rebates. www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/26/w...

NEW STORY // Looking Back on The Urbanist’s 2025 Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/29/l...

Looking forward to the Wilson Administration getting a crack at the draft Downtown Seattle regional center plan. As it stands right now, we're apparently only planning on public transit having priority on one single street downtown, which is wild.

NEW STORY // City of Seattle Purchases 18-Acre Laurelhurst Property, Scuttling Sprawl Plans Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/24/s...

Bruce Harrell signed Seattle's Comprehensive Plan and the changes to Neighborhood Residential zoning today, without any fanfare. www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/17/s...

NEW STORY // Ferguson Proposes Borrowing $3 Billion for Highway Maintenance, Ferries Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/22/f...

A new episode of the Urbanist podcast is out! I spend some time talking about the new SPOG contract, as you'd expect.

Here's my Starter Pack of AI slop-free Seattle and PNW news outlets. Please let me know if you know of more that have committed to not using AI. go.bsky.app/CgTfMoe

NEWS: Katie Wilson will swap out current interim SDOT Director Adiam Emery for a new interim Director in Angela Brady, who currently serves as head of the Office of the Waterfront and Sound Transit. A search for a permanent Director is expected next year. www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/17/k...

NEW STORY // Seattle OKs New Growth Plan, but Biggest Zoning Battles Lie Ahead Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/17/s...

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If we want to create a more affordable, livable Seattle, we need to design for *reducing* car volumes. This is the only way to meet our climate, public health, vision zero, accessibility and housing goals. Our fight to design highway on-ramps with LESS capacity epitomizes why it's still hard.

In yesterday's article about the SPOG contract, I mentioned the use of the SPOG X account to taunt and appear to take credit when Dan Nelson was demoted from Assistant Chief to Captain. Unsurprising that they're now publicly gloating about the excellent new contract they've obtained.

My latest about the newly passed SPOG contract, which isn't great news for Seattle's police accountability or its civilian response. Mayor Harrell just signed it yesterday.

We need to hold elected officials accountable for votes that go against their campaign rhetoric. See screenshot below from 2023 campaign season @hacksandwonks.bsky.social interview. In a district that Katie Wilson won by 16 points we really need a more reliable progressive voice in D3.

NEW STORY // Despite Sidewalk Funding Boost, Some Seattle Neighborhoods Still Feel Shortchanged Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/10/d...

This is tonight! I'll be there, and I'm hoping some folks might want to talk about whatever happens with the SPOG contract this afternoon. 😉

I'm listening to Seattle's City Council meeting now, and we've already heard a few public comments opposing the new SPOG contract.

Redmond City Council Vice President Jessica Forsythe has filed with the PDC to run for the state legislature, challenging incumbent Amy Walen in the 48th LD. A pro business moderate, Walen is clearly vulnerable, having just lost a race for the 48th's seat in the state senate by 17 points.

See you tomorrow?

NEW STORY // Rebecca Saldaña Announces Run for Girmay Zahilay’s Former County Council Seat Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/08/r...

NEW STORY // Thousands Pack Trains for Launch of Federal Way Light Rail Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/08/t...

"This one billion did not come easy," Maria Cantwell tells the crowd, recounting the legislative delegation's battles with Elaine Chao to unlock federal funding for Federal Way Link.

Look who I ran into on the express bus to Federal Way! Happy light rail extension day to all who celebrate! @jazzyspraxis.bsky.social

Eddie Lin took office Tuesday as Seattle's newest city councilmember, pledging action to address the city's affordability, homelessness, and community safety crises. Lin is fresh off a strong electoral performance, winning 68% of the vote in District 2. Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/03/e...

NEW STORY // Federal Way Link Stations Not Seeing a Housing Boom Via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/05/f...

Why does it take longer to complete a set of bus upgrades than it took to put a human being on the moon? A report commissioned by the King County Council and released this fall spells out a long answer to that question

…in case you’re wondering what’s going on behind the scenes with shared streets…

i like dunkelman’s book as well but this argument really ought to grapple with the fact that trump’s agenda is mired in lawsuits and even the signature parts of it, the deportations, fall far short of the president’s ambitions

Three days until Sound Transit extends the 1 Line south to Federal Way: check out the @theurbanist.org's preview of the station designs. www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/03/f...

NEW STORY // Katie Wilson’s Path to Election Victory, Precinct by Precinct Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/02/k...

The Urbanist is hosting a group ride down to Federal Way next Saturday, starting at Capitol Hill, with a meet-up close to the 1 Line's new terminus. www.eventbrite.com/e/december-6...

Woulda been better!

It says a lot about the state of American democracy that this action movie starred two future governors. youtu.be/8DRNsnXCdrM?...

What's this? A new Urbanist podcast? 😉 @metropolitanglide.bsky.social and I talked about this month's election. Fair warning, we could have easily talked for another hour, there was so much to cover.

The Urbanist podcast 🎙️ has returned!!! Tune into 🎧 the latest episode with Amy Sundberg and Doug Trumm. Episode: www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/27/u...

My latest is all about what we should expect to see in terms of homelessness and public safety when Katie Wilson takes office as Seattle's mayor next year.

NEW STORY // Amtrak Breaks Ridership Records Nationally and in Pacific Northwest Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/24/a...

NEW // How Mayor-elect Katie Wilson Can Hit the Ground Running, Walking, Rolling, and Biking 🏃‍♀️🚶‍♂️👩‍🦽🚴‍♀️🚌 Op-ed by @sngreenways.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/23/h...

NEW STORY // Ibsen and Palmer Prevail in Tacoma, Pledging Housing, Safe Streets Push Story by Carolyn Bick via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/22/i...

One week on @theurbanist.org: -Two original Sound Transit stories -Two fully reported Seattle budget stories -Dispatches from both Clyde Hill & Kirkland -One story about Katie Wilson's transition team And a book review! I know I'm biased, but I really think we punch above our weight.