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750,000 birds flew over the Seattle area while we slept

More than 3.6 million birds crossed Washington overnight as fall migration ramps up.

News

While we slept, three-quarters of a million migrating birds flew over King County in one night this week.Why it matters: Fall migration is ramping up, sending huge numbers of birds south under the cover of darkness, according to Cornell Lab of Ornithology&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BirdCast migration tracker" data-vars-click-url="https://dashboard.birdcast.org/region/US-WA-033" data-vars-content-id="31b1e5ea-e3c3-4669-a3de-5fd80bd1065b" data-vars-headline="750,000 birds flew over the Seattle area while we slept" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dashboard.birdcast.org/region/US-WA-033" target="_blank">BirdCast migration tracker</a>.

Seattle's civil rights laws could soon cover polyamory

The proposal would bar discrimination based on family and relationship structure in Seattle.

Seattle officials are weighing a proposal that would extend civil rights protections to people in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polyamorous" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/14/polyamory-laws-nonmonogamy-stigma" data-vars-content-id="2cd9b187-a4a3-4862-bd6c-4033615560cc" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s civil rights laws could soon cover polyamory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/14/polyamory-laws-nonmonogamy-stigma" target="_self">polyamorous</a> relationships.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measure" data-vars-click-url="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8175165&amp;GUID=01C70EAD-3964-4E26-8DDF-E42FD2C8AB8F" data-vars-content-id="2cd9b187-a4a3-4862-bd6c-4033615560cc" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s civil rights laws could soon cover polyamory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattle.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8175165&amp;GUID=01C70EAD-3964-4E26-8DDF-E42FD2C8AB8F" target="_blank">measure</a> would make people who engage in consensual nonmonogamy, including polyamory, a protected class that can&#x27;t be discriminated against in areas such as housing or employment.

Washington transgender spa fight reaches Supreme Court

Olympus Spa has fought the state since 2020 over who must be admitted to its nude communal spaces.

A women-only Korean spa in Washington is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its yearslong fight over admitting transgender women who have not undergone gender-confirmation surgery.Why it matters: Olympus Spa argues that applying Washington&#x27;s anti-discrimination law to its nude communal spaces violates the Christian owners&#x27; First Amendment rights.

Seattle spiders are in your house and looking for love

The enormous spiders sprinting across Seattle floors are harmless males on a mission to mate.

Seattle&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="horny spiders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/08/spider-season-seattle" data-vars-content-id="7e1588d3-8ada-407b-a2a6-46613f289be0" data-vars-headline="Seattle spiders are in your house and looking for love" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/08/spider-season-seattle" target="_self">horny spiders</a> are back. And they&#x27;re freaking us out — again.Driving the news: Seattleites are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reporting enormous spiders " data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/s/bht4rUBnrG" data-vars-content-id="7e1588d3-8ada-407b-a2a6-46613f289be0" data-vars-headline="Seattle spiders are in your house and looking for love" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/s/bht4rUBnrG" target="_blank">reporting enormous spiders </a>sprinting across their floors — and this year, some swear they&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bigger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/1w33eyn/is_it_me_or_are_the_spiders_way_bigger_this_year/" data-vars-content-id="7e1588d3-8ada-407b-a2a6-46613f289be0" data-vars-headline="Seattle spiders are in your house and looking for love" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/1w33eyn/is_it_me_or_are_the_spiders_way_bigger_this_year/" target="_blank">bigger</a>, earlier and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more aggressive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/1vynpmx/comment/p60br68/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" data-vars-content-id="7e1588d3-8ada-407b-a2a6-46613f289be0" data-vars-headline="Seattle spiders are in your house and looking for love" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/1vynpmx/comment/p60br68/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" target="_blank">more aggressive</a> than ever.

Washington schools start later than in most of the U.S.

Nearly half of Washington schools start after Aug. 31, compared with fewer than 16% nationwide.

Even without the threat of a strike delaying the start of school in Seattle, classes here will begin later than in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most of the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/school-start-dates-span-two-months" data-vars-content-id="eabd5f7c-af11-461a-80ac-067f815c8734" data-vars-headline="Washington schools start later than in most of the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/school-start-dates-span-two-months" target="_self">most of the country</a>.Zoom in: Fewer than 1% of schools in Washington started before Aug. 16 this year, compared with nearly half of schools nationally, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MDR Education" data-vars-click-url="https://mdreducation.com/public-school-open-and-close-dates/" data-vars-content-id="eabd5f7c-af11-461a-80ac-067f815c8734" data-vars-headline="Washington schools start later than in most of the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mdreducation.com/public-school-open-and-close-dates/" target="_blank">MDR Education</a>, a data company.

Seattle teacher talks go down to the wire, with strike possible

Teachers vote Wednesday whether to allow a strike, which could delay Seattle's first day of school.

Education

School may not <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="start" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/school-start-dates-span-two-months" data-vars-content-id="63c8f0da-8e2f-4bed-95be-a7da409d42c7" data-vars-headline="Seattle teacher talks go down to the wire, with strike possible" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/school-start-dates-span-two-months" target="_self">start</a> on time next week in Seattle if the district and the teachers union can&#x27;t reach an agreement on a new labor contract by then.Why it matters: Parents are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preparing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/08/18/washington-western-families-school-supplies-spending-2026" data-vars-content-id="63c8f0da-8e2f-4bed-95be-a7da409d42c7" data-vars-headline="Seattle teacher talks go down to the wire, with strike possible" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/08/18/washington-western-families-school-supplies-spending-2026" target="_self">preparing</a> to send their kids back to school Wednesday, Sept. 2 — but classes could be delayed if negotiations break down and teachers decide to strike.

Washington families face a pricier back-to-school season

Families in the western U.S. expect to spend more than the national average on school shopping this year.

Families in Washington and other western states can expect to spend more than the national average on back-to-school shopping this year, with higher prices squeezing household budgets, according to a PwC <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/consumer-markets/library/backtoschool-spending.html?" data-vars-content-id="f288d7a2-7147-4d05-a7ed-549be1e2d3f3" data-vars-headline="Washington families face a pricier back-to-school season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/consumer-markets/library/backtoschool-spending.html?" target="_blank">survey</a>.Why it matters: Back-to-school shopping is one of the biggest spending seasons outside the holidays, so families may want to start preparing early, Keven Gray of Washington-based Gesa Credit Union told Axios.

School cellphone bans show mixed results in new study

Restrictions sharply cut phone use, but researchers found virtually no effect on student test scores.

Schools in Seattle and across the U.S. are cracking down on student <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cellphone use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/30/no-screen-school-technology-parents-ai" data-vars-content-id="36cb7506-55d5-4ce3-8a2e-e5f65d04066f" data-vars-headline="School cellphone bans show mixed results in new study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/30/no-screen-school-technology-parents-ai" target="_self">cellphone use</a>, but a recent study finds the restrictions bring mixed results.The big picture: Schools that require students to lock away their phones during class have seen phone use decline substantially, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w35132/w35132.pdf" data-vars-content-id="36cb7506-55d5-4ce3-8a2e-e5f65d04066f" data-vars-headline="School cellphone bans show mixed results in new study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w35132/w35132.pdf" target="_blank">study</a> shared by the National Bureau of Economic Research in April.<ul><li>Student well-being also appears to improve the longer the rules remain in place.</li></ul>

Recess makes a comeback in Washington and across the U.S.

After decades of declines, more states are requiring schools to protect time for children's play.

After decades of diminished recess time, a dozen states — including Washington — now require it by law.Why it matters: Yes, recess is literally <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child&#x27;s play" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/01/playroom-custom-cost" data-vars-content-id="b058736d-9be8-464e-9008-a4a2970bbd6a" data-vars-headline="Recess makes a comeback in Washington and across the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/01/playroom-custom-cost" target="_self">child&#x27;s play</a>. But researchers, pediatricians and parents say it&#x27;s crucial for young students&#x27; physical and mental health.

All Seattle students to get free school meals this fall

Seattle approved $3.6 million to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students this fall.

Seattle will provide free meals to all Seattle Public Schools students starting this fall, using $3.6 million the City Council approved this week.Why it matters: The vote caps a weeks-long discussion between Mayor Katie Wilson and City Council members over how soon to offer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="universal school meals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/12/universal-school-lunches-may-improve-attendance-and-reduce-obesity" data-vars-content-id="896767b0-cda3-4d8c-8575-2dc9e1c43596" data-vars-headline="All Seattle students to get free school meals this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/12/universal-school-lunches-may-improve-attendance-and-reduce-obesity" target="_self">universal school meals</a>.

Seattle's UW ranks No. 12 globally

The University of Washington posted top-10 global finishes in six fields, led by public health research.

The Dawgs just aced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="another report card" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/23/university-washington-2025-us-news-rankings-seattle-colleges" data-vars-content-id="29fad999-ef12-4ace-928b-fd056a86dfaf" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s UW ranks No. 12 globally" 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/university-washington-2025-us-news-rankings-seattle-colleges" target="_self">another report card</a>.Why it matters: The University of Washington ranked No. 12 globally and No. 3 among U.S. public universities in U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Global Universities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings?int=a27a09" data-vars-content-id="29fad999-ef12-4ace-928b-fd056a86dfaf" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s UW ranks No. 12 globally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings?int=a27a09" target="_blank">Best Global Universities</a> rankings, which evaluated 2,250 institutions across more than 100 countries.

Seattle schools adopt districtwide student phone limits

New Seattle school rules require K-8 students to store phones all day and limit high school use.

Seattle Public Schools is enacting new rules banning students from using <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cellphones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/school-cell-phone-bans-2025-legislation" data-vars-content-id="9e39f15c-f062-4970-92c4-3f50be435d6c" data-vars-headline="Seattle schools adopt districtwide student phone limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/school-cell-phone-bans-2025-legislation" target="_self">cellphones</a> during class. Why it matters: Individual Seattle schools — along with states across the country — have imposed new cellphone limits in recent years. But the district <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hasn&#x27;t adopted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/02/wa-school-district-phone-policy-seattle-student-rules" data-vars-content-id="9e39f15c-f062-4970-92c4-3f50be435d6c" data-vars-headline="Seattle schools adopt districtwide student phone limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/02/wa-school-district-phone-policy-seattle-student-rules" target="_self">hasn&#x27;t adopted</a> consistent standards until now.

Seattle ranks among most educated U.S. metros

The share of college-educated residents rose to about 47%, well above the national average.

Nearly half of Seattle-area residents age 25 and older now hold a bachelor&#x27;s degree or higher, according to new Census data.The big picture: That puts Seattle among the most highly educated large metros in the country.

It's school application time for Seattle parents

Families can apply to transfer schools earlier this year, with decisions coming by late February.

Seattle Public Schools has revamped its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/education" data-vars-content-id="d3d216f7-aa21-43a8-a643-d67a4dfb2e8d" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s school application time for Seattle parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/education" target="_self">school</a> choice process, with the application window opening this month and decisions coming earlier for families seeking a school outside their assigned one.The big picture: The district — which has reported <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="declining enrollment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Enrollment-Decline-Study_ADA.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d3d216f7-aa21-43a8-a643-d67a4dfb2e8d" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s school application time for Seattle parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Enrollment-Decline-Study_ADA.pdf" target="_blank">declining enrollment</a> since 2020 — says it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trying to place" data-vars-click-url="https://seattleschools.sharepoint.com/sites/SPSBoardOffice-O365/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FSPSBoardOffice%2DO365%2FShared%20Documents%2FSchool%20Board%2FBoard%20Meetings%2F2025%2D26%2F2025%2D08%2D26%20Special%2F20250826%5FEnrollment%20Update%2Epdf&amp;parent=%2Fsites%2FSPSBoardOffice%2DO365%2FShared%20Documents%2FSchool%20Board%2FBoard%20Meetings%2F2025%2D26%2F2025%2D08%2D26%20Special&amp;p=true&amp;ga=1" data-vars-content-id="d3d216f7-aa21-43a8-a643-d67a4dfb2e8d" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s school application time for Seattle parents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattleschools.sharepoint.com/sites/SPSBoardOffice-O365/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FSPSBoardOffice%2DO365%2FShared%20Documents%2FSchool%20Board%2FBoard%20Meetings%2F2025%2D26%2F2025%2D08%2D26%20Special%2F20250826%5FEnrollment%20Update%2Epdf&amp;parent=%2Fsites%2FSPSBoardOffice%2DO365%2FShared%20Documents%2FSchool%20Board%2FBoard%20Meetings%2F2025%2D26%2F2025%2D08%2D26%20Special&amp;p=true&amp;ga=1" target="_blank">trying to place</a> more families in their top-choice schools, while reducing the months of uncertainty associated with the past waitlist system.

A choropleth map showing U.S. public school start dates before August 16. Darker-shaded states indicate a higher percentage of schools starting early, with most of the Southeast and part of the Southwest starting before this date. Lighter shades represent states with fewer schools starting before August 16, including several Northeast states with no schools opening prior to that date.

Share of schools open before August 16

Data: MDR Education; Map: Brad Jennings/Axios. Note: Includes public schools. Does not include year-round schools.

A bar chart shows expected U.S. family back-to-school spending for 2026-27 by region. The U.S. average is $922. The Northeast is highest at $1,076, followed by the West at $960 and Midwest at $954. The South is lowest at $832. Data is from 2,080 adults surveyed May 20-22, 2026.

Expected U.S. family spending for the 2026 back-to-school season, by region

A state map shows school recess laws in the U.S. As of December 2025, 13 states (including D.C.) mandate recess laws, while 12 others have physical activity laws. Most states, 26, have no state mandate.

School recess laws

Data: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research via Bloomberg American Health Initiative; Map: Sami Sparber/Axios

Education 📚

Washington schools start later than in most of the U.S.

Seattle teacher talks go down to the wire, with strike possible

Washington families face a pricier back-to-school season

School cellphone bans show mixed results in new study

Recess makes a comeback in Washington and across the U.S.