Week In Review Week in Review: drug prosecution, Seattle City Council, and CCA carbon impacts
10 snips
Jan 9, 2026 Hannah Murphy Winter, the editor-in-chief of The Stranger, joins the discussion alongside Seattle Times editorial board member Alex Fryer and political consultant Sandeep Kaushik. The trio dives into the complexities of Seattle's recent drug policy shifts, examining new approaches to diversion programs and the cultural hurdles within the police union. They also analyze the evolving dynamics of the City Council and its impact on homelessness policy, punctuated by insights on climate accountability. Expect a mix of serious issues and lighter local anecdotes!
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Federal Enforcement Creates New Local Paradigm
- Federal immigration raids and shootings in multiple cities signal a new confrontational paradigm between local leaders and federal enforcement.
- Hannah Murphy Winter and Sandeep Kaushik note local officials are scrambling for creative tools because existing local mechanisms are inadequate.
Authority vs. Accountability
- Federal agents have legal authority to operate in cities but lack of transparency and accountability undermines trust.
- Alex Fryer emphasized local police can refuse cooperation and highlight professionalism differences without confronting federal agents on the street.
Drug Diversion Kerfuffle Was Mostly Overblown
- A memo about diverting low-level drug cases to LEAD triggered outsized backlash from SPOG and right-wing media.
- Panelists argued the change was modest, procedural, and consistent with campaign promises, not a wholesale policy shift.