Mike Gravel, former US senator for Alaska, dies at 91

Source: WKYT

EPA watchdog says Trump appointees kept fired employees on payroll

Source: Politico

Biden worked phones to salvage infrastructure deal

Source: Politico

City of Seattle opens additional cooling centers

City of Seattle Opens Additional Cooling Centers and Updated Guidance for Staying Cool in Extreme Heat 
by Kamaria Hightower on June 24, 2021

Seattle  June 24, 2021) – As the National Weather Service has forecasted an excessive heat watch with record-breaking temperatures from Friday, June 25 through Tuesday, June 29, the City of Seattle will be opening more than 30 “cooling centers” including senior centers, community centers, libraries, day/hygiene, and an emergency shelter in addition to beaches, pools, spray parks, and wading pools. All locations and hours of operation vary. Temperatures across Seattle metro area are forecast to reach the mid-100’s by Monday, a record-breaking day.

Partnership with Pacific Place and Local Malls and Movie Theaters

During extreme heat events, local malls (Pacific Place and Northgate Station in Seattle) and movie theaters provide good places to cool off and access to air conditioning. Understanding that many residents and visitors will likely be downtown or on the waterfront over the weekend, the City of Seattle has partnered with Pacific Place to provide promotions to residents who stop by to cool off and access the air conditioning through Monday, June 28. These promotions are entirely optional; cooling off at Pacific Place is available regardless of participation in the below promotions.

Through Monday, all those who visit Pacific Place will have access to the following promotions:

AMC: Unlimited popcorn refills through Wednesday, June 30
AT&T: Buy two accessories, get one free
Aveda: Free liter of hand and body wash with $125 purchase through Sunday, June 27
Bezel & Kiln: Free gift with $50 purchase
Ghost Gallery: 10% off all purchases
The Handmade Showroom: Free gift with $20 purchase
Pike Place Chowder: 10% off chilled gazpacho
Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center Opens as 24/7 Shelter

The Human Services Department (HSD) today confirmed the planned opening of an emergency 24-hour emergency cooling shelter at Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (305 Harrison St) to provide relief from the elements for individuals experiencing homelessness. This emergency shelter will be open from the morning of Saturday, June 26, through the morning of Tuesday, June 29. The shelter will be operated by the Salvation Army with capacity for 73 individuals. Meals will be provided to guests by Operation Sack Lunch. 

Seattle Parks Community Center Cooling Center Hours

International District/Chinatown Community Center (Sunday and Monday 2pm-8pm)
Northgate Community Center (Saturday and Sunday 2pm-8pm)
Rainier Beach Community Center (Saturday and Sunday 2pm-8pm)
Libraries 
The following libraries offer air-conditioned public space and can be used as a place to cool off when outdoor temperatures are high. The Central Library and several neighborhood branches are reopening this week during peak hours. Masks are still required regardless of vaccination status, and physical distancing remains in place. Please be sure to check Library hours online at SPL.org, or by calling our Ask Us line at 206-386-4636, before visiting. 

Ballard Branch 
Status: Reopened 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays 

Beacon Hill Branch 
Status: Reopened 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays 

 Broadview Branch 
Status: Reopened 
 Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays 

Central Library 
Status: Reopening Levels 1, 3 and 5 on Tuesday, June 22 
 Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays 

Delridge Branch 
Status: Reopening Wednesday, June 23 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays 

Douglass-Truth Branch 
Status: Reopened 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays 

Greenwood Branch 
Status: Reopening Wednesday, June 23 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays 

High Point Branch 
Status: Reopening Wednesday, June 23 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays 

International District/Chinatown Branch              
Status: Reopening Sunday, June 27 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays 

Lake City Branch 
Status: Reopened 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays   

Magnolia Branch 
Status: Reopening Wednesday, June 23 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays 

Rainier Beach Branch 
Status: Reopened 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays 

South Park Branch 
Status: Reopening Thursday, June 24 
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays 

Pools and Water Areas 
Wading pools will open to the public on the schedule below and spray parks will open to the public on Saturday, June 26.  

Wading pools  starting Saturday, June 26, noon-7pm unless otherwise listed) 

Volunteer, 1400 E Galer St, Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues 
East Queen Anne, 160 Howe St., Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 
Powell Barnett, 352 Martin Luther King Way, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 
Dahl, 7700 25th Ave. NE, Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues 
Soundview, 1590 NW 90th St., Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues 
Bitter Lake 13035 Linden Ave. N, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 
Green Lake (opens 7/2), N 73rd and E Green Lake Dr. N, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 
Van Asselt, 2820 S Myrtle St., Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 
Delridge, 4501 Delridge Way SW, (12pm to 5:30pm), Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues 
South Park, 8319 8th Ave. S, Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues 
Lincoln, 8600 Fauntleroy Ave. SW, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 
Spray Parks  starting Saturday, June 26, 11am-8pm everyday) 

Beacon Mountain at Jefferson Park, 3901 Beacon Ave. S 
John C. Little, 6961 37th Ave. S 
Lower Judkins, 2150 S Norman St. 
Georgetown Playfield, 750 S Homer St. 
Highland Park, 1100 SW Cloverdale 
Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N 
Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E 
Northacres Park, 12800 1st Ave. NE 
Yesler Terrace Park , 917 Yesler Way 
Lifeguarded Beaches  starting Saturday, June 26, noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays): 

Matthews, 9300 51st Ave. NE through September 5 
Madison, 1900 43rd Ave. E through September 5 
Mt. Baker, 2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S through September 5 
Seward, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S through September 5 
West Green Lake, 7312 W Green Lake Dr. through September 5 
Magnuson, park entrance at NE 65th and Sand Point Way NE through August 28 
Madrona, 853 Lake Washington Blvd. through August 28
Pritchard Beach, 8400 55th S through August 28   
Outdoor Pools 

“Pop” Mounger Pool, 2535 32nd W, daily, 9 a.m. to 5: 30 p.m., visit here for public swim times.  
Colman Pool, 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, daily, noon to 7 p.m., visit here for public swim times.  
Human Services Department 
To support those living unsheltered in the excessive heat, over the coming days, the HOPE Team, in partnership with outreach providers, will be conducting welfare checks, handing out water and basic needs supplies, and providing other supports, including transportation to cooling centers and shelter. The City does have some limited availability of 24/7 enhanced shelter, tiny homes, and other shelter spaces.

Lake City Community Center (15321 28th Ave NE), has been serving as a day center, will be open this weekend and Seattle Parks and Recreation has arranged for evaporative cooling at that location. Extended hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

HSD Aging and Disability Services case managers, who work with vulnerable older adults, have been checking in with clients and distributing fans to those in need all week.  

Day Centers for People Experiencing Homelessness

Community Drop-In Center (Seattle Indian Center), 1265 S Main St suite 105
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Monday – Friday/ 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday – Sunday (NEW EXTENDED HOURS)
God’s Lil Acre, 12521 33rd Ave NE
Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Monday – Friday
Immanuel Community Services, 1215 Thomas St
Hours: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Monday – Friday
The Salvation Army Jefferson Day Center, 4th Ave & Jefferson Street
Hours: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; 7 days-a-week
Peter’s Place/Compass Hygiene Center, 77 S Washington St
Hours: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Monday – Friday
Urban Rest Stop – Ballard, 2014-B NW 57th St
Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday
Urban Rest Stop -Downtown,1924 Ninth Avenue
Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Mon. – Fri./ 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sat. -Sun.
Women’s Day Center, 1830 9th Ave
Hours: 7am -3:30pm; Monday – Friday/ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Saturday
Senior Centers

Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N 85th St
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday – Friday
Phone: 206-297-0875
Pike Market Senior Center, 85 Pike St, Suite 200
Hours: 8:20 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 7 days-a-week
Phone: 206-728-2773
Senior Center of West Seattle, 4217 SW Oregon St
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday
Phone: 206-932-4044
Southeast Seattle Senior Center, 4655 South Holly St
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday/ 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday (NEW EXTENDED HOURS)
Phone: 206-722-0317
Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave S
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
Phone: 206-726-4926
Wallingford Community Senior Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Ste 140
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
Phone: 206-461-7825
Seattle Center 
Seattle Center Armory will reopen to the public on July 1 and is equipped with air conditioning and filtration. View the campus map PDF. 

Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall, opening July 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily 
International Fountain, opens July 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily 
Fountain of Creation (Dupen Fountain), closed for renovation 
Public Drinking Fountains
In preparation for the extreme heat, more than 90 fountains are in operation. Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks and Recreation crews have been working to quickly repair and bring online fountains that were either damaged or were shut-off to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Over the coming days, the City anticipates the daily restoration of dozens of drinking fountains, providing access to more drinking water during this high heat event, in neighborhoods across the city.

Supportive Services
The Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is coordinating with City departments to proactively respond to the upcoming heat event. FAS is supporting HSD and Parks by distributing supplies to shelter locations. The department also has designated teams in security, property management and logistics on 24-hour standby, that way it can be as nimble and responsive as possible throughout the heat event should additional resources need to be deployed.

Seattle Public Utilities
Because of the extreme heat forecasted, the City’s North and South Transfer Stations, operated by Seattle Public Utilities, will close at 2 pm on Sunday, June 27, and Monday, June 28, to self-haul service. The temporary, early closure protects SPU staff, who continue to wear masks per CDC guidance during the Covid-19 pandemic, from heat-related illnesses. It also reduces fire risk with certain types of self-haul waste.

SPU Solid Waste contractors are also taking health precautions during the excessive heat watch and will begin servicing residential customer routes one hour earlier on Monday. SPU Monday customers are asked to set out their garbage, compost, and recycling by 6 am Monday.

Breaking: "Q" is persona non grata at Trump's rally.....

Newsmax's description of tonight is: "FORMER President Trump Wellington, OH Rally"

The faithful will not be happy.

Rudy's friends rally to the cause.....

`https://twitter.com/ChrisBastianBkl/status/1408850644254011395

The Kraken offers legal counsel.....

Upcoming weather in Seattle...

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Trump Aides Prepared Insurrection Act Order During Debate Over Protests

Source: New York Times

Responding to interest from President Donald J. Trump, White House aides drafted a proclamation last year to invoke the Insurrection Act in case Mr. Trump moved to take the extraordinary step of deploying active-duty troops in Washington to quell the protests that followed the killing of George Floyd, two senior Trump administration officials said.

The aides drafted the proclamation on June 1, 2020, during a heated debate inside the administration over how to respond to the protests. Mr. Trump, enraged by the demonstrations, had told the attorney general, William P. Barr, the defense secretary, Mark T. Esper, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley, that he wanted thousands of active-duty troops on the streets of the nation’s capital, one of the officials said.

Mr. Trump was talked out of the plan by the three officials. But a separate group of White House staff members wanted to leave open the option for Mr. Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act to call in the military to patrol the streets of the capital.

They decided it would be prudent to have the necessary document vetted and ready in case the unrest in Washington worsened or the city’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, declined to take measures such as a citywide curfew, which she ultimately put in place.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/25/us/politics/trump-insurrection-act-protests.html