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Seattle joins nation's first statewide tree canopy collaboration
Seattle is among the first cities in Washington to sign up for help from a new statewide collaborative aimed at expanding critical urban tree cover evenly in neighborhoods.Driving the news: The launch of the statewide Washington Tree Equity Collaborative, the first of its kind in the country, was announced last week by American Forests and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).Why it matters: Much like buildings, streets and sewer lines, urban canopies are understood to be part of a city's critical infrastructure, cooling neighborhoods, saving lives and slowing climate change, according to American Forests.But studies of tree cover...
Seattle joins nation's first statewide tree canopy collaboration
Seattle is among the first cities in Washington to sign up for help from a new statewide collaborative aimed at expanding critical urban tree cover evenly in neighborhoods.Driving the news: The launch of the statewide Washington Tree Equity Collaborative, the first of its kind in the country, was announced last week by American Forests and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).Why it matters: Much like buildings, streets and sewer lines, urban canopies are understood to be part of a city's critical infrastructure, cooling neighborhoods, saving lives and slowing climate change, according to American Forests.But studies of tree cover...
King County ranks as Washington's second healthiest county
Data: County Health Rankings; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosSan Juan County is the place to be when it comes to longevity and well-being, ranking first in the state on those factors, according to the 2023 County Health Rankings National Findings Report. The county has an average life expectancy of 86.3 years, 6.1 more than the statewide average, as of 2022.Driving the news: King County, with an average life expectancy of 82.3 years, is right up there as well. Overall, King ranked second in Washington for health outcomes and first in the state for health factors that include behaviors, access to medical care,...
King County ranks as Washington's second healthiest county
Data: County Health Rankings; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosSan Juan County is the place to be when it comes to longevity and well-being, ranking first in the state on those factors, according to the 2023 County Health Rankings National Findings Report. The county has an average life expectancy of 86.3 years, 6.1 more than the statewide average, as of 2022.Driving the news: King County, with an average life expectancy of 82.3 years, is right up there as well. Overall, King ranked second in Washington for health outcomes and first in the state for health factors that include behaviors, access to medical care,...
Washington state is fighting obesity, like the rest of the nation
Data: NORC; Chart: Rahul Mukherjee/AxiosObesity rates have steadily increased nationwide over the past decade — but Washingtonians are slightly less obese than the national average, according to an analysis from NORC at the University of Chicago.Why it matters: Obesity is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and other conditions that can lead to preventable, premature death, Axios' Arielle Dreher reports.Driving the news: The research shows that 42% of adults, or roughly 108 million people, in the United States have a Body Mass Index over 30.In Washington, 38.8% of the adult population is categorized as obese.Zoom out: Obesity rates range from a high of about 51% in West Virginia and Mississippi, to a low of 33.0% in Washington, D.C. and 34.1% in Colorado.In Oregon, the number is 39.9%.California is slightly fitter, coming in at 37.6%.The other side: Being "moderately overweight" may provide some protection against developing multiple comorbid diseases, making it a potential "marker of a healthy aging process," according to a 2019 study in Italy.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Seattle.
Washington state is fighting obesity, like the rest of the nation
Data: NORC; Chart: Rahul Mukherjee/AxiosObesity rates have steadily increased nationwide over the past decade — but Washingtonians are slightly less obese than the national average, according to an analysis from NORC at the University of Chicago.Why it matters: Obesity is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and other conditions that can lead to preventable, premature death, Axios' Arielle Dreher reports.Driving the news: The research shows that 42% of adults, or roughly 108 million people, in the United States have a Body Mass Index over 30.In Washington, 38.8% of the adult population is categorized as obese.Zoom out: Obesity rates range from a high of about 51% in West Virginia and Mississippi, to a low of 33.0% in Washington, D.C. and 34.1% in Colorado.In Oregon, the number is 39.9%.California is slightly fitter, coming in at 37.6%.The other side: Being "moderately overweight" may provide some protection against developing multiple comorbid diseases, making it a potential "marker of a healthy aging process," according to a 2019 study in Italy.
Kraken defy the odds, defeat Avalanche in first playoff game
Adam Larsson of the Seattle Kraken skates against Valeri Nichushkin and J.T. Compher of the Colorado Avalanche in yesterday's game. Photo: Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)The Seattle Kraken defied expectations again on Tuesday by defeating the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, in what was the Seattle team's first-ever NHL playoff game.The Kraken won 3-1, with at least three more games to go in the best-of-seven playoff series.State of play: The Kraken had already electrified local hockey fans by making it to the playoffs this year, given that it is only the Seattle team's second season on...
Kraken defy the odds, defeat Avalanche in first playoff game
Adam Larsson of the Seattle Kraken skates against Valeri Nichushkin and J.T. Compher of the Colorado Avalanche in yesterday's game. Photo: Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)The Seattle Kraken defied expectations again on Tuesday by defeating the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, in what was the Seattle team's first-ever NHL playoff game.The Kraken won 3-1, with at least three more games to go in the best-of-seven playoff series.State of play: The Kraken had already electrified local hockey fans by making it to the playoffs this year, given that it is only the Seattle team's second season on...
Syphilis skyrockets among heterosexual women in Seattle
Syphilis infections in Seattle-area women have risen to epidemic levels, vaulting from 117 cases of early syphilis in 2021 to 190 cases in 2022, according to the latest data from Public Health-Seattle & King County.As recently as 2017, 63 women were diagnosed with syphilis countywide, according to public health data.Why it matters: County health officials just issued one of the nation's most aggressive testing recommendations, urging screening for all women under 45 who have not been tested since January 2021, said Matthew Golden, director of the public health department's HIV/STD program and a professor of medicine at the University of...
Seattle mayor signs order to try to curb use of fentanyl
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed an executive order Monday to try to curb drug use downtown, including launching a new overdose response unit and offering gift cards to people who accept treatment.Why it matters: City officials say overdose deaths in Seattle rose by 72% between 2021 and 2022, from 342 fatalities to 589. A majority of those deaths were attributable to methamphetamines and fentanyl, the city said.Details: Harrell's executive order will have the Seattle Fire Department test a new unit "dedicated to quickly engaging overdose survivors."The goal is to "increase acceptance of services or referrals for support," the executive order...
Cold has wiped out the spring in Seattle's step
Look, we all know spring is a mixed bag in Seattle — it wasn't dubbed the season of disappointment by one local meteorologist for nothing. But doesn't it seem colder and crappier than usual?Why it matters: Significantly colder than normal temperatures this month and more cloud cover than usual are taking a toll on a city that depends on sunshine to get past the winter blues.What they're saying: "The troops are getting crabby," National Weather Service Seattle meteorologist Dana Felton told Axios.Driving the news: The city has never gotten through April without hitting a high temperature of 60 at least...
Abortions rise in Washington as Idaho cracks down
Data: #WeCount/Society of Family Planning; Chart: Axios VisualsThe estimated number of monthly abortions in Washington rose by about 10% last year after some states, including neighboring Idaho, began cracking down on the procedure, new data shows.By the numbers: Before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June, health care providers in Idaho performed about 170 abortions a month, according to the study done by the Society of Family Planning.By September, the number had dropped to essentially zero, as the state began enforcing one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country.Meanwhile, in Washington, health providers performed about 170 more abortions in December compared to April.Oregon saw about a 20% increase in the number of abortions it performed over that timeframe.Context: Abortion providers in Washington told Axios last summer that they were seeing more patients traveling from Idaho. The new numbers suggest that the trend continued and even increased through the end of last year.What we're watching: If the influx of patients from Idaho tapers off now that the state has moved to criminalize some travel for abortions.Last week, Washington lawmakers approved a bill to block authorities here from aiding out-of-state investigations into abortion care provided across state lines.
How to cope with passport processing delays
If you're planning to travel internationally this year and need to renew your passport, you'd better get on it — and perhaps be prepared to shell out some cash.Driving the news: The U.S. State Department is now taking 10 to 13 weeks to process passport applications.That doesn't include the time it takes to mail your documents and get them back, which can add another four weeks.What's happening: As recently as February, passport processing times were six to nine weeks (plus mailing time).But the State Department is seeing "unprecedented demand" for passports this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last...
Seattle's jobless rate was slightly below the U.S. average in February
Data: BLS; Chart: Axios VisualsThe unemployment rate in the Seattle metro area stayed flat from January to February, hovering around 3.4%, per a new Axios analysis of Labor Department data.Zoom in: The region's February unemployment rate improved 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier, when it was 3.7%. But the Seattle area didn't see a month-to-month decline in joblessness, like many metros did.That's likely because of recent tech layoffs. Since the start of the year, many tech companies — including Amazon and Microsoft — have announced thousands of job cuts in the Seattle area.Still, the February unemployment rate in and...
Seattle's jobless rate was slightly below the U.S. average in February
Data: BLS; Chart: Axios VisualsThe unemployment rate in the Seattle metro area stayed flat from January to February, hovering around 3.4%, per a new Axios analysis of Labor Department data.Zoom in: The region's February unemployment rate improved 0.3 percentage points from a year earlier, when it was 3.7%. But the Seattle area didn't see a month-to-month decline in joblessness, like many metros did.That's likely because of recent tech layoffs. Since the start of the year, many tech companies — including Amazon and Microsoft — have announced thousands of job cuts in the Seattle area.Still, the February unemployment rate in and...
Seattle's best dive bars: readers' picks
A few months ago, I shared my love for the Streamline Tavern, and invited readers to chime in with their favorite Seattle dive bars.The results prove you can still get a drink in Seattle without being surrounded by glitz, industrial chicness or $20 cocktails.Here are some readers' picks for the best Seattle dives.Baranof: Reader Katharine S. praised this nautical-themed bar's lively atmosphere, adding, "a single well drink was nearly strong enough to knock me off my bar stool."Of note: The Greenwood spot was closed for several months, but reopened in mid-March.Address: 8549 Greenwood Ave. N.Targy's Tavern: For reader Brian B.,...
Seattle's best dive bars: readers' picks
A few months ago, I shared my love for the Streamline Tavern, and invited readers to chime in with their favorite Seattle dive bars.The results prove you can still get a drink in Seattle without being surrounded by glitz, industrial chicness or $20 cocktails.Here are some readers' picks for the best Seattle dives.Baranof: Reader Katharine S. praised this nautical-themed bar's lively atmosphere, adding, "a single well drink was nearly strong enough to knock me off my bar stool."Of note: The Greenwood spot was closed for several months, but reopened in mid-March.Address: 8549 Greenwood Ave. N.Targy's Tavern: For reader Brian B.,...
Prepare for nonbinding tax advisory votes to go away in Washington state
The nonbinding tax advisory votes that appear on your general election ballot are set to become things of the past. Driving the news: The Legislature has voted to eliminate the advisory votes, which ask Washington voters to weigh in on statewide tax measures after they have passed.Why it matters: Supporters of axing the advisory votes said they confuse voters — who might mistake them for an actual referendum that can roll back a law — and make ballots long and unwieldy. Those who argued for keeping the advisory votes said they provide valuable public feedback.Details: The advisory votes came out...
The Seattle Tempest takes on Oregon in ultimate
Catch a classic Pacific Northwest rivalry under the Space Needle this weekend when the Seattle Tempest takes on Oregon in the flying disc game known as "ultimate."Driving the news: Tempest, the undefeated 2022 Western Ultimate League champions will face the Oregon Onyx at 5pm Saturday at Memorial Stadium.Why it matters: The rivalry goes back to 2017 when the women's teams played showcase games before the existence of the national league, Seattle Ultimate general manager Xtehn Titcomb Frame told Axios in an email.Catch up quick: Ultimate is a fast-paced, non-contact sport, pitting two seven-member teams against each other on a...
People are moving to King County again
Data: U.S. Census; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosMore people moved into King County than left last year, reversing much of the population loss seen early in the pandemic, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.Why it matters: In 2021, King County saw its first decline in population in nearly half a century, according to Census Bureau estimates. But the new figures indicate that this is not becoming a pattern.Details: King County's population ticked up by an estimated 13,800 people between July 2021 and July 2022, keeping its total population around 2.3 million residents.Yes, but: Those gains didn't quite offset...
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