This front of the failed war on drugs had a clear racial bias, Mayor Jenny Durkan writes on Slog this morning.
"This front of the failed war on drugs had a clear racial bias," Mayor Jenny Durkan writes on Slog this morning. GETTY

Mayor Jenny Durkan is erasing misdemeanor marijuana convictions: In a guest editorial on Slog this morning, Mayor Durkan announced that she and City Attorney Pete Holmes are asking “Seattle’s municipal court to vacate convictions and dismiss charges for misdemeanor marijuana possession.” Durkan acknowledges the racial bias in the failed war on drugs, how people are convicted for offenses that are now legal under state law, and that she hopes Seattle can set an example for other cities and state. Read the whole thing.

Sexual assault at Seattle elementary school: A former teacher aide at John Muir Elementary in southeast Seattle, Albert C. Virachismith, faces felony counts of child rape and child molestation. He allegedly assaulted a nine-year-old boy multiple times and used his position and threats of violence to keep the boy silent. Virachismith was placed on leave for another reason and only during his absence did the alleged victim come forward about the assault. Virachismith is currently being held at the King County jail in lieu of a $500,000 bail, The Seattle Times reports.

Former USA Swimming National coach accused of sexual assault: Sean Hutchinson’s apartment south of Seattle was searched by the Department of Homeland Security and local police. Hutchinson faces allegations from Ariana Kukors, former UW swimmer and current world record holder, who says Hutchinson sexually abused her from the age of 16 to 24.

Harassed by free Amazon packages: A Boston couple keeps getting free, unsolicited Amazon orders. Experts — ominously vague — say the couple is probably being used to manipulate Amazon reviews. The anonymous sender is likely bolstering the reviews for their own product. The future is weird.

Blabbermouth Podcast: Trump's Hair Flip, Military Parades, Blue Waves, and a Unique Fight Over Facebook Ads

Yikes! Could be us one day!


$400,000 jewelry heist on I-5: A man was robbed on his way to a jeweler-client in Seattle. One vehicle pulled in front of the victim’s vehicle, causing him to stop short, while another rammed the victim’s car from behind. The thieves smashed his windows, grabbed his $400,000 worth of jewelry, phone, key fob, and a large suitcase from the trunk. His stolen phone was tracked to somewhere along 42nd Street in the University District. This is the fourth in a string of similar robberies in the Seattle area over the past several years.

16-year-old shot in the head in South Park: The victim, a 16-year-old boy, was shot in the head last night and taken to Harborview in critical condition. Police have been unable to locate the suspect who remains at large.


Russia penetrated U.S. voting systems during 2016 election: Top U.S. officials confirmed that Russia successfully penetrated the voter registration rolls of several U.S. states. 21 states were targeted by only a small number were penetrated, according to Jeanette Manfra, head of cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security. I’ve never typed the word “penetrated” so much before 7 a.m. Thanks, Russia.

Eagles fans are flocking to their team’s victory parade:


Seattle City Light settles discrimination complaints with $375,000 settlement: Three women in 2014 filed complaints that throughout their long careers at Seattle City Light they were discriminated against. Their complaints also allege that the Human Resources director did nothing, ignored the women’s complaints, and was quick to retaliate after they spoke out. The settlement was reached last spring but only made public now. None of the three women work at Seattle City Light anymore but the HR director remains in her position.

Trump’s staff secretary ousted after domestic abuse allegations: Rob Porter, Trump’s staff secretary, allegedly domestically abused his two ex-wives. The White House, upon first hearing these claims, defended Porter. However, when detailed allegations and documents depicting the verbal and physical abuse his two ex-wives suffered emerged, the White House backtracked. Two sources say that in November the FBI informed the White House about Porter’s domestic abuse allegations.

Sinkhole in Renton trying to draw us into the void, the abyss: The 15-foot-deep-sinkhole was supposedly caused by a broken stormwater pipe. Or, it’s the Earth saying “enough is enough” and opening its gaping maw to consume us once and for all. But, also, the pipe thing seems valid, too. All of Rainier Avenue is closed.

Nancy Pelosi speaks about DACA for 8 hours, breaks record: It was the longest speech in House history. For 8 hours, Pelosi spoke about Dreamers who had come to America as children. The speech was in opposition to the proposed budget deal because it did not address immigration issues.



Traffic update this morning:



It seems our first responders are good at clearing messes.

An update from my alley: It goes through various phases of disarray. The alley changes like the moon. Sometimes, it’ll be clear and wide-open. You can walk or drive through without stepping on broken mirrors or dodging old mattresses. This is not most times, however. Hence why the man a couple houses down from me had to install security cameras. Illegal dumping and all that. There are always surprises lurking in the shadows of the alley. For a lot of people, the alley is a treasure trove.

Non-residents of all walks of life meander through looking for who knows what. A man with a walking stick, long, untamed hair, and a backpack will peek into every trash can. One time, in the middle of the night, I was startled by a man popping out of a dumpster as I walked by, a flashlight balanced between his teeth. I don’t mind, really. I know I throw away a lot —too much, definitely. Someone minds, though.

Recently, I was leaving my house via the alley and it was empty. That’s not unusual, especially depending on the weather and the time of day. It wasn’t raining. But, a legion of SPD bike officers was working its way from end to end of the alley. They were cruising slowly.

After, it was eerily quiet. The trash and debris remained in their wake. Yet, I thought, SPD is good at clearing things, too.


Tonight’s best Seattle entertainment bets include: Capitol Hill Art Walk, Salt and Straw’s $1 Scoop Pop-Up in Ballard, and the Dark Star Orchestra concert downtown.