The Roundup: Here's Who Gets an Op-Ed in the Emerald

From the Editor

What's up, South End?

Earlier this week, we published an op-ed from Mayor Bruce Harrell about the naturalization event at Seattle Center on July 4. I've heard from a few community members about their thoughts on my decision to run an op-ed from the current mayor who is running for reelection.

So, I'm going to give y'all a peek behind the curtain about our decision process when selecting op-eds.

I don't have to agree with an op-ed or endorse its author to publish it. That is an important distinction that I want readers to understand: When an op-ed is submitted to us, like this one was, I don't infuse my own views onto the author. I fact-check statements, but I allow the author to present their own opinions.  

The most important things I consider about unsolicited op-eds: Is this information relevant to the South End? Is this author a credible source?

In this case, the answer to both questions was yes.

Mayor Harrell attended an event that is important to our readers. Five hundred people were naturalized as U.S. citizens. Without a full-time staff reporter, it was difficult for us to cover this event, even though immigration and the upswing in enforcement by the Trump administration are topics we are committed to covering in the Emerald. Immigrants are part of our community: As noted in Harrell's op-ed, there is a large population of immigrants who live and work in Seattle. Nearly 20% of Seattleites are born abroad. Immigrant-owned businesses generate $12.7 billion in taxes for Seattle.

There was valuable information in the mayor's op-ed, and I appreciate him for sending it our way. He is the current mayor, and his voice is important to the city and the South End. If another candidate running for office submitted an op-ed that was relevant to our readers, I would consider that too (so long as it wasn't submitted within the two-week window before Election Day).

Speaking of elections, I was in New York when Zohran Mamdani won a victory over Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral primary. I saw people celebrate in the streets. A young progressive took down a seasoned politician backed by big money and big business. That victory sets the stage for an interesting showdown here in Seattle. Buckle up, South End. This November is going to be wild.

The Roundup Rundown

‘A Lifeline': Seattle Sets Up 40 Locations for Free Summer Meals for Kids, 20 in the South End

This is a summertime story that always hits my heart. Seattle Parks and Recreation's Free Summer Meals program is the lifeblood of summertime for so many youth. Myself included.

In middle school, I wasn't in any official summer program. My mom would drop me off at my best friend's house every morning. He lived around the corner from Aki Kurose Middle School. We spent every day in the park at the school, and Seattle Parks and Rec would have a staff member who not only served meals, but would also play games with us. There was a group of kids, just like me and my friend, who would wander over each day. We would be fed and would play basketball, flag football, or capture the flag. Having those meals was crucial for so many of us. Looking back, I don't think I understood how lucky we were.

Now, a new crop of kids will have a place to get free meals during the summer. You can read about the 40 neighborhoods participating in this year's Free Summer Meals program, including a list of the 20 in the South End, in Maya Tizon's report.

Seattle City Council District 2 Candidate Profiles

I don't know if anyone is working harder this election season than Emerald contributing political columnist Tobias Coughlin-Bogue.

This week, the Emerald published profiles on all four Seattle City Council District 2 candidates. And Tobias didn't just do boring phone interviews to get to know them. He hit the streets.

He went skateboarding with Adonis Ducksworth.

He played ultimate frisbee with Eddie Lin.

He rode motorcycles with Jamie Fackler.

And he dined on oysters with Jeanie Chunn.

If you thought Tobias was taking a break after all of those activities, you'd be wrong! Tobias is moderating the Emerald's District 2 debate on July 21 at the Rainier Arts Center.

Mike Davis is the newsletter editor and Voices editor at the South Seattle Emerald. Born and raised in Seattle's South End, Mike is a longtime journalist who's covered everything from arts and culture to sports to politics.