The city in sparser times (2011).
The city in sparser times (2011). Jelson25, CC BY-SA 3.0

700,000+: people live in Seattle as of 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Seattle saw a gain of 21,000 from 2015 to 2016, making it the fastest growing of this nation's 50 largest cities. Miami, Forth Worth, Colorado Springs and Atlanta took the next four spots, respectively. Thank or blame Amazon. Gene Balk of the Seattle Times breaks down the numbers with pretty graphics.

Packing it In: At the same time, Seattle's density is increasing at a quicker rate than any other American city, according to an analysis by the New York Times. We saw a 3 percent increase in average neighborhood density from 2010 to 2016. The runner-up, Chicago, saw a 1.2 percent increase. The analysis shows that dense cities are becoming more dense, and sprawling cities are becoming less dense. Here's an economics reporter from Houston:


Body-Slammed in Montana: In case you somehow missed it, Greg Gianforte, the Republican running for Congress in Montana's special election, yesterday assaulted a reporter from The Guardian for attempting to ask him a question. Local police cited Gianforte for misdemeanor assault. He faces up to six months in jail.

The Easiest Game On Earth: Check out the following accounts of the confrontation in Montana. Then pick out the liar.

A. The initial report of the assault, from victim Ben Jacobs:


B. Audio from the confrontation, taken from the reporter's recorder:

C. Gianforte was in a room with a Fox News crew. Here's one of their reporter's accounts:

Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him. Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the reporter. As Gianforte moved on top of Jacobs, he began yelling something to the effect of, "I'm sick and tired of this!"

D. Greg Gianforte's campaign spokesman:


Did I Mention That Special Election is Today? Gianforte's opponent in the special election for Montana's only Congressional seat is Rob Quist, a banjo-strummin' progressive endorsed by Bernie Sanders. Although an estimated half of Montana's ballots have already been cast, the polls are open today and the race is up for grabs.

Surely, Gianforte's political career ended the instant he grabbed a reporter by the neck, threw him to the ground and started hurling punches. Surely, the three newspapers who rescinded their endorsements will hold some sway in this election, seen by some as a bellwether for the 2018 mid-terms. Surely, voters will reject a violent and intemperate man for public office. Surely.

via GIPHY


The Blabbermouths Talk Montana: Hear our multi-generational cast—Dan, Eli and Amber—chat about the special election (pre-assault), Donald Trump's bumblings in the Middle East and one of the grossest right-wing conspiracy theories in recent history.

Republican Healthcare Could Leave 23 Million Uninsured in Ten Years: That's according to the latest estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. Just to tie things together, Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs was asking Greg Gianforte his thoughts on the CBO report when the aforementioned assault happened.

Save Black Dog Forge: The historic Belltown practice spot (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Presidents of The United States of America all rehearsed here) is up for sale. Proprietors Louie Raffloer and Mary Gioia are being forced out. A glimmer of hope: They're crowdfunding to "Save Seattle Music History."

Day Three of the Inquest Of the Police Killing of Renee Davis: Begins today. Sydney will be there. Catch up on the day one and two.

On Ishmael Butler: "Shabazz Palaces mastermind Ishmael Butler walks and talks as if he's just had the best sex of his life," begins Dave Segal's profile of the Seattle musician. Read the whole thing.

Colin Kaepernick Visited With the Seahawks: He came with Austin Davis, another free agent quarterback. Could the latest socialist dream come true?