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Axios Seattle
I-5 boulders spark debate over anti-homeless "hostile architecture"
Washington state officials are debating when, if ever, it's appropriate to install permanent fixtures in public spaces to try to stop people who are experiencing homelessness from sleeping there.Why it matters: The state's installation of dozens of boulders at the sites of newly cleared encampments along Interstate 5 has spurred questions about whether so-called "hostile architecture" is a good use of public money.What's happening: A bill in Washington's Legislature would ban cities and counties from using hostile architecture, defined as "any building or structure that is designed or intended to prevent people experiencing homelessness from sitting or lying on the...
Putting batteries in the trash is now illegal in Seattle
Seattle residents are now banned from putting batteries of all kinds in the garbage.Why it matters: Batteries can leak harmful chemicals or catch fire, posing a risk to sanitation workers and the environment, city officials said.What's happening: The new rule banning batteries in Seattle trash bins applies to small alkaline batteries — such as the kind used in most toys — as well as to lithium-ion batteries that power devices like cellphones.TVs, computers and monitors are also banned from the garbage under the rules, which took effect Jan. 1, Seattle Public Utilities said in a news release.By the numbers: The...
Endangered baby orca is now presumed dead
A newborn orca spotted near Seattle last month is missing and presumed dead.Why it matters: Last month's birth of the male orca known as J60 had bolstered researchers' hopes that the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population might be starting to recover.Yes, but: The Center for Whale Research said the baby was nowhere to be found during observations of the Southern Resident J Pod on Saturday."Given his young age, it is extremely unlikely that J60 was off on his own for the entire duration of the encounter," the whale center wrote on its website.The researchers "now believe that J60 is...
Weed shop thieves would do more jail time under Washington bill
Washington state lawmakers are looking at ways to crack down on pot shop robberies, which cannabis industry leaders say have been happening at an alarming rate.Why it matters: Cannabis store owners say they're frequent targets for theft because federal banking restrictions require them to do business mostly in cash.Driving the news: A proposal in Washington's Legislature would impose an extra year of jail time for people convicted of robbing a cannabis store under certain conditions.Prosecutors could seek the 12-month sentence enhancement if someone is convicted of robbing a cannabis store as part of a group, or if a person uses...
Union membership fell slightly in Washington in 2023
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Note: Values are not seasonally adjusted; Chart: Axios VisualsThe share of Washington workers who are union members dipped slightly in 2023, falling to 16.5% of the state's total workforce, per the latest federal data.Yes, but: Washington still had one of the highest rates of union membership in the country, trailing only Hawaii and New York, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Those states had union membership rates of 24.1% and 20.6%, respectively.The big picture: The share of American workers who are union members hit a new low in 2023 at just 10%, Axios' Nathan Bomey reported. The bottom line: Renewed interest in labor unions — plus high-profile unionization campaigns at companies like Starbucks and Amazon — have yet to cause union membership rates to inch upward.Sign up for Axios Seattle for free.
Seattle's counting down to the FIFA World Cup
Seattle is getting ready to host some of the FIFA World Cup, the biggest event in the city's history since the World's Fair in 1962.Why it matters: The World Cup, by far the most widely viewed and followed single sporting event on Earth, is expected to bring Seattle 400,000 to 750,000 visitors and millions in tourist dollars, per the city.For comparison, Taylor Swift's two performances in Seattle drew about 144,000.What they're saying: "It's an opportunity to showcase Seattle as a unique and world-class city on a global stage," Deputy Mayor Greg Wong told Axios. "And we want to do it...
Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes have returned to the skies
Boeing's 737 MAX 9 aircraft are no longer grounded, as they were for weeks after a panel on an Alaska Airlines flight flew off in midair on Jan. 5.Driving the news: The Federal Aviation Administration cleared the way for the planes to return to the skies last week, announcing a detailed inspection process that, once completed, would allow the aircraft to fly again.Alaska began flying Boeing MAX 9 planes again on Friday, the airline confirmed in an email to Axios.United Airlines resumed flying MAX 9s on Saturday, the company said.Details: The FAA has required detailed examinations of their exit door...
Why Seattle restaurant The Boat rocks
I didn't have a chance until a couple of months ago to make it to The Boat, which specializes in Vietnamese garlic chicken and rice (cơm gà mắm tỏi).Now, after a few visits, I can tell you why the restaurant in Little Saigon is racking up so many local and national accolades — including a spot on this year's list of James Beard semifinalists — and why it's become one of my local favorites.Details: The menu at the Boat is limited. They specialize in one dish: Cornish game hens (which are actually just tiny chickens) fried and smothered in fish...
Seattle requires big buildings to reach net-zero emissions by 2050
Seattle is among a few U.S. jurisdictions aggressively targeting air pollution from buildings with a new city law that will require large buildings to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.Why it matters: Statewide, buildings account for about a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change, according to Washington's Department of Commerce.In Seattle, buildings are responsible for more than a third of the city's carbon emissions, the city estimates, much of which comes from burning fossil fuels for heating and electricity.By the numbers: The new building efficiency standards Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed into law last month are expected to...
Seattle sees third-largest drop in housing inventory nationwide
The Seattle area ranks third in the country for the largest drop in housing inventory year over year, according to the latest Re/Max national housing report.Driving the news: Last month, there were 3,711 homes on the active inventory list, compared with 5,224 last year, a 29% drop.By the numbers: In a balanced market, per Re/Max, there should be about six months' supply of inventory, but as it stands, the Seattle area has less than a month's supply.Home sales are down 11.7% year over year.Home sale prices are up 7.1% year over year, and the current median home sale price in...
Seattle weekend events: Stand-up comedy, art walks and more
Come laugh with friends at the Disabled List Comedy Festival, the Pacific Northwest's first-ever disability-focused stand-up comedy festival, Friday at 7:30pm at the Northwest Film Forum on Capitol Hill. Sliding scale, $0–22.69.The Downtown Art Walk is Friday from 5–8pm in the zone between Pine and Seneca, from First Avenue to Pacific Place. Download the map here and wander around.It's not really competitive basketball, but the Harlem Globetrotters still put on a fun show worth seeing. Saturday, 2pm at Climate Pledge Arena.Tickets start around $39.Getting married? The Seattle Wedding Show on Saturday and Sunday at the Seattle Convention Center Arch Building will be packed with vendors, dresses, cakes, decorations and thousands of ideas. $22.60 gets you in.Cold and rainy weather is no barrier to enjoying the Fremont Soupocalypse by the Fremont Mischief Distillery through the weekend. People who try eight soups or more and fill out a soup passport receive swag.Sign up for Axios Seattle for free.
Washington researchers drill down on bee disease
West Coast bees face a new threat from a highly contagious bacterial disease that seems to thrive among blueberries, but Washington researchers will be among those leading the charge against it.Driving the news: In the most extensive study of its kind, scientists from across the West Coast will survey more than 1,500 honeybee hives in Washington, Oregon and California to determine why European foulbrood disease is leading to a persistent decline of the essential pollinators, according to Washington State University professor Brandon Hopkins.Researchers with WSU, Oregon State University and the University of California, Davis, will follow dozens of commercial beekeepers...
9 Seattle-area hotels investigated for ADA violations
Three Seattle-area hotels have agreed to make changes, such as creating new accessible rooms or moving non-disabled customers, after the U.S. attorney's office investigated and found violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.Why it matters: Hotels and motels must review their properties and reservation systems to ensure people with disabilities can reserve and be appropriately accommodated in rooms that meet their needs, said U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman.Driving the news: Over the last year, the Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington has investigated ADA complaints about nine hotels in the Seattle area, three...
Seattle has lots of James Beard semifinalists in 2024
Nearly a dozen stars of Seattle's food scene have been named semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards, one of the country's highest culinary honors. Why it matters: Besides being a big deal for the honorees, the semifinalist list announced Wednesday doubles as a handy guide for some of the city's can't-miss restaurants.Plus: Seattle hasn't brought home a James Beard Award since 2019, per Seattle Met — so this is our chance to stick it to Portland, which had two winners last year.Details: For national awards, Aaron Verzosa of Archipelago in Hillman City was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Chef.Renee...
Washington state's plan to combat election deepfakes and AI ads
State election officials are urging voters to watch out for "deepfakes" in political ads after a robocall used a fake recording of President Biden's voice to try to discourage people from voting in New Hampshire's presidential primary this week.Why it matters: Election experts predict bad actors will use artificial intelligence to sway voters this year, including by producing fake media imitating candidates' voices and likenesses.In a news release Monday, Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs called the deceptive New Hampshire robocall "just the tip of the iceberg for 2024."Zoom in: Besides voting for president this fall, Washington voters will choose...
New: Celebrity foodie J. Kenji López-Alt's Seattle restaurant guide
With three New York Times bestselling cookbooks under his belt, Seattle foodie extraordinaire J. Kenji López-Alt has been on the map for a while.Now his unique take on some of the best places to eat in the Emerald City is literally on Apple Maps through its Let's Eat Seattle Guide released this week.Details: The Seattle edition is the most recent Apple food guide featuring off-the-beaten-path choices curated by local writers in seven cities, including San Francisco, Chicago and London.Among the 15 entries for Seattle so far are Post Alley Pizza, which López-Alt claims "makes quite possibly the best slices in town"; Bateau, a specialty steakhouse "like no other"; and Temple Pastries, the king of croissant makers.López-Alt said he's always looking "for good people serving great food."Five new eateries will be added each month, per the guides.Sign up for Axios Seattle for free.
Washington state's plan to combat election deepfakes and AI ads
State election officials are urging voters to watch out for "deepfakes" in political ads after a robocall used a fake recording of President Biden's voice to try to discourage people from voting in New Hampshire's presidential primary this week.Why it matters: Election experts predict bad actors will use artificial intelligence to sway voters this year, including by producing fake media imitating candidates' voices and likenesses.In a news release Monday, Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs called the deceptive New Hampshire robocall "just the tip of the iceberg for 2024."Zoom in: Besides voting for president this fall, Washington voters will choose...
Seattle City Council appoints Tanya Woo to fill vacancy
Tanya Woo, an advocate for the Chinatown-International District who narrowly lost a Seattle City Council race last fall, has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the council. Background: The at-large council seat, representing all of Seattle, was left vacant after former Seattle Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda resigned earlier this year to join the King County Council.Details: At Tuesday's meeting, the Seattle City Council chose Woo from eight finalists, which they had previously narrowed down from a pool of 72 qualified applicants.Woo received five votes among the eight sitting city council members.After being appointed, Woo was sworn in immediately.What they're saying: Woo...
New push to ditch the switch by Washington state legislators
A group of state lawmakers is making another pitch to get Washington off the twice-a-year time-changing seesaw, but this time with a proposal to adopt permanent standard time instead of daylight saving time.Driving the news: Sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley) and 12 other senators from both sides of the aisle, Senate Bill 5795 would exempt the state from daylight saving time by implementing year-round Pacific standard time.Why it matters: Experts agree that switching the clock back and forth affects our mental and physical health, but the debate is ongoing about which is best long-term: permanent daylight saving time,...
Snapshot of abortion landscape in Washington state
Planned Parenthood in Washington is paying to fly nurse practitioners into the state to meet staffing needs and accommodate providers who no longer feel safe practicing in their state.Driving the news: Recent data from Planned Parenthood clinics in Central and Eastern Washington, the Washington State Department of Health and the Northwest Abortion Access Fund shows the impact of out-of-state patients on Washington clinics, according to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell's office.The reverberations of the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade have been profound at Eastern and Central Washington clinics, per the data.What they're saying: Abortion providers in Washington face "unique...
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