Seattle: drop in investment ranking, West Seattle shooting, and Sonics return plan

Today's digest covers three key Seattle stories: the city's sharp fall in a ranking of attractiveness for foreign investment, an investigation into a shooting in West Seattle where a bullet pierced a pickup's windshield, and the Seattle Council's approval of a Seattle Center modernization plan amid talks of bringing the NBA's Sonics back.

Seattle falls in ranking of attractiveness for foreign investment: a warning sign for the business climate

Seattle, once a symbol of the tech boom and innovation, has been hit with unwelcome numbers. In a new ranking from the Financial Times and Nikkei assessing the best U.S. cities for foreign business, the city slid from a respectable second place to thirteenth. An eleven-place drop is a serious alarm for the local community, which was already facing tough times. The report analyzes dozens of criteria, from energy system resilience and resistance to trade wars to workforce quality, business climate and quality of life. On average Seattle scored 62 out of 100, while the ranking leader Boston rose ten spots to 73. Last year the city scored 65, which helped it reach second place, but the trend has now reversed.

Notably, although Seattle dropped in several categories, its score in the investment trends category — which includes the volume of foreign and domestic investment attracted in 2025 and GDP per capita — increased. Nevertheless, the GeekWire article notes that publication of the ranking sparked a new wave of discussion on LinkedIn among tech community members already worried about the city's anti-business perception. Kirby Winfield, founder of venture firm Ascend, shared a chart and emotionally said it pains him as a native Seattleite to see such reports.

Reactions were split. Some commentators were skeptical of the ranking's "vague" definitions and weighting, pointing out that any list placing New York (28th) and San Francisco (33rd) so low is hard to trust. But many saw the city's decline as the predictable result of years of policy. IT veteran Charlie Ante said he had never seen such a hostile-to-business city government, especially toward small businesses. Private equity manager Michael Hatch specified grievances: in his view, Seattle's fall is the direct result of decisions that have long complicated company operations, including new city taxes, one of the nation's highest minimum wages and "street chaos" no business can withstand.

This rhetoric is backed by real moves. The piece recalls a trend of high-profile departures: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos moved to Miami, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz also chose Miami, and Expedia and Zillow co-founder Rich Barton moved to Las Vegas. Against that backdrop, Mayor Katie Wilson's behavior in April—brushing off threats by wealthy residents to leave the city by saying "bye"—provoked particular attention. Still, not everyone is ready to accept the situation. Startup founder Curtis Crimmins said he is obsessed with restoring Seattle's former innovative spirit — the city that changed how we shop, communicate and use gadgets — and urged doing everything possible to achieve that. Thus the FT-Nikkei ranking not only records numbers but catalyzes a long-overdue conversation in the city about the direction of one of America's major tech hubs and what must be done to preserve its unique culture.

Shooting under investigation in West Seattle: bullet pierced pickup windshield

A shooting incident occurred in the High Point Drive area of West Seattle. Police closed a stretch of road around the 6300 block to investigate. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the vehicle owner reported that a bullet struck the windshield of their pickup. There is currently no information about the shooter, and the circumstances remain unclear.

According to West Seattle Blog, the call came from the vehicle owner who discovered the damage. Law enforcement is working on the scene. Experts are inspecting the vehicle and surrounding area, trying to determine the bullet's origin and any possible suspects. It is not yet known whether the shooting was accidental or targeted.

It should be noted that a bullet passing through a windshield could have seriously injured an occupant if anyone had been inside. The situation underscores the danger of firearms in residential neighborhoods. Neighbors and passersby are advised to stay away from the investigation area, as police search not only for shell casings but also for any surveillance footage that might have captured the incident. Further investigation may shed light on motives and involved parties, but for now there is no information about them.

Seattle Council approves Seattle Center modernization plan amid talk of Sonics return

The Seattle City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting a bond issuance in 2027 to fund capital repairs for the Seattle Center complex. This move is more than a budgetary decision — it is part of a broader strategy: city officials want not only to update aging infrastructure but also to create conditions for bringing an NBA team back to the city. The Sonics left Seattle in 2008, and fans have long dreamed of a comeback. Now politicians aim to use the upcoming renovation as leverage in negotiations with the league.

The resolution, promoted by Councilmember Rob Saka and Mayor Katie Wilson, sets specific goals for the city. First, it officially records the council's intent to consider a bond issue in 2027 and asks the mayor to include funds in future budgets for preparatory work. That includes, for example, repairs to the historic Armory building and expansion of the veterans' memorial. The document also urges city utilities, including Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities, to collaborate with Seattle Center on a transition to carbon-neutral technologies. This matters not only for the environment but also for the complex's image as a modern, responsible space.

It's important to understand that Seattle Center is more than an amusement park. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the complex is the cultural heart of the city: it draws 11.3 million visitors annually and generates about $3.3 billion in economic activity. However, there have been no major infrastructure investments since 1991. Power, water and fire-safety systems have been in place for more than 60 years, creating risks for visitors and staff.

Councilmember Bob Kettle, who represents the district that includes the complex, called Seattle Center an "iconic civic gem" and stressed that it is time to reinvest in its renewal. Acting center director Randy Engstrom added that modernization will strengthen the creative economy that thrives there and preserve the "74-acre civic ecosystem" for future generations. Behind the statements is also a pragmatic calculation. As Rob Saka noted, in April the council passed legislation confirming the city's readiness to welcome the Sonics back, and now it has presented a concrete plan. "Today we propose a specific timeline and take on commitments, backing our stated values with real investments — both city and philanthropic," he said.

For those unfamiliar with the context: Seattle Center is a large downtown area that hosts the famous Space Needle, theaters, museums, sports arenas and exhibition halls. A "bond issuance" means the city will sell debt securities to investors and use the proceeds for construction. Repayment will come from taxes or fees — a common practice for major municipal projects. The reference to a potential Sonics return relates to the fact that Seattle has been without an NBA team since 2008, when the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. The city now wants to prove to the league that it has both an arena (the updated Climate Pledge Arena), public interest and political will. As reported by KOMO, the final decision to issue bonds will rest with voters in a ballot measure. If voters approve the bonds, Seattle will have a chance not only to restore a beloved public space but also to take a decisive step toward bringing big-league basketball back.

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Artist creates ORCA card design for World Cup

When Alison Bremner was invited to design a limited-edition ORCA card for the 2026 World Cup, she was thrilled. As a child in Juneau, Alaska, she played soccer in the Tongass forests in the rain, looking up to stars like Mia Hamm. "I think my younger self would be most excited about this of everything I've created as an artist," Bremner, who now lives in King County, admits.

The ORCA system (One Regional Card for All) is a unified electronic fare card covering buses, streetcars, ferries and light rail in the Seattle region. Previously, limited-edition cards designed by local artists, especially Indigenous artists, turned an everyday object into a collectible piece of art and a way to express the identity of a city where respect for Indigenous cultures is an important part of the public consciousness.

The SEA26 ORCA card released this month embodies the artist’s love of soccer through a Northwest Coast formline design — the traditional two-dimensional art system of Southeast Alaska Indigenous peoples based on bold geometric lines, ovoid shapes and totemic animal imagery. The card features a bright-blue raven, a green whale-tail pattern and multicolored soccer balls. All elements weave into continuous motion so that, as Bremner says, "the longer you look, the more you notice." In Seattle, home to one of the largest Alaska Native diasporas outside the state, formline is actively integrated into the contemporary environment — from monumental murals to public transit design. For the ORCA card, the style was chosen as a symbol of the cultural bridge between the Seattle region and Indigenous heritage, making traditional art accessible to millions of riders.

Twenty-seven thousand limited-edition transit cards were produced for the tournament. They can be obtained for free (first copy) at the Metro sales office in Pioneer Square, at World Cup events or from special ticket vending machines. On the day before each match, 1,200 cards will be loaded into three machines across the region, and their locations will be announced on social media to encourage more riders to use public transit.

Alison Bremner, a multidisciplinary artist of the Tlingit people, was chosen because her work "connects Indigenous cultural traditions with contemporary public life." She works in painting, wood carving and digital media, aiming to preserve Tlingit practices. A turning point came at the Celebration festival in 2010 in Juneau — the largest pan-Indian festival that brings together Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. There she saw visual art come alive on stage through song and dance. That experience inspired her to transform the vivid imagery of ceremonial regalia, shaman combs and stylized waves into contemporary art, which she then adapts for ORCA card design.

Bremner’s work is held in major museums, including the Burke Museum, the Frye Art Museum and the British Museum in London. This spring she also exhibited several wallpaper collages at the Steinbrueck Native Gallery. The artist hopes her design will convey the excitement and energy of the World Cup and that riders will enjoy using the card.

"It’s so great I can’t even find the words," Bremner says about the opportunity to create the design. "It’s wonderful to see how different life experiences can come together in ways you couldn’t have foreseen. It’s a true joy."

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Based on: Meet the artist behind limited-edition World Cup ORCA transit card

Seattle's first social housing building: 10,000 applicants for 150 units

More than 10,000 people applied to live in Seattle’s first social housing building, underscoring the acute shortage of affordable housing in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. The new project, carried out by the public developer Seattle Social Housing Developer, is converting the luxury Elara at the Market complex in Belltown into a pilot of a model popular in Europe.

Belltown was not chosen by chance for the first social housing site: this lively downtown neighborhood bordering Puget Sound is known not only for its nightlife, arts scene and pricey condominiums, but also for stark social contrasts, including one of the highest concentrations of people experiencing homelessness and tent encampments. On one of the city’s fastest-appreciating parcels, vacant land and proximity to transit hubs make the pilot especially visible as a demonstration of the new model’s effectiveness.

Unlike traditional affordable housing, the social housing building brings tenants with different income levels together in one building. The central idea is to subsidize rent for low-income residents, reduce economic segregation, and permanently preserve affordability. In the first phase, those most in need move in: during a two-week lottery that ended Friday, a record number of applications were submitted.

The lottery process is staged: apartments are first offered to people earning up to 30% of the median income (about $34,500 a year for a single person) — for 15 available units. Then the right moves to those earning up to 50% of the median ($57,500) for the next 45 apartments. As vacancies open up, the building will be made available to residents with higher incomes.

Application statistics are striking: 70% of applicants fall into the lowest income group, meaning more than 7,000 people are competing for 15 units. About one in five applicants earns between 30% and 50% of median income. On Monday the developer will begin a random drawing; winners will have 72 hours to respond and will be required to verify their incomes.

Such fervor reflects the scale of the problem: state projections show Seattle needs more than 100,000 new homes of all types over the next two decades, with more than half needed for low-income households. Private builders can supply middle- and high-tier housing, but affordable options almost always require public subsidies — precisely what the new model aims to address.

Traditional affordable housing programs in the U.S. (such as Section 8 housing vouchers or LIHTC tax credits) are often inefficient due to bureaucracy, market constraints and land scarcity. So the city created the Public Social Housing Developer — a nonprofit organization that directly builds and manages housing not tied to market rents. This allows apartments to be rented at cost rather than at market rates, and to remain permanently affordable for low- and moderate-income families.

Project funding comes from the "JumpStart Tax" — an income tax on large companies whose annual payroll exceeds $1 million per employee. This progressive tax applies to corporations that pay high salaries (for example, Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks) and is levied on annual pay above the $1 million threshold; the higher executives’ pay, the higher the rate. Funds are directed to finance affordable housing, social programs and homelessness efforts, helping address gentrification driven by the booming tech sector.

The developer, which has already spent about $61 million to purchase the building, plans to bring 1,670 apartments online over five years. Despite criticism (using public funds for higher-income tenants and challenges at launch), proponents emphasize that removing housing from the private market provides long-term public benefits. Current Elara tenants will be guaranteed no rent increases for two years and will receive free transit passes.

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Based on: Seattle’s first social housing building draws more than 10K applicants

Fights in Therapy: How Conflict Helps Couples

Many couples come to counseling apprehensively, fearing that their arguments will be exposed to a stranger. However, for a psychotherapist, observing a real conflict is the best way to understand the dynamics of the relationship. Rather than hearing a retelling of events, the clinician sees how partners interact live: who reacts how, when someone raises their voice or shuts down. It’s important that these observations are as honest and unfiltered as possible, so the therapist deliberately does not intervene during the first minutes of an argument, giving both partners the chance to display their habitual reactions.

After the therapist spots recurring patterns, they intervene with “directorial cues.” The couple is asked to slow down and pause at a key moment when the argument could go off the rails. This gives partners a chance to realize what they actually want from the conversation — not to win, but to be heard. Sometimes this requires more than one session, since each partner brings their own unique history of past hurts into the dialogue.

For example, one partner may crave validation of their feelings but instead begins accusing the other of being inattentive. The other, in turn, feels unfairly attacked. The therapist helps unpack this tangle: what the person actually wanted to say and how it can be expressed without blame. In the process it often emerges that the roots of such reactions lie in childhood experiences or previous relationships.

A key tool is active listening. When partners are more concerned with proving they’re right than with understanding one another, defensive reactions grow. By slowing the dialogue and encouraging attention to the subtext, the therapist lowers the emotional temperature and prevents escalation. Sometimes the clinician uses simple techniques for this: asking one partner to repeat the other’s words to ensure the message was received correctly.

Sometimes the therapist acts as a referee: if the dispute becomes traumatising, they raise a hand and firmly say “Stop.” Boundaries help prevent the same painful scenarios that occur at home from being replayed in the office. However, if partners resist, the therapist must remind them of the rules, emphasizing that the therapy room is a safe space for analysis, not a continuation of the conflict.

It’s important to understand: couples therapy is not suitable for everyone. In cases of active physical, verbal, or emotional abuse it can be harmful — an abuser may learn to use psychological language to mask their actions. In such cases, individual therapy and support for the victim are necessary. Many couples mistakenly hope that counseling will solve all problems without recognizing the depth of destructive patterns.

Even in healthy relationships much comes down to each person’s personal “baggage.” Working on a relationship is like a Venn diagram: only a small overlapping part is joint effort, while a larger part is individual work on oneself. Therefore effective couples therapy is impossible without each person’s personal practice. This means couples ready to change must be prepared to invest not only in joint sessions but also in their own self-development.

Instead of fearing arguments, the therapist invites curiosity: what in my history makes me react this way? How can we change this dance? When a couple stops seeing conflict as a catastrophe and instead views it as an opportunity to learn more about each other, therapy ceases to be a trial and becomes a space for genuine intimacy. This approach helps not merely smooth sharp edges, but build a foundation for long-term, understanding-filled relationships.

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Based on: Arguing during couples therapy can actually help | The therapist is in

Graham Street Station Saved After 30 Years

After three decades of bureaucratic delays and community battles, the light-rail station on Graham Street in the Rainier Valley has finally gotten the green light. At a Sound Transit board meeting in late May, the station was preserved thanks to persistent local activists and the support of Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, and County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda.

The decision is a major victory for Seattle’s South End, which for years has suffered from underinvestment, gentrification, and displacement. Rainier Valley has historically been lower-income and less politically influential than other parts of the city. While the other stations on Line 1, opened in 2009, were routed on a priority corridor to the airport and downtown, funding for the southwest extension, including Graham Street, was approved only as part of the ST2 package in 2008. Work was repeatedly delayed by land acquisition issues, disputes with neighbors, and budget shortfalls. The 30-year delay therefore reflects systemic inequality in how resources are distributed between wealthier and poorer neighborhoods. Tenant Organizers & Advocates executive director Violet Lavatay emphasized that the community refused to wait another 30 years and organized protests to make their voices heard.

For many residents the station became a symbol of the fight for equitable access to transit. Mayor Wilson said “no more promises” and that southern communities deserve fair access to modern infrastructure. Sound Transit estimates the $214 million station will open in 2031.

But saving the station is only the first step. Local organizations such as Puget Sound Sage are already focused on preventing the displacement of current residents. Gentrification is the process by which historically inexpensive neighborhoods attract wealthier residents, driving up rents and property taxes. New transit projects, like the Line 1 extension, make these areas more attractive to developers and increase land values. As a result, shops, churches, and homes that have served local residents for decades are replaced by expensive condominiums and coffee shops, and people are pushed to more distant suburbs, losing social ties and jobs. Expert Howard Greenwich noted that transit only benefits people if they “still live in their neighborhoods 10–20 years from now.” Activists are pushing for affordable housing policies and protections for small businesses, churches, and cultural centers.

Safety remains an urgent concern. In Rainier Valley, unlike other parts of Line 1, trains run at surface level through busy neighborhoods, intersecting with pedestrian crossings. Because some sections lack automatic gates and signals, and visibility is limited by track curves and poor lighting, people often cross tracks at unsafe locations or fail to clear the tracks in time. This has already led to numerous collisions with pedestrians and vehicles. Sound Transit planned to install barriers as far back as 2018, but the work was postponed due to bureaucratic delays and funding shortages. Residents have long demanded gates and fencing, but so far without success.

Sound Transit promises that protective gates will be installed at existing stations (Columbia City, Othello, Rainier Beach) by 2030. Additional barriers are scheduled for the most dangerous sections in 2025, but full upgrades could be delayed until 2028. A final decision for Graham Street station has been postponed — it will be made after consultation with the city and the public. Experience has shown that Sound Transit’s timelines can be quite vague.

Activists intend to keep up the pressure through to opening day. “We will hold them accountable,” Lavatay said, noting that many of the older fighters for the station have nearly lost hope but continue to push. “Some may not live to see it, but we fight for future generations,” she added.

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Based on: Good news for Graham Street light rail station after decades of delays

Seattle weather: rain, storms, then heat up to +27°C

Seattle residents are in for another weather "roller coaster": after a string of rain and possible thunderstorms, temperatures will climb sharply, reaching +27°C by the weekend. As meteorologist Maddy Cristell of the National Weather Service reported, a cold front will move through the region on Tuesday, bringing not only rain but also a chance of thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds and small hail. For now, the chance of storms is estimated at 10–20%, but experts do not rule out an increase.

By midweek the weather will begin to change: Wednesday is expected to be around +18°C, and by Thursday and Friday the air will warm to +24…+26°C. By Saturday, temperatures could reach +27°C, and, according to Cristell, the heat will likely persist into next week. Such a rapid jump in temperatures will be a real challenge for those planning to spend time outdoors.

Fans attending the World Cup match in Seattle on June 15 should pay particular attention to the impending heat. Meteorologists warn that by Sunday most of western Washington, except for areas near the Cascade Range, will be in a zone of moderate heat. "June heat isn’t unusual for us," Cristell reminds, "but this time it should be taken seriously and people should monitor forecasts."

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Based on: Seattle weather: Rainstorm, possible lightning, then heat in the 80s

Seattle in Crisis: Streets Become a Battleground

City officials and Seattle residents find themselves at the center of a transportation and crime crisis: neighbors are blocking streets to protect children from bullets, Sound Transit is abandoning promised projects, and the tragic death of a driver who went off an overpass raises questions about road infrastructure safety.

"Asking Seattleites to pay more for full ST3 delivery is inappropriate," said the lone city councilmember on the Sound Transit board

During an informal morning Q&A with reporters organized by the Seattle City Council, councilmember Dan Strauss — the council's sole representative on the Sound Transit board — strongly disagreed with the idea of placing additional financial burdens on Seattle residents to complete the ST3 light rail project. Recall that just over a week ago the Sound Transit board approved a revised ST3 plan that, unlike the promises made to voters a decade ago, does not include funding to extend the line to Ballard. After that vote, suggestions surfaced that Seattle residents who want more than the new plan provides could consider raising the additional funds themselves. Responding to reporters asking his position on that idea, Strauss called it "inappropriate at best," stressing that Seattle residents are already paying for "the Sound Transit project that was promised to them." In his interview with West Seattle Blog he said he still sees the possibility of forgoing construction of a second downtown tunnel, which he argued could free up enough money to build the line all the way to Ballard. "We need a deeper conversation about this," Strauss added, noting he views the tunnel as a regional convenience for Sound Transit rather than a necessary element to complete Seattle’s light rail system. In addition, Strauss and City Council President Joy Hollingsworth expressed "concern" about Mayor Kshama Sawant’s proposal to double the sales tax to expand Metro bus service, pointing to uncertainty about how the revenue would be allocated. The key takeaway is growing tension between local officials and the regional transit agency: Seattle residents, who have already contributed substantial funds to the project, risk being left without promised infrastructure if priorities within the existing budget are not renegotiated. The ST3 project itself can be complex to grasp — it is a long-term plan to expand light rail across the Puget Sound region, approved by voters in 2016, which originally envisioned lines to Ballard and other neighborhoods. The plan’s revision and the exclusion of Ballard from funding have sparked public outrage because they contradict promises made to taxpayers.

Seattle residents forced to block streets themselves to protect children from bullets

A serious conflict has erupted between north-end residents and city officials over a spike in street shootings. Frustrated with waiting for the mayor’s office to act, residents have taken matters into their own hands and begun blocking streets adjacent to the notorious Aurora Avenue with makeshift barricades of heavy construction boxes filled with soil. In response, Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth demanded that Mayor Kshama Sawant urgently close five streets, saying temporary traffic-calming measures installed there last week "aren't working." According to The Seattle Times, at a public meeting on Monday Hollingsworth asked the mayor’s office to instruct the city transportation department to close the blocks from NE 97th to NE 102nd Streets that connect to Aurora "no later than this week."

Tensions reached a boiling point after a series of shootings in May. Residents were particularly outraged by the May 16 incident when a bullet pierced the wall of a baby's bedroom. Then on May 23, just hours after a morning shootout that damaged a car and nearby buildings, neighbors blocked NE 97th, NE 98th and NE 102nd Streets with steel boxes filled with dirt. In a left note they explained their actions by saying city officials had failed to follow through on a promise to close those streets after a similar shooting last summer. Police data confirm a sharp rise in violence: there were eight shootings on that corridor in May, compared with just nine total from January through April.

The City Council responded by introducing legislation that would allow the transportation department to close streets on the recommendation of the police chief to prevent criminal activity. Notably, the current municipal code only gives the department director authority to close alleys, not streets. But Hollingsworth insists the mayor does not need to wait for emergency legislation. "We need to close the streets. The mayor has the ability and capacity to do this," she said. Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the public safety committee, called the shootings along Aurora "unacceptable," emphasizing that "bullets are flying into children's bedrooms" and that the city must "make our roads safer."

The mayor’s office, however, has so far been cautious. A spokesperson said the transportation department needs about another week to assess the impact of already implemented street closures. The agency is also consulting with police and fire officials to determine whether closures would impede emergency response. Councilmember Debora Juarez, who represents North Seattle, emphasized the new bill is intended to give the city a "mechanism" to address the issue in an orderly way so residents don't have to risk blocking roads without authorization and potentially hindering police, ambulance and fire access. On Saturday night, hundreds of protesters marched along Aurora Avenue demanding officials take decisive action not only to stop shootings but also to address sex trafficking that has long plagued the corridor.

Tragedy in Seattle: man dies after driving off overpass

A tragedy occurred in Seattle when a man died after his vehicle drove off an overpass. The incident was captured on video that circulated in local news. Law enforcement is investigating the circumstances, but it is already clear the crash resulted from loss of control of the vehicle and ended in fatal consequences. There are no official statements yet about the cause of the crash, but such incidents raise questions about the safety of overpass and bridge infrastructure.

According to KIRO 7 News Seattle, the fatal event happened during the day and first responders reached the scene quickly, but the driver was pronounced dead before their arrival. Police temporarily closed the road to conduct an investigation, causing traffic backups on nearby streets. These crashes are rare but each one is a reminder of life's fragility and the need to strictly observe speed limits, especially on challenging road sections with a higher risk of going off the roadway.

It is worth noting Seattle is still preparing for the World Championship, which puts additional strain on the city's transportation system. Taxi companies and scooter rental services are preparing for increased demand, and while Uber is implementing surge pricing, this tragedy was unrelated to those factors. The case highlights that authorities must focus on road safety and timely repair of guardrails on bridges under any circumstances.

One of the main issues remains human factors — driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or a sudden medical emergency behind the wheel. Driving off an overpass almost always results in fatality because of the height of the fall. To reduce risks, road authorities could install extra barriers and warning signs, though complete protection against unforeseen events is impossible. Police are asking witnesses to submit dashcam or other video to help reconstruct the timeline of events.

This story is more than an incident roundup; it's a prompt to consider how each of us can contribute to road safety. Even when the city is focused on large events and logistics, basic rules still matter: wear seatbelts, avoid distractions while driving, and keep vehicles well maintained. The best way to prevent a repeat of such a tragedy is strict adherence to the rules and vigilance on the most dangerous stretches of road.

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Washington State ferries prepare for World Cup 2026 fan surge

Washington state officials are preparing their ferry system for an unprecedented strain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While most fans will likely reach stadiums by train or bus, the state ferry service, which is marking its 75th anniversary, does not want to be the reason people miss matches. Ferries in the region are effectively “floating bridges,” connecting Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula and numerous islands where building conventional bridges is technically difficult and expensive because of the many islands and deep bays. To ensure uninterrupted crossings across Puget Sound, the state plans to keep 20 of its 21 vessels fully ready throughout the tournament’s six weeks.

That leaves the system with a two-boat buffer and the ability to quickly put a spare vessel into service in case of an unexpected breakdown. Additional crews will be on standby at the Eagle Harbor maintenance facility on Bainbridge Island to speed repairs and get backup ferries back in service. Bainbridge Island is known as an upscale Seattle suburb with scenic nature and historic homes, and the maintenance base is there for historical reasons — it was established in the 1900s when the island was a shipbuilding center. The deep, protected Eagle Harbor allows several large ferries to be repaired at once without disrupting city waterfront traffic, unlike Seattle’s crowded and expensive central waterfront. Staffing at terminals across the system will also be increased to assist passengers and manage crowds, especially on the three busiest routes connecting Seattle with Bainbridge, Bremerton and Kingston.

“We’re heading into a very busy summer. We expect a significant increase in ridership during the World Cup,” said Forrest Nichols, director of ferry operations and maintenance. He said the new plan should help reduce cancellations and service interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances. State ferries are not the only way for soccer fans to cross the sound. In addition to the state network, other operators run service: Kitsap Transit, King County Water Taxi and private companies, but only Washington State Ferries carries cars; alternative options offer passenger-only service on fast vessels.

Kitsap Transit’s fast ferries will extend service on the Bremerton–Seattle route until midnight on match days. Bremerton is one of nine official fan zones where World Cup matches will be broadcast. The fan zone in the city center will be at Quincy Square, giving fans a place to watch games together without buying stadium tickets. King County’s water taxi will also run until 11 p.m. on game nights, en route to West Seattle.

Even with passenger ferries helping, the system is operating with minimal spare capacity — the summer schedule requires 18 vessels. The state ferry service has long struggled to keep its fleet operational and maintain schedules amid aging vessels and a global shortage of mariners. Earlier this year four ferries were in planned maintenance when three more broke down due to unexpected technical problems — though they were returned to service within a few days.

Steve Nivi, who has led WSF since 2024, notes the situation has improved since the crisis year of 2021, when crew shortages led to hundreds of canceled sailings. Aggressive hiring has helped ease staffing shortages: the number of deck employees rose from 656 to 817, and engine room staff increased from 370 to 462. Although individual sailings are still canceled due to sick leave, those occurrences have become far less frequent. For drivers who find ferries out of service because of fog, storms or breakdowns, the only alternative is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the south, turning a 30-minute ferry ride into a two- to three-hour overland trip.

The risk of losing the most experienced employees to retirement has also declined. The share of captains likely to retire within five years dropped from 53% to 40%, and among chief engineers from 34% to 23%. “This progress is not accidental,” Nivi emphasized, noting systematic work on hiring, training and promoting staff.

The main long-term task is full electrification and modernization of the fleet by 2040. Governor Bob Ferguson, who succeeded Jay Inslee, contracted to build three hybrid-electric ferries for $714.5 million and paused projects to convert large vessels to electric propulsion. The first new ship will not arrive before 2030, and the total cost of the electrification program is estimated at $6.2 billion. That high price tag reflects the need to completely rebuild the fleet, install charging stations with high-capacity underwater cables and transformers at all terminals, and upgrade island electric grids. Battery technology for large ferries carrying up to 200 cars remains very expensive. Washington state has ambitious environmental goals: to shift entirely to renewable energy by 2050 and cut CO2 emissions by 95% from 1990 levels. Ferries are the largest source of emissions among state transportation, and their electrification is expected to eliminate about 250,000 tons of CO2 per year — the equivalent of emissions from 50,000 cars.

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Based on: WA ferries ups service for World Cup in Seattle

Seattle Cyclists Honor Teacher Killed by Garbage Truck

More than 100 cyclists gathered Saturday afternoon at the intersection of East Yesler Way and 12th Avenue South in Seattle to honor 30-year-old teacher Christian Sailer, who was killed under the wheels of a Recology garbage truck. They placed a white "ghost bike" at the site — the traditional memorial for cyclists killed on the road — which became the focal point of an impromptu memorial.

The mourning event unfolded in a somber atmosphere: participants whispered condolences, cried quietly, and activists from Critical Mass Seattle blocked traffic at the busy intersection for nearly two hours to give the family a chance to say goodbye. This informal group, part of a global movement that began in San Francisco in 1992, gathers hundreds of cyclists monthly on the last Friday. Participants draw attention to the lack of safe infrastructure and pressure authorities, although they have no official mandate to negotiate with the city council. Friends and relatives of the deceased stood to the side, hugging one another, still reeling from the loss that occurred just days earlier — on June 1.

Around 1:20 p.m., about 20 cyclists spread out to the four corners of the intersection and began directing drivers. This unofficial checkpoint was largely obeyed by motorists. Then Bartlett, together with Sailer’s family, lifted the white bike about two meters high and chained it to a street pole — a grim reminder that a cyclist died there.

For the next hour and a half, dozens of people remained at the intersection, approaching the "ghost bike" one by one. They wove flowers into its spokes and left messages on the pole: "Ride in strength," "We love you, Chi-Chi," and "Christian Sailer will always be remembered." A relative of the deceased, who wished to remain anonymous, addressed the crowd: "Thank you so much, Seattle. God bless you."

Sailer, who taught math and reading at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, was biking near the intersection about 4:30 p.m. on Monday when he was struck by the garbage truck. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center but died the same day from his injuries. He had about 1.5 miles to ride from the school in the Atlantic neighborhood in south Seattle to reach the site. Historically a predominantly Black working-class neighborhood, the area has experienced intense gentrification in recent decades: older, more affordable apartment buildings sit alongside new expensive housing, and proximity to downtown and a light-rail line under construction has attracted new residents, significantly changing the neighborhood's makeup.

Many members of Seattle’s cycling community attended Saturday’s memorial, including those who did not know Sailer personally. "It's important for us to come out and honor our fellow cyclists who've been hurt or killed," said Cody Billingsly. "We recognize the danger that cars present. That's what unites us." Online fundraisers for the victim’s family have raised more than $87,000, and an additional $13,000 has been raised for his partner, Hana.

Sailer’s death was the second cyclist fatality in Seattle in recent months. In December, Alli Rodriguez died after being struck on Beacon Hill. Her death was the first since 2023 — one of the deadliest years on Washington’s roads. Activists have long pointed to this intersection as dangerous: a 2017 city bike plan called for building a protected bike lane on 12th Avenue by 2021, but the project was canceled in 2019. The Capitol Hill intersection is especially treacherous due to unclear road markings, poor sight lines, and high vehicle speeds. The city faces systemic problems with bike infrastructure: many bike lanes end at intersections, there is no continuous network of routes, the hilly terrain complicates safe bike lane design, and historic street planning prioritized cars. Implementation of projects is often delayed by budget disputes in the city council.

In 2024, Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, representing District 4 (which includes Fremont, Wallingford and parts of Capitol Hill), persuaded colleagues to include the 12th Avenue bike lane project from East Madison Street to the Jose Rizal Bridge in a $1.55 billion transportation levy that voters later approved. Unlike in many Russian cities, where transportation decisions are made at the regional administration level, in Seattle the council plays a key role: it approves the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) budget, decides funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and can veto mayoral transportation projects. This year SDOT will begin work to improve the stretch of 12th Avenue south of Yesler, but construction is scheduled to start next year. Building the bike lane will be challenging because it requires relocating parking spaces and accounting for streetcar traffic.

At Saturday’s memorial, cyclists laid their bikes down on the roadway over markings city crews had painted in preparation to soon add green paint — a sign that the city has started to act to make the intersection safer. A few minutes before 3:00 p.m., the last cyclists gathered, hugged, and agreed to meet again. Traffic resumed, and Sailer’s "ghost bike" remained hanging, heavy with flowers.

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Based on: 'Ghost bike’ memorial for Seattle teacher rallies grieving cyclists

Edmonds School District Builds Housing for Homeless Students

The Edmonds School District, located about 25 kilometers north of downtown Seattle in Snohomish County, is partnering with the nonprofit Housing Hope on a unique project: building 52 apartments for families with children who attend local schools and lack stable housing. This region, known for the scenic shores of Puget Sound, ferry service to the Olympic Peninsula, and as an affluent suburb, has become the site of a new model for addressing student homelessness. The Scriber Place complex is being built on a former baseball field next to Cedar Valley Elementary, and its opening is planned for next year. The project has drawn attention from experts nationwide as a potential model for addressing one of the most pressing problems in education — academic failure among homeless students.

According to the district, about 820 students met the federal definition of homelessness last school year — living outdoors, in cars, in shelters, motels, or doubled up with relatives or friends. Such children face serious barriers: they have difficulty getting to school, lower grades and graduation rates, and higher absenteeism and dropout rates. "Kids can’t learn if their basic needs aren’t met," emphasizes Greg Schwab, the district’s assistant superintendent.

The project became possible because of the 2020 House Bill 1590, passed by the Washington state legislature, which allows school districts to lease unused land for affordable housing. That became possible thanks to the state’s strong progressive policies and a growing housing affordability crisis. The law had bipartisan support because it helps address shortages of teachers and staff. Edmonds and Housing Hope signed a 75-year lease for the former field for a nominal fee — $1 a year. The site is in a commercial zone near a major highway, although the Link Light Rail system does not yet reach Edmonds — the nearest station is in Northgate, about 20 kilometers to the south. The line is planned to be extended to neighboring Lynnwood by 2024, which will improve transit access, but for now residents must rely on buses or private vehicles. Still, the complex’s location will significantly cut commute times for families, some of whom currently live almost 40 kilometers from the school.

The $38 million construction is financed through low-income tax credits, grants, and direct appropriations from state and federal governments. The complex will include one- to four-bedroom apartments — the larger units are especially in demand for big multigenerational families but are rarely available in such projects. The site will also include a playground and a medical clinic.

Beyond housing, families will receive comprehensive supports: a designated case manager will help each family craft a plan to reach financial and housing goals — from writing resumes to applying for SNAP food benefits and finding permanent housing. Housing Hope, a well-known regional nonprofit operating in Snohomish and Island counties, provides services such as help for homeless families with children, financial coaching, youth programs, and daytime centers for kids. "Our main goal is to help people meet their own goals," explains Rachel Downs, Housing Hope’s director of strategy.

Eligibility rules: families must have been enrolled in Edmonds School District for at least two years prior to application, though continued enrollment in the district after moving in is not required. Rent will not exceed 30% of a family’s income, with the remainder covered by Section 8 housing vouchers from the Snohomish County Housing Authority. This federal program subsidizes rents on the private market — recipients find an apartment and the government pays the difference between market rent and the family’s share. Because of high regional housing costs, demand for vouchers is huge, and waiting lists can last years. Half the units are set aside for families earning less than 30% of area median income, and the other half for those earning up to 50% of the median.

The district will identify families who meet the criteria, and Housing Hope will verify incomes. Families will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. The project also plans to conduct a case study to track its impact on student performance and wellbeing. Similar projects building affordable housing on school district land have already been implemented in Auburn and Federal Way south of Seattle, and neighboring Lynnwood is also exploring such initiatives. Edmonds isn’t an absolute pioneer, but it is among the first in Snohomish County to use the 2020 law.

Barbara Duffield of SchoolHouse Connection calls the project a potential model for other districts: "Schools are often left out of conversations about homelessness, even though they know the problem best. That stability could be key to long-term economic mobility and breaking the cycle of homelessness."

Despite criticism of schools taking on social functions, officials insist that instability outside school walls directly affects learning. Housing Hope Executive Director Kathryn Oña adds: "We’re trying to get to the root of the problem — situational homelessness caused by job loss or health issues. This is more than a place to live; it’s help for families to get back on their feet."

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Based on: To address student homelessness, Edmonds district helps build housing

I-5 repairs in Seattle finished ahead of schedule

In Seattle, a major northbound closure of Interstate 5 ended earlier than planned. Work to remove concrete barriers and equipment on the Ship Canal Bridge, which was scheduled to run from Friday night until 5 a.m. Monday, finished Sunday morning. All northbound lanes are open again, a pleasant surprise for drivers who had expected longer delays.

This early reopening is especially significant as Seattle prepares to host six matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Instead of the two lanes that had recently been open, four northbound lanes are now available on the Ship Canal Bridge. Beginning Monday, express lanes will return to their normal schedule: southbound in the mornings and northbound in the evenings. However, the configuration will be temporary — another northbound closure is already planned for July 10 to continue road work.

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Based on: Northbound I-5 open in Seattle as work ends early

Bellevue-based T-Mobile turns wireless into a lifestyle

34-year-old Felicia White, a T-Mobile customer from New York, doesn’t go to bed late on Monday nights so she can be the first to see new offers from her wireless carrier. She admits she sits in the app at midnight before T-Mobile Tuesdays launches to snag branded giveaways — she’s already collected a flashlight, a hat and gloves. In the spring White went to Grand Central Station to decorate a Lands' End bag at a national parks–themed event organized by T-Mobile.

That loyalty program is just one manifestation of the second-largest U.S. carrier’s unique marketing strategy. Unlike competitors Verizon and AT&T, which emphasize the technical details of their networks, T-Mobile has built a reputation as a lifestyle brand, creating an army of enthusiastic and devoted fans. That approach has helped the company consistently attract new subscribers in a fiercely competitive market.

T-Mobile Tuesdays, available to all customers without the need to accrue status or points, marks its tenth anniversary this month. For the milestone the carrier is preparing a major update with new partnerships and perks in the T-Life app. For the first time customers will be able to get free beverages on Delta flights, attend a T-Pain concert in New York and fill up at Shell for $1.99 a gallon — about what gas cost when the program launched ten years ago.

T-Mobile’s tactics trace back to former CEO John Legere’s strategy, who called the company an “anti-carrier” and replaced corporate style with a rebellious magenta aesthetic. “We wanted to turn the industry from a boring utility into a pleasant relationship with a company,” explains Chief Marketing Officer Allan Samson. “So contacts would be more frequent than once every two to three years when you need a new phone, or once a year when they raise the rate.”

The program not only retains customers but also attracts brands that want to partner. About half of the weekly offers come from companies that ask to be included — often at no cost to T-Mobile. Samson says businesses understand: handing out free wings is worth it if a family will come into the restaurant and order two more entrees with drinks.

Employee enthusiasm is visible right at T-Mobile’s headquarters in Bellevue, a city on the east shore of Lake Washington that has become a standalone tech hub with lower taxes and lighter regulation compared with Seattle. The company chose Bellevue for affordable commercial real estate, proximity to qualified talent — many engineers live in the Eastside suburbs — and a more favorable business climate. That shows in a corporate culture employees describe as more pragmatic and less “startup-y” compared with companies in central Seattle. Unlike Amazon, based in Seattle and emphasizing innovation and aggressive expansion, T-Mobile in Bellevue focuses more on stability, operational efficiency and close integration with the local community. Employees wear custom Nike sneakers with magenta accents, gold and pink pins, and work on laptops with company stickers, and the atmosphere is described as more relaxed and friendly with less bureaucracy for operational decisions. T-Mobile invests less in “flashy” corporate perks such as campus restaurants or fitness centers common at Amazon in Seattle and Microsoft in Redmond, reflecting its focus on efficiency. New CEO Sunit Gopalan, who recently visited a contact center in Oregon, was received like a hero — more like a pep rally than a business meeting.

T-Mobile continues to innovate: it’s testing real-time translation of voice calls using AI and remains the only major carrier partnering with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network. For Pacific Northwest residents this partnership is critical: the region includes extensive mountain ranges like the Cascades and Olympics and remote forest communities where traditional cellular coverage is often unavailable in valleys and national parks, such as Olympic National Park or areas of Eastern Washington. Starlink allows T-Mobile to fill “dead zones” with satellite connectivity, which is especially important for hikers, loggers, farmers and residents of remote towns where laying fiber is not economically feasible. That boosts not only connectivity but safety in emergencies — from finding missing people to alerting about wildfires. “We grew up as contenders, our people grew up as underdogs,” says Gopalan, emphasizing the need to continually offer customers real value.

T-Mobile’s Bellevue location also influences its interaction with the local tech ecosystem. Bellevue itself is a powerful tech cluster, especially known for a concentration of fintech companies and cloud startups thanks to its proximity to Microsoft. T-Mobile actively collaborates with these startups through 5G and IoT partnerships, compensating for less access to the bohemian venture ecosystem of central Seattle by joining Eastside tech groups like Bellevue Tech Alliance and sponsoring hackathons.

Analyst Craig Moffett of MoffettNathanson notes that T-Mobile long positioned itself as the “cool friend” for younger people, but now all three big carriers are perceived simply as “big corporations.” The key question is whether T-Mobile can maintain the countercultural appeal it achieved a decade ago.

The exclusive perks show up best at live events. At the Stagecoach festival in April more than 4,000 fans visited the Magenta club, where they got airbrush tattoos and met artist Teddy Swims. A quarter of guests came with T-Mobile customers but hadn’t switched to the carrier themselves — and many decided to do so on the spot, lining up at the company’s van.

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Based on: Bellevue-based T-Mobile wants to sell a lifestyle, not just wireless

Seattle: history and challenges

Seattle is facing several significant developments at once: young Mariners talent Colt Emerson is setting MLB records, Greenwood residents are protesting violence along Aurora, and the city is opening its first modular shelters for the homeless while falling behind on the mayor’s promises.

20-year-old Mariners phenomenon breaks records: Colt Emerson etches his name into MLB history

In the world of big-league baseball, you don’t often see statistics that make collectors and league historians sit up. That’s exactly what’s happening now with Seattle Mariners’ young talent Colt Emerson. According to data published on the official MLB site (https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/824268), the 20-year-old managed to record 10 extra-base hits in his first 19 games in the majors. That number is not only impressive — it’s historic.

To appreciate the scope of the achievement, it’s worth remembering that an extra-base hit in baseball is a hit that allows the batter to reach at least second base, third base, or hit a home run. It’s a measure of power, accuracy, and the ability to read the game. Since the start of the 20th century — more precisely, since 1900 — only five players aged 20 or younger have had more such hits to begin their major-league careers. Emerson has therefore entered an elite group that not every great player has joined in his youth.

What does this statistic say? First and foremost, it signals incredible potential. If a player this young is already displaying that kind of power and consistency, it bodes well for the Mariners’ offense. For a Seattle team that has often struggled with run production, the emergence of such a raw talent is not just a pleasant surprise but a strategic asset for years to come.

The key takeaway is that we are watching a rising star who isn’t merely adapting to MLB level play but is immediately setting new standards. Players who made this list before him typically became franchise faces and Rookie of the Year contenders. It’s too early to say whether Emerson will follow their trajectories, but his start indicates a new talent in baseball worth watching closely. If he keeps up this pace, Mariners fans — and the league — should prepare for memorable moments that will rewrite game histories.

“There’s no strategy”: former Seattle city prosecutor says the city has no concrete plan as violence grips Aurora

Residents of the Greenwood neighborhood in Seattle plan to hold a protest march along Aurora Avenue on Saturday evening, urging the city to stop the violence that has engulfed the area. Former Seattle city prosecutor Ann Davison and local resident Jake, whose home was shot at near the room where his child was sleeping, appeared on The John Curley Show on KIRO Newsradio to explain why this event matters.

Jake emphasized that the issue is acute and personal for him because his home was shot at, but the problem affects all neighbors. Residents decided to take matters into their own hands after becoming disillusioned with the city’s response to the persistent problem of human trafficking in their area. “We understand this problem won’t go away on its own,” Jake said in an interview with MyNorthwest.com (https://mynorthwest.com/john-curley/aurora-seattle-plan/4245472). “Our city leadership often hopes and prays that everything will just resolve itself, but we’ve lived here a long time and we know it won’t. We’re coming together to push for real changes that will help victims of trafficking, clear the streets of pimps, and punish the clients who line their pockets.”

Former city prosecutor Ann Davison supported the movement and proposed practical measures. She believes Mayor of Seattle, Kshama (note: original says Katie Wilson — keep as Kshama Wilson? The Russian text used "Кэти Уилсон" — keep as Katie Wilson) Katie Wilson should ask Washington Governor Bob Ferguson to deploy the National Guard during the city’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup. “Why don’t we have reinforcements if we’re short on officers and they’ll be tied up with World Cup events? Why don’t we have additional resources in the north part of the city while this is happening?” Davison asked. “Deterrence starts with a clear signal that laws will be enforced. When people on the street see we are providing public safety and are serious about it, that will make criminals stop.”

Davison also described attending a North Precinct Police Advisory Council meeting on Wednesday evening. She noted that several state legislators were present, but no elected city officials sat in the room. Residents still had no concrete answers about the city’s plans to combat violence on Aurora. “There was no strategy, I didn’t feel any optimism, and it was pretty scary to hear a lot of words but see no concrete solutions,” she summarized.

Seattle opens first modular shelters for the homeless: Mayor Wilson begins delivering campaign promises, but timelines are slipping

This past Sunday in Interbay, the city held a ribbon-cutting for the first new modular homeless shelter since Mayor Katie Wilson took office. The project represents the initial step toward Wilson’s ambitious goal of adding 1,000 shelter beds during her first year in office. At the opening of the Bayside Enhanced Shelter on West Armory Way, the mayor was joined by other city officials and representatives of nonprofit organizations. The new complex is built around 50 single-occupancy pallet units that will operate 24/7 as temporary housing with wraparound services for people exiting chronic homelessness. According to the city, the number of units will increase to 75 by the end of the month.

As reported in the original story on komonews.com (https://komonews.com/news/local/first-new-shelter-units-under-seattle-mayor-wilson-open-in-interbay-homeless-houseless-services-mental-health-addiction-camping-resources-fifa-world-cup-summer), residents will have access to behavioral support for addiction treatment and recovery, though use of these services is not a condition of residency. “Recovery is complicated and difficult,” Mayor Wilson explained, “so we’re not requiring people to be sober when they move into this village.” The shelter is operated by Everyone Deserves Housing, and the units were manufactured by Pallet Shelter of Everett. Move-ins will officially begin on Tuesday, after which mobile teams will start selecting candidates from the city’s homeless population.

City Council advisor Dan Strauss voiced support for the Interbay project, noting that such shelters are necessary for people who cannot adapt to other forms of city shelters. “We’ve succeeded in taking people without complex needs off the streets and into a system that can eventually provide them shelter and housing,” Strauss said. “But we lack shelters like this one.” Initially, Wilson aimed to open 500 additional beds by mid-June, timed for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. That plan has already failed. “Is it a failure that we didn’t create 500 beds by this point? While thousands of people are sleeping on the streets — yes, we failed,” Mayor Wilson admitted on Sunday.

The mayor now expects up to 300 new shelter beds citywide by the end of summer. Among the next locations planned to open in coming months, Wilson cited Brighton Village, Cloverleaf Village, Glassyard Commons, and Capitol Hill Village. Exact timelines for how long people will be able to stay in the new Interbay units remain unclear. The mayor also said the city held public consultations with nearby residents and business owners and is currently developing a public safety plan for the shelter site. The term “enhanced shelter” implies a higher level of services and support compared with typical shelters, including round-the-clock access and assistance with mental health and addiction issues — which is what this new project has implemented.

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A Helical Lifeline for Salmon: New Hope for the Yakima River

A waterfall tumbles down a spiral water chute cut into the bank of Cle Elum Lake, carrying juvenile sockeye into a hidden, swift route. The fish passage, the first of its kind and dubbed the "helix," now allows sockeye to bypass the nearly century-old Cle Elum Dam that once cut off their access to ancestral waters and contributed to their local disappearance. Completed this spring with $255 million in state and federal funding, the helix marks a milestone in years-long efforts to reconnect the Yakima Basin.

The Yakima River is one of Washington’s most important salmon spawning grounds, even though major cities like Seattle sit on other rivers. Unlike Seattle’s urbanized rivers, the Yakima Basin has retained more natural spawning habitat, though it has been heavily altered by irrigation. Several salmon species live here, including chinook and coho, which migrate through the Columbia River system.

The helix and related projects grew out of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan — a collaboration that brings together federal agencies (the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), the state of Washington, the Yakama Nation, agricultural irrigation districts, conservation groups and local governments. Proponents call the $4 billion plan a model for resolving water conflicts in the West, which is increasingly strained by climate change and chronic drought. Compromise mechanisms, such as temporarily storing water for farmers in exchange for boosting flows for fish during critical times, allow competing interests — irrigation, drinking water, salmon needs and hydropower — to be combined into a single, integrated solution. Economist Jonathan Yoder of Washington State University found in 2014 that fish-passage projects in the basin provide some of the highest net economic benefits among proposed investments. Salmon restoration generates revenue through commercial fishing, tourism, cultural revival for the Yakama people and multiplier effects in the local economy.

Climate change is already reshaping the landscape that feeds the Yakima. Snowpack in the Cascades, which historically acted as a natural reservoir by storing winter precipitation and releasing it slowly in summer, is shrinking, leaving rocky peaks largely bare. That leads to earlier melt, reduced summer flows and more frequent droughts, threatening irrigation for orchards and vineyards in the Yakima Valley as well as water supplies for central Washington cities. In response, basin partners are expanding storage at Cle Elum Lake, planning another reservoir and investing in conservation while also removing barriers.

For the Yakama people this work is more than infrastructure; it's a matter of cultural survival and ecological restoration. "We’re doing this for future generations," said Joe Blodgett, a Yakama Nation representative and manager of the Yakima-Klickitat Fisheries Project. "And it’s not just for future generations of the Yakama people, it’s for the whole ecosystem." The 1855 treaty between the Yakama Nation and the United States guaranteed the tribe the right to fish at "usual and accustomed places," securing their rights to sufficient flows for salmon. In 1908, the Supreme Court in Winters v. United States held that tribal reservations have senior water rights even if not expressly documented. In the Yakima Basin, that means the tribe’s water rights to sustain salmon populations legally take precedence over later agricultural water rights, prompting authorities to craft a plan for shared water use. Fisheries experts note that for millennia Yakima headwater rivers and lakes were full of salmon.

Historically the Yakima supported the second-largest salmon population in the Columbia Basin: more than 200,000 adult sockeye returned to spawn each year. But within a generation, dams built to store water for agriculture blocked access to the headwaters and led to the disappearance of sockeye in the Yakima system. Today the 10-year average return of adult salmon and steelhead is just over 11,000.

Restoring sockeye populations requires helping fish overcome the barrier corridor. Juvenile salmon hatch in tributaries above Cle Elum Lake reservoir, then spend about a year in the reservoir before migrating downstream. They must pass six irrigation dams on the Yakima, predators, and then the dams on the Columbia.

As climate change tightens basin water supplies, restoring access to cold, high-elevation habitat offers a climate-resilience strategy for both fish and people. A 2024 heatwave caused mass die-offs of adult sockeye returning to the Yakima. Fisheries experts have long eyed fish passage in the upper basin, and Cle Elum Lake was chosen first.

Designing a better passage system meant finding a way to release juveniles safely from the reservoir without additional water spilling. Traditional fish ladders — a series of stepped pools fish jump up — proved inadequate for local salmon species given the low heights and variable pool levels at Yakima dams. Bureau of Reclamation engineers developed and tested several helix models at a Colorado lab. The spiral chute creates a continuous, smooth flow with adjustable velocity, allowing salmon to move without the stress of jumping. When they saw juveniles orient tail-first and slide tail-first down the coiled channel, it was, Blodgett said, an emotional moment.

Modern efforts to reintroduce sockeye began in 2009, when Yakama fisheries staff started truck-transporting adult sockeye to Cle Elum Lake. A temporary plywood ramp in the dam aqueduct provided a crude route for juveniles, but they could only leave the lake when the reservoir was full. Yet within a few years cameras at irrigation dams recorded returning adult sockeye on their own.

This spring about a million juvenile sockeye made their first voyage through the completed helix. A new adult fish capture facility is being built at the same time.

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Based on: Cle Elum Lake sockeye salmon use first-of-its-kind ‘helix’ to pass dam

80-km Funeral Motorcade Honors Victims of Longview Industrial Disaster

On Saturday in Washington state, a nearly 80-kilometer funeral motorcade transported the bodies of nine workers killed in a chemical accident in Longview to the Cowlitz County morgue. The procession traveled along Interstate 5 — the main transportation artery of the U.S. West Coast, linking states from Canada to Mexico — beneath an overcast sky. For the Seattle region and the state of Washington as a whole, this highway is a key route for moving people and goods, and holding a funeral procession on it is an extremely rare event that requires official police permission. Choosing this route underscored the scale of the tragedy and allowed thousands of residents to pay their respects, as the highway passes through many towns. Dozens of locals gathered along the roadway to pay tribute. One witness compared the tragedy to the Mount St. Helens eruption — that was how deeply shaken the community felt.

The accident occurred on May 26 when a tank at Nippon Dynawave Packaging ruptured, causing a leak of more than 500,000 gallons (about 1.9 million liters) of a caustic chemical known as "white lye." The catastrophe killed 11 workers. The bodies of nine were transported on Saturday; the remains of a tenth were sent earlier to the Yakima area, and the eleventh deceased person was outside the jurisdiction of the county coroner.

Many Longview residents and those in surrounding communities have personal ties to the victims or know someone who works at local industrial plants. "Everyone knows somebody who works at the plant," said 61-year-old Missy Pennington, who stood by the bridge. Longview is one of the major industrial centers in the southern part of the state, historically focused on timber processing and the pulp-and-paper industry. The plants here are more than employers — they form the basis of the town’s life: providing jobs for multiple generations of families, supporting the local budget, and shaping the community’s identity. In small U.S. towns this connection is intensified by the limited number of large employers and the role of unions. Among those gathered were people who worked at the hospital that treated the injured; they said these days have been very difficult for the entire community.

Authorities initially reported 10 people injured, including a firefighter, but later it became clear that 10 more sought medical attention. Four of them arrived at the hospital on their own, and six more employees from the nearby Weyerhaeuser freight terminal also underwent medical evaluations. All have since been released after receiving treatment.

The investigation into the accident continues, but experts cannot yet gain full access to the site. The damaged tank, while stable, remains coated with toxic white lye and requires decontamination. State and federal officials are interviewing workers and requesting necessary documents, but the timeline for completing decontamination and beginning a physical inspection has not been determined.

Despite the mourning, the community is coming together to support those affected. On Sunday, the Banter Brothers motorcycle club is organizing a charity ride in support of Nippon Dynawave employees. The route will end at The Shamrock Bar & Grill in Longview, where funds will also be raised. In towns like Longview, grief is expressed through shared events: community memorial services at churches or local centers, temporary memorials of flowers, candles and notes, fundraising via crowdfunding platforms, volunteer assistance for the families of the deceased, moments of silence at the plants, and public statements from local officials. Churches and local nonprofits often play a central role. Organizers of the ride hope to attract as many participants as possible to help those affected by the tragedy.

Local residents express hope that the investigation will shed light on the causes of the catastrophe and provide answers to the victims’ families. "Everyone has questions, and no one has answers," one witness said, reflecting the community’s mood as it tries to comprehend what happened and find the strength to move forward.

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Based on: 50-mile motorcade honors victims of Longview industrial disaster

From a Lake City Kid to the Coach of a $1 Billion Sounders

Brian Schmetzer, head coach of the Seattle Sounders — a club now approaching a $1 billion valuation — embodies the rapid rise of soccer’s popularity in Seattle, which is preparing to host World Cup matches. The club’s success has been driven by an impressive average attendance of 37,000, MLS Cup victories in 2016 and 2019, and shrewd investments by owners, including the late Paul Allen and the Ackerley group. The club also leverages lucrative sponsorship deals with major partners like Amazon and valuable television rights. Soccer in Seattle has grown from a niche pastime into a leading commercial sport, surpassing some traditional leagues in popularity. In a recent match, a goal constructed entirely from locally developed players — Hassani Dotson, Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan, Snyder Brunell and Jordan Morris — vividly demonstrated how deeply the game is rooted in the region. Thirteen of the 27 players on his roster have ties to the Seattle area, including Cristian Roldan, who will represent the United States at the men’s World Cup, a match of which will be held in Seattle on June 19. Cristian Roldan, born in 1995 in Lake City, is a Sounders academy product who played more than 150 matches for the club from 2011 to 2018 and over 30 games for the U.S. national team, including participation in the 2014 World Cup. Other local talents, such as DeAndre Yedlin (note: original names Deyli Bennett and Will Bruin in the Russian text likely refer to local products) and Will Bruin, also came up through the Sounders system, strengthening the link between local talent and the professional level.

Schmetzer’s story begins in the Lake City neighborhood. In the 1970s it was a working-class area with many immigrant families, including German and Scandinavian communities that brought a love of soccer. Cheap land and accessible fields allowed intensive youth programs to develop, and Lake City became a cradle of soccer talent — the neighborhood produced several key Sounders players, including Cristian Roldan, because soccer was accessible to all social classes there. Brian’s parents, German immigrants, ran one of the city’s first soccer shops — Sporthaus Schmetzer, opened in 1932. The Schmetzer family, who emigrated from Germany, made the shop a community hub where German immigrants and locals exchanged soccer knowledge, organized tournaments and supported youth. The Schmetzer brothers also coached local teams, bringing European tactics that helped root soccer in Seattle well before professional leagues arrived. As a child Brian played with friends on the lumpy, muddy fields of John Rogers Elementary, staying out until dark. Soccer was one of many childhood pursuits, alongside catching crawfish in Thornton Creek and biking in Woodland Park, before his father channeled that energy into a youth team. In 1970 Walter Schmetzer founded the Lake City Hawks, a youth team that would dominate Seattle’s emerging youth soccer scene and forever change his son’s relationship with the game.

Walter, a former high-level player in Germany and a machinist by trade, honed the Hawks’ craft with advanced tactics far beyond their years. In his basement he drew European attack and defense schemes on a board, drilling into the boys the mantra “Slow the game down” and “Make the ball work” through passing and movement rather than solo dribbling. Former Hawks midfielder Fred Hamel recalls that Walter pushed Brian particularly hard, demanding more from his son than from the others. The results were staggering: “We won seven of ten state championships,” Brian remembers, and the shift from carefree play to serious competition was firmly planted in his mind.

Off the field, the Schmetzer household emphasized modesty and hard work: Brian helped with family projects, like reusing nails while building a garage by hand. The teenagers in the family all worked at Sporthaus Schmetzer, where Brian’s older sister served customers and he did stencil printing on jerseys in a hot, turpentine-scented back room. Schmetzer also helped his father run soccer camps, combining coaching with physical labor long before he became a professional coach. That experience in the shop and on construction sites later served him well during the lean years between professional leagues.

Schmetzer’s first big break came in 1980, when he was a 17-year-old Hawks player and a senior at Nathan Hale High School. The original Seattle Sounders, then playing in the star-studded North American Soccer League (NASL), came to scout his teammate Fred Hamel. Instead they were struck by Schmetzer when he thundered a left-footed shot into the top corner, convincing them to sign him along with Hamel. NASL operated from 1974 to 1983 and was the first professional soccer league in the U.S., attracting stars like Pelé and building a fan base in Seattle. Unlike today’s MLS, NASL had no strict salary and youth-development rules — no salary cap — which led to financial instability and the league’s collapse. MLS, founded in 1993, by contrast introduced cost controls and systems like academies to ensure sustainable growth, allowing the Sounders to flourish. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Schmetzer says, recalling the newspaper headline “Sounders sign local kids,” which his mother still keeps.

Playing for the Sounders during the NASL’s golden era, Schmetzer experienced the soccer spectacle at the Kingdome. Opened in 1976, it was Seattle’s first multifunctional indoor stadium, hosting not only the Sounders but also baseball and American football

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Based on: Seattle’s World Cup will play out in Brian Schmetzer’s soccer city

World Cup: 'A shot in the dark' for Seattle, but businesses hopeful

Pacific Place mall, located in the heart of Seattle, faced a mass exodus of tenants and a drop in foot traffic after the pandemic. This symbol of the city's retail struggles is now being looked to as a sign of revival: its renovation and the attraction of new anchor tenants like Apple and Nike reflect investors' faith that people will return downtown. Beginning June 15, Pacific Place will become the "Seattle Soccer House" — a free gathering spot with a four-story screen to broadcast matches, plus entertainment and food. Although the area around the mall is buzzing, the mall itself is nearly empty of shoppers — store owners are hoping the World Cup will change that.

Rini Choudhury, owner of Enchanted Teas, which specializes in butterfly pea flower tea, admits most visitors come to the center only for the Din Tai Fung restaurant or the movie theater. Her business, inspired by memories of her grandmother's garden in India, opened in November 2024. After the holiday rush in January, sales fell sharply, and Choudhury has yet to meet her financial goals. While she calls the situation "scary," she is preparing for the World Cup: switching the shop to hot and cold tea service, including a signature color-changing butterfly pea flower refresher in honor of Pride Month. Seattle Pride Month is known for hosting some of the largest LGBTQ+ parades in the U.S., running from June into July, and local businesses are actively adapting their products for the occasion — releasing limited items and special menus to show support for inclusivity. Choudhury is already recruiting seasonal staff to handle the influx of customers she expects will be ten times the normal volume.

"This will probably never happen again in our lifetimes — preparing for the World Cup in Seattle," says Jamie Manson, owner of Simply Seattle. "For us, it's partly a shot in the dark." His company, which sells Northwest sports gear and souvenirs, has reworked stores and expanded storage to cope with potential demand. The Simply Seattle team spent the last year ordering merchandise: from standard tournament gear to U.S. national team shirts and host-city souvenirs. The most popular item so far is a killer whale design by artist Shogo Ota from Camano Island, who belongs to the Sauk-Suiattle tribe. The design is deeply symbolic: the orca, which lives in Puget Sound waters, is revered by Indigenous peoples as a totem animal representing strength, family and harmony with the sea. Including his work on souvenirs underscores a desire for inclusivity and respect for local heritage, appealing to locals proud to host the games and tourists wanting a keepsake of their time in Seattle.

Brian Hale, owner of Gameday Sports Shop near Lumen Field, is preparing for "a very heavy influx, especially on match days." His shop is already stocked with FIFA shirts, national team kits and scarves, and a replica World Cup trophy sits by the register. "Shipments are arriving almost daily — we're bringing in a little of everything, or rather, a lot of everything," Hale laughs, planning to put merchandise out on the street during games. Patrick McAleece, owner of the Irish restaurant Kells in Pike Place Market, has been waiting for this moment since 1994, when the U.S. last hosted the tournament. He launched his own line of souvenirs — from caps to wine thermoses — and is already getting orders from around the world. "I want the world to see Seattle as it is: a vibrant and very beautiful city," he says. McAleece, raised in Seattle and born in Belfast, believes the city has a rich soccer culture. His restaurant, founded by his parents in 1983, is just a 30-minute walk from the stadium. He plans to open early in the morning and close only after late matches end.

Business owners are full of hope, though they acknowledge uncertainty. Manson expects sales to rise 10–30% — the tournament coincides with peak tourist season when the city hosts cruise passengers, summer travelers and baseball fans. In summer, Seattle is a key port for Alaska cruises, running May through September, and T-Mobile Park draws thousands of Seattle Mariners fans. These parallel events amplify foot traffic but also strain infrastructure — the World Cup could add 100,000–200,000 visitors per day, risking hotel shortages, higher prices and transport disruptions. For small businesses, risks include labor and inventory shortages, and some entrepreneurs fear big chains will capture the main profits.

Choudhury believes tea is "one of the most universal languages" that will help connect with guests from around the world. Hale is confident the preparations will pay off: "Sales will be astronomical." And McAleece hopes to create "something truly special" for a city hosting such a major event for the first time. For Seattle, the World Cup is more than a sporting tournament — it's a chance to reboot the downtown economy, draw global attention and prove the city can be a welcoming host. Businesses know it's a "shot in the dark," but they're willing to take the risk for a unique opportunity that may never come again.

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Based on: World Cup a ‘shot in the dark’ for Seattle, but many businesses hopeful

Seattle paints Space Needle like giant soccer ball for 2026 World Cup

Seattle is fully swept up in FIFA men's World Cup fever, and it’s visible even from the sky. The iconic Space Needle, the city’s main symbol, has been turned into a giant soccer ball. On Thursday, climbers descended from the tower’s top and hand-painted black-and-white patterns just above the observation deck. The city did this to mark its status as a World Cup host — Seattle’s first match will take place on June 15, when Belgium faces Egypt.

This isn’t the first temporary makeover of the famous landmark. The Needle has previously been painted in the colors of local sports teams — the University of Washington Huskies football team, the baseball Mariners and the basketball Supersonics. In 2022, for its 60th anniversary, the tower was covered in “Galactic Gold” — the same shade used when it was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. A year later it was again painted “Astronaut White.”

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Based on: Space Needle, painted as giant soccer ball, gets in on World Cup fever

Weather and Sports: Seattle News

In today’s roundup: Saturday storms give way to calmer Sunday, the Detroit Tigers rout the Mariners, and catcher Mitch Garver sold his Bellevue home for $3 million.

Saturday storms give way to calmer Sunday: Seattle forecast

Saturday in Seattle promises to be windy and rainy. Meteorologists warn of possible thunderstorms that will bring not only downpours but also gusty winds. However, as reported in the FOX 13 Seattle piece, by the end of the day the storm will begin to subside, and Sunday will reward the region’s residents with calmer weather. Those planning outdoor activities for the weekend should consider that Saturday’s storms may create temporary inconveniences, particularly on roads and in open areas.

Although the main part of the newscast is devoted to the forecast, the channel’s reporters also added a positive note by talking about the picturesque Maple Valley neighborhood. This Seattle suburb, known for its community spirit and unspoiled nature, attracts both families and lovers of countryside recreation. There are cozy cafes serving local coffee as well as numerous hiking routes, which are especially enjoyable when the weather improves after a front passes.

From a meteorological standpoint, these changes are associated with the passage of a cold atmospheric front, typical for the spring season in the Pacific Northwest. “Thunderstorm activity” here does not imply classic summer hailstorms so much as rapidly developing cumulonimbus clouds that can produce short but intense downpours and squalls. Wind gusts may reach 40–50 km/h (about 25–31 mph), which can cause localized falling branches, but no critical damage is expected. The key word is “instability”: the air warms unevenly, creating conditions for updrafts that form thunder cells. By Sunday the atmosphere should stabilize, giving way to a steadier, cooler marine air mass.

Practically speaking, Seattle residents and visitors should arm themselves with umbrellas and rainproof clothing for Saturday, while Sunday plans outdoors—such as a trip to Maple Valley—are unlikely to be spoiled. The main Saturday risks are reduced visibility and wet roads. Those who follow the reporters’ advice and head to explore Maple Valley’s charm and community will be rewarded with the surprising beauty of green hills after the rain, when the air is fresh and the sky clears in dramatic breaks. Thus, even within a brief weather report, the segment reminds viewers that the whims of the climate are an opportunity to discover something new in a beloved area.

Detroit bares its teeth: Tigers easily handle Mariners, extend June surge

What would you say if a team that lost 22 of 31 games in May suddenly woke up and started piling up wins one after another in June? That’s exactly what’s happening with the Detroit Tigers. In their first game after a painful loss to the Seattle Mariners in last year’s division-round playoffs, the Tigers showed impressive power, routing their nemesis 7–3. This game was a vivid illustration of how quickly momentum can change over the long Major League Baseball season. After a disastrous May, when the team seemed to be falling apart, June arrived and Detroit is playing top-tier baseball, averaging eight runs per game. Friday’s victory was their fourth in a row, and it came with relative ease despite a clumsy start.

Early in the game the Mariners tried to impose their will. They quickly led 1–0 in the first inning after three consecutive singles, creating the impression the game would go their way. But the Tigers held firm. In the third inning they turned the game around. After singles and doubles by Gleyber Torres and Kevin McGonigle, Dillon Dingler’s batted ball into center field led to trouble. Julio Rodriguez, Seattle’s star outfielder, played the carom, allowing Torres to score easily, but his precise throw to second base caught McGonigle. That failed Detroit steal could have demoralized them, but instead it fired them up. Kerry Carpenter came to the plate and sent the ball over the right-field wall for a two-run homer, putting his team ahead 3–1. That moment was the turning point—Detroit smelled blood and never let go.

The climax and drama came in the seventh inning. Colt Emerson, a young Seattle talent, cut the deficit to one (3–2) with a solo home run. It seemed the game was returning to uncertainty and the Mariners were ready to fight. But the Tigers answered immediately. In the bottom of the same inning Gleyber Torres came up again and delivered a crushing blow—his double brought in two decisive runs, extending the lead to 5–2. Torres’s showmanship and composure, finishing with three hits in the game, were key. Although Mitch Garver in the eighth inning narrowed the gap to 5–3 with a bloop single, Spencer Torkelson put the final punctuation on the game. He greeted the Mariners with another two-run homer, burying their comeback hopes.

Detroit starter Framber Valdez (3–4) also deserves mention. He threw an excellent five innings, allowing just one run and five hits, and fully controlled the game after a shaky first inning. His work laid the foundation for the win. For Seattle, starter Bryan Woo (5–4) hurt his numbers, giving up five runs over 6 1/3 innings. It’s also worth noting an unpleasant moment for the Mariners—their shortstop JP Crawford left the game after taking a ball to the hand in the third inning. An injury to a key player could seriously impact their plans for the series, especially if it turns out to be serious.

Overall, this game showed that the Detroit Tigers, after a terrible May, have found incredible form. Their offense is clicking like clockwork, and they look like a formidable force capable of competing with the best. For the Seattle Mariners, it’s a painful reminder that last year’s achievements don’t matter, and any winning streak can end at any moment. The series continues, and as ESPN reports, Detroit will send Kody Clemens? (Note: original names preserved) — actually according to the cited ESPN link, Detroit will start Kade Montero (2–3, 3.69 ERA) in game two, while Seattle plans to counter with Bryce Miller (1–0, 1.71 ERA). The intrigue remains, and the Tigers are eager to cement their new status.

Seattle Mariners catcher sold his Bellevue home for $3 million

Seattle Mariners backup catcher Mitch Garver sold his home in the upscale Bellevue neighborhood for $3 million. The transaction was recorded in May of this year, according to King County tax records. Interestingly, the player himself bought the house for just $3.1 million in February 2024, meaning he sold it at a small loss of $100,000. The 4,300-square-foot (400 square meters) home is located in the quiet Lake Hills area. It was listed for sale on February 24 for $3.2 million, and the contract was signed May 3. The buyers were a private married couple.

The mansion boasts five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Inside is a spacious living room with abundant natural light, a chef’s kitchen with Thermador appliances, and spa-style bathrooms. The listing notes open floor plans ideal for entertaining guests. The sale price equates to roughly $709 per square foot, above Bellevue’s average of $667 per square foot as of late April. However, Redfin reports the median price per square foot in Bellevue has fallen about 12.5% over the past year.

The deal was handled by Ben Williams of Red Dot Real Estate, representing Garver. The buyers were represented by Nicolae Leve of 206 Realty. Garver, in his third season with the Mariners, signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the club before the 2024 season. In February this year the team re-signed him for one season at $2.25 million. Before Seattle he spent five years with the Minnesota Twins and two seasons with the Texas Rangers.

In recent weeks the veteran catcher has received more playing time after the team’s primary catcher, Cal Raleigh, was sidelined with an injury in mid-May. As noted in the original article on Seattle Mariners catcher sells Bellevue home for $3 million - The Business Journals, the deal reflects not only the player’s personal financial decisions but also broader trends in the Bellevue real estate market, which, despite high prices, is showing some cooling. For Garver, the sale could be related to changing personal circumstances or uncertainty about his future with the club after his current one-year deal ends.

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Heat in Seattle Could Coincide with World Cup Match

Seattle is preparing for its first men's 2026 World Cup match (Egypt vs. Belgium) on June 15, and the city could see its first heat wave of the year at the same time. While forecasters are predicting rain and thunderstorms in the coming days, the National Weather Service is already forecasting a 20–40% chance of extreme heat from June 13–17. Meteorologist Matthew Callen notes that exact temperatures are not yet known, but for comparison — the hottest day so far this year was 30.6°C (87°F). However, extreme heat can be dangerous for those without access to cooling or sufficient water.

Interestingly, fans from Cairo, who are used to temperatures above 32°C (90°F) at this time of year, might not even notice the heat at Seattle Stadium (temporarily named Lumen Field). Seattle residents, where even moderate warmth is perceived differently (locals still can’t agree on what qualifies as a “heat wave”), may feel uncomfortable. The contrast in climatic habits adds a particular color to the event.

Experts advise anyone planning to attend outdoor World Cup events or spend extended time outside to prepare in advance. Don’t forget sunscreen, lightweight clothing, a hat, and water and a fan if you have one. More tips on staying cool can be found at st.news/becool.

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Based on: Seattle weather: Heat wave possible for Egypt vs. Belgium World Cup game

Seattle light rail sets U.S. record: 155,000 riders a day

The Sound Transit light rail system in April 2025 became the busiest in the United States, surpassing Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego. Daily ridership reached 155,000 people — a quarter higher than in February, when the figure was 122,700. The jump surprised even agency staff, who confirmed the data last week and noted that similar demand has continued into May.

The main catalyst for the increase was the March 28 opening of a new route across Lake Washington, connecting Bellevue and Seattle. It is the first passenger rail line in the world routed over a floating bridge. The project was delayed six years due to disputes over routing in Bellevue and defects in concrete rail ties that Sound Transit deemed defective and replaced. Lake Washington is a large freshwater lake separating the city of Seattle from its eastern suburbs. The region east of the lake, known as the “Eastside,” includes the cities of Bellevue and Redmond, home to Microsoft’s headquarters, Amazon’s second offices and many other tech companies. There are no bridges across Lake Washington in the middle of the lake (bridges exist only at the ends), and all trips between Seattle and the Eastside have relied on the already congested SR-520 or I-90 bridges during peak hours, so the light rail route has dramatically cut commute times for thousands of workers and eased pressure on the roads. The start of the Mariners’ baseball season — a traditional driver of game-day trips — also contributed to the increase.

The 58-mile (about 93 km) system links Lynnwood, Seattle, Redmond and Federal Way, with most of the tracks running on elevated structures or in tunnels, making it more like a subway than a conventional streetcar. Better on-time performance (two years ago the situation was disastrous) and appeal to a broader range of riders, not just office workers, have helped the system exceed even pre-COVID levels.

However, the light rail’s triumph contrasts with serious problems: Sound Transit faces a $35 billion funding shortfall, timelines for new megaprojects are slipping, and the promised extension to the Ballard neighborhood is at risk of cuts. Ballard is a historic neighborhood in northwest Seattle, once a separate town and now known for its Scandinavian heritage, many breweries, restaurants and rapidly growing population. Its connection to downtown is considered critically important: currently the neighborhood is served only by one rapid bus line (RapidRide D Line) and has no direct rail link. Sound Transit plans to extend the light rail to Ballard, providing fast, reliable access to downtown, but financial strains (caused by rising construction costs, inflation and delays) put the project in jeopardy. Without it, Ballard could face even greater transportation problems, slowing growth across the city. Still, today the rails carry the equivalent of two-and-a-half football stadiums’ worth of passengers per day — the same number as cross Interstate 90 — but without the congestion and exhaust.

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Based on: Seattle’s daily light rail ridership jumps to No. 1 in U.S.

Generous $25M Gift: Scholarships for Rural Doctors at the University of Washington

The University of Washington School of Medicine received a historic $25 million donation from philanthropists Bill and Caroline Franke and their family. The funds will support students who aspire to practice medicine in rural communities and Native American reservations. As dean Dr. Tim Dellit noted, this is the largest gift in the institution’s history specifically designated for training future physicians.

The bulk of the funds — $20.5 million — will cover half the tuition for 30 medical students in the school’s unique WWAMI region program — a regional partnership that includes Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. The model was created specifically to address disparities in access to medical education and workforce between urban Seattle and the region’s vast rural areas. Students receive part of their education in their home states and then return there for clinical practice, increasing the likelihood that physicians will stay to work in those regions. Scholarships will be awarded to those who demonstrate financial need and commit to working in rural areas or in Native American communities. Preference will be given to students from low-income backgrounds and to those who are the first in their family to attend college.

Rural areas and Native American reservations in the Pacific Northwest face a triple barrier in attracting medical personnel. Geographic isolation means it often takes hours by car to reach hospitals and clinics, which deters physicians accustomed to urban infrastructure. Financial constraints at rural hospitals limit their ability to offer competitive salaries. In addition, working in reservations requires understanding traditional healing practices and building community trust, and clinicians from other regions often experience cultural shock and leave. The situation is worsened by chronic underfunding of the federal Indian Health Service.

The Franke family knows the challenges of rural medicine from personal experience. Bill Franke, an aviation investor, grew up in rural Texas and now spends part of the year in Montana. “We see firsthand that the shortage of physicians in remote areas remains acute,” Franke said. “And we decided to do our part to help address it.” Dave Franke, president of the family company, added that the scholarship should show students: “If you have a dream of becoming a doctor but it seems impossible — it is possible.”

UW’s educational program is unique in that since the 1970s it has allowed students to complete clinical training across the WWAMI states. The system was created to combat rural physician shortages, and, according to Dean Dellit, that problem remains relevant today. A separate $4.5 million will go toward recruiting and retaining students, including holding an annual medical education summit.

School leaders hope the Franke gift will amplify existing successes: statistics show that 60–65% of UW graduates return to work in the WWAMI region. “This donation will affect not only our students but, we truly believe, improve the health of the entire region by supporting future generations of physicians,” Dr. Dellit emphasized. After the pandemic and amid an ongoing workforce shortage, such support is especially valuable for the Northwest’s remote communities.

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Based on: UW School of Medicine gifted $25 million for rural health scholarship

World Cup Unites Dreams of Seattle’s African Diaspora

Oscar Singini, a 32-year-old certified nursing assistant from Everett — a city about 40 miles north of Seattle that is a significant center for the African diaspora, especially people from Somalia and Ethiopia — once watched World Cup matches on TV in Malawi, far from the roar of stadiums. Now, three years after moving to the U.S., he is preparing to be part of the big event as a volunteer. Singini was selected as one of 2,000 volunteers for the 2026 World Cup in Seattle, where he will help fans navigate the city.

Seattle will host six tournament matches at Lumen Field (temporarily renamed Seattle Stadium), located downtown near the International District and historically diverse neighborhoods. For the 2026 World Cup this is symbolic: the stadium has already hosted major soccer matches, and its proximity to African and Middle Eastern communities underscores the event’s multicultural character. Among the matches is the high-profile U.S. vs. Australia game on June 19. The only African team playing in the city is Egypt — they will face Belgium on June 15 and Iran on June 26. For many people from Africa living in Washington state, the event goes far beyond sport.

“I’m incredibly happy to be part of such a global event,” Singini says. “I feel honored to have been chosen from such a competitive pool and excited to help welcome fans from around the world.” Interest in volunteering was enormous: 35,000 applications were submitted for 2,000 spots in Seattle, said Hana Tadesse — director of SeattleFWC26, a community initiative representing the interests of local African and immigrant communities in World Cup preparations. The group advocates for locals, especially from minority communities, to get economic benefits from the tournament.

Emily Duwa, a nursing assistant from Seattle, is also originally from Malawi. She has already bought a ticket for the Egypt vs. Iran match. “Being in the U.S. and being able to see the World Cup in person is an incomparable experience,” she says. “I’m so excited to go to the stadium, meet and talk with different people.”

Duwa notes that moving to America can be a dream come true, but it depends on how a person uses available opportunities. Immigrants often must make a tough choice: work in healthcare, where jobs are easier to find, or pursue higher-paying sectors like tech. This is not unique to Seattle, but it’s particularly visible here because of the dominance of giants like Amazon and Microsoft. Many immigrants work in high-tech, where wages are high, but healthcare is often tied to employers and access to affordable medical care remains a problem, especially for temporary workers and low-wage immigrants. “Living in a city hosting the World Cup is exciting,” she adds. “The atmosphere of being in the same city with the world’s best players fills you with pride.”

Abdou Kadre from Senegal, who works as a security guard in Seattle, is especially enthusiastic about the increased number of African teams at the tournament: in 2026 there will be 10, double the number in Qatar in 2022. He believes the continent can challenge the world’s powerhouses. “After Morocco made it to the semifinals in 2022, many believed an African team could seriously contend for the title,” Kadre says.

At the same time, like many fans, he worries that not everyone will be able to afford tickets. “We have only one problem,” he admits. “Tickets are very expensive.” Kadre plans to follow the tournament remotely but is glad African football is getting such attention. He singles out Morocco, which changed the world’s perception of African soccer.

Dira Drammah, born in Gambia and living in Seattle for 30 years, says this year is unique. Although he hasn’t yet bought tickets, Drammah is sure he will watch at least one match in person — depending on his work schedule. For him, soccer is a family legacy: “I have relatives who play internationally, though they won’t come here. I’m especially looking forward to Cabo Verde’s performance.”

Drammah, who works in delivery, also sees the World Cup as a business opportunity: “The city will come alive, which means more orders for our sector, the hotel industry and other businesses.” For him, as for many, moving to the U.S. has already fulfilled one dream, and now Seattle offers a second — getting closer to a tournament they once only watched from afar. About 300,000 African immigrants and their descendants live in Washington state. The most visible communities are from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan, as well as people from West African countries (Nigeria, Ghana). In Seattle and Everett these communities have established cultural centers, religious organizations and businesses.

“I’m from Africa,” says Oscar Singini, “and I will be at the center of the world stage right here in Seattle.” He bought a ticket for the Egypt vs. Iran game and eagerly anticipates connecting his life in America with his childhood passion for soccer. For Singini and thousands of others in the African diaspora, the World Cup in Seattle has become a symbol that even the boldest dreams can come true.

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Based on: Why World Cup is a dream come true for Seattle’s African diaspora

Chemical incident in Longview: cleanup complete, water safe

Environmental cleanup after a major caustic chemical leak at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview, Washington, has reached a key milestone. Recall that on May 26 a devastating explosion at the facility killed 11 people. The accident released about 600,000 gallons of "white liquor" — a highly corrosive solution used in pulp production — into the local drainage system. Responders "flushed" the network by opening hydrants and running fresh water through ditches and drains to dilute the chemicals, after which the diluted water was pumped to the Columbia River.

According to the State Department of Ecology, by the end of the week the pH in the drainage system had returned to normal and the flushing operation was complete. Air quality monitoring in Longview has also ended, except for the area immediately around the plant — no hazardous gases were detected. Remaining chemicals on the plant site continue to be removed by vacuum trucks and disposed of at the facility’s treatment works. Most of the spilled material is believed to have remained on plant property.

Environmental officials reported the collection of about 2,900 dead fish from the drainage system, including carp, catfish, bass and other local species. Although fish continue to surface as they decompose — a natural process — authorities remind residents that the preexisting ban on swimming, fishing and recreation in local canals and embankments remains in effect. Longview’s drinking water, officials say, remains completely safe.

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Based on: ‘Flushing’ of chemicals spilled in Longview disaster is complete, WA says

Seattle roundup: heat concerns and sports losses

Today in the news: Seattle is bracing for a possible heat wave up to 32°C — meteorologists are warning but reassuring that a repeat of the 2021 heat dome is not expected. In sports — the hockey club Seattle Torrent lost three key players due to PWHL expansion, and the baseball Mariners are without their lead shortstop J.P. Crawford after a hand injury.

Anticipated heat in Seattle: forecasts point to possible highs near 90°F

Residents of Western Washington should pay attention to long-range forecasts that hint at a potential heat wave in the Puget Sound area in about ten days. Meteorologists urge caution in interpreting these signals, but the signal is strong enough to merit attention. Ted Buehner, a meteorologist at KIRO Newsradio with many years at the National Weather Service in Seattle, explained on “Seattle’s Morning News” what recent model runs are showing. His message was measured but clear: if the forecast verifies, the region could face a serious problem. He stressed that, if model runs line up, the region could see another heat wave with thermometers likely reaching about 90°F (around 32°C). For Seattle this is not just warm weather but an event the city is unprepared for: most homes lack central air conditioning, and people aren’t acclimated to those temperatures. It’s worth recalling the last time a similar pattern occurred in late June 2021, when a heat dome over the Pacific Northwest led to hundreds of deaths.

Attention has focused on maps circulating online based on the European model (ECMWF). They show so‑called 850‑millibar temperature anomalies. That may sound technical, but it’s actually straightforward. Imagine the atmosphere about 1.5 kilometers up — that’s the 850‑millibar level. Meteorologists like to analyze that layer because it sits above the morning marine layer and low clouds, giving a cleaner picture of which air mass is over the region. An anomaly shows how much warmer or cooler that air mass is than normal for this time of year. According to current ECMWF runs for June 15–17, the air at that height over Puget Sound will be 14–16°C warmer than normal. In Fahrenheit that’s 25–29°F above normal. And when the air about 1.5 kilometers up is that hot, surface temperatures tend to follow. That typically means street‑level temperatures in Seattle could be well above 90°F.

How does this forecast compare to the 2021 heat dome? According to World Weather Attribution, surface temperatures at the peak of that event were 16–20°C above normal. In Seattle on June 28, 2021, the thermometer hit 108°F (about 42°C), more than 30°F above the normal late‑June maximum. The upper‑level ridge that caused that event was later described as a 4–4.5 standard deviation event. In plain language, that means “this shouldn’t occur more often than once in a thousand or ten thousand years.” In this context a “ridge” is an atmospheric feature: imagine the atmosphere as a river of air flowing west to east across the country. That river usually has bends and rises. A ridge is a large upward bulge — a dome of high pressure — located very high, around 5.5 kilometers (18,000 feet). When such a ridge stalls over a region and refuses to move, it acts like a lid. Air beneath it sinks and warms; clouds can’t form, and the sun beats down day after day. That’s the driving mechanism behind any major heat wave in the Pacific Northwest. In 2021 the ridge that formed over British Columbia was the strongest ever measured in that part of the world. Current model runs show a ridge forming, but not that extreme one. Forecasts for 2026 show high temperatures and mid‑level anomalies reaching values similar to 2021. However, at least so far, the historic upper‑level ridge that made the 2021 heat dome so deadly is missing. That’s an important difference, and it’s why Buehner is watching the models rather than issuing an alert.

Ted Buehner has forecasted Pacific Northwest weather since the 1970s. He’s not prone to false alarms, so his recommendation to pay attention carries weight. He also carries personal scars from the last big heat event. He recalls judging a baseball game on the first day of that 2021 heat wave and suffering heat exhaustion. That’s one of the risks of extreme heat. Don’t count on the Washington coast as a guaranteed refuge. During Seattle heat waves people often load their cars and drive to Ocean Shores or Westport. Buehner advises checking the forecast before you go. Because of offshore flow — when air moves from Eastern Washington and British Columbia toward the ocean — the coast can often be even hotter than Seattle. During the 2021 heat dome, Quillayute on the Pacific coast hit 110°F (43°C). Forks was hotter than Atlanta and Chicago. When winds shift east, the marine layer is pushed off the coast and the beach starts to feel like Tri‑Cities. The picture should become clearer in the next four to five days. Buehner urges people to stay tuned, since models can verify or break down — both remain possible.

As for preparing for a possible heat wave, it’s better to do the boring but important tasks now while the forecast is still uncertain. It’s much easier to skip preparations than to frantically hunt for a working air conditioner when the National Weather Service issues a red‑level warning. Start at home. Pull the window air conditioner out of storage and make sure it works before you need it. Check window screens; find fans. If you don’t have air conditioning at all, learn where the nearest cooling center is and write the address on your refrigerator. King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties typically open cooling centers in libraries and community centers during heat events. Hydration matters: drink water before you feel thirsty, not after. Cut back on alcohol and caffeine during the hottest times, as they work against you. Check on those who can’t care for themselves: elderly neighbors, children, people on medications that affect thermoregulation, and people who live alone. A simple two‑minute knock on the door during heat saved lives in this region. Many of the 2021 fatalities were elderly people living alone in apartments without air conditioning. Don’t forget animals: dogs and cats need shade and fresh water. Pavement can heat enough to burn paws. Walk dogs early in the morning or after sunset. Livestock and chickens also need extra water and shade. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion shows heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, and a rapid but weak pulse. Cool the person and give fluids. Heat stroke is an emergency: hot, dry skin, confusion, body temperature over 39.5°C (103°F), possible loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately. Plan your weekends around the heat, not in spite of it. Move long hikes, gardening, and other strenuous outdoor work to early next week before any ridge sets in. That’s when people get hurt. The atmosphere will tell us more in a few days, and being prepared ahead of time is sensible. Harger Charlie in his piece at MyNorthwest.com emphasizes that the forecast is not final, but preparations are worth starting now.

Seattle Torrent lose leaders: PWHL expansion deals blow to last‑place club

The Seattle Torrent, last season’s bottom team in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), unexpectedly became a prime talent supplier for new teams. In the expansion league’s first stage, the club lost three key players — including Olympic champions — raising questions about its competitiveness next season. According to FOX 13 Seattle, forward Hannah Bilka and defenseman Kyla Barnes signed with Detroit, and goalie Corinne Schroeder went to San Jose. All three were core figures for Seattle, and their departures are a serious blow.

Bilka, who scored four goals and had five assists in 14 games, signed a two‑year deal, though her past season was marred by an upper‑body injury sustained at the Olympics. Barnes, by contrast, was an iron‑woman regular, playing all 30 games and totaling eight points. Schroeder, with a .915 save percentage and 2.56 goals‑against average, was one of the few bright spots in the Torrent’s defense. Interestingly, despite the team’s poor results, its players were in demand elsewhere. Under expansion rules, current clubs can lose no more than three contracted players in this stage, so the Torrent is temporarily protected — four more players, including Lexi Adzia and Jenna Buglioni, remain under contract and could not be selected.

However the biggest threat to Seattle comes from players not currently under contract. Captain Hilary Knight and one of the team’s top scorers, Julia Gosling, top a list of 14 free agents who could sign with any of the league’s 12 clubs starting June 10. There were rumors Knight might join Bilka and Barnes in Detroit, but nothing official yet. Players like Emily Brown, Brooke Bryant, and Aneta Techralova are also at risk. The situation is worsened by the second expansion stage beginning June 10, when the Torrent will only be able to protect three of those players. The club risks losing its core, making building a competitive roster for next season extremely difficult. General manager Megan Turner faces a tough job: keep the leaders or find suitable replacements in the upcoming free‑agent market opening Monday.

Mariners lose key player: J.P. Crawford exits after being hit by pitch

Friday’s game between the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers was marred by an unpleasant incident: the Mariners’ starting shortstop J.P. Crawford was forced to leave early with an injury to his right hand. This occurred just minutes after Crawford had shown grit by staying in the game after being hit by a pitch. Crawford was injured in the top of the third inning when Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez lost control of a 95‑mph fastball (about 153 km/h) that came inside and struck Crawford on his throwing hand near the pinky. As The Seattle Times reports, Crawford initially stayed at the base, but when Julio Rodríguez hit into a double play he was forced to run to second base and then exited the game.

In the third inning Colt Emerson came in to replace Crawford at shortstop, and Patrick Wisdom took over at third base. There is no official word yet on the severity of the injury, but the situation looks concerning. It’s important to note the hand hit capped off a rough night for Crawford. Earlier, in the first inning after Rob Refsnyder’s single, Crawford awkwardly slipped while trying to reach home, likely spraining his ankle. Despite the discomfort, Crawford managed a terrific defensive dive in an inning to record a force out at second. This incident comes against a decent offensive line for Crawford this season: entering the game his batting average was .224, but he had already hit 10 home runs — his best career total for early June. The Mariners will likely await exam results, and if there is a fracture it would be a significant loss for the team, given that the injured hand is his throwing hand.

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Portland cat makes CVS his home; neighbors fight to keep him happy

An unusual fight over the rights of a local landmark — a 19-year-old cat named Nutmeg — has unfolded in Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood. This historic southeast Portland neighborhood is known for its older housing stock, parks and independent shops, and residents are highly active thanks to a strong tradition of neighborhood self-governance: official neighborhood associations have real influence over zoning and city projects. Sellwood has also endured floods and wildfires, which only strengthened mutual aid, and Portlanders here take pride in knowing every neighbor on the block.

For several months the animal has treated the CVS pharmacy at the corner of Southeast 17th Avenue and Tacoma Street as a second home. Locals have nicknamed him the “unofficial mayor of Sellwood” and are actively defending the cat’s right to be in the store.

The conflict flared on May 16 when a customer posted a complaint about the cat’s presence in a neighborhood Facebook group. The man demanded that the owners prevent the animal from entering the premises for sanitary reasons. A few days later an official complaint was sent to CVS’s corporate office, touching off an outpouring of outrage among residents.

Formally, the complainant relies on the law: the Oregon Department of Agriculture bans companion animals (except service animals) from grocery stores and pharmacies. Oregon generally has some of the strictest rules in the U.S.: only service dogs are allowed into food stores, not merely “companion animals.” The local health authority requires that areas where food is prepared and sold be free of animals, except guide dogs, and fines are high enough that stores strictly enforce the rule. Unlike more permissive states or some shops in Seattle where a looser practice has historically developed, Oregon’s rules are strict. Representatives of CVS confirmed they love the cat but must follow the rules. “As a pharmacy and seller of food products, we must maintain an animal-free environment,” the company said.

However, Sellwood residents are unanimous in their support of the fluffy “mayor.” “Nutmeg is a true delight for the neighborhood. He’s friendly and doesn’t bother anyone,” says regular customer Terry Walton. “When I see him in the store, I can’t help but smile.” Neighbors are actively sharing photos and stories of encounters with the cat, urging CVS to show flexibility.

The cat’s owners, Joe and Gabi Moore, took him in about a year ago when the previous owner could no longer care for the pet. They say the cat has always been very social and constantly wanted to go outside. In Portland, especially in low-rise neighborhoods like Sellwood, it’s considered normal for an older cat to know his neighborhood, sleep on strangers’ porches and be viewed as a “street guardian” or local attraction. Soon after adoption the cat began exploring the area, climbing into strangers’ cars and wandering into local businesses, until he found his ideal spot — CVS.

Each evening the cat patiently waits for the automatic doors to open and then goes inside. Joe Moore usually picks him up a few minutes before the store closes at 10:00 p.m. Despite a couple of incidents (the cat once tore open a bag of dog treats and inadvertently ended up locked in the store overnight), Nutmeg has become a true ambassador for the pharmacy. “This is his retirement life,” explains Gabi Moore. “He’s almost 19 and he chose CVS as his place. He loves it there more than home.”

Now the cat’s future is uncertain. CVS employees began a petition in his defense, but at the request of the corporate office it was removed. Nutmeg’s fans are now writing directly to the company’s customer service, hoping for a compromise. Joe Moore acknowledges that some people may object, but emphasizes: “We’re just letting the cat be a cat. If there’s a solution that works for everyone, we’re ready to talk.”

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Based on: A Portland cat chose a CVS as his home. Customers are rallying to keep him there.

Seattle residents return to downtown: data show an uptick

Good news for Seattle: after several years of decline, locals are once again visiting downtown attractions in larger numbers. New data from research firm Nielsen, based on a survey of 3,900 adults in the Puget Sound region (March 2025 — March 2026), show that 12 of 16 major tourist sites saw increases in visitor numbers compared with the previous year. That’s an encouraging sign after nearly all locations reported declines the year before — largely due to inflation, high costs of getting downtown and safety concerns.

The main driver of growth was the revamped Seattle waterfront, a reconstruction that cost more than $800 million. As part of the multi-year project, aging roadway infrastructure — including the Elliott Bay Viaduct, which was demolished in 2019 — was replaced with pedestrian zones and parks. Sidewalks along Alaskan Way were widened, hundreds of trees and shrubs planted, new public spaces with seating and public art created, and waterfront access improved. The project connected downtown to Elliott Bay, making the waterfront greener and more attractive.

Legendary Pike Place Market remained the most popular spot: 1.5 million local adults visited — up 6% from the previous year. An even more impressive result came from the Great Wheel: 324,000 regional residents visited, 50,000 more than last year and 18,000 above pre-pandemic levels. The Seattle Aquarium also continued strong growth — up 44% year-over-year, reaching 719,000 local visitors, partly thanks to the new Ocean Pavilion. This three-story building of about 4,600 square meters opened in 2024 as part of the waterfront redevelopment and cost $113 million. It features a giant 1.1-million-liter aquarium with tropical fish and coral reefs, and its standout feature is a 12-meter-tall panoramic glass window for viewing sharks and rays. The pavilion also includes educational spaces, climate change exhibits and interactive displays highlighting connections between regional ecosystems and tropical seas.

Seattle Center also performed well — 528,000 local visitors, exceeding both last year’s and pre-pandemic figures. In sports, the Mariners (baseball) drew more than a million local fans (a great season) and the Storm (basketball) saw attendance rise nearly 11% to 143,000, reflecting growing interest in women’s sports. The Sounders (soccer) also recorded growth, while the Seahawks (American football) experienced a decline.

There were exceptions: the SIFF International Film Festival lost 9% of its local audience compared with last year and 34% compared with pre-pandemic levels, linked to financial difficulties and a substantially reduced program. The Museum of Flight showed a small dip (3%), and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) remained nearly unchanged. Woodland Park Zoo grew modestly by 2%.

It’s important to note that the data count the number of residents who visited a given location at least once during the year, without accounting for visit frequency. Nevertheless, the overall trend is clear: after a long decline, Seattle is gradually regaining the trust of local residents. The revamped waterfront, new exhibits like the Ocean Pavilion, and compelling events are helping overcome pandemic effects and safety concerns, making downtown appealing again for day trips.

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Based on: Waterfront effect? Data shows locals heading back to downtown Seattle

Drone scoreboard to hover over Seattle during World Cup 2026

During the six days Seattle will host matches of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, the city’s tourism authorities plan to surprise fans with a unique show. Each evening after the game ends, an unusual scoreboard made up of hundreds of drones will light up in the sky near the Space Needle. This is the first such light performance in history, intended to bring together locals and tournament visitors.

The roughly 12-minute show will display the flags of the countries playing that day and the final score. The presentation will be themed around Seattle and will be part of a “global greeting,” Visit Seattle chief marketing officer Stephanie Byington said. The first showing will take place the evening of June 15 after the Belgium vs. Egypt match, and the project will conclude June 26 with the Iran vs. Egypt match.

Byington said the drone-scoreboard idea was chosen from about 70 options because of its innovativeness. “It’s something that’s never been done before,” she emphasized. “Second, this format is accessible to both visitors and locals and also provides excellent media exposure.” The show is being produced by Sky Elements, which will update the score each day while keeping the main portion of the program unchanged.

The launch site chosen for the drones is Seattle Center — a large city park of about 30 hectares that serves as the city’s cultural and technological hub. That’s intentional: similar shows have already been held here, and the proximity to the 184-meter Space Needle observation tower, built for the 1962 World’s Fair, makes the performance symbolic. The tower’s futuristic design reflects Seattle’s leadership in the aerospace industry (Boeing) and technological innovation (Amazon, Microsoft), making it an emblem of the city recognized around the world. Seattle Center also hosts other large events, such as the annual Bumbershoot music festival, the Folklife arts festival, hockey games at Climate Pledge Arena, New Year’s celebrations, and concerts in the plaza. “It’s almost an homage to the Space Needle and the spirit of innovation our city is known for,” Byington noted. The only complication will come on June 26, when the Iran–Egypt match starts at 8:00 p.m., leaving less time to prepare the show.

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Based on: FIFA Men’s World Cup fans will be kept updated with drone scoreboard

Senate restores CSB funding after pulp mill explosion

Leaders of the U.S. Congress reached a last-minute bipartisan agreement to preserve funding for the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). The decision came after a catastrophic implosion at a pulp mill in Longview, Washington, that killed 11 people and injured seven others. Earlier, the House budget proposal had called for cutting the CSB budget by more than 40 percent, which, The Seattle Times reported, would have severely limited the agency’s ability to investigate this and future industrial accidents.

Longview sits in the Columbia River Valley, which provides access to the vast forest resources of the Pacific Northwest — pine, fir and spruce. The river serves as a transportation artery for incoming timber and outgoing products, which has historically made Washington a national leader in pulp and paper production. The industry creates thousands of jobs, supports port infrastructure and generates billions of dollars for the state’s economy each year through exports to Asia and other regions.

The deal resulted from active efforts by Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat from Washington who represents the Longview district. On Tuesday evening, ahead of scheduled Appropriations Committee debates, she initiated a series of calls and messages to colleagues. Key Republican support came from Dan Newhouse and Mike Simpson, who backed restoring the funding, calling it not a partisan but a human issue.

President Donald Trump has sought to eliminate the CSB since his first term, calling it part of “government streamlining.” Conservative politicians, including Trump, view the agency as an unnecessary regulator that imposes bureaucratic constraints on business and slows economic growth. Eliminating the CSB is part of a broader deregulatory push: Republicans often seek to weaken other agencies such as the EPA and OSHA, arguing it reduces costs for industry. Critics argue that removing the CSB would strip the industry of an essential independent oversight mechanism, increasing risks to workers and the public. Congress has repeatedly rejected those attempts. The agency’s budget has remained at roughly $14 million since 2023, which former board members say has already been insufficient for full operations.

On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment restoring the CSB budget to $14 million. The bill funding the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies now goes to the full House for consideration. Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, pledged to block any further attempts to strip the agency of funds.

The CSB was created in 1990 as part of amendments to the Clean Air Act and began operations in 1998. Its sole mission is to investigate the causes of chemical disasters and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies. CSB technical reports often become the basis for industry-wide safety reforms.

The investigation of the Longview implosion could take years. Experts must determine why a 900,000-gallon tank of “white liquor” — an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in the pulping process to dissolve lignin — failed so catastrophically. Pulp mills also use other hazardous chemicals: chlorine or chlorine dioxide for bleaching, sulfites and sulfuric acid, and gaseous methyl mercaptan, which gives plants a characteristic foul odor. Typical consequences of accidents include toxic discharges into the Columbia River that kill fish and aquatic life; releases of sulfurous gases and ammonia into the air that cause respiratory problems in people; and groundwater contamination. For local residents, this can mean closures of fishing areas, bans on using water for drinking and irrigation, temporary evacuations or “shelter in place” advisories. In the long term, accidents reduce quality of life and undermine trust in the region’s environmental safety.

The CSB faces chronic challenges: a small staff (about 50 employees) and three vacant seats on the five-member presidentially appointed board. Political interference hinders stable leadership, delaying investigations and the implementation of recommendations. Gluesenkamp Perez said she intends to push for the appointment of new board members, emphasizing the importance of hands-on plant experience.

“Eleven men will never come home to their families,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “We must be able to make cardboard and paper here at home, and that means the CSB is necessary. This level of risk is unacceptable.” The congresswoman noted that she is only “laying the groundwork” for negotiations with the White House but said she is confident that protecting workers and preventing future catastrophes is worth every dollar spent.

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Based on: After Longview implosion, deal restores Chemical Safety Board funding

Seattle waterfront parks for $56 million: how private money reshaped the Puget Sound waterfront

Two city parks on Seattle’s waterfront — Myrtle Edwards and Centennial — have been radically transformed over the past 14 months thanks to $56 million in private funding. The initiative was led by Melinda French Gates, the former wife of Bill Gates and co‑founder of a major philanthropic foundation, and was joined by MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the Diller‑von Furstenberg family and Expedia Group. For Seattle these investments are hugely significant: in the U.S., public spaces are often funded through a mix of taxes and large private donations, without which big projects can drag on for decades or never happen at all.

The main goal of the reconstruction is to restore the city’s connection to Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, a central element of Seattle’s identity: a cultural center for Indigenous peoples, the economic base for the ports and a primary natural landmark. For decades industrial and transportation infrastructure had cut residents off from that identity. Historically the waterfront was separated from downtown by two barriers: the BNSF freight railroad and the I‑5 elevated highway, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct, built in the 1950s, created a physical and noise barrier that turned the shoreline into an inaccessible industrial zone. Only after its demolition and the opening of the tunnel beneath downtown in 2019 did the opportunity for reconnection emerge.

Now, instead of expansive lawns there are pollinator meadows, outdated art pieces have been refreshed and pedestrian paths widened. The derelict “Happy Hooker” pavilion has given way to a glass café and new restrooms designed with Indigenous traditions in mind. Architecturally this is expressed through longhouse‑inspired design — wooden frames, deep roof overhangs and the use of cedar — and by including traditional plants used for basketry and medicine in the landscape. Tribes including the Duwamish, Suquamish, Tulalip and others were consulted at every stage of design to honor their heritage.

The most noticeable changes happened along the shoreline. Two cluttered beaches were cleared of debris, trash and invasive blackberry thickets and converted into broad, gentle slopes down to the water. Previously residents had to clamber over rocks to reach the bay — now it is a natural extension of a walk. Organizers emphasize that despite the city’s location on Puget Sound, it was long disconnected from its own shores, and the new beaches are meant to restore that connection.

The pace of delivery is striking for public spaces: construction began in March 2025 and finished in 14 months, though plans were announced in 2023. The rapid schedule was made possible by French Gates’s leadership and the private investments. For her philanthropic work this project was a new experience: she does not plan to regularly invest in public spaces, but she was drawn to the broader waterfront reconstruction.

French Gates’s interest in these parks was sparked in 2019 when she noticed the new promenade and overlook forming to the south while Myrtle Edwards and Centennial remained underappreciated. “I saw that over time these places were kind of hiding in plain sight,” she recalled. “They open up incredible views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound, but they could be much better.” That observation launched the Elliott Bay Connections project, which extends far beyond the parks themselves.

The new bike‑pedestrian route begins just north of the Overlook Walk viewing platform at Pike Place Market. The central element of the project is a new pedestrian bridge and viewing platform that will link the historic core with the restored shoreline parks, crossing over the railroad tracks. Old streetcar tracks on the east side of Alaskan Way were removed to make room for a path that now leads almost directly to the Olympic Sculpture Park at the south entrance to Myrtle Edwards. Together with the adjacent Expedia parcel, the parks now stretch roughly one and a half kilometers along the waterfront.

Built in the 1970s on the remnants of construction for the I‑5 interstate, the parks long served more as a corridor than a destination. Railroad tracks cut them off from much of the city, leaving access only from the north and south and via a pedestrian bridge. Lara Rose, a partner at landscape architecture firm Walker Macy, noted that before the redesign these places looked “very plain, almost forgotten.” “It felt like these parks didn’t quite belong to Seattle,” Rose said. “They didn’t offer what people today expect from modern parks.” The design team adopted a philosophy of “What do these parks want to be,” focusing on ecological restoration, improved circulation and creating more meaningful gathering places.

Extensive lawns have been replaced with more than 74,000 plants, the vast majority of them native species intended to support pollinators and ecosystems. Replacing lawns with native meadows serves several goals: water savings (native plants are adapted to the climate and don’t require irrigation), supporting bees and butterflies that monoculture grass does not sustain, reducing soil erosion and naturally filtering stormwater — all critical to protecting the bay. Special attention was paid to beach access: main entry points to the water are now larger, clearer and much more inviting. A rose garden on the north side of the parks, previously hidden behind a hedge, was dug up and replanted to open views to the mountains.

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Based on: Waterfront parks reopen, paid for with help from Melinda French Gates

Skyscrapers and Conflicts: Seattle Chronicles

Overview of Seattle news: DocuSign is leaving its namesake tower, a 70-year-old woman drove onto a light-rail platform following GPS, and a Los Angeles mayoral candidate threatens to send homeless people to the city.

DocuSign leaves its namesake skyscraper in downtown Seattle: what's behind the move and how it will affect the office market

DocuSign, known for its e-signature solutions, has decided to relocate within downtown Seattle, vacating the tower that bore its name. The move is reportedly neutral for the city’s office market overall, since the company is not moving to the suburb of Bellevue and already cut staff in 2023. However, it will be a serious blow to the building’s owner, investment giant Blackstone: vacancy in the DocuSign Tower will rise to 56%. DocuSign confirmed it signed a lease for 115,000 square feet at the JPMorgan Chase Center at 1301 Second Ave. The company plans to begin work in the new office next summer when its current lease expires. DocuSign did not say whether it will retain naming rights to the tower it is leaving.

The tower’s history, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Center, is telling. In 2020 DocuSign, founded in Seattle in 2003, secured naming rights as it expanded its footprint. At its peak the company leased about 227,000 square feet, roughly 25% of the building. After staff cuts in 2023 its office footprint shrank significantly, and now, in moving, DocuSign is leasing exactly what it occupies today — 115,000 square feet. That indicates the company is not merely changing location but deliberately optimizing real estate costs by choosing a more modern building. The JPMorgan Chase Center, built in 2004, is two decades younger than DocuSign’s current HQ (built in 1982), fitting the broader market trend of a “flight to quality,” where companies swap older offices for newer, tech-enabled spaces while often reducing area.

Although DocuSign is a California company, Seattle remains a key engineering hub. Two senior executives are based in the city: Chief Product Officer Graham Sheldon and CFO Blake Grayson. In his statement Grayson emphasized, “Seattle is where DocuSign got its start, and it will remain a key place for us as we write the next chapter.” The company did not disclose the exact number of employees in the city, but the fact it is relocating rather than moving staff elsewhere underscores the strategic importance of the Seattle hub. It’s also notable that DocuSign is actively adopting AI — the company recently introduced AI assistants that help analyze and parse complex legal documents and contracts.

The move will add to Blackstone’s headaches, which has already faced trouble in Seattle’s office market. Bloomberg reports the investment firm recently sold the US Bank Center for about $280 million — less than half of what it paid seven years earlier. Moreover, last year Blackstone refinanced the DocuSign Tower, and now, according to Bloomberg, a lender is trying to sell part of the building’s mortgage debt. That means a potential buyer could purchase a piece of the unpaid loan and receive partial payments. For comparison: Blackstone bought DocuSign Tower in 2013 for $389 million, and its peak estimated value reached $533 million in 2020. Today, according to King County records, the tower is assessed at nearly $225 million. A drop of more than half in four years is a stark illustration of the office-market crisis.

The DocuSign situation is just part of a broader problem. Downtown Seattle’s office market has recovered from the pandemic more slowly than other cities. Vacancy in the central business district is about 35%, according to a Kidder Mathews report. Companies with leases expiring are aggressively shrinking footprints and moving to newer buildings, as law firm Perkins Coie did when it left 1201 Third and relocated to the same JPMorgan Chase Center, cutting its space in half. There are currently no large tenants ready to occupy the hundreds of thousands of square feet being vacated in older towers. That creates a vicious cycle: falling occupancy pushes building values down, making refinancing harder and properties less attractive to investors.

SUV on a light-rail platform: how GPS led a 70-year-old woman onto the tracks

A unique incident occurred Tuesday evening at Seattle’s Mount Baker light-rail station. A red Mazda CX-5 crossover with Utah plates slowly drove right onto the southbound platform, first baffling passengers and then causing complete chaos in train service. The episode went viral: videos showed a woman calmly exiting the vehicle under the astonished stares of bystanders and a transit security officer.

How did the car end up on the platform? Investigators say the key stretch is where the light-rail tracks run at street level — at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Walden Street, about half a mile south of the station. Witnesses say the vehicle left the road there and continued along the tracks. After that the tracks begin to rise onto an elevated structure reaching about 35 feet (roughly 10.5 meters). Witnesses reported a loud scraping sound — likely the car’s undercarriage dragging on rails and concrete. Nevertheless, the SUV managed to traverse the tricky section and reach the platform.

Seattle police, who are investigating, identified the driver as a 70-year-old woman. She told officers she was following a GPS navigator that somehow directed her onto the tracks. Sergeant Patrick Micho said the woman did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs but “took a long time to answer questions and was very confused.” After being examined by fire department medics she was taken to Harborview Medical Center. It was not disclosed whether she was arrested or cited.

Sound Transit staff reacted quickly. Service on the 1 Line was replaced with shuttle buses between Sodo and Othello, and the Mount Baker platform was evacuated. A speed swing — a multifunction vehicle with retractable wheels that can travel on both rails and roads — was used to remove the car. That equipment is usually used to move heavy loads, but this time it had to “remove an extremely lost Mazda,” Sound Transit spokesman Henry Bendon joked on social media. The speed swing lifted the SUV and towed it back to the intersection where the unusual journey began. Inspectors thoroughly checked the tracks for damage. By 9:15 p.m. 1 Line service was fully restored — just as fans were leaving the stadium after a Mariners baseball game.

Sound Transit noted this was a first in the agency’s history. Its incident database records 160 collisions involving transit vehicles from 2009 through 2025, but none where a driver intentionally or accidentally drove onto the tracks and struck a train. “This is definitely a first for us,” Sound Transit spokeswoman Amy Enbisk said. “We don’t want it to happen again. We ask drivers: please, do not drive onto the tracks.”

But the incident raises a broader question: how well protected are Seattle’s at-grade sections of light rail? Unlike fully separated elevated segments, stretches such as Martin Luther King Jr. Way sit at street level and are separated only by curbs or markings. This episode will likely prompt transit authorities to reconsider safety measures to prevent a repeat of such a unusual and dangerous event.

Mayoral war: Los Angeles threatens to send homeless people to Seattle

An unexpected controversy has flared in the Los Angeles mayoral race, straining relations between two major U.S. cities. Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, who stands second in preliminary vote counts, said that if elected he would send all of L.A.’s homeless people to Seattle. According to Pratt, they would go there because Seattle’s mayor supposedly “welcomes” them and permissive drug laws make life there more comfortable. The remarks drew a sharp response from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, who chose not to directly spar with the candidate but focused on rebutting the substance of his claims.

Commenting on Pratt’s remarks on Fox 13 Seattle, Wilson emphasized that homelessness is rooted not in drug use alone, as the candidate suggests, but in the excessively high cost of housing. “There is a very clear correlation between housing costs and homelessness. That doesn’t mean drugs aren’t a factor — they certainly are,” the Seattle mayor said. In essence, she echoed findings from years of research, including a 2023 Pew Charitable Trusts analysis that showed housing costs explain differences in homelessness far more than substance abuse, mental illness, or weather. Wilson also stressed that ending the crisis requires more than a roof — it requires comprehensive support including addiction treatment and psychiatric care.

Pratt made the incendiary comments in an ABC News interview, calling the homeless “addicts who choose to live on the street” and promising to “disconnect” them from city infrastructure. He claims that after his election and tougher policies, homeless people will migrate en masse to Seattle because of its tolerance for drug use. Notably, Pratt’s campaign platform otherwise uses more measured rhetoric, promising to replace the current system with a “leadership recovery model” focused on treating mental illness and addiction. Yet his public statements, including posting photos of homeless people on social media, portray a different picture. He has also accused nonprofits without evidence of deliberately bringing homeless people to Los Angeles from other cities.

At present Pratt holds a solid second place behind incumbent Karen Bass, making him a realistic contender in the November general election. His anti-Seattle flourish is likely part of a strategy to court conservative voters upset by rising homelessness. But urban-planning and social-services experts agree the idea of mass “migration” of homeless people driven by local laws is contrived. In reality, data show homelessness is primarily a function of the housing market, and shifting blame to neighboring cities distracts from real solutions like increasing affordable housing and funding social services. As Mayor Wilson wrote in an op-ed for The Seattle Times, “Helping someone out of homelessness is not as simple as putting a roof over their head.”

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Free World Cup 2026 Tickets: 1,400 Seattle Youths to See Matches

Seattle Mayor Katy Wilson announced at a Wednesday news conference that more than 1,400 teens from the city and their guardians will receive free tickets to matches at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. The games will take place at the famed Lumen Field, located in the heart of the city near Elliott Bay. The venue, known for its unique acoustics that create a “wall of sound,” is home to the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Seattle Sounders (MLS). For Seattle, often described as one of the most sports-oriented cities in the U.S., hosting world-class matches underscores its global profile. The initiative is being billed as the largest local youth access program for the upcoming World Cup: the last time the U.S. hosted the men's tournament was in 1994, and Seattle has never been a host city for any World Cup events, so many participants will see a global soccer tournament live for the first time.

The program is implemented jointly with the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 local organizing committee and is fully funded by sponsors — including Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, the Port of Seattle, the Puyallup Tribe, and the University of Washington. No city budget funds are involved, emphasized the mayor’s spokesperson, Jonah Spangenthal-Lee. The Puyallup Tribe’s participation — one of the federally recognized Indigenous tribes whose historical lands include the area of present-day Tacoma — reflects a long tradition of local government collaboration with Native peoples. In the Seattle region, tribes such as the Duwamish, Suquamish and Puyallup play a key role in preserving cultural heritage, managing fisheries and promoting tourism, and their sponsorship is not only financial support but also a recognition of their contributions to Washington state’s history and present.

“This is about so much more than just going to a soccer game,” Wilson said. “We’re telling young people they belong at the most meaningful events in our city. We’re showing that the world is bigger than they might imagine, and that Seattle’s values are opportunity for all, the importance of community, and the drive to make sure everyone can be part of something extraordinary.”

Each teen will receive a ticket to one match, a voucher for stadium food and a Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 team scarf. Some nonprofits will also receive free transportation to and from the stadium in partnership with King County Metro. Tickets will be distributed through 40 youth organizations already selected by the organizing committee; their names will be announced in the days leading up to the tournament.

One of those organizations is the Somali Health Board — a nonprofit founded by Somali immigrants and refugees that works to improve access to health care, education and social supports for the Somali diaspora, partnering closely with local hospitals, schools and government agencies to overcome language and cultural barriers. The Somali community is an important part of King County, numbering in the tens of thousands and representing one of the largest and fastest-growing immigrant groups in the region: since the 1990s, Somalis have brought entrepreneurial energy to Seattle’s economy and culture. At the news conference, young members of the soccer club affiliated with the board posed for photos with the mayor in purple jerseys. The board’s executive director, Najma Osman, noted the club was created to give youth “a goal to run toward,” and today it unites 12 teams across the state.

Local organizing committee CEO Peter Tomozawa thanked corporate partners for providing the funding: “Tickets aren’t cheap, and we didn’t get them handed to us — we had to raise the money so these kids could get to the matches.” For the general public, tickets for matches in Seattle remain available through FIFA’s final sales phases, but even after modest price drops in the last month the cheapest ticket still costs hundreds of dollars — a burden this initiative aims to ease for young fans.

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Based on: More than 1,400 Seattle youths to get free World Cup tickets

How to become a World Cup 2026 volunteer in Seattle

Seattle, which will host six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has faced an incredible surge of people wanting to volunteer. Of 35,000 applications submitted to the city committee, only 2,000 were selected. That competition is part of a global record: FIFA said the total number of volunteer applications for the tournament exceeded 1 million, the highest figure in the history of sporting events.

The only stadium in Seattle hosting World Cup matches will be Lumen Field — the home of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders. Around it a "last-mile zone" will be organized — a special perimeter where vehicle traffic will be restricted and security measures tightened. It will cover the area from the SoDo neighborhood south of downtown to Pioneer Square and the International District, including pedestrian routes from the light-rail Stadium Station.

The selection process included several stages: online questionnaires, invitations to in-person "trials" (interviews) and mandatory security vetting. Of the 35,000 applicants, about 3,500 were invited to interviews at the SeattleFWC26 headquarters in January. This executive committee, created to coordinate tournament preparations, brings together representatives of the city, state, the FIFA organizing committee and local sports organizations. Its headquarters is located in downtown Seattle in the Washington State Convention Center building at 705 Pike Street.

As Thomas Kismarton, head of the volunteer program at Washington Youth Soccer (a nonprofit that runs youth and children's soccer in the state of Washington, representing more than 100,000 players and 20,000 coaches and volunteers), notes, organizers were looking for people with years of experience, language skills and a genuine love of the game.

"The trials were an incredible stage to see how passionate people are about this sport," Kismarton says. "It was hard to choose among the candidates." In the end FIFA selected 1,400 volunteers, and Washington Youth Soccer recruited another 600, which will be responsible for the "last-mile" zone — the pedestrian perimeter around the stadium.

George Featherstone, who grew up with soccer and now works as a referee, has already started his duties. In May he helped distribute uniforms to other volunteers at the SeattleFWC26 headquarters. "To participate in the largest World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he says as he hands out boxes of Adidas sneakers specially designed for volunteers.

Laura Salas moved to Seattle from Argentina two years ago, where soccer was part of her life since childhood. This time she will hold flags and banners at the opening ceremonies of matches. "For me, just being part of the World Cup is an amazing event I'll remember forever," says Salas, who waited four years for this chance.

Mariana Cubillán, who lives in Portland (a three-hour drive from Seattle), applied as soon as she learned of the city's host status. Although Portland is not one of the tournament host cities, volunteer programs are open to anyone regardless of residence. She dreamed of working in media operations to "be on the field where everything happens," but in May she was turned down. Still, Cubillán remains hopeful: "It would have been an experience I'd tell my grandchildren about. If another opportunity from FIFA appears, I'll apply again without hesitation."

Leticia Cortes from Vancouver, Washington (a suburban city north of Portland with a population of about 190,000, not to be confused with the Canadian Vancouver, which is hosting World Cup matches at BC Place) originally applied to guarantee herself entry to games if she couldn't buy tickets. Now she works on accreditation for staff, players, media and other volunteers. "If the tournament weren't taking place in the U.S. or specifically in Seattle, I probably wouldn't be able to attend a match," Cortes admits; she and her family bought tickets for the Belgium vs. Egypt game on June 15.

Jennifer Hayes, retired, remembers the volunteers who helped her at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Now she is on the volunteer team herself, handing out uniforms to FIFA staff. "It was very nice to be selected and to represent the city," says Hayes, who played soccer in college. "I hope to see many guests from around the world."

Volunteers can pick up their uniform — sneakers, socks, pants, a shirt, backpack, cap and jacket — after the tournament ends. FIFA does not pay volunteers' expenses, but provides food and drinks during shifts and issues a certificate of program completion. Each volunteer must work at least six shifts.

Seattle is preparing to welcome soccer fans from around the world from June 15 to July 6. For many residents of the city and region, the chance to be part of this event is not just a way to get into matches, but a chance to bring the community together, share a love of the game and create memories that will last a lifetime.

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Based on: What it takes to be a World Cup 2026 volunteer in Seattle

Melinda French Gates Pledges $215 Million for Women's Health

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates announced a new $215 million donation aimed at improving women’s health around the world. The funds will go toward ensuring access to contraception, protecting maternal health, and supporting research on menopause and care for middle-aged women. The announcement, made Thursday, brings her total giving for women’s health to $600 million over the past two years.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Gates emphasized that women’s health is the foundation of her philanthropic work through Pivotal Ventures, based in Seattle. The choice of that city is not accidental: Melinda French Gates lives in the area, and her wealth is tied to Microsoft, founded in nearby Redmond. Seattle’s tech ecosystem — including Microsoft, Amazon and hundreds of startups — has generated vast wealth that many local billionaires direct toward philanthropy. “It’s absolutely clear that women’s health is fundamental — a woman has to be healthy to thrive in life,” she said.

Since 2024, after stepping away from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda French Gates has focused on supporting women, especially in underfunded areas. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest private charitable foundation, is also based in Seattle and sets standards for the region’s philanthropic ecosystem. Seattle attracts philanthropists thanks to an established culture of “tech philanthropy,” where wealthy entrepreneurs feel a duty to address social problems, along with strong institutions like the University of Washington and a network of like-minded peers, including the Gates family and Jeff Bezos.

The new round of funding includes $40 million for Co-Impact’s initiative to integrate psychiatric care into maternal and primary health services, especially in Africa. Another $10 million will go to the Menopause Society to improve menopause care in the U.S.: the organization will train physicians and expand access to treatment in regions where such care is nearly absent — about 6,000 U.S. counties have critically low access to menopause specialists. Gates hopes her example will inspire other donors.

Seattle’s “tech philanthropy” culture, based on data, scalability and innovation, is reflected in the approach to funding: money is directed to projects with measurable results that use technology and have the potential to scale. Pivotal Ventures often backs initiatives that combine scientific research with practical solutions and focuses on partnering with local communities in developing countries. According to the World Economic Forum, only 2% of private investment goes to women’s health, despite women comprising half the world’s population. “The role of philanthropy is to shine a light on problems society has forgotten and show ways to solve them, to attract other donors and ultimately public funding,” Gates explained.

Dr. Stephanie Fobion, medical director of the Menopause Society, noted that menopause remains one of the most neglected areas of medicine, and the donation will allow the society to expand its educational resources to more regions. Research in this area was already underfunded even before recent cuts to government medical research spending, so Gates believes philanthropy will play a larger role than ever. She stressed that by allocating these funds she hopes not only to address some problems directly but also to draw attention to the importance of the issue.

“I want women’s health issues to stop being invisible,” Melinda French Gates said. “It should not be normal for women to simply endure pain and suffering. We need to see their real experiences and address these concerns.” For her, bringing attention to these problems is almost as important as the funding itself.

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Based on: Melinda French Gates donates $215 million to improve women’s health worldwide

Oregon initiative to ban hunting and fishing moves closer to ballot

Activists in Portland seeking a full ban on hunting and fishing in Oregon have reached a key milestone. Initiative Petition No. 28, filed to expand animal cruelty laws, has collected more than 126,000 signatures, exceeding the 117,000 required. The paperwork has been submitted to the office of the secretary of state, where the signatures will be checked for validity. Oregon’s citizen initiative system, established in the early 20th century, is a form of direct democracy that allows citizens or groups to propose new laws or constitutional amendments without going through the legislature. If an initiative gathers the required number of valid signatures, it is automatically placed on the ballot at the next election.

The petition seeks to eliminate entirely the exceptions that currently allow hunting, fishing, animal agriculture and scientific research involving animals. Activists insist that any harming, breeding or killing of animals should be considered a crime, except in cases of self-defense or veterinary care, including sterilization and euthanasia. “We seek to protect animals’ right to life and bodily autonomy,” the campaign website states.

However, such a radical step could deliver a crushing blow to the state’s economy. Oregon beef exports alone generated $127 million in 2023, while the fishing industry provided $517 million in household income and supported more than 10,300 jobs. In addition, scientific research at state universities—which brings billions of dollars into the state budget—would be jeopardized.

All major industry groups have opposed the petition: the Farmers Association, the Hunters Association, the Sportsmen’s Alliance and the Cattlemen’s Association. Paradoxically, the initiative has been condemned by both Democrats and Republicans. Democratic Governor Tina Kotek, who served 15 years in the state House of Representatives before her election—including nine years as speaker—stressed that the petition “risks criminalizing ordinary agricultural practices that are critical to the economy.” Her Republican challenger, Christine Drazan, called it “an attack by the governor’s allies on the state’s economy.” Both parties see the petition as a threat to the funding system for conservation, and they recognize that many rural residents and Oregon’s Indigenous peoples rely on hunting and fishing for food and cultural tradition.

Experts note that a ban would also undermine funding for wildlife management programs, which are traditionally supported by hunting and fishing license sales. In the U.S., including Oregon, wildlife management is funded under the so-called North American conservation model. About 60–80% of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s budget comes from hunting and fishing license sales, as well as federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and fishing gear. Those funds are used not only to manage game populations but also to protect endangered species, restore habitat, support scientific research, fund anti-poaching efforts and run educational programs. If the ban is adopted, the system would collapse: without license sales the primary funding source would dry up, forcing the state either to sharply cut conservation programs or find new sources of revenue. To mitigate impacts, the petition provides for a transitional fund to retrain workers who lose their livelihoods, but critics remain unconvinced.

Oregon’s initiative system allows citizens to put measures on the ballot without legislative approval, and signature gathering continues through July 2. Because some signatures may be invalidated, activists will seek to collect more than the minimum. If the petition does make the November ballot, the state will face a heated debate over the limits of animal rights and the economic practicality of such a ban.

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Based on: Oregon petition to ban hunting and fishing moves closer to ballot

Seattle Mayor Failed to Deliver Shelters for the 2026 World Cup

The capital of Washington state is preparing to host matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but a key task in addressing homelessness remains unfinished. Mayor Cathy Wilson promised to open 500 new shelter beds by June 1 to clear tent encampments from the streets. However, by the start of the tournament the city had managed to deploy just 50 housing units in the Interbay area, spending $3.5 million.

The goal initially seemed ambitious but achievable. National outlet Politico called it “the boldest bet” among U.S. cities preparing for the soccer celebration. The mayor’s adviser John Grant even presented a slide reading “Goal June 1: open 500 beds.” In practice, though, the city administration managed to organize only 75 beds, with other projects postponed until the end of summer.

Wilson herself acknowledged the failure but called it a “successful spark.” “We always knew this was an ambitious goal, but it made everyone move,” she said. Nevertheless, key staff responsible for the project have left their posts: the homelessness adviser resigned, and the chief of staff was reassigned.

Seattle is experiencing déjà vu: previous mayors, including Jenny Durkan, also failed to meet shelter promises. Durkan, who served from 2017 to 2021, pledged to create 2,000 units of supportive housing over five years, expand programs to buy vacant hotels for shelters, and speed up construction of micro-homes. However, due to bureaucratic delays and the COVID-19 pandemic, many of those goals were not met, and the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city continued to grow. This has bred cynicism and fatigue among residents toward political declarations. Analysts note that broken promises are becoming the norm, undermining public trust.

Still, some experts see positive shifts in the failure. Sharon Lee of the Affordable Housing Institute believes the unattainable goal spurred the launch of other projects, such as a micro-home village in South Park and an RV park in West Seattle. “Without that pressure we wouldn’t have seen progress,” she says. Micro-home villages are temporary communities of small individual units (about 10–15 sq m), each intended for one person or a couple. Unlike standard municipal shelters, which are large communal halls with rows of beds, micro-homes provide residents with more privacy, a lockable personal space, and often allow pets. The village grounds include shared showers, toilets and a kitchen, and social workers are on site — an intermediate option between living in a tent and permanent housing. The neighborhoods hosting such facilities — Interbay, South Park and West Seattle — have industrial zones and vacant lots where it’s easier to place temporary housing without complicated rezoning, while remaining relatively close to the city center and with lower land costs. At the same time, residents of those neighborhoods often protest, pointing to a disproportionately large share of “social” projects compared with wealthier parts of Seattle.

Political scientists’ research explains why politicians so readily promise the impossible. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis (a private university in Missouri, not affiliated with the public University of Washington in Seattle) found that voters split into “rational” and “trusting” types. The former use promises as signals of intent; the latter believe them. The risk of disappointment is minimal because failing to deliver is rarely punished at the ballot box.

An example from neighboring Portland shows the same pattern. Mayor Ted Wheeler promised 1,500 shelter beds in the first year and remarkably achieved the goal. However, the city soon faced a budget shortfall and proposed closing three large shelters, cutting 950 beds. The promise thus proved to be a temporary win.

Now Cathy Wilson has adjusted the target: 300 beds are planned to open by the end of summer. Citizens, accustomed to disappointment, are unlikely to believe in success. As local journalists noted, Seattle long ago lost its expectation of a miracle — here people hope for at least the slightest improvement in homelessness.

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Based on: Seattle’s World Cup homeless shelter goal was another shot and a miss

Digest: GPS-guided driver, evacuation on the tracks and Mariners’ pitchers

Today's digest brings together three key Seattle stories: a curious incident where a car drove onto light-rail tracks after following GPS, a similar case involving a retiree that paralyzed light-rail service, and how the Seattle Mariners’ depth of starting pitchers gives them a trade-market advantage.

Car drives onto elevated light-rail line in Seattle

On Tuesday evening in Seattle an unusual traffic incident halted Sound Transit’s 1 Line light-rail service for about two hours. According to KING5.com, a red SUV ended up on the elevated tracks at the Mount Baker station, requiring emergency crews to intervene and remove the vehicle. What at first caused alarm ended without serious consequences thanks to quick action by responders.

Sound Transit reported that the driver, a 70-year-old woman, followed directions from her GPS, which led her onto the tracks. The episode is a striking example of how sole reliance on navigation systems can mislead drivers—especially in areas with complex transport infrastructure where surface roads and elevated railways sit alongside each other. The elderly woman was able to exit the vehicle on her own and was taken to hospital in stable condition. Seattle police determined the driver was not under the influence and no charges will be filed.

To clear the scene, power to the overhead contact line was shut off so rescuers could safely approach and tow the SUV off the tracks. The vehicle was removed shortly before 8 p.m. While service was suspended, Sound Transit ran shuttle buses between Stadium and Othello stations. Rail service was fully restored by 9 p.m. The article also lists the specific stops where passengers could transfer to shuttle buses in both directions: toward Lynnwood and toward Federal Way.

The incident raises important safety questions. Although the driver was uninjured and will not face charges, driving onto light-rail tracks could have had far more tragic consequences, particularly if a train had been approaching. As KING5.com notes, to prevent similar incidents Sound Transit may consider installing additional barriers or more visible pavement markings at station approaches. It’s also worth thinking about ways to make GPS maps “smarter” so they warn drivers when they’re approaching rail operation zones. For now, passengers and drivers should remember that despite advancing technology, vigilance on the road remains the primary safeguard.

Seattle driver trusted GPS and wound up stuck on tram tracks

A 70-year-old woman in Seattle followed her navigator and ended up on the elevated light-rail tracks at the Mount Baker station, causing two hours of train service disruption. The incident happened Tuesday evening when the retiree’s vehicle came to rest on the rails, fully halting service on one of Sound Transit’s critical lines.

MyNorthwest.com reports witnesses saw the woman travel a “significant distance” along the tracks before finally becoming stuck. There were no injuries: Seattle Fire Department personnel quickly removed the driver from the car and she was taken to hospital for evaluation. The driver said she simply trusted her GPS, which apparently failed to recognize that the road turned into a rail right-of-way.

To extract the vehicle, crews had to completely de-energize the contact rails, which shut down service across a wide area. The disruption affected routes from SODO to Federal Way, from Beacon Hill to Lynnwood and Federal Way, and directions from Mount Baker, Columbia City and Othello toward Lynnwood. Passengers waited for service to be restored until nearly 9 p.m.

Part of the difficulty is that Sound Transit overpasses have a specific configuration: the public roadway and the tracks at Mount Baker sit at the same elevation and can look similar to an unfamiliar driver, especially in poor visibility or when fully trusting navigation apps that don’t always reflect dedicated-rail lanes. This is not the first such case in the city: GPS errors have led cars onto streetcar tracks, construction sites, and even ferry terminals. The incident renews the debate over how vehicle and smartphone software should handle complex roadway interchanges, and whether transit agencies should install more visible physical barriers to eliminate human error.

Mariners’ depth: how an abundance of pitchers gives Seattle an edge in the trade market

The Seattle Mariners have long been known for their starting rotation, but the current situation within the club is unprecedented. The team now carries six quality starting pitchers on the roster at once—a rare luxury that brings lineup management headaches and potential need to move someone to the bullpen or employ piggyback starts (when two pitchers share one start and alternate innings). Management has faced real challenges managing that rotation, but it’s a problem any MLB team would happily have. Recent weeks have shown the system works, and crucially it gives the Mariners a significant competitive advantage ahead of the trade deadline.

ESPN insider Jeff Passan explained the nature of that advantage in an interview on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. He said the market typically has far greater demand for quality starting pitching than supply. Teams that lose key starters to injury or lack depth often overpay for middling pitchers, trading away top prospects. The Mariners, by contrast, can approach the market calmly. They have no urgent need for a starter and therefore won’t get pulled into a bidding war or offer inflated prices. More importantly, Passan believes Seattle may not need to bolster its starting rotation at all and could focus on a more pressing need.

That need is the bullpen. The analyst argues it would be logical for the club to avoid spending resources on a top starter and instead acquire a high-quality reliever. Furthermore, having many starters gives the Mariners internal flexibility: they can move one of their six starters to the bullpen, turning him into a late-inning weapon. The key question is which pitcher best fits that role. The organization also has two notable prospects—left-hander Cade Anderson (Baseball America’s No. 7 prospect in the organization) and right-hander Ryan Sloan. Anderson is already dominating in Double-A with a 1.43 ERA across 44 innings and is expected to debut in the big leagues this season. Sloan, despite some struggles, tossed six perfect innings in his last start, indicating progress. These aren’t mere injury replacements; they are real assets that can either bolster the team internally or be used as trade pieces. Club management must decide which current pitchers to move to the bullpen and which to keep in the rotation long-term, and that decision will shape their strategy at the deadline.

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Hot day and storms: Seattle's weather rollercoaster

The start of the week in Seattle treated residents to the hottest day of the year — temperatures climbed to 30°C, and in the Cascade foothills and south of Puget Sound they nearly reached 32°C. But, as forecasters warn, this is only a temporary spike: by Wednesday temperatures will fall to a comfortable 21°C, then continue dropping. "We go up, we go down — a real rollercoaster," meteorologists joke.

By Wednesday evening clouds will roll in, and cool conditions will stick around at least until Monday. By Friday temperatures will not exceed 16–17°C, and rain will arrive along with the clouds. Pay particular attention on Saturday: forecasters predict thunderstorms with possible heavy downpours. So lightweight jackets and umbrellas will come in handy again.

If you want to enjoy a taste of summer, Tuesday is the best bet while the sun is still strong — but remember bay water remains icy and some beaches are not yet safe for swimming. Still, a true Seattle August is not far off: just a little more waiting, and the Puget Sound residents' favorite season will be here.

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Based on: WA weather: Hottest day of the year, 9 p.m. sunset, then thunderstorms

Norman Barlow: explosion victim, mentor and "papa" to many

Norman Barlow, a 58-year-old millwright who died May 26 in the implosion of a tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant in Longview, was not just a loving father but a true mentor to younger colleagues and an adopted grandfather to many children who lacked that figure in their lives. His daughter, Brook Iverson-Barlow, recalls her father as a person of extraordinary kindness: "Any child who needed love, he showed what a real dad is. He had so much warmth it was enough for everyone."

Longview is a small industrial city in southwest Washington state, located on the Columbia River about 100 miles south of Seattle and 50 miles north of Portland. Founded in the 1920s as a center for logging and pulp-and-paper manufacturing, it complements Seattle’s high-tech economy with large wood-processing plants and port terminals. It serves as an important transport hub connecting the Pacific coast with inland areas.

The pulp-and-paper industry remains one of the economic pillars of southwest Washington, providing thousands of jobs in Longview, Camas and Vancouver. Plants produce kraft paper, cardboard, packaging materials and pulp, which are exported to Asia and Europe through Columbia River ports. The industry supports logging, transportation and energy sectors, and is critically important to the resilience of the local economy, especially in rural areas where alternative employment is limited.

On the day of the tragedy, Barlow arrived at work early so he could make his grandson’s kindergarten graduation. The explosion occurred in the pulp processing room, and Barlow became the eleventh victim of the disaster. His body was recovered from the rubble only after several days. His daughter said she had been unable to reach her father for a long time and only received confirmation three days later that he was among the missing.

Norman had worked at Nippon for just three months but had decades of experience at refineries in California and at the Packaging Corporation of America plant in Wallula. He was especially passionate about training newcomers. "There isn't a single guy he mentored who wouldn’t try to work as hard as my dad did," his daughter says. "Many admit they’re afraid of letting him down, even now that he’s gone."

In his free time, Barlow loved spoiling his four grandchildren and constantly urged his family to save for retirement. He would gleefully punch numbers into a calculator, showing his daughter how to multiply savings: "He had this broad grin, and he’d say, 'See, kiddo? This is how it works.'" Norman dreamed of retiring in a few years and moving to a warm state to watch his grandkids by the pool.

When his daughter visited the plant to honor her father, she left his photo and two favorite items at the makeshift memorial — a can of Diet Coke and a bottle of Corona. "Time — that's what he knew how to give," Brook remembers. "I hope those he taught will one day mentor my children the way he mentored them."

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Based on: Norman Barlow, Longview implosion victim, was mentor and adopted ‘papa’

Oregon Doctor Returns Home After Hantavirus Quarantine

Dr. Steven Kornfeld, an oncologist from Bend, Oregon, has finally returned home after several weeks at the federal quarantine facility in Omaha, Nebraska. He says he feels “phenomenally well” and is now completing the remainder of his 42-day quarantine at home under round-the-clock monitoring. Bend — a popular resort town in central Oregon known for its mountains, forests and outdoor activities — is local news for Pacific Northwest residents, since Oregon is in the same geographic and media market as Washington state.

Kornfeld found himself at the center of a deadly international hantavirus outbreak when he became the only doctor on board the cruise ship MV Hondius after the ship’s regular physician fell ill. The rare outbreak killed three passengers, and Kornfeld, who had originally been a passenger, assumed medical responsibilities in the crisis. The Hondius itinerary was Antarctic: it ran down the coast of South America and on to Antarctica, requiring a crossing of the Drake Passage, unlike cruises out of Seattle that primarily head to Alaska and travel through inland channels and glaciers.

The outbreak was caused by the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is found in South America and, unlike the strain seen in the U.S., can be transmitted from person to person. That factor complicated the situation and required strict isolation measures for everyone who had contact with the sick. For Pacific Northwest residents hantavirus is rare but dangerous, because the region is home to many deer mice — the primary carriers of the Sin Nombre virus. Unlike the Andes strain, Sin Nombre does not spread from person to person, which greatly reduces the risk of an epidemic; nevertheless, most cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the U.S. are recorded in this region.

The 69-year-old oncologist said he had originally set out on a six-week bird-watching trip but instead encountered a medical emergency thousands of miles from shore. “I’m not an intensivist or an infectious-disease specialist, but as an oncologist I’m used to taking care of very sick people,” Kornfeld explained.

He also endured a false alarm: an initial test taken on the ship suggested possible hantavirus infection, prompting his transfer to Omaha — the only CDC specialized quarantine facility in the U.S. for isolating people who had contact with highly dangerous infections. Subsequent tests, however, were negative, and physicians concluded the initial result was a false positive.

Kornfeld spent three weeks at the federal quarantine facility in Omaha under conditions he compared to prison. “It wasn’t a prison, but you felt like a prisoner,” he said, noting that basic items like cleaning supplies sometimes took days to arrive and that meals were often cold.

After lengthy negotiations with federal authorities, the doctor returned to Bend, where he is now under home quarantine. His wife lives on a different floor; they wear N95 masks even during chance encounters and dine outdoors at a great distance from each other. “I can eat when I want and sleep in my own bed — it’s heaven and earth compared with the facility,” he said.

Kornfeld praised the efforts of local Oregon authorities, who he said “worked tirelessly to meet federal requirements and bring me home.” At the same time he criticized changing and inconsistent federal rules that caused confusion and frustration.

Because of the quarantine, Kornfeld had to cancel all his travel, including trips to Mongolia and Borneo. He has also been temporarily deprived of bike rides, hikes and dinners with friends — a major change for an outdoor enthusiast and bird-watcher.

Despite the difficulties, the doctor is optimistic. “I miss all that, but compared with being stuck in Nebraska, where I had no control, this is just great. I’m just happy to be home,” he concluded, emphasizing that the most important thing is health and the ability to be with family.

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Based on: Bend doctor returns home to finish quarantine after hantavirus outbreak

Seattle Philanthropist Bill Clapp Dies

On May 29, at the age of 84, Bill Clapp, a well-known Seattle philanthropist and civic leader, died after complications from pneumonia. His family announced that he passed away surrounded by loved ones. Clapp, whom the Dalai Lama once called an “unassuming hero of compassion,” left a significant philanthropic legacy both in Seattle and beyond.

He founded organizations such as Global Washington and the Initiative for Global Development, and, together with his wife Paula, established Global Partnerships and the Seattle International Foundation. Clapp was guided by the philosophy that “savannas have no pockets.” That phrase reflected his belief that wealth should not be buried with its owner but used for the public good.

In a sign of special friendship, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus left Clapp a moving voice message thanking him for his contributions to making the world better. Yunus inspired Clapp to launch Global Partnerships—an initiative that, like Yunus’s Grameen Bank, provides microloans to those in need. Another close friend, Jennifer Potter, recalls how Clapp found $300,000 to fund an idea about children in poverty for the closing ceremony of the Goodwill Games, despite doubts about financing. Those games—an international sporting event founded by Ted Turner in 1986—took place in Seattle in 1990 and became a significant event for the city, drawing attention to its development as a global hub and stimulating the local economy and growth of the philanthropic sector.

After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, concerned about rising anti-American sentiment, Clapp decided to change the dialogue among business leaders. In partnership with the Gates family foundation, where Bill Gates Sr.—a noted attorney, philanthropist and father of the Microsoft cofounder, who in 2000 helped establish the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and actively promoted ideas of “effective altruism”—played a key role, he organized dinners for leading entrepreneurs to open their eyes to the problems of economic inequality. This led to the creation of the Initiative for Global Development, in which former Governor Dan Evans and other prominent figures also played important roles.

Clapp was born in Tacoma in 1941 to Evelyn and Norton Clapp and was a great-grandson of a co-founder of the Weyerhaeuser company. He began his career as a bush pilot in Alaska, then returned to Washington to manage the family business. His passion for aviation remained with him throughout his life.

University professor Akhtar Badshah notes that “millions of people changed their lives because of his vision and investments around the world.” Sally Jewell, a former U.S. secretary of the interior, emphasizes that Clapp sought sustainable change in disadvantaged communities through economic opportunity.

Clapp is survived by his wife Paula; sons Andrew and Ned and their families; stepdaughters and a stepson; and siblings. The family requests that donations in Bill’s memory be made to Global Partnerships and Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAIP) instead of flowers. NAIP is a nonprofit founded in 2005 that promotes Indigenous leadership in philanthropy and directs resources to support Native American communities, aiming to address systemic issues resulting from historical policies of assimilation and discrimination in Washington state, which is the traditional territory of many tribes. The date of the memorial will be announced later.

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Based on: Seattle philanthropist Bill Clapp dies at 84

Seattle News: Weather, Transit and Sports

In today’s edition: a long‑awaited cool down and rain arrive in Seattle after anomalous heat; Mayor Cathy Wilson unveils an ambitious public transit plan to increase service and free passes; and we analyze whether the Seahawks should respond to the Los Angeles Rams’ blockbuster offseason move.

Seattle weather: long‑awaited cool down and rain

After an extended period of anomalous heat and dry weather, Seattle residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief — forecasters predict a significant cool down and much‑needed precipitation. According to data published on the FOX 13 Seattle portal (https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/fmc-qwajub878l962j7m), the region should see a shift in weather in the coming days that will bring lower temperatures and a chance of rain.

Meteorologists note that a cold front moving in from the Pacific coast will cause a gradual drop in temperatures. If just yesterday thermometers topped 30 degrees Celsius — a rarity for Seattle — by the weekend daytime highs are expected to fall to a comfortable 20–22°C. That change will bring relief to those who have struggled with the anomalous heat.

Special attention from experts is focused on the likelihood of precipitation. After several weeks without a drop of rain, the region can expect brief showers beginning as early as midweek. Humidity, which has been critically low recently, will rise significantly, benefiting forests and green spaces and reducing the wildfire risk that is currently at its peak.

For those unfamiliar with Washington’s climate, it’s worth explaining that Seattle is typically known for a mild maritime climate with frequent rain, but summers often include dry spells and strong heat known as heat waves — periods when temperatures remain well above long‑term averages. Such anomalies have become more frequent in recent years due to global climate change.

Key takeaways from the forecast: residents should prepare for a rapid weather shift — cool mornings and possible daytime rain. Drivers should exercise extra caution on roads that may become slick after a prolonged dry spell. In terms of long‑term effects, this cool down is temporary — warmth may return by next week, though likely not as extreme. Still, the change highlights the city’s infrastructure vulnerability to climatic swings, including air‑conditioning and water systems.

Seattle Mayor Cathy Wilson unveils new public transit plan

Seattle Mayor Cathy Wilson announced a sweeping update to the city’s Seattle Transit Measure. If approved by the city council and voters, the plan would substantially increase bus service and make transit more affordable for low‑income residents. The new initiative could take effect as early as 2027 and is designed to run for ten years. According to the SDOT official blog (https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2026/06/02/seattle-transit-measure-renewal/), the core idea is not merely to maintain current service levels but to double down on building a system that enables residents to comfortably live without a personal vehicle.

The proposal is built around a decade‑long funding plan financed by an increase in the sales tax. Currently residents pay 0.15% for this levy, which costs an average two‑person household about $29 per year. The new measure would double that to 0.3%, raising that household’s annual cost to $58, while allowing the city to raise roughly $138 million per year on average. The bulk of those funds would finance 280,000 King County Metro bus trips annually — 100,000 more trips than the current program, which passed with 80% voter support in 2020. Attention would focus on routes linking east and west parts of the city, connections to Link light rail stations, and areas slated for housing and job growth. Officials note that non‑peak demand is growing faster than traditional rush‑hour demand, so a principal goal is to provide convenient service throughout the day, including evenings, nights and weekends.

A significant portion of the initiative targets equity and accessibility. The program would more than double the number of free ORCA passes — from 10,000 to 22,000. Today those passes go to Seattle Promise Scholars, families with young children from low‑income households, and residents of social housing; the expansion would add 12,000 passes for participants in the federal Housing Choice Voucher program. Seattle Housing Authority executive director Rod Brandon said that just last year over 6,600 residents of their properties took 1.3 million trips using the program, demonstrating huge demand for reliable, affordable transit. He said these are not just rides but opportunities for low‑budget households, people with disabilities and working adults to get to jobs, medical appointments and stores with greater stability.

Beyond more trips and free passes, the measure includes infrastructure projects: removing roadway bottlenecks where buses frequently get stuck in traffic, improving stops and building new approaches to them. The program would continue supporting Seattle Streetcar operations and help design and build new Sound Transit lines to West Seattle and Ballard. ATU Local 587 bus drivers union leader Greg Woodfill voiced full support, calling the plan a bold response to public demand for safety and frequency. Katie Ricciuto, executive director of the Coalition for Transportation Choice, reminded that Seattle voters consistently back transit investments and expressed confidence the initiative will help people reach doctors, stores, schools and jobs, making the city more livable without a car.

The Seattle City Council must now review the mayor’s proposal, hold public hearings and decide whether to place the measure on the ballot. If all steps are completed successfully, the renewed program would begin in 2027, effectively replacing the current measure that expires in March of that year.

Calm versus storm: should the Seattle Seahawks respond to the Rams’ blockbuster trade?

While the Los Angeles Rams have staged one of the offseason’s loudest moves, their chief division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, are taking a decidedly calm approach. After both teams were clear NFL leaders last season, their strategies for roster upgrades have diverged sharply. The Rams traded for two‑time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who set a single‑season record last year with 23 quarterback sacks. That move prompted fans and analysts to ask: should the Seahawks make a counter blockbuster to keep pace with their rivals?

Seattle Sports analyst and former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus doesn’t believe there’s panic in the Seahawks’ camp. He says head coach Mike McDonald trusts his system and won’t change plans solely because of a rival’s actions. “I don’t think Mike McDonald is looking at that trade saying, ‘Oh my God, what do we do?’” Bumpus said. He’s confident the coaching staff relies on its preparation program and can construct a winning game plan. Still, the Garrett trade is more than a positional upgrade — it’s a statement of intent by the Rams, who have already bolstered their secondary this offseason by signing star cornerback Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Garrett, arguably in the best stretch of his career, can single‑handedly disrupt opponents’ offense, and now the Seahawks will face that threat twice a year.

Seattle, however, approaches the situation differently. Teams that win the Super Bowl often lose key players in the offseason, but the Seahawks have done an impressive job retaining the core of their championship roster. By snap counts, 14 of the top 15 offensive players, 14 of 17 top defenders, and 15 of 16 key special‑teams players are poised to return. Departures in free agency were filled via the draft (running back Jadarian Price, safety Bud Clark, cornerback Julian Neal) and by signing veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. Additionally, the team has Mike McDonald, whose reputation as one of the league’s best defensive coordinators is unquestioned. As noted in a Seattle Sports piece (https://sports.mynorthwest.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/do-seattle-seahawks-need-to-counter-rams-blockbuster-move-myles-garrett), the Seahawks also have the resources for a splash: more than $28 million in 2026 salary‑cap space (10th in the league) and a projected 12 draft picks in 2027, including four compensatory selections.

Still, Bumpus suggests the Seahawks may intentionally opt out of the blockbuster arms race. He believes the buzz around the Rams could actually benefit Seattle by adding extra motivation. “Do the Rams make themselves stronger? Yes. But I think this move continues to put a chip on the shoulder for the Seahawks,” Bumpus said. He expects attention to center on Los Angeles as the presumptive favorite, creating ideal conditions for Seattle to operate in the shadows. Rather than chase a single superstar, McDonald will likely prioritize roster depth, team chemistry and his tactical flexibility — the ingredients that already delivered a championship. The question is whether the “quiet” approach can withstand the “storm” of Myles Garrett when the teams meet on the field next season.

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Seattle theatre saves summer season after air‑conditioner theft

Nonprofit Taproot Theatre in Seattle faced a serious problem in late April: two of its three air conditioners were brutally damaged — vandals removed copper components from them. The theatre urgently needed funds to replace the equipment, and a campaign was launched to raise $400,000. Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of locals and the theatre’s supporters, the needed amount was raised and even exceeded, allowing performances to go on.

“We were deeply moved by the community’s support during this difficult time,” said artistic director Karen Lund. New units have already been purchased and installed, and protective cages have been added on the roof to prevent a repeat of the incident. The theatre is now confidently preparing for the summer season: the premiere of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will take place here on July 10, promising a highlight for all lovers of the stage.

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Based on: After theft, Taproot Theatre’s summer saved by $400K in donations

Genetic verdict fueled a scientific quest

Twenty years ago in a doctor’s office in Vancouver, Jeff and Megan Carroll faced a moment that upended their lives. An envelope held the result of a test showing how many times the DNA sequence “CAG” repeats in one of Jeff’s genes: too many repeats would confirm Huntington’s disease. Jeff’s mother had suffered from the fatal neurodegenerative disorder, and he had a 50 percent chance of inheriting the same mutation. When Megan shifted her gaze from the doctor to her husband, their plans for a family and a long life together suddenly dimmed.

The doctor asked them one last time if they really wanted to open the envelope. Rather than collapse under the emotional weight, Jeff responded with almost clinical clarity: he asked the doctor for a job. That move signaled that his path would run through science and problem-solving. In the end, that decision made him both a patient awaiting disease and a leading researcher working on treatments for the very condition he might carry.

Today Jeff is a key figure in a large project aimed at accelerating the development of highly precise therapies for multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including his own. He left a traditional academic career and his own lab to join the Brain Health Accelerator in Seattle at the Allen Institute — a hub for neuroscience research founded by Microsoft co‑founder Paul Allen. The initiative is a $400 million bet on a team-based approach using cutting-edge technologies, with $100 million coming from the Bezos family as strategic local philanthropy: Seattle is their hometown and Amazon’s base, and the investment aims to speed the development of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases while combining personal interest with support for the regional science ecosystem. “I want the ability to take developments and actually push them forward,” Jeff explains of his shift into a more collaborative, mission-driven role.

The Accelerator’s goal is to get a first experimental gene therapy into human clinical trials within five years. Unlike traditional academic labs that operate on long-term grants and publications, it is a platform of “catalytic resources”: it provides scientists with ready infrastructure, equipment and data access to rapidly test hypotheses and translate findings into clinical trials. The core idea is that years of basic brain research, which have mapped thousands of cell types and complex neural circuits, finally yield enough knowledge to create a new class of precision therapies. These genetic treatments will be designed to target only the specific cells and circuits where diseases like Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and ALS begin. “Our motto is to take on huge problems, try to solve them with all our energy, and create catalytic resources for the scientific community,” says Ed Lane, a neuroscientist and director of the Accelerator. His approach, borrowing a culture of rapid iteration from the region’s tech companies, is a natural extension of Seattle’s innovative culture applied to biomedicine.

Jeff’s path into science was far from linear. He dropped out of school and joined the U.S. Army, with no family of scientists and no plans beyond a vague idea of a legal career. He and Megan had been married about six months when, on a visit home to Washington state, he learned his mother had Huntington’s disease. Looking back, he realized his grandmother had likely suffered the same illness, but the family had never discussed it seriously. Jeff’s deeply religious mother had reassured them that she had received a blessing at church and would not get sick.

Huntington’s disease slowly kills brain cells, causing jerky involuntary movements, unstable behavior and cognitive decline, typically beginning in one’s 30s or 40s. It is a dominant genetic disorder: a single mutant copy of the gene from one parent guarantees that symptoms will develop. While serving in Kosovo, Jeff began searching for information about the disease online and encountered grim stories and dubious “cures,” like shark cell injections that offered false hope. After leaving the Army, he and Megan moved to Vancouver — a city just 200 km from Seattle that would later play an important role in cross-border scientific collaboration: the distance allows for easy data exchange, joint genetic studies using shared population databases and coordination of clinical trials, creating a contiguous research corridor for studying neurodegenerative diseases. Returning to his studies, Jeff became fascinated with biology, which changed his sense of what life could hold.

“I didn’t have doctors or scientists in my family. I thought that was for some special people,” Jeff recalls of his early doubts. Nevertheless, he decided to take the Huntington’s mutation test, knowing the result would determine all his choices. When the test confirmed he carried expanded CAG repeats, his next step became clear: devote himself to finding a cure. In practice, that meant starting at the bottom in research labs and slowly building a career in Huntington’s disease science.

Jeff began studying Huntington’s in the lab of Michael Hayden, one of the world’s leading experts on the disease. He later did a postdoc at Harvard Medical School and established his own labs at Western Washington University in Bellingham and the University of Washington in Seattle. The University of Washington houses one of the world’s leading centers for Huntington’s research, including clinical trials and genetic studies, while Western Washington University contributes through training specialists and basic neuroscience research, particularly in neurophysiology and behavior. Together they form a talent and research pipeline for projects like the Brain Health Accelerator. Jeff’s research focused on mouse models of Huntington’s disease — work at once unglamorous and inspiring, allowing observation of how the disease unfolds in living organisms. The central problem is that the chain of repeating CAG letters in the HTT gene produces an abnormally long, error-prone version of the huntingtin protein that forms toxic clumps and elongates over a person’s lifetime.

Jeff inherited 42 CAG repeats from his mother — a number that very likely means symptoms will develop, turning abstract biology into a deeply personal matter. The consequences of the disease are forever etched in his memory because of his mother’s final days. A combination of other medical issues — a hospital-acquired infection and drug interactions — sped her decline and deepened her suffering.

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Based on: This scientist learned he has a devastating brain disease. He set out to cure it.

Free Fishing Weekend in Washington and Oregon: What to Know

This coming weekend, June 6–7, residents and visitors in Washington and Oregon can fish for free. In Washington, no license is required — exceptions include salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and all shellfish. Other fishing rules, including size and catch limits, seasons and gear requirements, remain in effect. A full list is available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Organizers emphasize that anyone can take part — you don’t need to be an expert or have a boat. The state has many lakes, shorelines and fishing piers where people can try their luck. Rockfish and sea bass fishing along the coast is especially popular, as is American shad fishing on the Columbia River. The Columbia is a powerful freshwater artery, the fourth-largest river in the U.S., flowing from Canada to the Pacific Ocean, where fishing is often done in the current. In Puget Sound, a saline tidal inlet that cuts deeply into the mainland, species such as lingcod, cabezon, halibut and other bottomfish are available, and anglers fish from boats in relatively calm coastal waters. Both areas are rich in salmon and trout, which draws many fishers.

Oregon is also joining the event: on Saturday and Sunday everyone, including nonresidents, can fish for free, catch crabs and harvest shellfish. No licenses or additional permits are required, such as special tags for two-rod limits or Columbia River basin approvals. This year, because of drought some small lakes and ponds may be too warm, so experts advise fishing early in the morning or switching to warmwater species — bass, bluegill and black crappie.

Both states offer free parking on state lands: in Washington the Discover Pass — the annual or day pass usually required because of how state parks, forests and recreation areas are funded — is not needed. Unlike U.S. national parks, which are funded by the federal government, Washington state lands are maintained with visitor fees. That pass costs about $30 a year and helps support trail maintenance, campgrounds and trash removal. In Oregon, parking in state parks is free on Saturday. Even if you don’t plan to fish, it’s a great excuse to spend time outdoors. For convenience, you can download the "Fish Washington" app from Google Play or the App Store, and use waterbody maps on the departments’ websites — enjoy your time outdoors.

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Based on: Fish for free weekend comes to WA and OR. What you need to know

Oregon bans undercover plates for ICE agents

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Monday signed an order prohibiting the state Department of Motor Vehicles from issuing undercover license plates to agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The move comes amid a federal lawsuit against Oregon, filed days after the state suspended the program for all federal employees.

The key reason is Oregon’s sanctuary law, which limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. That law bars local police from detaining people solely on suspicion of immigration violations, from notifying ICE about detainees without a warrant, and from using state resources for federal immigration raids. As a result, federal authorities lose direct access to local jails and databases, which slows deportations of undocumented immigrants but protects them from being targeted for their immigration status when seeking routine help, such as from police or hospitals.

Undercover plates, unlike standard federal plates, do not bear markings indicating government fleet ownership; they look like ordinary Oregon plates with the tree design. Kotek said ICE agents terrorize local communities by using such vehicles for mass deportations under President Trump’s policies. The governor noted that disguised officers without warrants frighten residents, especially people of color, and undermine trust in law enforcement.

At the same time, Kotek allowed the DMV to continue issuing undercover plates to other federal agencies not involved in immigration raids, as well as to state and local law enforcement. That clarification followed the DMV’s April decision to suspend the program for all federal employees in order to review its compliance with Oregon law. In a letter, the state’s DMV head quoted the U.S. deputy attorney general: “We cannot spend state resources to assist federal immigration enforcement.”

Federal authorities, who filed the lawsuit in Portland, insist that undercover plates are critical for the safety of agents investigating cartels, gangs and human traffickers. Without such plates, lawyers for the federal government argue, officers’ work becomes extremely dangerous.

Oregon and neighboring Washington have historically had liberal political cultures with strong support for immigrant rights and protections against racial profiling. Local officials say cooperating with ICE undermines communities’ trust in police, impeding investigations of real crimes and deterring undocumented immigrants from seeking help. Additionally, because federal policy often shifts between administrations, the states seek to retain control over local resources and avoid participating in mass deportations that could harm agriculture and construction — industries that employ many immigrants. Since January, Washington has also suspended issuing confidential plates for Department of Homeland Security units and has demanded the return of plates already issued.

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Based on: Oregon stops issuing undercover plates for ICE agents

World Cup brings Seattle to global stage during Pride month

When the world's attention turns to Seattle in June 2026 for the FIFA Men’s World Cup, they will see not only thrilling matches but also the spirit of the city. Organizers emphasize that Seattle is a place where inclusivity, joy and justice form the foundation of the local LGBTQ+ community — a symbolism made all the more meaningful during Pride Month.

The tournament’s timing overlapping with Seattle’s Pride Month did not go unnoticed: organizers have planned special events around the "Pride Match" on June 26, announced a Pride-themed poster contest and launched a social media video campaign called "How We Pride." These activities are intended to showcase the region’s openness and hospitality to the world.

The "Pride Match" — featuring Egypt and Iran, countries where homosexuality is criminalized — drew particular attention. Representatives of the Egyptian federation have said they categorically reject any pro-LGBTQ+ activities during the game, but local organizers confirmed that the planned celebrations outside the stadium will take place regardless. FIFA’s head assured in late April that the match will go ahead as scheduled.

In May, the Rough & Tumble Pub, a women’s sports bar, hosted a celebratory launch for the "Welcome to Seattle: This is How We Pride" campaign. Located in the Ballard neighborhood, this bar is one of the few spaces in Seattle created specifically for queer women, nonbinary and transgender people. Its founders, Faith Dodd and Jennifer Perkins, deliberately moved away from the traditional model of "gay bars" oriented primarily toward cisgender gay men, creating a place where sports and inclusivity intersect. This reflects the evolution of women’s queer spaces in Seattle: from the underground "women’s bars" of the 1970s to visible, community-centered venues where queer women can feel safe while participating in popular sports culture.

More than 50 community leaders, including soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe, former Maine Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu and other activists, appeared in 13 videos. They answered the question "How do you Pride?", and the videos will be shown at fan zones and sporting events.

A special role in the campaign was played by Puyallup tribal council member Annette Bryan. The tribe became, for the first time in US history, an official "host city" of the World Cup alongside Seattle — an unprecedented recognition that they view as an act of sovereignty. Having been effectively displaced from their traditional lands in the 19th century, they now participate as an equal partner in a global sporting event. Politically, this shifts the narrative: Indigenous peoples are no longer seen as "remnants of the past" but as active participants in the modern regional economy and culture. Bryan noted that historically Indigenous peoples honored Two-Spirit people — a pan-Indigenous term used by some Native nations, including the Coast Salish tribes, to describe people who possess both masculine and feminine spiritual qualities. Historically, such people often held respected roles as healers, mediators and keepers of tribal traditions. In contemporary Seattle this concept has become a bridge between Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities: cross-community events are held in Capitol Hill, and organizations like the Seattle Indian Health Board offer support to Native members of the queer community. The Puyallup tribe plans numerous public actions as part of the tournament.

My long-time friend Bukda Gheisar, director of equity for the Port of Seattle, also took part in the campaign. Of Iranian descent and identifying as queer, she wanted to share her dual identity. Gheisar pointed to a problem: discussions around the "Pride Match" create a false dichotomy between "repressive Iran and progressive Seattle," erasing the real existence of queer people in those countries.

Now, with transgender and LGBTQ+ rights in the US under serious threat (in 2026 some 530 bills targeting them were introduced nationwide), Pride celebration takes on special significance. Gheisar recalls how, over her 40 years as a lesbian, queer events in Seattle have evolved from relatively homogeneous, predominantly white spaces concentrated in Capitol Hill to diverse spaces involving immigrants and people of many races. The HIV/AIDS epidemic prompted massive mobilization but also intensified racial and class divisions. Since the 2000s a transformation has occurred: immigrants from Asia, Latin America and East Africa brought intersecting identities. That has made the community multinational and multiracial — organizations such as Queer the Land and Entre Hermanos were created specifically for LGBTQ+ people of color and immigrants.

"Today we have a very beautiful and diverse community that I feel I belong to," Gheisar says. She stresses that it is important to convey to all World Cup visitors that Seattle is a rich, multifaceted community ready to share the stories and voices of all its residents, regardless of their background or identity.

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Based on: FIFA World Cup brings Seattle to global stage during Pride month

Fire and Crash in Seattle: Crime and Sports

Today's Seattle news: a fire at an illegal marijuana grow operation, a cyclist struck by a garbage truck, and Melinda French Gates joining the ownership group of the Seattle Kraken.

Fire at an illegal marijuana grow: chronology of the incident

Here’s what we know so far. KIRO 7 News Seattle reports an unusual and dangerous incident involving illegal marijuana cultivation. The story concerns a fire that broke out at a facility used for unlawful cannabis growing. The location appears to be within KIRO 7’s coverage area — Washington state, where recreational marijuana is legal under strict regulations — which makes such underground “grow houses” particularly hazardous. Video referenced in the article captured the blaze itself and likely footage of emergency responders at the scene. However, the text of the story on kiro7.com contains a strange contextual distortion: after information about the fire there is a paragraph that clearly breaks the flow and describes a completely different crime — the brutal killing of a 66-year-old woman on a MARTA train in Atlanta, Georgia. The suspect is a 25-year-old man accused of delivering fatal stab wounds. This causes confusion: either a technical layout error occurred in the article (unlikely for a professional outlet), or journalists chose to combine two high-profile crime briefs into one block. In any case, the central topic is the fire at the illegal grow, which can have serious consequences: from environmental damage (from burning chemicals and fertilizers) to threats to the lives of workers and neighboring homes. Such operations are often configured in violation of fire-safety norms because they operate outside the law.

Complex terms that may be unfamiliar do not require deep explanation here because the situation is straightforward. An “illegal marijuana grow facility” refers to a space (often a rented house, warehouse, or greenhouse) where cannabis plants are grown without the state license required by law. In Washington state, where KIRO 7 broadcasts, recreational marijuana has been legal since 2012, but production is tightly licensed. Any cultivation without a license is a criminal offense that draws police attention and can be linked to organized crime. Fires at these sites are especially dangerous because of powerful grow lights, overloaded or faulty electrical wiring, and volatile fertilizers and pesticides. As for the MARTA mention, that is the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority — Atlanta’s public transit system, which includes heavy rail and buses. Its inclusion in the same item as the Washington fire looks like a significant editorial mistake, but it does not change the core of the main story.

The key takeaway is that the illegal marijuana market, despite legalization in some states, continues to operate and poses real physical dangers. The article does not provide details on casualties or the exact extent of damage from the fire, but the fact of a blaze at such a site signals a high level of risk. Quoting the word “chilling” regarding the random killing on the train, the journalist underscores a rise in violence in public spaces — a separate, though inappropriately placed, theme. The implication for Washington state authorities is clear: stronger measures are needed to detect and shut down illegal grow operations, since they endanger not an abstract “ban” but the health and safety of residents. Police and fire investigators have likely begun inquiries to determine whether the blaze was arson by competitors or the result of negligence. For the average reader, this story is a reminder that even a regulated industry has a shadow side that can literally catch fire in any neighborhood.

Cyclist injured in crash with garbage truck in downtown Seattle

On Monday afternoon in Seattle, a serious traffic collision occurred involving a cyclist and a garbage truck. The crash happened at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Yesler Street, a key junction in the Capitol Hill area. According to local news portal CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News, the report of the collision came in at about 4:30 p.m. Firefighters and medical crews quickly responded, provided first aid to the injured cyclist, and rushed him to Harborview Medical Center. The current condition of the victim has not been disclosed.

The driver of the Recology truck remained at the scene and is cooperating with police. Law enforcement is investigating the circumstances of the incident. The intersection was completely closed to traffic in all directions, causing major disruptions for drivers and pedestrians. Crashes involving heavy commercial vehicles and cyclists often result in serious injuries because of the large mass difference and the limited visibility from truck cabs, particularly during turns. Road-safety experts stress that garbage trucks and other large vehicles have significant blind spots, and cyclists are advised to keep a safe distance. The investigation will determine whether driver error occurred or whether the cyclist misjudged the situation. For Capitol Hill, where biking is a popular mode of transport, this incident is another reminder of the need for separated bike infrastructure, such as physically protected bike lanes.

Melinda French Gates becomes co-owner of the Seattle Kraken

Melinda French Gates, one of the world’s wealthiest women with a net worth Forbes estimates at $30 billion, has decided to invest in professional sports. The former wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will join the ownership group of the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken as a minority investor. As ABC News reports, the deal still needs NHL approval, but it is already attracting significant attention both to the club and to the broader ambitions of its ownership group.

The 61-year-old entrepreneur and philanthropist said that, as a longtime Seattle resident, this move is for her less a financial investment than an opportunity to support the city and its future. She said she has always believed in the power of sports and is pleased to move from being a fan to taking a deeper role within Seattle’s sports community. Notably, French Gates has never previously held stakes in major professional sports franchises, so this step marks a new chapter in her business activities. She is joining a powerful investor pool that already includes figures such as majority owner Samantha Holloway, David Wright, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Today the Kraken are more than just a hockey team. Their ownership structure appears to pursue a broader strategic goal. In March, the group announced the creation of a holding company, One Roof Sports and Entertainment, intended to manage an expanding portfolio of assets. A key part of that strategy is the pursuit of an NBA franchise for Seattle. The city has been without an NBA team for nearly 20 years since the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City. The addition of an investor like Melinda French Gates, with her connections, reputation, and capital, could significantly strengthen Holloway’s group’s position in talks with the league. The group is also consolidating control over Climate Pledge Arena — the Kraken’s home — by buying an additional stake from Oak View Group. Thus, French Gates’s purchase of a stake in the club becomes an investment not only in hockey but also in the potential return of major-league basketball to the city, a longtime aspiration of many Washington residents.

Melinda French Gates herself is a multifaceted figure. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics and an MBA from Duke University. She was previously co-chair and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest private charitable organization. Today she leads Pivotal — her own organization focused on accelerating social progress for women and youth. Her entry into professional sports can be seen as a natural extension of her business interests and her desire to influence the community where she lives.

Samantha Holloway called French Gates “an impressive business leader, philanthropist and fan,” emphasizing that they share values and a strong commitment to Seattle. Including such a prominent figure among the owners is an unquestionable PR win for the Kraken. It not only adds prestige to the club but also signals that the organization is thinking long-term and aiming to become a major sporting and business institution in the region. Fans now await the NHL’s official approval of the deal and will be watching with interest how this new partnership affects the development of hockey — and potentially basketball — in Seattle in the coming years. In this context it is important to understand what a “minority investor” is: an owner of a small share of the club who, unlike a majority owner, does not have decisive control over management but receives a portion of profits and, of course, the status of co-owner.

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World Cup in Seattle: Six Guest Countries

Soon North America will become the center of world football: the FIFA World Cup will take place in several cities, including Seattle. At Lumen Field (renamed "Seattle Stadium" for the tournament) national teams from six countries will play: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Iran, Qatar and Australia. The most anticipated match is USA vs. Australia, which will take place on June 19. Fans from around the world are already preparing to come to the Emerald City to soak up the festive atmosphere.

Each visiting team brings a unique story. Belgium is famous for its "golden era" in football, Bosnia and Herzegovina for its incredible spirit, Egypt for its legendary goalkeeper and passion for the game. Iranian fans are known for their loud support, Qatar — as host of the previous World Cup — is already familiar with the tournament atmosphere, and Australia prides itself on an audacious attacking style. These six countries, together with hosts USA, promise to turn Seattle into a true football capital for several weeks.

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Based on: Seattle World Cup will host 6 countries. Get to know them with these fast facts

Washington Ferries Celebrate 75 Years: Gifts and DJs Onboard

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is celebrating its 75th anniversary on Monday with a full slate of passenger festivities. In honor of the anniversary, a special WSF flag will be raised atop the Space Needle, and landmarks such as the Seattle Great Wheel and the floating bridge on State Route 520 will be specially lit. The ferries themselves will be decked with celebratory flags throughout June, creating a festive atmosphere in the harbor.

Many free surprises are planned for riders: stickers will be available starting Monday, and galleys will be offering free coffee or popcorn with purchases. An interactive ORCA station will be open at Colman Dock from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., where visitors can play games and win prizes. Those who follow WSF on social media can expect additional swag giveaways throughout June.

All month long, live DJ sets from radio station C89.5 will be played on the decks of four routes. For example, music will play on the Seattle/Bainbridge Island sailing on June 5, on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route on June 12, and on the Edmonds/Kingston and Seattle/Bremerton routes on June 18 and 30, respectively. In addition, a Bainbridge youth orchestra will perform on the Seattle/Bainbridge Island route on June 7, and an earlier morning show from radio station KISW already took place aboard the Edmonds/Kingston ferry.

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Based on: Washington State Ferries’ 75th anniversary: Free goodies and onboard DJs

Wild Waves water park to make way for warehouse complex

Instead of the water slides and attractions that for decades delighted visitors near Seattle, nearly 93,000 square meters of industrial warehouse will soon occupy the Wild Waves park site in Federal Way. Lot owner Jeff Stock decided to close the theme park — which ceased operations in November — and lease the land to developer Panattoni Development Company, which specializes in warehouse properties. The move surprised locals, who had hoped the site might become a hotel or an exhibition center, but those options failed to attract investors.

Stock said he considered alternative projects but was afraid of leaving the property idle, so he agreed to the warehouse plan. Local press reports say Panattoni Development Company will undertake a complete redevelopment of the site and will manage future tenants. Park operator Premier Parks of Oklahoma, which ran Wild Waves, previously said the closure was tied to rising operating costs after the pandemic that made keeping the park open unprofitable.

The decision reflects regional trends: vacancy is rising and rents are falling in Seattle’s industrial real estate market. In south King County, where Federal Way is located, the share of empty warehouses has reached 10% — the highest level in recent years. Analysts link this to high fuel costs and an overall economic slowdown, which is pushing landowners to seek more in-demand uses for their properties.

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Based on: What’s next for Federal Way theme park Wild Waves?

Scandals and Sporting Triumphs: Seattle Digest

Overview of current news from Seattle: Mayor Katie Wilson finds herself at the center of a new scandal over an ill‑advised joke about a millionaire tax, and the Seattle Mariners celebrate the success of a risky pitching experiment and Cal Raleigh’s return to training.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson faces new backlash over an ill‑timed joke about the millionaire tax

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has found herself at the center of a new controversy after attempting to joke about a questionable gesture related to a recently enacted Washington state tax on the very wealthy. The situation began with an incident at an event at Seattle University, where during a Q&A session the mayor allegedly made a gesture mimicking a farewell to millionaires leaving the state because of the new high‑income tax. The movement was seen by many as mocking and provoked an outcry from conservative circles and the business community.

Weeks later, facing growing pressure, Ms. Wilson chose to respond to the criticism by posting a video message on social media. In it she tried to play things off as a joke, saying, “I know my hand gestures have gotten a lot of attention lately,” and then joked about an “awkward high five.” However, analysts note that instead of apologizing, the mayor opted to defuse the situation with humor while distancing herself from the tax law itself, shifting responsibility onto lawmakers in Olympia. “I know it would be convenient to claim credit for passing this millionaire tax, but I actually don’t have much to do with it. This happened in Olympia,” she said in the video.

Experts say this behavior demonstrates a classic political maneuver: an attempt to shirk responsibility for an unpopular decision while mocking its opponents. In a context where Washington is indeed seeing an outflow of wealthy taxpayers, such gestures and comments can be perceived as arrogant. Wilson also urged people not to get distracted by “trivialities” or allow “division” that hinders progress, but a critical journalist reasonably asks: “Wasn’t it her own team that created this distraction and new negative news cycle?”

For context, Washington enacted a capital gains tax on ultra‑wealthy residents, which has prompted mixed reactions. Supporters call it a fair measure to fund education and social programs, while opponents argue it encourages wealthy taxpayers to move to Nevada or other states without income tax. In trying to distance herself from the unpopular law, Mayor Wilson ultimately exacerbated the situation, showing inconsistency and reluctance to take responsibility for the consequences. As noted in the article on MyNorthwest.com, the final judgment on this incident will be left to the voters. Such a “humor instead of apology” tactic rarely works long term, especially on sensitive financial issues affecting a significant portion of the population. (https://mynorthwest.com/mynorthwest-politics/katie-wilson-faces-backlash/4242639)

A step toward recovery: Cal Raleigh returns to Seattle to map out next stages of rehab

Cal Raleigh’s daily routine in Arizona was monotonous and exhausting. While his Seattle Mariners teammates played, he focused on treatment, rehabilitation, and light workouts. Being sidelined left him feeling adrift: “You get home early and don’t know what to do, you just wait for games to start. A lot of emptiness.” Now, more than two weeks after landing on the injured list for the first time in his career with a strained right oblique, Raleigh is back in Seattle. He joined the team during Saturday’s game against Arizona and on Sunday morning met with the medical staff to outline the next steps in his recovery. The biggest milestone was that on Friday he took 30 swings with the bat. That’s a key test to show how the muscle tolerates load. Raleigh hopes to have a clearer idea by Wednesday of when he can begin rehab games and ultimately return to the active roster.

Before the injury Raleigh was struggling profoundly at the plate, batting just .161 with seven home runs. It emerged that he had been playing through discomfort in his side. The slump, including an 0‑for‑38 stretch, peaked in Houston when he aggravated the injury, prompting the decision to place him on the injured list. Mariners manager Dan Wilson believes the forced break could benefit the player: “The injured list is a tough experience, it’s hard in many ways. But in some sense it can be a breath of fresh air. Cal is a fighter, he wants to come back, but I think this will be a fresh start for him, and physically he will certainly be in much better shape.” Raleigh himself compares his state to a “twilight zone,” watching games on TV but not participating. He admits it makes him appreciate the game more when he’s so far from it. In Arizona he kept in shape with running and light athletics and even caught one fastball. Now his return depends on how the muscle responds to a gradual increase in workload.

The article also mentions former Mariners closer Paul Sewald, who is experiencing a renaissance in Arizona. After shoulder issues last season he has regained his effectiveness and already has 14 saves. In his interview with The Seattle Times he emphasized that time spent at the Driveline Baseball training center played a key role. While his fastball velocity hasn’t reached his Seattle peak years, for the 36‑year‑old pitcher it’s been enough to be successful again. Sewald fondly recalls his time in Seattle and is grateful to the team that helped turn his career around. Interestingly, he didn’t get to pitch against his former team during the weekend series because the Mariners swept all three games, leaving no opportunity for the closer to appear. (https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-cal-raleigh-back-in-seattle-to-map-out-next-steps-in-injury-rehab/)

Success of a risky experiment: Why the Mariners’ pitching “spark” turned out to be a triumph rather than a failure

The coaching staff’s decision to use two starting pitchers in one rotation slot — the so‑called “piggyback” — initially provoked a storm of criticism. The first outing looked disastrous: Bryce Miller nearly threw a no‑hitter, staying on the mound longer than planned, and then everything unraveled in the ninth inning. Luis Castillo remained in until he gave up the decisive hits, and manager Dan Wilson attempted two mound visits, which is against the rules. The result was a painful 2–1 loss to the Chicago White Sox despite the team having only one hit. The second pairing in Sacramento against the Athletics yielded a 9–2 win but didn’t ease tensions: Castillo was openly frustrated at being lifted after four innings, and Miller admitted in his postgame interview that “this scheme is really uncomfortable.” President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto even had to meet with both pitchers personally to “reestablish communication.” When in the third piggyback, against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a 1–0 lead for Seattle was quickly erased and then a defensive error returned the game to tie, it looked like the idea had failed for good.

But looking beyond the emotions and at the numbers, the picture changes dramatically. Across the three piggyback games Miller and Castillo combined for outstanding results: in 27 innings they allowed only 5 earned runs (1.67 ERA), struck out 30 batters, and gave up just 12 hits and 8 walks. Importantly, the starting pitcher in each of those games didn’t allow a run at all. This isn’t merely “pretty good” — it’s elite dominance. In each of the three cases there were in‑game issues, but they weren’t related to the duo’s quality against hitters.

Moreover, the experiment yielded unexpected strategic benefits. In the Sunday game against Arizona the Mariners won in the 10th inning and didn’t need to use a single reliever. That means the bullpen is completely fresh heading into a three‑game series with the New York Mets. As noted in the Seattle Sports article, such luxury in modern baseball is a huge advantage. Since the scheme’s implementation the Mariners have won 8 of 11 games, recovered from several setbacks, and surged into the top of the American League West. Opponents in those games have averaged just 2.91 runs per game, meaning the team is winning thanks to pitching.

The risky move was a forced measure: the Mariners unexpectedly had six healthy MLB‑level starting pitchers. Rather than move Castillo to the bullpen or shift to a six‑man rotation, management chose a third path. And although it was accompanied by public dissatisfaction from players and skepticism from fans, the results speak for themselves. This case is a vivid example of how an unconventional decision made under pressure can succeed if backed by talented performers. Now the Mariners have not only records but also a unique tool for managing workloads that they will likely continue to use.

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Western Washington braces for hottest day of the year

Residents of western Washington can expect what is likely the hottest day so far this year on Tuesday: thermometers in the Puget Sound region (the Seattle area) are forecast to climb to 30–32°C, and around Olympia and Chehalis could reach 32°C. According to the National Weather Service, gradual warming will build into Tuesday, then ease — by Wednesday temperatures are expected to be around 21–26°C, Thursday 15–20°C, with a chance of light rain by the weekend. Earlier in May Seattle already broke temperature records, reaching 27°C, part of an overall trend of anomalous warmth that has affected the region for several months.

The sustained heat brings increased fire risk: meteorologists warn to be cautious around dry grass and vegetation. The situation is made more concerning by the climate context: last winter was the third warmest on record for the state, and snowpack, which lagged all season, is now well below normal and melting rapidly. In April, Washington authorities declared a drought emergency for the fourth consecutive time — an unprecedented occurrence for the region.

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Based on: Western WA weather: Warmest day so far this year likely on Tuesday

Seattle Mariners Dominate on Offense and Defense

The Seattle Mariners notched their sixth straight win, completing a series sweep of Arizona in a dramatic 10th inning. Meanwhile, the Seattle City Council is proposing a new approach to curb street shootings — closing off streets, inspired by residents of the Aurora Avenue neighborhood who took action themselves.

Seattle Mariners extend win streak: dramatic 10th-inning victory over Arizona

The Seattle Mariners continue their confident climb up the standings, picking up a sixth straight victory and completing a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The decisive moment came in the 10th inning when Víctor Robles’ single through center field delivered a 3-2 win. According to KOMO, this was the Mariners’ third extra-inning victory of the season, while the Diamondbacks — who had previously won ten of eleven games — suffered their third straight loss and were shut down without a run for the first time in a long while.

The key play unfolded in the extra frame when Randy Arozarena started at second base as the automatic runner. After intentionally walking Luke Raley, Kolek Young executed a textbook sacrifice bunt to move the runners, tapping the ball toward pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga and allowing teammates to take advantageous positions. Robles then hit a ball to center, and Arizona shortstop Geraldo Perdomo dove for it but failed to secure it. That error allowed Robles to reach first base and Arozarena to score, handing the Mariners the victory.

During regulation, Seattle took the lead twice: first in the second inning on a Young home run, and then in the sixth after a solo shot by Dominic Canzone. For Young it was his fourth homer of the season, already matching his totals from his entire rookie 2025 year. Canzone launched his seventh of the season. Over the three-game set, the Mariners put ten balls over the fence and outscored their opponent 15-9.

Arizona answered each time but could not pull ahead against Luis Castillo, who relieved starter Bryce Miller. Miller went five scoreless innings, and Castillo added five more, limiting the Diamondbacks’ offense to just three hits. The Mariners, meanwhile, recorded eleven hits.

Seattle now prepares for a home series against the New York Mets, where right-hander Emerson Hancock — boasting a 2.78 ERA and a 4-2 record — will take the mound Monday. Arizona heads home to start a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers the same day; lefty Eduardo Rodríguez (5-1, 2.31 ERA) is slated to start for them.

A few terms bear explanation: the “automatic runner” is a rule used in MLB regular-season extra innings to speed play: a player who did not make the previous out is placed on second base; a “sacrifice bunt” is a tactical hit in which the batter deliberately puts the ball in play to advance runners at the cost of being put out; ERA (earned run average) measures a pitcher's effectiveness. This victory, described in the KOMO article, confirms that the Mariners are peaking and that their pitching staff — despite some trouble with converting opportunities — can hold back strong offenses. For Arizona, it’s a painful reminder that even a long winning streak can be snapped by a single mistake at the most critical moment. (Article: https://komonews.com/sports/mariners/mariners-complete-series-sweep-as-robles-10th-inning-single-lifts-seattle-past-arizona)

Mariners keep rolling: Seattle grabs sixth straight win over Arizona

The Seattle Mariners continue to thrill their fans with steady play, earning a sixth consecutive win. In the latest MLB regular-season game, the Seattle club edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2. Notably, this was the Mariners’ second straight extra-inning win in three days. The game, broadcast on Yahoo Sports, showcased not only the players’ physical form but their mental resilience in clutch moments. As shown in the Yahoo Sports video, the Mariners completed their second consecutive sweep — meaning they won all games in the series against the same opponent. For readers unfamiliar with baseball jargon, a “sweep” indicates a team has won every game of a series against a particular opponent, a prestigious outcome demonstrating clear superiority. The extra-inning victory highlights that the Mariners are in strong shape and able to close out opponents in tense situations. For a baseball team, this is especially important as games often stretch late, and success in extras requires both strength and composure. Seattle’s current win streak sends a serious message to American League rivals: such a surge can reshape the standings and boost morale for both players and fans. Observers note that pitching performance and timely hits by batters have been key to clinching wins in critical moments. Ahead lie new challenges for the Mariners, and if the team maintains this mindset, it has every chance to compete for top spots in the division. (Video: https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/seattle-mariners-secure-2nd-straight-003254907.html)

Seattle councilmembers propose closing streets to curb gun violence

The Seattle City Council is considering using street closures as an official tool to prevent gun violence. The idea emerged after residents along Aurora Avenue installed barriers to block vehicle access to their streets and protect their homes from shootings occurring on the adjacent thoroughfare. City Councilmember Debora Juarez, who represents Seattle’s northern neighborhoods, is actively promoting the initiative. She notes that city departments, including the transportation department, already close streets for various reasons such as construction or pedestrian safety. Juarez argues it would be reasonable to add public safety to those reasons. “If we have the sense and common decency to protect pedestrians, cyclists and children crossing near schools, then we must also protect communities from stray bullets and armed violence,” she said in an interview.

A resident of the Aurora area, who asked that his last name not be used, told the council a bullet recently struck his home — into a wall near the room of his six-week-old baby. He said the police link the shootings on Aurora Avenue to prostitution and gang disputes. “The city allows unchecked prostitution, human trafficking and the violence that comes with it,” he said. Juarez is working on emergency legislation with other council members. Proposed amendments to the city code would allow the police chief to recommend closing a street or alley to prevent criminal activity. Juarez emphasizes the closures could be temporary — for example, 30 or 60 days — if police document a serious spike in violence. At the same time, she acknowledges caution is needed to avoid simply displacing crime to neighboring streets. “If you pull the string here, it will show up over there,” she explained.

Seattle Mayor Kate Wilson called the violence on Aurora “troubling and unacceptable.” However, she noted the barriers residents installed need to be replaced with “temporary traffic calming measures” that would account for emergency vehicle access and garbage collection. Local outlets report city crews have already replaced metal planter barriers with concrete barricades. Juarez insists on urgent action and expects the bill to be heard in the Public Safety Committee on June 23. For clarity: “traffic calming” refers to measures (road narrowings, speed bumps, roundabouts) intended to force drivers to slow down. In this case, the proposal involves using physical barriers not to slow traffic but to fully prevent through-traffic — a more drastic step. The full initial report is available on KUOW’s website.

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Canceled festival in Seattle: businesses versus a pedestrianized avenue

A block party planned for this Saturday on University Avenue in Seattle — known locally as “The Ave” — was canceled just eight days before it was to take place. This main street of the University District, which since the 1960s has been a hub for student counterculture, hippies, musicians and independent shops, is regarded as the cultural and historical heart of the neighborhood. City officials denied the permit, citing a petition signed by nearly 80 local business owners opposing the street closure to cars. However, some of the named business owners say they never opposed the event.

The plan was an experimental placemaking project — an urban planning approach that designs public spaces to prioritize making environments attractive and comfortable for people rather than just for cars. Similar projects have already been implemented in Seattle, for example converting part of Pike Street at Pike Place Market into a pedestrian zone, the reconstruction of the Alaskan Way waterfront, and the Summer Streets program that closes downtown blocks on summer weekends. This particular project was to run on Saturdays for two weeks — from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on one block of The Ave between NE 42nd and NE 43rd Streets. Organizers Harrison Jerome and Cory Crocker, representing the grassroots activist group U District Advocates, wanted to show what a street “prioritizing people over cars” could look like. That group, made up of local residents, students and small businesses, advocates preserving The Ave’s historic character and opposes large commercial developments and gentrification, distinguishing their approach from the more investment-oriented official business association U District Partnership.

Local proprietors Lois Ko (owner of Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery) and Emily Skally (owner of Shultzy's Bar & Grill) collected signatures and submitted them to the city. They said they were opposing the two-day test, not the concept of a pedestrian street in principle. But their opponents insist that businesses were deliberately misled.

Peter Johnson, owner of Finn MacCool's Pub, said he never signed the petition even though his name appears on the list. He suggested the data may have come from a survey by the local chamber of commerce, U District Partnership, whose board includes both Ko and Skally. “I wasn’t opposed. I just had questions,” Johnson said.

Other business owners, such as Pilhi Koo of Café on the Ave, said they would object to closing the street on a weekday, but Saturday events “wouldn’t be a problem.” A poster for the festival still hangs in the Snooze cafe, but the owners said they didn’t know they had been listed as opponents.

City officials acknowledged that all technical requirements had been met — approvals were obtained from the fire department, the transportation department and King County Metro, which plays a key role because without its permission the street cannot be closed due to important bus routes that run along The Ave. However, the permit was denied because of “significant opposition from the business community.” At the same time, city spokesperson Eric Moss did not confirm whether the signatures had been verified.

Despite the cancellation, officials offered to expedite permitting for a similar future event — provided there is “authentic and timely engagement with businesses” and notices are distributed in multiple languages for the neighborhood’s many immigrant-owned establishments. The language barrier is a particular issue, as the University District is home to communities from Southeast Asia, East Africa and Korea, while official negotiations are conducted primarily in English, making it difficult to discuss festival terms. The conflict over The Ave reflects long-standing debates about whether this famed campus street should become fully pedestrianized — an idea discussed as far back as 2018, when the city council rejected a full closure proposal because of conflicts between business and transportation interests, but approved targeted improvements.

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Based on: U District event canceled, but some businesses deny having been opposed

Hidden history of mining towns along the Coal Creek Trail

Walking the Coal Creek Trail in Bellevue, Washington, today you can enjoy dense forests of mossy trees and ferns, but few realize that a century ago coal-mining settlements thrived here. This area, part of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park — itself within the “Seattle Greenbelt,” a network of protected lands linking urban natural areas to the foothills of the Cascade Range — once produced coal. Together with Squak Mountain and Tiger Mountain parks it forms the Issaquah Alps, a popular hiking zone that protects watersheds and gives Seattle residents access to wilderness just 20 minutes from downtown. The trail now reveals traces of that bustling era to curious visitors.

Millions of years ago vegetation was compressed by pressure and heat into thick coal seams. Active mining began in the mid-19th century, and whole towns sprang up nearby: Red Town, Rainbow Town, White Town and Finn Town. These names were given by ethnic or color attributes, reflecting the diversity of immigrant communities — especially Finns and Swedes — who worked the coal mines. They symbolize the multinational contribution to the region’s industrialization. Over a century of operations roughly 11 million tons of coal were extracted and shipped up and down the West Coast. Coal mining became a major economic engine: coal was sent to San Francisco and to Hawaii for steamships and railroads, helping make Seattle a trade hub. Mining spurred construction of rail lines over the Snoqualmie Pass and port infrastructure at Elliott Bay, drew thousands of immigrants, and laid the groundwork for subsequent logging and shipbuilding booms, helping the Pacific Northwest become independent of California fuel supplies.

Today you can spot diagonal coal veins exposed in the rock along the trail’s slopes. Nearby is a capped ventilation shaft — a manmade cave that once extended more than 300 feet underground. And right on the trail remains a massive concrete slab — the foundation of a turntable used to turn locomotives.

Bellevue, mindful of this history, has created an interpretive route with informational panels. Old black-and-white photographs displayed there help imagine what the mines, stockpiles and rail lines once looked like. Now only birdsong and the murmur of water are heard, but once the hills shook with the rumble of trains.

The boom days of coal ended in the 1930s because of the Great Depression, cheap oil and imported coal. Nature quickly reclaimed the land: forests swallowed buildings and roads grew over with grass. The story is a reminder of how rapidly even the most vibrant human settlements can vanish, leaving only faint traces.

Walking Coal Creek, you can’t help but wonder: what will future hikers see in a hundred years when they examine the ruins of our towns? They, too, may have to summon their imagination to picture what life was like on these lands. For now, the trail offers a unique chance to touch a forgotten past right in the middle of wilderness.

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Based on: Coal Creek Trail reveals hidden history of Eastside’s mining towns

Behind the Soccer Lights: Seattle's Soul Beats on Public Fields

In 15 days millions of fans will turn their attention to Seattle, where six matches of the 2026 men's World Cup will be played at Lumen Field — a multipurpose arena downtown known for its distinctive acoustics and proximity to public spaces, making it a hub for mass sporting and cultural events. But those who built this soccer city insist its true essence won’t appear on television broadcasts or on the stadium turf. They say Seattle’s soccer heart beats on public fields, where every week thousands of amateurs of all ages, genders and nationalities gather. These athletes play not for money or fame but for the love of the game and the friendships it fosters. That spirit was on vivid display last Sunday at Georgetown Playfield in South Seattle, where the field was busy from sunrise to sunset.

Dozens of players rotated through the field during the day, each with their own story about what soccer means to them. But they all agree: when the World Cup ends and global attention moves on, games at Georgetown and similar fields will continue — in rain and sun. The popularity of recreational soccer on Seattle’s public fields is fueled by a culture of active recreation, accessible infrastructure and a rainy climate that allows year-round play. These weekly matches have become as integral to players’ lives as work or family time. For 62-year-old Alison VanderToorn they mean even more: “Soccer is life,” she says.

By 9 a.m., 22 members of the Minh Tan team were already sweating, wrapping up a “friendly” — an unofficial, noncompetitive game emphasizing inclusion and socializing. They’ve held gatherings like this almost every Sunday in Georgetown for ten years. The team’s founder, 54-year-old Boeing technician Minh Tan, who grew up in Vietnam, started it after moving to Washington state. Boeing is the region’s largest employer, shaping Seattle’s economy and identity, and its workers, with a strong engineering and organizational culture, know how to mobilize community. Since then the team has grown by word of mouth to more than 40 men ages 16 to 72 from Vietnam, Cambodia and India, united by what he says is “their favorite sport — soccer.” For them there’s almost no bad weather: Tan called even that cool gray day “beautiful,” adding, “They love it. They work a lot during the week. When we play together, we celebrate together.”

At 9:30 the referee’s whistle called the next two teams, including GenFlex, formed by mothers who had spent years watching their children play from the sidelines. “We said, ‘Wait — we want to play too,’ ” VanderToorn remembers, tucking her shin guards into her socks. She first touched a soccer ball at 33, but since then the sport and her team have become the center of her life. “They are my best friends, my social circle, our mental therapy,” she says, emphasizing that the game requires cooperation: “You have to really play together, and together we’re stronger.”

By 11:30 the pace on the field had increased so much that one player, out of breath, came on as a substitute just 15 minutes into the match. “They’re very fast and very young, and very good,” she joked to teammates on the bench. Triss, who came on as a substitute in the same game, reflected on what it’s like to play as a gender-nonconforming person in the current political climate. She said it was painful to watch efforts by the presidential administration to ban transgender athletes from participating in sports, but in Seattle, where progressive LGBTQ+ protections and anti-discrimination measures are in place, those efforts seem only to have strengthened solidarity.

Triss, who asked that her full name not be used to protect her privacy, feels particular support from the soccer community, which actively practices inclusivity and creates safe spaces. She says both professional and amateur players have become more vocal in defending transgender teammates. “I always feel like people have my back,” she says. She added that the reaction to transgender issues has paradoxically “brought people closer,” making the field both a refuge and a place of competition.

Around 12:15 the break brought a brief respite: players collapsed onto the grass or rubbed sunscreen into flushed faces, and Julia Sullivan gratefully accepted a slice of orange from a teammate. Sullivan, 31, from the Columbia City neighborhood, started playing recreational soccer while studying urban planning at the University of Washington, which is actively involved in projects to design sustainable public spaces. That study began as a break from “grad-school cramming,” but the passion became a favorite hobby and the core of her weekly life. However, her enthusiasm for the game does not extend to watching the men’s World Cup.

Sullivan says she has “no interest” in the tournament, even though Seattle could host more than 700,000 visitors during the event. As a planner she thinks the city lacks the infrastructure for such an influx. She worries about potential long-term impacts on vulnerable neighborhoods, especially Chinatown — a historic immigrant center that has faced discrimination, isolation and economic hardship. Today that neighborhood is vulnerable to gentrification, high housing costs and lack of investment, though it retains a unique cultural identity with Chinese communities and small businesses. For Sullivan, local fields and their communities mean much more than the spectacle of international competition.

By 2 p.m., Athenas manager Kim Smith, 52, returned to the sideline, proudly pointing to her 19-year-old daughter Kai, who ran the field as her teammate. Smith is from Shoreline — a suburb north of Seattle that’s connected to the city by public transit, including the Link Light Rail, which gives residents access to the stadium and the fields. She has been with the Athenas for 28 years — she’s the team’s longest-tenured player; she joined before having children and returned after two births and recovering from an ACL tear. Her daughters learned to kick a ball as soon as they started walking and now play at a competitive level.

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Based on: Soccer has a dedicated following in Seattle with or without the World Cup

Tragedy at Longview plant: 11 dead, community mourns

On Saturday, rescuers recovered the body of the final missing worker — the ninth person unaccounted for at the site of the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. plant in Longview — concluding a multi-day operation that began Tuesday. The disaster occurred when a chemical tank ruptured during the morning shift, unleashing a flow of caustic substances onto part of the pulp-and-paper complex. Authorities released the full list of 11 deceased at a press conference and described the hazardous conditions faced during the search.

Longview is an industrial center in southwest Washington state dominated by pulp-and-paper mills, metalworking and chemical production. Unlike Seattle, where the economy is driven by tech and services, Longview relies on heavy industry and international ports on the Columbia River, making it more vulnerable to commodity-cycle swings. Japanese company Nippon Dynawave chose the city for access to inexpensive hydroelectric power, a deepwater port and a skilled industrial workforce. Foreign investment brings jobs and tax revenue, but decisions about modernization or plant closures are often made at overseas headquarters, reducing local control over the economy.

Those killed included both recent hires who had worked at the plant less than six months and long-time employees with 15 years’ service. The tragedy took two brothers, a devoted grandfather and a man who had planned to leave early to accompany his wife to an ultrasound for their expected child. Families lost breadwinners and the community lost people who were part of its everyday life.

Among the dead was 35-year-old electrician Jared Ammons, who joined Nippon Dynawave two years ago to be closer to home. His wife, Mackenzie, said he took pride in his work. 52-year-old Gilbert Bernal of Kelso, also an electrician, was the first to be publicly identified after the blast. A friend called him “a solid guy and a good person,” whose life revolved around his family.

Brothers Brad and Tyler Covington of Castle Rock also died. 27-year-old Brad worked as an electrical technician, and 29-year-old Tyler left behind a fiancée and three young children. Their deaths underscored how employment at local plants is entwined with family ties across generations.

26-year-old Clint “CJ” Doran was remembered as deeply religious and devoted to his family. Electrician Braydon Fincas, 38, had worked at the plant since 2016 and lived with his partner in Cathlamet. John Forsberg, 51, left two children; a friend wrote on a fundraising page that his family is experiencing “an unimaginable and profound loss.”

Friends of the family confirmed the death of Dillon Miller. “Dillon was a devoted father and future husband who meant so much to so many,” wrote a family friend. 54-year-old Dale Miller of Portland, a journeyman mechanic, had been on the job only since December; officials clarified that the two Millers were not related.

The list of dead also includes 48-year-old Robb Wilson, whose son pleaded for prayers for his father. 58-year-old Norman Barlow was among the last publicly named. Each new name deepened Longview’s grief, where the plant is the largest employer and the victims were part of tightly interwoven social circles.

Longview has long tried to diversify its economy, but the loss of major plants in the past has led to higher unemployment and population decline. Washington state enforces a “Process Safety Management” program with stricter requirements for leak reporting and inspections, but prior major accidents — including the 2010 refinery explosion in Tacoma and the 2017 fire at the Simpson Timber plant in Longview — have strengthened scrutiny of chemical sites. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union, through collective bargaining, demands strict safety standards and can halt work if violations are found, conducting independent inspections, though ultimate oversight rests with government inspectors.

At Saturday’s fundraiser, hundreds queued for plates of barbecue and desserts. “My dad worked at that plant for 40 years, my best friend — 40 years, and the husband of that woman with the baby left two hours before the accident,” said 66-year-old Tim Stromberg. He noted the community response showed how people in Longview “don’t waste any time” when one of their own is in trouble.

Union representatives, including members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, collected donations. 55-year-old Mike Bridges said he immediately started calling people when he saw the news of the blast. 45-year-old Diana Winter noted the union opened an official account to prevent fraud and ensure funds reach the affected families.

The Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association — a nonprofit that holds barbecue competitions and festivals — raises money to help disaster victims and pay for funerals. After plant accidents, they organize fundraising through BBQ contests, an example of a hybrid charitable model common in small U.S. towns. Association member Jacob Hauglum said barbecue brings people together even in hard times. By the time teams arrived, about 3,600 kilograms of meat had been donated, turning the parking lot into an improvised kitchen.

Sporting goods store owner Matt Schlecht, 51, reflected on the day’s somber purpose: “It’s still hard to grasp the scale of what happened.” He emphasized that beyond raising money for rent and food, it was important to create a space for people to gather and talk. At the farmers market, several vendors pledged a portion of proceeds to the workers’ families.

In the evening, about 40 people gathered at the plant entrance for a vigil. Mourners laid flowers and homemade signs at the locomotive memorial. The stepfather of two victims called for increased safety at industrial sites, calling it “critically important.” Signs reading “Longview Strong” and “Justice Demanded” hinted at the next phase — an investigation into the causes of the accident and steps to prevent future disasters.

The slogan “Longview Strong” has become a symbol of community resilience after industrial disasters. Unlike “Seattle Strong,” which is associated with collective recovery from the pandemic and unrest,

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Based on: 11 identified in Longview disaster: ‘Still hard to grasp the magnitude’

Seattle week roundup: festival, soccer and baseball

HONK! Fest West turned the city streets into a stage, the Washington Spirit beat the Seattle Reign in a dramatic NWSL match, and four Mariners are in contention for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.

Brass and drums in full swing: How HONK! Fest West turned Seattle streets into one big stage

This past weekend Seattle was filled with the sounds of brass bands and joyful crowds as HONK! Fest West 2026 took over the city. The annual free festival transforms ordinary city streets, parks and plazas into impromptu outdoor concert halls. Reporters from KOMO note that Columbia City was the epicenter on Saturday, where an atmosphere of total unity through music and movement prevailed. Dozens of musicians from Washington state and across the Pacific Northwest took part. The festival’s main appeal is that there are no highbrow lectures or strict boundaries — it’s a celebration of accessible, vibrant music played right where people gather.

Photo reports from the event captured colorful processions of musicians in bright costumes playing trumpets, tubas, saxophones and drums, while passersby happily danced along. The festival is rooted in the tradition of so-called activist street bands. That means the music is not merely entertainment but a way to engage with urban space and each other: anyone can not only listen but join in. In addition to Saturday’s show in Columbia City, HONK! Fest West’s route ran through Georgetown on Friday and concluded Sunday in Pratt Park. It’s safe to say the event was a breath of fresh air for local communities, showing how art can unite people of all ages and professions without tickets or VIP zones.

Hershfelt delivers win for Washington Spirit over Seattle Reign

On Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, a dramatic National Women’s Soccer League match ended with the Washington Spirit edging the Seattle Reign 2-1. The decisive goal came in the 81st minute from Hal Hershfelt, her first of the season. The match was a highlight of the round, full of twists and bright moments.

The scoring opened in the 18th minute. Spirit midfielder Lacey Santos brilliantly converted a free kick from just outside the box, sending the ball straight into the net. Seattle, however, refused to give up and equalized near the end of the first half. In the 44th minute, Reign defender Lucia Di Guglielmo, attempting to intercept a pass to Maddy Mercado, misplayed and put the ball into her own net. That own goal was Seattle’s only scoring contribution in the match.

The decisive moment came in the second half. In the 81st minute, a shot from Hershfelt — a key player for the team — took a deflection off Reign defender Jordin Bagg, changed trajectory and fooled the goalkeeper, resulting in the goal. The strike not only secured the Spirit’s victory but also helped the team solidify its position in the standings. The match featured many tactical decisions, with both teams using the flanks and set pieces actively. In other matches of the round, note Kansas City Current’s 1-0 victory over Boston Legacy, where league MVP Temwa Chavinga scored. That win extended Kansas City’s home unbeaten streak to 23 matches, an impressive feat for any club.

When analyzing the game, it’s important to understand that an own goal is when a player accidentally scores in their own net, often the result of a failed defensive attempt. Also noteworthy are set pieces like free kicks, where teams execute rehearsed routines. In this match the Spirit were able to capitalize on a free kick, which ultimately determined the outcome. As experts noted in the Associated Press report published on FOX 13 Seattle, the game was tense, and even an unfortunate own goal didn’t break the hosts’ spirit. The Reign’s loss is their fifth of the season and leaves the team in eighth place, raising questions about their defensive play, especially late in matches.

Four Seattle Mariners who deserve a spot in the 2026 All-Star Game

With voting for the MLB All-Star Game about to begin, the Seattle Mariners have several strong candidates. The team has unexpectedly taken the lead in its division, and that’s no accident — several players are enjoying career-best seasons. Four standouts are veteran outfielder Randy Arozarena, superstar Julio Rodríguez, comeback outfielder Luke Raley, and the surprising rookie starter Emerson Hancock. All have real chances to make the mid-summer showcase, which this year will be held July 14 in Philadelphia.

Randy Arozarena is the most prominent candidate. According to Seattle Sports, he may be having the best season of his eight-year career. The 31-year-old left fielder is posting impressive numbers: a .295 batting average, .382 on-base percentage and .464 slugging. These are personal bests if he maintains this pace through the season. Arozarena has 22 extra-base hits (including 6 homers and 15 doubles), 14 stolen bases and 38 runs. By fWAR he’s the top position player on the Mariners at 2.0. Among AL outfielders he’s tied for first in steals, second in wRC+ (146), second in batting average and doubles, and third in runs. He also has one of the lowest soft-contact rates, indicating strong, precise hitting. If he keeps this up, a third All-Star selection is nearly inevitable.

Julio Rodríguez, one of the league’s biggest stars, has been named an AL All-Star three times already (2022, 2023 and 2025). The 25-year-old center fielder is off to the best start of his career: .267/.317/.437 with 10 homers, 11 doubles and 30 runs in 57 games. He ranks in the AL top five among outfielders in homers and top seven in doubles and runs. A caveat: his defensive metrics this year aren’t as elite as before, but his reputation as one of the best center-field defenders should count in his favor. Given it’s Julio Rodríguez, his spot on the All-Star roster looks nearly guaranteed if he keeps producing.

Luke Raley is another outfielder vying for his first All-Star nod. After an injury-marred and disappointing 2025, he returned and became one of the team’s most productive hitters. The 31-year-old right fielder leads the Mariners with 11 homers, fourth among AL outfielders. His slugging is .550, OPS .872, and wRC+ 149. Among AL outfielders with at least 150 plate appearances he ranks third in wRC+ and slugging, and fourth in OPS. However, Raley doesn’t play every day — he’s used in a platoon role (two players splitting a position depending on the handedness of the opposing pitcher). With so many strong AL outfielders, his part-time role could hinder his All-Star consideration.

The most unexpected candidate is Emerson Hancock. Sending a Mariners starter to the All-Star Game wouldn’t be surprising, but Hancock emerging as the team’s best starter is a genuine shock. The 26-year-old right-hander, a former first-round pick, has established himself in the rotation and is having a breakout season. He leads the team’s starters with a 2.78 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. In 11 starts he’s thrown 68.2 innings, recorded 63 strikeouts and posted a 4-2 record. Among AL starters he’s fourth in WHIP, eighth in ERA and tenth in innings pitched. He’s kept opponents to a .215 batting average and issues few walks (2.09 walks per nine innings). Hancock is the leading candidate from the rotation now, but journalists note George Kirby and Bryan Woo could enter the conversation with a strong June.

The All-Star voting process is split into two phases. First, fans select the starting lineup: one player per position and three outfielders. The player with the most votes in the league automatically earns a starting spot. The remaining finalists (two per position and six outfielders) move to a second fan vote, and winners of that round become starters. The remaining 23 roster spots (including all 12 pitchers) are filled by player voting and selections by the MLB Commissioner's Office.

All four candidates play key roles in the team’s current success. The Mariners lead their division, and their stars deserve attention. For readers unfamiliar with baseball metrics: wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) measures a player’s run-creation efficiency relative to the league, where 100 is average — higher is better. WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) indicates how many baserunners a pitcher allows per inning — lower is better. fWAR (Fangraphs Wins Above Replacement) is an aggregate metric estimating a player’s total contribution to team wins compared to a replacement-level player. If Hancock continues pitching as he has and the position players maintain their production, Seattle could have All-Star representation that reflects their status as playoff contenders.

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Run, Weather and Sports: Seattle Digest

Latest news from West Seattle: the upcoming Loop the ‘Lupe 2026 race, a sharp weather shift from warm to cool, and Nolan Teasley leaving the Seattle Seahawks for the Minnesota Vikings.

A community event: one week to Loop the ‘Lupe 2026

Anticipation is building in West Seattle: there is just one week left until the annual Loop the ‘Lupe 2026. The event, taking place next Saturday, June 6, at Walt Hundley Field at 34th SW and SW Myrtle, promises to be a highlight for locals once again. Organizers have prepared four participation options so everyone can find an activity they enjoy, regardless of age or fitness level. The main attraction remains the race’s unique status as the only 5K obstacle race in Seattle, but alternatives are available for those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

The day’s schedule is timed to the minute. At 11:00 a.m. the elite heat of participants ready to tackle the obstacles on the 5K course will start. At 11:40 a.m., family teams will hit the same course. For those who want a plain run without obstacles, the 5K Fun Run begins at noon, and at 12:15 p.m. the “Silver Stroll” is scheduled — likely the most leisurely option for those who prefer a walk. The day will conclude at 1:00 p.m. with the kids’ race. Registration for all events is open on the event page, where you can also find a savings link: by registering for Loop the ‘Lupe and the Float Dodger 5K (taking place July 18 as part of the West Seattle Grand Parade) at the same time, participants receive a $5 discount.

As explained in an article on West Seattle Blog (https://westseattleblog.com/2026/05/countdown-one-week-until-loop-the-lupe-2026/), all funds raised, regardless of the chosen participation option, will go to support community projects run by the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe parish. This underscores the event’s social importance, as it not only entertains but also helps the local community. If for any reason you cannot take part in any of the races, organizers invite everyone to simply come to the field to cheer on the runners, enjoy the music, and buy food and drinks that will be available for purchase. In this way, Loop the ‘Lupe becomes a true neighborhood celebration where everyone can find something to do on Saturday.

Warm week in Seattle: anomalous heat to give way to a sharp cooldown by the weekend

Seattle residents should prepare for an unexpected weather surprise: after several truly summer-like days, the city is expected to experience a sharp cooldown by the end of the week. According to meteorologists, including a forecast from Ilona McCauley of FOX 13 Seattle (https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/fmc-ysssjzo1ngej31qn), the region is under the influence of a warm air mass that will bring clear and sunny weather at the start of the week. However, by Thursday–Friday the synoptic situation will change and temperatures will begin to fall rapidly.

Early in the week thermometers will comfortably surpass 20 degrees Celsius, with some places warming to 25–26°C. This is due to a strong ridge of high pressure settled over the Pacific coast. However, this warm spell will be short-lived. By the end of the week, cold maritime air from Alaska will move into the region, bringing not only a temperature drop to around 15–16°C but also stronger winds. The cooldown will be especially noticeable in the evenings and overnight, when temperatures may fall to around 10°C.

Meteorologists warn that such a sharp weather change is typical for the transition period between summer and autumn in the Pacific Northwest. For those who haven’t yet enjoyed the warmth, it’s time to hurry — by the weekend Seattleites will need to pull out jackets and umbrellas, as the likelihood of brief showers increases along with the cooling.

The road to the top: Nolan Teasley leaves the Seattle Seahawks to become Minnesota Vikings GM

In professional sports you rarely see a career that starts as an intern and ends in the general manager’s office. That is exactly the path Nolan Teasley took after 13 years in the Seattle Seahawks front office: he accepted an offer to become the new general manager of the Minnesota Vikings. According to FOX 13 Seattle, the parties have reached a principal agreement, and the 42-year-old executive is preparing for a new challenge in his career.

Teasley is not merely a product of the scouting system; football has been an integral part of his life since youth. A native of Ellensburg, Washington, he graduated from Central Washington University in 2007, where he played running back. That playing experience likely helped him better understand team building when he began his path with the Seahawks in 2013 as a scouting intern. His career progressed rapidly: three years as a pro scout, then a year as assistant director of pro personnel, and after that he spent five seasons leading that department. The culmination of his work in Seattle was his appointment as assistant general manager to John Schneider in 2023 — a position he held for the past three years.

The Vikings’ interest in Teasley was not spontaneous. This week he completed a second-round interview with the Minnesota club, which narrowed its list to the most promising candidates. It’s worth noting that Minnesota bet on a person who spent the last 13 years learning from one of the league’s most respected executives and helping build one of the NFL’s most stable organizations. While the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, it is known that the Seahawks will receive compensation in the form of two conditional third-round draft picks over the next two seasons — a provision under the NFL’s diversity and inclusion program that rewards teams developing talented minority executives.

Now Teasley faces the difficult task of transplanting the philosophy and approaches he absorbed in Seattle to new ground. The Minnesota Vikings are a club with ambitions but also certain personnel and financial challenges. Teasley’s departure is a significant loss for the Seahawks, but it also confirms that their scouting and management development system is considered among the best in the league.

Meanwhile, as noted by FOX 13 Seattle, the Seahawks continue active roster building: they signed first-round running back Jadarian Price, traded a conditional pick for receiver Irvin Charles from the New York Jets, and reached an agreement with second-round cornerback Bud Clark. These moves show the club doesn’t intend to slow down, even while losing key personnel.

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Sports Digest: Dominant Wins and Historic Records

Today's edition is dedicated to standout events in the sports world: Toronto Tempo’s rout of the Seattle Storm, a phenomenal month of home runs from the Seattle Mariners’ trio, and the Mariners’ dramatic extra-inning comeback win over Arizona.

The second half decided it all: Toronto Tempo crush Seattle Storm 93–72

This game was truly a tale of two halves. After an even first half, with teams trading precise shots and neither able to gain a decisive edge, Toronto Tempo essentially steamrolled their opponents in the second half. A 56–36 advantage in the final twenty minutes says it all — the visitors from Seattle simply weren’t prepared for that onslaught and lost nearly every key stretch of the game.

As reported in the game recap on Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/game-recap-toronto-tempo-93-203428054.html), the start of the contest didn’t hint at such a blowout. The teams went virtually shot for shot, and fans could expect a hard-fought battle to the final whistle. However, after the long break Tempo flipped the switch, outplaying their opponents on defense and executing nearly every offense. The Storm couldn’t find an antidote to the hosts’ aggressive play, and by the end of the third quarter Toronto’s lead was unquestionable.

The final 93–72 is not just a win, but a loud statement of intent. Such a powerful second-half surge and a 21-point margin clearly demonstrate how well the team is prepared physically and tactically. For Seattle, this loss should be a warning: if the game was even in the first half, the second half was a total collapse on both offense and defense. Now Toronto is building confidence, and the Storm will need to work seriously on their fourth-quarter play to avoid losing momentum in upcoming games.

May fireworks from the Mariners: Seattle trio rewriting the record books

May 2025 turned into a month of unexpected revelation for the Seattle Mariners. Despite the lineup dealing with a rough patch because of an injury to a key player, Kyle Rolen, his absence was more than compensated by other leaders. The trio of Julio Rodríguez, J.P. Crawford and Luke Raley put on a true home-run parade, setting personal records for home runs in a single calendar month. According to Seattle Sports, their achievements became the main May storyline for baseball fans in the Pacific Northwest.

The peak of this surge came in Friday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which ended with the Mariners winning in extra innings 7–6. In that game the trio sent four balls over the fence, and Crawford recorded the first multi-homer game of his career. Notably, all three players either matched or exceeded their personal monthly home-run records. This phenomenon is especially remarkable given that Rodríguez plays center field, Crawford is the shortstop, and Raley patrols right field, showing the Mariners have found power balance across different defensive positions.

Let’s break down each player’s achievements. Julio Rodríguez, one of the team’s main stars, demonstrates a baseball power that places him among the league’s leaders. His home run on Friday was his ninth in May, surpassing his previous best of eight in a month. Among center fielders he shares the lead with Byron Buxton of Minnesota. One nuance: Buxton played nine games as a designated hitter in May, while Rodríguez appeared in 26 games specifically in center field. That makes his accomplishment even more impressive, as playing the field requires additional energy. Rodríguez now has 11 home runs on the season and is on pace for 31, just one shy of his personal best.

The second standout is J.P. Crawford. His Friday performance included an impressive 417-foot blast, his longest homer this year. Interestingly, he managed it even off a well-placed changeup — a pitch that usually throws hitters off. With seven home runs in May he matched his best monthly mark from September/October 2023. Notably, he now shares the lead among MLB shortstops with Bobby Witt Jr. of Kansas City. If Crawford keeps this up, he could finish the season with about 25 home runs, well above his previous high of 19.

The third player, Luke Raley, may be showing the brightest surge. His 12th home run of the season, hit Friday, was his seventh in May and matched his career monthly record. But context matters: among all right fielders who had at least 50 plate appearances in a month, Raley leads in slugging percentage (.690), OPS (1.055), and wRC+ (199). The last metric is an advanced stat that evaluates a hitter’s productivity adjusted for park and league. A 199 wRC+ means Raley was 99% better than the league average batter that month. Moreover, among all MLB players with at least 60 plate appearances in May, his wRC+ is the best in baseball. He’s on track for 34 home runs this season, which would eclipse his previous mark of 22.

These achievements not only excite fans but have strategic importance for the team. The Mariners are known for a strong starting rotation, but inconsistent offense has often been their Achilles’ heel. Now that three players have peaked simultaneously, there’s hope the team can contend for a playoff spot. The article notes that the club also has rising young talent, like Colt Emerson, who is already showing “what you want to see” from a prospect. Seattle Sports (https://sports.mynorthwest.com/mlb/seattle-mariners/three-seattle-mariners-having-career-power-months-in-may) emphasizes that if this May surge turns into sustained performance, the Mariners could become a formidable force in the second half of the season.

Mariners’ comeback win over the Diamondbacks: Crawford’s first career multi-homer game and drama in the 10th

The Seattle Mariners extended their winning streak with an exciting 7–6 extra-inning victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The game, played Friday at T-Mobile Park, was Seattle’s fourth straight win and was memorable not only for its dramatic finish but also for J.P. Crawford’s first career multi-homer game — two homers in one contest. The back-and-forth game showcased Seattle’s character, as they held on after Arizona tied the score and pushed the game into extra innings. As noted in the ESPN recap (https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401815547), the decisive moment was Randy Arozarena’s walk-off double — a two-run hit that ended the game in the 10th — which sailed off a slider from Arizona reliever Juan Morillo with two runners on base.

Special attention should go to Mariners’ shortstop J.P. Crawford. Prior to this game, in his 978 MLB games, Crawford had hit 74 home runs but had never homered twice in a single game. On Friday he changed that, sending two pitches from Arizona starter Zac Gallen out of the park. First, in the first inning, he hit a solo homer, and then in the fifth he launched a two-run shot, his ninth of the season, which put Seattle ahead 5–1. But the Diamondbacks didn’t fold. In the sixth they tied the game 5–5 on an RBI single by José Fernández, with three of those four runs charged to Seattle starter George Kirby (6–4). The Mariners immediately responded in the bottom of that inning with a Luke Raley home run — his 12th of the season — which restored the home side’s lead. Still, Arizona found a way to level the score again: in the ninth, a force play with an RBI from Ildemaro Vargas sent the game to extra innings. The dramatic story was capped by Randy Arozarena, whose double in the 10th delivered the Mariners a well-deserved win. The victory brought Seattle (29–29) back to a .500 record for the first time since April 29 (16–16). The next game of the series is Saturday, with Mariners’ Brian Woo (4–3, 3.82 ERA) taking the mound against Arizona’s Rhys Nelson (2–3, 4.65 ERA).

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Movies, Baseball and Cats: Seattle News

A look at recent events in Seattle: the new horror film Passenger brought up to $10 million to the city, a Mariners pitcher released a bobblehead featuring his cat Matilda, and baseball star Corbin Carroll returned home to Seattle to meet family and friends.

Seattle-shot horror Passenger boosted local economy by up to $10 million

The new supernatural horror film Passenger has been released, and it’s not only scaring audiences but also delivering a noticeable boost to Seattle’s economy. KOMO, citing the city’s Office of Economic Development, reports that filming left between $5 million and $10 million in the region. Passenger tells the story of people who set out on road trips and vanish without a trace. The lead roles are played by British actor Jacob Scipio and Spanish-Zimbabwean actress Lou Lobell as a young married couple.

City officials actively supported the production by granting permits to film at some of Seattle’s most recognizable locations. According to the office’s report, the camera captured the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood, the scenic Lincoln Park, and the industrial enclave Georgetown. These locations have long been popular with filmmakers for their atmosphere and architectural variety. The shoot used the municipal film-permit program, which charges a nominal $25 per day, and rented local office space from M5 Creative for six months.

The economic effect from the film was considerable: the production hired 325 local actors and crew members. The KOMO article emphasizes that Passenger is a vivid example of how the film industry can diversify the city’s economy. Beyond direct spending on wages, fees and rentals, the shoot generated revenue for local hotels, restaurants and transportation companies. It’s worth noting that a $5–10 million budget is modest for this type of film, but even projects of that size can create hundreds of jobs and support small businesses. Seattle’s authorities appear to be betting on attracting film productions as a steady revenue source, especially as major Hollywood studios increasingly look for alternatives to expensive Los Angeles and New York.

Matilda the cat and baseball: how a Mariners pitcher became a bobblehead star

Sometimes truly touching stories happen in the world of American baseball, and one of them is unfolding right now in Seattle. It concerns standout Mariners pitcher Andrés Muñoz, who is famous not only for his powerful pitch but also for his tender affection for his fluffy companion — a cat named Matilda. On July 21 at T-Mobile Park there will be an unusual game called “Take Meow’t to the Ballgame,” where each fan who buys a special ticket will receive a collectible bobblehead featuring Muñoz together with his whiskered friend. Five dollars from each such ticket will go to Seattle Area Feline Rescue, which rescues homeless cats. It’s important to note that despite the cat-themed event, live pets are not allowed in the stands — this is emphasized to avoid misunderstandings.

Andrés Muñoz, affectionately called “the cat dad” by fans, has long won hearts not only with his on-field play but also with his story. He and his wife adopted Matilda in Mexico, and the cat has since become a full member of the family. Matilda has her own Instagram account that racks up thousands of likes, and, amazingly, she travels with her owner to road games. She’s not just a pet but a true mascot who seems to bring good luck — Muñoz is putting up strong numbers on the field, and his devotion to the cat earns genuine respect from fans.

A bobblehead is more than a toy; it’s a cultural phenomenon. These figurines with wobbling heads have long been given to fans as souvenirs and become collectible items. When we speak of the “Andrés and Matilda bobblehead,” we mean a miniature of the player holding the cat — an incredibly cute symbol of how sports and love for animals can go hand in hand. As of late May, only about 200 of these figurines remained on sale, making them a true rarity. To get the coveted keepsake, you must buy a ticket via a special link and, on game day, present your ticket at the top of left field before the end of the third inning to exchange it for the toy. One person can claim multiple bobbleheads if they have the corresponding number of themed tickets, but note that the offer applies only to purchases made through the official promo channel.

This event goes far beyond ordinary sports entertainment. It shows how professional athletes can use their popularity for charity. Muñoz has previously worked with Seattle Area Feline Rescue, and now fans have the chance not only to enjoy a cute keepsake but also to contribute to animal rescue. Five dollars per ticket is a small sum for an individual, but multiplied across a stadium it can become a significant aid for Seattle’s homeless cats. For those unfamiliar with local organizations: Seattle Area Feline Rescue is a large nonprofit that provides medical care, spay/neuter services and adoption placement for cats, and a partnership with the Mariners gives them valuable exposure and financial support.

According to KING 5, the game starts at 6:40 p.m., and Seattle’s opponent will be the Cincinnati Reds. The game itself will, of course, remain the main event of the evening, but the cat bobblehead has become a sensation among collectors. Such marketing moves are common across MLB, but when they’re tied to a sincere animal-rescue story, they take on special meaning. You could say Matilda has become an unofficial team mascot, and Andrés Muñoz embodies the idea that even in big professional sports there’s room for soft paws and purring. It’s a clear example of how simple humanity and love for our smaller companions can build remarkable brands and unite thousands around a good cause.

Arizona star Corbin Carroll returns home: an emotional reunion in Seattle

When 25-year-old outfielder Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks takes the field in Seattle, it isn’t just another regular-season series. For Carroll, it’s a return to his roots — the city where he was born, raised and took his first steps in baseball. The story of this athlete, who was selected in the first round of the 2019 draft after graduating from Lakeside and then quickly rose to National League Rookie of the Year status and became a two-time All-Star, is full of touching details and a deep personal connection to the place. In his interview with The Seattle Times, Carroll shares what these weekends mean to him — the chance to sleep in his childhood home instead of a hotel, and to meet family and old friends.

Part of what gives this story its charm is that Carroll once sat in the stands at this very ballpark, T-Mobile Park. He grew up in the Queen Anne neighborhood and was an avid Mariners fan. Pointing to the section behind home plate, he recalls: “We had season tickets in that area. That was my view of the game.” Much has changed since then, but he smiles that the famous Ivar’s clam stand is still operating, and now, as a visiting player, he can enjoy a special perk — ice cream from the vending machine in the visiting clubhouse, which players rave about. Food is an important part of Carroll’s life. His former high school coach, Kellen Sandin, remembers that they could spend hours arguing about where to eat. In Seattle, which Carroll calls “a great food city,” the problem isn’t finding somewhere to eat but choosing from a wealth of excellent options. Recently they picked up takeout from Wild Ginger and had a picnic at Gas Works Park.

Despite fame and seven-figure contracts, Carroll places enormous value on his ties to the past. It’s been nearly seven years since he graduated from Lakeside, but his closest friends are still the same kids from the high school baseball team. His former coach Sandin, whose relationship with Carroll evolved from mentorship to friendship, stresses: “He’s a Seattle guy. He really cares about the people from here. This is where he grew up, and he’ll always be tied to them.” That connection shows up in small ways: on Friday roughly 50 people — friends and family — were cheering for Carroll from seats behind the Arizona bullpen. In the game itself, which the Mariners won 7–6 in extra innings, Carroll had two hits. Despite the loss, such moments are priceless for him. Sandin admits that while Carroll says these are just another important series for the Diamondbacks, who have won nine of their last ten games, they actually mean much more to him because Seattle means everything to him.

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Seattle is tired of expanding the light rail — maybe it’s enough?

Good news: after decades of struggle, the Seattle area finally has a fairly good light-rail system. The bad news — its expansion has run into catastrophic cost overruns, and activists staged “funerals” for future projects, carrying a coffin through downtown. The protest was triggered by the decision to effectively cut the line to Ballard because its cost had skyrocketed.

Sound Transit, the agency that runs the trains, announced a $35 billion budget gap. That is an astonishing overspend, given that the total cost of the ST3 expansion program, approved by voters in 2016 with 54% support on about 40% turnout, was once estimated at $54 billion, and none of the new lines have yet been built. Budgets for some segments have more than tripled: for example, the Ballard branch rose from $6.8 billion to $23 billion.

The reasons are construction inflation and politicians’ habit of understating costs. But the gap is so large it could wreck the whole program. Sound Transit board members openly admit a loss of trust. Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is outraged that her city won’t see trains until 2041 — 45 years after taxes in support of the agency began. Ballard fared even worse: the board voted that the line will not go beyond Seattle Center, which is geographically far from Ballard itself, a neighborhood that was historically a center for Norwegian fishermen and the timber industry and is now a desirable residential area with an economy based on tech, restaurants and breweries. “We should rename it,” said board member Dan Strauss, who represents Ballard. “This is no longer the Ballard extension.” Residents who have already paid taxes for that branch and who depend heavily on cars because of chronic congestion saw the cancellation as a broken promise.

How did it come to this? Seattle abandoned “lightness” in its light rail. Originally, in 1996, routes were planned to run on streets and median strips, like in Portland, where the MAX system costs $100–200 million per kilometer and carries about 150–170 thousand riders per day. That’s not as fast, but it allows a city to be covered by five lines without bankrupting itself. In Seattle, however, tunnels and elevated structures are used almost exclusively, and stations resemble temples — this makes the project “the most complicated in the world,” according to Sound Transit chair Dave Somers, but also the most expensive. Seattle’s geography is unique: the city sits on a hilly isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington and is crossed by the Ship Canal. Tunnels and viaducts minimized intersections with existing infrastructure and overcame difficult terrain, whereas building only at-grade tracks would have required demolishing many buildings, creating dozens of level crossings and disrupting water traffic through the canal. As a result, the cost per kilometer in Seattle reaches $400–500 million, compared with $100–200 million in Portland and $200–300 million in San Francisco.

The irony is that after the first phase’s 86% overspend, Sound Transit insisted it had learned its lessons. Critic John Niles in 2016 even called the $54 billion estimate inflated, saying “they won’t get caught again.” And yet — they were caught again. Board member Claudia Balducci admitted this is already the fourth “rebuild” of the plan due to uncontrolled costs.

The obvious solution is to ask taxpayers for more money by creating an “ST4,” planned for a vote in 2024–2025, which could require yet higher taxes. The agency is already collecting roughly $700 per year from each regional resident: a sales tax of 0.9% on purchases (about $300–350 per year for the average resident), a property tax of up to $0.30 per $1,000 of assessed value (about $200–250), and a vehicle registration tax of up to $80 per year (about $100–150). Funds are distributed proportionally by population and route mileage: King County, where Seattle is located, receives 60–65%, Pierce County (Tacoma) 20%, and Snohomish County (Everett) the remaining 15–20%. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan—note: in the original Russian the name was given as Кэти Уилсон; if you meant Mayor Kate Wilson, replace appropriately—proposed exactly that, but suburban mayors resist. Nonetheless, the board voted for Durkan’s resolution — they understand that cutting Ballard alone won’t save the program. Residents may agree to pay more again because congestion in the region is growing, and alternatives — building new highways — are even more expensive and less popular.

Interestingly, only 3.5% of Sound Transit’s revenue comes from fares. In a crisis, it might be time to crack down harder on fare evaders. But back to the good: the system already runs very well — 122,000 riders per day, a 73% increase since 2019; trains connect Eastside campuses, stadiums, the airport and the university. Almost all the city’s key points are on the map. Seattle’s ridership is comparable to San Francisco’s (120–140k), but lags Portland, and technologically the system uses overhead power on dedicated tracks, which allows higher speeds but also higher infrastructure costs.

It’s time to ask: when will we say “this is good enough” and stop? Activists have already held funerals, hinting that a limit has been reached. Perhaps, instead of endless expansion, we should appreciate the great things already built.

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Based on: Maybe the light rail system we’ve got is good enough

Seattle: sports, transit and the fight against gun violence

Overview of key events in Seattle: the Mariners start a home series against Arizona, a transportation crunch from shutdowns ahead of the World Cup, and residents erecting homemade barricades to protect against street shootings amid slow official responses.

Seattle Mariners open homestand vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: what to know before the game

The Seattle Mariners, comfortably atop the American League West, are set to begin a new homestand. After an impressive three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics, the team hopes to keep the momentum going at T-Mobile Park. The first game against the Arizona Diamondbacks — who sit second in the National League West and are riding a five-game winning streak — is Friday, May 29, at 7:10 p.m. PT. Fans who can’t make it to the ballpark can watch live on KING 5; the pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m. Notably, this is the first meeting between the clubs this season, and both sides are eager to prove themselves.

The Mariners have been inconsistent at home — 14 wins and 15 losses — with an overall record of 28-29. The offense has a respectable slugging percentage of .383, seventh-best in the American League. Luke Raley has been a standout recently, leading the team with 11 home runs and an impressive .550 slugging percentage. Julio Rodríguez, the club’s marquee player, is hitting 11-for-41 over his last ten games, including three homers and seven RBIs. Arizona is 13-14 on the road and 31-24 overall; their hitters combine for a .248 average, fifth-best in Major League Baseball. Ketel Marte stands out with 11 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 32 RBIs while batting .276. Local fans will also be watching Corbin Carroll, a Lakeside High School alum in Seattle, who has been hot in his last ten games: 15-for-41 with a double, four triples and two homers.

On the mound, the probable starters Friday are Zac Gallen (3-4, 4.80 ERA) for the Diamondbacks and George Kirby (5-4, 3.54 ERA) for the Mariners. Kirby, with 55 strikeouts, looks steadier, while Gallen has struggled at times this season. Of course, any game can deliver surprises. KING 5 and the Seattle Mariners have also agreed to broadcast ten regular-season games in 2026 free and over-the-air. Upcoming telecasts include the June 19 game against the Boston Red Sox, July 3 vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, and matchups with the San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs. In addition to games, KING 5 is launching an exclusive show, "On Deck," airing Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m., giving fans a closer look in the clubhouse and with players. According to the article on king5.com, the game will also stream via DirecTV Stream and Fubo, giving viewers more viewing options.

For context: terms like slugging percentage (SLG) measure a hitter’s overall power by dividing total bases from hits by at-bats. ERA (earned run average) measures a pitcher’s average earned runs allowed per nine innings — the lower, the better. RBI (runs batted in) indicates how often a player’s hit drove in teammates. Understanding these metrics helps assess team strength and identify key players. If the Mariners can contain Carroll, who’s in great form, and leverage their home-field advantage, they have a good chance of snapping Arizona’s streak.

Seattle residents take fight against gunfire into their own hands

Residents of a north Seattle neighborhood, fed up with recurring shootings on nearby streets, took drastic action: they blocked three side streets with large metal planters filled with soil. The move followed a string of shootings, one of which sent a bullet through the wall of a child’s bedroom where an infant was sleeping. City officials reacted quickly — Mayor Bruce Harrell’s successor, Mayor Katie Wilson (note: original named in Russian as Katie Wilson), ordered the transportation department to replace the homemade barriers with temporary traffic-calming devices, and two city council members set out to draft a bill that would officially permit street closures at the police chief’s recommendation to prevent violence. The episode revealed a deep rift between residents’ desperation and the official response, with people feeling their safety is no longer assured.

The story began with an anonymous note left near the barricades, saying residents "had no other choice" after city officials failed to close two side streets after last year’s shooting. The unauthorized action divided the community: some praised the neighbors’ courage, while others worried the barriers could block emergency vehicles — police, ambulances and fire trucks. By Thursday, part of the structures had been broken and moved, underscoring the controversial nature of the tactic.

The bill being drafted by councilmembers Deborah Juarez and Eddie Lin would, in effect, revive an idea floated in October by former Mayor Bruce Harrell that never advanced. If passed, the transportation director would have the authority to close not just alleys (the current limit) but full streets — but only after a written recommendation by the police chief. Juarez said residents concerned about shootings should contact the police or their district representative rather than set up barricades, since impromptu barriers risk blocking emergency access. Historically, Seattle residents have used soil-filled planters primarily to prevent van parking; now the tactic is being used to block streets to protect lives.

The issue is particularly acute along the so-called Aurora corridor, which has long been associated with prostitution and related crime. Seattle Police Department data show seven shooting calls between 85th and 115th avenues from January through the end of April, and eight more in the first weeks of May. A May 16 shooting left bullet holes in the home of a young father named Jake (he asked to be identified only by his first name). A bullet passed through the wall of his child’s bedroom where his baby was sleeping. Jake told reporters the makeshift barricades gave him a sense of safety he’d lacked for months and that, for the first time in a long while, there had been no shootings in the neighborhood. He called the mayor’s decision to remove the planters and replace them with "temporary measures" “totally inadequate,” saying only full street closures, not traffic calming, could prevent further attacks. "I’m afraid again that the next bullet will hit my house or my neighbor’s," he said.

The complication is that the bill, while appearing logical, has not yet been brought before the city council’s public safety committee. Sponsor Deborah Juarez says work is being done "urgently," but there are no firm timelines. Meanwhile, the mayor’s office pledged to boost nighttime police patrols along Aurora and deploy a special unit to reduce gun violence. Still, the incident highlighted that when official channels move slowly and bullets are landing in children’s rooms, residents are willing to break laws to protect themselves. More on officials’ response is available in the original Seattle Times article.

Busy weekend in Seattle: highway and light-rail closures ahead of "soccer summer"

This coming weekend, Seattle residents and visitors should expect a transportation squeeze: four major closures will affect both highways and light rail. Contractors are rushing to finish work before the start of "soccer summer," when most road work pauses in mid-June due to FIFA Men’s World Cup matches. Congestion is expected to stretch for miles, especially southbound on I-405 in Kirkland. That stretch will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday, May 30, until 4 a.m. Monday, June 1. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) says crews will literally "cut" the freeway to install a tunnel for fish passage. These works are part of a large project to build a three-level interchange at Northeast 85th Street, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. The interchange will serve toll-lane drivers and a future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line operated by Sound Transit.

Light-rail riders will also face disruptions. On Saturday and Sunday, Light Rail service will be fully suspended downtown. Riders will need to use shuttle buses between Capitol Hill and Stadium stations on the Red Line (1 Line), and between South Bellevue and International District/Chinatown on the Orange Line (2 Line). Sound Transit spokesperson Henry Bendon said crews will replace a recently discovered cracked rail near Westlake station to reduce the risk of sudden service interruptions during the FIFA Men’s World Cup when hundreds of thousands of fans will pass through the city. In addition to the rail replacement, a protective platform will be installed over the lake to prevent worker falls, fencing will be widened and additional power-system elements will be installed.

Drivers should also prepare for an eastbound closure on State Route 520 between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard. The highway will close at 11 p.m. Friday and reopen at 5 a.m. Monday while WSDOT shifts an on-ramp at Montlake to make room for construction of a new bridge across Portage Bay. From the east side of Montlake only the central carpool ramp to the floating bridge will be open; the general-purpose ramp will be closed. Additionally, a busy interchange in Snoqualmie connecting westbound I-90 to westbound State Route 18 will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for paving. Detours will use alternate exits, and a lesser-used movement from east SR-18 to west I-90 will also be closed.

Meanwhile, work continues to repave the two northbound lanes of the Ship Canal bridge on I-5; express lanes will operate northbound only during this period. Next week, from late evening June 5 to the morning of June 8, conditions will become even tighter: the main northbound I-5 lanes will be fully closed from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street to stage construction equipment. After that, all I-5 lanes will be open for the World Cup. As reported by The Seattle Times, construction on the west side of the state will be minimized for five weeks through July 11. Remember, Seattle is scheduled to host six tournament matches, with seven more in nearby Vancouver, British Columbia.

The key takeaway for anyone traveling around Seattle this weekend: expect major delays, and plan for public-transit detours and shuttle transfers. These temporary disruptions are the price of long-term infrastructure projects — like the three-level interchange and the new bridge — and the city’s preparations to host the world’s largest sporting event.

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Sound Transit board rejects prioritizing Ballard light-rail line

The board of Sound Transit, the transit agency responsible for major regional projects in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, on July 18 rejected a proposal by Seattle City Council member Dan Strauss to begin construction of a light-rail line from Westlake to Ballard as a top priority. Westlake is a central transfer hub in downtown Seattle where buses and the monorail converge, and Ballard is a densely populated residential and commercial neighborhood in the northwest part of the city that lacks efficient transit. Instead, by a wide margin (14 to 4) the board approved a so-called “austere plan” — a cost-cutting strategy that includes cheaper alignments and simpler stations to build a route from the Sodo area to Seattle Center, leaving Ballard’s future uncertain. Sodo is an industrial area south of downtown with a light-rail station and stadiums, and Seattle Center is a cultural complex anchored by the Space Needle and museums. Strauss argued the move would provide transit access to 70,000 daily riders who currently rely on slower buses such as RapidRide route D.

The decision was driven by a staggering $35 billion budget shortfall. The original ST3 package approved by voters in 2016 had an estimated price tag of $54 billion, but that figure swelled to roughly $89 billion due to high inflation, rising costs for steel, concrete and labor, increasing land prices, and the addition of new stations. Sound Transit is funded by sales taxes (0.9% in the region), property taxes and vehicle fees, unlike Seattle’s local transit run by King County Metro, which is funded with local taxes and city subsidies. The agency now acknowledges it cannot afford to fund all promised projects simultaneously and must set priorities. As a result, the projects deemed “affordable” and buildable are the lines from Sodo to West Seattle, Federal Way to Tacoma, and Lynnwood to Everett.

The most painful cut was the exclusion of the Ballard route — an alignment Sound Transit had previously promised to deliver by 2035. Board member Claudia Balducci of Bellevue noted this is the fourth “rebuild” of plans due to unforeseen costs and urged breaking the cycle. Ballard proponents pointed to Sound Transit data showing a full Ballard line would serve 135,000 daily riders, with half boarding at the second Westlake station and north of it. Ballard is considered a priority because it is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods without direct light-rail access, which contributes to congestion and overloaded buses.

At the same time, the board approved $300 million for full design of the Ballard segment so it will be construction-ready when funding becomes available. In a move unexpected by Strauss, the board also voted 13 to 5 to require Sound Transit staff to present a specific date or timeframe for opening the Ballard line by Aug. 1. Strauss called that a step toward restoring trust.

Other board decisions included full funding for the at-grade Graham Street station in South Seattle, which serves residential neighborhoods and provides airport access. A few weeks ago it had been at risk of being cut. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, who grew up in the area, called it “a special promise to a community that deserves it.” For the first time the agenda also included discussion of potential new taxes — Seattle Mayor Cathie Wilson proposed exploring a Sound Transit 4 package or limited local levies to cover the budget overrun.

Projected start dates for construction look optimistic: West Seattle — 2028, Federal Way to Tacoma — 2030, Lynnwood to Everett — 2031. No start date was given for the Sodo–Seattle Center segment. None of these projects yet has full engineering documents, construction contracts or federal grants, so experts warn the timelines could slip.

Meanwhile, a station at Boeing Access Road in north Tacoma did not make the final plan, but the area will receive $10 million for development of alternative transportation options. Instead, a free park-and-ride in Renton next to Interstate 405 will be built — $100 million from future funds was allocated for that. “This is critical infrastructure because without it people will just drive,” said new board member Stephanie Fein.

Regional tensions are clearly rising: Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said her city is “not prepared at all” for new taxes until trains arrive. In response, board chair Dave Somers called ST3 “probably the most complex transit project in the world, and it’s getting harder every day.” Only Balducci and Strauss voted against the overall plan, known as the Enterprise Initiative, hoping that a more detailed financial plan this fall will allow a fairer outcome for Ballard.

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Based on: Ballard light rail idea rejected while Sound Transit OKs other lines

Rocket Explosion, Transit Shifts and a Soccer Challenge

In the digest: a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explosion threatens Bezos’s, Amazon’s and NASA’s projects; Sound Transit delays the Ballard line, saving stations in south Seattle; Seattle Reign prepares to snap a losing run against Washington Spirit.

A harsh blow to space ambitions: Blue Origin rocket explosion casts doubt on Bezos’s, Amazon’s and NASA’s projects

On Thursday at the Cape Canaveral launch site in Florida, a dramatic event reverberated across the space industry. A New Glenn rocket from Blue Origin, the company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, exploded on the launch pad during testing. Although there were no injuries, the incident is a serious hit to the company’s reputation and plans; Blue Origin was already seen as trailing its main rival, Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The explosion occurred during a so-called static fire test, when a rocket is fueled and engines are ignited briefly to check systems. Stan Shull, founder of consulting firm Alliance Velocity, said “everything exploded very spectacularly,” and he cannot recall anything like it in his career. The problem is compounded by the fact that the pad hosted the only flight-ready New Glenn rocket, and the launch infrastructure was likely severely damaged.

Recovery from such an incident will be long and expensive. As Shull noted, “losing the rocket is one thing, but rebuilding an entire launch site is a much bigger problem.” Launch pads are unique to each rocket, and Blue Origin cannot simply launch New Glenn from someone else’s pad. The company has a site in Texas, but it’s designed for the smaller New Shepard. A new California pad is not yet finished and would not place satellites into the same orbits as the Florida site. This incident followed an April flight that—although partially successful because the reusable first stage returned—was marred by a wrong orbital insertion caused by an upper-stage engine issue. Experts including Siamak Hesar of Kayhan Space think the April anomaly and the current explosion are unlikely to be connected, since a static test does not involve the upper stage, but the fact of two major incidents in a row is alarming.

The fallout affects not only Blue Origin but its key partners. Most notably Amazon, whose Project Kuiper (Leo in the original text) is intended to deploy more than 3,200 satellites into low Earth orbit to provide global broadband. That launch, planned as New Glenn’s fourth mission and the first payload flight for Amazon, was on the manifest. The Seattle Times reports that Amazon says the explosion will not affect its network rollout because New Glenn accounted for less than 25% of over 100 planned launches across four different rockets. However, Amazon is already behind schedule and had asked the Federal Communications Commission for an extension on a license that required deploying half of its satellites by summer. Amazon blamed delays on “bottlenecks” among its providers, including Blue Origin. Blue Origin’s role in NASA’s lunar program is also now in question. The agency had anticipated using New Glenn for crewed lunar missions in 2028 and recently contracted Blue Origin to build a lunar base element and deliver rovers. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman reacted on X, writing that “spaceflight is merciless,” and promised to report any potential impacts on lunar programs.

Overall, despite the severity of the situation, the industry is cautiously optimistic, recognizing the complexity of rocketry. Experts believe Blue Origin can determine causes and return to flight, though they acknowledge this is a “substantial failure” that will reshape “the timeline of their hopes and dreams.” As Siamak Hesar notes, the industry understands the need for a healthy launch services market and competition, and everyone knows how difficult the rocket business is. But right now Blue Origin is highly vulnerable: running one rocket and possibly a destroyed launch pad, while SpaceX continues regular launches, strengthening its market dominance.

Seattle Reign ready for battle with Washington Spirit: a chance to end a slump

Ahead of a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular-season match, Seattle Reign travel to face Washington Spirit. The game is set for Saturday, May 30, at Audi Field at 3:30 p.m. Pacific. This match is Seattle’s last before a long break for the men’s World Cup. The team is buoyed by an important win over Boston Legacy and morale is high. Midfielder Ainsley McCammon said the victory gave the team a big momentum boost, lifted spirits, and now the main thing is to keep that focus, not get distracted by the opponent, and continue working on their style. Washington Spirit, meanwhile, return home after a thrilling but disappointing 3-5 loss to Mexican club América in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. Fatigue and an emotional downturn after that match could play into Seattle’s hands.

Head-to-head history shows a close rivalry: Seattle Reign have 14 wins to Spirit’s 13, with 8 draws. However, away results have been tougher for Reign—just 4 wins in 14 road games. Notably, the teams met recently on May 10 in Seattle, when Spirit scraped a 1-0 late winner. That match was remembered as perhaps one of Reign’s best performances of the season against one of the league’s most dangerous attacking teams. The side pressed high, played confidently out of the back instead of hoofing the ball forward, and created many chances. Head coach Laura Harvey recalled that the team lacked only finishing. “It was a perfect game, except the ball wouldn’t go into the net,” she said.

Seattle’s roster has changed little from the last meeting. Key absences due to injuries include Lynn Bynumolo (maternity leave) and Jess Fishlock (lower-leg injury). Washington Spirit also have major absences: goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and forward Ashley Hatch are on maternity leave, and defender Kasey Krueger is on parental leave. Additionally, Spirit sold last year’s Rookie and Midfielder of the Year, Kroa Betun, to Kansas City Current for a league-record $900,000. On the plus side, central midfielder Andi Sullivan returned after missing the end of last season with an ACL tear. These personnel moves, and Seattle’s lineup instability (Laura Harvey has named 10 different starting XIs in 10 games), make the matchup unpredictable.

Set-piece play will be key. Washington Spirit are dangerous from dead balls—5 of their 16 goals came from corners. Seattle Reign also have 3 goals from corners. In the previous meeting, corner routines caused headaches for both defenses. Key figures for Spirit include midfielder Lacey Santos, who provides assists and scores, and 18-year-old Paraguayan forward Claudia Martínez. Martínez scored the late winner against Reign last month and is clearly in form, scoring roughly on every fifth shot. For Seattle it will be crucial to limit the influence of Spirit center-back Esme Morgan, who drives attacks from deep. In the last match Seattle’s press largely nullified her, restricting her to just 46 accurate passes—well below her usual 61. That approach seemed to work, and the coaching staff will likely try it again. Seattle Reign stand on the brink of an important moment: can they build on their success and beat Spirit for the first time in a long spell? We’ll find out Saturday. Full article at Sounder at Heart.

Sound Transit shelves Ballard extension and saves stations in south Seattle: what’s behind the decision

On Thursday the Sound Transit board made a difficult decision that will shape regional public transit for decades. Facing a colossal $34.5 billion budget shortfall, the board had to choose which projects to save and which to postpone. The long-awaited light-rail extension to Ballard in Seattle was deferred, and the board did not immediately approve a funding plan for it. The decision drew sharp criticism from city politicians and activists who demanded “build those damn trains.”

KUOW reports the board approved studying cost-cutting measures and published a work schedule for the Ballard extension project, but stopped short of further action. The overall budget-balancing plan, which decided which projects would receive full funding, which would face delays, and which would require additional money, was approved by a majority—only two board members voted no. Among them was Claudia Balducci, a King County council member who explained her “no” as solidarity with constituents disappointed by cuts and delays to key projects.

One of the main advocates for saving the Ballard line was Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, who made a last-minute push for funding. He acknowledged that approving money for planning work was a step forward but still could not support the overall package. His colleagues on council also expressed frustration. Bob Kettle said Sound Transit “fell out of sync” with Seattle, and its failure to deliver the Ballard project will create future problems. He argued the region needs responsible management and ambition, not indecision. Debora Huares emphasized that canceling or delaying ST3 projects is unacceptable, saying the route should serve the most riders at one of the lowest per-rider costs in Sound Transit history.

ST3 is the 30-year transit expansion plan voters in Pierce, Snohomish and King counties approved in a 2016 referendum that included a major light-rail buildout. The $34.5 billion budget gap confronting the agency stems from rising construction costs and inflation, making many parts of the plan economically unworkable as originally scoped.

There is good news, particularly for south Seattle residents. Contrary to fears, the board unanimously approved a surface station on Graham Street between Columbia City and Othello stations. That station should improve transit access for Rainier Valley and Hillman City residents, long considered underserved. Seattle Mayor Cathleen Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay backed the project ahead of the vote, calling it a step toward equity. The board also approved planning work for a Boeing Access Road station that would connect Rainier Beach and Tukwila International Boulevard stations, closing a 5.5-mile gap. However, construction of that station is not yet funded, leaving its future uncertain. The board’s decision was therefore a compromise: it saves key hubs in the south but effectively freezes an ambitious project in the fast-growing Ballard area, which will inevitably prompt new debates about how the region should develop infrastructure under severe budget constraints.

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One Year Later: How Washington's Controversial Rent Cap Is Working

For a year now, Washington state has had a law limiting rent increases. Yet despite numerous violations, not a single cent in fines has yet reached the treasury. Instead, authorities have focused on settling disputes without imposing real financial penalties. The state attorney general’s office, acting as a consumer protection agency and mediator, has settled about four dozen cases of alleged violations. The total amount of assessed fines tops $800,000, but landlords have not had to pay those sums. Instead, they made concessions: cancelled planned increases or refunded overcharged tenants. That approach is faster and cheaper than litigation, and unlike local governments with varying rules, the attorney general enforces the law uniformly across Washington and has the resources to investigate complaints.

According to a state representative, these agreements have helped more than a thousand households get rent relief. Punishment for violators is structured as conditional fines: if the property owner complies with the law going forward, the penalty is waived. In most cases the state collects only $2,000 to cover legal costs.

The biggest fines fell on owners of trailer parks and RV campsites — a unique form of housing where residents own their homes but lease the land. Those properties are singled out in the law because moving a home is extremely costly. For example, the Suntides park in Yakima County was fined nearly $400,000 for a 5.4% rent increase when 5% was allowed. And the owners of Wild Rose in Spokane County received a conditional fine of $217,500 for attempting to raise fees by 16.7%. In mobile home parks people typically live permanently, and the law protects them from sharp lot rent hikes; RV campsites are often regulated as temporary housing, but they were included as well to prevent displacement.

Park owners are surprised they were equated with mobile home communities, which are subject to the stricter 5% limit. “This is complete nonsense,” said Rick Lungo, owner of Wild Rose. “I was supposed to somehow guess my campground would be treated like a mobile home park?” He called the state’s actions “an out-of-control Big Brother.” Park owners argue the 5% cap is unfair: ordinary landlords can raise rents without limits between tenants, while park owners are tied to the same residents whose homes can’t be quickly moved. They also bear infrastructure costs — roads, utilities — that increase faster than 5% a year.

The law remains one of the most controversial in the state. It caps rent increases at 7% plus inflation (max 10%), and at 5% for mobile homes. But there are exceptions: new construction is exempt for the first 12 years, which is an incentive for developers to invest in new mobile home parks despite the limits. In the Seattle region there is a severe shortage of affordable housing: older parks are closing for redevelopment and new ones are rarely built, so the exemption is meant to boost supply to ease the crisis. Public housing and small homes where the owner lives in one of the units are also exempt.

The Washington Landlord Association warns the law will drive investment out of the state. “As taxes, insurance and operating costs rise, small landlords will leave Washington,” said the association’s executive director, Sean Flynn. “This trickle will turn into a torrent.”

Meanwhile, the Manufactured Housing Community of Washington (MHCW) filed a lawsuit seeking to block the 5% limit. They argue they cannot get exemptions even in emergencies, which threatens them with significant losses. A hearing is set for mid-July in Spokane County Superior Court. Supporters of the law hope it will provide predictability for tenants, but the battle between residents and landlords is far from over.

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Based on: 1 year later, how WA’s controversial cap on rent hikes has been enforced

Storm in Washington: lightning, hail and shelter at a concert

On Thursday evening, severe thunderstorms struck central and eastern parts of Washington state, bringing lightning, hail and wind gusts up to 112 km/h. The bad weather sparked small fires and knocked down power lines in Grant County, and attendees at a Brandi Carlile concert at the Gorge Amphitheatre had to shelter in their cars until midnight. The amphitheatre, located about a 2.5-hour drive from Seattle in the desert canyon of the Columbia River, is famed for its scenic setting: views of the river, basalt cliffs and sunsets give it the feel of a natural theater. But its canyon location makes the weather highly changeable: the gorge acts as a “wind corridor,” and even on a hot day a concert can end in an icy wind. Daytime summer temperatures here often exceed 38°C, while evenings can cool to around 15°C because of river breezes — so concertgoers always bring warm jackets.

Friday in Seattle will be “gray and drippy” with brief showers that will ease by evening, and highs will not exceed 15°C. Forecasters, however, promise improvement for the weekend: clouds will thin by Saturday midday, and on Sunday temperatures will rise to 18°C, reaching 21°C on Monday.

A clear sky Sunday evening will give residents a chance to see a blue moon — the second full moon of the month. Because the Moon will be at its farthest point from Earth that day, it will appear slightly dimmer and smaller than usual — a phenomenon known as a “micro-moon.”

The main weather story of the week is an expected heat spell on Tuesday that could be the hottest day of 2026. Temperatures in Olympia and Centralia will climb to 32–33°C, the coast to 28°C, and Seattle to 27°C. For a maritime climate region where the July average is about 18°C, 27°C is an anomaly, reaching the 95th percentile of historical observations. The problem is worsened by the fact that, because of historically mild weather, fewer than 50% of Seattle homes have air conditioning, and infrastructure — subways, buses and offices — is poorly adapted to heat. During such “heat waves,” people seek relief in malls, libraries and public cooling centers, and at home they use fans, keep windows closed during the day and open them at night, and douse themselves with cold water. Authorities may declare emergencies and open temporary cooling centers. By comparison: while 27°C in Cairo would be a cool winter day, for Seattleites it becomes dangerous heat because bodies and housing are not adapted to such temperatures. By Wednesday temperatures will return to the usual 18–21°C.

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Based on: ‘Gray and drippy’ weather in Seattle, but hottest day of 2026 is ahead

After tank collapse, contaminated water diluted through drainage system

In Longview, Washington, the collapse of a 900,000-gallon tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant caused a release of the industrial chemical "white lye" into the storm drain system. Officials say the contaminated water is now being intentionally routed through the city's drainage system, where it is being diluted with water from the Cowlitz River and opened fire hydrants to reduce the concentration to safe levels before discharge into the Columbia River. It is important to note that the city's tap water remains safe to drink, as flows are being directed away from residential areas.

At the Reynolds Way pump station, pH levels are being continuously monitored to control the situation. If dilution proves insufficient, pumping will be halted immediately and specialists will take additional measures to neutralize the alkali. This process is a standard procedure to prevent hazardous concentrations of chemicals from reaching the region's main river and to minimize environmental damage.

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Based on: Water contaminated by Longview implosion flushed through ditch system

Bold proposal: save the Ballard light rail line

In an effort to rescue the light rail project to Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, city councilmember Dan Strauss has put forward a radical proposal: start construction with the segment from Ballard to Westlake, instead of the planned second downtown tunnel. The statement came at the last minute ahead of a decisive vote by the Sound Transit board, which must allocate funds amid a colossal $35 billion shortfall.

The problem stems from Sound Transit — the regional transit agency governed by a board made up of representatives from Seattle, the suburbs and King County — facing a funding gap. Disagreements between the city and the suburbs over priorities have only made matters worse: Seattle, with its dense development, often demands more downtown stations, while suburban jurisdictions press for expanded service into their areas. A second underground tunnel in downtown Seattle had been planned to relieve the existing line and connect three directions, including Ballard. But rising costs put that idea at risk, and several stations, including Ballard, were deemed “unbuildable” in the near term.

Strauss, who represents the interests of Ballard residents — one of the city’s most densely populated neighborhoods — argues that his proposal makes more sense. Ballard draws residents because of its mix of historic architecture, developed infrastructure and proximity to the sound: population density is high due to the large number of apartment buildings. The neighborhood is currently served by bus routes, including RapidRide D Line, and ferry service, but lacks light rail, though construction was included in the ST3 plan. “My proposal is to connect one of the densest places in the region to light rail,” he said. In his view, building a second downtown tunnel where there is already rail would be redundant, while Ballard would remain without modern rail transit.

Under Strauss’s plan, passengers from Ballard heading south, for example to the airport, could transfer at Westlake station — a key hub on the existing light rail line. Westlake, an underground station in the heart of Seattle, serves as a transfer point between light rail and the monorail, linking riders to bus services and the retail core. It is one of the busiest stations, providing access to major transit corridors and connecting the north and south lines. Preliminary estimates show a new segment from Ballard to Westlake could carry about 70,000 people daily. However, the idea has received mixed reactions from other board members, especially those from suburban areas who view the second tunnel as a regional asset needed to increase the system’s overall capacity.

The main questions concern logistics and cost. How would a future tunnel from Ballard connect to the existing downtown line? Would phased construction lead to additional expenses for raising and lowering tunnel-boring machines? Strauss estimates the Ballard-to-Westlake project would cost roughly $10 billion, and that funding could come from taxes paid by Seattle residents and nearby cities. Disputes over fund allocation often delay construction because taxes are collected across the county. He believes remaining funds for the second tunnel should come from other sources, including federal grants.

Beyond Strauss’s idea, other important amendments are up for a vote. Seattle Mayor Kshama Sawant and King County Executive Jermaine Zahilah proposed retaining the Graham Street station in south Seattle, which faced the threat of cancellation. That project, promised to voters in 2016 as part of the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) referendum, is important to low-income residents. The referendum called for new light rail lines to Ballard and West Seattle, as well as extensions to Issaquah and Federal Way, and its rollback has sparked protests because residents are already paying higher taxes with the hope of improved transit access and reduced congestion. There is also the potential to allocate $100 million for a bus garage in the city of Renton, which has waited more than 30 years for light rail but has yet to receive it.

The Sound Transit board’s decisive vote is scheduled for Thursday. The outcome will determine which projects are implemented in the coming decades and which are postponed indefinitely. Despite disagreements, Sound Transit has until the start of 2029 to refine logistics, costs and financing before completing environmental studies and applying for federal grants.

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Based on: Seattle council member offers drastic proposal to save Ballard light rail - The Seattle Times

Court decision on racial discrimination at Seattle Children’s upheld

The Washington State Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed a jury verdict that ordered Seattle Children’s to pay $21 million to Dr. Benjamin Danielson. The case concerned the creation of a racially hostile work environment and resulted in years of litigation.

Dr. Danielson, a Black physician who led the Odessa Brown pediatric clinic for more than two decades, filed suit in October 2023 after his resignation. The clinic, named for a civil-rights activist, was founded in 1969 to combat racial disparities in access to health care. It is part of the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic network and specializes in pediatrics, dental care and behavioral health, serving predominantly low-income families and communities of color in Seattle, including African American and Latino patients. Its key role is to provide affordable, culturally tailored medical care where traditional hospitals are often inaccessible to these groups. Dr. Danielson accused hospital leadership of systemic racism and said he faced retaliation after raising concerns. A jury sided with him after a 16-day trial.

At trial, Danielson testified that for 21 years hospital staff questioned his intelligence and professional competence. He said he felt he had to be “twice as good” as white colleagues and pointed to discriminatory treatment of patients of other races, including unjustified use of security on Black children.

A pivotal piece of evidence was a 2007 incident in which the president of the hospital’s research institute used a racial slur toward Danielson. Administration took no action even after the matter was reported to senior leadership. The Court of Appeals rejected the hospital’s argument that the incident was time-barred, finding it was part of a continuous hostile environment.

Seattle Children’s representatives expressed disappointment with the ruling but said they would not pursue further appeal. The hospital emphasized its commitment to providing high-quality, equitable care for children. Danielson’s attorney called the decision a victory for justice, and Dr. Danielson continues his medical career at the University of Washington, a leading academic medical center in the region. The University of Washington includes a medical school, research institutes and the UW Medicine hospital system, is the largest employer in Seattle and a center for cutting-edge research. It often partners with community clinics like Odessa Brown on clinical trials and physician training, providing resources and expertise to improve the quality of care.

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Based on: $21M racial discrimination verdict against Seattle Children’s stands

Luxury and Layoffs: Zuckerberg's Yacht in Seattle

Today's digest brings together three main Seattle topics: the contrast between Mark Zuckerberg's $300 million superyacht and mass layoffs at Meta, debates over light-rail development priorities amid a budget shortfall, and public reaction to a display of luxury against the region's economic hardships.

Luxury amid layoffs: Zuckerberg's yacht sparks strong reaction in Seattle

A massive superyacht associated with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg became a focal point in Seattle, drawing mixed reactions amid recent large-scale layoffs in Washington state. The vessel, named Launchpad, nearly 400 feet long, docked in Seattle waters on Tuesday and instantly became a kind of local attraction. People walking and biking along the South Lake Union waterfront stopped to photograph the yacht and watch crew members cleaning it from bow to stern. According to a KING5.com article, marine tracking data show the yacht has visited Seattle waters several times this year, including stops in March and January. On Wednesday the vessel remained at the dock.

The appearance of the luxury vessel coincided with Meta confirming about 1,400 job cuts in Washington state. The reductions affected 699 jobs in Bellevue, 259 in Seattle, 206 in Redmond and 231 remote positions. That timing ignited active discussion on social media and among residents. Opinions were split: some called the yacht a tourist curiosity and said it was the first time they'd seen such a large boat on Lake Union. Others expressed irritation, calling the yacht "ostentatious" and likening the display to Miami-style flaunting of wealth. Some locals learned of the yacht's arrival from Reddit posts and came to see it in person.

Seattle University economist Nick Huntington-Klein warned that Meta's layoffs could have broader economic consequences for the entire Seattle region. High-paid tech jobs support many related sectors — from restaurants to retail. "Especially in Bellevue, where about half of these layoffs occurred, in a relatively compact area, those effects can be seen most directly and quickly," the expert cautioned. Meta says the cuts are part of a broader company restructuring tied to AI development and business reorganization. Thus, while some Seattle residents are losing their jobs, their former boss is displaying a symbol of success, inevitably raising questions about fairness and the social responsibility of major corporations.

Luxury amid layoffs: Zuckerberg's yacht in Seattle

As Meta conducts mass layoffs affecting thousands of employees, its CEO Mark Zuckerberg's yacht is luxuriously docked in the heart of Seattle. The vessel called Launchpad is valued at $300 million and measures 387 feet in length. The situation provoked mixed reactions among locals, especially those who see firsthand the contrast between the CEO's huge expenditures and ordinary people's job losses.

The yacht was spotted on Lake Union, just a few blocks from Meta offices where reportedly about 1,400 employees in the Seattle region were recently laid off. The incident occurred amid news of a large company restructuring that Zuckerberg called a "year of efficiency." Local resident Jo Ellen Hathaway, who has lived on an old wooden boat for the past 40 years, watched the arrival of the giant vessel with irony. Her comment to KUOW was brief: "My only thought: he should donate a little money to the city, and then leave." Hathaway added that the boat was so large it "almost took up the whole channel when it went through."

GeekWire, which first noticed the vessel, reported that crew members said Zuckerberg himself was not on board. The Seattle Times also found social-media confirmations that the Meta CEO was elsewhere. Nevertheless, the mere presence of such a yacht in a city that has just seen mass layoffs creates a powerful visual dissonance. For those unfamiliar with the details, it's important to understand: $300 million is not just a big sum — it's roughly a year's payroll for several hundred engineers at Meta, making the yacht's appearance alongside layoffs a stark example of how executives' personal wealth can contrast with harsh corporate decisions.

The key takeaway is not merely the purchase of an expensive toy. It reflects a deeper problem: the tech industry, after a pandemic boom, is in a period of belt-tightening, while the executives making layoff decisions continue to live at a different level. Many employees who lost their jobs will likely view the news with irony that their former boss is traveling on a vessel costing more than the annual budget of some mid-sized companies. The situation highlights the growing gap between corporate rhetoric about "optimization for the future" and reality, when symbols of excessive luxury become part of the landscape in a city where hundreds are searching for new work.

Seattle council member proposes dramatic plan to save Ballard light-rail line

Seattle City Council member Dan Strauss has floated an unexpected proposal that could radically alter regional light-rail plans. Instead of beginning construction with a new downtown tunnel, as previously envisioned, he proposes prioritizing a direct connection from the densely populated Ballard neighborhood to downtown. The idea comes amid a pressing need to cut costs, as Sound Transit faces a long-term $35 billion shortfall. With a decisive vote by the transit agency's board scheduled for Thursday, a real fight over funding various projects has erupted, with each stakeholder defending their district's interests.

Strauss's proposal would build a light-rail line from Ballard to Westlake Station, allowing riders to transfer to an existing line heading south, for example to the airport. He argues that building a second downtown tunnel — itself an expensive project — makes little sense until there is a transit connection to one of Seattle's most densely populated neighborhoods. "Building a redundant line downtown where there's already light rail before connecting Ballard is inefficient," he said. However, the idea may face resistance from representatives of other areas, since a second tunnel is seen as a critical regional asset that would increase system capacity where trains converge from all directions. Meanwhile, Council Chair Dave Somers proposed fully funding the design of the Ballard line so it would be construction-ready when funds become available.

Alongside the battle over Ballard is a fight over the Graham Street station in south Seattle. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay proposed an amendment to move that station into the "affordable" project category so it wouldn't be dropped entirely. Promised to residents back in 2016, the station was slated to open by 2031 and serve low-income communities. Seattle is prepared to contribute up to $30 million toward its construction in addition to $25 million already secured in federal funds. Zahilay, who grew up in the area, suggested funding the Graham Street station and the Boeing Access Road parking by redirecting revenue from an increase in the car-rental tax that the board plans to approve Thursday. That tax would rise from $0.80 to $2.17 per $100 of rental, bringing in about $8 million annually. The city of Renton, which has paid taxes for three decades without getting light rail and nearly lost a bus depot, also received attention. A late amendment proposed redirecting $100 million to that project and funding park-and-ride lots along I-405, where a rapid bus route could open within three years. As The Seattle Times reports, all these maneuvers occur against the backdrop of selecting priority projects under a massive budget shortfall.

The central question remains funding. Strauss suggests that about $10 billion that Sound Transit collects from Seattle, Shoreline and Lake Forest Park taxpayers could be used to build a six- or seven-station line from Westlake to Ballard. He believes that would cover the project's real cost. The downtown tunnel could then be financed with $7 billion from other districts, as well as federal grants, new taxes and savings. The full 7.7-mile line from SODO to Ballard was initially estimated to cost about $22 billion. Strauss notes Sound Transit has until early 2029 to determine all details, costs and funding sources before environmental studies are completed and federal grant applications are submitted. Thus, the Thursday vote will shape not only Seattle's transit future but also how multi-billion-dollar budgetary resources are allocated under severe constraints.

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Teen's family drops lawsuit against Seattle after dangerous structures removed

The family of a 14-year-old Ballard High School student who died after falling at Gas Works Park last year has dropped a lawsuit against the city of Seattle after the municipality removed parts of the park’s tall tanks and structures to prevent climbing. The family’s attorney, Karen Köhler, said that after work was completed to remove ladders, walkways and platforms located up to about 50 feet high, the family decided to withdraw the public-nuisance claim.

Gas Works Park is a public park built on the site of a former coal-gasification plant that operated from 1906 to 1956. Its uniqueness stems from architect Richard Haag’s decision to preserve the industrial structures: gas holders, boilers and brick buildings recognized as historic resources and rare examples of early-20th-century gasification technology. The park became the first example in the U.S. of repurposing an industrial site for recreation, and preservation of these structures has been justified by their cultural and architectural value.

The lawsuit, filed in October of last year, noted that Johnson’s death was the third fatality resulting from falls from the park’s rusty structures. The clash between the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department and the Landmarks Preservation Board played out for months — despite three tragedies, disputes over the value of these structures as historic resources blocked their removal. The Landmarks Preservation Board has authority to block demolition or substantial alteration of landmarks, even if they pose safety risks. In the case of Gas Works Park, it could insist on preserving dangerous elements as part of the site’s “authenticity,” creating a conflict between preservation and visitor safety.

The family accused the city of negligence: according to the complaint, officials had acknowledged the structures were hazardous as early as 2016, but bureaucratic disagreements delayed repairs. After Johnson’s death in July 2023, the park declared an emergency and proposed removing all climbable surfaces. In October, however, the Landmarks Board rejected that proposal, insisting on the elements’ historical value.

The tragedy echoed the fate of two other young people: 19-year-old Lucas Voss-Kernan of Massachusetts died in 2012, and 20-year-old Zoya Yelink of Seattle died in 2022. Both fell from heights of about 50 feet. Dozens of less serious falls have been recorded since the park opened in 1975. The city conducted partial removal of hazardous elements in 2016, but that did not prevent further tragedies.

Only after the family sought a court order did the city begin removal on April 22, completing the work by the time the lawsuit was withdrawn. The family’s attorney noted: “The Johnsons’ lawsuit proves that society is not required to sit idly by while the city shirks its duty to protect youth.” Key elements of Gas Works Park are now safer while retaining their status as a historic landmark.

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Based on: Grieving family drops lawsuit over Gas Works Park death

Portland fast-tracks renaming of César E. Chávez Boulevard

Members of the Portland City Council this week took the first step to swiftly rename César E. Chávez Boulevard after sexual scandals tied to the once-revered labor leader. The City Council’s public works committee unanimously approved a proposal that bypasses the city’s strict street-renaming rules to change the name of the eastside thoroughfare to Campesinos Boulevard — honoring the role of Latino farmworkers in the labor-rights movement.

The 5-0 vote sends the initiative to the full City Council for consideration, which is expected to decide in the coming weeks. If approved, it would be the first time Portland authorities remove a person’s name from a city street. “This ordinance is about a fuller truth and choosing values that are more important than any one symbol,” said Martha Gembas, a chief backer of the measure, at Tuesday’s hearing.

Gembas, who also heads the recently formed Por La Causa committee, played a key role in Portland’s decision nearly two decades ago to honor Chávez and the Latino community with the street name. But the movement to remove the name began after a New York Times investigation detailed statements from several women alleging Chávez sexually abused them in the 1970s, when he was at the height of his power as leader of the United Farm Workers union.

According to the report, two of the alleged victims were 13 and 15 years old at the time of the purported abuse. Chávez died in 1993. In 2009, the Portland City Council unanimously voted to rename 39th Avenue as César E. Chávez Boulevard after a yearslong campaign by Gembas, who faced xenophobia and intimidation. The thoroughfare, more than 11 miles long, runs through the city’s northeast and southeast neighborhoods.

Supporters asked the council to waive standard requirements, such as collecting 2,500 signatures or gaining the consent of 75% of property owners, citing inconsistent application of rules in the past and a desire to avoid a protracted process that could reopen old wounds. Portland, they noted, has already faced criticism for uneven approaches to renaming: some streets were renamed for prominent figures without adequate public discussion, while initiatives tied to recognizing marginalized communities languished in bureaucracy for years. For example, requests from Indigenous peoples were rejected due to complex voting requirements, while commercial naming requests were approved more quickly. This time the council chose to bypass those obstacles and focus on the symbolic significance of the new name.

“This is about choosing values that are more important than any symbol,” Gembas emphasized.

The new name — Campesinos Boulevard — was chosen deliberately. The term “campesinos,” meaning “peasants” or “farmworkers,” has deep roots in Latin American labor movements, especially in the work of César Chávez and the United Farm Workers in the 1960s and 1970s. The word symbolizes dignity, struggle and solidarity among migrant and Indigenous agricultural workers who have faced exploitation and low pay. In the context of the Pacific Northwest region, the name reflects the historical contributions of Latino and Mexican workers who played a crucial role in developing agriculture. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for fair labor conditions, linking the local community to broader social movements.

But the proposal has already prompted criticism. Some residents are calling to revert the street to 39th Avenue, and others are outraged at the city’s decision to bypass its own rules. “This is unfair, inappropriate and not in keeping with best practices for street renaming. You talk about inclusivity but you are not including us. We live on this street,” resident Kyle Warner, who lives on Chávez Boulevard, told councilors.

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Based on: Portland launches fast-track renaming of César E. Chávez Boulevard

Ferguson vows to block expansion of WA ‘millionaires tax’

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said he will veto any attempts to expand the new tax on incomes over $1 million or lower its threshold. The statement came amid a growing repeal campaign that is likely to go to a vote in November. In a post on X, Ferguson tried to reassure voters worried the tax could eventually affect less-wealthy households.

The governor’s political signal reflects anxiety among Democrats: they fear that non-millionaire voters will reject the tax if they suspect it will sooner or later reach them. The law Ferguson signed in March already includes an inflation adjustment mechanism that will raise the income threshold, but that has not allayed opponents’ concerns. The governor emphasized the tax will remain targeted and will be levied only on the state’s wealthiest residents.

Opponents of the tax immediately ridiculed Ferguson’s pledge. Brian Heywood, a hedge fund manager funding the signature-gathering campaign to repeal the tax, called the governor’s statement “dishonest populism.” Republican Travis Couture added that voters will “destroy this unconstitutional tax,” which he said harms the economy and forces companies to leave the state, as Starbucks recently did.

Notably, Washington has a system of direct democracy enshrined in the state constitution. Any group of citizens can propose a law or seek to repeal an enacted law by collecting a required number of signatures, after which the issue is placed on the ballot. This mechanism is especially popular on tax matters: since the 1930s, all attempts to introduce an income tax have failed in referendums, and activists often use referendums to block legislative tax initiatives that voters see as too burdensome. Historically, an income tax has been barred in the state on multiple levels: as early as 1933 the Washington Supreme Court ruled that a progressive income tax violated the state constitution, and subsequent court rulings and referendums reinforced that ban. The state is considered liberal on social policy but very conservative economically: the absence of an income tax attracts wealthy individuals and corporations. The “millionaires tax” seeks to circumvent this ban by being framed as a tax on “large financial transactions,” not on income. In 2023 the Washington Supreme Court allowed such a tax on capital gains above $250,000, ruling it a tax on transactions, which created a precedent for future initiatives, although a personal income tax remains prohibited.

The new 9.9% tax would affect roughly 21,000 households with incomes over $1 million. If it survives legal challenges and the November vote, collections would begin in 2029. The tax is expected to raise $3 billion to $4 billion annually for the state budget, funding schools, universities, health care and other services. Notably, Washington is one of nine U.S. states without a personal income tax, and residents have rejected similar initiatives ten times over the past nine decades.

Supporters of the tax point to polls showing backing for taxing millionaires and note the successful adoption of a capital gains tax on the wealthiest residents in 2024. But opponents say the signature drive is moving faster than expected: 92,000 signatures were collected in the first week, and 309,000 are needed by July 2 to get the initiative on the ballot. Heywood emphasized that the signatures are being signed “by ordinary people, not millionaires.”

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Based on: Ferguson vows to veto any expansion of WA ‘millionaires tax’

Seattle traffic during World Cup 2026 may be less bad than predicted

Despite numerous warnings of a transportation collapse during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, experts say Seattle’s road situation could be fairly manageable. Specialists estimate that road congestion will be no worse than a typical evening during a Seahawks game — the local American football team.

One of the main reasons for optimism is the pause in repairs on the Ship Canal Bridge in north Seattle. This key bridge on I-5, spanning the navigation canal between Lake Union and Lake Washington, is the mandatory route for nearly all vehicle traffic through the city center. Lane reductions during repairs instantly create multi-mile backups because there are no alternative detours with sufficient capacity. Work will stop for five weeks, from June 8 to July 10, restoring two additional travel lanes.

A crucial factor that could ease traffic stress is match scheduling. Four of the six games in Seattle are planned for midday, which will avoid overlapping with the usual evening rush hour. By comparison, NFL games take place in the evenings, when roads are already crowded.

Traffic-data expert Ahmed Darrat (INRIX) believes many residents and visitors will change their habits. Employers may allow remote work, and schools will already be on summer break in mid-June. In addition, international visitors are more likely to stay in downtown hotels rather than drive in from the suburbs in personal cars, as local fans often do.

Still, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is less optimistic. They say trips will become “significantly more complicated” even for those not attending matches. The agency won’t risk giving precise forecasts, citing too many variables: from attendance numbers to routes for official motorcades and heightened security measures.

The city is preparing for the influx of passengers by expanding public-transit options. Critical is the launch of the new East Link light rail line across Lake Washington, which will, for the first time, connect downtown Seattle with the eastern suburbs of Bellevue and Redmond via a dedicated bridge. Those suburbs are the region’s largest employers (including the headquarters of Microsoft and Amazon), and current bus routes across the SR-520 and I-90 bridges are overcrowded. The opening will cut travel time from 40 minutes by bus to 20 minutes by train. On match days, trains will run every 4–8 minutes until 1 a.m.

In addition, Sounder commuter trains will bring passengers from Everett and Lakewood directly to Lumen Field (stop at King Street Station nearby). On major-event days, including soccer matches, Sounder will run special “Stadium Express” services that deliver fans straight to the stadium from the suburbs.

However, the transportation system has vulnerabilities. Professor Yinhai Wang of the Washington Traffic Center predicts serious congestion in the city center, where roads are already overloaded. For security, much of First Avenue South next to the stadium will be closed, and taxis and ride-hail services won’t be able to approach as closely as usual. First Avenue South is a key street running along the west side of Lumen Field. Its closure blocks direct access from downtown to parking and I-5 exits, and the nearest alternative routes — Fourth Avenue and SR-519 — are already congested. As a result, this could paralyze the southern part of downtown and cause backups on I-5 from the exit to the Duwamish River bridge to the I-90 interchange.

Experts recall the “stress test” Seattle went through on February 11, 2014, during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade. Then 700,000 people took to the streets and the light rail carried more than 230,000 riders. By comparison: the 2026 World Cup expects up to 500,000 fans for a single match, requiring an order-of-magnitude greater coordination — including not only street events but movements between multiple stadiums and zones, unlike a single parade route.

The main advice for anyone planning travel on match days: don’t rush and use alternative modes of transport. “The best advice I can give is — stay in the city,” says Ahmed Darrat. “Visit local restaurants, walk around. There are lots of great places nearby to eat and have a good time.” Or, as WSDOT advises, be prepared for trips to take longer than usual.

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Based on: Why Seattle’s highway traffic during World Cup might be just fine

La Conner to Resume Summer Concerts After Residents' Protests

The La Conner town council this week voted to resume the summer series of live music at Gilkey Square, reversing unexpected noise restrictions imposed earlier this spring. Those restrictions, citing local ordinances and state law, set an allowable noise level at 55 decibels — roughly equivalent to moderate rain or a normal conversation. In response, residents, business owners and musicians protested at council meetings, and an online petition gathered nearly 500 signatures, prompting the council to reconsider its decision.

Under the new resolution, music is permitted on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., and volume levels may reach 85–100 decibels, significantly livening the atmosphere. Series organizer Gloria Hulst is already contacting bands to prepare for the first concert as soon as this Sunday. “Obviously the town wants this, and hopefully we’ll make it work,” she said. The council’s decision reflects strong community support, which views live music as an important part of La Conner’s summer life.

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Based on: La Conner council votes to bring back live music

Seattle: Falling Home Prices, Staff Shakeups and Zuckerberg’s Yacht

This digest collects news about a sharp drop in Seattle home prices, the departure of the mayor’s key homelessness adviser, and the arrival of Mark Zuckerberg’s superyacht on the same day Meta carried out mass layoffs.

Home prices plunge in Seattle: weakness spreads across more Western U.S. cities

Spring 2026 brought an unexpected turn for the U.S. housing market: home prices in Seattle have begun to fall faster than in any other major metropolis in the country. The Pacific Northwest city displaced Denver as the weakest housing market in the nation, part of a broader trend affecting more than half of the largest metro areas. According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller index data released Tuesday, Seattle showed a 2.5% year-over-year decline in March. That leading decline is worrying, and it’s especially notable given that Denver, which previously topped the downturn list, fell to second place with a 2% decline. Tampa, Florida, follows with a 1.9% drop, and Dallas and Phoenix fell by 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively. Even large markets such as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., were negative in March, down 1.6% and 0.1%.

Interestingly, Tampa — long considered one of the country’s most troubled markets — is beginning to show signs of stabilization: its annual decline slowed from −2.1% in February to −1.9% in March. Nationwide, the price of single-family homes measured by repeat sales rose 0.7% year over year, slightly below February’s 0.8% reading. These data suggest the national housing market is slowing, and that slowdown is broadening and deepening. Nicholas Godek, head of tradable fixed-income and commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices, notes that more than half of the 20 major U.S. housing markets recorded year-over-year price declines in March, reflecting this widening and deepening downturn. He emphasized that with consumer inflation accelerating to roughly 3.3% in March, the real value of U.S. housing has been falling for the tenth consecutive month, indicating continued erosion of inflation-adjusted housing wealth.

Today’s U.S. housing market shows a sharp geographic split. Prices continue to rise in the Midwest and Northeast, while the South and West are firmly in negative territory. Chicago led gains with 6.1%, followed by New York at 4% and Cleveland at 3%. As Realtor.com senior economist Anthony Smith pointed out, the 8.6 percentage-point gap between Chicago and Seattle underscores how localized this housing cycle has become. In markets where housing supply recovered more quickly, “new construction continues to offer an increasingly competitive alternative,” he added, referring to a recent Realtor.com study showing buyers of new construction can save an average of $25,000 in ownership costs over the first decade compared with existing older homes.

Context matters: the latest index reflects transactions that closed between January and March, a period when mortgage rates were the most favorable in three years. In late February, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate briefly dipped below 6%, but by the end of March it had climbed back above 6.3%. Now, by late May, rates have risen to 6.51%, driven by renewed inflation concerns and high energy prices. Smith emphasizes that the interest-rate environment has shifted materially from that brief sub-6% window, creating new headwinds for the spring market. At the same time, housing supply in many regions remains above last year’s levels, and affordability continues to gradually improve as incomes grow faster than home prices.

Despite the overall cooling, markets with constrained supply are expected to retain price growth. The Case-Shiller index, regarded as one of the best measures of housing value change because it’s based on repeat sales of the same properties, is published with a two-month lag. Homes typically go on the market a month or two before closing, so the March report primarily reflects purchase decisions made during winter months. That makes the data especially valuable for understanding longer-term trends, though somewhat delayed. Read the full article on Realtor.com for a detailed breakdown of the current U.S. housing market: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/home-prices-values-case-shiller-index-march-2026/

Seattle mayor’s senior homelessness adviser resigns: what’s behind the staff reshuffle

Jon Grant, who served as senior adviser to Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson on homelessness issues, has left his post. The mayor’s acting chief of staff, Esther Handy, announced Grant’s departure, noting that he played a key role in advancing one of the administration’s priorities — accelerating construction of new shelters with wraparound services to house people experiencing homelessness. She said he helped craft and implement the mayor’s executive order on expedited shelter creation, supported passage of three important legislative measures, and assisted the City Housing Trust during a critical period of its formation.

Grant’s resignation took effect June 1 and coincided with a broader reorganization of the mayor’s office. In mid-May, Wilson made personnel changes among senior staff, naming Handy interim chief of staff and redistributing responsibilities within the office. The mayor’s statement also said two more planned departures are expected in early July: Jen Chan, director of city operations, will complete a six-month contract and return to her role as deputy executive director at Seattle’s Housing Authority; and Edie Gilliss will leave her position as director of operations and talent pipeline at the mayor’s office to return to her prior job as director of government affairs and policy at the Office of Sustainable Development and Environment. Thus, the current departures are not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate shaping of the administrative team.

Grant’s exit comes amid active legislative efforts tied to the mayor’s pledge to open 1,000 new shelter and emergency housing spaces by year’s end. In early March, Wilson introduced three bills to city council aimed at speeding the process. The first would give the city finance and administrative services director authority to sign lease agreements directly with property owners, intended to reduce bureaucratic delays. In mid-April, the council unanimously approved two resolutions tied to the plan, allocating $5 million to create 500 new micro-shelters (so-called “tiny homes”) by June as part of the mayor’s larger $17.5 million plan. Then, on May 19, the council voted to increase the capacity of existing shelters and tiny-home villages. Where a village previously could house up to 100 people, the cap was raised to 150, and in one precinct the allowable number may reach 250. Officials argue this is necessary because public land is sitting unused while the housing need remains acute.

Nevertheless, these measures have sparked new controversies. Some residents and neighborhood groups have expressed concerns about public safety, particularly regarding larger shelters that may house people with substance use disorders or mental-health conditions. Council members say those concerns are being considered. Mayor Wilson herself faces pressure from both sides: some criticize her for not clearing tent encampments quickly enough, while others demand an end to forced evictions. As KOMO News reported, this spring city and state agencies carried out large sweeps of tent camps in several parks in the Beacon Hill area, accompanied by police and Washington State Patrol presence. The situation highlights that despite ambitious plans and legislative wins, homelessness remains one of the most acute and polarizing issues confronting Seattle’s new administration. (See: https://komonews.com/news/local/jon-grant-seattle-mayors-senior-homelessness-advisor-resigns-amid-katie-wilsons-housing-push-office-confirmation-staff-shakeup-interim-chief-esther-handy-housing-crisis)

Luxury amid layoffs: Zuckerberg’s yacht casts a shadow over Meta cuts

On the very day Meta announced plans to lay off nearly 1,400 employees in Washington state, Mark Zuckerberg’s $300 million superyacht glided through the Ballard Locks in Seattle. The coincidence, GeekWire noted, sparked irony and outrage among locals. The massive 118-meter vessel, built by Dutch shipyard Feadship, was en route from Elliott Bay to Lake Union, drawing crowds along the waterfront. Not everyone came just to look: some heckled the crew, and one spectator shouted “pay your damn taxes,” referring to the yacht’s Marshall Islands flag, which can be used to reduce U.S. tax exposure.

The arrival of Launchpad is also of technical interest. A locks operator said in 14 years on the job it’s the largest superyacht he’d seen there. For comparison, the fenders on its side were the size of a small SUV, and the stern featured an enclosed pool and Jacuzzi. Zuckerberg was not aboard, and crew members diplomatically said their visit to the city was not related to the World Cup and that they planned to “come and go.”

But the major contrast that gives the story resonance is the Meta news. The Washington layoffs will affect roughly 20% of the company’s local workforce. They are part of about 8,000 job cuts company-wide tied to an acceleration of investments in AI infrastructure. Meta’s capital expenditures could reach $145 billion this year — an astronomical sum intended by management to secure the company’s lead in the next technological race. Against that backdrop, a private $300 million yacht looks not just like an expensive toy but a symbol of deep inequality and priorities, as multibillion-dollar AI investments go hand in hand with mass layoffs.

As GeekWire reported, the timing was coincidental, but for those who lost their jobs the coincidence will be little consolation. The yacht Launchpad — a name that literally means “launch platform” — poses a rhetorical question: a launch platform for what? For a new tech future in which human labor becomes less necessary, or a display that even amid crises and cuts, executive-level consumption remains out of reach for ordinary people? The image of a billionaire’s yacht passing by people who have just learned they’re being let go will linger as a vivid metaphor of our times.

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Seattle Chef Created New Ice Cream for Salt & Straw

The cult ice cream chain Salt & Straw, founded in Portland and known for unusual flavors made with local ingredients, is launching a new series created in collaboration with notable American chefs. In Seattle, where residents appreciate culinary experimentation, each new batch of ice cream becomes an event: trying limited flavors is a social ritual, and long lines are part of the local culture of anticipation. The new flavors will be available beginning Friday through June 25 both in stores and online.

Of particular interest to Seattle guests is the flavor created by Brady Ishiwata Williams, a recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award — the “Oscars of the culinary world” — and the chef of Tomo in the Wallingford neighborhood. Opened in 2023, Tomo is a modern Japanese-American restaurant. Its chef, who died in 2024, combined traditional Japanese techniques with Pacific Northwest ingredients: salmon, mushrooms, berries. This reflects a key trait of Seattle’s culinary scene: respect for regional ingredients and bold cultural fusion. Brady was also a protégé of the renowned chef Shinobu Namae, underscoring the tradition of mentorship in Seattle’s restaurant community. For the new ice cream he blended a delicate, airy soufflé-cheesecake with Salt & Straw’s vanilla base, making yuzu the focal point: the spicy citrus appears as a tart curd and as crunchy pieces of white chocolate.

From Portland comes a vegan version by Gregory Gourdet, chef of Kann. He reimagined Haitian and French traditions: the base is brown-sugar caramelized bananas, cinnamon, star anise and lime zest. Caramelized plantain pieces add softness, while a nutty, peppery habanero brésil provides heat and crunch.

New York chef Dan Barber of three-Michelin-starred Blue Hill at Stone Barns chose the exotic purple sweet potato “Starling.” It’s blended with cream, sake lees and fermented rice shio koji sauce, creating a delicate ice cream reminiscent of creamy ube. A topping layer of miso-sweet potato and crispy buckwheat crumble finishes it.

Top Chef star Mei Lin, behind Nightshade and Daybird in Los Angeles, devised a Hong Kong milk tea flavor. Salted vanilla is steeped in black tea, then mixed with brewed condensed milk and toasted white chocolate with buttery notes.

Rounding out the series are Miami chefs Alex Meyer and Luciana Giangrandi of Boia De and Walrus Rodeo. Their chocolate budino with olive oil, caramel and smoky hazelnuts is a true dessert in a cup. Salted caramel and bittersweet nuts make the flavor deep and rich.

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Based on: Chef of Seattle’s Tomo is part of Salt & Straw’s new ice cream series

New Bellevue Garden Becomes Pollinator Paradise

At the new "Habitats at Home" display garden at Bellevue Botanical Garden, flowers take center stage — and there are an incredible number of them. The project was made possible by the Washington State University Extension King County Master Gardeners program, in which volunteers receive specialized training in gardening and sustainable landscape design and then share their knowledge with the community for free. According to garden director James Gagliardi, the project is also supported by the King Conservation District, which coordinates efforts to protect the county’s soil, water and habitat. The garden’s main goal is to show how even a small plot can become a refuge for wildlife.

This project is the work of true community Master Gardener professionals. Team leader Gary Schieder said three volunteers compiled an “incredibly long” plant list, with 75% of the selections being native North American species. That’s particularly important in the mild maritime climate of the Seattle–Bellevue region, where dry summers require drought-tolerant choices like lavender or sages, while mild winters and cool springs allow planting of early-blooming species. Local plants attract the pollinators they evolved with — many specialist bees feed their larvae on only certain native flowers.

To narrow the list, the team used the concept of “pollination syndromes” — flower traits that attract specific pollinators. “We looked at color, shape, scent, the presence of pollen and nectar, and special ‘nectar guides’ to predict which pollinator would visit a plant,” Schieder explains. That approach allowed them to choose plants that provide maximum benefit to as many and as diverse pollinators as possible, and the garden was designed to maximize continuous bloom from spring through fall, providing pollinators with nectar each season.

Designer Dana Niblack, also a Master Gardener, brought the selected list to life, creating what she calls “a refuge from the outside world.” Planted in spring 2025, the garden uses color and plant placement to draw the eye while simultaneously providing resources for wildlife. In one part of the garden, visitors are greeted by calming cool tones: blue oat grass and hebe with silvery-blue foliage, surrounded by lavender and pale yellow bulbs.

In the center of the 20-meter garden a woodland nook briefly interrupts the floral flow with a Pacific Fire maple and staghorn fern, where insects find shelter under the leaf litter and rotting wood. Butterflies, birds and bees drink from a carved basalt boulder, and an adjacent irrigation head keeps a small pond fresh during dry periods. Last fall, fungi on a log caused delight — a sure sign of a healthy fungal community.

Moving on, the colors become more energetic: meadow plantings of tufted hound’s tongue, red yarrow 'Paprika', orange geum 'Totally Tangerine' and goldenrod 'Golden Fleece' attract pollinators gathering nectar. A whimsical element of the garden that delights children of all ages is the “bug snug”: a wigwam of tree branches filled with twigs and plant clippings that serves as winter shelter and nesting habitat.

Permanent interpretive signs and a few small chalkboards point out the benefits to wildlife and seasonal changes, and QR codes on modest markers lead to plant information. Just a year after establishment the garden is teeming with life: native bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, beneficial wasps, hoverflies, birds, amphibians and even bats have taken up residence. The volunteer gardeners who created the space now maintain it through its first three years, and despite occasional deer incursions, the results are impressive.

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Based on: Bellevue Botanical Garden’s newest display promotes wildlife habitat

Farm bill favors fruits and vegetables, but Senate battle looms

The U.S. House-passed farm bill directs nearly $1 billion toward supporting "specialty crops" — fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries. For Washington state, where those crops form the backbone of the agricultural sector, it’s a significant win. But the bill, which has split the parties over food assistance, risks stalling in the Senate.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, a third-generation farmer from Yakima — the heart of one of the state’s largest agricultural regions, known for apples, hops, cherries and wine — has long pushed for increased funding for specialty-crop research and promotion. "We’re often forgotten when the farm bill is written," he admitted, "but this time we secured record budgets." His efforts paid off: the bill provides substantial investments in marketing, pest protection and expansion of export markets.

For Washington, which grows two-thirds of all U.S. apples as well as tons of cherries, potatoes, hops and grapes, those measures are critically important. Unlike corn and soy, which dominate traditional farm subsidies, "specialty crops have usually been left with crumbs," Newhouse emphasizes. That imbalance is historical: federal subsidies began in the 1930s to support large farms growing grain and oilseed crops considered "strategic" for food security. Fruits and vegetables long relied solely on market mechanisms, and only in recent years have standalone support programs appeared — still far smaller than funding for corn and soy.

Updating the farm bill, which hasn’t been revised since 2018, is becoming more urgent. In five years Washington lost nearly 4,000 farms out of 32,000. The average age of a farmer in the state is 59, and fewer than 6.5% of growers are under 35. "This is about long-term stability for conservation, trade and research," explains John Paul Driver of the Washington Farm Bureau.

The main stumbling block is cuts to the SNAP food stamp program that Republicans included in the budget. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat who chairs the Appropriations Committee and oversees federal spending, called the move "outrageous": "My family relied on these stamps when I was a kid — SNAP is not charity, it’s an investment in the country’s future." She vowed to block the bill unless Republicans compromise.

Democrats demand that the SNAP cuts be removed, saying they would hit millions of families amid rising prices from Trump-era tariffs. Republicans don’t hold a Senate majority, so the bill can’t pass without bipartisan support. "When they’re ready to sit down at the negotiating table, I’ll be there," Murray said.

The bill also includes measures to support farmers: creation of an advisory council on specialty-crop insurance and $30 million a year for automation to address labor shortages. Newhouse, who has actively lobbied for local growers’ interests, including H-2A visas for seasonal workers, hopes the bill will provide a foundation for a Senate compromise: "They’ll take this base and build on it."

For now the clock is ticking: outdated farm programs are being extended by short-term measures, but an industry in decline needs stability for years ahead. For Washington, where agriculture accounts for about 10–12% of the economy, is a key employer in rural areas and a leading export sector, passage of a new bill is a matter of survival for thousands of family farms.

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Based on: House farm bill gains win for WA specialty crops, but Senate fight looms

Donations Saved an Ancient Forest in Washington State

The Olympic Peninsula Forest Defenders coalition raised $32,000 from 325 donors in just four days to prevent the logging of two acres of century-old forest west of Port Angeles. This is the first instance in the state where public donations allowed already-sold trees to be bought back and left standing. The unique deal was made without the participation of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which owns the land.

According to Elizabeth Dunn, an attorney with the Center for Land Law who acted as a mediator, the agreement was a “win-win” for all parties: the logging company Webster Logging and the state received full compensation, and the forest remained intact. The parcel was part of a larger sale called “Doc Holliday,” which drew criticism from environmentalists, tribal representatives and locals who argued that the century-old trees provide more value standing alive.

Conservationists emphasize that amid the climate and biodiversity crises, the state needs to find new revenue sources rather than rely on cutting old-growth forests. These so-called “historical forests” are too young to qualify for protection under the federal Northwest Forest Plan of 1994, but are considered “the old forests of the future.” It’s important to note that the term “old-growth” has stricter criteria: it generally requires trees older than 200 years and specific ecological features such as large old trees, dead wood, and a multi-layered canopy. That is why the “historical forests” on the Olympic Peninsula remain without federal protection. Additionally, the Northwest Forest Plan is focused on conserving ecosystems for particular species, such as the northern spotted owl, on federal lands, whereas “historical forests” sit on state lands and fall outside its scope. Nevertheless, “historical forests” serve as important carbon sinks, habitat for imperiled species, and regulators of streamflows during dry periods. They also function as buffer zones for true old-growth and support populations of rare species.

Controversy over Washington’s older forests reached such intensity that in 2024 the new commissioner of public lands, Dave Apteogrove, was elected on a platform to preserve historical forest blocks. The commissioner of public lands is an elected office responsible for managing the state’s vast public lands, including forests, parks and natural resources, and for overseeing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). That is why the 2024 election was closely tied to forest conservation: the commissioner makes key decisions on logging, protection of “historical forests,” and balancing economic interests with environmental priorities. However, the DNR refuses to revisit already-executed contracts, including the Doc Holliday sale, which was approved before Apteogrove took office. According to DNR spokeswoman Michael Kelly, the agency is focused on developing a new forest policy for the future.

After an eight-month moratorium on timber sales from complex forest ecosystems, the DNR is mapping state lands where historical forests may occur using both computer modeling and field surveys. The agency learned about the charitable deal to save the two acres only from news reports, and in theory that parcel could be put back up for sale if it does not receive official protection status.

The Elwha Forest Heritage coalition is also aiming to preserve a larger parcel within the Doc Holliday sale, valued at roughly $1 million. It could be logged as early as July. Advocates are proposing a land swap to save this unique coastal stand of Sitka spruce, notable for its high biodiversity.

Because the sale was already approved by the Board of Natural Resources, the DNR does not intend to reopen negotiations and expects logging contractors to fulfill the contract. Nevertheless, the precedent of a public-funded rescue of two acres could become a new model for protecting valuable forests in the future, showing that even sold trees can be spared if fair compensation for all parties can be found.

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Based on: WA forest parcel saved by a unique effort

Seattle in US Parks Top Ten: the Cost of Green Success

Seattle has ranked among the top ten U.S. cities for park quality for the sixth year in a row. According to ParkScore 2024, the city is eighth among the 100 largest U.S. cities with a score of 75.4 out of 100. For comparison: the leader is Washington, D.C. (85.1), second is Irvine, California (84.1), and Minneapolis rounds out the top three (83.4). The bottom spot went to Durham, North Carolina, with 36 points.

But a high rating doesn’t come cheap. Seattle spends an impressive $440 per resident to maintain its parks — nearly three times the national average ($154). The city outspends solid mid-range cities like Portland ($274) and even some top-ranked cities such as Minneapolis. Only two cities spend more than Seattle: San Francisco ($476) and Washington, D.C. ($449).

Importantly, this spending reflects a conscious choice by residents. Local voters have repeatedly approved multimillion-dollar taxes and bond measures to develop parks. Funds go toward purchasing new green spaces, upgrading recreation centers, and fixing deferred maintenance. A key accessibility measure: 99% of Seattle residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park (the national average is 76%). That accessibility is the result of deliberate early-20th-century planning, when landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, creator of New York’s Central Park, designed a parks system that links the city with “green corridors.” By using the hilly terrain and waterways, planners placed parks on slopes with views of the bay and mountains, and walking trails lead directly to Puget Sound beaches. Large forested areas, such as Discovery Park and Seward Park, were preserved by prohibitions on spot development in recreational zones, and investments in “nature bridges” — park paths connecting neighborhoods to forests and the shoreline — allow residents to reach the wild on foot in 10–15 minutes without using a car.

Experts at the Trust for Public Land say every dollar invested in parks returns $3 in economic benefits: from reduced healthcare costs due to physical activity to natural filtration of stormwater. Free swim lessons at Seattle’s beaches and pools are a clear example of that return. But the ParkScore does not account for complex realities, such as the problem of homeless encampments in parks, which affects safety, accessibility, and maintenance. Tent camps create unsanitary conditions — trash, human waste, used needles — and contribute to increased crime, including theft and assaults, making parks unsafe for families and children and forcing closures of sports fields and recreation areas. The city spends millions on cleanup, security, and homeless assistance programs, but quick solutions are difficult due to a shortage of affordable housing amid some of the highest rents in the U.S., a complex bureaucratic relocation system, and legal limits on removing tents without providing alternatives. The mayor’s office also faces public protests demanding both park cleanups and protection of homeless people’s rights.

Seattle has weaknesses too. The average park size is 5.4 acres, matching the national average but trailing more extensive systems. There is a particular shortage of sports fields, basketball courts, and public restrooms. Ironically, Seattle — birthplace of pickleball (invented in 1965 on nearby Bainbridge Island) — ranks near the bottom in courts per capita: just 0.1 per 20,000 residents. While pickleball was born geographically on Bainbridge, its strong association with Seattle stems from the city becoming the epicenter of the sport’s popularization. Locals, including the family of Congressman Joel Pritchard, one of the game’s creators, actively promoted it through public parks, schools, and the YMCA. In the 1970s Seattle was among the first to include pickleball in municipal tournament programs, and today the city is known for more than 400 courts and major annual competitions, becoming a cultural “capital” of the sport’s modernization and broad adoption.

Despite these shortcomings, Seattle residents show a willingness to pay for their green legacy. High taxes and years of investment pay off in unique access to nature — you can reach both saltwater beaches and century-old forests within a 10-minute walk. The question is whether officials can find ways to solve problems no ranking captures: from homelessness to lack of restrooms.

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Based on: Seattle parks rank high nationally, but that doesn’t come cheap

Factory Explosion and Meta Layoffs: News Digest

A tragedy at a pulp mill in Washington: an explosion left one dead and nine injured, while Meta is cutting nearly 1,400 jobs in the region as it reallocates toward AI.

Tragedy at the pulp mill: chemical tank explosion kills one person

An explosion of a chemical tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper complex in Longview, Washington, turned into a full-scale disaster. According to the latest reports, one person died, nine were injured to varying degrees, and the fate of another nine employees remains unknown. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning, around 7:20 a.m., when a tank containing so-called "white liquor" — a key chemical reagent used in processing wood into pulp — ruptured. Local authorities asked residents to stay away from the industrial area but assured there was no immediate threat to the general public. The case has been a heavy blow to the southwest Washington community, where many residents are connected to the mill.

An article in The Seattle Times reports the explosion involved a tank of about 80,000 gallons that was roughly 60 percent full. Eight plant workers and one firefighter were injured; the firefighter was later discharged from the hospital. Injuries range from minor to critical. The injured were taken to medical facilities in Longview and Vancouver. Large numbers of rescue and fire personnel were dispatched and continue recovery operations, attempting to locate those listed as missing. One employee, in a panic, called 911 to report many people with chemical burns and pleaded for immediate rescue units. Relatives of workers also tried unsuccessfully to reach their loved ones, adding to the chaos of an already tense situation.

One of the key post-accident problems has been chemical runoff. The "white liquor" entered the storm sewer system connected to the dike system; however, according to Anna Isenman, a representative of the state Department of Ecology, pumps that discharge water into the Columbia River were promptly shut off. Unlike oil, this chemical solution cannot be collected or contained by ordinary means; it can only "self-neutralize" when mixed with water over time. This means the environmental consequences may be long-term, although officials say there is no immediate threat to public health. Rescue specialists are already monitoring wildlife to assess the scale of the damage.

Perhaps the most shocking part of this story is not the incident itself but its backstory. Regulatory data analysis shows that Nippon Dynawave Packaging has a long trail of environmental and operational violations. Over the past five years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has informally flagged the company at least 19 times for violations of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. When violations became critical, the EPA issued formal penalties at least five times. During 2024 the mill was in a state of "significant" noncompliance with waste discharge regulations, and in August of last year pollution levels exceeded allowable limits by 770 percent. Notably, across all years of violations the total fines imposed by the EPA amounted to just $16,000, of which only $10,000 was collected. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also fined the company, for example $700 for safety violations in 2021. Even the state Department of Ecology fined the mill $2,000 in 2024 for wastewater pollution and $4,500 for excessive sulfur dioxide emissions.

The scale of the tragedy becomes clearer when you consider that the Longview mill is a large operation employing about 550 people. It produces roughly 280,000 tons of bleached liquid carton and pulp annually. For those unfamiliar with the chemical processes, "white liquor" is an aggressive mixture based on sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and sodium sulfide. When heated, it breaks down lignin — the substance that binds cellulose fibers in wood — allowing fibers to be separated to produce clean pulp. Contact with such a solution or inhalation can cause severe chemical burns. Although Nippon Dynawave, owned by the Japanese corporation Nippon Paper Industries (which bought the mill from Weyerhaeuser in 2016 for $285 million), has previously experienced incidents — including a 4,000–5,000 gallon sulfuric acid spill in 2017 — the current catastrophe raises serious questions about workplace safety and the effectiveness of government oversight at hazardous facilities. This story is not only about human tragedy but also about systemic problems that may have been preventable.

Washington state tragedy: chemical plant blast leaves people injured

A chemical plant explosion in Washington state caused serious injuries to several people. The incident occurred at an industrial site, the details of which are still being clarified, and video from the scene, circulated by local news outlets, captured the scale of destruction and panic among workers. Witnesses reported a powerful blast wave and a subsequent fire that required emergency responders. According to preliminary reports, the injured were hospitalized, but the exact number of victims and the severity of their conditions remain unknown. The cause of the explosion is under investigation; experts suggest it may be related to process violations or equipment failure.

In the context of this incident it is worth noting that Israeli military forces said they struck a new Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, killing three Palestinians. Palestinian hospital sources reported that at least three people were killed and another twelve injured in a series of airstrikes in Gaza City. This information, published by KIRO 7 News Seattle, shows how two entirely different stories — a local industrial accident and an international conflict — were combined in a single information flow. If the Washington explosion raises questions of industrial safety and local risk, the airstrikes in Gaza reflect escalation in the Middle East, where each new military operation deepens the humanitarian crisis.

For readers unfamiliar with who the "new Hamas leader" is: Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist organization that controls the Gaza Strip and is designated a terrorist organization by many countries, including Israel and the United States. Changes in its leadership are often tied to the elimination of previous leaders or their going underground, making targeted strikes by Israel part of a strategy to weaken the group’s military and political structure. The key takeaway from these two events is that both locally and globally the risks from technological and military incidents remain high. The casualty and damage figures underscore the fragility of human life in the face of industrial disasters and armed conflict, and the need to strengthen safety measures at industrial sites and seek avenues for de-escalation in conflict zones.

Meta lays off nearly 1,400 employees in Seattle: a new reality for tech giants

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is continuing a large-scale restructuring, announcing layoffs of nearly 1,400 employees in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. The move is part of a global reduction of roughly 8,000 jobs, about 10 percent of the company’s workforce. The biggest hit fell on the Bellevue office, where nearly 699 people will lose their jobs. In Seattle, offices on Dexter Avenue and Utah Avenue will see cuts affecting another 215 and 44 employees respectively, and 206 people in Redmond will be affected. In addition, 231 remote employees living in Washington were also included in the layoffs. As noted in a notice filed with the Washington State Employment Security Department, the layoffs take effect July 22 and are permanent. All this is happening as the company actively reallocates resources toward developing artificial intelligence, hiring specialists in that area and winding down lower-priority initiatives.

The situation at Meta illustrates the tectonic shift happening in the tech industry. A company that just a few years ago was aggressively hiring and planning for the metaverse is now forced to "optimize" after a period of rapid growth. Meta spokesperson Tracie Clayton said in an official statement that changes vary by team: "They include layoffs, closing open roles, and moving thousands of employees to priority business objectives across the company." That means, besides direct layoffs, many positions that were planned are simply being closed and existing staff are being moved onto AI-related projects — the company's new "gold mine." To give a sense of scale: Washington is one of Meta’s key tech hubs, with about 8,000 employees in the region at the time of the announcement. Thus nearly one in five workers in that region will lose their jobs, which will be a serious blow to the local labor market, especially in high-tech sectors.

A key point needing clarification is Meta’s shift from the metaverse to AI. The metaverse, championed by Mark Zuckerberg in 2021, envisaged a virtual digital world for communication, work and entertainment. However, that project proved extremely expensive and did not generate rapid returns. The company is now sharply pivoting: investments are being funneled into generative artificial intelligence, which can create text, images, video and even code. Layoffs in the "real" world, such as in Washington state, are the direct cost of this strategic shift. Meta is effectively saying: older roles — in marketing, support, and project management — are no longer as vital as engineers and researchers who can work with large language models. This is not just a budget-cutting exercise but a fundamental business transformation in which the company sacrifices thousands of jobs to try to lead the AI arms race. The consequences for the Puget Sound region will be long-lasting: not only will thousands of families lose stable incomes, but the commercial real estate market in cities like Bellevue and Seattle could see reduced demand as Meta and other tech firms downsize. This is a worrying signal for the entire West Coast tech ecosystem, where "capitalism of abundance" gives way to ruthless efficiency.

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Road deaths in Washington fall again but remain above pre-pandemic levels

In 2025, 659 people were killed in traffic crashes on Washington state roads — more than 10% fewer than the year before (737) and substantially below the record high in 2023 (809), the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission reported. The positive trend marks a second consecutive year of decline, but the overall number of fatalities remains well above pre-pandemic levels, when about 500 deaths were recorded annually. Officials stress that each lost life is a tragedy and that the goal remains the same: zero deaths.

The reduction came primarily from declines in the so‑called "fatal four" risk factors: impaired driving, speeding, distraction, and unbelted occupants. That classification is especially important in Washington, because despite the overall drop in crashes, the share of crashes involving distracted drivers (due to smartphones) and impaired drivers (by alcohol or marijuana) remains above the U.S. average. The state actively uses this framework for targeted campaigns, such as increased patrols on dangerous corridors and educational programs. The share of fatal crashes involving impaired drivers fell from 50% to 45% (297 cases), although lab test results are still pending in several dozen investigations. Alcohol remains the most common cause of impairment (57%), followed by cannabis (22%) and methamphetamine (8%). Speed‑related fatal crashes dropped from 250 to 189, and distraction‑related fatal crashes fell from 138 to 103.

It is worth noting that after Washington legalized recreational cannabis in 2012 (one of the first U.S. states to do so), crashes involving drivers under the influence of marijuana rose sharply — estimates vary, but increases of 30–50% over the decade have been reported. The share of fatal crashes where drivers tested positive for THC increased in particular. In response, the state set a per se THC blood limit (5 nanograms per milliliter), trained police to recognize signs of cannabis impairment, launched public information campaigns warning that "high driving" is as dangerous as drunk driving, and increased patrols near cannabis retailers. However, precise testing for marijuana impairment remains difficult, prompting debate about the laws' effectiveness.

At the same time, a worrying record was set: fatal crashes involving drivers aged 70 and older reached 112 — 22 more than in 2023. In response, lawmakers included $100 million in the state's 2029–2031 transportation budget for safety improvements on hazardous road segments. Additionally, from December 7–11, 2025, the state will hold its first "Senior Driver Safety Awareness Week," and the Department of Licensing will create a dedicated website with resources and an online tool for older drivers to self-assess their skills.

Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities decreased from 170 to 160, and motorcyclist deaths fell from 113 to 103. Fatal crashes involving young drivers (ages 15–24) also declined, from 183 to 170. Nevertheless, young people remain one of the most vulnerable groups — they are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in serious crashes.

Experts link the post‑pandemic surge in crashes to several factors. On one hand, the pandemic prompted riskier driving behavior: drivers sped more often and drove impaired more frequently, and alcohol sales rules were temporarily relaxed. On the other, police enforcement dropped sharply during that period. Enforcement has improved over the past two years. According to the Commission, in 2025 police conducted more than 57,000 traffic enforcement checks across the state thanks to budget‑funded high‑visibility programs — nearly double the number in 2022 (31,500).

Despite improvements, the state faces a serious problem: Washington ranks last in the nation for police officers per capita — about 1.5–1.6 officers per 1,000 residents versus the national average of 2.3. Several factors contribute. After George Floyd's murder in 2020, public pressure in Seattle to depoliticize and reallocate police budgets increased, leading to funding cuts and officer turnover. State policies also impose strict certification and training requirements, which slow new hires, and liberal laws — for example, limits on use of force and mandatory independent reviews of all incidents — have reduced the appeal of police work for many candidates. As a result, vacancies have risen and staffing levels have fallen over the past five years. That significantly limits the ability to fully enforce traffic laws, acknowledges Commission representative Mark McKechnie. Legal issues add complexity: an effort this year to lower the legal blood alcohol limit from 0.08% to 0.05% (as in Utah) stalled in the House of Representatives, though the Senate approved it. Lawmakers have promised to revisit the proposal in 2027.

Commission Chair Shelly Baldwin, commenting on the positive trend, urged residents not to let down their guard: "As we approach the summer months, when fatal crashes traditionally rise, I beg everyone on the road: drive only sober, obey the speed limit, don't use your phone while driving, and buckle up." Despite the encouraging numbers, Washington's roads are still far more dangerous than before the pandemic, and officials say they will continue the push toward zero deaths.

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Based on: Deaths on WA roads drop again, but remain higher than before COVID

Three Oregon islands up for auction at the price of an apartment

An unusual listing has appeared on the real estate market: timber company Roseburg Forest Products has put three islands totaling 20 acres (about 8 hectares) on the auction block on the Lower Umpqua River in Oregon. The minimum bid is set at $24,500, which works out to just $1,225 per acre. Bids are being accepted through June 3 by Realty Marketing/Northwest, a company that specializes in selling waterfront property.

The islands are located between the towns of Scottsburg and Reedsport, south of the Siuslaw National Forest. Their sizes range from 2 to 12 acres. Under Oregon law, these lands are designated as estuarine conservation zone, which greatly limits development possibilities. Only water-based recreation and aquaculture are permitted. However, as auction company president John Rosenthal notes, a small seasonal cabin for secluded fishing could be built on the largest island.

Potential buyers should be aware of drawbacks: there are no roads to the islands, and because their elevation is only 40–50 feet (12–15 meters), a significant portion of the land may flood at high water levels. Nonetheless, that does not deter wildlife enthusiasts — such lots find buyers, mostly among conservation organizations.

The auction company already has experience selling islands in the region. In 1992 two parcels on the Columbia River sold for $500–$800 per acre (adjusted for inflation — $1,186–$1,994 today). And in 2018, Buck Island, a 160-acre island on Upper Klamath Lake, sold for $355,000 ($2,100 per acre) — the buyer, it’s said, saved it from development. To participate in the bidding you must submit a 10% deposit and sign a purchase agreement. Deposits will be returned to unsuccessful bidders.

This news is especially interesting to Seattle residents, since Oregon is a neighboring state and many of them consider investing in property outside Washington. Washington state also has islands for sale, for example in the San Juan archipelago or in Puget Sound, but they are rare and expensive. Coastal parcels are also available but come with stricter environmental restrictions. However, there are currently no exact equivalents in price and availability to what’s on offer in Oregon — the island market in Washington is less active.

It’s also important to note that the estuarine conservation zone status means the river-mouth lands are protected by law: construction, logging, landscape alteration, and commercial use are prohibited. A buyer may own the parcel but cannot build on or modify it — only preserve it in its natural state. Around Seattle, in the Puget Sound region, there are similar restrictions: "critical area zones" and "estuarine buffer zones" that prohibit any construction within 50–200 feet of the water and also limit land use to protect salmon and wildlife. The difference is that in Washington these zones are usually smaller in area and regulated at the county level rather than by the state.

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Based on: Buying 3 Oregon islands at auction may cost less than you think

Pets officially allowed on Washington State ferries

Starting the Memorial Day weekend, furry companions can travel with their owners in some passenger areas of Washington State Ferries. The agency rolled out the new rule just in time for the peak season — over the holiday weekend more than 350,000 passengers were expected, so dogs faced a real test of behavior in crowded conditions.

A six-week transition period will run through July 1, during which passengers will be introduced to the new rules. By then, ferries will have signs marking pet areas and special stations for cleaning up after animals. Pets are allowed on vehicle decks, open decks, and in designated spots inside passenger cabins located across from the galley. They may not enter the galley area, be placed on passenger seats or tables, or remain in the cabin on the galley side.

The new policy follows a pilot program launched last August. As Deputy State Transportation Secretary for Ferries Steve Neevi noted, staff and passenger opinions were divided: some supported the experiment, while others raised concerns about cleanliness, safety, and control. The final rule aims for a compromise by permitting animals in certain areas but with clear restrictions. Owners are required to clean up after their pets, and crew may require an animal to be moved to an open deck in cases of poor behavior. Service dogs are allowed in all areas, while livestock must remain in special enclosures — you can’t bring a cow onto a passenger deck.

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Based on: Pets are officially allowed inside Washington State Ferries

Washington Planned Parenthood: Abortion Pills Before Pregnancy

A new service from Planned Parenthood, launched last week in Washington and Hawaii, allows people to pre-order medication for a medical abortion before they are pregnant. The program, called "Just In Case Abortion Pills," is intended to help people prepare for a possible unintended pregnancy, especially amid growing legal restrictions on abortion in the U.S. Patients can now obtain mifepristone and misoprostol ahead of time to take if needed.

Dr. Collin MacNicholas, Planned Parenthood’s chief clinical officer, explained that it’s an opportunity "to help people plan and be prepared for the future when they might need access to a medication abortion and expect to face barriers." The service launch coincided with new court battles over access to pills — in May the U.S. Supreme Court restored broad availability of mifepristone, overturning limits on its mailing. Since 2022, after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many states have implemented total bans on abortion, worsening the access crisis.

Interest in preordering abortion medications has been growing for more than a year. Anna Fiastro, a researcher at the University of Washington and a leading expert in reproductive health, notes that surveys show this practice is especially popular in regions where abortion is banned by law and among people who have already had an abortion. The University of Washington has been a center for developing clinical protocols for medication abortion, including telemedicine consultations, and Fiastro, as a practicing clinician, studies access barriers. "There are people who don't want to go through the entire clinical process before simply taking the pills and moving on," she says. Even in states where abortion is legal, transportation costs, service fees, and confidentiality concerns remain significant barriers.

Availability of the service in Washington was made possible by state law. The state guarantees the right to an abortion until fetal viability and does not impose restrictions on telemedicine or mailing medications. Unlike Texas or Idaho, Washington has no requirements for an in-person visit, waiting periods, or mandatory ultrasounds. The "Reproductive Health Protections Act" (SB 5499) explicitly allows the mailing of abortion medications as part of telemedicine. The telemedicine system works as follows: the patient fills out an online form, then has a video consultation with a clinician (asynchronous review of information is possible), and if there are no contraindications the medications are mailed within 1–3 days. There is no strict upper gestational limit set by the program for medication abortion (typically up to 11–12 weeks, but clinicians decide individually). Restrictions only apply to mailing medications to states where they are banned, and patients must confirm they are located in Washington during the consultation.

The service is available to patients aged 18 and over. Pills can be ordered either in person at a Planned Parenthood center or during a telemedicine visit — in the latter case the medications are mailed. The price is $100 when added to an already scheduled visit or $150 for a standalone appointment. That fee covers the clinician consultation, the cost of the medications (mifepristone and misoprostol), and shipping logistics, which is significantly cheaper than traditional clinic services ($300–$600). The organization also offers financial assistance for those who cannot afford the service. In addition to Planned Parenthood’s general support, Washington has a State Reproductive Health Fund that provides partial or full coverage for low-income people, the Apple Health (Medicaid) program for low-income residents, and Cascade Care Savings subsidies for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid but have incomes below 400% of the federal poverty level. The kit includes one mifepristone pill (which stops the pregnancy from progressing) and three doses of misoprostol (which cause uterine contractions).

The medications have a shelf life of about two years from the date of dispensing. Before prescribing, a clinician explains in detail how to take the pills and answers any questions. MacNicholas emphasizes that medication abortion is considered safe for the vast majority of people — except in cases of ectopic pregnancy and other rare contraindications. "The truth is that a huge number of people seeking abortion have no contraindications to using the pills," she says.

Asked about potential shortages of pills for people with an existing unwanted pregnancy, MacNicholas said she is not worried, even if demand for preordering is high. Critics argue the practice encourages "stockpiling" pills and reduces clinical oversight. However, experts, including Fiastro, point to research showing that patients can read the package instructions and safely take the medication on their own. If questions arise, they can always contact Planned Parenthood providers.

Fiastro believes the pre-prescription model will expand as more people learn about it and other clinics adopt similar services. That, in turn, will help reduce stigma and misinformation around abortion. "Just as medication abortion clarified what early pregnancy termination can look like, advance provision does the same — perhaps one step further — asserting that it’s very safe, very effective, and you can take it into your own hands and manage it," the researcher summarizes.

Thus, the new Planned Parenthood program in Washington and Hawaii represents a step toward expanding reproductive autonomy: people can now obtain means to end a pregnancy in advance, without waiting for an unintended pregnancy to occur. This is especially relevant amid a continually shifting legal landscape and rising barriers to abortion care in many U.S. states.

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Based on: WA Planned Parenthood rolls out new abortion pill service

Desperate Measures: Seattle Residents Build Barricades Against Gunfire

Residents of Seattle’s troubled neighborhoods, fed up with endless shootings and inaction from authorities, are blocking streets themselves with makeshift barricades made of gravel, concrete and planters. The catalyst has been an uptick in nighttime shooting incidents along Aurora Avenue, where dozens of shootings have been recorded in recent months. Bullets are striking residential homes; one incident nearly wounded a six-week-old infant. Locals demand increased patrols, but city officials offer only promises while residents fight for their own safety.

Seattle residents forced to build barricades to stop street shootings

Residents of a north Seattle neighborhood, tired of shootings that happen literally steps from their homes, decided to take matters into their own hands. After a series of nighttime shooting incidents that they believe are linked to activity on the notorious Aurora Avenue, locals erected improvised barricades on three streets. They blocked vehicle access with piles of gravel, logs and concrete rubble. According to KING5.com, this is a desperate step by city residents who say “better this than bullets in neighbors’ homes.”

This situation vividly illustrates a deep crisis of trust between residents and the law enforcement system. People are not just afraid — they are terrified. One recent incident cited by residents involved a bullet striking the wall of a house where a six-week-old baby was inside. In the past month, at least eight shootings were recorded within a ten-block radius. Residents keep their own records, collecting shell casings and incident numbers. “We celebrate when there’s no shooting,” says a woman named Kate, who asked that her last name not be used.

However, the barricades have split the local community. Some residents worry the unauthorized barriers could become a deadly trap. The main argument of opponents is response time for fire and medical services. River Alexander, who lives nearby, believes a delay of just a few minutes could cost someone their life. “The risk that emergency services won’t be able to get through outweighs any benefit from these barricades,” he says. But supporters of self-defense counter that they left enough room for vehicles to pass, and they believe a much greater risk is another stray bullet that could hit a child.

Notably, none of the residents interviewed know who exactly built the barricades or whether the builders obtained city permission. Under Seattle rules, blocking streets without a permit is illegal. City authorities may levy fines and then bill for removal of the obstructions. The Seattle Police Department, commenting on the situation, said it understands citizens’ concerns and continues to patrol the Aurora corridor, but only “as time and calls allow.” That wording is unlikely to reassure those who fear opening a window at night. Police data referenced by the outlet show that calls about shootings in the Greenwood area are down this year, but a separate analysis across Aurora Avenue counts 13 such incidents so far in 2025.

This case is a striking example of how a sense of impunity and the authorities’ inability to ensure safety push citizens toward vigilante measures. While the barricades are a stopgap and likely illegal solution, they point to a deeper problem: people no longer believe anyone but themselves will protect them from bullets that might randomly enter children’s bedrooms.

Seattle residents erect homemade barricades in fight against street crime

Residents of one of Seattle’s troubled neighborhoods near Aurora Avenue, in desperation, began blocking streets themselves to stop the flow of guns and crime. The trigger was another shooting last weekend that overflowed the community’s patience. People exhausted by nighttime chaos, alleged prostitution and constant gunfire took matters into their own hands, constructing massive barriers from available materials. As Fox 13 reports, the barricades look like mounds of soil, chunks of concrete, gravel and corrugated metal panels that locals fashioned into raised beds. To make the barriers visible at night, they wrapped them with red-and-white reflective tape and bright containers.

Critics, however, compare such measures to “Tylenol for stage-four cancer,” implying they are futile. Residents say they have no choice. “My wife and I were shocked. We could have lost our son. Thank God he’s OK,” one resident tells Yahoo News. The most recent incident occurred around 4 a.m. on Saturday: police found about 40 shell casings on the road, and bullets damaged a car and several buildings. People say stray bullets have already entered homes. “We have prostitution every night and the shooting that comes with it,” one local says. “It’s scary to live here, and scarier that the city does absolutely nothing.”

Although residents say they have repeatedly appealed to City Hall, the city council and the police, they have seen no results. Early versions of the barricades were quickly torn down by unknown people, after which they were reinforced. “No Gunfire” is chalked on the pavement. “We just fear that someone from our neighborhood must die before the city does anything,” another resident adds. Many demand stricter enforcement of the so-called SOAP law (Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution), passed in 2024 to combat prostitution and human trafficking. In response to inquiries, City Hall acknowledged the situation is “deeply concerning” and promised to increase night patrols and deploy a unit to reduce firearm violence, according to a Yahoo News article. Nevertheless, how effectively those measures will break the vicious cycle of inaction and despair remains an open question.

Shootings on Aurora Avenue: Seattle residents took the city into their own hands while officials argued about planters

Last weekend, north Seattle residents, fed up with nonstop shootings on Aurora Avenue, blocked three residential side streets with heavy industrial planters. This was not an action by city officials or the transportation department. Residents did it themselves, attaching letters to the planters explaining that three years of daily appeals to authorities have yielded nothing — houses continue to be shot at, bullets ricochet off walls, and children nearly die in their own cribs. According to KIRO Newsradio, gunfire erupted on Aurora Avenue again over the weekend: 40 shell casings were found near the intersection with 98th Street and another shooting occurred near Burgermaster. Local journalist Charlie Hager tallied that since 2024 there have been 95 shootings in the area, and the same number of balloons were tied to the orange pedestrian bridge at Oak Tree Village — one for each shooting.

Seattle officials apparently did not expect this turn of events. After the city council repealed laws targeting street prostitution in 2020, Aurora Avenue became an area of open sex work and drug trade, and control shifted to violent street gangs. The police force shrank from 1,200 to 860 officers, and the situation spun out of control. In summer 2024, there were 31 shooting incidents on Aurora over 60 days. Bullets flew into children’s bedroom walls, into cars and into veterans’ homes; residents say these veterans now suffer from PTSD, having thought they had found a quiet neighborhood. One of the most egregious cases occurred a week before the barricade action: a bullet pierced a house wall and passed within inches of a cradle containing a six-week-old infant.

Surprisingly, the mayor’s office, instead of supporting the residents’ initiative, sent representatives who began arguing about the planters. Residents chased them off. City Council member Debora Juarez issued the first public statement on April 11, saying “we should not have to live in fear of being shot in our own homes,” but 48 hours later there was another shooting on 98th Street. The mayor’s office responded by promising increased night patrols and the involvement of the department focused on firearm violence reduction, but residents no longer wait for that — they believe the administration is stuck in an ideology that treats fighting pimps and drug dealers as a matter of inequality.

There is a notable contrast: just north, in Shoreline, on the same road but on the other side of 145th Street, such problems are virtually nonexistent. The same thoroughfare, different political approaches and outcomes. In Seattle, authorities emphasize patience, social services and community work, but to those being shot at in their own bedrooms, this sounds like mockery. Hager says residents set a simple goal: to survive the weekend without anyone being killed. And when city officials send someone to argue about planters instead of tackling armed criminals, it reveals a crisis of priorities.

Photos from the scene and more details can be found in the original article on MyNorthwest.com, where the author asks rhetorically: perhaps it would be better to send someone not to argue with residents but to talk to the pimps and drug dealers who for two years have turned Aurora into a battlefield without martial law.

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Pike Place Market to allow alcohol "Sip and Stroll" this summer

Seattle's historic Pike Place Market is launching a pilot "Sip and Stroll" program that will allow visitors to buy alcoholic beverages at 24 participating businesses and carry them freely within designated areas. The program will begin June 5 and run through Labor Day (the first Monday in September). Hours will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with drinks required to be finished or discarded by 5:00 p.m. The initiative is timed for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be held in the U.S. this summer. Seattle earned host-city status thanks to its strong soccer culture: MLS club the Seattle Sounders averages more than 40,000 fans per match — one of the highest figures in the U.S. Lumen Field was purpose-built for soccer with a grass surface and a capacity of 69,000, meeting FIFA requirements. In addition, Seattle is a major international hub with developed transport infrastructure, important for accommodating fans from around the world. Soccer is popular at all levels here — from school leagues to the professional ranks — demonstrating the city's readiness for the tournament.

The program became possible thanks to a law passed last year in Washington state that allows licensed establishments to extend their service area into agreed public spaces. Previously, public drinking was effectively banned. After Prohibition was repealed in the U.S. (1933), each state gained the right to regulate alcohol independently. In Washington, influenced by strong religious and conservative groups, some of the strictest restrictions were adopted: until 2012 alcohol sales were only through state-run stores, and public drinking in parks, beaches and streets was strictly prohibited. Only in the past decade have laws relaxed: alcohol is now allowed in some parks and stadiums, but overall control remains tighter than in many other states. As the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA) notes, the main goal is to support local businesses amid economic difficulties and to increase foot traffic from residents and tourists alike.

To enforce the rules, anyone wanting to participate in the program must present ID and receive a wristband. Alcohol will be served in special cups, and permitted consumption zones (including additional picnic tables) will be clearly marked. Market staff will monitor conduct across the program area. In addition, most vehicle traffic in the market will be blocked for the duration of the program — temporary barriers are already in place.

Special events, such as the Night Market on June 18, will include extended program hours until 10:00 p.m. A previously run trial of traffic restrictions showed a 5.6% increase in visitors compared with last year, confirming the success of such initiatives. Market management hopes the "Sip and Stroll" will not only attract extra guests but also help local businesses during a difficult time.

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Based on: Pike Place Market to test Sip and Stroll open-container alcohol program

Remembering the Fallen on Memorial Day in Washington State

Tina Matz and her mother Joanne Matz visited the grave of Tina’s grandfather, Vernon Easterling Sr., a Battle of the Bulge veteran, on Thursday at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. After walking among the flags placed ahead of Memorial Day, they also retrieved the remains of Joanne’s late husband, Carl Matz, who served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Their goal is to reinter him alongside his comrades at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Tahoma National Cemetery, established in November 1993 at the foot of Mount Rainier, is managed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It is one of many sites in the region holding ceremonies on Monday to honor Memorial Day, dedicated to American service members who died in the line of duty. The event at Tahoma Cemetery will take place at 1 p.m., and the ceremony at Fort Lawton Cemetery in Seattle will be at 11 a.m.

Other events include a ceremony at the Memorial Garden on University Street in Seattle at 10 a.m., where this year special recognition will be given to Ariana Linse Savino, one of six aviators who died in March when a refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq. Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery on Aurora Avenue will place flags at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. A full list of events is available on the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs website.

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Based on: Remembering WA’s fallen for Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2026: Free national park entry, rain forecast

On Memorial Day, entry to all U.S. national parks, including Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park, will be free for all U.S. residents. However, those planning outdoor holiday outings should bring rain gear: the National Weather Service in Seattle forecasts a rainy day with gusty winds. Seattle and the southern areas can expect up to 6 mm of precipitation, while in the north, in Island County, the rain will be less intense. Along the coast, wind gusts could reach 64 km/h, and thunderstorms are possible on the Olympic Peninsula and in the Chehalis Valley.

Air temperatures will be around 15–17°C. The usual park entrance fee ($30 per vehicle) is waived for all U.S. citizens in honor of the national holiday dedicated to service members who died in the line of duty. This is one of eight “America the Beautiful” free-entrance days for national parks in 2026. Notably, there were changes to this year’s list: the next free day is set for June 14 — President Donald Trump’s birthday and Flag Day — while the National Park Service removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list.

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Based on: Memorial Day 2026: Free national parks entry, rain in weather forecast

Suspects Arrested in 2021 Moses Lake Homicide

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of two suspects in the killing of 24-year-old Christopher Vincent, whose body with shotgun wounds was found on May 26, 2021, on Airway Drive in Moses Lake, Washington. The crime remained unsolved for a long time due to a lack of evidence, but recently obtained information allowed investigators to follow a new lead.

According to investigators, on the day of the incident two 15-year-old teens in a car spotted Vincent walking early in the morning. Deciding to rob the pedestrian, the suspects turned around, pulled up to the victim, and the passenger shot the young man with a shotgun. Vincent’s body was discovered several hours later by a passing driver.

Grant County Prosecutor Brandon Gernsey expressed hope that the arrests will bring some measure of comfort to the victim’s family and that justice will prevail. “Our hearts are with Mr. Vincent’s family as they continue to grieve this unimaginable loss,” said sheriff’s spokesman Kyle Forman, noting that authorities intend to do everything possible to determine the truth.

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Based on: 2 suspects in custody for 2021 Moses Lake homicide

First Prom for Patients: Joy Inside the Hospital

For the first time, patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital were eagerly anticipating a visit to the medical facility. Many had spent years being treated for rare diseases, cancer and developmental disorders, but on a warm May evening they arrived with happiness — to celebrate a prom held just for them.

In the U.S., the high school prom is a culmination of senior year and a symbol of the transition to adulthood. It includes elements like renting limousines, choosing a prom “king” and “queen,” and buying special dresses and tuxedos, so the hospital decided to recreate this important social ritual for its patients, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience it because of illness.

Nineteen-year-old Annika Dixon missed her school prom two years ago because of a flare-up of a rare pain disorder. When she learned the hospital was hosting its own prom for patients, she was thrilled. “I have a lot of traumatic memories here,” she admitted as she prepared for the evening. “But this is a chance to make good memories and find friends who will understand me.”

Organizers — medical staff and volunteers — put together a sparkling celebration for thirty teens and their guests, for whom a traditional school prom was inaccessible. Some were undergoing treatment, others couldn’t attend large public events because of weakened immune systems, and others were homeschooled or learning online. “We wanted to give these teens a sense of normal life,” explained Chloe Reichert, a child life specialist at the hospital. This profession is rare outside the U.S. and Canada, but is a standard in large American children’s hospitals: trained specialists help children and their families cope with the stress of hospitalization using play, education and preparation for procedures to make the hospital experience less scary.

Fourteen-year-old Monica Medina Lamas came with her sister Mary Anita — both girls suffer from the same kidney condition. Monica had a transplant at age four and is marking a decade with her new organ, but she still gets sick easily. “I do school online, so I didn’t have a prom,” she said. “When I heard about the hospital prom, I was so excited.” Her scarlet dress, donated to the hospital, matched her favorite red perfectly.

The event was made possible by the generosity of donors and volunteers, Reichert said. The Seattle area is home to the headquarters of tech giants Amazon and Microsoft, as well as Boeing’s major manufacturing. These companies traditionally make large donations to local institutions, including Seattle Children’s Hospital, funding building projects, research programs and educational initiatives for patients. It’s these philanthropic gifts that help the hospital put on unique events. Guests enjoyed forest-themed decor, a photo booth, a glowing dance floor, a DJ, and a mini horse named Bass in a sparkling harness. The forest theme was chosen deliberately: it reflects Washington state’s natural identity, known for its dense coniferous forests and unofficial nickname, the “Evergreen State.” For patients, many of whom live in the region, such decorations create a feeling of connection to their familiar home landscape and help distract from the hospital setting.

“It’s so inspiring to see an entire community come together for these kids,” Reichert shared. Her role involves helping young patients understand and cope with illness. If play is the tool for little kids, events like prom matter for teens. “Even if it looks a little different, it’s still important,” she added.

Eighteen-year-old Brooke Novak, who was diagnosed with leukemia in February, missed her own graduation due to treatment. “At first I wasn’t that upset, but when the opportunity was taken away, I missed it more,” she admitted. “Being around other kids going through the same thing makes you feel better, even if you don’t realize it right away.”

Debbie Dixon, Annika’s mother, said her daughter has received three diagnoses in the past five years that keep her from going out often. Favorite activities — horseback riding and mall trips — had to be put on hold. “She’s sick, but people don’t see it,” Debbie said. “They don’t understand how much ordinary things mean to her.”

As the prom wound down, Annika exchanged contacts with new friends and picked up favors — lotions and stickers. “How was the night?” she was asked. She smiled broadly in reply: “Mission accomplished.”

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Based on: Patients find connection, community at first Seattle Children’s prom

Seattle: From Festivals to Gunfire — Contrasts of a Metropolis

Today's Seattle news digest covers three key events: rainy Memorial Day weather forcing residents to change weekend plans; the vibrant and inspiring 55th Northwest Folklife Festival, which united communities around the concept of "Ubuntu"; and a troubling shooting incident in the northern part of the city, where police are seeking witnesses and investigating the circumstances of the exchange of gunfire.

A rainy start to summer: Memorial Day weather in Seattle will disappoint residents

Seattle residents planning to spend the upcoming Memorial Day weekend outdoors should adjust their plans. After several relatively dry and sunny days, rainy weather is returning to the region. According to the forecast published on the FOX 13 Seattle website (https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/fmc-3ft3esmv63q4ydss), the weekend and Memorial Day itself will be cloudy and wet. Rain is expected to begin Friday evening and fall with varying intensity through the weekend, with the heaviest precipitation forecast for Sunday and Monday. Temperatures are unlikely to be warm: thermometers are expected to stay around 14–16 degrees Celsius (57–61°F), noticeably below the seasonal norm. For those who still plan to head outdoors or host a barbecue, meteorologists recommend bringing umbrellas and waterproof clothing and considering alternative indoor activities. A rainy start to summer is not unusual for Seattle, known for its maritime climate, but after a dry May this change may feel particularly abrupt. Forecasters are not yet predicting when steady warmth will arrive but warn that the first half of June could also be rainy.

Colorful scenes at the 55th annual Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Seattle was filled with music, dance and storytelling — the 55th annual Northwest Folklife Festival reopened its doors at Seattle Center. This event, one of the city's most beloved cultural celebrations, brought together artists and communities from across the region. The festival's theme this year was the concept of "Ubuntu" — "I am because we are" — emphasizing the power of connection, collective care and humanity. Through performances, workshops, food and art, participants explored this deep idea. Notably, the organizers continued their tradition of reflecting on global concepts: past themes included "Metamorphosis," "Lagom," "Meraki" and "Ikigai," allowing each year a new look at how identity is formed and what unites people despite their differences.

The festival atmosphere was imbued with a spirit of community. As noted in KOMO News (https://komonews.com/seattle-refined/colorful-scenes-from-the-55th-annual-northwest-folklife-festival-at-seattle-center-ubuntu-community-music-food-family-art-fun-pnw), visitors could observe contrasting yet harmonious scenes: from crowded stages where musicians performed to quiet corners inviting reflection. Everyone could find something: learning a new dance, sampling dishes from national cuisines, or simply watching different cultures weave together against the backdrop of Seattle Center. This diversity — from traditional crafts to contemporary Indigenous art — demonstrates how generations in the Pacific Northwest define and redefine "folk," investing it not only with the past but with a living present.

A key insight from the event is that it serves not merely as entertainment but as an important platform for dialogue and mutual understanding. The theme of "Ubuntu" proved to be more than a catchy word; it was a practical guide to action: through music and co-creation participants literally lived the idea that our well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being of those around us. In a world often divided, the Northwest Folklife Festival is a reminder that true culture lives not in museums but in shared experiences, outdoor dances and communal meals that bring strangers together.

Dozens of shots fired in north Seattle: police seek witnesses

Early Saturday morning, residents in a north Seattle neighborhood were awakened by sounds resembling automatic gunfire. According to Seattle police, around 4 a.m. local time dispatchers began receiving a barrage of calls from locals who said they heard more than thirty shots near the intersection of Aurora Avenue and North 98th Street. Officers who arrived within minutes encountered a scene typical of urban nightlife: a crowd of people hurriedly leaving a nearby nightclub scattering in different directions.

What police found at the scene is deeply concerning. Investigators report that roughly twenty spent shell casings were found on the west side of Aurora Avenue, and about the same number were found on the east side. This indicates that shots were fired from multiple positions and that the shooting may have been bidirectional. In addition to shell casings, officers documented damage to a parked vehicle and several nearby buildings. Fortunately, early reports did not mention any injuries, but the fact that dozens of rounds were fired at residential and commercial structures speaks to the shooters' extreme recklessness.

The scene is currently cordoned off, and forensic teams have conducted a thorough processing of the area: dozens of photographs taken, shell casings collected, and footage seized from security cameras on nearby homes and businesses. The investigation has been assigned to a specialized unit — the Gun Violence Reduction Unit. This unit was created in response to an increase in shootings in the city and handles cases involving mass shootings in public places.

Seattle police are now asking the public for help. In an official statement, authorities say any information about the incident can be reported via the tip line at 206-233-5000. Investigators are especially interested in testimony from those who were in the club area and may have seen suspicious persons or vehicles. The incident reported by KOMO News (https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-police-investigating-overnight-shooting-along-aurora-avenue-crime-mayor-katie-wilson-neighbors-shell-casings-gun-violence-in-seattle) underscores the ongoing problem of "street justice" and the availability of firearms in the city, despite Mayor Katie Wilson's efforts to tighten controls. Aurora Avenue, known for its crime issues, has once again become the epicenter of a high-profile crime, raising concerns among residents and activists calling for more decisive action from city officials. Investigators must determine whether the shooting resulted from gang-related disputes or from an altercation inside the venue that spilled onto the street.

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Yakima Basin farmers cut water use again amid drought

In the Yakima River Basin — rightly called Washington state's "fruit basket" (it produces about 75% of the region's agricultural output) — the Roza irrigation district for the third consecutive year has been forced to shut off water for agricultural use early in the growing season. This unprecedented step is intended to conserve water resources ahead of a summer drought that forecasters expect will be particularly severe. The district supplies water to roughly 72,000 acres of apple orchards, berry fields, and plantings of cherries, peaches, pears and corn.

The economic importance of the Yakima Basin is hard to overstate: its agricultural output brings in about $4.5 billion annually. In addition to apples and grapes, the basin produces pears, sweet cherries, hops for brewing, mint, sweet corn and asparagus. The unique combination of a long sunny summer, glacial soils and efficient irrigation creates ideal conditions for premium apple varieties such as Gala and Fuji, which are then exported to Asia and Europe. But water problems in this region serve as an early warning of how severe drought could become across the state.

The main cause of the crisis is a catastrophically low snowpack this winter, explains Roza irrigation district manager Scott Revell. Mountain snow acts as a natural reservoir, slowly feeding rivers with meltwater well into June. But this year the snow melted much earlier than usual, especially in the Yakima Basin and on the Olympic Mountains. About 80% of the region’s streams are not connected to reservoirs, so rainfall that could help is effectively lost. Building new reservoirs faces serious obstacles: environmental laws and tribal water rights require lengthy approvals, since dams destroy salmon spawning grounds. Disputes among farmers, environmentalists and hydropower interests have stalled solutions for years — the proposed Yakima Basin project, first suggested in 2014, still hasn’t been completed because of lawsuits.

To avoid running out of water over the summer, Roza shut off water for 10 days (possibly longer) to its 95-mile irrigation system. When crops can still survive a temporary dry spell, that strategy saves millions of gallons of water. Revell notes that this used to be a rare measure, but it has now been used seven times since 1994. He hopes to stretch supplies through the end of September — a critical date for grape growers.

The water shortage threatens not only agriculture but whole cities. Yakima, Union Gap and Sunnyside — whose water supplies depend on the river — face possible cutoffs. State officials declared a fourth consecutive drought emergency, unlocking only about $3 million in grants for emergency projects. That’s woefully insufficient: last year’s drought was so severe officials banned surface-water withdrawals across the entire Yakima Basin. In a hot summer, household water supplies could be turned off, schools and hospitals could close, and local residents are already being forced to buy bottled drinking water. Lawn watering is completely banned — a major blow for a region where average summer temperatures can reach 100°F (about 38°C).

Governor Bob Ferguson has ordered a series of roundtables across Washington to discuss both current problems and future challenges. Farmers’ main proposal is increased water storage capacity. But any infrastructure projects require huge sums and many years to complete. None will be ready in time for the peak of summer drought.

Climate change is worsening the problem: summers are getting hotter, longer and arriving earlier. Combined with the low snowpack, this means cities, farms, fisheries and wildlife in Washington are facing increasing water stress. Salmon spawning — one of the Pacific Northwest’s icons — requires cold, flowing water, but drought lowers river levels and raises temperatures. When the Yakima warms above 68°F (20°C), salmon suffer mass deaths from stress and disease. For the Yakama tribes, salmon are not only food but part of spiritual culture: their disappearance undermines centuries-old traditions. Even before the first day of summer, the region is preparing for serious consequences — from wildfires to ecological collapse.

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Based on: Yakima River farmers accept early water cuts as drought deepens

Green Card Revolution: What Trump's New Rules Mean for Washington

A statement from the Trump administration on Friday morning that green card applicants already in the U.S. must now leave the country to file their applications sent shockwaves through the immigration community. Immigration attorneys in Seattle — one of the main hubs for foreign talent — instantly found themselves at the center of the storm, trying to grasp the scope of the changes. "This is probably the most radical thing they could have done," said Tahmina Watson, a Seattle immigration lawyer, predicting a sharp rise in separated families and workplace chaos.

Seattle and the state of Washington have historically become a tech hub thanks to the presence of giants like Microsoft, founded in 1975 in Redmond, and Amazon, headquartered in Seattle. Engineering offices for Google, Facebook, Apple and dozens of other companies later joined them. That created a steady demand for highly skilled foreign workers. Amazon and Microsoft rank among the top five U.S. employers sponsoring H-1B visas. Boeing, in aerospace engineering, and T-Mobile US, headquartered in Bellevue, also heavily rely on the program. The region offers high salaries, quality of life and a tolerant atmosphere that attract talent from around the world.

The new rules break a decades-old practice of "adjustment of status," where people legally present in the U.S. could obtain a green card without leaving the country. Over the past ten years nearly 160,000 people in Washington state obtained lawful permanent residence through this route, mostly via sponsorship from U.S. citizen relatives or employers. Traditionally, this process allowed applicants to avoid prolonged family separation and job loss.

However, read in its strictest form, the new directive threatens serious consequences. According to Matt Adams, legal director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project — a nonprofit founded in 1984 that provides free or low-cost legal services to immigrants in the "sanctuary state" — applicants who lose legal status now risk being placed in removal proceedings or even detained. "Either we will file a lawsuit, or help someone else file one," Adams said, predicting a wave of litigation. NWIRP is considered a key player in Washington due to its proximity to the Canadian border, which creates unique cases, and the organization often participates in high-profile lawsuits challenging federal policy, including H-1B restrictions.

The most frightening scenario for many will be forced departure, which can trigger three- or ten-year bars on reentry to the U.S. As Jay Gerson, a law professor at Seattle University — which has a strong law school and is traditionally active on human rights and immigration policy issues — explains, such bars take effect if an applicant accumulates more than six months or one year of unlawful presence. Moreover, even without a statutory bar, applicants risk being stuck abroad for years because of monstrous backlogs at embassies and consulates.

By midday, however, some lawyers concluded that the announced consequences might not be as catastrophic. Seattle attorneys Abtin Bahador and Jen-Ya Chen noted that the six-page memorandum itself is much milder than the press release. Unlike the headline announcement, it does not require "extraordinary circumstances" for exceptions, but instructs officials to "weigh all positive and negative factors," including family ties and the moral character of the applicant.

The new rules create particular uncertainty for H-1B visa holders — a key category of foreign specialists in Washington’s tech sector. According to 2023 data, Amazon and Microsoft sponsored thousands of such visas each year, enabling them to hire foreigners with rare technical skills in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. On one hand, the memorandum acknowledges that such temporary workers may be eligible for a green card from within the U.S., since their visas contemplate immigrant intent. On the other hand — a footnote reminds — they too could be denied, which drew criticism from the American Immigration Lawyers Association: "It seems like they're saying one thing and implying another." Tougher scrutiny of "specialized knowledge" and wage requirements could make hiring economically unviable even for the giants, hurting the region’s entire ecosystem — from startups to global corporations.

USCIS spokesperson Zach Caler tried to soften the impression, saying in a comment that the agency will assess each case individually. "People whose applications deliver economic benefit or align with national interests will likely be able to continue on their current path, while others may be advised to apply from abroad," he explained, but he did not clarify how the new policy will affect already-filed applications or current H-1B holders.

Until clarity arrives, thousands of families, workers and employers in Washington remain in limbo. Attorneys advise clients not to panic but to prepare for delays and more thorough document scrutiny. One thing is clear: the "shock and awe" of Trump’s announcement is only the beginning of a long process of legal battles and clarifications that will determine how dramatic the real consequences will be for people’s lives and the region’s economy.

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Based on: What Trump’s dramatic green card announcement means for WA

Seattle March Defends Transgender Rights

Several hundred activists gathered on Saturday at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill — a site with deep symbolic meaning for the LGBTQ community. The park is named for Cal Anderson, the first openly gay legislator in the Washington state legislature, and is located in the heart of Seattle’s historic LGBTQ district that Capitol Hill has been since the 1960s. For decades the park has served as a venue for protests, Pride events and public gatherings, underscoring the current march’s roots in the movement for equality. Participants carried signs reading “Trans rights are human rights!”, waved flags and chanted demands. Those gathered ranged in age from 26-year-old Logan Hodge, holding a transgender flag, to 76-year-old Maride Bonadea, who played drums made from plastic buckets. Activists said taking part in the rally gives them a sense of unity and support in a difficult time.

The march was organized by the Seattle Trans and Intersex Mutual Aid Network together with the Movement for Gender Equity. The “Mutual Aid Network” is a grassroots organization operating on the principle of mutual aid: it directly connects transgender and intersex people who need resources (housing, legal support, medical care) with community members willing to provide them. Unlike traditional nonprofits, the network emphasizes solidarity, decentralized governance and the absence of bureaucratic barriers. The rally was prompted by a letter from the city’s LGBTQ Commission sent to Mayor Jenny Durkan last week. The commission urged declaring a civil emergency in the city to provide assistance to transgender people forced to leave their home states with conservative laws, such as Texas, Tennessee and Idaho. According to the commission, Seattle is already seeing an influx of refugees fleeing hostile laws and discrimination. The Mutual Aid Network is actively involved in supporting these people: the organization provides emergency financial assistance for relocation, seeks temporary housing with host families in Seattle, offers information on local social services, helps with employment and paperwork reflecting gender identity in Washington state systems. Special attention is given to transgender people fleeing states with repressive laws, for example bans on gender-affirming care for minors.

In a response letter Mayor Durkan agreed that a coordinated approach is necessary but declined to declare an emergency. Instead she pledged to form a working group this summer to assess needs for housing, mental health care, food, transportation, legal counseling and violence prevention. Activists, in turn, say these measures are insufficient and are calling for immediate funding to community organizations.

Although the march was not directly connected to the May 10 killing of University of Washington transgender student Juniper Blessing, that tragic event heightened anxiety in the community. Police have not yet found evidence that the student was killed because of her transgender identity, but many rally participants said they fear for their safety. “I’m here to show how many of us there are, and that we’re scared and angry,” said 23-year-old trans woman Mossi, who declined to give her last name.

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Based on: Trans rights supporters rally in Seattle, march on City Hall

Pacific Place in Seattle to Become a "Soccer House" for World Cup 2026

Seattle’s organizing committee has announced that the Pacific Place mall will become a free fan zone for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. From June 15 to July 2, and again July 6–7, the 27,000-square-foot space, named Seattle Soccer House, will be open to all ages with no advance registration or ticket purchase required. The centerpiece will be a 70-foot screen visible from four levels.

The Soccer House will be divided into six themed zones. These include the "Forest Entry" with a world map where visitors can mark their country, the "Watering Hole" with a nautical theme and a bar, the "Urban Core" with the main screen and a tournament-bracket wall, and the "Field" with a mini lawn for kids and creative areas. Also featured are the "Pacific Market" with souvenirs and the VIP "Summit Club," styled like a mountain lodge.

Organizers emphasized inclusivity: there will be spaces for wheelchair users, captions and audio description for blind and hard-of-hearing fans, and nonalcoholic beverages. Seattle Soccer House will be one of four official fan zones, alongside sites at Seattle Center, Pier 62 and Victory Hall, helping make the city a true hub of World Cup celebration in 2026.

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Based on: FIFA Men’s World Cup: Pacific Place becoming Seattle Soccer House

Tens of Thousands Gather for Sikh Parade in Kent

On Saturday, the city of Kent, located about 15 miles south of Seattle, became the center of a vibrant Sikh celebration: tens of thousands of people gathered at the ShoWare Center complex for the annual Sikh Day Parade. This suburban city was not chosen by accident — the Kent and neighboring Renton area has historically become one of the largest Sikh communities in the U.S., and the presence of community centers and geographic proximity to Seattle make Kent a convenient site for large religious and cultural events.

Men, women and children in traditional dress, turbans and scarves filled the main hall to make offerings and pray. The atmosphere was festive: some people wore T-shirts with Nike logos, and one participant wittily riffed on the title of a famous rap album by writing “Straight Outta Punjab.”

The event, organized by the Singh Sabha gurdwara (Sikh temple) of Renton, combined two key observances. The first was Vaisakhi, the most important Sikh festival, traditionally celebrated in mid-April. Originally a harvest festival in northern India, in 1699 it became the day that established the Sikh initiation ceremony. As volunteer Gurpreet Singh explained, “this day symbolizes the baptism of Sikhs and the rejection of caste and religious discrimination — since then all Sikhs have borne the common surname Singh.”

The second part of the celebration was the Sikh parade, known in Punjabi as Nagar Kirtan. Organizers stressed that its purpose is to convey “the universal Sikh message of equality, service, compassion and humanity to people of any background.” For 39-year-old Gurprit Singh of Covington, a gas station and restaurant owner, the day was an opportunity to invite Washington residents to learn about Sikhs and their more-than-century-long history in the state.

Sikhs began settling in this region in the early 20th century, drawn by work in sawmills and on the railroads. In Renton and Kent they found affordable land and jobs in industry and agriculture. After the 1965 immigration reform and especially since the 1980s, the community grew significantly with the arrival of IT professionals and entrepreneurs. These cities became a local center of the Sikh diaspora thanks to a mix of economic opportunities, relative closeness to Seattle and the gurdwara infrastructure that developed.

That history, however, also includes darker chapters: Sikhs faced racism almost from the moment they arrived in the region. In September 1907, hundreds of white residents of Bellingham launched a pogrom, driving South Asian workers out of the mills. The mob smashed windows, beat people and dragged them from homes and workplaces. As a result, within ten days the entire South Asian population had left the town. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Sikhs in Washington were yelled at to “go home,” Sikh taxi drivers were assaulted, and a motel owner in SeaTac was beaten with a cane.

Those memories remain painful. Gurprit Singh admitted, “When I think about a war with Iran, I imagine that if something like that happened here, we would be the first target. Because of our turbans we look too similar.” Local politicians spoke at the event, including state Senator from the 45th District Sharna Shoker (Democrat), Senator from the 19th District Jim Walsh (Republican) and 36th District state Representative Dave Larson, who is running for the state Supreme Court. Their participation reflects a strong system of local representation in Washington, where legislators are expected to engage directly with constituents, including ethnic communities, and the multicultural character of the state, where politicians from both parties consider it important to attend such events to demonstrate inclusivity and support for religious minorities. Former judge Dave Larson said: “We are in a struggle between those who want freedom and those who want to dominate.”

Outside the main hall, guests found 55 vegetarian food stalls, and before the midday parade there was a gatka demonstration — the traditional Sikh martial art with swords. Dancers spun and sparred to music, thrilling the crowd. For 48-year-old financial adviser Harpreet Singh, the celebration is a way to pass Sikh and Punjabi culture on to his sons, born in America. Pointing to a poster with three Sikh values — “Earn honestly, always remember God, share with those in need” — he summarized: “That’s what really matters to me.”

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Based on: Sikh Day Parade brings tens of thousands to Kent

Incidents in the U.S.: Shooting Near the White House, Raids and Shootouts

A series of high-profile incidents in the U.S.: a shooting near the White House with the suspect killed, a congressman drawing historical parallels between modern raids and World War II Japanese internments, and a mass shooting outside a Seattle nightclub with dozens of rounds fired.

Shooting near the White House: suspect killed, President Trump unharmed

On Saturday evening there was a shooting at the south fence of the White House, in which an armed man was killed and a passerby was wounded. According to an official statement from the U.S. Secret Service, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. local time when the suspect approached a checkpoint, took a gun out of a bag and opened fire on agency personnel. Officers immediately returned fire and wounded the attacker, who later died at a hospital. The injured passerby was also hospitalized in critical condition, but it remains unclear whether they were hit by the suspect’s initial shots or by rounds fired by police. The Secret Service emphasized that none of their personnel were hurt and that President Donald Trump, who was in the White House at the time, was not in danger.

Reporters working in the White House press center said they heard a series of shots and were instructed to shelter in the briefing room. The Associated Press published dramatic footage shot by ABC News senior correspondent Selina Wang, who captured the moment of the shooting while inside the press tent: the video contains the sound of dozens of shots, and the reporter ducks and seeks cover. The clip garnered millions of views within hours. At the scene, one block from the White House at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, investigators set up yellow tape and laid out dozens of orange evidence markers. Medical supplies, including purple surgical gloves and first-aid kits, were also left on the sidewalk. FBI Director Kesh Patel confirmed the shooting on social media and promised to inform the public as information becomes available.

This incident is the latest in a chain of recent firearm-related events near the president’s residence. Notably, a similar case occurred just a month ago — on May 4 — when the Secret Service shot a suspect near the Washington Monument, also close to the White House, after he fired on officers; a teenager was wounded in that incident. Earlier, on April 25, law enforcement foiled an assassination attempt on President Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner: suspect Cole Thomas Allen of California recently pleaded not guilty. Additionally, last November in the same area there was an attack on two members of the West Virginia National Guard, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Army specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the serious wounding of her colleague Andrew Woolf.

Experts note that the increasing frequency of shootings near symbolic government buildings is a serious security concern for protection of the nation’s top officials. It is notable that in this case the suspect was not identified as a lone killer with political motives — unlike the April episode. Questions remain about the attacker’s motives and identity, and whether he had ties to any radical groups. The viral spread of Selina Wang’s reporter video on social media underscores how suddenly and dangerously conditions can change even in seemingly secure zones. Analysts explain that Secret Service procedures call for an immediate response to any threat, and in this case the response protocol worked as intended: officers opened fire to neutralize the threat, even at the risk of hitting nearby civilians. Authorities continue their investigation, and as the FBI director said in his social media post (https://x.com/FBI), details will be released as they are verified.

Historical parallels: U.S. congressman sees modern raids repeating WWII Japanese internments

U.S. Representative Mark Takano, whose family experienced Japanese American internment camps during World War II, is watching current immigration raids with alarm. In his statement the lawmaker draws direct historical parallels between the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans in the 1940s and today’s large-scale deportations. Takano, who represents California in the House of Representatives, notes that his own relatives were among the 120,000 people forcibly relocated to camps. The congressman emphasizes that current government actions show a troubling resemblance to the times when fear and prejudice supplanted common sense and the rule of law.

It is worth noting that Mark Takano is one of the few current lawmakers with direct familial ties to the victims of those repressions. He refers to the infamous Executive Order 9066, signed by President Roosevelt in 1942, which authorized the military to designate “exclusion zones” for Japanese Americans. As a result of that decision, tens of thousands of law-abiding Americans were forced to leave their homes. As Takano points out in his statement to KIRO 7 (https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/video-hazmat-evacuations-expand-california/24591c90-1bf6-49d0-b95c-88fd0614f9c6/), Americans today are again “repeating the mistakes of the past,” only this time Latinx people and members of other ethnic groups are the targets. The congressman reminds readers that Japanese internment was later recognized as a grievous violation of civil rights. Takano also links these events to the expansion of hazardous-material evacuations in California, hinting at the escalation of public fear and tension.

Shooting at Seattle nightclub: more than 30 rounds fired at dawn

Early Saturday morning Seattle residents were awakened by sounds resembling a full-blown shootout. According to witnesses, around 4:00 a.m. outside the Lava Lounge nightclub near Aurora Avenue in the city’s northwest, a “volley of more than 30 gunshots” rang out. Seattle police responded quickly to multiple 911 calls from the area and arrived on scene. As reported by Yahoo News (https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/volley-gunshots-seattle-police-investigating-231829207.html), the crime scene at Aurora Ave. N and N. 98th St. was chaotic.

According to law enforcement, the evidence suggests shots were fired from both sides of the street. Officers found about twenty shell casings on the west side of Aurora Avenue and roughly the same number on the east side. This indicates the incident may not have been a random outbreak of violence, but rather a deliberate shootout between two or more groups. Crime-scene investigators arrived to collect evidence, and although most clubgoers had already dispersed, a sizable crowd remained at the scene.

A key and troubling detail in the investigation is the uncertainty about casualties. There is no official information yet on injuries or fatalities, which suggests shooters may not have been aiming at people or that, more likely, any victims may have left the scene before police arrival. However, material damage is evident: bullets struck several nearby buildings and a parked car. Thus, the incident could have had far more tragic consequences if more people had been on the street at the time.

Facing this brazen use of firearms, the Seattle Police Department is asking the public for help. Investigators are considering the possibility of targeted gunfire or a conflict that escalated into a street shootout, but they do not yet have definitive information on motives or the number of participants. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 206-233-5000. Incidents like this, especially involving so many shots, always cause serious concern among residents near entertainment venues and raise questions for police about the effectiveness of firearms controls and nighttime public safety.

The term “volley” or “a volley of gunshots” (volley of gunshots), as used by witnesses in this context, does not mean automatic sustained fire from a single weapon, but rather a series of shots fired nearly simultaneously or in very short intervals. The report of about 20 casings on each side of the street is an important piece of evidence indicating fire came from at least two points, supporting the theory of a shootout rather than a one-sided attack.

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Assembly: New Seattle Art Fair Will Challenge the Giant

Two of Seattle’s leading galleries, Traver Gallery and Greg Kucera Gallery, have announced the launch of a new art fair called Assembly, scheduled for July 23–26, 2025. The event will serve as an alternative to the larger Seattle Art Fair (SAF), which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary. Although the founders of Assembly—Sarah Traver (Traver Gallery, founded in 1979, known for glass art) and Kim Clifford (Greg Kucera Gallery, founded in 1991, focused on contemporary painting)—were competitors for decades, they joined forces in the 2020s to create a more curated and less commercialized platform. Their partnership has become a symbolic bridge between different art directions. Organizers emphasize that Assembly is conceived as a more intimate and selective event offering collectors and the public a different way to engage with art.

The scale of Assembly is considerably smaller: about 10 galleries from Portland and Seattle and one from Dallas have confirmed participation so far. The total number of participants is expected to reach 15, roughly a quarter of SAF, which typically features around 70 galleries, including ones from Japan and France. Some galleries, such as studio e, J. Rinehart Gallery and AMcE Creative Arts, have chosen to participate in both fairs.

The main difference at Assembly is the rejection of traditional booth displays. Instead, galleries will occupy open spaces around the central atrium at the West Canal Yards complex — a former industrial area in south Seattle near Lake Washington. Its roomy warehouse spaces and open lots are well suited for temporary exhibitions, and the location outside the downtown core allows artists to create large-scale installations without constraints. The industrial aesthetic of the neighborhood, evoking the creative reclamation of abandoned spaces, recently became home to Traver Gallery. This approach, according to founder Sarah Traver, creates conditions for “real discoveries and deeper immersion,” and it also substantially cuts costs: the base participation fee ranges from $3,000 to $6,500, whereas SAF fees can exceed $25,000.

The decision to launch a new fair was largely driven by economic difficulties facing so-called “mid-tier” galleries—those selling works priced from $10,000 to $400,000. In 2024, political and economic uncertainty led collectors to cut back, and participation in expensive fairs stopped being profitable. Assembly offers a more affordable model: after covering catering and security costs, organizers will distribute proceeds from ticket sales and fees among participants.

Assembly is an invitation-only fair: galleries do not apply but are invited by organizers. The event is open to the public—anyone can buy reasonably priced tickets, and no one is required to make purchases. However, the opening Wednesday evening will include a private VIP event for collectors and museum curators, intended to rekindle interest among a sophisticated audience that in recent years has been frustrated by the visual overload at SAF.

Seattle Art Fair director Kelly Freeman welcomed the new initiative, saying “Seattle’s art ecosystem becomes stronger when there are multiple platforms for engagement.” SAF continues to shape its program, confirming participation from well-known galleries such as Roq La Rue, Harris Harvey, Winston Wächter Fine Art and Woodside/Braseth, alongside international players.

July has become a traditional month for art events in Seattle thanks to the warm, sunny weather—a rarity for the city—which draws tourists and collectors and coincides with summer vacations. In addition to SAF, the month hosts Out of Sight, an outdoor contemporary art fair in the Georgetown neighborhood, as well as independent gallery shows. Georgetown, a historic industrial district with low rents and large buildings, has attracted artists and galleries since the 1990s. Today it is home to more than 20 galleries, including leading ones such as Traver and Greg Kucera, making it the “heart” of Seattle’s independent art scene—a place where new trends form and connections between artists and collectors are sustained.

Some galleries, like Georgetown-based studio e, see benefits to participating in both fairs. “Each fair provides access to its own unique audience of collectors and institutions,” says gallery owner Dawna Holloway. “Expanding our presence lets us connect with an even broader public.” Judith Rinehart of J. Rinehart Gallery adds that Assembly offers the chance to “exercise curatorial flexibility” in a more spacious setting, which has become more accessible for a small gallery.

The founders of Assembly, Traver and Clifford, insist they do not view the new fair as a competitor to SAF. “We don’t want to take anything away from it,” Traver emphasizes. “The goal is to complement the cultural landscape and give the city another reason to dive into art.” Clifford adds: “‘The more the merrier’—this is simply another opportunity for a full weekend.” In the end, residents and visitors to Seattle will have a choice in July between a giant fair and a more intimate exhibition, which will only strengthen the city’s status as an arts center of the Pacific Northwest.

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Based on: Seattle galleries launch Seattle Art Fair alternative

New Seattle electricity rate: costly evenings, cheaper nights

Starting May 4, Seattle residents can opt into a new "Time of Use" rate plan from the municipal utility Seattle City Light. Unlike private utilities, Seattle City Light was founded in 1902 as a city-owned utility operating for the public good rather than for shareholders. All revenues go toward maintaining infrastructure and lowering prices, and rates are approved by the city council following public hearings. Discount programs are available for low-income residents, and as a result electricity prices in Seattle are on average 15–20% lower than those of private companies in neighboring counties in Washington state.

The new plan charges different rates depending on the time of day. The peak period (5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) will cost twice as much as the cheapest nighttime rate, and the mid-peak period (6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to midnight) will be 1.75 times as expensive. On Sundays and holidays the mid-peak rate applies all day.

A "smart" meter is required to enroll — you can identify it by the seven-digit number that begins with a two. Participants will be able to track their usage through the online Energy Insights platform, which compares bills under the standard and the new rate. The utility hopes people will shift appliance use to off-peak hours, reducing strain on the grid and avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades.

The reason for the change is growing demand for electricity. More residents are heating and cooling homes, cooking on electric stoves and charging electric vehicles, and the state's hydroelectric plants are already operating near capacity. At the same time, clean-energy mandates are taking effect — namely the 2019 Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), which requires that by 2045 100% of the state's electricity come from carbon-free sources. For Seattle City Light, which already gets roughly 90% of its power from hydroelectric sources (including its own dams on the Skagit River and the Boundary Dam), this means phasing out the remaining 10% — mainly purchased power from coal and gas plants. The utility must develop plans to replace those contracts with solar, wind or battery projects, which could temporarily raise rates by 4–6% because of investments in new infrastructure. Hydropower remains the backbone of the system, and the utility is working on dam upgrades to minimize environmental impacts on fish populations. "Meeting demand is getting harder and more expensive, especially on the coldest days," says Seattle City Light spokesperson Julie Moore.

So far 900 households have signed up for the rate. In the pilot program (2020–2023), 200 participants saved an average of $12 per month, or $144 per year. The utility has already released recommendations: for example, run washers and dishwashers at night, unplug unused devices and use timers. The key is to understand how your schedule can save you money without undue inconvenience.

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Based on: Seattle City Light launches new ‘Time of Use’ electricity rate

Tukwila early learning center combines education and mental health

A new education center has opened in Tukwila, south of Seattle, aiming to revolutionize approaches to preschool care. The Voices of Tomorrow Center for Learning and Healing combines traditional early learning with comprehensive mental-health support — at a time when families with young children are under enormous pressure and in need of new solutions.

The center is primarily aimed at low-income families, as well as immigrants and refugees who make up a significant portion of Tukwila’s population. The city has become a hub for resettled families thanks to affordable housing, proximity to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and a developed network of community organizations that help with adjustment. Major ethnic communities include people from East African countries — Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea — and from Southeast Asia — Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. According to recent censuses, more than 60% of students in local schools speak a language other than English at home, making Tukwila one of the most diverse cities in Washington state. Services are offered in several languages: Somali, English, Oromo, Amharic, Swahili, Arabic and Spanish. Three classrooms are already serving children through the state preschool program ECEAP, which is intended for low-income families.

The ECEAP program, or Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, is Washington state’s preschool program for children from low-income families. It complements the federal Head Start program but is funded by the state budget. Unlike Head Start, ECEAP typically has a lower income threshold for participation, offers more flexible scheduling including part-day options, and places greater emphasis on parent support.

The center’s main innovation is integrating psychiatric and behavioral services on-site. Founder Zamzam Mohamed explains that previously when behavioral issues were identified, teachers had to refer a child to outside specialists, creating long waits and bureaucratic barriers. The new model removes those obstacles, making assistance rapid and culturally adapted.

“For decades we’ve watched children come into preschool programs with complex needs but without access to systems that would help them thrive,” says co-founder Iftin Hagimohamed. “We saw the effects of trauma, isolation from COVID-19, developmental delays, entrenched behavioral problems and the burden of generations.” In her words, the new center becomes “a beacon of hope” for those families.

The opening comes amid a difficult fiscal environment: under budget pressure, state authorities have cut funding for subsidized childcare and mental-health supports in early learning settings. But ECEAP is expanding thanks to a major gift from the philanthropy Ballmer Group, announced last year. Ballmer Group was founded in 2015 by Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, and his wife Connie Ballmer. The organization funds projects aimed at increasing economic mobility, particularly in Washington and Michigan, awarding grants to nonprofits in early childhood education, homelessness prevention and support for low-income families. The funding comes from the Ballmers’ personal wealth, not from Microsoft corporate funds.

The 576-square-meter center was purchased and renovated with financial support from the state Department of Commerce and the county initiative Best Starts for Kids. King County’s program is aimed at supporting children and youth from birth to 25 through grants to local organizations, funding early development, mental-health and youth-violence-prevention programs. The initiative is financed by a property tax approved by county voters in 2015 and extended in 2021; it brought in about $400 million over 10 years in 2023. The center features “calm rooms” with soft toys and books, as well as active sensory areas with a climbing wall. Visitors were particularly delighted by tiny sinks made especially for small children.

Governor Bob Ferguson, who cut the ribbon at the opening, emphasized the importance of investing in the early years: “I’m not an expert on child development, I’m a lawyer. But as a parent I know: this is a critical period in a person’s life.” Research supports his point — ECEAP participants show better school readiness and are less likely to need special education, although data on long-term academic outcomes remain mixed.

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Based on: Tukwila childcare center supports mental health for the whole family