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New Seahawks owner on moving the team: "Never say never"

The Seahawks' Lumen Field lease runs through 2032, with renewal options extending through 2062.

News

New Seahawks owner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vinod Khosla" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/08/27/seahawks-sale-khosla-family-9-billion-allen-ownership" data-vars-content-id="fa0271b9-06eb-4d59-a1ec-17e911e74094" data-vars-headline="New Seahawks owner on moving the team: &quot;Never say never&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/08/27/seahawks-sale-khosla-family-9-billion-allen-ownership" target="_self">Vinod Khosla</a> told Axios this week that he has no plans to move the team out of Seattle — but he &quot;will never say never.&quot; Why it matters: Seattleites, who are still stinging over the loss of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sonics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/26/seattle-officials-cheer-potential-return-of-sonics" data-vars-content-id="fa0271b9-06eb-4d59-a1ec-17e911e74094" data-vars-headline="New Seahawks owner on moving the team: &quot;Never say never&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/26/seattle-officials-cheer-potential-return-of-sonics" target="_self">Sonics</a> nearly 20 years ago, have a strong interest in keeping the reigning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl champs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-results-seahawks-patriots" data-vars-content-id="fa0271b9-06eb-4d59-a1ec-17e911e74094" data-vars-headline="New Seahawks owner on moving the team: &quot;Never say never&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-results-seahawks-patriots" target="_self">Super Bowl champs</a> in town.

Washington's sick season appears to be starting early

ER visits are climbing as flu spreads early and Seattle wastewater shows high COVID activity.

Health

Winter may be months away, but cold season in Washington doesn&#x27;t seem to be waiting.Driving the news: Emergency room visits for respiratory illnesses are rising as October begins, while COVID is also showing up increasingly in wastewater and hospitals, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state data" data-vars-click-url="https://doh.wa.gov/data-and-statistical-reports/diseases-and-chronic-conditions/communicable-disease-surveillance-data/respiratory-illness-data-dashboard" data-vars-content-id="4656f36a-ef1f-45c1-8443-9b5c5d769aff" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s sick season appears to be starting early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://doh.wa.gov/data-and-statistical-reports/diseases-and-chronic-conditions/communicable-disease-surveillance-data/respiratory-illness-data-dashboard" target="_blank">state data</a>.

UW fentanyl vaccine moves closer to human testing

Researchers are preparing for human trials after years of work on the experimental vaccine.

University of Washington researchers are closing in on a vaccine that could help prevent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fentanyl overdoses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/30/fentanyl-overdoses-rise-portland-oregon" data-vars-content-id="4f39f9aa-2b80-454b-8249-0dd92987ba85" data-vars-headline="UW fentanyl vaccine moves closer to human testing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/30/fentanyl-overdoses-rise-portland-oregon" target="_self">fentanyl overdoses</a> by teaching the immune system to stop the drug before it reaches the brain. Why it matters: Washington has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit hard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/09/27/opioid-overdoses-washington-king-county" data-vars-content-id="4f39f9aa-2b80-454b-8249-0dd92987ba85" data-vars-headline="UW fentanyl vaccine moves closer to human testing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/09/27/opioid-overdoses-washington-king-county" target="_self">hit hard</a> by the fentanyl crisis in recent years. And though overdose deaths involving the drug <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have fallen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/16/washington-overdose-deaths-decline-2024" data-vars-content-id="4f39f9aa-2b80-454b-8249-0dd92987ba85" data-vars-headline="UW fentanyl vaccine moves closer to human testing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/16/washington-overdose-deaths-decline-2024" target="_self">have fallen</a> since 2023, they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remain" data-vars-click-url="https://adai.uw.edu/wadata/major_drug_deaths.htm" data-vars-content-id="4f39f9aa-2b80-454b-8249-0dd92987ba85" data-vars-headline="UW fentanyl vaccine moves closer to human testing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adai.uw.edu/wadata/major_drug_deaths.htm" target="_blank">remain</a> well above pre-pandemic levels.

Washington ranks third in U.S. for library checkouts

Library checkouts in Washington remain far above the national average.

In case you needed more evidence that we&#x27;re a state full of bookworms: Washington ranks third in the nation for public library checkouts per person, federal data shows.Why it matters: Libraries remain a heavily used public resource in Washington, whether readers are borrowing from shelves or screens.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Seattle

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="4145aa8a-f349-42c6-91bd-c9ae88b2864b" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Seattle&#x27;s Fremont neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Coffee TAB opens in former Starbucks space in Central District

Coffee TAB brings barista training and local beans to a space left vacant since 2022.

Food and Drink

A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coffee shop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/08/03/coffee-tab-seattle-central-district-23rd-jackson-barista-training-coffee-shop" data-vars-content-id="c8d9573c-3881-4586-b50a-3f1c90187693" data-vars-headline="Coffee TAB opens in former Starbucks space in Central District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/08/03/coffee-tab-seattle-central-district-23rd-jackson-barista-training-coffee-shop" target="_self">coffee shop</a> has opened in the heart of Seattle&#x27;s Central District, with a mission of training people for careers in the coffee industry.The big picture: The opening of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Coffee TAB" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coffeetab.org/" data-vars-content-id="c8d9573c-3881-4586-b50a-3f1c90187693" data-vars-headline="Coffee TAB opens in former Starbucks space in Central District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coffeetab.org/" target="_blank">Coffee TAB</a> at 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street brings new life to a space that had sat empty for four years.

Warm up with shakshouka at Hamsa in Wallingford

The Seattle cafe pairs specialty coffees with Arabic street food, sandwiches, bowls and mezze.

I was in Wallingford last week, wondering where I should get my caffeine fix now that Fuel Coffee in the neighborhood is no more. <ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hamsa" data-vars-click-url="https://hamsa.toast.site/" data-vars-content-id="712209fd-5bf1-4589-bdaf-6c54a1a80240" data-vars-headline="Warm up with shakshouka at Hamsa in Wallingford" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hamsa.toast.site/" target="_blank">Hamsa</a> quickly became my answer.</li></ul>

Rolled Flour serves soft, gooey cinnamon rolls — and there's a line

Its International District pop-up window serves milk bread rolls in a rotating lineup of flavors.

I got to Rolled Flour about 10 minutes after it opened Friday, and the line to buy its cinnamon rolls already stretched down the block.Someone behind me pulled out their phone and began playing the &quot;Saturday Night Live&quot; skit &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Dumb Line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4bEOzw8CeY" data-vars-content-id="f71b1197-4d42-4f7a-bd66-58eb652d4115" data-vars-headline="Rolled Flour serves soft, gooey cinnamon rolls — and there&#x27;s a line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4bEOzw8CeY" target="_blank">Big Dumb Line</a>,&quot; which skewers scenes like this. <ul><li>We stayed anyway, committed to the quest.</li></ul>

Washington isn't sold on the banana coffee trend

Banana is booming on drink menus nationwide, but Washington restaurants aren't joining the rush.

Americans are embracing the banana coffee trend — but here in Washington, not so much.By the numbers: Banana is the fastest-growing beverage ingredient flavor over the past year at restaurants, per Circana market data.

Three new spots coming to former Theo Chocolate building

A coffee shop, taproom and oyster bar will open in the historic Fremont building this fall.

Two bars and a coffee shop are coming to the historic Fremont building where Theo Chocolate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="operated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/29/seattle-chocolate-makers-expanding-bean-to-bar-theo" data-vars-content-id="374b5d0f-ca39-4075-8b20-5e0a9d324933" data-vars-headline="Three new spots coming to former Theo Chocolate building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/08/29/seattle-chocolate-makers-expanding-bean-to-bar-theo" target="_self">operated</a> for nearly two decades.What to expect: The owners of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Here Today Brewery &amp; Kitchen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.heretodayseattle.com/" data-vars-content-id="374b5d0f-ca39-4075-8b20-5e0a9d324933" data-vars-headline="Three new spots coming to former Theo Chocolate building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.heretodayseattle.com/" target="_blank">Here Today Brewery &amp; Kitchen</a> plan to open three new concepts in the red brick building, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Puget Sound Business Journal reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/08/18/here-today-theo-chocolate-redhook-brewery-fremont.html" data-vars-content-id="374b5d0f-ca39-4075-8b20-5e0a9d324933" data-vars-headline="Three new spots coming to former Theo Chocolate building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/08/18/here-today-theo-chocolate-redhook-brewery-fremont.html" target="_blank">Puget Sound Business Journal reports</a>.

C & P Coffee's patio is made for Seattle summers

Tucked behind C & P Coffee, a leafy garden deck offers a charming spot to sip coffee outdoors.

<figure><img alt="Sunlit outdoor cafe patio with a large orange umbrella over a glass table, turquoise doors and windows, pastel chairs, and a red neon OPEN sign in the doorway." height="4284" id="e1f0504b-d71d-4fa3-aa9a-4ab0a1920e74" src="https://images.axios.com/2Q5nxqPH-F1_ZHIxz-qkZI87HM4=/2026/08/19/1787114540556.jpeg" width="5712"/><figcaption>Plenty of shady spots at C &amp; P Coffee. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios</figcaption></figure>Several readers recommended <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="C &amp; P Coffee" data-vars-click-url="https://candpcoffee.com/" data-vars-content-id="ecfa8398-b25c-49cc-bf12-ce741cb5fafb" data-vars-headline="C &amp; P Coffee&#x27;s patio is made for Seattle summers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://candpcoffee.com/" target="_blank">C &amp; P Coffee</a> to me after I compiled a list of Seattle&#x27;s best <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="old-school coffee shops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/21/seattle-classic-old-school-coffee-shops-guide" data-vars-content-id="ecfa8398-b25c-49cc-bf12-ce741cb5fafb" data-vars-headline="C &amp; P Coffee&#x27;s patio is made for Seattle summers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/11/21/seattle-classic-old-school-coffee-shops-guide" target="_self">old-school coffee shops</a>. After visiting recently, I can confirm this Craftsman home-turned-cafe fits the bill. Zoom in: The inside of the West Seattle coffee shop invites you to linger with its brick fireplace, couches, abundance of windows and brightly painted walls.

Coffee TAB to fill long-vacant 23rd and Jackson space

The nonprofit plans to open by September in the long-vacant former Starbucks space at 23rd and Jackson.

A new coffee shop is coming to Seattle&#x27;s Central District, filling a former Starbucks space that has sat empty for four years. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Coffee TAB" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coffeetab.org/" data-vars-content-id="ae82a09f-781c-4d06-8555-c33ebcc1e603" data-vars-headline="Coffee TAB to fill long-vacant 23rd and Jackson space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coffeetab.org/" target="_blank">Coffee TAB</a> is set to open soon at the corner of 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street, long a hub of Seattle&#x27;s historically Black neighborhood.

New Italian restaurant opens beneath Seattle's Pioneer Square

Casa Gabriele offers pasta dishes, rotating specials and wine pairings in a cozy basement.

The owners of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bottega Gabriele" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/10/08/bottega-gabriele-steps-up-seattle-s-sandwich-game" data-vars-content-id="d5e84669-37eb-4148-af83-7e00634fc238" data-vars-headline="New Italian restaurant opens beneath Seattle&#x27;s 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/2025/10/08/bottega-gabriele-steps-up-seattle-s-sandwich-game" target="_self">Bottega Gabriele</a>, the popular Pioneer Square sandwich shop, have a new restaurant that serves pasta and is open for dinner. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Casa Gabriele" data-vars-click-url="https://bottega-gabriele.com/#casa-menu" data-vars-content-id="d5e84669-37eb-4148-af83-7e00634fc238" data-vars-headline="New Italian restaurant opens beneath Seattle&#x27;s Pioneer Square" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bottega-gabriele.com/#casa-menu" target="_blank">Casa Gabriele</a> is in a warmly lit basement, making it feel like a tucked away special spot.

World Cup crowds boost Seattle restaurant sales

Toast found beer sales jumped 212% while hot dog orders more than tripled near the Seattle stadium.

Business

Soccer fans in Seattle are drinking a lot of beer and eating a lot of hot dogs during the World Cup, new data from restaurant technology company Toast suggests.State of play: To get a snapshot of the tournament&#x27;s impact on businesses near Lumen Field, Toast <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analyzed transactions" data-vars-click-url="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/world-cup-2026-impact-restaurants-bars-tipping-data" data-vars-content-id="edad1696-a777-4398-a72d-f2d8e73bb766" data-vars-headline="World Cup crowds boost Seattle restaurant sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/world-cup-2026-impact-restaurants-bars-tipping-data" target="_blank">analyzed transactions</a> from June 19, when the U.S. played Australia.

Food and Drink 🍽

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Seattle

Coffee TAB opens in former Starbucks space in Central District

Warm up with shakshouka at Hamsa in Wallingford

Rolled Flour serves soft, gooey cinnamon rolls — and there's a line

Washington isn't sold on the banana coffee trend