Michael Spears
KIRO 7
Contact Michael
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Michael:
‘Needed for so long’: Tacoma rolls out new police body cameras
TACOMA, Wash. — On Monday, Tacoma police said more than 80 officers hit the streets wearing the department’s new body cameras as part of the first phase of an initiative to equip hundreds of uniformed officers. “It’s kind of a deep breath and a here we go,” said Tacoma police Lt. Christopher Travis, who told KIRO 7 the police department fully supports the rollout as a way to help build trust in… → Read More
Police search for arsonist who destroyed longtime Edmonds market
EDMONDS, Wash. — Police said they’ve identified and are looking for an arsonist who destroyed a longtime Edmonds business just days before Christmas. “I felt pretty devastated and sorry for my dad,” said Jay Kwon, whose dad owns Firdale Market. “We’re just kind of lost for words.” South County Fire said investigators have ruled the two-alarm fire arson, that was reported at the Firdale Market… → Read More
Squatters, looters wreck longtime Capitol Hill club Neighbours during COVID-19 closure
Longtime LGBTQ+ nightclub Neighbours could be forced to close permanently after a wave of break-ins. → Read More
Man arrested after pointing gun at artists, vandalizing city-commissioned Renton mural
Renton police said they arrested a man who pointed a gun at a team of artists working on a city-commissioned mural that he later reportedly defaced with the words “Trump,” “LAM” and “BOO.” → Read More
Man asked to wear face mask properly inside grocery store hurls homophobic slur at shopper
Police said they were called to an Edmonds Way QFC for a “disturbance” Saturday morning involving a man who called another shopper a homophobic slur several times after being told he wasn’t wearing his face mask properly inside the store. → Read More
Judge denies Seattle’s attempt to have CHOP lawsuit tossed
SEATTLE — A U.S District Court judge on Friday denied Seattle’s attempt to have a class-action lawsuit dismissed that alleges the city’s active support of the former Capitol Hill Occupied Protest zone (CHOP) caused nearby neighbors and business owners “irreparable” harm. The city of Seattle had argued that it’s not liable for the “acts of private parties” in and around CHOP and told the court… → Read More
Second contempt motion filed against Seattle over SPD’s handling of protests
Attorneys representing Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County have asked for a second time that a judge hold Seattle in contempt of court, claiming the city violated a crowd control order by failing to take “effective action” to prevent police from using indiscriminate and excessive force against protesters. → Read More
HSD: Council leaves city without tools to address homeless encampments that pose health, safety risks
Seattle City Council’s vote this week to override Mayor Jenny Durkan’s budget veto, and move forward with defunding the Navigation Team, leaves the city “without any” tools to address encampments that may pose health and safety risks, according to the Human Services Department. → Read More
Statue of black man placed near dangling flagpole rope at Washington m
TUKWILLA, Wash. - King County Metro said it has launched an internal investigation after a statue of a black man was discovered at the base of a flagpole near dangling rope at the south facilities maintenance building in Tukwila. A Metro employee placed the statue there, according to internal emails between the agency’s union and upset employees, who on Monday demanded the termination of anyone… → Read More
Bennie Branch’s family raises concerns about 2019 deadly Tacoma police shooting report
The family of 24-year-old Bennie Branch, who was shot and killed by a Tacoma police officer, is raising new concerns about the 2019 fatal shooting that’s now being reviewed by Pierce County prosecutors who will determine whether it was justified. → Read More
Noose found by black Seattle firefighter inside station
The Seattle Fire Department has launched an internal investigation after a black lieutenant firefighter found a noose while he was on shift at his station on Monday. → Read More
Noose found by black Seattle firefighter inside station
The Seattle Fire Department has launched an internal investigation after a black lieutenant firefighter found a noose while he was on shift at his station on Monday. → Read More
Noose found by black Seattle firefighter inside station
SEATTLE - The Seattle Fire Department has launched an internal investigation after sources told KIRO-TV that a black lieutenant firefighter found a noose while he was on shift at his station on Monday. According to the source, the noose was found at a knot tying station where knots are practiced inside the station. The source said what was found wasn’t a knot that firefighters use and could not… → Read More
‘Not dead yet’: School District wrestling coach fired over social media post about George Floyd
The Bethel School District said it’s investigating a social media post by a first-year high school wrestling coach that showed him on the ground with a knee on the back of his neck as he smiles and gives a thumbs-up. → Read More
‘Not dead yet’: School district investigates wrestling coach’s George
The Bethel School District said it’s investigating a social media post by a first-year high school wrestling coach that showed him on the ground with a knee on the back of his neck as he smiles and gives a thumbs-up. “This is for all the race baiters and people that don’t What (sic) they’re talking about when they’re saying that this could kill you,” reads the Facebook post, which appears to… → Read More
‘Not dead yet’: Bethel School District investigates wrestling coach’s George Floyd post
The Bethel School District said it’s investigating a social media post by a first-year high school wrestling coach that showed him on the ground with a knee on the back of his neck as he smiles and gives a thumbs-up. “This is for all the race baiters and people that don’t What they’re talking about when they’re saying that this could kill you,” reads the Facebook post, that appears to have since… → Read More
‘COVID-19 parties’ reportedly held in Eastern Washington to spread virus
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Walla Walla County in south eastern Washington continues to rise, public health officials said they have been receiving reports of COVID-19 “parties” being held in the community. → Read More
‘COVID-19 parties’ reportedly held in Eastern Washington to spread virus
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Walla Walla County in south eastern Washington continues to rise, public health officials said they have been receiving reports of COVID-19 “parties” being held in the community. → Read More
‘COVID-19 parties’ reportedly held in Eastern Washington to spread vir
WALLA WALLA, Wash. - As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Walla Walla County in south eastern Washington continues to rise, public health officials said they have been receiving reports of COVID-19 “parties” being held in the community. At the “parties,” noninfected people mingle with an infected person to try to catch the virus, health officials said in a news release. As of 11:15… → Read More
Coronavirus: 100 workers at Tyson Fresh Meats plant in Washington state test positive for virus
One hundred workers at the Tyson Fresh Meats plant in Wallula, Washington state, have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health, which has mandated the company add new preventative measures and required all 1,400 plant workers be tested for the virus. → Read More