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Axios Seattle
In Washington governor's race, Bob Ferguson has a huge fundraising lead
In the race to become Washington's next governor, Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson has outraised his closest competitor, Republican Dave Reichert, four times over.Why it matters: For the first time since 2012, Washington has no incumbent governor running for re-election. But Ferguson's $4.4 million fundraising lead is making the race look less than wide open.Zoom in: As of this week, Ferguson has raised about $5.6 million for his gubernatorial campaign, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.Reichert, the former congressman and past King County sheriff, has amassed about $1.2 million in contributions.State Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) has raised about $1...
Brand-new baby joins endangered killer whales
A brand-new calf has been spotted swimming with the endangered Southern Resident orcas' J Pod.Driving the news: The new addition, named J60, brings to 10 the number of endangered killer whales under 5 years old, according to Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail.The entire Southern Resident killer whale population was estimated to be 75 in July 2023, up from 73 in 2022.Why it matters: The newest calf is a male, according to researchers, and with six surviving female calves among the endangered killer whales, the recovery of the population "isn't just theoretical," Sandstrom told Axios. "It's happening now."Details: J60 is...
Brand-new baby joins endangered killer whales
A brand-new calf has been spotted swimming with the endangered Southern Resident orcas' J Pod.Driving the news: The new addition, named J60, brings to 10 the number of endangered killer whales under 5 years old, according to Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail.The entire Southern Resident killer whale population was estimated to be 75 in July 2023, up from 73 in 2022.Why it matters: The newest calf is a male, according to researchers, and with six surviving female calves among the endangered killer whales, the recovery of the population "isn't just theoretical," Sandstrom told Axios. "It's happening now."Details: J60 is...
What to do with leftover Christmas chocolates
Here's a delicious idea for using up the old, ushering in the new and dispensing with all the random chocolate you got over the holidays.Details: Make a "luscious dippable delight" with all those individual truffles and chocolates that you now kind of want to get rid of and the old fondue pot that's probably on a shelf somewhere with your other little-used appliances.Use an array of fresh fruit for dipping, said Anne Reeves, the Puget Sound-based author of "Moments of Delight."There's no waste and it's fun, she told Axios.Also, it's a great way to mentally let go of the old year and ring in the new, especially if you're not much for resolutions.Sign up for Axios Seattle for free.
What to do with leftover Christmas chocolates
Here's a delicious idea for using up the old, ushering in the new and dispensing with all the random chocolate you got over the holidays.Details: Make a "luscious dippable delight" with all those individual truffles and chocolates that you now kind of want to get rid of and the old fondue pot that's probably on a shelf somewhere with your other little-used appliances.Use an array of fresh fruit for dipping, said Anne Reeves, the Puget Sound-based author of "Moments of Delight."There's no waste and it's fun, she told Axios.Also, it's a great way to mentally let go of the old year and ring in the new, especially if you're not much for resolutions.Sign up for Axios Seattle for free.
UW Huskies to play for national title after Sugar Bowl win over Texas
The University of Washington Huskies will play for the national college football championship after defeating Texas 37–31 Monday in the Sugar Bowl.What's happening: The undefeated Huskies will go head to head against Michigan next week as the UW team fights to win its first national football title in more than three decades.Catch up quick: Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 430 yards in yesterday's semifinal playoff game against the Longhorns, helping the Huskies post a 13-point lead by early in the fourth quarter.But the Longhorns fought back, leaving the Huskies six points ahead with little over a minute left.Ultimately,...
New Seattle City Council is the least experienced in over 100 years
The new Seattle City Council is the least experienced in modern history, with the most new members in over a century.Why it matters: Six of nine council members taking office this month are doing so for the first time, meaning that city politics are bound to change. The only question is how much.By the numbers: The last time the council had this many fresh faces was in 1908, when eight of 18 council members were new, according to City Council staff.To find a year when a similar or higher percentage of council seats turned over, you'd have to go back...
Washington has highest state minimum wage in 2024
Data: Paycor; Map: Tory Lysik/Axios VisualsFor the second year in a row, Washington has the highest statewide minimum wage in the country.Why it matters: Washington's 2024 wage floor of $16.28 per hour reflects recent rises in inflation, which determine how much the state's minimum wage rises each year.The big picture: The new minimum wage in Washington is higher than California's, which is $16 per hour. It also tops New York and Massachusetts, which have $15-per-hour minimum wages.Yes, but: Several U.S. cities have higher minimum wages, including Seattle ($19.97 per hour); Washington, D.C. ($17 per hour); and West Hollywood, California ($19.08...
Seattle holiday travel guide: Airport peak times, traffic
AAA is predicting the second-busiest year-end travel period since it began tracking holiday travel in 2000.Why it matters: Plan for busy highways, long lines at airports and ferries, congestion and delays at the end of a year that set holiday travel records in July and November.It could make the difference between a happy road trip and a miserable one.Zoom in: The busiest day at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is expected to be Friday, Dec. 22, with 174,000 passengers going through the airport. One-third of all travelers will arrive at the airport before 9am, per the Port of Seattle, with two additional...
Things to do in Seattle this week
Here are a couple of things to do over the next week or so that are almost guaranteed to bring a smile.🏈 Join former Seattle Seahawks legend Doug Baldwin and his Back to Action partners as they work to increase the number of helpers at local food banks during the critically important holiday season and beyond.Food banks and hunger relief organizations in the Puget Sound region reported a 70% to 80% percent decline in the number of regular volunteers.Working with others to bag rice, sort food and deliver basic goods to people who need them is life-changing not just for...
Seattle's year, wrapped
With 2023 almost in the rearview mirror, we wanted to take a look back on some of the biggest stories of the year. Driving the news: The city grappled with big problems like rising homicide rates and fentanyl deaths, homelessness and housing affordability and a contentious City Council election that saw the highest turnover in decades.Details: Due in part to the continued popularity of remote work, Seattle lagged many other cities' pandemic recoveries with higher office vacancy rates and lower downtown foot traffic despite return-to-work mandates from Amazon and other large companies.But special events during the summer, such as MLB...
Washington Huskies head to Sugar Bowl with championship hopes
It's been more than 30 years since the University of Washington Huskies have snagged a national college football title. Now they have a shot at another — if they can first defeat Texas on New Year's Day.Why it matters: While UW claims two past football championships, this year it could finally win a national title that isn't split awkwardly with one or more other teams.What's happening: The No. 2 Huskies head to New Orleans Jan. 1 to play the third-ranked University of Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl, a semifinal playoff.Whoever wins will go on to play for the national...
A Husky fan's guide to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans
For diehard Huskies fans heading down to New Orleans for the 90th Annual Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, Axios has created a guide to help you get the most out of your trip.Catch up quick: The Washington Huskies and Texas Longhorns face off in the Dome in the game that doubles as a College Football Playoff semifinal.The other finalist will be determined in the Rose Bowl, where Michigan will face Alabama.Tickets: The game is sold out, but resale tickets are available on Ticketmaster.How to watch: The Sugar Bowl starts at 7:45pm and will be on ESPN if you can't...
Transit ridership in Seattle area still lags pre-pandemic levels, by a lot
People still aren't piling onto buses and trains in the Seattle area like they did before the pandemic.Driving the news: Public transit ridership in the Seattle metro area is at 58% of pre-pandemic levels, according to American Public Transportation Association (APTA) data.That's based on September 2023 ridership as compared to September 2019.Why it matters: Decreased ridership means less revenue from fares, which can hurt transit agency budgets and lead to reduced service in some cases.That can make it harder for people to get around without a car, while hampering government efforts to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.By the numbers: Of...
Transit ridership in Seattle area still lags pre-pandemic levels, by a lot
People still aren't piling onto buses and trains in the Seattle area like they did before the pandemic.Driving the news: Public transit ridership in the Seattle metro area is at 58% of pre-pandemic levels, according to American Public Transportation Association (APTA) data.That's based on September 2023 ridership as compared to September 2019.Why it matters: Decreased ridership means less revenue from fares, which can hurt transit agency budgets and lead to reduced service in some cases.That can make it harder for people to get around without a car, while hampering government efforts to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.By the numbers: Of...
WSU, OSU now have full control over Pac-12 after state Supreme Court decision
Washington State University and Oregon State University have won full control of the Pac-12 athletic conference after a decision Friday from Washington's highest court.Why it matters: As the Pac-12 conference's only two members that aren't leaving after the the current season, WSU and OSU now get to decide how to spend the conference's money, over the protests of the 10 departing schools.Details: The Washington state Supreme Court declined to review last month's lower court decision that awarded WSU and OSU sole voting rights on the Pac-12's governing board.The high court also lifted a stay that had temporarily blocked the November...
Washington state highway projects face delays due to rising costs
Skyrocketing costs to build roads, bridges and fish passageways in Washington state mean lawmakers will have to make some tough choices when they convene early next month.Why it matters: The state will most likely have to delay or at least slow down parts of some projects because "we don't have enough money," state Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, told Axios. Catch up quick: State officials are under a federal court order to replace hundreds of fish-blocking culverts by 2030.Culverts allow streams and creeks to pass under roads, but many weren't designed to allow fish to...
8 things to do in Seattle this weekend, including SantaCon and pop-up markets
No need to sit at home this weekend — we've got you covered with a few ideas for getting out of the house.🎨 Browse the work of Native and Indigenous artists during the three-day United Indians Native Art Market, held at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park. 4–7pm Friday, 11am–7pm Saturday and Sunday.🍺 Sample pours from more than 40 breweries at the Winter Beer Fest at Magnuson Park's Hangar 30. $45 general admission includes eight 4-ounce tastings.5:30pm–9:30pm Friday and 2–6pm Saturday. First hour each day reserved for VIP ticket holders.🎄 Don your best red Santa suit for...
Battling the winter blues
It's not unusual for folks to get a jolt of the winter blues as we trudge toward the shortest day of the year, But it's more likely for people who live in Seattle, especially if they've just moved here from somewhere sunny, experts say.Why it matters: Although bouts of winter depression are normal during the darker months, severe seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can be crippling for some.A lot of people aren't aware that they have it and that it's very treatable, said David Avery, professor emeritus at the UW School of Medicine and an expert in the mood disorder."People can...
Boost your happiness with smiles, gratitude and meandering walks
While the seasons and our genetic dispositions play a role in our ability to feel happiness, our daily actions and choices also have a significant effect, experts say.Why it matters: People often don't realize what makes them happy, confusing short-term gratification with a sustained sense of peace and well-being, said Milla Titova, a professor of psychology who directs the Happiness and Well-Being Lab at the University of Washington.And we aren't always very good at knowing what to do to feel better, Yale psychologist Laurie Santos told Axios' "1 big thing" podcast.How it works: Luckily, some of the most impactful actions...
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