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Axios Seattle
Wildfire smoke threatens Washington's billion-dollar wine industry
Smoke season hasn't hit Washington in force yet this year, but the wine industry is preparing.Why it matters: While grapevines are themselves quite resilient to fire, smoke can have a quick and devastating effect on vignerons, vintners and the larger billion-dollar wine industry.Washington is the nation's second-largest wine-producing state, with more than 1,000 wineries and an annual $8 billion impact on the state.If no wine were produced for a year due to smoke or any other reason, it would not only jeopardize the wine industry directly, but also the industries tied to it, including restaurants, hotels and more, Drew Pauk,...
Seattle committee votes 3-2 against rent control
A Seattle City Council committee has voted against a proposal that seeks to enact citywide rent control. Yet the measure is still expected to come before the nine-member City Council next month. State of play: On Friday, members of the City Council's Sustainability and Renters' Rights Committee voted 3-2 not...
Look up, Seattle! Three meteor showers begin their summer shows
With a waxing crescent moon this weekend, it may be a good time to catch a glimpse of the annual Delta Aquariids meteor shower. But even if you miss it now there may be another chance to see it, as well as the more dramatic Perseids, at the next new moon.Driving the news: There are three meteor showers gracing the skies — and potentially visible from Seattle — between the middle of July and the end of August.The Delta Aquariids shower began its often subtle light show on July 18 and will continue through August 21. Seen from Seattle, the...
Washington's 988 crisis helpline saw calls rise 75% in first year
Washington's crisis call centers have seen a 75% increase in call volume since a new helpline went live a year ago, fielding about 90,000 requests for help since last July, according to data shared by state officials.Why it matters: The development of a new three-digit hotline, 988, to replace the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was intended to make it easier for people to seek help during their darkest moments — and state officials say the past year's call volume shows the system is working.What they're saying: "The whole goal of 988 was to have an easy-to-remember option to provide...
These are the Seattle area's most common ice cream chains
Data: Yelp, Axios research; Note: Includes stores categorized as "ice cream" on Yelp that have reviews. Chart: Kavya Beheraj and Erin Davis/Axios VisualsDairy Queen is the most common ice cream chain across the Seattle metro area, with Baskin-Robbins and Menchies (which serves frozen yogurt) as runners-up.That's according to a new Axios analysis of Yelp data.The big picture: Dairy Queen is king of the country — it's the most dominant chain in nearly 75% of U.S. counties, suggesting people really like their Blizzards.Yes, but: Within the Seattle city limits, there's not a single DQ to be found. You're more likely to stumble on local chain Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, which has six Seattle locations (plus three elsewhere in King County).Reality check: Just because one particular chain is the most dominant in a given area doesn't necessarily make it the best.And local institutions that only have one or a handful of shops won't crack this kind of ranking.(Fainting Goat, which has two Seattle locations serving gelato, isn't captured, for instance.)What's your favorite local ice cream (or gelato, or yogurt) joint? Let us know by emailing seattle@axios.com.We hope to compile a list of readers' best spots for frozen treats.
Bite of Seattle comes to Seattle Center this weekend
The Bite of Seattle is happening at Seattle Center this weekend, with more than 50 bands and over 100 food vendors to check out.Details: The event is free to enter, though you'll have to pay for food as you eat your way through the festival.This year, all food orders must be placed through the CHEQ mobile app, which organizers say should help reduce lines and wait times.There are three beer gardens and a wine garden.Pro tip: Seattle Center's two parking garages are expected to be packed, so it's a good idea to come by bus, monorail or bike, according to the event organizers.Hours: 10am-9pm Friday and Saturday, then 10am-8pm Sunday.Address: 305 Harrison St.
Foot traffic surges since Amazon return-to-office in May, company says
Foot traffic and credit card transactions rose significantly in several Seattle neighborhoods in May, the month that Amazon's return-to-office policy took effect, according to an Amazon analysis released Wednesday.Why it matters: Seattle's downtown has been slower to bounce back from the pandemic than many major U.S. cities. News that the tech giant was recalling workers to the office was hailed as "music to the ears"of city leaders.Driving the news: In South Lake Union (SLU) and the Denny Regrade — the two neighborhoods where most of Amazon's 65,000 Puget Sound-area employees work — the Amazon analysis showed significant weekly foot traffic...
Murder hornets have been AWOL for the past year
It's been more than a year since the last sighting of the hornet Vespa mandarinia — more widely known as the "murder hornet."Driving the news: There has not been a confirmed sighting of the northern giant hornet since 2021 when the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) destroyed a nest east of Blaine after trapping, tagging and tracking three specimens."No news is great news," WSDA spokesperson Amber Betts told Axios this week.Yes, but: To meet the regulatory definition of eradication, the state must see two more hornet-free years.Why it matters: While the world's largest hornets have been known to attack...
Seattle expects big tourism jolt from Taylor Swift's Eras Tour
Seattle businesses are expecting a huge influx of visitors for Taylor Swift concerts this weekend, which could shatter the city's previous records for hotel stays and create a tangle of traffic.Driving the news: Swift's Eras Tour at Lumen Field — which runs two nights — is expected to bring more than 100,000 people to the area around the stadiums between Saturday and Sunday, said Lisa Howard, executive director of the Alliance for Pioneer Square.On top of that, the Mariners home games against the Toronto Blue Jays are expected to draw another 100,000 or so people to the area over the...
U.S. House takes pro-Israel vote following Jayapal comments
The U.S. House voted Tuesday on a Republican-led resolution affirming the nation's support for Israel, a direct response to comments made by U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Seattle).Catch up quick: Jayapal, who represents Washington's 7th Congressional District, told a group of anti-Israel protesters on Saturday that she is "fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state."The remarks spurred condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats, Axios' Andrew Solender reported.Jayapal walked back the comments on Sunday in a statement, saying: "Words do matter and so it is important that I clarify my statement. I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist."Latest: The resolution approved Tuesday says "the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state“ and that "Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia."It also declares that "the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel."Jayapal voted in support of the resolution.What they're saying: Jayapal told The Seattle Times that she and other politicians of color have been unfairly singled out for criticizing Israel's treatment of Palestinians.Read more: Republicans "salivating" over Democrats' Israel comments
What to know about Seattle's Aug. 1 primary election
Ballots have arrived in mailboxes for the Aug. 1 primary election, which will whittle down a field of more than 40 Seattle City Council hopefuls to 14. Why it matters: The primary decides which candidates will go head-to-head this November, making it key to shaping the future of city government.
With car thefts high, Seattle-area police urge prevention
July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month and with Washington state reporting some of the highest car theft rates in the nation, Puget Sound police are doubling down on prevention and urging people to be proactive.Driving the news: Motor vehicle crimes, including car thefts and car prowls, are typically "crimes of opportunity," Sgt. Eric White of the King County Sheriff's Office told Axios.That means the harder it is to steal something, the less likely it is to get stolen.Some Kia models, for example, are easily swiped because they lack anti-theft devices, he said. Other, newer models, such as a 2024...
Sheriff's deputy coaxes llama off road, unblocking traffic northeast of Seattle
Add "lost llama" to the list of reasons that packages are sometimes delayed.Driving the news: A delivery driver called authorities on Sunday to report that a llama was blocking a road near Duvall — northeast of Seattle — preventing the driver from delivering a package, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.When a sheriff's deputy showed up, the llama at first refused to move.Yes, but: "Using his de-escalation skills and standing just a tad over spitting distance, Deputy Paczosa was able to sweet talk him into putting on a leash to get him off the roadway," the Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook.The Sheriff's Office's call center soon received another report from a person who said their llama was missing, according to the Facebook post.The bottom line: "We were happy to reunite the owner back to their furry friend, and the driver was able to deliver the package, most likely ordered through Llama-zon," the agency wrote.
Why Seattle can't enact local rent control
A Seattle City Council committee is considering a proposal to adopt citywide rent control. But the measure to cap rent increases, even if approved by the full council, can't take effect without the consent of state officials.Why it matters: Average rent prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area increased 91.8% between 2010 and 2020, according to a city analysis of census data.Local inflation over that period was less — about 21%, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Driving the news: The proposal from Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant seeks to limit annual rent increases to the rate of inflation.It's expected to come up...
Seattle's still big on car travel, new study finds
The average Seattle metropolitan area household travels a total of 30,235 miles by car annually, which is just under the national average of nearly 30,500, according to a new study by the Brookings Institution.The study explores household auto, biking, mass transit and walking data for the 110 largest U.S. metro areas to measure how close people are to where they work, eat, play, shop and more.Why it matters: "Helping people live closer to the centers of economic activity ... should reduce the distances people need to travel for many of their essential trips," the analysts wrote.Shorter trip distances, in turn,...
Seattle Reign's Sofia Huerta helps make World Cup history
OL Reign forward Sofia Huerta in action during a game between the Kansas City Current and the OL Reign at Lumen Field in Seattle. Photo:Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesOnly two Latina soccer players have represented the United States at the Women's World Cup. But that number is about to double, and half the reason is OL Reign's Sofia Huerta.Driving the news: Huerta, a defender for the Seattle team, and midfielder Ashley Sanchez, are both Mexican American. They make up the most diverse roster in the U.S Women's National Team's history — a reflection of the changing U.S. demographics,...
Mortgage rates lock up Seattle's housing supply in "golden handcuffs"
More than two-thirds of mortgage holders in Washington state had rates below 4% as of late last year, locking homeowners in place and leaving buyers with few homes to choose from, according to an analysis from Redfin.Why it matters: Homeowners are experiencing the "golden handcuffs" phenomenon, meaning they might have a great rate now, but likely can't move without spending a lot more cash, explains Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather.By the numbers: In the Seattle metro area, buying the median-priced home in 2021 at a 3% rate would have cost about $3,553 monthly, per Redfin.At 6.4% — the U.S. average...
"Huge step forward" for I-5 bridge connecting Washington and Oregon
Last year, Washington state lawmakers committed $1 billion toward constructing a new Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River. Now, Oregon's Legislature has made a matching contribution, our colleagues at Axios Portland report. Why it matters: If Oregon hadn't stepped up, the project would have stalled yet again. And officials...
See the goats that help clear brush from around Seattle roads
A herd of goats was helping clear vegetation Thursday under I-5 in Seattle. The state and city transportation departments have both used goats to access places where people and machinery cannot go safely — like this sloping area off of North 40th Street, under the Ship Canal Bridge. These...
Adopt a cat for $13 in Taylor Swift's honor, via Seattle Animal Shelter
To celebrate Taylor Swift's concerts in Seattle next weekend, the Seattle Animal Shelter is slashing the adoption fee for adult cats to $13 — Swift's favorite number — for a week starting next Tuesday. Why it matters: With more cats coming in every week, every successful adoption creates...
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