Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 2d

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.

KUOW Public Radio @kuow.org · 2d

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Gordon Padelford @gordonofseattle.bsky.social · 9d

I wrote a note along with my membership cancellation. We need real journalism and truth telling now more than ever!

I joined as a member to support local journalism. Now that you have made the unfortunate decision to lay off all your local journalists I'm no longer interested in being a member. At a time when we need reporting and truth telling more than ever, this was a bad decision, and I hope you all reconsider the move.

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 12d

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...

Cascade PBS Union @cascadepbsunion.bsky.social · 12d

actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

A press release condemning Cascade PBS’s decision to lay off its News and Investigations teams.

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Cascade PBS Union @cascadepbsunion.bsky.social · 13d

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Brandon Block @brandonblock.bsky.social · 13d

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Megan Burbank @meganburbank.bsky.social · 14d

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...

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

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 16d

I’m not gone til end of Oct so I’ll still follow up with you on that OH request. 🙂

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 16d

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

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 16d

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.

KUOW Public Radio @kuow.org · 16d

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

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 20d

Said "shift" twice in the same sentence. Need an edit button. 😞

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 20d

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Cascade PBS Newsroom @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social · 21d

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Cascade PBS Newsroom @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social · 21d

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Nate Sanford @sanfordnate.bsky.social · 22d

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...

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 23d

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...

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

KUOW Public Radio @kuow.org · 23d

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Cascade PBS Newsroom @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social · 26d

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

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 26d

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

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 27d

I’ve seen behind the curtain. Fun story out tomorrow.

Sock puppet versions of the Seattle city council plus a felt version of the plant monster from little shop of horror sitting on a paint splattered table in an art studio

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · Sep 4

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.

Cascade PBS Newsroom @cascadepbsnewsroom.bsky.social · Sep 4

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.

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

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · Sep 4

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

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

PNW News Guild (McClatchy) @pnwnewsguildmcc.bsky.social · Sep 2

Let's get clickbait out of local news.

We are a group of Idaho and Washington journalists, and our publishing company, McClatchy, wants the ability to punish us for not meeting arbitrary story quotas.

THREAD

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · Aug 29

DESC opened its new Downtown post-overdose recovery center yesterday and revamped behavioral health clinic. It is meant to provide a low-barrier space for overdose recovery, walk-in opioid treatment, counseling and connection to services and long-term care. www.cascadepbs.org/news/2025/08...

ORCA overdose treatment center opens in Downtown Seattle

The location will provide low-barrier access to overdose recovery space and walk-in services — things first responders say the city has been missing.

www.cascadepbs.org

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Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · Aug 28

A hilarious statement from King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer

Screenshot of a press release that reads: I always thought hell would freeze over before federal way got light rail, but I am very happy that South King County is getting an early Christmas gift on December 6th before the busy holiday season. For those who have been patiently waiting and paying, this is our own Polar Express and I am grateful to the board for accelerating the opening of link light rail in federal way.

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Reposted by Josh Cohen

Nate Sanford @sanfordnate.bsky.social · Aug 27

GovGPT Part Two:

As public officials experiment with generative AI, policies are still being written — sometimes with help from ChatGPT
www.cascadepbs.org/news/2025/08...

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