Jonathan Choe

We Heart Seattle’s “Recovery First” Model is Working Seattle voters say the homeless drug crisis remains a top three issue. But the Harrell administration is still engaged in a game of Whack-a-Mole and has failed to find long-term solutions. That’s because they’re not addressing the drivers of this humanitarian disaster which include drug addiction, mental illness, and broken relationships. Instead, city officials are touting the wrong metrics for success such as the number of tents removed from the streets. Meanwhile, We Heart Seattle’s “recovery first” intervention model is working. And they’re outreach workers have identified some new patterns that are keeping so many people in this vicious cycle. I followed them in this Center on Wealth & Poverty mini-documentary.

Seattle has lost one of its most high-profile tech events due to mounting concerns over public safety and deteriorating conditions in the city’s downtown core. Microsoft has confirmed that it will no longer host its annual Build conference in Seattle starting in 2026, citing issues related to rampant homelessness, visible drug use, and urban decay. According to an internal email obtained by journalist Jonathan Choe of the Discovery Institute, Visit Seattle—the city’s official tourism and marketing organization—was informed that Microsoft will cancel its 2026 event and release all future holds for the conference in Seattle. The email, titled “DEFINITE BOOKING CANCELLATION NOTICE,” said the decision was heavily influenced by the experience of company leadership and attendees walking the downtown core Read More ›

The Tent That Broke the Camel’s Back This dude living in a tent is one of the reasons why Microsoft pulled its prestigious developer’s conference from downtown Seattle. Meanwhile, Mayor Bruce Harrell remains clueless on how to address the mental health crisis on the streets. It’s costing the city millions in tourism dollars.

Breaking I have obtained the internal memo outlining reasons behind Microsoft Build’s exit from Seattle. This is an absolute indictment on Mayor Bruce Harrell’s administration and shows his failure to get the homeless drug crisis under control. Seeking Next Location Microsoft Build says it has “struggled to find its footing and identity post-Covid.” It appears Las Vegas and San Francisco are two locations already being floated around for its next developers conference. Urban Decay “was a contributing factor to their final decision” But here’s the real kicker. Redmond, WA-based Microsoft is done walking around tents, urban filth, and open-air drug use in Seattle’s downtown core. Mayor Harrell had nearly four years in office to handle this problem but has failed Read More ›

Breaking Seattle restauranteur David Meinert says the massive Microsoft Build developer conference won’t be returning to Seattle next year after attendees complained about urban decay, open-air drug use, and numerous tents lining the streets. Mayor Bruce Harrell Meinert is also torching Mayor Bruce Harrell for allowing these conditions to prosper in the downtown core and claims the Downtown Activation plan is bloated with bureaucracy and is lacking leadership. Disruptions Pro-Hamas protesters also disrupted Microsoft Build 2025 in Seattle, harassing attendees with insane glitter bombs. Lone Tent Downtown residents say this is the lone tent the city has failed to remove near the Seattle Convention Center. It has been reported to the Find It Fix it app numerous times. More Complaints Read More ›

Confronting the Prowler Seattle residents confront a suspected car prowler in broad daylight. This fella is so brazen, he continues to riffle through the vehicle with cameras rolling. 911 is called but cops don’t show up in time. This is Mayor Bruce Harrell’s lawless city. Watch Out Keep an eye out for this fella.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a $1 million public-private partnership to revitalize Chinatown-ID. Big money coming in from The Asian American Foundation Program started this month. Look how it’s going so far.

“Be Careful Out Here” East Oakland, CA remains a disaster. Due to high crime in the neighborhood, the Wendy’s has to operate with bars on the windows. A few blocks away, homeless encampments and shanty towns continue to thrive. This is now Mayor-elect Barbara Lee’s city.

Oodles of Graffiti Doodles Oakland’s new Mayor Barbara Lee is being sworn in today. She’s inheriting a $270 million budget deficit and a public safety crisis. Look what’s happening to the U.S. Postal Service in downtown. Car prowlers and graffiti vandals own the streets.

Chinatown-ID Residents Skeptical Wednesday morning, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell will announce new investments and partnerships with The Asian American Foundation and Amazon to help improve public safety and help revitalize business in Chinatown-ID. But a community coalition led by Tanya Woo is only cautiously optimistic since this community has become the city’s human dumping ground and remains ravaged by crime, chaos, and death. Each day, Asian American grandmas have to walk through this gauntlet of drug addicts and maneuver around the black market of stolen goods on King Street. “The police here just kind of chase them away, and like, two hours later, they come back,” says one resident. Right across the street is Ho Mai Park. Instead of laughter Read More ›