Josh Cohen
@jcohenwrites.bsky.social
Former City Reporter at Cascade PBS covering the issues, government, and politics shaping life in Seattle.
Seattle politics nerds explaining the next week of ballot counting
a man is writing on a whiteboard with the words it 's simple math written below him
Alt: a man is writing on a whiteboard with the words it 's simple math written below him
media.tenor.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Seattle politics nerds explaining the next week of ballot counting
Reposted by Josh Cohen
The general wisdom is that Wednesday is a continuation of election night and Thursday is when the lefty trend shows up. Nonetheless, this gives Harrell a bigger cushion heading into tomorrow and Friday.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell gained another point on progressive challenger Katie Wilson in today's ballot drop, which added about ~21,000 ballots. She trails by 8 points.
Expected bigger counts tomorrow and Friday, which are typically more progressive-favoring. Comeback still possible.
Expected bigger counts tomorrow and Friday, which are typically more progressive-favoring. Comeback still possible.
November 5, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The general wisdom is that Wednesday is a continuation of election night and Thursday is when the lefty trend shows up. Nonetheless, this gives Harrell a bigger cushion heading into tomorrow and Friday.
Bruce Harrell leads Katie Wilson 53% to 46% in the first ballot count tonight. It's not unusual for the more progressive candidate to trail in the first drop and that gap will certainly narrow in later counts. Especially since so many people seem to have voted at the last second this election.
November 5, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Bruce Harrell leads Katie Wilson 53% to 46% in the first ballot count tonight. It's not unusual for the more progressive candidate to trail in the first drop and that gap will certainly narrow in later counts. Especially since so many people seem to have voted at the last second this election.
Crosscut is dead. Long live Crosscut. Today’s the official last day for me and my Cascade PBS newsroom colleagues. We did good work over the decades and it is supremely sad to see it shut down.
October 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Crosscut is dead. Long live Crosscut. Today’s the official last day for me and my Cascade PBS newsroom colleagues. We did good work over the decades and it is supremely sad to see it shut down.
Reposted by Josh Cohen
On Sept. 22, @cascadepbs.bsky.social announced it would eliminate its News and Investigations teams, laying off 9 @newsguild.org journalists. Here’s how you can help: www.gofundme.com/f/support-ca...
October 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
On Sept. 22, @cascadepbs.bsky.social announced it would eliminate its News and Investigations teams, laying off 9 @newsguild.org journalists. Here’s how you can help: www.gofundme.com/f/support-ca...
This is an unhealthy way to live
October 11, 2025 at 4:40 AM
This is an unhealthy way to live
Really good reporting from @ashleyhiruko.bsky.social on shelter beds being paid for but left unfilled, seemingly in part over a deputy mayor's personal dislike of a prominent Seattle homelessness services provider.
By December, Seattle taxpayers were paying a hefty $4,200 a month per empty room — at a time when thousands of Seattleites were without a roof over their heads.
Seattle paid for shelter beds that it left vacant despite a massive need for housing
Early last year, the city signed a $2.7 million lease extension to continue using a hotel’s rooms as shelter space. Yet despite committing to pay the rent, the city stopped sending people there.
www.kuow.org
October 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Really good reporting from @ashleyhiruko.bsky.social on shelter beds being paid for but left unfilled, seemingly in part over a deputy mayor's personal dislike of a prominent Seattle homelessness services provider.
Reposted by Josh Cohen
I wrote a note along with my membership cancellation. We need real journalism and truth telling now more than ever!
September 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I wrote a note along with my membership cancellation. We need real journalism and truth telling now more than ever!
We are deeply upset with Cascade PBS execs' decision to eliminate the news operation and lay everyone off. It's been wonderful to see the outpouring of support and anger folks have shown this week. If you want to share that anger with the bosses, we'd appreciate it. actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
September 26, 2025 at 7:09 PM
We are deeply upset with Cascade PBS execs' decision to eliminate the news operation and lay everyone off. It's been wonderful to see the outpouring of support and anger folks have shown this week. If you want to share that anger with the bosses, we'd appreciate it. actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
Reposted by Josh Cohen
It’s difficult to find the words to express how our unit is feeling right now, but we’ll take a stab at it: shocked, disappointed, angry, gutted. @cascadepbs.bsky.social’s choice to eliminate long-form written reporting is a massive loss for our community in a critical moment. tinyurl.com/LayoffFund
Donate to Support Cascade PBS journalists after online newsroom axed, organized by Isabella Breda
On Monday, Sept. 22, Cascade PBS announced that it would be s… Isabella Breda needs your support for Support Cascade PBS journalists after online newsroom axed
tinyurl.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It’s difficult to find the words to express how our unit is feeling right now, but we’ll take a stab at it: shocked, disappointed, angry, gutted. @cascadepbs.bsky.social’s choice to eliminate long-form written reporting is a massive loss for our community in a critical moment. tinyurl.com/LayoffFund
Reposted by Josh Cohen
New investigation: Auditors flagged dozens of payments to Lance Benson’s property management company as suspected fraud. But county leaders chose to go after the nonprofit aid distributor instead. www.cascadepbs.org/investigatio...
Olympia ‘Diaper Guy’ named in $940K rent aid fraud investigation
Auditors flagged dozens of payments to Lance Benson’s property management company as suspected fraud. But county leaders chose to go after the nonprofit aid distributor instead.
www.cascadepbs.org
September 25, 2025 at 6:23 PM
New investigation: Auditors flagged dozens of payments to Lance Benson’s property management company as suspected fraud. But county leaders chose to go after the nonprofit aid distributor instead. www.cascadepbs.org/investigatio...
Reposted by Josh Cohen
The last story I edited before Monday's news was @laureldemkovich.bsky.social's excellent examination of Bob Ferguson's first 8 months as governor, a tenure marked by low public approval, decisions baffling to Dems and Republicans, and reduced press availability.
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
The Curse of the Middle Guy: Ferguson’s first 8 months as governor
Expectations were high for Bob Ferguson. For many across the political spectrum, the reality has been baffling and disappointing. What happened?
www.cascadepbs.org
September 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
The last story I edited before Monday's news was @laureldemkovich.bsky.social's excellent examination of Bob Ferguson's first 8 months as governor, a tenure marked by low public approval, decisions baffling to Dems and Republicans, and reduced press availability.
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
I'm touched by the little shout out in this piece. And am of course glad for the recognition it gives to my many wonderful colleagues who are also getting the axe. Thanks @ericacbarnett.bsky.social! publicola.com/2025/09/22/c...
Cascade PBS Lays Off News Staff, Citing Federal Cuts - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett Cascade Public Media, the Seattle-based PBS affiliate that owns the long-running website Crosscut, is laying off…
publicola.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:58 PM
I'm touched by the little shout out in this piece. And am of course glad for the recognition it gives to my many wonderful colleagues who are also getting the axe. Thanks @ericacbarnett.bsky.social! publicola.com/2025/09/22/c...
It's been a bad day! For now I'll just say I can't think of a worse time to have fewer reporters and editors on the job and that I'm very glad to have a union on our side.
The move, attributed to the loss of federal funding for public media, marks the layoffs of 17 staffers and the creation of three new positions.
Seattle's Cascade PBS announces layoffs, end of online long-form journalism
The move, attributed to the loss of federal funding for public media, marks the layoffs of 17 staffers and the creation of three new positions, station President and CEO Rob Dunlop told KUOW.
www.kuow.org
September 22, 2025 at 11:20 PM
It's been a bad day! For now I'll just say I can't think of a worse time to have fewer reporters and editors on the job and that I'm very glad to have a union on our side.
Signaling a continued shift in the Seattle mayor’s race, MLK Labor voted last night to dual endorse Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell, a shift from their prior sole Harrell endorsement. www.cascadepbs.org/news/briefs/...
MLK Labor pivots to dual Harrell, Wilson endorsement for mayor
Delegates from the MLK Labor Council voted Wednesday evening to endorse both Mayor Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson in Seattle’s mayoral election. Before the primary, MLK Labor had given Harr...
www.cascadepbs.org
September 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Signaling a continued shift in the Seattle mayor’s race, MLK Labor voted last night to dual endorse Katie Wilson and Bruce Harrell, a shift from their prior sole Harrell endorsement. www.cascadepbs.org/news/briefs/...
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Lynnwood may become the latest Washington city to raise its minimum hourly wage above $20 — higher than almost anywhere in the nation. The city currently follows the state’s minimum, but advocates are gathering support for an initiative to raise wages to $20.24/hour & strengthen worker protections.
Lynnwood considers raising its minimum wage to above $20 an hour
If a new initiative to increase hourly rates by nearly $4 passes, the city would join others in Washington with the country’s highest wage floors.
www.cascadepbs.org
September 17, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Lynnwood may become the latest Washington city to raise its minimum hourly wage above $20 — higher than almost anywhere in the nation. The city currently follows the state’s minimum, but advocates are gathering support for an initiative to raise wages to $20.24/hour & strengthen worker protections.
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Little Saigon leaders held a press conference Tuesday to unveil ideas for addressing entrenched problems of drugs, crime, disorder and homelessness. The blocks around 12th and Jackson have been a hotspot for drug sales and fencing stolen goods, with the problem worsening amid the rise of fentanyl.
Little Saigon leaders share new plan to combat drugs, disorder
It includes more policing, social services, neighborhood improvements and new homeless shelters, but needs buy-in from the city, county and state.
www.cascadepbs.org
September 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Little Saigon leaders held a press conference Tuesday to unveil ideas for addressing entrenched problems of drugs, crime, disorder and homelessness. The blocks around 12th and Jackson have been a hotspot for drug sales and fencing stolen goods, with the problem worsening amid the rise of fentanyl.
Reposted by Josh Cohen
I talked with @poynterinstitute.bsky.social about how to get copies of government officials' ChatGPT histories.
FOIA around and find out:
www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
FOIA around and find out:
www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
Is your mayor using ChatGPT? Here’s how to FOIA around and find out - Poynter
Seattle PBS reporter Nate Sanford investigated how city officials throughout Washington are using generative AI. Here’s how he did it.
www.poynter.org
September 16, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I talked with @poynterinstitute.bsky.social about how to get copies of government officials' ChatGPT histories.
FOIA around and find out:
www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
FOIA around and find out:
www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
Reposted by Josh Cohen
We can’t produce fearless investigative journalism without job security and a fair contract. After almost two years of bargaining, we need your help.
Show your support for @propublica.org workers by adding your name to our petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Show your support for @propublica.org workers by adding your name to our petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Fair Contract Now for ProPublica Guild
We, the workers of ProPublica, provide our readers with deeply researched, unbiased news that holds power to account. This work is more important now than ever, but our staff can’t properly contribute...
actionnetwork.org
September 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
We can’t produce fearless investigative journalism without job security and a fair contract. After almost two years of bargaining, we need your help.
Show your support for @propublica.org workers by adding your name to our petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Show your support for @propublica.org workers by adding your name to our petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Reposted by Josh Cohen
After two years of public process to discuss potential improvements to Lake Washington Boulevard, the city has tabled the second half of the safety measures it had planned to install on the street this year.
Seattle tables safety plan for Lake Washington Boulevard after Mayor's Office weighs in
After two years of public process to discuss potential improvements to Lake Washington Boulevard, the city has tabled the second half of the safety measures it had planned to install on the street thi...
www.kuow.org
September 15, 2025 at 3:15 PM
After two years of public process to discuss potential improvements to Lake Washington Boulevard, the city has tabled the second half of the safety measures it had planned to install on the street this year.
Reposted by Josh Cohen
NEW: Seattle residents could see expanded use of artificial intelligence in permitting, customer service and more. On Thursday, Mayor Harrell announced a new 26-page AI plan that includes guidelines for training employees, evaluating tools and expanding the use of AI in city services.
Seattle Mayor Harrell announces new AI plan for city services
Seattle residents could see expanded use of artificial intelligence in permitting, public safety, customer service and more as Mayor Bruce Harrell rolls out a new framework for how the city will incor...
www.cascadepbs.org
September 12, 2025 at 9:34 PM
NEW: Seattle residents could see expanded use of artificial intelligence in permitting, customer service and more. On Thursday, Mayor Harrell announced a new 26-page AI plan that includes guidelines for training employees, evaluating tools and expanding the use of AI in city services.
Come for the chat with the anonymous artist behind @theseattlechannel.bsky.social puppet show on his motivations, goals, and process for the episodes. Stay for @photogenna.bsky.social's amazing behind-the-scenes photos. www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
On this show, Seattle’s City Council is a bunch of sock puppets
Bug eyes, blast balls and a singing SPD plant monster are all part of ‘The Seattle Channel’’s satire shining a light on city politics.
www.cascadepbs.org
September 12, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Come for the chat with the anonymous artist behind @theseattlechannel.bsky.social puppet show on his motivations, goals, and process for the episodes. Stay for @photogenna.bsky.social's amazing behind-the-scenes photos. www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
I’ve seen behind the curtain. Fun story out tomorrow.
September 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I’ve seen behind the curtain. Fun story out tomorrow.
It's an interesting debate. On one hand, it makes sense on its face to only distribute vouchers to D5 residents for their district special election. On the other, candidates will be able to collect donations from people citywide and beyond, so it does reduce the impact of the voucher program.
NEW: Next year, only residents in Seattle’s District 5 will get Democracy Vouchers, after Seattle’s Elections and Ethics Commission this week voted to limit them for the special election.
It’s the first time Seattle has had only one district on the ballot since the launch of the city’s program.
It’s the first time Seattle has had only one district on the ballot since the launch of the city’s program.
Democracy Vouchers limited to only D5 in Seattle's 2026 election
Next year, only residents in Seattle’s District 5 will get Democracy Vouchers, after Seattle’s Elections and Ethics Commission this week voted to limit them for the special election to fill a vacancy ...
www.cascadepbs.org
September 4, 2025 at 9:05 PM
It's an interesting debate. On one hand, it makes sense on its face to only distribute vouchers to D5 residents for their district special election. On the other, candidates will be able to collect donations from people citywide and beyond, so it does reduce the impact of the voucher program.
A Cascade PBS investigation found that Seattle City Light has paid out at least $5 million in settlements over the past several years, including millions to its own employees over alleged discrimination or misconduct.
Whistleblower alleges abuse and retaliation at Seattle City Light
A longtime employee says she experienced sexual harassment and assault from co-workers. Cascade PBS found SCL has already paid millions for misconduct.
www.cascadepbs.org
September 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
A Cascade PBS investigation found that Seattle City Light has paid out at least $5 million in settlements over the past several years, including millions to its own employees over alleged discrimination or misconduct.