Founded by artist Hala Saleh in April 2025, Ya Hala is a lively pop-up community space for Seattle-area Palestinians.

In a phone interview with journalist Bri Little for CHUM News, Saleh reflected on Ya Hala’s first year, and previewed what’s in store in 2026:

www.chum.news/ya-halas-fir...

We’re so jazzed to announce that Luther Hughes and Naomi Day are stepping in as CHUM’s poetry and fiction editor, respectively.

CHUM’s new dynamic duo met up at the Cedar Tea House to share more about their goals as stewards of CHUM’s literary efforts.

Read more:
www.chum.news/naomi-luther...

Peek at Seattle painter Nahom Ghirmay’s artwork and you’ll notice soft hues, slightly uncanny proportions, and a generally gentle, dream-like appearance.

That artistic style is the product of a years-long creative process—as well as an extended personal journey:

www.chum.news/artistconvon...

In our latest “Dining & Writing” dispatch, writer Eric Olson grabs lunch with author Diana Xin at the legendary Tai Tung to discuss her debut short story collection.

“Even more than the food, Xin’s stories offer a lot to chew on,” Olson writes in his hearty review. 🥘

www.chum.news/dining-writi...

If you spent any time in Seattle’s grunge scene in the ‘80s/‘90s, you likely ran into local photographer and scene insider Bootsy Holler.

Holler’s recently published photo book, MAKiNG iT, revisits that era. We interviewed her to get the story behind the story:

www.chum.news/makingitboot...

We can now receive tax-deductible donations thanks to our sponsorship by SEED, a local nonprofit!

CHUM’s funding goes directly to writers, artists, and others to share Seattle stories/news w you.

Consider supporting CHUM, or any of the other amazing orgs below:

secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/...

On assignment for CHUM News, Seattle photographer David Jaewon Oh scoped out the Woodland Park Gran Prix: a lively, boozy, day-festival-like cycling competition featuring 1,000+ racers—and, perhaps, the largest tandem-bike race in the world. (Citation pending.)

www.chum.news/woodland-par...

Author @maxdelsohn.bsky.social’s first-ever published book, Crawl, a series of short stories about transmasc life in Seattle in the 2010s, is the most delightful—and sometimes also devastating—thing we’ve read this year.

The first in our “Dining and Writing” series:

www.chum.news/dining-writi...

Give us a follow on here @chum.news, sign up for our free monthly newsletter (chum.news), or become a monthly paid supporter (ko-fi.com/chumnews) — you get a sweet, locally printed tote bag!

Last month, artists’ collective Common Area Maintenance bought a 30,000-square-foot building in Belltown for 20 dollars. 🏗️ What comes next?

CHUM News went on a tour of CAM’s new property, the 115-year-old El Rey, to learn more:

www.chum.news/chum-tours-e...

We’re huge fans of Seattle Bike Blog and their endorsement means so much! Hooray for local independent media 🚲🤝🐟

🚨 NEW SEATTLE PUBLICATION ALERT 🚨 @chum.news just went live a few minutes ago. “An online media outlet covering Seattle culture & society in all its eccentricity.” www.chum.news (I’m not part of it, just excited for a new indie Seattle culture mag)