12/20: SPD’s body camera pilot starts this weekend, Inslee proposes cap-and-trade & a capital gains tax, and more…

Bertha stayed in the news…and trapped underground

• This is the best single-article summary of the current situation as of Monday.
• In Pioneer Square, several cracks appeared & a water main was damaged.
• WSDOT says the area is safe; some Councilmembers aren't convinced.
• With WSDOT's blessing, digging of the rescue shaft resumed on Wednesday.
• This week's top Bertha-related editorials: pro-tunnel & anti-tunnel.

Governor Inslee announced his proposed budget

• Its most controversial components are cap-and-trade & a capital gains tax.
• Additional revenue is needed to pay for court-mandated public K-12 costs.
• Republicans & Democrats in the state legislature will unveil their budgets in March.

SPD's body camera pilot moved forward

• The initial 6-month pilot starts this weekend with 12 officers on Capitol Hill. 
• The Stranger takes a look at SPD's body camera rules for officers.
• The activist who almost shuttered the program talks to Seattle Weekly.

The Seattle Housing Authority decided not to raise its rents

• SHA is a public agency that provides long-term low-income rental housing.
• They'd proposed dramatic rent increases for current tenants.
• In the face of near-universal opposition, they dropped that plan Wednesday. 

Pot watch: 2014

• The Stranger dives deep on the Mayor's proposed medical marijuana regulations.
• A state legislator wants to address the issue by merging the medical & recreational markets.
• Meanwhile, a new–and legal–recreational shop plans to open on Capitol Hill.

2. King County will be rolling out a new restaurant grading system next year.

3. A Third Place Books will replace Seward Park's Columbia City-bound PCC.

4. BMW's DriveNow is looking to join the Seattle car-sharing scene next year.

5. Paseo will be back, with a new owner but the same employees & recipes.