Seattle, WA

Seattle’s gay community crying foul after SPD join liquor agents on ‘premise visits’

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2024

Seattle’s gay community crying foul after SPD join liquor agents on ‘premise visits’

SEATTLE — There has been uproar in Seattle’s gay community over so-called “weekend raids” by Seattle police and the state Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Eighteen bars across Seattle were visited on Friday and Saturday nights. Four of those bars are well-known gay venues.

But most of the anger seems to be directed at the Seattle Police Department’s JET, or Joint Enforcement Team, which joined the state officers at the establishments Friday night.

Many will remember the devastating fire at the Lumberyard nearly three years ago. Well, it has been rebuilt. And Saturday night, the Liquor and Cannabis Board paid an unannounced visit.

And owner Nathan Adams is familiar with visits from agents of the state Liquor and Cannabis Board.

“We were just having a drag show, so,” said Adams, laughing. “No, nobody was violating any laws. No.”

But he said what happened the night before in Seattle is no laughing matter.

“Why would the police come in with liquor control board?” Adams said. “That’s just not right.”

Indeed, Neighbours and Cuff, two well-known gay venues, along with eight other bars in the Emerald City were visited Friday night by liquor control agents and the Seattle Police JET Team.

“The JET team goes out about once a month, I believe,” said Chandra Wax, head of enforcement for the state Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Wax said it is not unusual for the JET team to accompany their agents in Seattle.

“JET is a Joint Enforcement Team,” Wax said. “And it’s made up of fire, police, code enforcement, transportation, and finance divisions or departments just looking to enhance public safety.”

She insists gay bars were not being targeted.

“The WSLCB does not target LGBTQ+ establishments and venue,” insisted Wax, “and is not specifically targeting lewd conduct violations.”

But Nathan Adams said it doesn’t look that way.

“Is there any reason to show up with two agents, police officers?” asked Nathan Adams. “I think the Fire Department was there as well. Really? You’re basically saying the building’s on fire and under attack.”

The Office of Police Accountability is investigating SPD’s participation.

The Liquor and Cannabis Board said it is reaching out to the gay community to allay their fears. But that likely won’t happen overnight. That’s just how deep the wounds are between police and the gay community they are sworn to serve.

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Seattle, WA

COUNTDOWN: Five weeks until you can help West Seattle Food Bank ‘Nourish & Flourish.’ Special guest revealed!

Published

9 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

COUNTDOWN: Five weeks until you can help West Seattle Food Bank ‘Nourish & Flourish.’ Special guest revealed!

Five weeks from tonight – on Saturday, May 2 – you can help the West Seattle Food Bank “Nourish and Flourish” by being part of its annual dinneer and auction, as an attendee and/or sponsor. This week, a special guest was revealed – here’s the WSFB announcement:

The West Seattle Food Bank (WSFB) is pleased to announce that Seattle comedian Scott Losse will join this year’s Nourish & Flourish gala as a special guest, bringing humor and heart to an evening dedicated to community, compassion, and impact.
Losse — recently featured as an “Undisputable Champion of Comedy” in The Stranger — is known for his sharp, relatable takes on life in the Pacific Northwest and his ability to connect audiences through both humor and honesty.
At Nourish & Flourish, Losse will provide a moment of levity during the program, helping to balance the evening’s powerful stories of need and resilience with laughter—an essential ingredient in bringing communities together.
“This event is about nourishing hope,” said Robbin Peterson, Development Director at West Seattle Food Bank. “Scott’s ability to help people laugh, even in challenging times, reflects exactly what community looks like— showing up for one another with both compassion and joy.”
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Losse’s connection to West Seattle Food Bank is deeply personal. His wife Janelle was inspired to pursue a career in social services and nonprofit work after volunteering as a child alongside her grandmother — who was one of WSFB’s volunteers in the early years of the food bank.
“That legacy of service — passed from one generation to the next — is exactly what we see every day at the food bank,” Peterson added. “It’s neighbors helping neighbors, steadfastly across time.”
Nourish & Flourish will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 4105 in SODO, bringing together 300 community members for an evening of storytelling, fundraising, and celebration. Proceeds support WSFB’s vital programs, including food access, housing stability, and essential services for thousands of neighbors across West Seattle.
In 2025 alone, West Seattle Food Bank distributed more than 2.25 million pounds of food, served over 23,000 individuals, and helped keep hundreds of families housed.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at:
westseattlefoodbank.org/nourish-and-flourish or bit.ly/NAF2026
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WSB is media sponsor of Nourish & Flourish. See you there!

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Seattle, WA

Main Card Results | UFC Seattle

Published

21 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Pyfer Results | Main Card Winners, Highlights & Interviews From Seattle

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Seattle, WA

Report: Seattle Seahawks hiring ex-UW Huskies coach

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Report: Seattle Seahawks hiring ex-UW Huskies coach

The Seattle Seahawks are hiring former UW Huskies offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty as an offensive assistant, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Friday.

What Bump makes of Seahawks’ visit with RB Najee Harris

This will be the first NFL job for the 47-year-old Dougherty, who has spent the past 24 seasons coaching at the college level. He was with the Huskies during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, serving as the team’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2024 and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2025. Dougherty was not the play-caller for UW under head coach Jedd Fisch.

Dougherty left his position at UW in February.

Dougherty also coached at UW from 2009-2012 as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator under Steve Sarkisian.

Dougherty’s previous college stops include Illinois Wesleyan, San Diego, San Jose State, Michigan, UCLA and Arizona. While at Michigan as an offensive assistant in 2016, he coached alongside Seahawks special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh and under then-head coach Jim Harbaugh. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald coached under Jim and alongside Jay when he was Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2021.

Dougherty played quarterback in college at the University of Missouri from 1997-2001 and was the starter in 1999.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

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• Seattle Seahawks to kick off 2026 NFL season on a Wednesday
• Salk: Two concerns for Seahawks after the huge JSN extension
• Seahawks keep key part of offense with JSN’s record-setting extension
• GM explains why Seahawks re-signed WR Jake Bobo

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