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Washington eyes tougher penalties for 30+ mph speeding

Speeding played a role in one-third of Washington's fatal crashes in 2024, killing 250 people.

News

Washington state lawmakers want to make it easier to criminally charge people who drive more than 30 mph over the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="speed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/02/washington-speed-limiting-law-repeat-speeders" data-vars-content-id="7a238d94-b3e1-4cc0-958a-01c9a0fcfc10" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes tougher penalties for 30+ mph speeding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/02/washington-speed-limiting-law-repeat-speeders" target="_self">speed</a> limit.Why it matters: Speeding was a factor in roughly one-third of Washington&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatal crashes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/02/washington-traffic-deaths-decline-2024-pandemic-high" data-vars-content-id="7a238d94-b3e1-4cc0-958a-01c9a0fcfc10" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes tougher penalties for 30+ mph speeding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/02/washington-traffic-deaths-decline-2024-pandemic-high" target="_self">fatal crashes</a> in 2024, the most recent year of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="statewide data" data-vars-click-url="https://wtsc.wa.gov/dashboards/fatal-crash-dashboard/" data-vars-content-id="7a238d94-b3e1-4cc0-958a-01c9a0fcfc10" data-vars-headline="Washington eyes tougher penalties for 30+ mph speeding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wtsc.wa.gov/dashboards/fatal-crash-dashboard/" target="_blank">statewide data</a>.

Blood Moon to light up skies early Tuesday

A rare total lunar eclipse will turn the Moon a deep, coppery red early Tuesday. Here's when to look up.

Set an alarm. A rare <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="total lunar eclipse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/14/blood-moon-total-lunar-eclipse-photos" data-vars-content-id="10708e87-8b9c-4161-892b-f9d52e2e27ae" data-vars-headline="Blood Moon to light up skies early Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/14/blood-moon-total-lunar-eclipse-photos" target="_self">total lunar eclipse</a> will turn the Moon blood red early Tuesday in a spectacle visible across most of North America.The big picture: After this week, the Moon won&#x27;t fully disappear into Earth&#x27;s shadow again until New Year&#x27;s Eve 2028, marking a nearly three-year lull in total lunar eclipses, or Blood Moons, visible from North America, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Space.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.space.com/stargazing/lunar-eclipses/the-total-lunar-eclipse-on-march-3-will-be-the-last-until-new-years-eve-2028" data-vars-content-id="10708e87-8b9c-4161-892b-f9d52e2e27ae" data-vars-headline="Blood Moon to light up skies early Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.space.com/stargazing/lunar-eclipses/the-total-lunar-eclipse-on-march-3-will-be-the-last-until-new-years-eve-2028" target="_blank">per Space.com</a>.

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 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.

Here's what's next for Seattle's waterfront makeover

A jellyfish structure for kids to climb, more public seating, a restroom and plants are on the way.

Seattle&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revamped waterfront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/02/new-gateway-walk-waterfront-2024" data-vars-content-id="af19a8c2-9b42-4ba6-92f0-f26612f6d744" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next for Seattle&#x27;s waterfront makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/02/new-gateway-walk-waterfront-2024" target="_self">revamped waterfront</a> is nearly complete, with new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="protected bike lanes" data-vars-click-url="https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2025/03/05/waterfront-seattle-celebrate-new-protected-bike-lanes/" data-vars-content-id="af19a8c2-9b42-4ba6-92f0-f26612f6d744" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next for Seattle&#x27;s waterfront makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2025/03/05/waterfront-seattle-celebrate-new-protected-bike-lanes/" target="_blank">protected bike lanes</a> debuting this weekend and the remaining improvements scheduled to open in the next few months.Why it matters: The reimagined stretch along Elliott Bay is a product of more than 15 years of planning, with the most visible changes taking place since the 2019 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="demolition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-viaduct-is-coming-down" data-vars-content-id="af19a8c2-9b42-4ba6-92f0-f26612f6d744" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next for Seattle&#x27;s waterfront makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-viaduct-is-coming-down" target="_blank">demolition</a> of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

New pedestrian improvements completed in Pioneer Square

The upgrades are designed to better connect the neighborhood the city's renovated waterfront.

Seattle city leaders are celebrating the end of construction work they say will help connect Pioneer Square to the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renovated waterfront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/02/new-gateway-walk-waterfront-2024" data-vars-content-id="4dad6144-9d91-4f35-87a2-098ca9e8b70e" data-vars-headline="New pedestrian improvements completed in Pioneer Square" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/02/new-gateway-walk-waterfront-2024" target="_self">renovated waterfront</a>.The big picture: The pedestrian improvements on several blocks around Occidental Park are the latest upgrades tied to the waterfront revamp, which is expected to be fully completed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="by spring" data-vars-click-url="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2024/12/04/mayor-bruce-harrell-city-and-community-partners-celebrate-the-completion-of-seattles-waterfront-park-improvements-in-pioneer-square/#:~:text=Seattle%20(December%204%2C%202024),East%2DWest%20Pedestrian%20Improvements%20project." data-vars-content-id="4dad6144-9d91-4f35-87a2-098ca9e8b70e" data-vars-headline="New pedestrian improvements completed in Pioneer Square" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harrell.seattle.gov/2024/12/04/mayor-bruce-harrell-city-and-community-partners-celebrate-the-completion-of-seattles-waterfront-park-improvements-in-pioneer-square/#:~:text=Seattle%20(December%204%2C%202024),East%2DWest%20Pedestrian%20Improvements%20project." target="_blank">by spring</a>.

The 20-year saga of the hole across from Seattle City Hall

It's been almost two decades, and still, we've got nothing.

<figure><img alt="A look at the empty lot with a view down into the hole, looking over Cherry Street where cars are parked on the street and the King County Courthouse is directly behind the vacant lot." height="3024" id="31daaeb7-4e2b-41a4-8058-35deb753befb" src="https://images.axios.com/uGabxv5um58XVXbmPik-TV4jT0Q=/2024/11/08/1731104199745.jpg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/DCDjaWUe5Jyr5hx1k_NlLYTzt38=/1920x1440/smart/2024/11/08/1731104199745.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/LX5y7dBD1O8su-3QqVeQpMrqJ5w=/1600x1200/smart/2024/11/08/1731104199745.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/Bu3ncLWf-weZffzRZ7g5qk6KwWM=/1366x1024/smart/2024/11/08/1731104199745.jpg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/BwZAVeAG8nT8C3YkCT6tEvrbZHU=/1024x768/smart/2024/11/08/1731104199745.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/41y54QBMBP0HwbGHOcYtU6VEbTM=/768x576/smart/2024/11/08/1731104199745.jpg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/g4zWAFU1neoCfHo9wb_MIy5_be0=/640x480/smart/2024/11/08/1731104199745.jpg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/yxRezpwaWWc4ITQc70QaKowimHQ=/320x240/smart/2024/11/08/1731104199745.jpg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>The hole has been here so long, it&#x27;s a part of us now. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios</figcaption></figure>For nearly two decades, Seattle City Hall has stood across from a gaping hole in the ground. For now, that&#x27;s not changing.Why it matters: The razing of the city&#x27;s old public safety building in 2005 created &quot;a gap in the urban fabric&quot; that for years has &quot;marred the downtown landscape,&quot; writes the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pacific Coast Architecture Database" data-vars-click-url="https://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/5177/" data-vars-content-id="5e12e266-2768-456c-ab95-9bbb013d7c70" data-vars-headline="The 20-year saga of the hole across from Seattle City Hall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/5177/" target="_blank">Pacific Coast Architecture Database</a>.

Seattle Aquarium's Ocean Pavilion expansion opens Aug. 29

The new building includes a reef ecosystem with sharks and rays as well as a jellyfish nursery.

Things to Do

The Seattle Aquarium plans to open its new Ocean Pavilion expansion next month, completing a key piece of long-term plans to transform <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the city&#x27;s waterfront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/12/seattle-waterfront-construction" data-vars-content-id="d0b32006-7dd3-4667-ab11-c9064b5f6ede" data-vars-headline="Seattle Aquarium&#x27;s Ocean Pavilion expansion opens Aug. 29" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/12/seattle-waterfront-construction" target="_self">the city&#x27;s waterfront</a>.Why it matters: The new building on Elliott Bay will include a landscaped public rooftop, an elevator and stairs to help connect the waterfront with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pike Place Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/10/25/things-to-do-pike-place-market-local" data-vars-content-id="d0b32006-7dd3-4667-ab11-c9064b5f6ede" data-vars-headline="Seattle Aquarium&#x27;s Ocean Pavilion expansion opens Aug. 29" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/10/25/things-to-do-pike-place-market-local" target="_self">Pike Place Market</a> — a change made possible by the demolition of the Alaskan Way viaduct in 2019.

$3 million from state advances Garfield Super Block

Twenty years in the making, the block-sized park will have art, paths, new pl fields and the city's first parkour park.

With $3 million recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allocated by state legislators" data-vars-click-url="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5949&amp;Chamber=Senate&amp;Year=2023" data-vars-content-id="99d58b29-115e-463b-80b1-5cc985db0151" data-vars-headline="$3 million from state advances Garfield Super Block" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5949&amp;Chamber=Senate&amp;Year=2023" target="_blank">allocated by state legislators</a> to develop the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Garfield &quot;Super Block&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.garfieldsuperblock.org/" data-vars-content-id="99d58b29-115e-463b-80b1-5cc985db0151" data-vars-headline="$3 million from state advances Garfield Super Block" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.garfieldsuperblock.org/" target="_blank">Garfield &quot;Super Block&quot;</a> — an accessible art and amenity-filled park and promenade in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the heart of Seattle&#x27;s Central District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/02/28/grant-helps-preserve-historic-black-church-central-district" data-vars-content-id="99d58b29-115e-463b-80b1-5cc985db0151" data-vars-headline="$3 million from state advances Garfield Super Block" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/02/28/grant-helps-preserve-historic-black-church-central-district" target="_self">the heart of Seattle&#x27;s Central District</a> — officials say the project is on track to break ground next year.Why it matters: The block around Garfield and Nova high schools in the historically Black neighborhood has long been a draw for Seattle&#x27;s young people and the redo promises to make the space more useable and attractive, said Rebecca Bear, president of the nonprofit Seattle Parks Foundation.

Memorial Stadium rebuild advances with Seattle council vote

The 76-year-old stadium that's hosted the World's Fair and thousands of school sports games and graduations is due for a makeover.

Development

The Seattle City Council approved a resolution Tuesday to support and pledge money toward the redevelopment of the 76-year-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memorial Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2020/01/07/sports-stadiums-real-estate-anchors-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="4b2b3464-a35c-4b7c-836a-06108bd324b4" data-vars-headline="Memorial Stadium rebuild advances with Seattle council vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2020/01/07/sports-stadiums-real-estate-anchors-redevelopment" target="_self">Memorial Stadium</a> in the heart of the city.Why it matters: Though the stadium may not be ready for professional play by the time Seattle hosts the World Cup in 2026, it could be a venue for entertainment and music during the event, Marshall Foster, director of Seattle Center, told Axios.

Seattle takes aim at vacant buildings and graffiti

New rules will require building owners to better lock up empty buildings and keep them graffiti-free.

Owners of vacant Seattle buildings will need to better lock up their empty properties and keep them free of graffiti, under a measure approved Tuesday by the City Council.Why it matters: When vacant buildings have code violations, they become magnets for people to enter illegally and cause more damage, building officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently told" data-vars-click-url="https://seattle.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=12283943&amp;GUID=78B0924C-6BC7-46CF-B951-C2B424852D07" data-vars-content-id="cc28c4fb-f773-4e2b-b9f5-b66eca975ce4" data-vars-headline="Seattle takes aim at vacant buildings and graffiti" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattle.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=12283943&amp;GUID=78B0924C-6BC7-46CF-B951-C2B424852D07" target="_blank">recently told</a> the City Council.

Seattle council votes to support "lid" over Interstate 5

The vote paves the way for city officials to apply for federal grants to try to get the project started.

Politics

A plan to build a &quot;lid&quot; that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="could support a park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/28/seattle-lid-interstate-5" data-vars-content-id="7ab58b77-caed-4640-a4c0-ef0cf1ee2f6a" data-vars-headline="Seattle council votes to support &quot;lid&quot; over Interstate 5" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/28/seattle-lid-interstate-5" target="_self">could support a park</a> above Interstate 5 got a nod of approval from the Seattle City Council Tuesday.Driving the news: The Seattle City Council voted in favor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a resolution" data-vars-click-url="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6303242&amp;GUID=FE66BABA-44C6-4171-B5AA-B301A1662A9F" data-vars-content-id="7ab58b77-caed-4640-a4c0-ef0cf1ee2f6a" data-vars-headline="Seattle council votes to support &quot;lid&quot; over Interstate 5" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6303242&amp;GUID=FE66BABA-44C6-4171-B5AA-B301A1662A9F" target="_blank">a resolution</a> declaring the council&#x27;s support for the project.

Building a lid to support a park over I-5 gains traction

The overpass could connect downtown and Capitol Hill with 11 or more acres of park space.

An idea to connect downtown Seattle with Capitol Hill with a &quot;lid&quot; that could support a large park over Interstate 5 is gaining momentum, with city officials eyeing new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal grant money" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/06/highway-removal" data-vars-content-id="3a2b6998-3aa5-4e8b-b1d1-2d882fbde456" data-vars-headline="Building a lid to support a park over I-5 gains traction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/06/highway-removal" target="_self">federal grant money</a> intended to undo divisions caused by freeways.Why it matters: Supporters of creating the seamless overpass say it would open up 11 or more acres downtown that could be used for public parks and affordable housing, while helping erase the scar the freeway cut through downtown neighborhoods when it was built in the 1960s.

New apartment construction slows in Seattle metro area

Downtown and Redmond are among Seattle submarkets seeing lower rent, real estate analyst says.

Even with longstanding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing cost" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/housing-shortage-prices-high" data-vars-content-id="1613ffb8-f8c5-4ad8-9478-da6ccec1e566" data-vars-headline="New apartment construction slows in Seattle metro area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/housing-shortage-prices-high" target="_self">housing cost</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" data-vars-content-id="1613ffb8-f8c5-4ad8-9478-da6ccec1e566" data-vars-headline="New apartment construction slows in Seattle metro area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" target="_self">affordability</a> issues, years of robust construction in the Seattle area may be shielding parts of the region from the immediate impacts of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="apartment project slowdowns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/08/23/new-apartment-construction-declines-california-oregon-washington" data-vars-content-id="1613ffb8-f8c5-4ad8-9478-da6ccec1e566" data-vars-headline="New apartment construction slows in Seattle metro area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/08/23/new-apartment-construction-declines-california-oregon-washington" target="_self">apartment project slowdowns</a> on the West Coast.Driving the news: Seattle is now seeing some of the nation&#x27;s steepest rent decreases even though there have been far fewer multiplex housing construction starts this year, said Elliott Krivenko, Seattle&#x27;s analyst for the CoStar Group, a real estate information company.

Development 🏗️

Here's what's next for Seattle's waterfront makeover

New pedestrian improvements completed in Pioneer Square

The 20-year saga of the hole across from Seattle City Hall

Pic to go: Help from a cartoon

Seattle Aquarium's Ocean Pavilion expansion opens Aug. 29