Mayor Murray Moves to Allow Tent Cities: "Mayor Ed Murray—who has, along with leaders on the city council, long been unwilling to legitimize tent cities—now says the city should permit three new tent encampments on private or city-owned land," reports Heidi Groover.

Good-bye, EpiPen. Hello, Syringe and Vial: Local emergency responders are ditching the EpiPen for allergic reactions, the Seattle Times reports, and moving to a cheaper alternative. It's "a syringe and 1-milligram vial of epinephrine, components of a new protocol now standard in most of King County, a change emergency officials say saves money." How much money does it save? The Times says $150,000 since the new protocol was put in place last year.

Smith Tower Changes Hands Again: "Unico Properties announced Wednesday that it has bought the iconic Smith Tower and adjoining Florence Building in Pioneer Square," the Seattlepi.com reports. "The 42-story tower celebrated its centenary last year, two years after going through foreclosure."

Labor Unrest at Microsoft Leads to Possible Changes: In September, a group of employees at Lionbridge Technologies, which is located on Microsoft's campus in Redmond, decided to unionize. "Now the union and company are bargaining over the contract," the Seattle Times reports, in "the latest attempt to organize some of the legions employed by companies that provide Microsoft with contract workers. The software maker directly employs more than 40,000 people in Washington. But Microsoft, like many technology giants, has come to rely on contract workers for both projects and regular tasks, from customer support to graphic design and software testing."

Home Shot at in West Seattle: "No one is said to be hurt, but somebody is reported to have shot at and into a house near Delridge Way/SW Findlay," West Seattle Blog reported last night, "with police confirming bullet holes."

May the Bollards Be Unbroken: The Broadway cycle track's blue, sand-filled "functional art" installations—known as "bollards"—are still broken. The city had promised to fix them by the end of last year, Ansel Herz reports. Maybe this year.

Book-and-Release Program Delayed: A money-saving initiative that would have the King County Jail releasing certain nonviolent felony suspects instead of keeping them in jail until their first hearing is now on hold, reports the West Seattle Blog. "County Executive Dow Constantine has sent a letter (read it here) to county officials," WSB writes, "saying that they’ve found 'resources' to hold off on 'book and release' until at least June 1st, and maybe longer if certain changes can be implemented in the courts."

Next Challenge for Seattle Dog Who Rides the Bus on Her Own: Paparazzi.

El Capitan Climb Finished: "On the 19th day of their climb, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson, both now bearded, reached the summit of El Capitan’s Dawn Wall," reports the New York Times, "completing a quest that included years of planning and that many considered the most challenging rock climb in the world."

Cuba Travel Restrictions to Loosen: Starting this Friday!