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Is the Proposed Smoking Ban Unfairly Targeting the Homeless?

The top Seattle news stories you should be reading today

By Lauren Mang May 11, 2015

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Three cheers for Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, who nabbed his 2,000th strikeout during Sunday’s game against the Oakland A’s. King Felix is the fourth-youngest player to reach the exciting milestone, according to the Associated Press. The Mariners are currently in third place in the American League West and take on the San Diego Padres tomorrow at Safeco Field. Go M’s!

Is the proposed smoking ban in Seattle’s public parks targeting homeless and low-income people? The ACLU of Washington and several activists think so, saying the ban is “offensive to social justice.” Kiro Radio’s Jason Rantz disagrees: “How can you support forcing people to buy health insurance they don’t want or need, but then say it’s an overreach to ban smoking in parks because, according to you, it disproportionately hits people who are homeless?” What do you think? Read more of Rantz’s argument at MyNorthwest.com.

Seattle-based Zulily experienced more than a 13 percent increase in its stock price this morning after Chinese online retailer Alibaba announced a 9.3 percent stake in the company, reports Geekwire. “The stock is now trading near $15 per share — well below the company’s November 2013 IPO price of $22 per share.”

Meet the mini: Starbucks announced that it has begun selling a smaller, 10-ounce version of its Frappuccino through July 6. The coffee chain’s current small (tall) size measures at 12 ounces and contains around 180 calories. The mini version will sell for 20 to 30 cents less and will have around 120 calories.

 

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