Seattle

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Seattle.

Axios Seattle Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Seattle Alerts

Alert

Axios Seattle Partners

Axios Seattle

Standard

Seattle Members

Membership

A brick building with steps up to doors with windows and decorative moldings, with two lamp posts on each side of the entrance.

The West Seattle library is temporarily closing as air conditioning is installed. Photo courtesy of Seattle Public Library

The Seattle Public Library is installing air-conditioning at its last few branches without it.

Why it matters: By the end of next year, people will be able to go to any Seattle Public Library branch and get a break from heat and wildfire smoke.

Zoom in: The Fremont and West Seattle branches close Sunday for HVAC upgrades and are expected to reopen in November. 

The University branch is already undergoing that work. 

Queen Anne and Columbia are scheduled for upgrades in 2027.

The bottom line: Soon, all 27 Seattle Public Library branches will have A/C.

Seattle libraries are getting A/C at every branch

Soon every Seattle library branch will offer relief from extreme heat and wildfire smoke.

An ornate brick building with steps to a double-door entrance, with "Public LIbrary" written above the doors. Two lamp post line the entryway. 

<figure><img alt="A brick building with steps up to doors with windows and decorative moldings, with two lamp posts on each side of the entrance." height="675" id="b9862dcf-19c3-42e2-836b-afc82e277aa9" src="https://images.axios.com/qFdekXaF6I8LV0hlJ2-C6mDlBz8=/2026/08/03/1785788197383.jpeg" width="966"/><figcaption>The West Seattle library is temporarily closing as air conditioning is installed. Photo courtesy of Seattle Public Library</figcaption></figure>The Seattle Public Library is installing air-conditioning at its last few branches without it.Why it matters: By the end of next year, people will be able to go to any Seattle Public Library branch and get a break from heat and wildfire smoke.

News

Washington state officials were ready to fess up: They'd vastly overestimated how much the state's cap-and-trade projects would cut greenhouse gas emissions.

They prepped a news release to correct the error in December, but the fix got held up by Gov. Bob Ferguson's office, records obtained by Axios show. It didn't go out until January, after a conservative critic blogged about the inflated numbers.

Why it matters: Ferguson's tight control over what state agencies can say to the public left inaccurate climate data out there for weeks — even after officials had already caught their mistake.

The holdup is one of several tied to a media policy Ferguson's office instituted last year, which requires most agency press releases and communications with reporters to be approved by the governor's office.

Catch up quick: The emissions error was not small: State officials estimated last November that projects paid for through the Climate Commitment Act — the state's cap-and-trade program — would cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 8.6 million metric tons.

But the correct figure was actually 1.2 million — a mistake officials attributed to incorrect Department of Commerce data.

Behind the scenes: The Ecology Department, which released the faulty November estimate, emailed the governor's office Dec. 20 asking for permission to send out a correction on Dec. 22, according to emails Axios received through a public records request.

"Given the size of the error, we believe we need to publicly acknowledge and take responsibility for it," Ecology Department spokesperson Dustin Terpening wrote.

At least twice that weekend, Terpening asked the governor's office to approve a draft news release for Monday acknowledging the error.

Ferguson's lead spokesperson, Brionna Aho, responded Sunday that she and Ferguson's chief of staff, Shane Esquibel, would want to review the release again before it went out.

The correction ultimately wasn't released until the afternoon of Jan. 6, several hours after Todd Myers with the conservative Washington Policy Center wrote a blog post about the discrepancy.

The other side: Aho, Ferguson's spokesperson, told Axios "additional review" was needed to "verify the source of the error" and to make sure there were no other mistakes — and to "put measures in place to prevent an error like that from occurring again."

She and Ecology officials say they were preparing to send the news release before Myers published his blog post.

Ecology spokesperson Andrew Wineke pointed to December's major flooding, the year-end holidays and preparations for the legislative session as factors in the timing.

Zoom in: The governor's office also resisted some requests for agency officials to speak with the media about the error after it became public, emails show.

What's next: Ecology's next report on state projects funded with cap-and-trade dollars is due later this year.

Scoop: Ferguson's office delayed climate data correction

Inflated claims about the state's cap-and-trade program lingered even after officials caught the error.

Close-up of a Bob Ferguson wearing black rectangular glasses, short brown hair, and a light blue checkered shirt, speaking outdoors with a blurred green background.

Gov. Bob Ferguson in May. Photo: Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

Washington state officials were ready to fess up: They&#x27;d vastly overestimated how much the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cap-and-trade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/02/28/cap-and-trade-auction-washington-state" data-vars-content-id="49aeb039-915f-447e-83cb-6ac4e762a2fa" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Ferguson&#x27;s office delayed climate data correction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/02/28/cap-and-trade-auction-washington-state" target="_self">cap-and-trade</a> projects would cut greenhouse gas emissions.<ul><li>They prepped a news release to correct the error in December, but the fix got held up by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Bob Ferguson&#x27;s office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/05/04/bob-ferguson-press-access-washington-governor" data-vars-content-id="49aeb039-915f-447e-83cb-6ac4e762a2fa" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Ferguson&#x27;s office delayed climate data correction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/05/04/bob-ferguson-press-access-washington-governor" target="_self">Gov. Bob Ferguson&#x27;s office</a>, records obtained by Axios show. It didn&#x27;t go out until January, after a conservative critic blogged about the inflated numbers.</li></ul>Why it matters: Ferguson&#x27;s tight control over what state agencies can say to the public left inaccurate climate data out there for weeks — even after officials had already caught their mistake.

Politics

Seattle City Council members have approved a do-not-call list to let homeowners block unsolicited pitches from people trying to buy their homes.

Why it matters: The plan is the latest step in Seattle's effort to curb predatory home buying.

The latest: An ordinance the City Council passed last week will create a citywide "Do Not Solicit" registry for homeowners who don't want to receive calls, texts, emails or mail from prospective buyers.

Solicitors who contact homeowners on the registry can face civil fines of $1,000 for a first violation and $2,000 for subsequent violations within a year.

The proposal draws on similar programs in New York and Philadelphia.

What they're saying: "I've heard from homeowners all across the city who describe feeling preyed upon by these incessant calls, texts, and mailings," Councilmember Dionne Foster, who sponsored the ordinance, said in a news release.

Such tactics "push homeowners to sell their homes for less than they are worth," Foster said.

That in turn contributes to the displacement of seniors, low-income people and those from marginalized communities, she added.

Case in point: Chukundi Salisbury Sr., executive director of Black Legacy Homeowners, told a City Council committee that many Black homeowners receive frequent lowball purchase offers, creating both anxiety and pressure to sell.

What's next: Should Mayor Wilson sign the ordinance as expected, the new rules are set to take effect next June.

Seattle moves to block unwanted home buying pitches

A new city registry will shield homeowners from unwanted calls, texts, emails and mail from buyers.

Illustration of a real estate for sale sign with the word NOPE on it.

Seattle City Council members have approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a do-not-call list" data-vars-click-url="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?GUID=F01B77D8-6D5C-4E1C-8C92-9F9632D99C7A&amp;ID=8141427&amp;Options=&amp;Search=&amp;" data-vars-content-id="6ce22c63-d8aa-4ed4-9f4a-61ee0b3eb481" data-vars-headline="Seattle moves to block unwanted home buying pitches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?GUID=F01B77D8-6D5C-4E1C-8C92-9F9632D99C7A&amp;ID=8141427&amp;Options=&amp;Search=&amp;" target="_blank">a do-not-call list</a> to let homeowners block unsolicited pitches from people trying to buy their homes.Why it matters: The plan is the latest step in Seattle&#x27;s effort to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="curb predatory" data-vars-click-url="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/07/23/mayor-harrell-announces-new-legislation-to-protect-homeowners-from-predatory-homebuying-practices/" data-vars-content-id="6ce22c63-d8aa-4ed4-9f4a-61ee0b3eb481" data-vars-headline="Seattle moves to block unwanted home buying pitches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/07/23/mayor-harrell-announces-new-legislation-to-protect-homeowners-from-predatory-homebuying-practices/" target="_blank">curb predatory</a> home buying.

Seattle will provide free meals to all Seattle Public Schools students starting this fall, using $3.6 million the City Council approved this week.

Why it matters: The vote caps a weeks-long discussion between Mayor Katie Wilson and City Council members over how soon to offer universal school meals.

Catch up quick: Wilson had proposed starting free breakfast and lunch for all students this September.

Councilmembers Joy Hollingsworth and Dionne Foster then proposed pushing the start to the 2027-28 school year.

In the meantime, they wanted to prioritize food assistance for low-income families during weekends and school breaks.

The two sides later agreed to tap unused money from an affordable housing project to do both starting this fall. 

What's next: Starting in the 2028-29 school year, city officials expect the state's new high-earners income tax to pay for universal school meals — should the tax survive legal and electoral challenges.

All Seattle students to get free school meals this fall

Seattle approved $3.6 million to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students this fall.

Illustration of a red apple with a hundred dollar bill for a leaf. 

Seattle will provide free meals to all Seattle Public Schools students starting this fall, using $3.6 million the City Council approved this week.Why it matters: The vote caps a weeks-long discussion between Mayor Katie Wilson and City Council members over how soon to offer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="universal school meals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/12/universal-school-lunches-may-improve-attendance-and-reduce-obesity" data-vars-content-id="896767b0-cda3-4d8c-8575-2dc9e1c43596" data-vars-headline="All Seattle students to get free school meals this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/12/universal-school-lunches-may-improve-attendance-and-reduce-obesity" target="_self">universal school meals</a>.

Education

Data: Harborview Medical Center; Chart: Melissa Santos/Axios

Injuries involving e-scooters and e-bikes have spiked locally in recent years, according to data from Harborview Medical Center.

The big picture: As the vehicles become more popular, they're contributing to a rising number of serious injuries — and, in some cases, deaths.

By the numbers: The number of people treated at Harborview for injuries involving e-bikes or e-scooters rose from 77 in 2021 to 252 last year, according to data the hospital shared with Axios.

Deaths involving e-scooters and e-bikes are also up, with six Harborview patients dying from their injuries last year, compared with two in 2024.

Harborview is the region's only Level 1 pediatric and adult trauma center, treating patients from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

The latest: A 14-year-old boy died while riding an electric-powered bike down a staircase at Seattle's Colonnade Park last month.

What they're saying:  Speed is a major factor in the rise in injury-causing crashes, Beth Ebel, a doctor who focuses on transportation safety at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, told Axios.

Lime, which provides e-bikes and scooter rentals in Seattle, told Axios the throttle on its vehicles cuts out at 15mph.

But riders can exceed that on Seattle's steep hills, Ebel said.

She said privately owned e-bikes and scooters also pose an issue, with many of the vehicles now reaching 28-35mph. That not only creates much greater force on impact but "doesn't give the driver time to react," she said.

The other side: Harborview's data doesn't specify whether injuries occurred on a rental or on privately owned e-bikes and e-scooters.

That means the hospital's numbers don't reflect on the safety of Lime's fleet — especially given rising ridership, Lime's Parker Dawson said in an emailed statement to Axios.

Dawson said riders took more than 10.5 million trips on Lime vehicles in Seattle in 2025, up 67% from 2024, while Harborview reported a 47% rise in injuries over the same period.

"Lime ridership is increasing faster than Harborview's reported injuries," Dawson said.

Over 99.99% of Lime trips globally ended without a reported incident in 2025, Dawson added.

State of play: Washington law already restricts teens under 16 from using e-scooters and some of the faster e-bikes. But a new state work group is considering more regulations.

Lime bans riders under 18, but Ebel, who treats children at Harborview, said kids find ways around the age restriction — sometimes using a parent's account or credit card.

Many kids using e-scooters and e-bikes haven't learned to drive and don't understand traffic rules, making them more likely to crash, she said.

About 41% of all ER visits for e-bike injuries nationwide in 2024 and 2025 involved patients ages 10 to 19, according to National Electronic Injury Surveillance System estimates.

The bottom line: Ebel said some of the best steps riders can take are packing a helmet, wearing reflective clothing and planning routes where they can stay separated from traffic.

E-bike and e-scooter injuries keep climbing, Harborview says

The Seattle hospital treated 252 people with e-bike and e-scooter injuries last year, up from 77 in 2021.

A column chart that shows annual e-bike and e-scooter injuries treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle from 2020 to 2025. Injuries rose each year, from 29 in 2020 to 77 in 2021, 119 in 2023 and 252 in 2025.

Injuries involving e-scooters and e-bikes have spiked locally in recent years, according to data from Harborview Medical Center.The big picture: As the vehicles become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more popular," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/25/seattle-transit-and-scooters-set-world-cup-records" data-vars-content-id="eb5e1025-c78a-40d5-bd29-9c5425d96c8f" data-vars-headline="E-bike and e-scooter injuries keep climbing, Harborview says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/25/seattle-transit-and-scooters-set-world-cup-records" target="_self">more popular,</a> they&#x27;re contributing to a rising number of serious injuries — and, in some cases, deaths.

Melissa Santos

Featured stories

All Seattle students to get free school meals this fall

Scoop: Ferguson's office delayed climate data correction

Seattle moves to block unwanted home buying pitches

E-bike and e-scooter injuries keep climbing, Harborview says

Seattle libraries are getting A/C at every branch