Slog AM: Hamas Agrees to Disarm, Wilson Apologizes, and Tacoma ICE Facility May Release Detained Immigrants

Well, this is it. Today is Stranger editor Hannah Murphy Winter’s last day. I can’t just do Slog AM like it’s any other day! So yes, while I will highlight some of the morning’s most notable headlines, I also want to look back at some of Murph’s best Stranger stories, from the award-winning political profiles to laughing in the face of clueless Seattle cops. We’re gonna miss you, Murph. 

Washington May Release Hundreds of Detained Immigrants: On Thursday, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration “defied a lower court’s September order calling for bond hearings,” writes the Seattle Times. The ruling “likely means hundreds of immigrants detained in Tacoma’s ICE detention center … will likely get a bond hearing that potentially allows them to be released.” 

For Our 2025 Queer Issue: Murph and News Editor Vivian McCall teamed up for “Invading ‘Antifa-Land’,” a feature about the Mayday USA rally in Cal Anderson Park on May 24, 2025, in which Christian supremacists positioned themselves to be victims of oppression. The SPD arrested more than 20 protestors, “All of them thrown to the ground and cuffed in a carousel of bicycle cops.” (Murph’s follow-up on the Office of the Inspector General’s findings, “‘Wait, Capitol Hill Is Gay?’ And Other Lessons Learned by the Seattle Police Department in the Year Since the Cal Anderson Counterprotest,” is also worth a read.)

Speaking of SPD, Barnes Is Out: In case you missed yesterday’s big news, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned. As Nathalie Graham wrote in her story for The Stranger, “His departure is the conclusion to a week of drama about how much time Barnes actually spends in Seattle.” Read all the details here. Deputy Chief Andre Sayles, who Barnes brought into the department, has been named as Interim Police Chief.

Wilson Apologizes: Yesterday afternoon, Katie Wilson apologized via social media for the City’s lack of communication immediately following the Seattle Center shooting. “Information could and should have gone out much faster through social media, the emergency alert system, the SPD blotter, and/or an offsite press conference,” she said. She claimed that she wasn’t aware of how little information had reached the public before the press conference that evening, and that she would have pressed for a briefing earlier if she’d known. 

Meet Sam Pierce: For our June issue, HMW wrote a wonderful and tender profile on Sam Pierce, the self-described “neurotic little freak” who works behind the scenes to dress, organize, and style some of Seattle’s most beloved drag queens. “Sam doesn’t have a formal job title in the studio. Sometimes they’re described as a studio manager. Sometimes as an assistant. A stage manager. An all-purpose them. A handythey. Whenever I ask them to put a name on their position, they struggle to find an answer. But what’s not up for debate is that some of Seattle’s biggest drag acts could not happen without Sam.”

Hamas Agrees to Disarm, Maybe: CNN is reporting that Hamas has agreed to a disarmament deal with the Board of Peace, so long as Israel upholds its end of the bargain from the October ceasefire agreement. It would require Israel to actually, ya know, cease firing, withdraw troops from the Yellow Line, and allow humanitarian aid to enter the region. According to the outlet, “Hamas has never before agreed to a specific plan to hand over its weapons.” 

When Teatro ZinZanni failed to pay its artists, Murph got to the bottom of things by conducting hours and hours worth of interviews and diving deep into the theater’s history to find out what was happening underneath that circus tent. 

Happy Birthday, Punch: Remember Punch, the baby monkey in Japan who made friends with an orangutan stuffie after being abandoned by his family? Punch was the animal everyone loved after Moo Deng but before Jimothy. Anyway, he turns 1 on Sunday, and the zoo has received hundreds of birthday cards. He probably can’t read. But it’s still very sweet.

Jimothy Is Not Over: I’ve been seeing a lot of Jimothy backlash this week. The brands have glommed on, everyone’s trying to make a quick buck with merch and tattoos and social media posts. But just as people have apparently reached their limit with the little raccoon’s antics, Jimothy responded, asking, “Did you know I can do flips?” 

Jimothy is so back!

Here’s an Oldie but Goodie: In January 2025 (feels like a lifetime ago!) HMW watched Joe Rogan’s three-hour interview with Mark Zuckerberg in order to report back all the unhinged things that were said, including the “fun” fact that Zuckerberg hunts wild pigs with a bow and arrow on his ranch in Hawaii. Fucking weirdos.

The Sea Creatures Are Coming: Apparently El Niño may warm California coastal waters, “likely bringing a surge of tropical marine species such as white sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and even venomous yellow‑bellied sea snakes.” Yikes! But also cooooool. I wonder if any of the incoming critters will be the next internet superstar? 

The Best for Last: If you haven’t yet, please do read HMW’s AWARD-WINNING profile, “The Making of Katie Wilson.” Murphy followed Wilson on the campaign trail for months before she won the election, and back when she still tied her hair back in a low bun, to tell the story of how Wilson dropped out of college and got involved in organizing before taking on (and defeating) the rich incumbent Bruce Harrell.

Election Day Is Tuesday: Have you voted yet? If you’re registered to vote and your mailing address is up-to-date, you should have received your ballot. If you haven’t, you can request a replacement ballot via King County’s website here. If you aren’t yet registered to vote, there’s still time to do that, too! Once you’re ready to check some boxes, grab a pen and read through our 2026 Primary Election endorsements. In a hurry? Here’s our cheat sheet.

Appropo of Nothing: I know I already posted RVIVR’s cover of “Resilient Bastard,”, but I love it so much. The perfect song to blast on a sunny day when you want to remember you don’t need to take anyone’s shit. For you, Murph.

The post Slog AM: Hamas Agrees to Disarm, Wilson Apologizes, and Tacoma ICE Facility May Release Detained Immigrants appeared first on The Stranger.