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

Seattle forecast warns of stalled job growth

City economists say slow hiring, weak office demand and AI shifts could weigh on revenue and growth.

News

Seattle may see little meaningful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="job growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/03/seattle-unemployment-rate-higher-than-washington-2026-job-losses-tech-layoffs" data-vars-content-id="80a6e83d-178b-4c1c-b81f-f088b504ca75" data-vars-headline="Seattle forecast warns of stalled job growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/03/seattle-unemployment-rate-higher-than-washington-2026-job-losses-tech-layoffs" target="_self">job growth</a> through the end of 2027, according to a recent city forecast.Why it matters: A prolonged slowdown wouldn&#x27;t hit just workers and businesses. It also would create pressure on Seattle&#x27;s coffers, which increasingly rely on taxes tied to office values, business activity and high-paying jobs for revenue, according to the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="April economic report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OERF/meeting%20materials/2026/2026-04-10%20Forecast%20Council%20-%20April%202026%20Forecast.pdf" data-vars-content-id="80a6e83d-178b-4c1c-b81f-f088b504ca75" data-vars-headline="Seattle forecast warns of stalled job growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OERF/meeting%20materials/2026/2026-04-10%20Forecast%20Council%20-%20April%202026%20Forecast.pdf" target="_blank">April economic report</a>.

Seattle weighs pickleball trims as boom cools

Cities are still adding courts, but gardens, disc golf and fitness zones are gaining ground.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball craze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" data-vars-content-id="e4a331e4-c7ec-4c35-a0d1-3180be11a898" data-vars-headline="Seattle weighs pickleball trims as boom cools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" target="_self">pickleball craze</a> — so hot during the pandemic and immediately afterward — may be cooling off.The big picture: The number of pickleball courts across the 100 most populous U.S. cities increased just 4% from 2025 to 2026. That&#x27;s compared with 13% growth from 2024 to 2025 and 14% from 2023 to 2024.

Seattle's ghost signs preserve echoes of the past

Some of the city's oldest buildings carry painted reminders of another era.

Along some of Seattle&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="oldest streets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/23/historic-pioneer-square-restrooms-set-luxury-standard" data-vars-content-id="bbfd2088-4074-4ba8-9884-f7b783bcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s ghost signs preserve echoes of the past" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/23/historic-pioneer-square-restrooms-set-luxury-standard" target="_self">oldest streets</a>, you can still see painted advertisements from decades ago on the sides of buildings — some faded nearly beyond recognition. Seattle University professor emerita Marie Wong calls them ghost signs.Why it matters: Many of these remnants of the early- and mid-20th century are in danger of being lost, Wong tells Axios — and Seattle has no policy specifically aimed at preserving them.

Seattle crowds — and spending — surge

Visitor traffic and spending are climbing downtown even as office vacancies remain a drag.

Downtown Seattle is drawing more visitors and shoppers as tourism season ramps up.The big picture: Cruise ships are back, tourists are crowding the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="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="44d35f39-2e98-4a44-92cd-35fce8663f0b" data-vars-headline="Seattle crowds — and spending — surge" 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</a> and shoppers are spending more money downtown than they were this time last year, according to the Downtown Seattle Association&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownseattle.org/programs-services/research/downtown-dashboard/" data-vars-content-id="44d35f39-2e98-4a44-92cd-35fce8663f0b" data-vars-headline="Seattle crowds — and spending — surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownseattle.org/programs-services/research/downtown-dashboard/" target="_blank">latest dashboard</a>.

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

Bat boxes can boost Seattle backyards

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