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Friday, January 20, 2012

News The Morning News (Here Comes the Melt)

Posted by Eli Sanders on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 8:25 AM

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn—and just about everyone else in local government—is asking you to check on your block's storm drains as the thaw arrives and "localized flooding" becomes the next big concern. The National Weather Services has issued a "flood watch" for the area, and the still-going Emergency Operations Center says:

With the thaw on the way, the City is asking residents and businesses to locate nearby storm drains in the street and — if it’s safe — to clear them of snow and debris. It’s the single most important thing people can do to protect their property and prevent water from pooling and creating traffic hazards.

In Seattle, there are about 80,000 storm drains — far more than City crews can clear quickly.

If an inlet or street drain appears to be blocked by snow or debris, try to safely clear a channel to provide a path for the runoff. If the drain cannot be cleared, or if the cause of the blockage or flooding is uncertain, call Seattle Public Utilities at (206) 386-1800.

Cliff Mass agrees that the end is near: "This snow/sleet/freezing rain evident is basically done... Observations show its demise... The radar shows NOTHING offshore."

King County courts are opening back up, and so is the prosecutor's office (criminal holiday over). Metro is still using chains and on snow routes. Garbage pickup is still not happening in Seattle. And hundreds of thousands remain without power.

More businesses—large and small—are coming out in favor of the marriage equality bill, including Elliott Bay Book Company, The Crocodile, King's Hardware, and Big Mario's.

New Gingrich "launched into a tirade against the news media" at last night's debate, and used this blast of indignant fury to successfully block any questions about his request for an open marriage.

When does this South Carolina primary finally happen, anyway?

Answer: Saturday.

The Supreme Court has blocked Texas's revised redistricting plan, which will help Republicans.

David Brooks vs. Paul Krugmann on Romney's wealth and what it means.

Sen. Harry Reid has postponed the PIPA vote.

And Obama sings Al Green at the Apollo.

Comments (15) RSS

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"Nothing visible" is correct, if you're talking about the visible wavelength. That doesn't mean there's nothing there, though.

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/GIFS/WCWV.JPG

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty

on January 20, 2012 at 8:33 AM

Also, this just in (after you posted this): Etta James died.

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty

on January 20, 2012 at 8:46 AM

As I recall, John Kerry's wealth in 2004 was not an issue - who's wealthier than Romney.

Posted by Phoebe in Wallingford on January 20, 2012 at 9:10 AM

Your mayor is so much cuter than our mayor. *sigh*

Posted by this guy I know in Spokane on January 20, 2012 at 9:14 AM

Our mayor is very wise.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on January 20, 2012 at 9:20 AM

Last stats I saw show less than 100,000 without power as of 3 am

Posted by Will in Seattle

on January 20, 2012 at 9:21 AM

The Mayor has lost a bit of weight and is looking much healthier, good for him!

Posted by GlamB0t on January 20, 2012 at 9:29 AM

Phoebe @3 - I seem to recall Kerry's wife's fortune being mentioned regularly, but his opponents chose to frame his character faults differently: as a traitor, due to his post-service anti-war activism, despite 2 Purple Hearts and other commendations.

Plus, Kerry didn't believe in corporate personhood, or that outsourcing jobs was an honorable way of enhancing the wealth of an American politician..

Posted by No display name today on January 20, 2012 at 9:37 AM

Hello? Kerry's wealth and elitism was a issue. And -- though it seems you might be into that whole revisionist history thing -- you may recall that Kerry lost.

Posted by in-frequent on January 20, 2012 at 9:56 AM

Okay, but if I get injured by doing the city's job and clearing the gutters, I am going to sue Mayor McGinn personally.

Posted by suddenlyorcas on January 20, 2012 at 10:24 AM