Erica C. Barnett
@ericacbarnett.bsky.social
Seattle-based reporter, cofounder (with @joshfeit.bsky.social) and editor of PubliCola.com, and author of Quitter: A Memoir of Drinking, Relapse, and Recovery
She/her, Latina, Texan
She/her, Latina, Texan
Had a great time talking about local journalism with @naomiishisaka.bsky.social, @hmwinter.bsky.social, and @florangelad.bsky.social at @townhallseattle.bsky.social tonight.
January 30, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Had a great time talking about local journalism with @naomiishisaka.bsky.social, @hmwinter.bsky.social, and @florangelad.bsky.social at @townhallseattle.bsky.social tonight.
More Big Changes at City Departments, Jamie Tompkins Has a Podcast, Mike Solan Thinks He's Cute
And much more in today's Afternoon Fizz!
publicola.com/2026/01/29/m...
And much more in today's Afternoon Fizz!
publicola.com/2026/01/29/m...
More Big Changes at City Departments, Jamie Tompkins Has a Podcast, Mike Solan Thinks He's Cute - PubliCola
1. Mike Solan, a police officer and the outgoing president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, insulted Community Assisted Response…
publicola.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:12 AM
More Big Changes at City Departments, Jamie Tompkins Has a Podcast, Mike Solan Thinks He's Cute
And much more in today's Afternoon Fizz!
publicola.com/2026/01/29/m...
And much more in today's Afternoon Fizz!
publicola.com/2026/01/29/m...
there's a lot of stuff I (prepare for heavily and) do for free, not for "exposure" but because it's fun or an interesting opportunity
but if I learn that other people are paid for the same labor, that's when it becomes 🧐
I'm not rich, just "old" (a woman over 40): fuck you, pay me still applies
but if I learn that other people are paid for the same labor, that's when it becomes 🧐
I'm not rich, just "old" (a woman over 40): fuck you, pay me still applies
January 29, 2026 at 7:48 PM
there's a lot of stuff I (prepare for heavily and) do for free, not for "exposure" but because it's fun or an interesting opportunity
but if I learn that other people are paid for the same labor, that's when it becomes 🧐
I'm not rich, just "old" (a woman over 40): fuck you, pay me still applies
but if I learn that other people are paid for the same labor, that's when it becomes 🧐
I'm not rich, just "old" (a woman over 40): fuck you, pay me still applies
County Prosecutors Give Lurid Presentation on Sex Work Featuring Unredacted Images of Brutalized Women to Seattle Council Committee
The point of the prurient presentation: “You can’t make sex work safe,” one deputy prosecutor said.
publicola.com/2026/01/28/c...
The point of the prurient presentation: “You can’t make sex work safe,” one deputy prosecutor said.
publicola.com/2026/01/28/c...
County Prosecutors Give Lurid Presentation on Sex Work Featuring Unredacted Images of Brutalized Women to Seattle Council Committee - PubliCola
The point of the prurient presentation: “You can’t make sex work safe,” one senior deputy prosecutor said. By Erica C.…
publicola.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:08 PM
County Prosecutors Give Lurid Presentation on Sex Work Featuring Unredacted Images of Brutalized Women to Seattle Council Committee
The point of the prurient presentation: “You can’t make sex work safe,” one deputy prosecutor said.
publicola.com/2026/01/28/c...
The point of the prurient presentation: “You can’t make sex work safe,” one deputy prosecutor said.
publicola.com/2026/01/28/c...
Former mayor Bruce Harrell remains entitled and unreflective to the end, blaming the public for not giving him enough credit for an "effective" term, @kromandavid.bsky.social reports.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Bruce Harrell says his loss didn’t cause reflection, or at least won’t show it
Bruce Harrell spent more time in Seattle City Hall than anyone currently elected combined. He said he tried to hold himself as an unflappable leader. But he lost.
www.seattletimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Former mayor Bruce Harrell remains entitled and unreflective to the end, blaming the public for not giving him enough credit for an "effective" term, @kromandavid.bsky.social reports.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Agree with the underlying point—insane draconian approaches to addiction are bad—but man I wish we could abolish "refused services" and "suspected of substance use" from our collective vocabularies.
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
Harsh drug laws won’t help WA kids. More oversight for parents will | Editorial
Hundreds of kids in jeopardy of serious harm at home are finally prompting serious attention from lawmakers. It's long overdue.
www.seattletimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Agree with the underlying point—insane draconian approaches to addiction are bad—but man I wish we could abolish "refused services" and "suspected of substance use" from our collective vocabularies.
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
SPD's Obstructive "Grouping" Policy "Violates the Public Records Act," Judge Rules
For years, the police department has withheld records from people who file more than one request by declaring every request but one inactive and ignoring them.
publicola.com/2026/01/27/s...
For years, the police department has withheld records from people who file more than one request by declaring every request but one inactive and ignoring them.
publicola.com/2026/01/27/s...
SPD's Obstructive "Grouping" Policy "Violates the Public Records Act," Judge Rules - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett King County Superior Court Judge Sandra Widian ruled on Monday that the Seattle Police Department routinely…
publicola.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:28 PM
SPD's Obstructive "Grouping" Policy "Violates the Public Records Act," Judge Rules
For years, the police department has withheld records from people who file more than one request by declaring every request but one inactive and ignoring them.
publicola.com/2026/01/27/s...
For years, the police department has withheld records from people who file more than one request by declaring every request but one inactive and ignoring them.
publicola.com/2026/01/27/s...
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 27, 2026 at 10:09 PM
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 27, 2026 at 6:14 PM
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.
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!
To clarify (see comment below): Barnes has reportedly not responded to requests for a meeting with Barden over the past 14 months.
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 27, 2026 at 12:13 AM
To clarify (see comment below): Barnes has reportedly not responded to requests for a meeting with Barden over the past 14 months.
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...
Two Years In, CARE Chief Amy Barden Says Her Crisis Response Team Still Faces Roadblocks - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett On Seattle Nice this week, our guest is Amy Barden, director of the city’s Community Assisted…
publicola.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:44 PM
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...
Two Years In, CARE Chief Amy Barden Says Her Crisis Response Team Still Faces Roadblocks - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett On Seattle Nice this week, our guest is Amy Barden, director of the city’s Community Assisted…
publicola.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:30 PM
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...
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 26, 2026 at 7:50 PM
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.
"Millionaire's Tax" Will Be Offset by Cuts to Sales and Business Taxes, Could Be Out Next Week
Many hurdles still await a statewide high-earners' income tax, but it's moving forward, senate and house proponents say.
publicola.com/2026/01/23/m...
Many hurdles still await a statewide high-earners' income tax, but it's moving forward, senate and house proponents say.
publicola.com/2026/01/23/m...
"Millionaire's Tax" Will Be Offset by Cuts to Sales and Business Taxes, Could Be Out Next Week - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett State house and senate leaders say their proposal to pass an income tax in Washington state…
publicola.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:48 PM
"Millionaire's Tax" Will Be Offset by Cuts to Sales and Business Taxes, Could Be Out Next Week
Many hurdles still await a statewide high-earners' income tax, but it's moving forward, senate and house proponents say.
publicola.com/2026/01/23/m...
Many hurdles still await a statewide high-earners' income tax, but it's moving forward, senate and house proponents say.
publicola.com/2026/01/23/m...
I'm at a court hearing on the Seattle Times' lawsuit seeking to overturn the police department's anti-disclosure public records "grouping" policy. Story to come, but SPD is arguing that journalists who file more than one request are IN FACT filing "multi-part" requests. They are not!
January 23, 2026 at 7:56 PM
I'm at a court hearing on the Seattle Times' lawsuit seeking to overturn the police department's anti-disclosure public records "grouping" policy. Story to come, but SPD is arguing that journalists who file more than one request are IN FACT filing "multi-part" requests. They are not!
UPDATED with information disputing elements of Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes' statement crediting his new chief operating officer, Sarah Smith, with developing the Real Time Crime Center and the CARE Department, and leading the city's response to fentanyl.
publicola.com/2026/01/22/s...
publicola.com/2026/01/22/s...
SPD Stands by Decision to Promote Administrative Staffer to $315,000-a-Year Top Civilian Job - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett The Seattle Police Department’s new Chief Operating Officer Sarah Smith, will make almost $315,000 a year—about…
publicola.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:21 PM
UPDATED with information disputing elements of Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes' statement crediting his new chief operating officer, Sarah Smith, with developing the Real Time Crime Center and the CARE Department, and leading the city's response to fentanyl.
publicola.com/2026/01/22/s...
publicola.com/2026/01/22/s...
Ryan makes a good point—Harrell, Seattle's Sweeps Mayor, overinterpreted a city rule on removing "obstructions" that was previously misused by the Durkan Administration to sweep people from place to place for four straight years, no City Council permission required.
Not even a month into the first progressive mayor in 16 years, and the Seattle Times is doing an immediate heel turn toward "actually it's the city council that has all the power under our system of government, and don't forget it."
Seattle Times just casually comparing Mayor Katie Wilson to Trump because she wouldn't commit to sweeping homeless people out of parks (and into other spaces, since displaced people don't just vaporize). As if any prior mayor ever swept 100% of people.
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
January 23, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Ryan makes a good point—Harrell, Seattle's Sweeps Mayor, overinterpreted a city rule on removing "obstructions" that was previously misused by the Durkan Administration to sweep people from place to place for four straight years, no City Council permission required.
Seattle Times just casually comparing Mayor Katie Wilson to Trump because she wouldn't commit to sweeping homeless people out of parks (and into other spaces, since displaced people don't just vaporize). As if any prior mayor ever swept 100% of people.
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
Encampments ‘sometimes’ allowed in Seattle parks? Not so fast | Editorial
Warning to Mayor Wilson: If city policy on camping in parks is to change, it must go through the Seattle City Council for public hearings and rigorous debate.
www.seattletimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Seattle Times just casually comparing Mayor Katie Wilson to Trump because she wouldn't commit to sweeping homeless people out of parks (and into other spaces, since displaced people don't just vaporize). As if any prior mayor ever swept 100% of people.
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
SPD Stands by Decision to Promote Administrative Staffer to $315,000-a-Year Top Civilian Job
In an announcement, the chief touted the new Chief Operating Officer's experience as a staffer to former mayor Bruce Harrell and as a program manager at the downtown YMCA.
publicola.com/2026/01/22/s...
In an announcement, the chief touted the new Chief Operating Officer's experience as a staffer to former mayor Bruce Harrell and as a program manager at the downtown YMCA.
publicola.com/2026/01/22/s...
SPD Stands by Decision to Promote Administrative Staffer to $315,000-a-Year Top Civilian Job - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett The Seattle Police Department’s new Chief Operating Officer Sarah Smith, will make almost $315,000 a year—about…
publicola.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:57 AM
SPD Stands by Decision to Promote Administrative Staffer to $315,000-a-Year Top Civilian Job
In an announcement, the chief touted the new Chief Operating Officer's experience as a staffer to former mayor Bruce Harrell and as a program manager at the downtown YMCA.
publicola.com/2026/01/22/s...
In an announcement, the chief touted the new Chief Operating Officer's experience as a staffer to former mayor Bruce Harrell and as a program manager at the downtown YMCA.
publicola.com/2026/01/22/s...
Kimberly Loving, the city's HR director, sent out an email telling staff that the appointment of Adrienne Thompson as the city's new Labor Relations director, which Loving just announced internally, "will not move forward." It's unclear if Mayor Wilson approved the appointment directly.
Mayor Wilson's Inner Circle Is the Opposite of a Boys' Club
She's also announcing new department heads at a rapid clip, replacing a dozen Harrell appointees in her first few weeks.
publicola.com/2026/01/21/m...
She's also announcing new department heads at a rapid clip, replacing a dozen Harrell appointees in her first few weeks.
publicola.com/2026/01/21/m...
Mayor Wilson's Inner Circle Is the Opposite of a Boys' Club - PubliCola
She’s also announcing new department heads at a rapid clip, replacing a dozen Harrell appointees in her first few weeks.…
publicola.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Kimberly Loving, the city's HR director, sent out an email telling staff that the appointment of Adrienne Thompson as the city's new Labor Relations director, which Loving just announced internally, "will not move forward." It's unclear if Mayor Wilson approved the appointment directly.
Mayor Wilson's Inner Circle Is the Opposite of a Boys' Club
She's also announcing new department heads at a rapid clip, replacing a dozen Harrell appointees in her first few weeks.
publicola.com/2026/01/21/m...
She's also announcing new department heads at a rapid clip, replacing a dozen Harrell appointees in her first few weeks.
publicola.com/2026/01/21/m...
Mayor Wilson's Inner Circle Is the Opposite of a Boys' Club - PubliCola
She’s also announcing new department heads at a rapid clip, replacing a dozen Harrell appointees in her first few weeks.…
publicola.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Mayor Wilson's Inner Circle Is the Opposite of a Boys' Club
She's also announcing new department heads at a rapid clip, replacing a dozen Harrell appointees in her first few weeks.
publicola.com/2026/01/21/m...
She's also announcing new department heads at a rapid clip, replacing a dozen Harrell appointees in her first few weeks.
publicola.com/2026/01/21/m...
when did we decide that it's cool, and subversive actually, for any left-of-center guy to use "bitch" as a pejorative
did I miss the vote or something?
did I miss the vote or something?
January 20, 2026 at 11:53 PM
when did we decide that it's cool, and subversive actually, for any left-of-center guy to use "bitch" as a pejorative
did I miss the vote or something?
did I miss the vote or something?
Legislation Would Open Up Commercial Areas, and Ground-Floor Spaces, to Housing
The bill would stop cities like Seattle from prohibiting housing on the ground floor. Its sponsor says it will help replace vacant retail spaces with badly needed apartments.
publicola.com/2026/01/20/l...
The bill would stop cities like Seattle from prohibiting housing on the ground floor. Its sponsor says it will help replace vacant retail spaces with badly needed apartments.
publicola.com/2026/01/20/l...
Legislation Would Open Up Commercial Areas, and Ground-Floor Spaces, to Housing - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett State Rep. (and former Seattle Office of Housing director) Emily Alvarado (D-34, West Seattle) is sponsoring…
publicola.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Legislation Would Open Up Commercial Areas, and Ground-Floor Spaces, to Housing
The bill would stop cities like Seattle from prohibiting housing on the ground floor. Its sponsor says it will help replace vacant retail spaces with badly needed apartments.
publicola.com/2026/01/20/l...
The bill would stop cities like Seattle from prohibiting housing on the ground floor. Its sponsor says it will help replace vacant retail spaces with badly needed apartments.
publicola.com/2026/01/20/l...