SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

A political earthquake could shake Los Angeles and the nation

Jun 25, 2019, 4:32 PM

los angeles...

In this May 10, 2018 file photo, a homeless person sits at his tent along the Interstate 110 freeway downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

(AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Frustration, rage and disgust over the homeless crisis in Los Angeles threatens a political revolution that could bring profound nationwide consequences. A group of activists has mounted a campaign to recall Mayor Eric Garcetti for his smug, inept handling about the swelling plague of transient encampments, filthy streets and homeless crime, despite authorization for more than a billion dollars in added spending to counter the problems.

Fascinated with the destructive power of politics

The more local government spends on homeless services, the more transients flock to the city and befoul its streets and parks. If the activists get 300,000 signatures on their petitions, Garcetti could be voted out of office in the middle of his term—sending a message to cities everywhere that the public’s fed up with feckless coddling as quality of life, public health, and common decency disastrously decline.

If Garcetti is compelled to face the indignant populace, he won’t be the last local official forced to do so.

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General ...

Associated Press

‘We’re not giving up’: Beset by climate change, island nations act as conscience of a warming world

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — When Palau President Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. recently took his children to his nation’s Helen Island, two-thirds of it was gone. Rising seas caused by climate change had swallowed generational burial grounds, washing away a people’s entire culture and identity. “For us, it’s devastating,” Whipps told The Associated Press on Friday, […]

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Chinese Vice President Han Zheng speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assem...

Associated Press

China, as usual, uses UN speech to promote global development as solution to world’s challenges

NEW YORK (AP) — A day after his boss met with President Donald Trump in Washington, China’s vice president unfurled the nation’s familiar list of global talking points, emphasizing development, issuing mild statements about the U.S. war with Iran, artificial intelligence and protectionism, and making no direct mention of Taiwan. Han Zheng’s speech to the […]

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FILE - Michael Davis, of Bellwood, Ala., picks up a sign supporting Doug Jones for governor after a...

Associated Press

Southern Democrats see hope for first time in years, seek to build on discontent of midterm voters

DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) — People crowded shoulder to shoulder upstairs in a south Alabama coffee shop, in a region sometimes called the reddest in the heavily conservative state. They were there to hear Doug Jones, the Democratic nominee for governor and the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama. “Alabama has been under Republican […]

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Associated Press

Roads flood in New Jersey, inundate some homes, as major signs of nor’easter take shape

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — More than 70,000 customers were without electricity in the U.S. Northeast on Saturday, the sign of a powerful nor’easter expected to create dangerous conditions through the weekend. Forecasters warned of gale winds that could down trees and heavy inundations that could put roads underwater. Tens of millions of people are in […]

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., talks about the policies of President Donald Trump a...

Associated Press

House Democrats plan vast oversight of Trump administration. Impeachment is an option

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are preparing a vast oversight agenda, with investigations of President Donald Trump, his family and his administration if the party sweeps control of the chamber from Republicans in the November elections. The undertaking is a robust as it is daunting, spanning several House committees. With majority power comes bigger budgets […]

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seattle police response times...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘We’re chasing our tail’: KIRO hosts warn Seattle’s 911 response times reveal a problem no new chief can fix alone

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A political earthquake could shake Los Angeles and the nation