Seattle

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Seattle.

Axios Seattle Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Seattle Alerts

Alert

Axios Seattle Partners

Axios Seattle

Standard

Seattle Members

Membership

Google gives Jimothy his own Easter egg

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

News

<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.

Jimothy, Seattle's viral raccoon, keeps adding to his legend

From a mural to an 8-bit video game, fans keep finding new ways to celebrate the quirky raccoon.

Seattle&#x27;s short-spined <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raccoon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/20/seattle-raccoons-evolving-domestication-urban-wildlife-science" data-vars-content-id="c91b9977-0961-4dc9-b323-c44b1201c4c5" data-vars-headline="Jimothy, Seattle&#x27;s viral raccoon, keeps adding to his legend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/20/seattle-raccoons-evolving-domestication-urban-wildlife-science" target="_self">raccoon</a> Jimothy now has his own mural, a fan-made <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video game" data-vars-click-url="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/8-bit-jimothy-viral-sensation-raids-trash-cans-eludes-paparazzi-in-seattle-creators-video-game/" data-vars-content-id="c91b9977-0961-4dc9-b323-c44b1201c4c5" data-vars-headline="Jimothy, Seattle&#x27;s viral raccoon, keeps adding to his legend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.geekwire.com/2026/8-bit-jimothy-viral-sensation-raids-trash-cans-eludes-paparazzi-in-seattle-creators-video-game/" target="_blank">video game</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stickers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.etsy.com/fi-en/listing/4539701803/jimothy-the-raccoon-badge-sticker" data-vars-content-id="c91b9977-0961-4dc9-b323-c44b1201c4c5" data-vars-headline="Jimothy, Seattle&#x27;s viral raccoon, keeps adding to his legend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.etsy.com/fi-en/listing/4539701803/jimothy-the-raccoon-badge-sticker" target="_blank">stickers</a> in his honor — all within a week of going viral.The big picture: The round raccoon — who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="experts say" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/WSUPullman/status/2078682916377579546" data-vars-content-id="c91b9977-0961-4dc9-b323-c44b1201c4c5" data-vars-headline="Jimothy, Seattle&#x27;s viral raccoon, keeps adding to his legend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/WSUPullman/status/2078682916377579546" target="_blank">experts say</a> likely has a spinal deformity — has quickly become more than an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="internet sensation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/19/us/video/jimothy-the-raccoon-seattle-short-spine-vrtc-digvid" data-vars-content-id="c91b9977-0961-4dc9-b323-c44b1201c4c5" data-vars-headline="Jimothy, Seattle&#x27;s viral raccoon, keeps adding to his legend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/19/us/video/jimothy-the-raccoon-seattle-short-spine-vrtc-digvid" target="_blank">internet sensation</a>, inspiring public art, a Mariners appearance and other tributes.

Seattle data center ban mirrors wider AI backlash

Nearly half of Americans back a pause on new data centers as concerns about AI continue to grow.

About half of Americans support a temporary ban on new data centers like the one recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passed in Seattle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/05/15/seattle-data-center-moratorium-ai-energy" data-vars-content-id="914691b8-fa4f-42fe-b7f5-5195c0715c0d" data-vars-headline="Seattle data center ban mirrors wider AI backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/05/15/seattle-data-center-moratorium-ai-energy" target="_self">passed in Seattle</a>, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey finds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" data-vars-content-id="914691b8-fa4f-42fe-b7f5-5195c0715c0d" data-vars-headline="Seattle data center ban mirrors wider AI backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" target="_self">survey finds</a>.Why it matters: Data centers are becoming a stand-in for broader anger at an AI future — one many Americans don&#x27;t want but fear they&#x27;ll have to pay for.

Why WA's only full-size IMAX screen isn't showing "The Odyssey"

The former Boeing IMAX Theater no longer shows Hollywood movies, sending fans out of state for the experience.

The only theater in Washington capable of showing the full 1.43:1 IMAX format of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Odyssey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/only-25-us-theaters-odyssey-imax-70mm" data-vars-content-id="b0e23d19-3da9-4169-8c73-1dfdafb70df5" data-vars-headline="Why WA&#x27;s only full-size IMAX screen isn&#x27;t showing &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/only-25-us-theaters-odyssey-imax-70mm" target="_self">The Odyssey</a>&quot; no longer screens Hollywood feature films, sending fans out of state for that experience.Why it matters: After the Boeing IMAX Theater was sold earlier this year, it shifted to showing short documentaries, leaving Washington without a theater showing Hollywood movies on a full-height IMAX screen.

Bothell's crows have flown the coop

Up to 20,000 crows abandoned UW Bothell for a new roost in Redmond, and researchers aren't sure why.

Environment

Bothell&#x27;s famous crows have moved to Redmond.Why it matters: For years, up to 20,000 crows turned the University of Washington Bothell into one of the Puget Sound&#x27;s biggest nightly roosts. Now they&#x27;ve relocated a few miles away — and researchers still aren&#x27;t entirely sure why.

Seattle zoo turtles face final survival test

Three decades of recovery work helped bring western pond turtles back from the brink in Washington.

For the 39 young turtle graduates-to-be lining up for their final exam at Seattle&#x27;s Woodland Park Zoo, there&#x27;s just one question: Are they big enough to escape a bullfrog&#x27;s gullet?<ul><li>We&#x27;ll find out Thursday when the turtles are weighed at the zoo.</li></ul>

$1B funding cut "a gut punch" for PNW hydrogen projects

WA and OR leaders say the clean energy grant loss could stall hydrogen efforts across the region.

Projects to build clean hydrogen infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest are reeling after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump administration pulled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/02/doe-ends-awards-vought-tweet" data-vars-content-id="2321bdb5-960f-4d14-9255-5008392f858e" data-vars-headline="$1B funding cut &quot;a gut punch&quot; for PNW hydrogen projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/02/doe-ends-awards-vought-tweet" target="_self">Trump administration pulled</a> a $1 billion grant for the region&#x27;s hydrogen hub this week.Why it matters: The loss of the grant hurts efforts in Washington, Oregon and Montana to harness hydrogen as a clean fuel source — one that many view as an important tool to help decarbonize the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shipping" data-vars-click-url="https://time.com/6961248/green-hydrogen-shipping-decarbonization/" data-vars-content-id="2321bdb5-960f-4d14-9255-5008392f858e" data-vars-headline="$1B funding cut &quot;a gut punch&quot; for PNW hydrogen projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://time.com/6961248/green-hydrogen-shipping-decarbonization/" target="_blank">shipping</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aviation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319923009187" data-vars-content-id="2321bdb5-960f-4d14-9255-5008392f858e" data-vars-headline="$1B funding cut &quot;a gut punch&quot; for PNW hydrogen projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319923009187" target="_blank">aviation</a> industries.

Ring of Fire shocks raise West Coast fears

A surge in Pacific quakes is garnering attention to Cascadia zone threats.

A recent string of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="powerful earthquakes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/30/earthquake-russia-tsunami-warnings-hawaii-japan-evacuations" data-vars-content-id="cdeba135-a72a-428d-a517-a98d30edd0db" data-vars-headline="Ring of Fire shocks raise West Coast fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/30/earthquake-russia-tsunami-warnings-hawaii-japan-evacuations" target="_self">powerful earthquakes</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="volcanic eruptions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2025/08/03/nx-s1-5491540/russian-volcano-erupts-days-after-quake-shakes-region" data-vars-content-id="cdeba135-a72a-428d-a517-a98d30edd0db" data-vars-headline="Ring of Fire shocks raise West Coast fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2025/08/03/nx-s1-5491540/russian-volcano-erupts-days-after-quake-shakes-region" target="_blank">volcanic eruptions</a> in Russia and Alaska serve as stark reminders that the U.S. West Coast — from Seattle to San Diego — lies along one of Earth&#x27;s most volatile tectonic boundaries.Why it matters: The same immense geological forces driving quakes, tsunamis and volcanoes far across the Pacific Ocean mirror those at work beneath Washington, Oregon and California, Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, tells Axios.

Washington's recycling system could get a major makeover

A new bill would require packaging producers to fund Washington's recycling system, aiming to cut plastic waste.

<figure><img alt="An empty plastic iced coffee cup sits on top of a blue recycling bin that is stuffed full, with green trees and paths vaguely visible in the background." height="2667" id="23012551-fb93-44fd-a1f8-55b4d34e4eff" src="https://images.axios.com/3WXk9RO2GayaOEc4DPO1hAJtpt8=/2025/04/01/1743540128418.jpg" width="4000"/><figcaption>A full recycling bin at Green Lake Park in 2021. Photo: Chona Kasinger/Bloomberg via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Washington state lawmakers are considering a major overhaul of the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recycling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/11/28/common-seattle-recycling-composting-mistakes" data-vars-content-id="fae3da8d-41a7-432d-bee3-5956e0ccb769" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s recycling system could get a major makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/11/28/common-seattle-recycling-composting-mistakes" target="_self">recycling</a> system, which would be paid for largely by companies that make single-use packaging.Why it matters: Besides establishing a consistent statewide list for what&#x27;s recyclable and what&#x27;s not, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate Bill 5284" data-vars-click-url="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5284&amp;Chamber=Senate&amp;Year=2025" data-vars-content-id="fae3da8d-41a7-432d-bee3-5956e0ccb769" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s recycling system could get a major makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5284&amp;Chamber=Senate&amp;Year=2025" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5284</a> would ensure that when people throw recycling in their curbside bins, the materials have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="somewhere to go" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/some-seattle-area-recycling-dumped-in-landfills-as-chinas-restrictions-kick-in/" data-vars-content-id="fae3da8d-41a7-432d-bee3-5956e0ccb769" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s recycling system could get a major makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/some-seattle-area-recycling-dumped-in-landfills-as-chinas-restrictions-kick-in/" target="_blank">somewhere to go</a>, supporters say.

What Seattle's recent quake streak means for the "Big One"

A flurry of recent quakes has some Seattleites wondering if the "Big One" is coming.

A flurry of earthquakes in the Seattle area over the last couple of weeks has some residents asking if that means the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big One" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/16/pacific-northwest-cascadia-earthquake-when" data-vars-content-id="81c72095-a227-4ced-ac23-5661356c0fa2" data-vars-headline="What Seattle&#x27;s recent quake streak means for the &quot;Big One&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/16/pacific-northwest-cascadia-earthquake-when" target="_self">Big One</a>&quot; is on its way.Why it matters: Scientists say it&#x27;s not a question of if, but when, the Cascadia subduction zone — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="700-mile offshore fault" data-vars-click-url="https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/tsunamis/tsunami-locations/jetstream-max-cascadia-subduction-zone" data-vars-content-id="81c72095-a227-4ced-ac23-5661356c0fa2" data-vars-headline="What Seattle&#x27;s recent quake streak means for the &quot;Big One&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/tsunamis/tsunami-locations/jetstream-max-cascadia-subduction-zone" target="_blank">700-mile offshore fault</a> that runs from Canada to California — unleashes a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive earthquake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/09/20/pnw-earthquake-really-big-one-preparing-prep" data-vars-content-id="81c72095-a227-4ced-ac23-5661356c0fa2" data-vars-headline="What Seattle&#x27;s recent quake streak means for the &quot;Big One&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/09/20/pnw-earthquake-really-big-one-preparing-prep" target="_self">massive earthquake</a>, triggering a tsunami and spelling one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worst natural disasters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one" data-vars-content-id="81c72095-a227-4ced-ac23-5661356c0fa2" data-vars-headline="What Seattle&#x27;s recent quake streak means for the &quot;Big One&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one" target="_blank">worst natural disasters</a> on the continent.

Environment

Bothell's crows have flown the coop

Seattle zoo turtles face final survival test

$1B funding cut "a gut punch" for PNW hydrogen projects

Ring of Fire shocks raise West Coast fears

Mike Lee's proposed public lands sale blocked by Senate parliamentarian