Mayor Wilson Faces New Scrutiny Over Seattle Police Chief + Shakeup Hits Spokesman-Review Newsroom

The Center Square YT

The Center Square YT

August 12th, 2026

DESCRIPTION
Seattle's public safety policies are facing renewed scrutiny as city leaders demand answers from Mayor Katie Wilson over the fallout from the Bite of Seattle shooting and the departure of former Police Chief Shon Barnes. Seattle City Council members pressed the mayor's office over the roughly five-hour delay before the initial press conference following the deadly shooting and questioned the lack of information surrounding Barnes' resignation. Mayor Wilson has asked Seattle's Office of Inspector General to conduct a review. Meanwhile, new scrutiny is surrounding Seattle's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, program after a Washington Policy Center analysis challenged some claims about the program's success. LEAD co-creator Lisa Daugaard responds to the criticism and addresses questions about recidivism, employment and the goals of the diversion program. Also in today's Washington In Focus Daily: the devastating Spokane wildfires have left more than 50 students at one elementary school without their homes just weeks before classes begin, while the Spokesman-Review faces a major newsroom shakeup after its executive editor was placed on administrative leave. Watch Washington In Focus Daily for the latest on Seattle public safety, Washington politics, Spokane wildfire recovery and government accountability. #Seattle #SeattleNews #SeattlePolitics #KatieWilson #SeattlePolice #SPD #PublicSafety #LEAD #Crime #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #WashingtonPolitics #Spokane #SpokaneFires #WashingtonWildfires #CenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus
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