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New Sasquatch ride roars to life along Elliott Bay

Don your virtual reality headset and go hunt Bigfoot, just steps away from the Seattle Great Wheel.

Things to Do

<figure><img alt="A GIF of Sasquatch roaring and moving his hands and feet outside a mountain-themed ride." height="450" id="c53ab36d-09c5-4b3f-8440-eb86ada58e72" src="https://images.axios.com/kwCFfJ1_e8Rh0UcggfJdFiafruU=/2026/05/04/1777928336863.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Sasquatch roars outside the Sasquatch Mountain ride on Seattle&#x27;s waterfront. Video: Melissa Santos/Axios</figcaption></figure>Head to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle waterfront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/09/waterfront-park-draws-millions-in-debut-season" data-vars-content-id="9d3bb5e7-c9cc-484c-9f58-6314172b9480" data-vars-headline="New Sasquatch ride roars to life along Elliott Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/09/waterfront-park-draws-millions-in-debut-season" target="_self">Seattle waterfront</a> and you&#x27;ll find people waiting to take selfies with a roaring Sasquatch that towers over passersby.The big picture: The animatronic Bigfoot welcomes people to a new virtual reality ride, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sasquatch Mountain" data-vars-click-url="https://sasquatchmountain.com/" data-vars-content-id="9d3bb5e7-c9cc-484c-9f58-6314172b9480" data-vars-headline="New Sasquatch ride roars to life along Elliott Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sasquatchmountain.com/" target="_blank">Sasquatch Mountain</a> — one of a growing number of attractions on Seattle&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revamped" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/03/06/waterfront-projects-seattle-construction-playground-opening" data-vars-content-id="9d3bb5e7-c9cc-484c-9f58-6314172b9480" data-vars-headline="New Sasquatch ride roars to life along Elliott Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/03/06/waterfront-projects-seattle-construction-playground-opening" target="_self">revamped</a> Elliott Bay promenade.

Seattle readers wrestle with AI's promise and risks

From job loss worries to daily use, readers describe a mix of anxiety, curiosity and cautious adoption.

News

Earlier this month <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we asked you" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-146bbd96-6a09-4c7e-9fd5-dacb5f924930.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_seattle&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="3740a4cb-4aac-4ddb-9ffb-85318ee98e44" data-vars-headline="Seattle readers wrestle with AI&#x27;s promise and risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-146bbd96-6a09-4c7e-9fd5-dacb5f924930.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_seattle&amp;stream=top" target="_self">we asked you</a>, our dear readers, where you stand on AI — whether you use it daily, avoid it or fall somewhere in between.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="3740a4cb-4aac-4ddb-9ffb-85318ee98e44" data-vars-headline="Seattle readers wrestle with AI&#x27;s promise and risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">artificial intelligence</a> becomes embedded in everything from search engines to workplaces, how people feel about it will shape how — and how fast — it becomes part of everyday life.

Washington Gov. Ferguson fined over state plane ethics violation

Ferguson was fined after inviting ex-adviser Mike Webb on a state plane — a trip first reported by Axios.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson violated state ethics law last summer by allowing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former aide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/07/31/ferguson-2019-audit-concerns-mike-webb-aide" data-vars-content-id="bcfb2f45-bed5-4bcc-ba7c-e31d4aeedad5" data-vars-headline="Washington Gov. Ferguson fined over state plane ethics violation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/07/31/ferguson-2019-audit-concerns-mike-webb-aide" target="_self">former aide</a> to ride on a state plane, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="settlement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28097519-ferguson-ethics-stipulation/" data-vars-content-id="bcfb2f45-bed5-4bcc-ba7c-e31d4aeedad5" data-vars-headline="Washington Gov. Ferguson fined over state plane ethics violation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28097519-ferguson-ethics-stipulation/" target="_blank">settlement</a> the state Executive Ethics Board approved Friday.<ul><li>The former aide, Mike Webb, had resigned months earlier amid allegations of creating a hostile workplace.</li></ul>

Washington Gov. Ferguson limits press access, breaking precedent

Washington's governor skips regular open-ended press conferences, limiting chances for tough questions.

Politics

<figure><img alt="Bob Ferguson wears a light purple button up shirt rolled up to his elbows as he holds the Apple Cup, smiling, with a crowd in the stadium seats behind him. at night time. " height="3261" id="9b9e7d08-ad71-4ed5-b1ab-8e1eb727fc75" src="https://images.axios.com/Q_EfXikORo76y7CGfOWACfR73Ik=/2026/05/01/1777653793053.jpeg" width="5155"/><figcaption>Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson holds the Apple Cup trophy before presenting it to the Washington Huskies last fall. Photo: Oliver McKenna/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Since taking office, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has held more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seahawks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-results-seahawks-patriots" data-vars-content-id="0a368cc8-3625-4819-8238-e0a5c8c35e2b" data-vars-headline="Washington Gov. Ferguson limits press access, breaking precedent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-results-seahawks-patriots" target="_self">Seahawks</a> flag-raising ceremonies than press conferences dedicated to taking wide-ranging questions from reporters.Why it matters: Ferguson has departed from his predecessors&#x27; practice of holding regular, open-ended press availabilities — limiting public scrutiny of his administration.

Seattle weighs 5 data center proposals amid power concerns

City Light says the projects could significantly increase electricity demand if they move forward.

Five large-scale <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/08/washington-state-trails-in-data-center-growth" data-vars-content-id="8adc296d-1527-4507-ab0c-46410634d744" data-vars-headline="Seattle weighs 5 data center proposals amid power concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/08/washington-state-trails-in-data-center-growth" target="_self">data centers</a> are being proposed in Seattle, which could potentially strain the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electricity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/12/washington-utility-bill-increase-electric-grid-energy-demand" data-vars-content-id="8adc296d-1527-4507-ab0c-46410634d744" data-vars-headline="Seattle weighs 5 data center proposals amid power concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/12/washington-utility-bill-increase-electric-grid-energy-demand" target="_self">electricity</a> supply, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle Times reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/five-large-data-centers-eyed-for-seattle/" data-vars-content-id="8adc296d-1527-4507-ab0c-46410634d744" data-vars-headline="Seattle weighs 5 data center proposals amid power concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/five-large-data-centers-eyed-for-seattle/" target="_blank">Seattle Times reports</a>.The big picture: Combined, the centers would have a maximum demand of 369 megawatts — about one-third of the electricity the city typically uses daily, according to the newspaper.

How to get the most out of spring in Seattle

Outdoor projects are moving to the top of Seattle to-do lists — and Lowe's spring deals events help maximize the budget.

Partners

In Seattle, the return of longer days means it&#x27;s finally time to get back outside after months of gray skies and steady rain.<ul><li>Homeowners are refreshing garden beds, clearing moss and getting their yards ready for sunnier days ahead.</li></ul>Why it&#x27;s important: Outdoor spaces can transform how you live and how you feel, from small refreshes to full backyard makeovers.

Moto Pizza expands into Seattle's Pioneer Square

The local chain has grown fast, but its founder says its Detroit-style pies aren't skimping on quality.

Food and Drink

Moto Pizza has opened a new location in Seattle&#x27;s Pioneer Square neighborhood, further expanding its foothold in the local pizza scene.The big picture: In five years, Moto Pizza has grown from a pandemic experiment in West Seattle to a local chain with more than a half dozen stores — plus more slated to open in California later this year.

Seattle office values plunge even as crowds return

A new report shows commercial property values plunged even as visitors and residents returned.

Business

Downtown Seattle is drawing more residents, local visitors and event crowds, but its office economy is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="still struggling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/12/02/office-slump-hits-seattle-hard" data-vars-content-id="b1c2790a-816e-4f8e-a192-8fdaa0520267" data-vars-headline="Seattle office values plunge even as crowds return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/12/02/office-slump-hits-seattle-hard" target="_self">still struggling</a>, according to a report released last week.By the numbers: The 10 highest-value downtown office properties have seen assessed values drop by more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="50% since 2021" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownseattle.org/programs-services/research/economic-report/2025-at-a-glance/" data-vars-content-id="b1c2790a-816e-4f8e-a192-8fdaa0520267" data-vars-headline="Seattle office values plunge even as crowds return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownseattle.org/programs-services/research/economic-report/2025-at-a-glance/" target="_blank">50% since 2021</a>, according to the Downtown Seattle Association&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual economic report" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownseattle.org/programs-services/research/economic-report/" data-vars-content-id="b1c2790a-816e-4f8e-a192-8fdaa0520267" data-vars-headline="Seattle office values plunge even as crowds return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownseattle.org/programs-services/research/economic-report/" target="_blank">annual economic report</a>.

Seattle Mariners fans head to Arizona spring training

For many Seattle fans, the season begins not at T-Mobile Park, but under the Arizona sun.

Sports

Baseball fans from Seattle and across the country are flocking to the desert as the Cactus League season kicks off throughout the Phoenix area.The big picture: This year marks the 79th season of the Cactus League — Major League Baseball&#x27;s Arizona spring training circuit — with 15 teams playing at 10 stadiums just miles apart.

Washington state lawmakers take on data center costs

Lawmakers warn that unchecked data center growth could drive up power bills for other Washington customers.

Washington lawmakers are taking aim at power-hungry <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/data-center-growth-map-states" data-vars-content-id="507d5810-28ca-47e5-b151-3f0c7bf9dc37" data-vars-headline="Washington state lawmakers take on data center costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/data-center-growth-map-states" target="_self">data centers</a>, pushing to make them shoulder more of the costs their growth is expected to place on the state&#x27;s electric system.Why it matters: Without new rules, some lawmakers warn the expense of serving massive new data centers could spill onto everyone else&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electric bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/08/28/data-centers-will-cause-higher-electricity-prices-study-finds-north-carolina-state" data-vars-content-id="507d5810-28ca-47e5-b151-3f0c7bf9dc37" data-vars-headline="Washington state lawmakers take on data center costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/08/28/data-centers-will-cause-higher-electricity-prices-study-finds-north-carolina-state" target="_self">electric bills</a> — and complicate Washington&#x27;s transition away from fossil fuels.

Amazon cuts nearly 2,200 Washington jobs

Amazon leads T-Mobile, Expedia and Zillow in trimming thousands of regional jobs.

Amazon&#x27;s latest round of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="layoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/30/seattle-january-2026-tech-layoffs-terminations-amazon-meta-expedia-zillow" data-vars-content-id="e1a7661f-ef95-4ea7-9a7d-ccd15de57dfa" data-vars-headline="Amazon cuts nearly 2,200 Washington jobs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/30/seattle-january-2026-tech-layoffs-terminations-amazon-meta-expedia-zillow" target="_self">layoffs</a> will cut 2,198 jobs in Washington, state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="records show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26778271-a6d82fc5-3b7e-4b5b-8f9b-de2d0800173e/" data-vars-content-id="e1a7661f-ef95-4ea7-9a7d-ccd15de57dfa" data-vars-headline="Amazon cuts nearly 2,200 Washington jobs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26778271-a6d82fc5-3b7e-4b5b-8f9b-de2d0800173e/" target="_blank">records show</a> — about one-third of them software development engineers.Why it matters: Seattle&#x27;s economy depends heavily on highly paid tech workers, whose salaries help sustain downtown offices, housing, restaurants and a share of the city&#x27;s tax base.

Inside Seattle's grocery price spike

Locals are shopping around, cooking in bulk and cutting restaurant visits to save.

Seattle-area grocery prices jumped sharply late last year, far faster than the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rest of the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-grocery-prices" data-vars-content-id="9b6803e3-2def-427b-adee-d5f77a9fda08" data-vars-headline="Inside Seattle&#x27;s grocery price spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-grocery-prices" target="_self">rest of the country</a> — adding pain at the checkout for local shoppers.The big picture: Nationwide, grocery prices rose 0.7% from November to December, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Consumer Price Index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/consumerpriceindex_seattle.htm" data-vars-content-id="9b6803e3-2def-427b-adee-d5f77a9fda08" data-vars-headline="Inside Seattle&#x27;s grocery price spike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/consumerpriceindex_seattle.htm" target="_blank">Consumer Price Index</a> — but in the Seattle metro area, they surged 5.2%.

Seattle-area unemployment topped 5% in November

Seattle's unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in November — a bigger spike than most U.S. cities saw.

Unemployment in the Seattle area is rising faster than the national average, with the local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="jobless rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/03/17/unemployment-layoffs-loom-jobs-economy" data-vars-content-id="c72e8a24-6406-4549-91ae-4d37e78b3b3b" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area unemployment topped 5% in November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/03/17/unemployment-layoffs-loom-jobs-economy" target="_self">jobless rate</a> topping 5% in November, according to the latest federal data.The big picture: Most U.S. metro areas saw unemployment rise between November 2024 and November 2025. But among the 56 metros with more than 1 million people, only eight saw bigger increases than Seattle.

Washington state trails in data center growth

Officials say future expansion may be limited by energy demand and grid capacity concerns.

Washington has one of the nation&#x27;s largest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/01/30/data-centers-amazon-microsoft-energy-job-growth" data-vars-content-id="37bdfd79-793d-4a51-94cb-f11aaa795b13" data-vars-headline="Washington state trails in data center growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/01/30/data-centers-amazon-microsoft-energy-job-growth" target="_self">data center</a> footprints, but it&#x27;s adding new facilities more slowly than other states, a recent analysis finds.The big picture: Nationwide, big tech and many local leaders are full steam ahead on building data centers to generate revenue and support the AI boom. <ul><li>But the centers are fueling a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major political fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/15/democrats-ai-data-center-primary-midterm-elections" data-vars-content-id="37bdfd79-793d-4a51-94cb-f11aaa795b13" data-vars-headline="Washington state trails in data center growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/15/democrats-ai-data-center-primary-midterm-elections" target="_self">major political fight</a>, with some officials and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local advocates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2025/08/17/nx-s1-5501579/washington-hydropower-data-center-boom-sustainability-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="37bdfd79-793d-4a51-94cb-f11aaa795b13" data-vars-headline="Washington state trails in data center growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2025/08/17/nx-s1-5501579/washington-hydropower-data-center-boom-sustainability-climate-change" target="_blank">local advocates</a> pushing back over energy use and other concerns.</li></ul>

✈️  Direct to Rome

Seattle gains nonstop flights to Rome

😬 We're bad at tipping

Washington diners tip lower than average

A choropleth map of the United States showing the average tip among restaurants on the Toast platform as of Q4 2025. The national average tip is 18.8%. California has the lowest average tip, 17.2%, while Delaware has the highest, 21.8%.

Business 🏦

Seattle gains nonstop flights to Rome

Seattle weighs 5 data center proposals amid power concerns

Washington diners tip lower than average

How to get the most out of spring in Seattle

Moto Pizza expands into Seattle's Pioneer Square