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

Washington Supreme Court strikes down natural gas initiative

The court said I-2066 improperly combined distinct subjects, invalidating the entire measure.

News

Washington&#x27;s Supreme Court has struck down <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Initiative 2066" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/11/15/washington-natural-gas-ballot-measure-lawsuit-2066" data-vars-content-id="6509d0a3-3564-49da-b0fb-88494fb0ef33" data-vars-headline="Washington Supreme Court strikes down natural gas initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/11/15/washington-natural-gas-ballot-measure-lawsuit-2066" target="_self">Initiative 2066</a>, a natural gas ballot measure approved by voters two years ago.Why it matters: The ruling invalidates the initiative, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="which sought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/04/15/washington-natural-gas-initiative-fight" data-vars-content-id="6509d0a3-3564-49da-b0fb-88494fb0ef33" data-vars-headline="Washington Supreme Court strikes down natural gas initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/04/15/washington-natural-gas-initiative-fight" target="_self">which sought</a> to roll back the state&#x27;s energy-efficient <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="building codes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/12/04/heat-pumps-building-codes-washington-state" data-vars-content-id="6509d0a3-3564-49da-b0fb-88494fb0ef33" data-vars-headline="Washington Supreme Court strikes down natural gas initiative" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/12/04/heat-pumps-building-codes-washington-state" target="_self">building codes</a> and to bar state and local governments from discouraging the use of natural gas.The latest: The court found the initiative violated a constitutional rule that requires laws to stick to a single subject.

Seattle's Yarn Dragon is a feast of color and craft

Crafters can feel luxe fibers, revel in saturated colors and peek in on the yarn dyeing process.

Touching the merchandise isn&#x27;t just allowed at Yarn Dragon in Pioneer Square. It&#x27;s kind of the point.Why it matters: As brick-and-mortar yarn and fabric stores disappear around Seattle, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Yarn Dragon" data-vars-click-url="https://yarndragon.com/" data-vars-content-id="02a2cd16-4f7d-45f7-b6ba-3bef75f04b0e" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s Yarn Dragon is a feast of color and craft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yarndragon.com/" target="_blank">Yarn Dragon</a> is betting there&#x27;s still something the internet can&#x27;t replicate: seeing the colors, feeling the fibers and maybe even watching the yarn being dyed.

Seattle sues over Trump rule on immigrants' use of public benefits

Officials warn the rule could drive immigrant families away from health, food and housing programs.

Seattle and King County are suing to block a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="59837e14-619d-4ca7-b2dd-8a5a5ceef705" data-vars-headline="Seattle sues over Trump rule on immigrants&#x27; use of public benefits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration rule they say will drive immigrant families away from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public benefits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/21/ai-snap-medicaid-unemployment-benefits" data-vars-content-id="59837e14-619d-4ca7-b2dd-8a5a5ceef705" data-vars-headline="Seattle sues over Trump rule on immigrants&#x27; use of public benefits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/21/ai-snap-medicaid-unemployment-benefits" target="_self">public benefits</a> they can legally receive.Why it matters: Local officials warn the rule could push hundreds of thousands of immigrants out of health, food and housing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="programs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/09/immigrants-taxes-benefits-cato-institute" data-vars-content-id="59837e14-619d-4ca7-b2dd-8a5a5ceef705" data-vars-headline="Seattle sues over Trump rule on immigrants&#x27; use of public benefits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/09/immigrants-taxes-benefits-cato-institute" target="_self">programs</a>, increasing homelessness and shifting millions in costs to local hospitals and governments.

Scoop: Equity director quits WA child welfare agency, alleging racial bias

The agency's equity director resigned and 5 others raised concerns about treatment of employees of color.

The equity director at Washington state&#x27;s child welfare agency resigned last week, citing &quot;discriminatory and biased leadership&quot; at the department.The big picture: Washington&#x27;s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) lists advancing racial equity as one of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top priorities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pubs/COMM_0058%20DCYF_Strategic_Priorities_2021-2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="681e14c5-33bb-491d-b4df-ab0083369ca3" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Equity director quits WA child welfare agency, alleging racial bias" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pubs/COMM_0058%20DCYF_Strategic_Priorities_2021-2026.pdf" target="_blank">top priorities</a>. But the former director of the department&#x27;s equity office, Patricia Colemon, says the agency is failing to live up to that goal.

Washington's roadless forests face new threat

The affected lands could include Washington Pass, Baker Lake, Lake Chelan and 231 miles of the PCT.

The Trump administration is moving to scrap a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="25-year-old rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="05b7e8bf-bd24-47cc-8b77-393f9a566e30" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">25-year-old rule</a> that limits roadbuilding and logging, potentially opening Washington&#x27;s national forests to development. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless/archive" data-vars-content-id="05b7e8bf-bd24-47cc-8b77-393f9a566e30" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless/archive" target="_blank">Roadless Rule</a> protects roughly 2 million acres of some of the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national forests" data-vars-click-url="https://outdooralliance.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=bffb3fe5fdfb43519a84c6a0cf4f8ff5" data-vars-content-id="05b7e8bf-bd24-47cc-8b77-393f9a566e30" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://outdooralliance.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=bffb3fe5fdfb43519a84c6a0cf4f8ff5" target="_blank">national forests</a>.

Seattle's smoky skies are back

Shifting winds will carry wildfire smoke west, with the worst air quality expected through midweek.

Smoke is headed to the Seattle area this week as shifting winds carry haze from wildfires burning across the Pacific Northwest into Western Washington.Why it matters: Forecasters expect air quality to worsen through midweek as smoke filters down to surface level, with potentially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unhealthy air quality" data-vars-click-url="https://pscleanair.gov/" data-vars-content-id="9db78954-28d3-4460-bbb2-064c76177406" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s smoky skies are back" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pscleanair.gov/" target="_blank">unhealthy air quality</a> today, tomorrow and possibly Thursday, Jacob DeFlitch of the National Weather Service in Seattle said.

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.