Philip LaRose
@philaros.bsky.social
Editor, music lover, KEXP volunteer, board/role-playing gamer, Go Play NW organizer. He/him.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
it remains utterly delightful that @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social—who I bet has never watched an NFL game— gets to be Mayor Football and not the guy who constantly talked about his football career in the '70s, hired his football buddies, and dropped at least one football reference in every speech
February 9, 2026 at 3:06 AM
it remains utterly delightful that @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social—who I bet has never watched an NFL game— gets to be Mayor Football and not the guy who constantly talked about his football career in the '70s, hired his football buddies, and dropped at least one football reference in every speech
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Hey look, yet another pilot that shows GBI (guaranteed basic income) works. Meeting people's basic needs works. Housing, food, health care, education.
"By the end of the two-year period, 94% of participants reported they were housed."
A million pilot programs show the same thing: when people are given enough money to afford housing, homelessness ends.
Other supports matter, but housing comes first. Not policing. Not moralizing. Homes.
A million pilot programs show the same thing: when people are given enough money to afford housing, homelessness ends.
Other supports matter, but housing comes first. Not policing. Not moralizing. Homes.
Homeless Oregon youth got $1,000 a month for two years. Most found housing after • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon is the second of its kind in the nation to implement the direct cash transfer program after New York City.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Hey look, yet another pilot that shows GBI (guaranteed basic income) works. Meeting people's basic needs works. Housing, food, health care, education.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
In the coming days you might well hear arguments that surveillance is the answer to the tragedy of gun violence, and therefore Seattle shouldn't turn off SPD's cameras. I urge you to interrogate this framing.
February 2, 2026 at 7:54 PM
In the coming days you might well hear arguments that surveillance is the answer to the tragedy of gun violence, and therefore Seattle shouldn't turn off SPD's cameras. I urge you to interrogate this framing.
While I still think Durkan was the worst mayor we’ve had at least in the 24 years I’ve lived here, Harrell may actually have done more long-term harm to Seattle as a tool of the obstructionist wealthy. Hopefully Wilson will be able to remediate this mess.
NEW STORY // OPCD Further Trims Corridor Upzones in Newly Unveiled Seattle Zoning Maps
Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/30/o...
Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/30/o...
OPCD Further Trims Corridor Upzones in Newly Unveiled Seattle Zoning Maps » The Urbanist
# Zoning maps for 30 new neighborhood growth centers, a handful of urban center expansions, and narrow transit corridor rezones dropped on Thursday. With the patchy current vision driven by the Harrel...
www.theurbanist.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:47 AM
While I still think Durkan was the worst mayor we’ve had at least in the 24 years I’ve lived here, Harrell may actually have done more long-term harm to Seattle as a tool of the obstructionist wealthy. Hopefully Wilson will be able to remediate this mess.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Game submissions are now open for our online event! Submit a game to run and join us on Discord goplaynw.org/online/run-a...
January 30, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Game submissions are now open for our online event! Submit a game to run and join us on Discord goplaynw.org/online/run-a...
Kettle continues to be unfit to serve as a councilmember and it’s a shame we have to put up with him at least another couple years. I hope we get a better candidate for District 7 in 2027.
At full council, the first commenter denounced Councilmember Bob Kettle's decision to allow the prosecutor to display unredacted, identifiable photos of raped and brutalized women and graphically describe their abuse, listing objects men penetrated them with and using terms like "cum dumpster."
The King County Prosecutor's Office is currently doing an exceptionally exploitative presentation about sex trafficking to the Seattle City Council that includes slides of identifiable bloodied, brutalized women and identifiable women who are nude or nearly nude.
January 28, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Kettle continues to be unfit to serve as a councilmember and it’s a shame we have to put up with him at least another couple years. I hope we get a better candidate for District 7 in 2027.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
STORY // Op-Ed: Shortening Seattle Park Hours Was Misguided, Failed to Promote Safety
Op-Ed by Pauly Tarricone, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/24/o...
Op-Ed by Pauly Tarricone, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/24/o...
Op-Ed: Shortening Seattle Park Hours Was Misguided, Failed to Promote Safety » The Urbanist
# Seattle’s Summer Safety Plan and its earlier closing time for city parks is bad news for people who count on evening park access, including artistic communities. Crime data does not support the clai...
www.theurbanist.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:44 PM
STORY // Op-Ed: Shortening Seattle Park Hours Was Misguided, Failed to Promote Safety
Op-Ed by Pauly Tarricone, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/24/o...
Op-Ed by Pauly Tarricone, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/24/o...
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Journalists have been repeating again and again that the CARE program is not being allowed to operate as designed. If the two chiefs haven't even met? Not a single time? This sends a LOUD message about priorities from SPD and Chief Barnes.
Seattle's crisis response team leader Amy Barden hasn't met with Police Chief Shon Barnes since Bruce Harrell appointed him in 2024, despite the fact that the two departments are supposed to work together to decide which 911 calls require cops and which require a social work/mental health response.
Two Years In, CARE Chief Amy Barden Says Her Crisis Response Team Still Faces Roadblocks
It's the latest episode of Seattle Nice!
publicola.com/2026/01/26/t...
It's the latest episode of Seattle Nice!
publicola.com/2026/01/26/t...
January 26, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Journalists have been repeating again and again that the CARE program is not being allowed to operate as designed. If the two chiefs haven't even met? Not a single time? This sends a LOUD message about priorities from SPD and Chief Barnes.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
One thing I learned through reporting today: The mayor can change this rule through an administrative rulemaking process. It doesn’t even require legislation!
@mayorofseattle.bsky.social I know you are busy, but can you find time to make it clear who SPD serves and protects?
A judge just issued a partial (but significant) ruling against the Seattle Police Department in the Seattle Times' lawsuit challenging SPD's "grouping" policy, in which SPD refuses to work on more than one records request at a time, giving false "placeholder" dates for every subsequent request.
January 27, 2026 at 12:15 AM
One thing I learned through reporting today: The mayor can change this rule through an administrative rulemaking process. It doesn’t even require legislation!
Wasn’t it just last month though that the Market board or some similar authority was still claiming this was bad for the Market, no one wants it, and they intend to abolish it? What will it take to get the board to see sense—mass retirement and replacement of the board members?
December Pedestrianized Pike Place Pilot numbers are in, and drum roll please…
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Sales are up again! (7.1%). Sales at the market have beat expectations every month of the pilot so far. Take a moment of zen and join me this video stroll down the festive street last month.
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Sales are up again! (7.1%). Sales at the market have beat expectations every month of the pilot so far. Take a moment of zen and join me this video stroll down the festive street last month.
January 22, 2026 at 5:56 AM
Wasn’t it just last month though that the Market board or some similar authority was still claiming this was bad for the Market, no one wants it, and they intend to abolish it? What will it take to get the board to see sense—mass retirement and replacement of the board members?
Reposted by Philip LaRose
This dude is 3D printing anti-ICE whistles to give for free to protesters in Minneapolis. He needs filament to make them, so if you'd like to help him out, here's a link where you can toss him a few bucks.
heroprops.art/checkout/don...
heroprops.art/checkout/don...
Seán McArdle & Hero Props! | Donate
heroprops.art
January 17, 2026 at 3:24 PM
This dude is 3D printing anti-ICE whistles to give for free to protesters in Minneapolis. He needs filament to make them, so if you'd like to help him out, here's a link where you can toss him a few bucks.
heroprops.art/checkout/don...
heroprops.art/checkout/don...
This is great news (along with her order to expedite emergency housing), but even an extended bus lane won’t solve the problem of drivers routinely blocking the Stewart and Denny intersection, despite the supposed presence of a traffic camera, so they too can get to the Yale Ave onramp.
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Story by Doug Trumm, via @theurbanist.org // 🔗
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/15/k...
Katie Wilson Orders Denny Bus Lane to Help Route 8 Riders » The Urbanist
# Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson rolled out two executive orders on Thursday morning, seeking to get major initiatives rolling: expanding emergency housing for homeless residents and bus lanes to speed up...
www.theurbanist.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:48 AM
This is great news (along with her order to expedite emergency housing), but even an extended bus lane won’t solve the problem of drivers routinely blocking the Stewart and Denny intersection, despite the supposed presence of a traffic camera, so they too can get to the Yale Ave onramp.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Reposted by Philip LaRose
and I feel like we were steadily heading in that direction for a half century (as i type on a shard of glass) and then this dude showed up, and a few other dudes like him, and now we’re in the mirror universe where people are trying to bring back slaves.
"We want to make Star Trek real," said Elon Musk.
"We want to make Starfleet Academy real so that it's not always science fiction, but one day the science fiction turns to science fact."
"We want to make Starfleet Academy real so that it's not always science fiction, but one day the science fiction turns to science fact."
January 13, 2026 at 11:46 PM
and I feel like we were steadily heading in that direction for a half century (as i type on a shard of glass) and then this dude showed up, and a few other dudes like him, and now we’re in the mirror universe where people are trying to bring back slaves.
I’m not *in* this video, but I was fortunate to be there behind the scenes to watch the taping, so I can tell you it’s a great performance and interview by Abbie, check it out!
So stoked and blessed to have hosted the dynamo duo, Sextile Live on KEXP! Check it out and DANCE yr a$$ off with me: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOrM...
Sextile - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
YouTube video by KEXP
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:24 AM
I’m not *in* this video, but I was fortunate to be there behind the scenes to watch the taping, so I can tell you it’s a great performance and interview by Abbie, check it out!
Reposted by Philip LaRose
I got this press release from CM Bob Kettle. What a joke. He’s fine with ICE’s mission, he just thinks they should be more professional about it. We need better leaders than this.
January 9, 2026 at 1:14 AM
I got this press release from CM Bob Kettle. What a joke. He’s fine with ICE’s mission, he just thinks they should be more professional about it. We need better leaders than this.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
My latest @theurbanist.org: I cover Erika Evan's swearing in ceremony on Monday, as well as explaining her minor policy shift regarding public drug use/possession and diversion and how SPOG turned this minor change into a media storm.
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/07/e...
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/07/e...
Erika Evans Takes City Attorney Oath, SPOG Goes on Attack » The Urbanist
# On Monday, Erika Evans was sworn in as the first Black Seattle City Attorney, following a resounding victory over Republican incumbent Ann Davison. The Seattle police guild was already on the attack...
www.theurbanist.org
January 7, 2026 at 9:28 PM
My latest @theurbanist.org: I cover Erika Evan's swearing in ceremony on Monday, as well as explaining her minor policy shift regarding public drug use/possession and diversion and how SPOG turned this minor change into a media storm.
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/07/e...
www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/07/e...
Reposted by Philip LaRose
I just want people to remember that what this was was transparently obvious at the time and universally condemned. Hold on to that fact and don't let people change it under you.
January 6, 2026 at 7:17 AM
I just want people to remember that what this was was transparently obvious at the time and universally condemned. Hold on to that fact and don't let people change it under you.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Katie Wilson Wants a City Where People Can Do More than Just Survive
Turns out this IS the time for hope.
publicola.com/2026/01/05/k...
Turns out this IS the time for hope.
publicola.com/2026/01/05/k...
Katie Wilson Wants a City Where People Can Do More than Just Survive - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett Mayor Katie Wilson has frequently been compared to fellow Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor…
publicola.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Katie Wilson Wants a City Where People Can Do More than Just Survive
Turns out this IS the time for hope.
publicola.com/2026/01/05/k...
Turns out this IS the time for hope.
publicola.com/2026/01/05/k...
Reposted by Philip LaRose
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson Takes Office as Seattle’s Unabashed Urbanist Mayor
Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/03/k...
Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/03/k...
Katie Wilson Takes Office as Seattle’s Unabashed Urbanist Mayor » The Urbanist
# In remarks after being sworn in as Seattle's 58th mayor, Katie Wilson painted a vision of improving the daily lives of residents that was explicitly urbanist: focused around livability and ensuring ...
www.theurbanist.org
January 3, 2026 at 10:38 PM
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson Takes Office as Seattle’s Unabashed Urbanist Mayor
Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/03/k...
Story by Ryan Packer via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2026/01/03/k...
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Katie B. Wilson has just taken her oath of office and been sworn in as Seattle’s 58th mayor.
January 2, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Katie B. Wilson has just taken her oath of office and been sworn in as Seattle’s 58th mayor.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
"Mamdani walks in an older Jewish tradition. Not that of ritzy Upper East Side synagogues, but of so many of our great-grandparents: the socialist sweatshop workers who fought for a better and more beautiful world." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
They tried to smear him as an antisemite – but Mayor Zohran Mamdani walks in a rich Jewish tradition | Molly Crabapple
When I look at Mamdani, I don’t see some radical departure. I see him as an heir to the Yiddish socialism that helped build New York
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM
"Mamdani walks in an older Jewish tradition. Not that of ritzy Upper East Side synagogues, but of so many of our great-grandparents: the socialist sweatshop workers who fought for a better and more beautiful world." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Man, I should do this too, as a way of finding other coffee shops to work at—maybe I’m missing a few that keep my later hours?
Granted that “neighborhoods” can be a bit of a loose concept and it depends how small one limits it, I wonder whether there are any that have no coffee shops.
Granted that “neighborhoods” can be a bit of a loose concept and it depends how small one limits it, I wonder whether there are any that have no coffee shops.
Starting a new project in 2026: trying to drink a coffee in as many Seattle neighborhoods as I possibly can.
Seattle's coffee scene is truly one of my favorite things about this city and this will be a great excuse to fully explore it.
Seattle's coffee scene is truly one of my favorite things about this city and this will be a great excuse to fully explore it.
January 2, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Man, I should do this too, as a way of finding other coffee shops to work at—maybe I’m missing a few that keep my later hours?
Granted that “neighborhoods” can be a bit of a loose concept and it depends how small one limits it, I wonder whether there are any that have no coffee shops.
Granted that “neighborhoods” can be a bit of a loose concept and it depends how small one limits it, I wonder whether there are any that have no coffee shops.
I’d ask whether we could build a classy City Hall station by tomorrow for Wilson’s swearing in, but I remembered how Constantine and Harrell delayed ST3 by advocating for the N/S of CID alignment, worse for riders and ridership, in part as a new county campus concept that’ll never happen.
January 1, 2026 at 10:48 PM
I’d ask whether we could build a classy City Hall station by tomorrow for Wilson’s swearing in, but I remembered how Constantine and Harrell delayed ST3 by advocating for the N/S of CID alignment, worse for riders and ridership, in part as a new county campus concept that’ll never happen.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Good morning to everyone, but especially to Mayor Katie Wilson.
January 1, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Good morning to everyone, but especially to Mayor Katie Wilson.