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MARCH 25, 2026
VOL. 107, NO. 13
Mayor Wilson We’re Not Saying the Sonics Are Back… Pauses Expansion But We’re Also Not Not Saying It of Surveillance Pilot, Orders Audit Ahead of S World Cup Staff Report
eattle is having one of those rare moments where everything seems to be lining up at once. This week, Kraken owner Samantha Holloway announced the launch of One Roof Sports and Entertainment, a new umbrella organization bringing together the Seattle Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, Kraken Community Iceplex, One Roof Foundation, and the redevelopment of Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center-along with broader investments in regional sports. Holloway framed the launch as a long-term investment in both competition and community. “We’re committed to this community,” she said. “This parent brand brings together everything we’ve built and positions us for what comes next.” That “what’s next” could be historic. On paper, it’s a structural move. In Seattle, it reads differently. It feels like preparation. Because hovering over all of this is the question that never really left: What if the Sonics actually come back? For anyone new to Seattle-or anyone who’s only experienced the city without an NBA teamthe SuperSonics were once a defining part of the city. They left in 2008, and the aftermath has lingered somewhere between heartbreak and unfinished business ever since. Now, for the first time in a long time, the conversation is shifting. The NBA is expected to vote this week on formally beginning an expansion process focused on Seattle and Las Vegas, with
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eattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced Thursday that the city will pause expansion of its surveillance camera pilot program while moving forward with a comprehensive review of privacy and data policies, a decision that carries implications for neighborhoods across the city. The program, known as the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), launched in April 2025 with 62 police-operated cameras installed in downtown, along Aurora Avenue, and in the Chinatown International District. The initiative was approved as a pilot, with the understanding that it would be evaluated before any long-term expansion. However, late last year, the previous administration approved plans to expand the program into additional areas, including the Central District near Garfield High School, Capitol Hill’s nightlife district, and the Stadium District. According to Wilson, that expansion has not yet been implemented, as the cameras have not been installed or activated. “Before we expand a program like this, we need to understand how it’s working and what impact it’s having,” Wilson said in prepared remarks.
“Under Wilson’s plan, the city will halt further expansion until a full privacy and data governance audit is completed.”
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ready to support something bigger. Holloway framed it as a longterm commitment to the region: bringing everything under one roof “positions us for future opportunities.” Around here, nobody needs that translated. None of this guarantees the Sonics’ return. Seattle fans know better than to celebrate a process before it becomes reality. But for once, this isn’t just nostalgia or rumor-it’s movement. And if you’ve lived here long enough, you know the appropriate response isn’t
overconfidence. It’s cautious optimism, with just a little emotional armor. Still… you can feel it. So no, the Sonics aren’t back. Not yet. But if this all works out? Seattle gets something it never really stopped wanting. And if it doesn’t… well, this city is famously calm, rational, and completely normal about the Sonics. Obviously. We’ll know a lot more next week, once the NBA’s vote gives Seattle its clearest signal yet on what comes next.
Vino in the Village, Magnolia’s Favorite Wine Walk Returns April 25 Staff Report
M DISCOVER MAGNOLIA
Under Wilson’s plan, the city will halt further expansion until a full privacy and data governance audit is completed. Existing RTCC cameras will remain operational in their current locations. The decision comes amid ongoing debate about the role of surveillance technology in public safety. While some residents see cameras as a valuable tool to deter crime and assist investigations, others have raised concerns about privacy, over-surveillance, and the potential misuse of data. Wilson acknowledged those competing perspectives, emphasizing the need for a more deliberate approach. “For some people, cameras make them feel safer. For others, they have the opposite effect,” she said. “That’s why it’s important that we ground our decisions in a clear understanding of both the benefits and the risks.” As part of the pause, Wilson outlined several targeted actions. Cameras slated for installation in the Stadium District ahead of the FIFA World Cup will still be installed but will remain inactive unless a credible threat arises. They would be turned off once that threat subsides. In addition, Wilson announced that one existing camera with a view of a facility providing reproductive and genderaffirming care will be turned off while the
a potential target of launching new teams by the 2028–29 season. It’s an early step-but notably, a real one. And the momentum isn’t just coming from the league. Gov. Bob Ferguson, who has called himself a “die-hard Sonics fan,” is set to meet with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ahead of the vote and made it clear the state is ready to help. “I feel I have a pretty good appreciation for the loss that our community experienced,” Ferguson said-putting words to something many Seattleites have felt for years. “Obviously, if this is to happen, there will be a role for the state in some capacity to be helpful,” Ferguson continued. “What I’ve tried to emphasize with him and others is that the state stands ready to be helpful, that this is a priority for me.” This push has also been building behind the scenes. Back in a June 2024 Interview, (now former) Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said “We know (NBA Commissioner) Adam Silver’s talked a little about the process that it will entail. It’s much like how we competed for the FIFA games. “I am actively not only creating the buzz, but looking at how we build the infrastructure here in Seattle. Let’s signal to the NBA: you have to be here. You’re missing this great market and I feel very good about what’s going to happen here in the near future.” The city needed to show both the fan energy and the infrastructure to support a team. That’s what makes this moment feel different. The arena is done. The ownership group is established. The city leadership is aligned. And now, with One Roof Sports and Entertainment, there’s a structure that looks
ark your calendar Vino in the Village is returning to Magnolia. On Saturday, April 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Magnolia Village will once again transform into a lively evening of wine tasting, live music, and neighborhood connection. Hosted by Discover Magnolia and Mainspring Wealth Advisors, the annual spring event invites attendees to sip, savor, shop, and stroll through the heart of the village. This year’s event features 18 wineries offering tastings and bottles for purchase, with all wine sales tax-free. Guests can also take advantage of an extra $5
discount when purchasing two or more bottles from the same winery. Live music will be spread throughout the village, creating a festive, walkable atmosphere. And for those looking to sip sustainably, bringing your own wine glass earns a raffle ticket for a chance to win gift cards from local businesses. Advance tickets are $40, with walk-up tickets available for $50. Online sales close at noon on April 25, with day-of purchases beginning at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event support the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce and its efforts to strengthen connections across the community.