Who shucked the shells that stalled Bertha's rescue? It's looking like settlers, not Native Americans, according to the Seattle Times. And these shells appear to be from Olympia oysters, a now-rare type that was apparently very popular in early Seattle's saloons. A final determination on the shells' origins will help decide just how long this particular delay lasts.

Women lead police to another alleged Seattle groper: "Two weeks after a Seattle woman's cellphone photo led to a charge against a man accused of groping her, police say a group of women helped chase down a man accused of groping multiple women in downtown Seattle," reports KOMO. More at the SPD Blotter.

Another 3,000 jobs cut at Microsoft: These are close to the last of the layoffs that CEO Satya Nadella announced earlier this year, says GeekWire.

The latest Washington Poll is out: Matt Baretto, the pollster, says: "Overall the poll finds very strong support for Initiative 594 regarding background checks for gun purchases and very strong support for Initiative 1351 which would require fewer students per classroom. Both initiatives have broad support statewide and appear on their way to being passed. In contrast, Initiative 591 has far less support, 41.7 percent saying they will vote yes and 38.8 percent saying they will vote no."

Microsoft is doing more to help Republicans in the Washington State Legislature: "Microsoft, typically an even-handed contributor to Democrats and Republicans at the state level, has contributed at least $50,000 more to the GOP effort in this year's state legislative elections than to the Democrats—roughly $80,000 to $27,000—according to PDC records," reports Publicola. "It's also worth noting that in the instances that the tech titan has contributed to one of the contested races that may decide control of the state senate, they've contributed solely to the Republican candidate over the Democrat."

Another plan to stem homelessness in Seattle: This one comes from council member Sally Bagshaw, and is called "Streets to Shelter."

Three new lion cubs at the Woodland Park Zoo: The cubs, reports MyBallard, "were born to 5-year-old mother Adia and 7-year-old father Xerxes."

Defying Ebola quarantine in Maine: Kaci Hickox, a nurse recently back from Sierra Leone, went out for a bike ride and was trailed by a police car.

US economic output up: By 3.5 percent in the third quarter, which was more than was expected.