Digest of Seattle news: City Council President Joy Hollingsworth faces accusations of a “black budget” and is dodging questions, West Seattle prepares for its annual garage sale, and a Seattle resident is under investigation for allegedly harassing a rare monk seal in Hawaii.
Seattle City Council president embroiled in “black budget” scandal and refuses to answer questions
Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth has become the center of a heated controversy after publicly admitting the existence of a separate budget intended exclusively for Black residents of the city. The remark was made at the “State of Africatown 2026” conference in February, where Hollingsworth, representing District 3, said literally: “I have the budget for my third district, and I have my ‘black budget.’” According to her, she is forced to plan spending twice: once for all district residents, and a second time specifically for the African American community, with the goal of creating, as she put it, a new “political party.” Journalist Jason Rantz, covering the story for seattlered.com, notes that Hollingsworth initially agreed to an interview but then canceled it without explanation, which he called “political cowardice.”
The situation is complicated by the fact that such a practice, if it implies formal allocation of public funds on the basis of race, could be illegal. In Washington state there are precedents where race-based reparations programs have run up against constitutional limits, because equal protection guarantees do not permit distributing budget to the detriment of other population groups. If the “black budget” is merely a political brand for advocating interests, it still raises questions, since a similar “white budgeting” would immediately be criticized. In any case, the author of the article argues that Hollingsworth is avoiding direct questions, which makes her position even more suspicious.
Particularly troubling is that the council president openly talks about using tax dollars to organize a new political force based on racial lines. She stated: “I believe that if Black people come together, we can become the most influential political party in Seattle.” This statement is effectively a declaration of whom she considers her real base and calls into question her ability to represent the interests of all District 3 residents, including Asian, Latino, and white voters. On uncomfortable questions about why other groups cannot expect similar “targeted” funding, Hollingsworth prefers not to answer.
The context of this scandal cannot be separated from Seattle’s years-long problems with spending accountability. As noted in the piece, a number of race-oriented grant programs operated with virtually no financial oversight. An audit found $13 million missing at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), and the Department of Human Services uncovered cases of fraud and invoice forgery. Hollingsworth herself has previously called this a “systemic failure,” but instead of tightening controls she proposes only new targeted budget lines. Rather than answering how funds will be spent and how effectiveness will be measured, the official suggests creating a “Black Budget Day,” an advisory council, and expanding reparations studies, which, according to the journalist, is just a way to avoid substantive discussion.
How West Seattle is getting ready for the annual sale: from cash to plants
This week West Seattle is gearing up for one of its most beloved spring events — Community Garage Sale Day, which takes place tomorrow. As West Seattle Blog notes, preparations for the sale reveal curious details about how our habits have changed. A staffer at a local bank said customers come in for small change specifically for this day, prompting the authors to observe that garage sales are now one of the few occasions to think about cash. At other times we increasingly use bank cards or phones. Still, as the article emphasizes, some sellers are already keeping pace and accept Venmo or PayPal, so archaic coins aren’t the only payment option.
Organizers remind everyone that only one day remains before WSCGSD begins, but the eager can start shopping on Friday by using a special list of participants who will open early. Ahead of the event, the authors publish several themed lists. The first is a short one dedicated to coffee. While many sellers offer free coffee, two establishments with their own sales are singled out. Sale #476 is C & P Coffee at 5612 California SW, where several sellers will present handmade goods, and Sale #155 is Hotwire Coffee at 4410 California SW, whose patio will be full of vendors.
Far more striking is the longest list of spots where plants can be found — from houseplants to garden seedlings. The list includes dozens of entries: from Sale #3 (Wanderlust Nursery) to Sale #662, as well as specialized events like Sale #507 (dahlia sale) and Sale #510 (plant sale by Solstice Park P-Patch). Particularly notable are Sale #391 and Sale #466, promising an “huge houseplant sale” and a “huge garden plant sale,” respectively. Some sellers, such as Sale #656, run an annual fundraiser supporting disease research. The list also mentions Sale #301, selling landscape stones, and Sale #157, whose proceeds will benefit the Beyers Bulldog Garden P-Patch.
The authors promise to publish an evening update with information on unusual items. Meanwhile, everyone is invited to use the interactive map and printable list available via links in the original West Seattle Blog post (https://westseattleblog.com/2026/05/more-notes-about-getting-ready-for-west-seattle-community-garage-sale-day-2026/). This event is not just an opportunity to get rid of unwanted items or find something valuable, but a true community celebration where neighbors meet, share skills, and support local initiatives. For those unfamiliar with American garage sales, it’s worth explaining that these are traditional yard events where residents put out old books, clothing, furniture and, as the list shows, plants. Sometimes such events become full-scale charity drives, as with P-Patch — community gardens in Seattle where volunteers grow vegetables and flowers and proceeds go to social projects.
Hawaii marine wildlife advocates probe incident involving Seattle resident
Hawaii authorities have launched an investigation into a 37-year-old man from Seattle suspected of harassing and disturbing a Hawaiian monk seal on the shores of Lahaina. The incident drew attention after a viral social media video purportedly showed the man throwing an object toward the rare marine mammal. According to KING5.com, the case is being handled by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), specifically its Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE).
DOCARE officers received a tip from the Maui County police on Tuesday. The eyewitness who first reported the violation gave the responding officer a detailed description of the alleged offender. When the officer arrived on the shore, he found a man matching that description. The man was a 37-year-old Seattle resident. He was detained but then declined to make statements and requested an attorney, after which he was identified and released. No official charges have been filed at this time, and the suspect’s name has not been released.
Particular concern stems from the fact that the Hawaiian monk seal is among the rarest marine mammals on the planet and is endangered. The species is protected under several laws: the federal Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Hawaii state laws. Any intentional action that may harass, harm, or feed these animals is illegal and can result in heavy fines or even criminal charges. The state’s investigation materials will be forwarded to the Office of Law Enforcement of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is authorized to take further action under federal law.
