Food & Drink
Starbucks CEO Defends Race Together, Bertha News & More
The top Seattle news stories you should be reading today
By Lauren Mang March 19, 2015

Downtown crime: A man was shot multiple times early this morning near Third Avenue and Pike Street. King 5 reports that witnesses are being asked to dial 206.233.5000 if they know anything.
Bertha will finally get a bit of a boost today: The tunnel boring machine, which has been stuck below Seattle’s waterfront and in need of repairs, will have the first piece of its dismantled cutter head lifted to the surface. According to MyNorthwest.com, Seattle Tunnel Partners “hopes to repair the damaged cutter head by late spring.” Bertha is expected to begin drilling again in August.
Much has been said about Starbucks’ new Race Together campaign, which is designed to engage its customers in discussing the subject of race relations. And much of what’s been said, like the (expected) snark on Twitter, isn’t good. Now, Starbucks’ ceo Howard Schultz is speaking out and defending his company’s attempt at tackling social issues saying “our intentions are pure.” Read more of his statement here.
It’s been officially decided: If you’re driving in the I-405 express lanes (with a Good to Go! pass) when they open later this year, you can expect to pay anywhere from 75 cents to $10 in tolls. The amount will depend on traffic and the Associated Press reports that “carpools with three or more people will be exempt from paying a toll, as will motorcycles, transit vehicles and vanpools.” No Good to Go! pass? You’ll be mailed a bill and pay $2 more “than the posted Good To Go! rate in effect at the time of your trip.”