Slog AM: Trump Made a Billion in Crypto, Idaho Opens Execution Chamber, and WA Cares Fund Opens

Good morning! 

I have woken up in the very unenviable position of having to write Slog AM, our daily news roundup, the morning after news broke that our editor, Hannah Murphy Winter, is leaving The Stranger. Yes, it’s true. And I have a lot of feelings about it here.

And now, the news:

A Grifter Grifts: Trump reportedly made $1.2 BILLION WITH A B from crypto in 2025. When asked about the money—while taking the maiden voyage on the $400 million Air Force One gifted to him by the Qatari government—Trump said “everybody is profiting” from the presidency, “because the stock market’s going up.” 

City Council Allows Aurora Closures: Yesterday, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow the Department of Transportation to close streets along north Aurora in an attempt to cut down on crime. The Seattle Times says concrete barriers have been installed on 96th, 98th, 100th and 102nd streets, and they will stay in place through the summer.

WA Cares Fund Is Open: Starting today, Washington residents can start receiving money from the WA Cares Fund for long-term healthcare. Those who have been paying into the fund for at least three years, and meet the requirement for in-home needs, can collect up to $36,500 in this first year to help cover the costs of in-home equipment and aides, transportation to and from appointments, and necessary home upgrades.

This Is Grim: Idaho has opened a new execution chamber, becoming the first state to make firing squad its primary form of execution. It will be operated by volunteer marksmen.

Colorado Election Update: Primary election season is in full swing and last night Melat Kiros, a socialist (GASP!), defeated Democratic incumbent Diana DeGette. Politico seems to delight in reporting that DeGette first took office before Kiros was even born.

LOL: Yesterday, Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to abandon the week’s agenda and dismiss members of the House early after some Republicans started throwing hissy fits. I don’t know if this is ultimately bad or good—and I don’t have the brain power to sort it out right now—but the sentence, “Johnson was forced into one of the most humiliating possible positions for a House speaker: He conceded he could not regain control of the chamber and instructed members to leave Washington early” gives me life on this bleak morning.

World Cup Game in Seattle Today: Belgium and Senegal will play at Lumen Field (aka Seattle Stadium) at 1 p.m. Light rail and buses will likely be packed. Then, the US team takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina at 5 p.m., so watch parties will be in full swing throughout the city. Prepare accordingly. 

Mayor Announcement in Seattle Today: At noon, Mayor Katie Wilson will announce details about the King County and Seattle’s plans to “stabilize, right size, and reset the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) and discuss the future of the regional homelessness response.” For The Stranger, Guy Oron recently reported on the KCRHA’s biennial survey, which shows that the homelessness crisis is worsening, but at a slower pace.

This One’s for You, Murph: 

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