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Seattle-area electricity rates are set to soar

Aging infrastructure, electrification and data centers are helping drive years of rate increases.

News

Seattle-area customers are entering an era of steep power rate hikes, and there&#x27;s little sign the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pressures behind them" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/18/pacific-northwest-needs-massive-power-boost" data-vars-content-id="c2ef062f-7d1f-47b1-8f94-0930747214d1" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area electricity rates are set to soar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/18/pacific-northwest-needs-massive-power-boost" target="_self">pressures behind them</a> are going away. Why it matters: Electricity is becoming even more critical and costly as the city and state push to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electrify transportation and buildings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/26/buildings-net-zero-emissions-2050-law" data-vars-content-id="c2ef062f-7d1f-47b1-8f94-0930747214d1" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area electricity rates are set to soar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/26/buildings-net-zero-emissions-2050-law" target="_self">electrify transportation and buildings</a>, while <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="power-hungry data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/ai-power-data-center-electricity-construction" data-vars-content-id="c2ef062f-7d1f-47b1-8f94-0930747214d1" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area electricity rates are set to soar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/ai-power-data-center-electricity-construction" target="_self">power-hungry data centers</a> add new demand.

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 state sues again over Trump's mail-in voting rule

The new lawsuit comes as Washington and other states prepare to send ballots to voters in September.

Washington and 24 other states are again trying to block President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="219658e1-75ac-4512-b0fc-d519320323fb" data-vars-headline="Washington state sues again over Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting rule" 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&#x27;s</a> sweeping Postal Service rule on mail-in voting, just days after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Supreme Court" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/supreme-court-legal-decisions" data-vars-content-id="219658e1-75ac-4512-b0fc-d519320323fb" data-vars-headline="Washington state sues again over Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/supreme-court-legal-decisions" target="_self">Supreme Court</a> lifted a lower court&#x27;s injunction against his executive order.The big picture: The Supreme Court&#x27;s decision this week essentially said the states sued too early. Now, they&#x27;re hoping the timing is right to kneecap the plan ahead of the midterms.

NFL approves Seahawks' record $9.6 billion sale

NFL owners approved the record $9.6 billion sale, which could be finalized within two weeks.

The Seattle Seahawks are one step away from a change in ownership. What&#x27;s happening: The NFL unanimously approved the sale of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seahawks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/super-bowl-champion-seahawks-9-billion" data-vars-content-id="f13ef202-2b83-41de-97db-c61bf4b0cbf6" data-vars-headline="NFL approves Seahawks&#x27; record $9.6 billion sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/super-bowl-champion-seahawks-9-billion" target="_self">Seahawks</a> yesterday to a group led by the Khosla family, setting up the end of the Allen family&#x27;s 29-year run as team owners.

Bloodworks NW faces severe blood shortage

Bloodworks Northwest says this is the most severe summer shortage it's ever seen.

Bloodworks Northwest is asking Western Washington residents to roll up their sleeves after declaring its second &quot;Code Red&quot; blood shortage of the year.Why it matters: The nonprofit&#x27;s call for help comes as the U.S. faces a historic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blood supply crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/28/us-blood-supply-health-red-cross-donate" data-vars-content-id="e38d93fa-bae0-4e41-86bc-4a435251eb60" data-vars-headline="Bloodworks NW faces severe blood shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/28/us-blood-supply-health-red-cross-donate" target="_self">blood supply crisis</a> that could last the entire summer, potentially delaying surgeries, trauma care and other treatments that depend on blood transfusions.

E-bike and e-scooter injuries keep climbing, Harborview says

The Seattle hospital treated 252 people with e-bike and e-scooter injuries last year, up from 77 in 2021.

Injuries involving e-scooters and e-bikes have spiked locally in recent years, according to data from Harborview Medical Center.The big picture: As the vehicles become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more popular," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/25/seattle-transit-and-scooters-set-world-cup-records" data-vars-content-id="eb5e1025-c78a-40d5-bd29-9c5425d96c8f" data-vars-headline="E-bike and e-scooter injuries keep climbing, Harborview says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/25/seattle-transit-and-scooters-set-world-cup-records" target="_self">more popular,</a> they&#x27;re contributing to a rising number of serious injuries — and, in some cases, deaths.

What Washingtonians should know about the Cyclospora outbreak

Health officials are tracking a few possible local exposures, but most Washington cases stem from travel.

So far, Washington state and King County aren&#x27;t part of the multistate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outbreak " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/11/explosive-diarrhea-parasite-cyclospora-sick-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="5c75dfc9-6274-405f-b351-8865bb54355d" data-vars-headline="What Washingtonians should know about the Cyclospora outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/11/explosive-diarrhea-parasite-cyclospora-sick-outbreak" target="_self">outbreak </a>of cyclosporiasis, which has sickened more than 1,600 people around the country.<ul><li>The illness can cause symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and watery or explosive diarrhea.</li></ul>

More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips

The state's child well-being ranking has dropped since 2020, driven in part by declining coverage.

Children&#x27;s well-being has declined in Washington state, driven partly by a rise in kids without health insurance, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report finds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/08/us-kids-count-data-book-child-well-being" data-vars-content-id="5a6c0996-5291-495c-8091-9a63868b9aee" data-vars-headline="More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/08/us-kids-count-data-book-child-well-being" target="_self">new report finds</a>.The big picture: Washington is one of 29 U.S. states where kids fared worse in 2024 than before the pandemic, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aecf.org/resources/2026-kids-count-data-book" data-vars-content-id="5a6c0996-5291-495c-8091-9a63868b9aee" data-vars-headline="More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aecf.org/resources/2026-kids-count-data-book" target="_blank">the report</a> from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.<ul><li>Washington ranked 17th for overall child well-being, down from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="16th last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/10/annie-casey-report-washington-children-teens-2025" data-vars-content-id="5a6c0996-5291-495c-8091-9a63868b9aee" data-vars-headline="More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/10/annie-casey-report-washington-children-teens-2025" target="_self">16th last year</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="12th in 2020" data-vars-click-url="https://assets.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-2020kidscountdatabook-2020.pdf" data-vars-content-id="5a6c0996-5291-495c-8091-9a63868b9aee" data-vars-headline="More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://assets.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-2020kidscountdatabook-2020.pdf" target="_blank">12th in 2020</a>.</li></ul>How it works: The foundation&#x27;s 2026 Kids Count Data Book measured children&#x27;s well-being across four categories: economic well-being, education, health and family and community.Zoom in: The share of Washington children who were uninsured rose from about 3% in 2019 to roughly 4% in 2024 — &quot;a significant driver in our falling ranking overall,&quot; according to a press release from Children&#x27;s Alliance, a Washington state advocacy group.What they&#x27;re saying: The drop in health coverage &quot;coincides with the sunsetting of pandemic-era assistance policies, which likely contributed to a negative impact on coverage rates,&quot; Soleil Boyd, executive director of the Children&#x27;s Alliance, said in a news release.<ul><li>&quot;We know that when families do not have health insurance, they are less likely to get the care they need,&quot; Boyd said.</li></ul>The foundation&#x27;s report examined <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/acsbr-024.pdf" data-vars-content-id="5a6c0996-5291-495c-8091-9a63868b9aee" data-vars-headline="More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/acsbr-024.pdf" target="_blank">census data</a>, which similarly found the rate of uninsured children in Washington rose from 3.3% in 2023 to 3.9% in 2024.Between the lines: The data, which runs through 2024, doesn&#x27;t include effects of more recent cuts to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Medicaid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/08/medicaid-cuts-states" data-vars-content-id="5a6c0996-5291-495c-8091-9a63868b9aee" data-vars-headline="More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/08/medicaid-cuts-states" target="_self">Medicaid</a> or the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expiration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/aca-medicaid-republicans-uninsured-elections" data-vars-content-id="5a6c0996-5291-495c-8091-9a63868b9aee" data-vars-headline="More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/aca-medicaid-republicans-uninsured-elections" target="_self">expiration</a> of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies.<ul><li>Boyd said she is &quot;concerned that this worrying trend will be compounded by the cuts to essential programs imposed by the Trump administration.&quot;</li><li>Washington&#x27;s Office of the Insurance Commissioner is &quot;seeing people drop their health insurance due to rising costs, especially after Congress failed to fund the enhanced premium tax credits that helped more people afford their coverage,&quot; agency spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis told Axios.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Additional <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2025/09/uninsured-rates.html" data-vars-content-id="5a6c0996-5291-495c-8091-9a63868b9aee" data-vars-headline="More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2025/09/uninsured-rates.html" target="_blank">census data</a> on uninsured rates is expected to come out in September, shedding more light on the state of health coverage since President Trump took office.

6 Washington residents monitored after rare hantavirus exposure

The public is at low risk for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hantavirus exposure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/hantavirus-response-raises-readiness-concerns" data-vars-content-id="5449003f-accf-4213-b144-7168116f0ced" data-vars-headline="6 Washington residents monitored after rare hantavirus exposure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/hantavirus-response-raises-readiness-concerns" target="_self">hantavirus exposure</a> even though six state residents are being monitored after last month&#x27;s outbreak on a cruise ship.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Andes strain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/07/hantavirus-cruise-outbreak-covid-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="5449003f-accf-4213-b144-7168116f0ced" data-vars-headline="6 Washington residents monitored after rare hantavirus exposure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/07/hantavirus-cruise-outbreak-covid-pandemic" target="_self">Andes strain</a> is the only known type of hantavirus that spreads <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="person-to-person" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/05/13/utahns-exposed-hantavirus-cruise-ship" data-vars-content-id="5449003f-accf-4213-b144-7168116f0ced" data-vars-headline="6 Washington residents monitored after rare hantavirus exposure" 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/2026/05/13/utahns-exposed-hantavirus-cruise-ship" target="_self">person-to-person</a>.

Washington among states expanding Medicaid coverage for doulas

A growing body of research links doula support to better birth outcomes and postpartum care.

Health

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Doula care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/21/doula-maternal-health-crisis" data-vars-content-id="b70c80df-0c9a-4502-a164-74a8c5006d19" data-vars-headline="Washington among states expanding Medicaid coverage for doulas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/21/doula-maternal-health-crisis" target="_self">Doula care</a> has gone from a niche birth option to a Medicaid-covered benefit in more than half of U.S. states — including Washington.

Measles outbreak in Washington likely to grow

Cruises, summer trips and World Cup crowds could accelerate measles spread, experts say.

Washington&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/22/measles-cases-us-status-chart" data-vars-content-id="d1ece843-e554-4783-bb58-c8ede2d7551a" data-vars-headline="Measles outbreak in Washington likely to grow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/22/measles-cases-us-status-chart" target="_self">measles outbreak</a> — with 26 confirmed cases so far this year — is likely to worsen before summer is over, local infectious disease experts say.Why it matters: Washington has already recorded more than twice as many measles cases as it did all of last year — marking the state&#x27;s first outbreak <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="since 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/washington-confirms-its-first-measles-outbreak-2023" data-vars-content-id="d1ece843-e554-4783-bb58-c8ede2d7551a" data-vars-headline="Measles outbreak in Washington likely to grow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/washington-confirms-its-first-measles-outbreak-2023" target="_blank">since 2023</a>, according to the state Department of Health (DOH).

AI therapy is booming — Seattle is helping set the guardrails

Companies would need to show evidence that their tools actually improve mental health outcomes.

A Seattle-based organization is developing some of the world&#x27;s first safety rules for AI <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mental health tools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/ai-chatbots-mental-health-state-laws" data-vars-content-id="f22ddced-235a-400b-8fed-d701c92b21fd" data-vars-headline="AI therapy is booming — Seattle is helping set the guardrails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/ai-chatbots-mental-health-state-laws" target="_self">mental health tools</a>, technology already used by millions with minimal oversight.Why it matters: The use of AI in mental health care — from chatbots offering emotional support to diagnostic tools — is expanding faster than consensus on how to avoid creating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="risks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/20/teen-mental-health-common-sense-media-chatbots" data-vars-content-id="f22ddced-235a-400b-8fed-d701c92b21fd" data-vars-headline="AI therapy is booming — Seattle is helping set the guardrails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/20/teen-mental-health-common-sense-media-chatbots" target="_self">risks</a> for vulnerable users.

Seattle doctors pioneer stroke recovery breakthrough

A new brain stimulation device paired with rehab helped a stroke patient regain hand control.

Months after UW Medicine neurosurgeons implanted a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-of-its-kind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/07/29/uw-brain-implant-stroke-rehabilitation-trial" data-vars-content-id="a98c4258-9c1e-4f64-bef9-5c30fad1192a" data-vars-headline="Seattle doctors pioneer stroke recovery breakthrough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/07/29/uw-brain-implant-stroke-rehabilitation-trial" target="_self">first-of-its-kind</a> brain stimulation device in a stroke patient, doctors are seeing something they weren&#x27;t sure was possible: meaningful return of fine-motor control.Why it matters: Loss of muscle movement can make even basic daily tasks difficult following a stroke, and recovery options are often limited — a gap this procedure could help change.

Most Washington counties fall short of measles herd immunity

Only 4 of Washington's 39 counties met herd immunity benchmarks among kindergartners last year.

A measles outbreak this week in Snohomish County underscores broader vulnerability across Washington state, where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccination coverage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/31/measles-flu-vaccine-mmr-rates-2026" data-vars-content-id="2e3c579f-f6d0-419a-92b2-285b72665e82" data-vars-headline="Most Washington counties fall short of measles herd immunity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/31/measles-flu-vaccine-mmr-rates-2026" target="_self">vaccination coverage</a> remains below protective levels.Why it matters: Measles spreads more easily when vaccination rates fall below 95% — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="herd immunity threshold" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html" data-vars-content-id="2e3c579f-f6d0-419a-92b2-285b72665e82" data-vars-headline="Most Washington counties fall short of measles herd immunity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html" target="_blank">herd immunity threshold</a> only four of Washington&#x27;s 39 counties met among kindergartners this past school year, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state data" data-vars-click-url="https://doh.wa.gov/data-and-statistical-reports/washington-tracking-network-wtn/school-immunization/dashboard" data-vars-content-id="2e3c579f-f6d0-419a-92b2-285b72665e82" data-vars-headline="Most Washington counties fall short of measles herd immunity" 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/washington-tracking-network-wtn/school-immunization/dashboard" target="_blank">state data</a>.

A column chart that shows annual e-bike and e-scooter injuries treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle from 2020 to 2025. Injuries rose each year, from 29 in 2020 to 77 in 2021, 119 in 2023 and 252 in 2025.

Health 🩺

Bloodworks NW faces severe blood shortage

E-bike and e-scooter injuries keep climbing, Harborview says

What Washingtonians should know about the Cyclospora outbreak

More Washington kids are uninsured as child well-being slips

6 Washington residents monitored after rare hantavirus exposure