We are looking forward to resuming Hacks & Wonks podcast episodes in October.

If you prefer lists, we’ve updated these too! ✅ 2025 candidates and ballot measures in WA

We’ve updated our starter packs! A list of elected officials in WA:

I enjoyed the convo with Melissa this week!

In honor of today’s Seattle waterfront grand opening, here’s the episode of @hacksandwonks.bsky.social that @finchfrii.bsky.social, Mike McGinn, and I did back in 2023 about the fight over the waterfront and the tunnel. We particularly enjoyed recording it and hope you enjoy listening to it!

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social @melissajsantos.bsky.social discuss: 💉 WA/CA/OR vaccine alliance 📵 Cell phones in schools 🧑‍🚒 Firefighter immigration raid = inside job 🚈 Harrell pushes light rail extensions despite shortfall 🚘 Autonomous vehicles pilot starts

Concerning information from @amysundberg.bsky.social on @hacksandwonks.bsky.social with @finchfrii.bsky.social #surveillance #police #seattle

Seattle City Council is poised to expand the city's surveillance pilot program before fully evaluating its effectiveness, raising concerns about federal access to the data amid heightened enforcement targeting immigration, abortion and gender-affirming care

We covered a lot this week!

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss: 🧊 Spokane blocks warrantless ICE action 🥡 $15M Uber Eats settlement 🛒 UFCW 3000 backs Wilson for mayor 🚲 Biker hit where safety upgrades canceled 🏫 School board updates 🪧 "No Azure for Apartheid" Microsoft protests

I'm on @finchfrii.bsky.social's Hacks and Wonks podcast this week, talking about an upcoming Christian nationalist rally in Seattle, $50,000 hiring bonuses for police chiefs, Trump's efforts to end vote-by-mail, and more.

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @ericacbarnett.bsky.social discuss: ⛪ Christian nationalist rally moves to new park 🤑 Police execs take bonus meant for officers 🛡️ Trump admin targets sanctuary cities – 📮 -- and vote-by-mail 🕵️ Tacoma ICE facility must open for inspections

Do you have questions you want us to answer?

Tonight at 7:30p! Join the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/qLav1PflIBU?si=kWj6vIy0NsAb3kgY

Good stuff from @finchfrii.bsky.social @jcohenwrites.bsky.social

Join our Post-Primary Political Consultant Roundtable on Tuesday at 7:30p! Consultants behind local campaigns will provide insight and analysis behind the primary election results and what’s in store for the general election and beyond! #SEAelex #WAelex

Shannon Cheng, my colleague of 5 years, the producer of @hacksandwonks.bsky.social and one of my favorite people walking the earth, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Early detection likely saved her life. Shannon urges everyone to get their preventative screenings ON TIME as recommended!

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @jcohenwrites.bsky.social discuss: ❤️‍🩹 A Hacks & Wonks update 🗳️ Primary election results! 👀 Seattle: Mayor, City Attorney, City Council seats 💵 Seattle Democracy Vouchers 🥊 King County: Executive, D5 Council seat 🤓 Takeaways #SEAelex #WAvotes

👀 Check out a side-by-side comparison of Jamie Fackler, Eddie Lin, and Jeanie Chunn from the lightning rounds in our Seattle City Council District 2 candidate interviews! 👀 #SEAelex

This is super helpful!

Candidates won't be the only things on the ballots that arrive in Seattle this week. Proposition 1 to renew the Democracy Vouchers program is also on the ballot. It's a big deal but flying under the radar, so please spread the word!

So I had to break my tried and true method of giving Mr. Burien Cat Lady (who does not follow politics) an edible and asking him to do a vibe check. He scrolled insta for both candidates, compared the handy @hacksandwonks.bsky.social side by side: www.officialhacksandwonks.com/hacks-wonks-...

This is a very informative and approachable dive into what the heck a democracy voucher is. Subscribe to Hacks & Wonks if you haven’t already!

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss: 🙅 End of Denny Blaine nudity 🗳️ Ballots arriving and new endorsements 🐀 Hot Rat Summer 📸 Seattle police cameras ❌ Harrell cancels safety upgrades 💸 Business pours $ in WA Senate races

This is a super-handy guide, but if you have the time I recommend listening to the full interviews, too. Hacks & Wonks is my favorite resource for learning more about local candidates.

Seattle's Democracy Vouchers are on the August ballot! Proposition 1 would renew funding for the 1st system in the U.S. that gives residents public money to support local candidates of their choice. An advocate and professor who has studied the program help us understand what's at stake. #SEAelex

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @ericacbarnett.bsky.social discuss: ⚖️ No Wilson charges yet 💬 Pro-Harrell message testing poll 🔄 Moore replacement apps are in 👑 Bills expand Davison/Police power 🔎 SPD asks to end consent decree 🤖 Pierce Co Sheriff gets bad advice from ChatGPT

Trying to figure out where the King County Executive candidates stand? We’ve got you covered! 👀 Check out a side-by-side comparison of Girmay Zahilay and Claudia Balducci from the lightning rounds in our King County Executive candidate interviews!

Enjoyed this convo with @jcohenwrites.bsky.social from Cascade PBS!

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @jcohenwrites.bsky.social discuss: 🎯 WA top target in Medicaid cuts 😬 KC Assessor Wilson arrested 🚔 Barnes confirmed as police chief 💰 Possible sales tax increase for public safety 🏗️ Rinck revives Morales’ community dev program

King County Executive candidate Claudia Balducci outlines her approach to the region's biggest challenges, emphasizing housing affordability, prevention-focused public safety & regional coordination.

I look forward to this Week-in-Review every Friday! You should check it out.

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @kromandavid.bsky.social discuss: 👀 NYC mayoral race hints at Seattle’s? 💰 Seattle biz tax revamp? 🚔 Pursuit GPS trackers & digital billboards 📷 License plate readers proliferate in WA 🏘️ Affordable housing industry crisis #SEAelex

King County Executive candidate Girmay Zahilay details plans for the region's biggest challenges, including homelessness, public safety & housing affordability.

Another week-in-review with @robertcruickshank.com’s sharp analysis

Hey Seattle D2, check out this fun side by side of some of our council candidates!

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @robertcruickshank.com discuss: 👑 ‘No Kings’ protests ⚕️ WA immigrants' health data shared w/ feds 🏘️ Housing First works well 🚍 Saka erases advocates, makes deal w/ Curby 🤑 RealPage ban delayed 🎒 School waitlists lifted

👀 Check out a side-by-side comparison of Jamie Fackler, Eddie Lin, and Jeanie Chunn from the lightning rounds in our Seattle City Council District 2 candidate interviews! 👀 #SEAelex

What happens when you trust low-income families with no-strings-attached cash? Tacoma's $500/month guaranteed income experiment shattered myths about poverty and public assistance. #gbi #ubi #basicincome

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Trying to figure out where the Seattle City Attorney challengers differ? Here’s a handy guide! #SEAelex

We also made a list of elected officials in WA, in case you don’t want to follow everyone in a starter pack. It’s important to know what our electeds are (or aren’t) saying and doing right now👇🏾

We have a starter pack of elected officials in WA on BlueSky Let us know if anyone needs to be added! bsky.app/profile/did:...

I always enjoy recapping the week with @ericacbarnett.bsky.social of @publicola.bsky.social!

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @ericacbarnett.bsky.social discuss: 👋 Cathy Moore resigning 🗳️ Kshama Sawant running for Congress 😬 KC Assessor John Wilson won't resign despite calls 🚔 Diaz/Tompkins updates 🏳️‍🌈 WA State Patrol interrupts Pride flag ceremony

Our final District 2 primary interview: Jeanie Chunn, candidate for Seattle City Council District 2, shares her stance on housing affordability, small business support, & more while advocating for significant changes to the city's approach to public safety, housing & budget priorities #SEAelex

Tell me what I should ask them!

What questions should we ask the King County Executive candidates? What do you want to know from them?

Eddie Lin, running for Seattle City Council in District 2, shares his stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while emphasizing his government experience and commitment to community-driven solutions #SEAelex

On this week-in-review, @finchfrii.bsky.social and @jcohenwrites.bsky.social discuss: 🏳️‍⚧️ “Protect Our Kids” anti-trans rally & counterprotests 📉 Every Seattle elected = negative approval 🏘️ Seattle's interim missing middle housing 🤦 Behavioral health facilities stymied ✅ Seattle candidate forum 6/4