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Axios Seattle
Scoop: Washington tribes seek to halt offshore wind farms
More than a dozen tribes are asking the federal government to stop plans for offshore wind farms along Washington's coast, saying the environmental impacts aren't being studied well enough.Why it matters: Offshore wind turbines could provide a source of renewable electricity, aiding the fight against climate change. But tribes say the projects may also violate tribal treaty rights, harming shoreline habitat and tribal members' way of life.Driving the news: The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, which represents 20 Washington tribes with treaty-protected fishing rights, sent a letter last week asking the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to halt all discussions...
Guide to Washington's Olympic hopefuls
Everyone from die-hard athletes to recliner referees should be able to find a Washingtonian to root for in the Paris Olympics, with the opening ceremony starting Friday.Why it matters: Everyone loves a hometown hero.State of play: Several local athletes are making their Olympic debuts while others are looking to defend gold medals across more than a dozen sports.Zoom in: It's no surprise that in a region surrounded by lakes and seas, some of our highest profile athletes are competing in water sports.Nevin Harrison, who won gold for Team USA in the first-ever Olympic women's canoe single 200-meter sprint at the...
Where to watch the Olympics in the Seattle area
With over a dozen Washingtonians competing at the Summer Olympics in Paris this year, there's few better ways to cheer on our own than at a local sports bar.State of play: While the opening ceremony is at 10:30am PT on Friday, several competitions started Wednesday.Zoom in: Standouts from Washington staet include gold medal winning canoeist Nevin Harrison, artistic swimmer Audrey Kwon, swimmer Matt King, hurdler CJ Allen, kayaker Aaron Small and gymnast Jordan Chiles. What to expect: Paris is nine hours ahead of Pacific Time, so keep that in mind when planning your day around an event.Here are just a...
Things to do in Seattle, July 25-28
It's the height of summer and the Seafair finale approaches with the Torchlight Parade and the Filipino festival, Pista Sa Nayon, among the local events happening this weekend.Thursday🥪 Try the zipline at the Duwamish Waterway Park party, where there will be art, games and free lunches for all. 10am-4pm Monday through Friday through Aug. 24. Free.🇺🇸 Celebrate National Hire a Veteran Day at Republic Services in Seattle where vets can attend a free workshop, brush up their resume and apply for open positions at the waste facility. 10am-2pm. Free.Friday🎨 Check out the annual Seattle Art Fair, which was started by...
A peek at Seattle Aquarium's Ocean Pavilion expansion that opens Aug. 29
The Seattle Aquarium plans to open its new Ocean Pavilion expansion next month, completing a key piece of long-term plans to transform the city's waterfront.Why it matters: The new building on Elliott Bay will include a landscaped public rooftop, elevators and stairs to help connect the waterfront with Pike Place Market — a change made possible by the demolition of the Alaskan Way viaduct in 2019.Driving the news: The new addition will open to the public Aug. 29, featuring about 3,500 marine animals and plants.The expansion will measure nearly 50,000 square feet, increasing the aquarium's overall footprint by about 50%,...
Scoop: State law doesn't block police from questioning teens, Seattle chief says
Interim Seattle police chief Sue Rahr issued a directive this month clarifying that a 2021 state law doesn't stop police from questioning juveniles who witness crimes. Why it matters: It's a shift from Rahr's previous public comments, in which she said the law was impeding the investigation of a June 6 fatal shooting outside Garfield High School by blocking police from talking to teenage witnesses.
Washington wildfires have closed roads, trails and prompted evacuations
Fires have closed or threatened parts of the Pacific Crest Trail, Highway 20, campgrounds and hiking trails just as Seattleites head out for some of the region's peak outdoor recreation weather.Why it matters: Studies show human-caused climate change has increased extreme wildfire events over the past two decades, especially in the West, as temperatures warm and vegetation dries out faster.Globally, the six worst wildfire seasons occurred during the past seven years, a study published last month found.Threat level: The Pacific Northwest is currently in "Preparedness Level 5," meaning it is a priority for firefighting personnel and equipment, according to the...
"Over 80%" of Washington's delegates back Harris as Democratic nominee
More than three-fourths of Washington's delegates to the Democratic National Convention plan to support Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's presidential nominee, state party officials said after conducting an informal survey this week.Why it matters: Since President Biden announced Sunday he is ending his campaign, Democrats across the country have coalesced around Harris — and local Democrats appear to be no exception.Harris has already been endorsed by enough Democratic delegates nationwide to secure the nomination, per AP.Zoom in: "In our unofficial count, we are seeing well over 80% supporting VP Harris," Stephen Reed, spokesperson for the Washington state Democrats,...
Foot traffic from visitors and workers is up in Seattle
Seattle's downtown recovery continues with tourists and visitors returning to the city in force and the number of daily workers at its highest in more than four years, according to new data.Why it matters: Seattle's pandemic recovery has lagged behind some other cities — in part because remote work in Washington remains relatively high.The newest figures from the Downtown Seattle Association, though, show visitors returning at nearly pre-pandemic levels and worker foot traffic continuing to climb.State of play: Compelled by return-to-office mandates from the city and companies like Amazon, workers are increasingly coming back downtown, the report shows.By the numbers:...
Seattle's homesteading renaissance
Interest in homesteading in the Seattle area has always been high, but it jumped during the pandemic and remains popular as people grapple with the stress of living in uncertain times, said Julie Stonefelt of Wildlife Homestead Living.Why it matters: Concerns over climate change, wars, political upheaval and social reckonings have people leaning into more self-sufficient lifestyles to improve their health, make more eco-friendly choices and find more peace, Stonefelt told Axios.What they're saying: "The modern homesteading movement is where people can turn that fear into hope, said Stonefelt, whose site offers information, guides and courses, including one on building...
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe talk women's sports in "A Touch More Live" podcast
Seattle superstars Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe say they'll bring nuance, historical context — and a lot of fun — to the national chatter around women's sports in their new weekly podcast, "A Touch More Live," launching Aug. 7.Why it matters: Women's sports, and basketball especially, have finally reached a large and engaged audience. But female athletes who have been part of the game for decades are often excluded from the media conversation about it, Bird and Rapinoe said at a live preview of "A Touch More" in Phoenix last week before the WNBA All-Star Game.1 fun thing: The podcast will also include a feature called, "Bicker of the Week," which Rapinoe and Bird tested during the pandemic series and will offer a more intimate glimpse into their relationship, the couple said.
Washington Democrats back Harris, praise Biden's decision to exit race
The chair of Washington state's Democratic Party says the party should embrace Vice President Kamala Harris as its next presidential nominee, after President Biden announced Sunday he is dropping out of the race. Why it matters: The president's decision to exit the race is a monumental change in the 2024 presidential contest ahead of the Democrats' nominating convention, which is set to start Aug. 19.Catch up quick: Biden, too, endorsed Harris Sunday as he ended his presidential bid, which he did via a letter posted on his X account.Biden's decision followed weeks of pressure from many top Democrats urging him to...
Impacts from global IT outage minimal at SeaTac, airport says
Flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and around the globe were canceled or delayed Friday morning due to a major technology outage affecting Microsoft systems.The big picture: There were reports of massive online outages disrupting travel, banking, hospitals and news outlets worldwide as CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company that services multiple industries, went down worldwide.The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that it is "closely monitoring a technical issue impacting IT systems at U.S. airlines" and that several airlines had requested "assistance with ground stops for their fleets."George Kurtz, president and CEO of CrowdStrike, said in a post to X the company was...
How heat islands are impacting Seattle temperatures
Data: Climate Central. Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosAs Seattle heads into its 16th day of temperatures above 80° — a record, according to NWS Seattle — a new analysis finds urban heat islands expose some residents to elevated heat risks.Why it matters: Urban heat islands (UHI) are boosting temperatures within 65 major U.S. cities that are home to 50 million people, or 15% of the total U.S. population, according to Climate Central's analysis of 2024 temperatures.Nearly 34 million people nationally live in environments where UHIs can raise temperatures by at least 8°.Zoom in: In Seattle 58% of residents live in islands with...
Seattle weekend guide July 18 to 21
With summer in full swing, there are loads of events happening around the city from art exhibits and baseball games to nostalgia rock and dance parties.Here are a few of our favorites to give you some ideas.Thursday💋 Revel in West Coast counterculture at the Seattle Art Museum with the Poke in the Eye exhibit that celebrates the reactionary movement, which was centered in Seattle and the Bay Area, against the "sleekness, formality, and coldness" of Pop and minimalism. Through Sept. 2. $30.🍿 Bring the family to Cartoon Happy Hour at Central Cinema on Thursdays through the summer. 5-7pm. Admission is...
Crunch time as AL West leading Mariners face rival Houston Astros
The Mariners enter the second half of the season holding a one game lead in the American League West over the Astros as they head into a three-game series with Houston starting Friday.Why it matters: The Mariners have seen the 10-game lead they had in mid-June dwindle, closing out the first half of the season with three consecutive losses to the L.A. Angels on the road.Between the lines: Despite a slow start and the recent losing streak, Seattle is still atop the division with a 52-46 record.Meanwhile, the Astros — 50-46 — were building momentum before the all-star break with...
A Seattle voter guide to the Aug. 6 primary election
It's time to vote in Washington's Aug. 6 primary election, which will pare down crowded races for Congress, governor, attorney general, the state Legislature and some local offices.Why it matters: The results of the top-two primary will decide which two candidates in each race advance to the November general election.Driving the news: Ballots are being mailed to registered voters starting today. They must be postmarked by Aug. 6 if returned by mail, or placed in an official drop box by 8pm that day.The big picture: Voters are deciding this year who will replace three-term Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who isn't...
Real "I Voted" stickers are being mailed to Seattle area voters this year
King County is mailing physical "I Voted" stickers to voters in the Seattle area this week, reviving a tradition that's largely been lost in the past 15 years of voting by mail.Why it matters: Now you can once again proclaim your civic participation on your t-shirt, even if you don't physically go to the polls.Driving the news: The Aug. 6 primary marks the first time the county is sending "I Voted" stickers along with mail-in ballots, elections spokesperson Halei Watkins told Axios.Both items will be mailed out starting Wednesday.What they're saying: Watkins wrote in an email that the county hears from voters in every election that they want the stickers, "so we're glad to make that dream a reality."While the state and county have long provided digital stickers that people can post on social media, "those definitely didn't quite scratch the sticker itch that we've heard from our voters," Watkins said.What we're watching: "We hope to see lots of happy voters and their 'I voted' selfies this year," Watkins said.Go deeper: A Seattle voter guide to the Aug. 6 primary election
Canlis gets bright pink makeover for Barbie-themed event
Seattle restaurant Canlis has gone full-on Barbie pink for the summer.State of play: The fine dining destination has been repainted leading up to a Barbie-themed event at the restaurant Aug. 9-10, per Eater Seattle.The two-day event, "Kenlis: A Dance Party at the Canlis Dream House," will benefit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the Susan G. Komen organization, the restaurant said on Instagram.Zoom in: If you look closely, only the parts of the restaurant visible from Aurora Avenue North are painted the rosy shade.The rear part facing Lake Union is the same dark color as always.What's next: The restaurant said it plans to go back to its original, more somber colors after next month's party. Party in the front and business in the back. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios
Upcoming vote could give gray wolves less protection
Gray wolves are making a recovery in Washington, according to the state Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), and a vote slated for Friday could see members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission downlisting wolves from an "endangered" to a "sensitive" species.Why it matters: Such a change would lower penalties for wolf poaching and make it easier for livestock owners to access permits to kill wolves that threaten herds as there is renewed scrutiny of the population and its impacts on the ecosystem.State of play: Washington's wolf population increased every year for the last 15 years and rose 20%...
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