Seattle

Seattle Alerts

Alert

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Seattle with Melissa Santos and Christine Clarridge.

Axios Seattle

Standard

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

Axios Seattle Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Seattle Partners

Seattle Members

Membership

Washington wildfire season turns deadly

A deadly, human-caused fire is reinforcing officials' warnings about drought and worsening fire conditions.

News

Washington&#x27;s wildfire season is off to a deadly start.State of play: A fast-moving blaze near Lake Chelan underscores the danger state officials have been warning about for months.

Seattle's revamped north waterfront trail is worth the walk

Skip the crowds and explore the quieter north end of Seattle's waterfront, with a new café and places to linger.

The new north end of Seattle&#x27;s waterfront brings together some of the best aspects of the city: mountain views, beach access, sea air — and now, a cool place to sit and have coffee.Why it matters: The upgraded route through Myrtle Edwards and Centennial parks extends the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="waterfront improvements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/05/seattle-s-waterfront-reborn-grand-opening-tomorrow" data-vars-content-id="f2bca38b-87d4-4fc3-af9e-36dcdd5e767e" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s revamped north waterfront trail is worth the walk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/05/seattle-s-waterfront-reborn-grand-opening-tomorrow" target="_self">waterfront improvements</a> farther north, offering a quieter alternative to the busier <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waterfront Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/09/waterfront-park-draws-millions-in-debut-season" data-vars-content-id="f2bca38b-87d4-4fc3-af9e-36dcdd5e767e" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s revamped north waterfront trail is worth the walk" 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">Waterfront Park</a> near the aquarium.

Seattle singles got a World Cup boost

A new survey found Seattle led all U.S. host cities in saying the tournament made single life more fun.

Turns out the World Cup was good for Seattle&#x27;s dating life.Why it matters: The global soccer tournament may have thawed the Seattle Freeze — at least for a few weeks.

Seattle's adult puppetry scene is having a moment

From shadow theater to puppet punk, Seattle artists say audiences want live, human-made experiences.

If your idea of puppetry begins and ends with &quot;Sesame Street,&quot; Seattle has a surprise for you.Why it matters: Seattle&#x27;s adult puppetry scene is drawing new audiences as more people seek live performances that feel distinctly human in an era dominated by streaming and AI.

What Washington should have put in the nation's time capsule

Washington sent paperwork. We'd have packed a geoduck, a Dick's bag and other local icons.

<figure><img alt="Two large white industrial cylinders with a red-and-blue &#x27;250&#x27; logo and the word &quot;AMERICA&quot; on their fronts, placed on wooden pallets inside a factory or workshop." height="854" id="88c8261c-07dc-4f0b-8b5a-fdc6c584a35a" src="https://images.axios.com/Z_JY_3wV0AkieO4AZHTd1a70hMs=/2026/06/18/1781809875084.jpeg" width="1280"/><figcaption>The America 250 time capsule, left, and the bell jar that will fit on top of it. Photo: Courtesy of Rich Press/NIST</figcaption></figure>Every U.S. state contributed items to a time capsule marking the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" data-vars-content-id="85230a09-aa79-4d2f-a6f9-1e8313da7be8" data-vars-headline="What Washington should have put in the nation&#x27;s time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" target="_self">250th anniversary</a> this year. Washington&#x27;s picks were … well, a little boring.The big picture: While states like New Mexico, Maine and West Virginia <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sent" data-vars-click-url="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" data-vars-content-id="85230a09-aa79-4d2f-a6f9-1e8313da7be8" data-vars-headline="What Washington should have put in the nation&#x27;s time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" target="_blank">sent</a> handmade art and cultural artifacts, Washington contributed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just two things" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28351307-time-capsule-docs/" data-vars-content-id="85230a09-aa79-4d2f-a6f9-1e8313da7be8" data-vars-headline="What Washington should have put in the nation&#x27;s time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28351307-time-capsule-docs/" target="_blank">just two things</a>: a gubernatorial proclamation and a letter from the lieutenant governor.<ul><li>To put that in perspective, Arkansas sent a diamond. California sent a fusion superconductor. </li><li>Washington sent paperwork.</li></ul>

Seattle's famous naked bike parade rides again

The Fremont Solstice Parade brings nude cyclists, giant puppets and quirky Seattle art.

Culture

Seattle is about to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bare" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/18/seattle-naked-cyclists-fremont-history" data-vars-content-id="1282eb56-bdf9-44ef-88ed-13be983ce13c" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s famous naked bike parade rides again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/18/seattle-naked-cyclists-fremont-history" target="_self">bare</a> itself to the world.The big picture: World Cup visitors (and us locals) looking for a hilariously authentic experience this weekend can count a slew of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="naked cyclists" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/06/21/naked-bike-parade-turns-33" data-vars-content-id="1282eb56-bdf9-44ef-88ed-13be983ce13c" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s famous naked bike parade rides again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/06/21/naked-bike-parade-turns-33" target="_self">naked cyclists</a> pedaling through Fremont as one uniquely Seattle option.

Neighborly — or not? Seattle readers tell us why

Readers say strong neighborhood bonds don't happen by accident — someone has to make the first move.

We asked readers how well they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="know their neighbors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-a2908f52-74ad-48fb-978e-ddb9ec9b6a36.html" data-vars-content-id="aaa7ae11-8441-42c7-9a20-0fafe259c0d1" data-vars-headline="Neighborly — or not? Seattle readers tell us why" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-a2908f52-74ad-48fb-978e-ddb9ec9b6a36.html" target="_self">know their neighbors</a>. Turns out some of you barely know the people next door, while others count them among your closest friends.Why it matters: With Americans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="socializing less" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/americans-neighbors-socializing-less" data-vars-content-id="aaa7ae11-8441-42c7-9a20-0fafe259c0d1" data-vars-headline="Neighborly — or not? Seattle readers tell us why" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/americans-neighbors-socializing-less" target="_self">socializing less</a>, strong neighborhood ties reduce isolation and create a sense of belonging.

3 Seattle ties to blockbuster "Project Hail Mary"

Two Seattle filmmakers and a local teacher helped shape the sci-fi movie starring Ryan Gosling.

&quot;Project Hail Mary,&quot; the new sci-fi film starring Ryan Gosling, has a few Seattle connections you may not know about.<ol><li>Two of the film&#x27;s key creators are locals. Co-director Christopher Miller and producer Aditya Sood graduated from Seattle&#x27;s Lakeside School, where they were childhood friends, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Seattle Times reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/christopher-millers-project-hail-mary-wouldnt-exist-without-the-muppets/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=owned_echobox_f&amp;utm_source=Facebook&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawQ6QzhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFoa3dBV1cxV2FpQXhobHhSc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlQ5_24-tmKXXYlBNNYcBw64rqhnuanlS2vuSMtp3QaQiOnwA_BdAFMvqSuR_aem_ojg5NNzbabqwmGsaWxWLAg#Echobox=1773768167" data-vars-content-id="ef640b6b-b98e-4000-a370-e560db0f61fa" data-vars-headline="3 Seattle ties to blockbuster &quot;Project Hail Mary&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/christopher-millers-project-hail-mary-wouldnt-exist-without-the-muppets/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=owned_echobox_f&amp;utm_source=Facebook&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawQ6QzhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFoa3dBV1cxV2FpQXhobHhSc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlQ5_24-tmKXXYlBNNYcBw64rqhnuanlS2vuSMtp3QaQiOnwA_BdAFMvqSuR_aem_ojg5NNzbabqwmGsaWxWLAg#Echobox=1773768167" target="_blank">The Seattle Times reports</a>.</li></ol>

Seattle's I-5 pain goes viral on Instagram

A Seattle Instagram account turns bad driving, botched merges and road rage into laughs.

The hell that is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traveling on Interstate-5" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/13/seattle-i5-lane-closures-ship-canal-bridge-construction-through-2027" data-vars-content-id="a9f94a92-7783-49c8-adc0-40b706d0ddb3" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s I-5 pain goes viral on Instagram" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/13/seattle-i5-lane-closures-ship-canal-bridge-construction-through-2027" target="_self">traveling on Interstate-5</a> in Seattle is now viral content — thanks to an Instagram account that brings some welcome hilarity to our shared highway misery.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I-5 Commuters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/i5.commuters/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="a9f94a92-7783-49c8-adc0-40b706d0ddb3" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s I-5 pain goes viral on Instagram" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/i5.commuters/?hl=en" target="_blank">I-5 Commuters</a> account features two dudes narrating their I-5 adventures in and around Seattle. Think part comedy sketch, part public safety commentary.

Seattle's Estelita's Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores

A Central District nonprofit is among 306 Black-owned bookstores nationwide, up from 54 in 2014.

A nonprofit in Seattle&#x27;s Central District is one of a growing number of Black-owned bookstores nationwide.Why it matters: As public schools and libraries <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remove books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/08/education-department-book-bans-censorship" data-vars-content-id="e1e22403-b90d-4581-82b5-f22b2fe65bb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Estelita&#x27;s Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/08/education-department-book-bans-censorship" target="_self">remove books</a> by Black authors — from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Beloved" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/toni-morrison" data-vars-content-id="e1e22403-b90d-4581-82b5-f22b2fe65bb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Estelita&#x27;s Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/toni-morrison" target="_blank">Beloved</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The 1619 Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html" data-vars-content-id="e1e22403-b90d-4581-82b5-f22b2fe65bb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Estelita&#x27;s Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html" target="_blank">The 1619 Project</a> — Black-owned bookstores are increasingly serving as places where readers can access <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contested titles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/funding-cuts-erasing-black-history-blackout-report" data-vars-content-id="e1e22403-b90d-4581-82b5-f22b2fe65bb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Estelita&#x27;s Library part of rise in Black-owned bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/funding-cuts-erasing-black-history-blackout-report" target="_self">contested titles</a> and authors&#x27; full bodies of work — and gather in community to discuss them.

Seattle readers share their takes on tipping

With $21.30 minimum wage and constant prompts, some Seattle readers are rethinking when to tip.

&quot;Tip fatigue&quot; has spread across America, and Axios Seattle readers are far from unified on what to do when the tipping screen is spun toward them.The big picture: A 2025 Bankrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/tipping-culture-survey/#negative-views" data-vars-content-id="a2f31eb6-8800-41f3-9cfe-33c6035d4a09" data-vars-headline="Seattle readers share their takes on tipping" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/tipping-culture-survey/#negative-views" target="_blank">survey</a> found that 41% of Americans think tip culture is &quot;out of control&quot; and that request screens actually prompt many Americans to tip less, not more.

Seattle artisan expands with custom hat bar

Hoyle joins a small group of local milliners keeping Seattle's hat-making craft alive.

Michael Patrick Hoyle makes hats that are built to stay put in a Seattle windstorm.Why it matters: In a rainy, gusty city where many locals refuse to carry <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="umbrellas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/01/02/umbrella-rain-debate" data-vars-content-id="257a8793-5d2d-4447-8863-35ad489c28f7" data-vars-headline="Seattle artisan expands with custom hat bar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/01/02/umbrella-rain-debate" target="_self">umbrellas</a>, a well-fitted hat isn&#x27;t just fashion; it&#x27;s function.

Sea-Tac's "S-E-A" rebrand isn't landing well with some locals

Critics say the new airport nickname is clunky and confusing — and a snub to Tacoma.

Seattle area residents flooded our inboxes with reactions to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="airport&#x27;s push" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/15/sea-tac-airport-really-wants-you-to-stop-calling-it-that" data-vars-content-id="c2842a04-a133-4b4e-9fba-a49000c4c0c4" data-vars-headline="Sea-Tac&#x27;s &quot;S-E-A&quot; rebrand isn&#x27;t landing well with some locals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/15/sea-tac-airport-really-wants-you-to-stop-calling-it-that" target="_self">airport&#x27;s push</a> to use &quot;SEA&quot; as its preferred shorthand instead of Sea-Tac, with many seeing the new nickname as a snub to Tacoma.The big picture: Many locals see the airport&#x27;s yearslong <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rebranding effort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portseattle.org/news/sea-airport-kicks-major-customer-focused-initiatives-and-amenities" data-vars-content-id="c2842a04-a133-4b4e-9fba-a49000c4c0c4" data-vars-headline="Sea-Tac&#x27;s &quot;S-E-A&quot; rebrand isn&#x27;t landing well with some locals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portseattle.org/news/sea-airport-kicks-major-customer-focused-initiatives-and-amenities" target="_blank">rebranding effort</a> as dropping part of its identity — and they&#x27;re not taking kindly to it.

Culture

Poulsbo teen tapes way to prom finals

Seattle clue led to Roche Harbor art

Seattle is the latest setting for "Married at First Sight"

Seattle's adult puppetry scene is having a moment

Seattle's tan chase defies skin doctors' orders