A green graphic with the Lime scootershare and bikeshare logo says

Politics and Government

Lorena González wears a blue dress and has long brown hair.

The Urbanist’s 2021 General Endorsements

This election, Seattle can do much to advance progressive causes and elevate visionary leaders. The flip side of the coin is a possible retreat...

Meetup Video: September 2021 Meetup with Nikkita Oliver

https://youtu.be/z7X3jF0Ydp8 Seattle City Council candidate Nikkita Oliver joined The Urbanist for the September monthly meetup. During the meeting, Oliver discussed wide-ranging priorities that they would...
Police hold nightsticks in full riot gear behind a metal fence as protesters march by.

Council Rejects Pedersen’s Push for SPD Hiring and Retention Bonuses

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) has a $15 million budget surplus resulting from a high rate of officer attrition over the past two years....
A map shows the district boundaries: District 1 is West Seattle, District 2 is Southeast Seattle, District 3 is the Central Area, District 4 is Northeast Seattle, District 5 is North Seattle, District 6 is Northwest Seattle, and District 7 is Magnolia, Queen Anne and the downtown core.

2020 Census Includes Some Surprises for Seattle Council District Redistricting

Ahead of the 2023 election, the seven Seattle City Council districts are set to be redrawn using 2020 U.S. Census figures to rebalance each...
Nikkita is a Black woman. She wears rainbow hoop earrings. her curly hair to the side, and a big smile.

Nikkita Oliver Is Our Urbanist Meetup Guest on September 14th

Nikkita Oliver is our featured guest at The Urbanist's monthly meetup on September 14th. Oliver (they/them) is a community organizer, cultural worker, artist, attorney,...
Mayor Durkan stands on a sidewalk on a leafy residential block.

Durkan Text Scandal Whistleblowers Sue City for Retaliation

Whistleblowers in the scandal around Mayor Jenny Durkan's missing texts and mishandling of public records requests have filed suit against the City of Seattle...
A five-story apartment building in Issaquah at 1118 7th Ave NW/1036 7th Ave NW/600 NW Locust St.

King County Scrambling to Distribute Rent Assistance as Eviction Crisis Looms

King County officials are scrambling to distribute $145 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to tenants and are far behind schedule. Those...
A photograph showing participants holding colorful signs at a press event. The signs carry messages such as "sweeps cause harm" and "sweeps bring no compassion"

Judge Strikes ‘Compassion Seattle’ City Charter Amendment from November Ballot – Update

Update (August 31, 2021): The Compassion Seattle campaign has filed an emergency motion with the Washington Court of Appeals and is seeking a stay...