The Federal Communications Commission will hold a hearing in Seattle on loosening the current restrictions for media ownership on Thursday, November 30. That's right: The FCC is holding a public hearing here on a corporate attempt to weaken democracy on the seventh anniversary of the largest demonstration in modern US history against...corporate attempts to weaken democracy. Even more amazingly, the location of the hearing is so close to ground zero of the anti-WTO protests that you still may be able to catch a whiff of the tear gas: The "Microsoft Room" (gag) of the Seattle Central Library, downtown at 4th and Madison. (Time is still TBA; check our calendar next issue, or the web sites of Reclaim the Media or KBCS.)

There will be an opportunity for people to testify before the commission about their views on media ownership. Current moves by the FCC to allow for more corporate consolidation of media ownership has alarmed media reform organizations all across the nation. This hearing will be the only chance for local residents to challenge the FCC's plans in person. Be there. Geov Parrish & Mark Taylor-Canfield

A 43-year-old school bus driver from Issaquah is appealing her dismissal for making an obscene gesture to President Bush. Dubya was in Seattle in June campaigning for Congressman Dave Reichert when the bus driver, whose name has not been released, stopped her vehicle to make way for the president's motorcade.

Reichert then claimed at a campaign rally that the female driver flipped off the president when his limousine drove by. Reichert said he then complained to the Issaquah School District and the driver was fired in September.

After a firestorm of negative publicity and questions as to his involvement, Reichert backed off from the story of his involvement, but the bus driver was, in fact, fired. Sara Niegowski, a spokeswoman for the district, says their investigation found evidence pointing to "unprofessional conduct" from the driver.

The bus driver filed a grievance last month with her union for wrongful termination. She has declined to be identified or interviewed.

Chris Dugovich, a spokesman for the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, said it wants the district to re-evaluate its decision: "There's only one individual who saw this and it happens to be the president of the United States." -M.T.-C.