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Bremerton's Navy shipyard is getting a $15B makeover

A new dry dock for modern aircraft carriers is central to the sweeping Navy overhaul.

News

The Navy is preparing for a once-in-a-generation overhaul of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, a nearly $15 billion <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transformation" data-vars-click-url="https://multimissiondrydock.com/" data-vars-content-id="9c6b86b2-1723-4362-846a-0a7166457f13" data-vars-headline="Bremerton&#x27;s Navy shipyard is getting a $15B makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://multimissiondrydock.com/" target="_blank">transformation</a> that could secure the city&#x27;s role in maintaining the nation&#x27;s warships for decades.Why it matters: The shipyard has been an economic backbone of the region since 1891, and Navy officials say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="modernization" data-vars-click-url="https://multimissiondrydock.com/" data-vars-content-id="9c6b86b2-1723-4362-846a-0a7166457f13" data-vars-headline="Bremerton&#x27;s Navy shipyard is getting a $15B makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://multimissiondrydock.com/" target="_blank">modernization</a> is critical to keeping it operational.

Seattle's viral raccoon Jimothy is now a Costco dog toy

The plushies are available only at Pacific Northwest Costco stores for now, with online sales coming.

A plushie version of Jimothy, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle&#x27;s short-spined raccoon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/20/seattle-viral-raccoon-jimothy-mural-video-game-mariners-tattoos-fandom" data-vars-content-id="ebb1937f-23a7-4277-b07c-f7537bcdbdde" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s viral raccoon Jimothy is now a Costco dog toy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/20/seattle-viral-raccoon-jimothy-mural-video-game-mariners-tattoos-fandom" target="_self">Seattle&#x27;s short-spined raccoon</a> that went viral this summer, is now selling at Costco for $10.99.Why it matters: Jimothy&#x27;s jump from quirky internet sensation to Costco dog toy may signal his fame has reached its pinnacle.

Washington's new income tax faces a repeal vote under I-645

The 9.9% tax is set to apply to income over $1 million and take effect in 2028.

With ballots now in the mail, Washington voters are deciding whether to repeal the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly adopted" 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="1927a25c-da0e-4b26-b110-a88e646af613" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s new income tax faces a repeal vote under I-645" 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">newly adopted</a> income tax, which targets people making over $1 million per year.Why it matters: The new tax — sometimes called a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="millionaires tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/12/washington-state-millionaire-tax-ferguson-democrats-proposal" data-vars-content-id="1927a25c-da0e-4b26-b110-a88e646af613" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s new income tax faces a repeal vote under I-645" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/12/washington-state-millionaire-tax-ferguson-democrats-proposal" target="_self">millionaires tax</a>&quot; — marks a major shift for Washington, one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nine states" data-vars-click-url="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/state-income-tax-rates/" data-vars-content-id="1927a25c-da0e-4b26-b110-a88e646af613" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s new income tax faces a repeal vote under I-645" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/state-income-tax-rates/" target="_blank">nine states</a> that historically haven&#x27;t taxed earned income.

Punitive damages in door plug blowout possible for Boeing 

A Seattle-area judge ruled a jury may have to decide where key Boeing decisions were made in a case involving 47 plaintiffs.

Where Boeing made key corporate decisions before a door plug on one of its planes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blew out midflight in 2024" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/14/boeing-737-max-problems-timeline" data-vars-content-id="88fff3bd-b2a8-4c7d-825d-b97cd11431c1" data-vars-headline="Punitive damages in door plug blowout possible for Boeing " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/14/boeing-737-max-problems-timeline" target="_self">blew out midflight in 2024</a> could determine whether the company faces additional financial penalties.Why it matters: A King County judge&#x27;s recent ruling adds another legal complication for Boeing as it struggles to recover from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="years of safety failures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2020/09/16/house-report-737-max-crashes-boeing-faa" data-vars-content-id="88fff3bd-b2a8-4c7d-825d-b97cd11431c1" data-vars-headline="Punitive damages in door plug blowout possible for Boeing " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2020/09/16/house-report-737-max-crashes-boeing-faa" target="_self">years of safety failures</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fiscal troubles" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-financials-crisis-faa-oversight-b078e483942c03bc250085e9a0023ace" data-vars-content-id="88fff3bd-b2a8-4c7d-825d-b97cd11431c1" data-vars-headline="Punitive damages in door plug blowout possible for Boeing " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-financials-crisis-faa-oversight-b078e483942c03bc250085e9a0023ace" target="_blank">fiscal troubles</a>.

Seattle's most checked-out library books so far in 2026

"Heated Rivalry" leads Seattle's library rankings with more than 8,600 digital checkouts in 2026.

Below are the most popular titles checked out from the Seattle Public Library from January to August.All were e-books or electronic audiobooks, reflecting the increased popularity of digital borrowing.

Washington ranks third in U.S. for library checkouts

Library checkouts in Washington remain far above the national average.

In case you needed more evidence that we&#x27;re a state full of bookworms: Washington ranks third in the nation for public library checkouts per person, federal data shows.Why it matters: Libraries remain a heavily used public resource in Washington, whether readers are borrowing from shelves or screens.

Seattle ranks No. 4 among America's fittest cities

Seattle's parks, recreation access and residents' health helped put the city near the top.

Seattle ranks among America&#x27;s fittest cities, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest report" data-vars-click-url="https://acsm.org/american-fitness-index-rankings-2026/" data-vars-content-id="0a684bc5-4556-48d9-b4f6-45920ce7bdb8" data-vars-headline="Seattle ranks No. 4 among America&#x27;s fittest cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://acsm.org/american-fitness-index-rankings-2026/" target="_blank">latest report</a> from the American College of Sports Medicine and the Elevance Health Foundation.The big picture: The rankings assess parks and recreation infrastructure, environmental conditions, residents&#x27; health indicators and other factors across the nation&#x27;s 100 biggest cities. <ul><li>Seattle came in at No. 4, </li></ul>

Seattle says goodbye to 8pm sunsets

Seattle is losing more than two minutes of daylight a day as the Big Dark creeps closer.

Say goodbye to our last <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="8pm sunset" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/18/late-summer-sunsets-earlier-map" data-vars-content-id="5f057afb-a808-4f0d-bbb6-6816c255a173" data-vars-headline="Seattle says goodbye to 8pm sunsets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/18/late-summer-sunsets-earlier-map" target="_self">8pm sunset</a> of the year.Why it matters: Long summer evenings are one of the great rewards for enduring Seattle winters — and losing them is a sure sign that our season in the sun is winding down.

Inside Seattle's dark serial killer exhibit

The immersive Pacific Place exhibit explores notorious killers, their victims and the people who caught them.

Culture

Seattle&#x27;s &quot;Mind of a Serial Killer&quot; exhibit blends museum, immersive attraction and true-crime spectacle to fuel our morbid curiosity.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traveling exhibit" data-vars-click-url="https://mindofaserialkillerexpo.com/seattle/" data-vars-content-id="264b530b-ef26-4e0f-b4ae-77af07b4bdff" data-vars-headline="Inside Seattle&#x27;s dark serial killer exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mindofaserialkillerexpo.com/seattle/" target="_blank">traveling exhibit</a> at Pacific Place explores notorious serial killers — including several with Pacific Northwest ties — their victims and the investigators who tried to understand and catch them.

Dating show comedian shares Seattle quirks

Seattle crowds boo software engineers, love magicians and eventually thaw, one touring comic says.

Seattle audiences have a curious habit when comedian Allison Goldberg introduces a dating game contestant who&#x27;s a software engineer: They boo.<ul><li>&quot;I&#x27;m sorry, are we booing a man with a job?&quot; says Goldberg. &quot;I live in Los Angeles, where I would love to meet a man with a job and benefits.&quot;</li></ul>

Space Needle urged to restore Hollywood films to WA's biggest IMAX screen

Washington moviegoers now have to leave the state to see Hollywood films in the full-height IMAX format.

The Seattle Film Commission is urging the Space Needle to resume showing Hollywood movies on Washington state&#x27;s only <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="full-height IMAX screen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/24/why-the-odyssey-not-playing-boeing-imax-seattle-full-143-screen" data-vars-content-id="bda6812f-b657-409c-9eec-b45d096e691e" data-vars-headline="Space Needle urged to restore Hollywood films to WA&#x27;s biggest IMAX screen" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/24/why-the-odyssey-not-playing-boeing-imax-seattle-full-143-screen" target="_self">full-height IMAX screen</a>.Why it matters: Washington moviegoers currently have to leave the state to see Hollywood films in the full-height 1.43:1 IMAX format.

Is this Seattle's most confusing parking sign(s)?

Sometimes Seattle drivers must sort through three or more different sets of instructions to park.

<figure><img alt="Urban street scene with a brick building and arched windows on the left, a tall green-and-white parking sign in the foreground reading &quot;2 HOUR 10AM-6PM Sundays&quot;, and parked cars under leafy trees." height="4202" id="21ffec04-a1bc-4a33-ae23-e68e97e1e6c1" src="https://images.axios.com/Ef5djVN7ycmSdF8Hlz7WbSGBSis=/2026/07/27/1785175331850.jpeg" width="5604"/><figcaption>Wait, which one is it? Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios</figcaption></figure>I was driving in Pioneer Square recently and it hit me just how confusing some of the parking instructions are in our fair city.Take this sign on Occidental Avenue, which requires you to decode three different parking regulations based on time of day.

Google gives Jimothy his own Easter egg

Search Jimothy's name, tap the paw and watch Seattle's viral raccoon scamper across your screen.

<figure><img alt="Animated screen recording of a Google search for &quot;jimothy raccoon,&quot; showing an AI Overview with photos and text describing the viral Seattle raccoon, while a cartoon raccoon peeks in from the right side." height="518" id="1e926da9-5653-447b-84d7-5d347cbca499" src="https://images.axios.com/9kVNrVpoWEfM2F3S9_c7hqleIUI=/2026/07/23/1784837176089.gif" width="728"/><figcaption>Screenshot: Google </figcaption></figure>Google&#x27;s gone <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jimothy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/20/seattle-viral-raccoon-jimothy-mural-video-game-mariners-tattoos-fandom" data-vars-content-id="40bc6c96-330b-4b60-ae5d-04153ecffef7" data-vars-headline="Google gives Jimothy his own Easter egg" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/20/seattle-viral-raccoon-jimothy-mural-video-game-mariners-tattoos-fandom" target="_self">Jimothy</a>.Why it matters: Seattle&#x27;s favorite short-spined raccoon has officially made it to the big leagues: Google has given the viral critter his own Easter egg.

A choropleth map of the U.S. shows library checkouts per person in a given service area for FY 2024. The national rate is 6.5 physical and digital items. Oregon leads with 13.3 items per person, while Mississippi lags with 1.9. Data is not available for Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts and Oregon.

Library materials checked out per person

Data: Institute of Museum and Library Services Public Libraries Survey; Note: Reporting periods and adherence to survey definitions can vary by state; "No data" states did not report electronic material circulation; Map: Sami Sparber/Axios

Axios AM

A U.S. map shows a ranking of America's fittest cities. Arlington, Virginia, is at the top of the list, followed by neighboring Washington, D.C. Minneapolis, Seattle and Denver round out the top five.