News from Seattle: the city attorney reports on her first 100 days, but residents want cases, not words. In an NFL mock draft, a Washington Huskies star rises in the rankings and the Seahawks may make a surprising pick. A local bagel shop conquered Los Angeles, taking two first-place awards at a prestigious contest.
Seattle city attorney rejects claims of being soft on crime, but residents want specifics
Seattle’s new city attorney, Announced as Erika (Erica) Evans? [Note: keep original name Erica Evans], who has been in office for about 100 days, gave her first major interview attempting to dispel a persistent public perception that the city is overly lenient on offenders. However, her remarks—full of generalities about “breaking the vicious cycle” and the importance of lived experience—met with skepticism from both leading radio hosts and listeners who want concrete plans and measurable results.
On the “Gee and Ursula” show on KIRO Newsradio, Evans, who was elected with a commanding 67% of the vote, faced direct questions about Seattle’s reputation as a place where offenders “get away with everything.” That image was reinforced by a recent FBI report that placed Seattle among the five worst U.S. cities for overall, violent, and property crime. In response to the host’s comment about that prevailing narrative, Evans replied sharply: “That’s not true. We hold people accountable in our office, and I think that’s just a false narrative.” However, as noted by MyNorthwest.com, she offered almost no concrete examples or data to support that position, limiting herself to general remarks about progress in making people “feel safe” in the downtown area.
A central focus of the conversation was one of the most acute problems — public drug use and syringes scattered across the city (more than 660,000 needles were recently collected). When asked whether her office’s policy amounts to nonintervention, since such behavior is often a misdemeanor rather than a felony, Evans said no. She reiterated her key line: “The approach we have very clearly signals that we’re trying to break the cycle.” She emphasized that her prosecutorial experience, including work on narcotics cases, sets her apart from predecessors and prevents repeating “failed policies.” Still, the concrete mechanisms for “breaking the cycle” — whether mandatory treatment, tougher prosecution, or new programs — were not revealed.
One telling exchange came when host Ursula Roytin asked about success metrics. Evans did not name statistical indicators like case clearance rates or the number of people referred to treatment; instead she cited a subjective feeling: “I think what I want to see and what I want us all to feel is safety when we’re walking through downtown neighborhoods… I want every part of downtown to feel that way.” That response provoked disappointment among listeners. As the publication reports, messages poured into the studio such as: “And that’s it?!? ‘That’s a false narrative?!?’; ‘Sorry, but I think this person is talking in circles’; ‘I hear her, but I don’t hear her. What is she actually going to do?’” Many felt Evans skillfully avoided direct answers.
Thus, the first 100 days of Seattle’s new city attorney, judging by the KIRO Newsradio interview, have been marked less by a clear new strategy and more by an attempt to deny public perception without backing that denial with convincing facts or clear plans. Evans is banking on her professional experience and rhetoric about change, but residents alarmed by FBI statistics and open drug use on the streets are demanding not generalities but concrete actions and understandable metrics by which to judge whether the city attorney’s office has actually become more effective at ensuring safety.
AP 2026 mock draft: Denzel Boston rises and Seahawks eye a running back
With the annual NFL draft approaching—a key event for replenishing team rosters—the Associated Press released its third version of the 2026 mock draft. This mock, published on Seattle Sports, shows shifting player evaluations, especially for prospects from Pacific Northwest college programs. Central figures in this update are Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston, who continues to climb the boards, and a surprising choice projected for the Seattle Seahawks: a running back.
According to the mock, the clear No. 1 pick will be quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, a Heisman Trophy winner projected to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders, who see him as a franchise QB capable of turning around the team. The intrigue starts at the No. 2 pick, where the New York Jets could take either Arvell Reese from Ohio or David Bailey from Texas Tech—both viewed as elite pass rushers. But for local fans, the biggest interest centers on Denzel Boston, the talented Huskies receiver. In earlier AP mocks he was projected toward the end of the first round, but his stock has risen sharply. In this third version he’s projected to the New York Jets at No. 16 overall. Analysts note his strength, speed, outstanding ball skills and an ideal frame (6'5", 212 lbs / 196 cm, 96 kg) for new offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s system.
As for the Seattle Seahawks, who hold the final 32nd pick of the first round (the so-called “Mr. Irrelevant” spot, though that title technically goes to the last pick of the entire draft), the mock suggests an unexpected move. Instead of bolstering the defense or offensive line, AP projects the Seahawks to take running back Jadaren Price from Notre Dame. This choice is explained by the team’s current needs: the departure of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet’s recovery from a knee injury. Price is described as a natural running back who can immediately fill the vacancy. Previous mocks had cornerback Brandon Siss from South Carolina linked to the Seahawks, indicating shifting priorities as the event approaches. The article also notes the Seahawks could trade this pick to acquire more selections in later rounds while still getting Price early in the second round.
Other interesting trends in this mock include a strong concentration of talent from Ohio State (for example, linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 5 to the New York Giants) and three Clemson players in a row at the end of the first round. The mock also reflects teams’ strategic needs: the Kansas City Chiefs might take a defender to help Patrick Mahomes and then a receiver, while the Miami Dolphins, having made big trades, are searching for a new star pass-catcher. Overall, this AP mock highlights how quickly player evaluations can shift following events like the NFL Combine and how teams balance taking the best available player with addressing roster needs. For Seattle fans, the main intrigues remain the rapid rise of local star Denzel Boston and the controversial but explainable decision to prioritize a running back in the first round.
Winning bagels: how a Seattle shop conquered Los Angeles
The story of how a small but ambitious Seattle bagel shop managed to win over the heart of the California culinary scene reads like a fairy tale. For Andrew Rubinstein, owner of Hey Bagel, it became reality when his shop took two first-place prizes at the prestigious BagelFest West in Los Angeles. The event, which began in Bushwick, New York and expanded to the West Coast, brought together industry professionals and enthusiasts to crown the region’s best product.
Andrew Rubinstein admitted he was nervous for weeks before the contest, fearing his creations might not measure up to the burgeoning California bagel scene. “I was worried I’d be embarrassed,” he told The Seattle Times. His fears proved unfounded. The judges—bagel aficionados and culinary elites—evaluated participants primarily on the classic plain bagel, focusing on flavor and texture rather than toppings. To Rubinstein’s surprise—he thought he’d lost after not hearing his bakery’s name early—Hey Bagel won “Best Bagel Overall,” beating California competitors Hank’s Bagels from the San Fernando Valley and Boil + Bake from Costa Mesa. It also took first place in the sourdough bagel category.
For context: a “sourdough bagel” uses a natural starter (a symbiotic culture of bacteria and wild yeasts) instead of commercial yeast, giving the bake a more complex, slightly tangy flavor and a dense, chewy texture. “Schmears” are creamy spreads, traditionally cream cheese, served with bagels.
Hey Bagel, located in University Village at 4610 Village Court N.E., is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Although the bakery produces about 180 bagels every 20 minutes, demand is so high that supplies often sell out quickly and lines form out the door and onto the sidewalk. The menu includes six standard bagel varieties and daily specials such as “Pepperoni Pizza” or “Caramelized Onion & Gruyère,” along with coffee and a wide selection of schmears.
This victory not only brought fame to a small Seattle bakery but also showed that a high-quality product grounded in tradition and attention to detail can exceed expectations even in tough competition. Hey Bagel’s success bolsters Seattle’s reputation as a city with a vibrant and innovative food culture that can surprise discerning fans far beyond its region.
