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Washington rolls back some taxes amid new income tax

Lawmakers cut the estate tax and some service taxes as Washington adopts a new income tax on the wealthy.

News

Washington lawmakers made big headlines last month by passing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new income tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/30/bob-ferguson-washington-income-tax-millionaires-2028-law" data-vars-content-id="4e23db41-34bb-4e17-882f-4fbb780fe218" data-vars-headline="Washington rolls back some taxes amid new income tax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/30/bob-ferguson-washington-income-tax-millionaires-2028-law" target="_self">new income tax</a>, but they also rolled back a few taxes they approved last year, including a big estate tax hike.Why it matters: The new income tax has drawn criticism that it could hurt the state&#x27;s business climate or push wealth out of state — outcomes the tax rollbacks aim to help prevent.

Seattle's most hated spring bugs

With spring temperatures warming, it can feel like insects are suddenly everywhere all at once.

Even in the nature-loving Pacific Northwest, some bugs are public enemy No. 1.Why it matters: As spring temperatures climb past about 55 degrees, cold-blooded insects emerge from winter hiding spots seemingly all at once, which is why it can suddenly feel like they&#x27;re everywhere.

Share your Seattle bug horror stories

Share which pests you hate most and your wildest bug encounters.

Spring is here! The sun is finally shining in Seattle, and as temperatures rise, so do uninvited houseguests — ants patrolling the countertops, spiders setting up shop in forgotten corners, and mystery flies emerging from drains. We want to hear from you: Have you ever had a weird encounter with a stinkbug? Surrendered to an ant invasion? Woken up with mysterious bites?

Seattle coyotes carry parasite that infects dogs

Experts urge leashes and prevention after tapeworm is detected in local coyotes.

A disease-causing tapeworm that can infect dogs — and sometimes humans — has been found in more than a third of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coyotes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/19/coyote-sightings-rise-across-seattle-neighborhoods" data-vars-content-id="8b685421-0f83-435d-a343-55f08236673a" data-vars-headline="Seattle coyotes carry parasite that infects dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/19/coyote-sightings-rise-across-seattle-neighborhoods" target="_self">coyotes</a> in the Puget Sound region.Why it matters: In rare cases, this parasite can cause a serious, slow-growing disease in humans and dogs that forms tumor-like cysts in the liver and can be fatal if untreated.

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.

Seattle's quirky plant shop goes viral

One Seattle man's blend of humor and heart is turning a Capitol Hill store into a viral refuge.

A series of viral videos by Seattle resident Anthony D&#x27;Alto — better known online as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saint Planthony" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/saintplanthony/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="682d707e-0106-4ccc-85a5-5f9c6bb665f8" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s quirky plant shop goes viral" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/saintplanthony/?hl=en" target="_blank">Saint Planthony</a> — are turning a quirky Capitol Hill plant shop into an unlikely refuge for the politically overwhelmed.Driving the news: His popular TikToks for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Plant Store" data-vars-click-url="https://theplantstore.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopW1YFSIZXdf3wJ3bIzwW8tGfVRje06lwWJW5mDBcUMV6iL-vsi" data-vars-content-id="682d707e-0106-4ccc-85a5-5f9c6bb665f8" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s quirky plant shop goes viral" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theplantstore.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopW1YFSIZXdf3wJ3bIzwW8tGfVRje06lwWJW5mDBcUMV6iL-vsi" target="_blank">The Plant Store</a> on Capitol Hill — affectionately nicknamed the &quot;Gay Plant Store&quot; thanks to a cheeky sign out front — blend political exhaustion, pop culture chaos and plant care tips.

Why the Seattle Aquarium's new building looks weathered now

The Ocean Pavilion's siding is changing color — and it's not a design flaw.

<figure><img alt="Curved modern building with wooden slats and large glass window, people walking outside on gray pavement with geometric designs, and a partly cloudy sky overhead." height="3024" id="9f6ff6c5-5e81-4238-8329-a765774fcfb0" src="https://images.axios.com/9VWEbTn2aU2La60g_wDfa47Jhro=/2025/12/02/1764710246113.jpeg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/7k5l_6SNtMyJbf3Lzpa4JOTWios=/0x0:4032x3024/1920x1440/2025/12/02/1764710246113.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/9CGiwHx2P8LAF0aPSvyQb9qpIAM=/0x0:4032x3024/1600x1200/2025/12/02/1764710246113.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/M2fDGl56T8raXidU-oyldjjxqvU=/0x0:4032x3024/1366x1024/2025/12/02/1764710246113.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/v_fbAlL1aTSLWZRgBfQVIzh1_eU=/0x0:4032x3024/1024x768/2025/12/02/1764710246113.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/fUghondHP8SDwZzNLvxP55tcqeE=/0x0:4032x3024/768x576/2025/12/02/1764710246113.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/KFAOgTpxUrncQYVgLpvucqzasqA=/0x0:4032x3024/640x480/2025/12/02/1764710246113.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/qiMcJzzHBrBTxPJlcFUdDzUV_DU=/0x0:4032x3024/320x240/2025/12/02/1764710246113.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>The Seattle Aquarium&#x27;s Ocean Pavilion looks a little grayer than it used to. Officials say that&#x27;s by design. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios Seattle</figcaption></figure>I couldn&#x27;t help but notice over the past few months that the Seattle Aquarium&#x27;s shiny new building — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ocean Pavilion" data-vars-click-url="https://lmnarchitects.com/project/seattle-aquarium-ocean-pavilion#gallery-grid-22" data-vars-content-id="90cd4bf0-4b54-4a43-919a-61aa93c10402" data-vars-headline="Why the Seattle Aquarium&#x27;s new building looks weathered now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lmnarchitects.com/project/seattle-aquarium-ocean-pavilion#gallery-grid-22" target="_blank">Ocean Pavilion</a>, which opened last year — isn&#x27;t looking quite so shiny anymore.<ul><li>The wooden siding, once smoother and more golden-toned, now appears worn and gray in many areas.</li></ul>

Seattle pets (including grumpy cats) dress up for Halloween

They don't want to be here, but we're here for it.

Culture

<figure><img alt="Orange cat lying on a brown leather surface wearing a pastel rainbow fluffy unicorn costume with a shiny silver horn and tail, in a cozy living room with stone fireplace and wooden shelves." height="2777" id="86855e3a-026e-4465-bb04-505cac7765b4" src="https://images.axios.com/K2T8QNvlJAXukZsa1jz1nHB4sS4=/2025/10/29/1761768984321.jpeg" width="3479"/><figcaption>Bob, a 12-year-old Himalayan, is unamused by his unicorn costume. Photo courtesy of Patty S.</figcaption></figure>We asked Axios Seattle readers for submissions of their pets dressed in their Halloween best. And you didn&#x27;t disappoint!Zoom in: Bob the cat, pictured above, is not feeling the magic of his unicorn costume this year — but we love it. (We believe only his pride was harmed in the taking of this photo.)

Seattle's 5pm sunset starts The Big Dark

The switch to standard time hits especially hard in during the gray, gloomy winter months.

6pm sunsets are so <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-cf770a53-88eb-4cc3-8de5-cdff8b956054.html" data-vars-content-id="8d1a782e-424c-47ea-9f51-ce2ad376b2d6" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s 5pm sunset starts The Big Dark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-cf770a53-88eb-4cc3-8de5-cdff8b956054.html" target="_self">last week</a>. Come Sunday, it&#x27;ll be dark by 5.Driving the news: Washington, along with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most of the U.S." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/daylight-saving-time-standard-permanent-where" data-vars-content-id="8d1a782e-424c-47ea-9f51-ce2ad376b2d6" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s 5pm sunset starts The Big Dark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/daylight-saving-time-standard-permanent-where" target="_self">most of the U.S.</a>, falls back to standard time Nov. 2.

Culture

3 Seattle ties to blockbuster "Project Hail Mary"

Seattle's I-5 pain goes viral on Instagram

Fantasy heroes take over Seattle streets

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

Seattle readers share their takes on tipping