Columbus
Axios Seattle
Financial exploitation and abuse of older adults up in King County
Loss of judgment, not memory, is often among the first signs of early dementia, making some older people easy targets for scammers and cons, according to King County prosecutors.Why it matters: The typical victim of elder abuse, especially financial exploitation, has a cognitive disorder that has not been diagnosed or recognized by a family member, said Page Ulrey, head of the prosecuting attorney's Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Unit.Another common risk factor is social isolation, Ulrey told Axios; most victims are single or living alone after the death of a spouse.By the numbers: Elder abuse, which is often underreported, costs...
This week in Seattle history
Here's a look at some of the March historical events in the city, sourced from state history encyclopedia HistoryLink and local newspaper archives.March 26, 1970: The Seattle Public Library suspended fines for a day, and Seattleites responded by returning nearly 9,000 overdue books.It was the first time the library extended temporary amnesty for late book returns and fine forgiveness, which it would offer in new forms throughout the years.In 2020, SPL abolished fines altogether, saying the fines "discourage people who can't afford them from using the Library, and we want everyone in our community to have equitable access to our...
Human smuggling at Washington-Canada border is rising, feds say
Data: CBP; Chart: Axios VisualsHuman smuggling has become a primary focus for federal authorities in Washington state as the number of illegal migrant crossings from Canada into the U.S. reaches record highs, local officials say.Why it matters: With so much attention on the U.S. southern border, the "historic" amount of activity on the northern border may be overlooked, Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge Robert Hammer told Axios."We need to know who is coming into the country and why and know they are not a threat," he said.By the numbers: In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection...
Washington strip clubs will soon allow alcohol
Washington plans to start letting strip clubs serve alcohol, something the state has banned for decades.Why it matters: Adult entertainers say Washington's longtime ban on alcohol sales at strip joints has hurt clubs financially, causing club owners to charge dancers high fees in order to perform, while sometimes cutting corners on club security.The latest: Washington's Legislature voted this month to repeal the statewide ban on selling alcohol at places that allow nudity — part of a larger package of safety reforms for the adult entertainment industry.Senate Bill 6105, which supporters have dubbed a "strippers' bill of rights," also requires strip...
Washington residents exercise more than U.S. average, study finds
Data: Brigham and Women's Hospital; Map: Axios VisualsAt least four in 10 Washington residents aren't getting the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of exercise a week, new data shows — yet we're still more active than the U.S. as a whole.Why it matters: Physical activity improves sleep, lowers anxiety and can reduce the risk of several types of disease, among other benefits, per the CDC.The latest: New data from Apple and Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital indicates that nearly 60% of Washingtonians aren't logging the 150 weekly minutes of aerobic activity that the CDC recommends.That's true even among Washington residents...
King County ranks among the healthiest in the U.S., report finds
Data: County Health Rankings; Note: Factors include prevalence of healthy behaviors, quality of clinical care, socio-economic indicators and physical environment; Map: Jared Whalen/AxiosKing County has far better health outcomes than most of the nation, according to a new report.Why it matters: Compared to the national average, King County has a lower rate of premature death and a lower share of adults reporting that they're in poor physical health.That's according to County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a program of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.Zoom in: The report also found that a lower percentage of King County infants had low...
Six things to do in Seattle this weekend
It may be a chilly weekend, but that doesn't mean we can't get out and explore the downtown art scene, watch some dirt bike action or catch an Indian comic performing in Hindi.🖼️ Enjoy art from a range of galleries and visual artists on the Belltown Art Walk, featuring pop-up interactive art studios, live music and an underwater window art installation. Fourth Friday of each month from 5–8pm. Free.🌈 Join the Rainbow City Concert Band and the Rainbow City Orchestra for a concert exploring the "Spectrum of Identity'' through music. Benaroya Hall on Friday at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $15.The...
New Washington laws aim to prevent youth opioid overdoses
New laws in Washington aim to combat rising fentanyl overdoses in Washington state, especially among young people.Why it matters: The rate of opioid-related deaths among 14- to 18-year-olds almost tripled in Washington from 2016 to 2022, according to the state Department of Health.The big picture: Public health officials say increased presence of the synthetic opioid fentanyl is driving a spike in overdose deaths across age groups.King County alone recorded more than 1,000 overdose deaths involving fentanyl in 2023, compared to 111 in 2019.Driving the news: Measures that Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law this week will increase public education about...
Washington state toughens penalties for animal cruelty
18-week-old Toba was rescued by Pasado's Safe Haven, which worked with legislators to craft the bill. Photo: Courtesy of Pasado's Safe HavenA bill that imposes tougher criminal penalties for animal cruelty convictions was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee last week and takes effect on June 6.Why it matters: The new law elevates the punishment for first-degree animal cruelty — which is already a class C felony — by reclassifying it as a crime that is ranked level III on the seriousness scale.The reclassification means that people convicted of animal cruelty could face a standard sentence range of...
Washington state criminalizes deepfake porn
A new Washington state law will make it illegal to share fake pornography that appears to depict real people having sex.Why it matters: Advancements in artificial intelligence have made it easy to use a single photograph to impose someone's features on realistic-looking "deepfake" porn.Before now, however, state law hasn't explicitly banned these kinds of digitally manipulated images.Zoom in: The new Washington law, which Gov. Jay Inslee signed last week, will make it a gross misdemeanor to knowingly share fabricated intimate images of people without their consent.People who create and share deepfake pornographic images of minors can be charged with felonies....
Peak cherry blossom bloom arrives in Seattle
That burst of warm weather over the weekend helped push the Yoshino cherry trees in the University of Washington Quad into peak bloom starting Tuesday, according to the University of Washington.Why it matters: The annual bloom of cherry trees across Seattle symbolizes the end of the dark months and the beginning of spring, drawing residents and swarms of tourists to the city's most popular viewing places.What they're saying: The last two weekends of March should provide ideal viewing conditions, said university arborist Sara Shores.State of play: The Yoshino trees bloom earlier than many of the campus's 100 other cherry trees,...
Seattle Reign get new owners
The Seattle Reign FC is poised to get new owners.Driving the news: In partnership with the Seattle Sounders, the Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, has agreed to buy the Seattle Reign FC from France's OL Groupe for $58 million.It's Carlyle's first-ever pro sports team purchase.The big picture: The National Women's Soccer League is at a turning point, with a new TV contract and rising interest in U.S. women's sports.Last year, only a few NWSL games were nationally televised. This year the number will be over 100, all with better production quality. But there's still plenty of room for additional commercialization.Now some early owners are seeking to cash out at a profit.Zoom in: Last year, Megan Rapinoe's final regular-season home game broke the NWSL attendance record — previously set by the San Diego Wave in 2022 — and also set a new streaming record.More than 34,000 people attended the Lumen Field game and 683,000 viewers tuned in, according to CBS Sports, making it the second most watched game in NWSL history, trailing only the 2022 NWSL championship.What's next: The deal still requires league approval.Sign up for Axios Seattle for free.
Judge redraws Washington legislative districts in Voting Rights Act case
A federal judge has decided on new boundaries for a contested legislative district in Washington's Yakima Valley, after ruling last year that the earlier lines violated the U.S. Voting Rights Act.Why it matters: The new district map is designed to give Hispanic voters equal opportunity to elect their preferred candidates in Central Washington, which has a large Hispanic population.Yes, but: The new map, which U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik approved Friday, will uproot three Republican state senators and two Republican state House members, including a Hispanic senator who represents much of the area, the Washington State Standard reports.Zoom in:...
What mortgage rates mean for Seattle-area homebuyers this spring
Data: Redfin; Chart: Alice Feng and Jared Whalen/VisualsLower mortgage rates could push up home prices in Seattle and nationwide if demand surges and inventory remains tight.Why it matters: Steep borrowing costs are just one piece of the housing affordability crisis.Even with rates at historically high levels, home prices are still rising — partly because there aren't a lot of houses out there to buy.State of play: Many homeowners aren't selling because they don't want to lose their low mortgage rates.U.S. rates for 30-year mortgages are down from 20-year highs, but still remain around 7%.Experts don't expect the Fed to cut...
Takeaways from Seattle's first Pacific Tech Policy Conference
Tech, policy and legal experts from around the world gathered for the Pacific Technology Policy Conference in Seattle last Wednesday to discuss how to regulate emerging technology in ways that satisfy lawmakers, tech firms and the public.Why it matters: Policymakers can't craft laws fast enough to keep up with emerging technology and they sometimes don't fully understand what they're legislating, said Jonathon Marek of the Seattle-based National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), which hosted the conference.That's led to laws with unintended side effects, according to Marek.For example, federal regulations created in 2022 and tightened last year on semiconductor exports were...
Seattle Reign win season opener 1-0
Seattle Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock (left) and Washington Spirit midfielder Brittany Ratcliffe battle for position during a game at Lumen Field in Seattle. Photo: Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe Seattle Reign kicked off the National Women's Soccer League season Sunday with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit.The game's only goal came when Seattle's Bethany Balcer scored on a penalty shot that was earned on the first play of the match.Why it matters: After seeing record-breaking attendance and making it to the semifinals last season, the team is hoping to keep the enthusiasm and momentum high.Catch up quick:...
How Washington's police pursuit law is about to change
Police officers in Washington state will soon be able to chase far more suspects who flee in vehicles, after state lawmakers voted to roll back restrictions passed in 2021.Why it matters: Police agencies said the state's limits on vehicle pursuits hampered their ability to fight crime.But those who opposed rolling back the rules argue that police car chases too often hurt or kill civilians, while also endangering officers.Catch up quick: Under existing law, Washington police can initiate a car chase only when a fleeing person is suspected of certain crimes — a violent offense, sex offense, domestic violence assault, vehicular...
Meet Lilian Hale, Washington state's youngest legislator
Lilian Hale of Cathlamet became Washington state's youngest legislator last week when she was sworn in as a proxy for her stepfather, Republican state Rep. Joel McEntire.Driving the news: McEntire, a U.S. Marine Corps reservist, was called away on military duty and Hale will serve until his return.Washington state allows a temporary successor to be appointed for legislators on leave for military service or training.While Hale was sworn in on the last day of the regular session, which was also her 18th birthday, she will head back to Olympia if a special session is called, she told Axios.The latest: Hale...
Things to do in and around Seattle this weekend
If you're ready to emerge from winter hibernation, here are a few ideas to get out of the house on what's expected to be a glorious sunny weekend.🥁 Catch the 53rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Saturday as it marches from Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street in downtown Seattle to Westlake Park. Free.The Irish flag will be raised at the King County Administration Building at 12:20pm, followed by the official blowing of the whistle marking the start of the parade at 12:30pm.☘️ The Irish Festival Seattle at Seattle Center's Armory Food & Event Hall will feature dance presentations, live music...
How caregivers can boost their brain health
The estimated 53 million Americans who provide care for adult family members may face severe but under-acknowledged physical and mental health challenges that increase the toll on families, experts say.Why it matters: As baby boomers age, the number of family caregivers is rising, with nearly one in six Americans currently serving as caregivers, NBC/MSNBC journalist Richard Lui told Axios.By the numbers: There are about 6.7 million Alzheimer's patients in the United States, and an estimated 11 million Americans providing unpaid care for them, said Kate Zhong, geriatric psychiatrist and director of innovation at UNLV's Brainnovation Initiative.The prevalence of depression is...
Axios Seattle
1K+
Posts
7M+
Views
Axios Seattle is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.