Jan 5, 2024 · Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. COVID-19 is on the rise in King County and rates of flu and RSV remain above the local "alert threshold," according to Public Health – Seattle & King County (PH–SKC). Why it matters: Rates of transmission above the alert level show substantial spread of the viruses in the region, signaling health care ... Preventive doxycycline taken as a morning-after pill is "the best new intervention that's been identified for STI prevention for quite a long time," Connie Celum, a professor of global health and medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, told Axios. Details: Celum co-led a study of 500 men and trans women in Seattle and …Of note: Federal workers have always received back pay after the government reopens, but making it that long without a paycheck can present a challenge depending on how long a shutdown lasts. When the last shutdown in 2019 stretched 35 days, federal employees in the Seattle area were forced to seek help at local food banks …Melissa Santos. Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Local officials around Washington state — including in Seattle — are proposing their own laws to punish drug use, now that drug possession is set to become decriminalized statewide this summer. What's happening: Washington's Legislature adjourned about a week ago without agreeing on a …Plus: Remote work in the Seattle metro area is down about 5 percentage points year-over-year, after reaching a high of 30.6% in 2021. Previously, in 2019, slightly under 6.5% of Seattle-area residents said they work remotely most days. Of note: The city of Seattle itself had a higher share of at-home workers last …Background: Seattle-specific crime data included in the WASPC report shows murders in the city dropped 19% last year, falling from 52 in 2020 to 42 in 2020. Reported rapes also decreased 13.6%, from 414 in 2020 to 185 last year. Seattle’s aggravated assaults climbed nearly 26% and robbery spiked by nearly 18%, the report shows.Washington is now home to at least 8 million people, state officials estimate. Why it matters: About 1.8 million more people are expected to move here by 2050, which means the state needs to be smart about how it grows, state demographer Mike Mohrman told Axios. By the numbers: The state has been …Some 15,341 new apartments are expected to be completed in Seattle this year, putting the metro on track to hit a five-year high in apartment construction, per data from the listing service RentCafe.. Why it matters: The new supply of units could eventually bring down rental prices, which have recently …This story was originally published by Axios Seattle on Feb. 23, 2023. City leaders and boosters concerned about the vibrancy of downtown Seattle greeted last …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: …Fox News hosts expressed disbelief this week after a few Seattle residents were recorded on camera saying life in the city wasn't all that bad.. Driving the news: In a segment on "The Five" that began with co-host Jeanine Pirro calling Seattle "a progressive hellscape," a Fox journalist interviewed three people in …Using the tolled carpool lanes on Interstate 405 and State Route 167 near Seattle is about to get more expensive. Why it matters: For solo drivers, the maximum toll rate to enter the carpool lanes on each highway will rise to $15 starting March 1. That's an increase of $5 to $6 from current rates. Plus: Minimum tolls are going up to $1, and ...Thursday's Supreme Court ruling limiting the EPA's ability to regulate emissions from power plants puts more pressure on states to combat climate change, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday. In comments shortly after the ruling's release, Inslee took aim at "dirty" natural gas, saying he wants to see gas heating …Feb 6, 2024 · An outbreak of a fungus that can turn deadly, Candida auris, was confirmed at a hospital in Seattle late last month, in the latest example of the drug-resistant fungus spreading nationwide. Why it matters: Many people with C. auris won't show symptoms, but about 5–10% develop invasive infections — and about 45% of those patients die within ... Jan 22, 2024 · Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios. The city of Seattle has implemented a hiring freeze for about 2,000 temporary and permanent jobs to reduce expenses and offset an impending budget shortfall, according to the mayor's office. Why it matters: The freeze, effective immediately, is necessary to keep costs down this year and address the $229 ... Community. Axios Members will receive quarterly exclusive newsletters from our reporters. Additionally, we may host members-only events and give birthday shout-outs in the newsletter. But these benefits are not why you should join. You should join because you want to support the work. Jan 5, 2024 · Right now, snowpack is estimated to be at 40% of normal levels, Michael Fagin of Washington Online Weather told Axios. But about 20 inches is expected between now and Sunday evening, he said. There's a chance some of the mountain passes will see more than 24 inches of snow between Monday and Wednesday, said Reid Wolcott, a meteorologist with ... Axios. May 2022 - Present 1 year 10 months. Seattle. I'm part of a two-person team covering Seattle and Washington state for Axios. Sign up for our Axios Seattle …Studies show climate change is leading to larger, more frequent and more extreme wildfires on the entire West Coast. Driving the news: The tool, REBURN, simulates large forest landscapes and wildfire dynamics over decades and centuries under various wildfire management strategies. It shows the …Seattle’s Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) was, at least for a time, a police-free area. As people shared food and other resources and built a community focused on mutual supp...Jan 9, 2024 · Driving the news: The Huskies' 34–13 loss to Michigan in Monday's College Football Playoff national championship ended their 21-game winning streak that started last season, leaving Washington's season record at 14–1. The Dawgs entered Monday's game as the No. 2 team in college football, a rank they haven't achieved in decades. What they're saying: Brown told Axios Tuesday that the attorney general's office has an important role in helping build a safe community for everybody, which includes "being the watchdog for external threats" and “protecting voting rights, protecting individual liberties, making sure people have safe access to abortion and healthcare."From its humble beginnings as a small shoe store in Seattle, Nordstrom has transformed into one of the most iconic department stores in the world. One of the key factors that sets ...Why it matters: Daytime highs will reach into the mid-60s and possibly brush up against 70 on Saturday in some regions of Puget Sound, particularly in the Cascade foothills, National Weather Service Seattle meteorologist Anna Lindeman told Axios. It will start drying out Wednesday afternoon and remain dry through at least Tuesday next …Residential rents could go up as much as 4% and office space vacancy may continue to rise in the Seattle area, according to local real estate experts who were asked for their 2024 predictions. Why it matters: The coming year could remain challenging for many, including commercial landlords and would-be homeowners who may not see their … Axios Seattle; Travel; Highlights from one Seattleite's trip to India. Go deeper (1 min. read) News worthy of your time. Download the app. About. About Axios ... The big picture: Voters remain frustrated with issues such as crime and homelessness, he said, which could mean some of the same forces that ushered in a more moderate, business-friendly council in 2021 will carry over into 2023. Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, told Axios that …By the numbers: Among Washington's big donors, Biden has outraised former President Trump, who has collected $1.7 million, per the FEC. Former UN …Axios Seattle. Here comes the sun, Seattle. Story by Christine Clarridge • 5m. A fter weeks of rain and cooler than average temperatures, sunny and dry weather is expected to …SNAP cuts lead to warning of "hunger cliff". Extra food benefits put into place during the pandemic are ending nationwide on Tuesday. Driving the news: Pandemic emergency allotments added to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in March 2020 put extra food money in the pockets of people …Jan 27, 2023 · The big picture: Voters remain frustrated with issues such as crime and homelessness, he said, which could mean some of the same forces that ushered in a more moderate, business-friendly council in 2021 will carry over into 2023. Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, told Axios that Seattle voters are ... Data: U.S. News & World Report; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios. Seattle has fallen out of the Top 20 in the latest rankings of U.S. News and World Report's Best Places to Live. By the numbers: Seattle now ranks 36th on the publication's best places to live list for 2022–23. That's 17 spots lower than where we ranked last year (19th).Wilcox, meanwhile, told Axios it was "very unlikely" that he would choose to run. Context: The last Republican elected as governor of Washington was John Spellman in 1980. Editor's note: This story was updated with additional details, including that Bob Ferguson formally announced he is exploring a gubernatorial run.Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Washington state lawmakers are looking at ways to combat fentanyl addiction, homelessness and housing unaffordability as they convene for a new session Monday in Olympia. They're also under pressure to bolster mental health services and tackle the ballooning cost of state transportation projects.Alex Fitzpatrick. Data: SmartAsset; Map: Tory Lysik/Axios Visuals. You need to make at least $ 804,853 to be among the top 1% of earners in Washington state, according to a recent SmartAsset analysis of IRS tax filer data. That's more than $150,000 more than the national household figure of $652,657. …Axios Local: Seattle is a Flipboard magazine that covers the most consequential news and developments in Seattle and its surrounding areas. Read stories on topics such as COVID-era rules, bagel shops, …But, but, but: ADU demand remains far above the number of completed projects with only 37% of ADU permits submitted to Seattle between 2017 and 2021 resulting in a completed dwelling, Cottage said. Part of the issue, Czarnecki said, is too few local contractors that have ADU expertise. Get more local stories in your inbox with …None of Seattle's new city leaders is stepping up to launch — or even call for — an investigation into whether former Mayor Jenny Durkan, former police chief Carmen Best or anyone else broke the law when potentially key text messages exchanged during the 2020 racial justice protests were deleted from their city-issued phones.. Driving the news: …You now need $215K a year to afford a typical Seattle-area home. Show 10 more stories. The real estate trends and hot homes to watch in Seattle.When it comes to Seattle's food truck scene, locals have long envied Portland, which boasts an eclectic collection of tiny restaurants slinging noodles, pizza, burritos and more.. Now, as part of Mayor Bruce Harrell's plan to enliven downtown, Seattle will waive fees for food trucks and food carts through 2026, in …Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. A new Washington state law lets police more easily pursue suspects who flee in vehicles, relaxing restrictions the Legislature imposed on police car chases in 2021. Why it matters: Police said those prior rules forced them to let many criminals get away. But those who wanted to keep the previous law …Close to 900 Seattle-area employees of Microsoft will be laid off in March, according to a notice posted Wednesday by the Washington state Employment Security Department. Driving the news: Among the 10,000 company-wide layoffs announced by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday, 878 will affect workers based in Redmond, …A few big things Washington legislators passed in 2024. Melissa Santos. Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Washington state lawmakers adjourned a 60-day …Feb 9, 2024 · Workers worry ChatGPT and AI could replace jobs, survey finds. About one-third of American professionals worry that artificial intelligence will make some jobs obsolete, and nearly half fear they could be "left behind" in their careers if they don't keep up, according to a recent Washington State University survey. That's 27% higher than the state's homelessness rate in 2019, which was 28.3 per 10,000 residents. Nationwide, the overall rate of homelessness rose by about 18% during the same period, from 17 per 10,000 residents to 20. Of note: About half of Washington's homeless population lives in the Seattle-King County area, which had …With the high profile resignation of its leader last year and the announcement this month of the loss of $11.7 million in annual funding from Seattle, the fate of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority is in the air. Why it matters: The agency was created in 2019 as a multimillion-dollar experiment that sought to craft a unique ...Seattle’s Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) was, at least for a time, a police-free area. As people shared food and other resources and built a community focused on mutual supp...Residential rents could go up as much as 4% and office space vacancy may continue to rise in the Seattle area, according to local real estate experts who were asked for their 2024 predictions. Why it matters: The coming year could remain challenging for many, including commercial landlords and would-be homeowners who may not see their …Washington is No. 1 state for UFO sightings. Melissa Santos. Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Washington has logged more reports of UFOs per capita than any other state in the U.S., according to data from the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC). By the numbers: Washington residents have reported 6,812 UFO sightings to NUFORC, with the ...Yes, but: All of those projects are now projected to cost more than originally planned — roughly 50% to 100% more in some cases, the state Department of Transportation estimates. That's due to a combination of factors, such as inflation, supply chain issues and labor shortages, House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey (D …Jan 26, 2024 · 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. A Seattle program to develop alternative responses to 911 calls is months behind schedule — and some city council members are getting frustrated with the delay. Why it matters: Following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, city officials committed to the alternative 911 program as part of a strategy to reduce violent encounters between ...And in the coming weeks, installations will be unveiled at The Victor Tavern on 6th Ave., Cole's Tavern on the Mukilteo Speedway and Pike Brewing at the Seattle Convention Center. Through Sept. 30, Axios readers can use "NEONLOVE10" for $10 off every copy of "Seattle Neon." The sign in front of the Jupiter Bar on 2nd Avenue in Seattle.Four county elections offices in Washington state, including in King County, were evacuated Wednesday after workers received envelopes containing "unknown powdery substances," according to the Secretary of State's office. In each case, the substances were discovered as workers were busy counting ballots …Data: Moody's Analytics; Chart: Axios Visuals. The Seattle area's office vacancy rate — 17.4% — is below the national rate of 19.6%, according to data from Moody's Analytics for the fourth quarter of 2023. Why it matters: Office building vacancies nationally continue to be an issue, hitting a record high in the fourth …An outbreak of a fungus that can turn deadly, Candida auris, was confirmed at a hospital in Seattle late last month, in the latest example of the drug-resistant fungus spreading nationwide. Why it matters: Many people with C. auris won't show symptoms, but about 5–10% develop invasive infections — and about 45% of those patients die within …New business applications in Seattle lag pre-pandemic levels. Show 10 more stories. What matters in business in Seattle.Feb 6, 2024 · An outbreak of a fungus that can turn deadly, Candida auris, was confirmed at a hospital in Seattle late last month, in the latest example of the drug-resistant fungus spreading nationwide. Why it matters: Many people with C. auris won't show symptoms, but about 5–10% develop invasive infections — and about 45% of those patients die within ... Car dealers remain concerned about unsold EVs piling up on their lots, as Axios' Joann Muller reports, while potential buyers harbor skepticism about range, performance and cost. In Washington, however, 18% of new car sales registered in the first half of 2023 were fully electric cars or plug-in hybrids, the Seattle Times reported .Jan 26, 2024 · Commercial buildings will be required to reach net-zero emissions between 2041 and 2046, and multifamily residential buildings between 2046 and 2050. A few exceptions are allowed, such as fossil fuel-powered backup generators in hospitals. "We built in a little room to give people a little more time to change over their gas cooking stoves, for ... . King County officials have decided cash is kingDriving the news: There were 375.6 reported violent crimes Washington is now home to at least 8 million people, state officials estimate. Why it matters: About 1.8 million more people are expected to move here by 2050, which means the state needs to be smart about how it grows, state demographer Mike Mohrman told Axios. By the numbers: The state has been … Here are a few ideas for things to do this weekend in S For the second time in three months, Seattle is considering a proposal to let the city attorney prosecute low-level drug crimes.. Driving the news: Unlike an earlier plan that stalled, the new proposal includes money for treatment, plus a firmer commitment to divert people away from the criminal justice system. Why it matters: Without a new city … Details: The Washington state Supreme Court declined to review last mo...
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