The Seattle City Council is set to vote tomorrow on new legislation that would allow Seattle police to use a range of "less lethal" weapons, including blast balls, tear gas and pepper spray, for crowd control under certain circumstances.

Why it matters: This vote is a key step toward concluding Seattle's 12-year federal consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice, which mandates reforms in police practices, including crowd control measures.

Driving the news: Introduced by Mayor Bruce Harrell, the proposal seeks to replace previous ordinances that heavily restricted SPD's use of less lethal weapons during protests.

State of play: The earlier bans, enacted after SPD's response to the 2020 George Floyd protests, were later blocked by a federal judge after the Department of Justice successfully argued that restricting crowd control weapons could result in greater police use of force by officers left with only more lethal options.

• SPD has since operated under interim policies.

What they're saying: "It balances the city's obligation to protect free speech and peaceful assembly while maintaining public peace," Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess told Axios.

Friction points: Supporters argue that the new policy provides SPD with necessary tools to manage public safety effectively during large-scale events, emphasizing that the legislation includes specific conditions under which these weapons can be deployed.

• Critics, however, express concern that the policy could lead to misuse and injuries, citing past incidents in which the deployment of such weapons resulted in harm to protesters and bystanders.

The intrigue: Under the proposed policy, tear gas deployment would require a declaration of emergency by the mayor and could be used only as a last resort when there is an immediate threat to life.

• Blast balls could be used to prevent imminent threat of violence against people or significant property damage, with approval from a supervisor.

What's next: If the City Council approves the legislation, SPD will draft revised crowd management policies within 60 days, at which point they will undergo review by the DOJ and the federal monitor overseeing the consent decree.

• Upon approval, the policies will be submitted to the court for final consideration.

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Washington legislators are weighing a proposal that would allow corner stores and cafes in all residential neighborhoods.

Why it matters: Supporters say having markets and cafes tucked into neighborhoods makes cities more friendly and walkable. But local zoning rules often ban such businesses in residential zones.

What's inside: House Bill 1175 would force cities and towns to allow neighborhood stores and neighborhood cafes in any area zoned for housing.

• Cafes that serve alcohol would also have to serve food under the bill.
• Cities would be able to enact rules around parking, hours of operation, and maximum square footage but would have to allow the businesses to remain open for at least 12 hours per day.

What they're saying: "This bill creates community and it brings people together," state Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla), the bill's lead sponsor, said during a committee hearing last month.

• He added that in Europe, these types of businesses are "everywhere."

Zoom in: Right now, Seattle doesn't allow neighborhood stores and cafes in most areas zoned for housing.

• While Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed a zoning plan that would allow such shops in more areas of the city, his proposal has yet to win the approval of the Seattle City Council.

Caveat: A few neighborhood businesses in Seattle — including Volunteer Park Cafe in Capitol Hill, Irwin's Neighborhood Bakery and Cafe in Wallingford, and Seven Coffee Roasters in Ravenna — predate the city's zoning laws, per the Seattle Times.

• But the city's current rules prevent new businesses from popping up in those types of locations.

Go deeper

🥚 Beth's Cafe — a Seattle institution famous for its 12-egg omelettes — is among those struggling with the price of eggs. (Eater Seattle)

⚖️ Washington state filed a lawsuit Friday challenging President Trump's attempt to cut funding to hospitals and other programs that provide gender-affirming care to young people. (Washington State Standard)

🚪 Gov. Bob Ferguson has yet to hold a single general press conference, breaking with a tradition of governors holding weekly televised Q&As at the Capitol. (Seattle Times)

A large share of U.S. workers — an estimated 22.6 million people nationwide — intend to take today off following the big game.

• That's according to a recent survey from UKG, which provides human resources services.

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