Seattle

Seattle Alerts

Alert

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Seattle with Melissa Santos and Christine Clarridge.

Axios Seattle

Standard

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

Axios Seattle Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Seattle Partners

Seattle Members

Membership

Seattle forecast warns of stalled job growth

City economists say slow hiring, weak office demand and AI shifts could weigh on revenue and growth.

News

Seattle may see little meaningful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="job growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/03/seattle-unemployment-rate-higher-than-washington-2026-job-losses-tech-layoffs" data-vars-content-id="80a6e83d-178b-4c1c-b81f-f088b504ca75" data-vars-headline="Seattle forecast warns of stalled job growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/03/seattle-unemployment-rate-higher-than-washington-2026-job-losses-tech-layoffs" target="_self">job growth</a> through the end of 2027, according to a recent city forecast.Why it matters: A prolonged slowdown wouldn&#x27;t hit just workers and businesses. It also would create pressure on Seattle&#x27;s coffers, which increasingly rely on taxes tied to office values, business activity and high-paying jobs for revenue, according to the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="April economic report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OERF/meeting%20materials/2026/2026-04-10%20Forecast%20Council%20-%20April%202026%20Forecast.pdf" data-vars-content-id="80a6e83d-178b-4c1c-b81f-f088b504ca75" data-vars-headline="Seattle forecast warns of stalled job growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OERF/meeting%20materials/2026/2026-04-10%20Forecast%20Council%20-%20April%202026%20Forecast.pdf" target="_blank">April economic report</a>.

Seattle weighs pickleball trims as boom cools

Cities are still adding courts, but gardens, disc golf and fitness zones are gaining ground.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball craze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" data-vars-content-id="e4a331e4-c7ec-4c35-a0d1-3180be11a898" data-vars-headline="Seattle weighs pickleball trims as boom cools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" target="_self">pickleball craze</a> — so hot during the pandemic and immediately afterward — may be cooling off.The big picture: The number of pickleball courts across the 100 most populous U.S. cities increased just 4% from 2025 to 2026. That&#x27;s compared with 13% growth from 2024 to 2025 and 14% from 2023 to 2024.

Seattle's ghost signs preserve echoes of the past

Some of the city's oldest buildings carry painted reminders of another era.

Along some of Seattle&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="oldest streets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/09/23/historic-pioneer-square-restrooms-set-luxury-standard" data-vars-content-id="bbfd2088-4074-4ba8-9884-f7b783bcc2f5" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s ghost signs preserve echoes of the past" 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/historic-pioneer-square-restrooms-set-luxury-standard" target="_self">oldest streets</a>, you can still see painted advertisements from decades ago on the sides of buildings — some faded nearly beyond recognition. Seattle University professor emerita Marie Wong calls them ghost signs.Why it matters: Many of these remnants of the early- and mid-20th century are in danger of being lost, Wong tells Axios — and Seattle has no policy specifically aimed at preserving them.

Seattle crowds — and spending — surge

Visitor traffic and spending are climbing downtown even as office vacancies remain a drag.

Downtown Seattle is drawing more visitors and shoppers as tourism season ramps up.The big picture: Cruise ships are back, tourists are crowding the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="waterfront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/09/waterfront-park-draws-millions-in-debut-season" data-vars-content-id="44d35f39-2e98-4a44-92cd-35fce8663f0b" data-vars-headline="Seattle crowds — and spending — surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/09/waterfront-park-draws-millions-in-debut-season" target="_self">waterfront</a> and shoppers are spending more money downtown than they were this time last year, according to the Downtown Seattle Association&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownseattle.org/programs-services/research/downtown-dashboard/" data-vars-content-id="44d35f39-2e98-4a44-92cd-35fce8663f0b" data-vars-headline="Seattle crowds — and spending — surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownseattle.org/programs-services/research/downtown-dashboard/" target="_blank">latest dashboard</a>.

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>.

Washington ranks among 10 healthiest states, new report finds

Washington earned top marks for physical activity and voter turnout, but lags in mental health.

Washington is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the healthiest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" data-vars-content-id="35cb2bd8-bcc0-4424-93aa-277cbd90b68c" data-vars-headline="Washington ranks among 10 healthiest states, new report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" target="_self">one of the healthiest</a> U.S. states, ranking seventh in a new state-by-state report card from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="United Health Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/states/VA" data-vars-content-id="35cb2bd8-bcc0-4424-93aa-277cbd90b68c" data-vars-headline="Washington ranks among 10 healthiest states, new report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/states/VA" target="_blank">United Health Foundation</a>.How it works: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.americashealthrankings.org/" data-vars-content-id="35cb2bd8-bcc0-4424-93aa-277cbd90b68c" data-vars-headline="Washington ranks among 10 healthiest states, new report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.americashealthrankings.org/" target="_blank">The rankings</a> synthesize 99 measures of health and well-being, drawn from 31 data sources, to produce a &quot;comprehensive portrait of health at both the national and state levels,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Mike Allen writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" data-vars-content-id="35cb2bd8-bcc0-4424-93aa-277cbd90b68c" data-vars-headline="Washington ranks among 10 healthiest states, new report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Mike Allen writes</a>.

Study: Private insurance doesn't shield patients from surgical debt

UW researchers found that many people skip care or go into debt after surgery even with insurance.

Nearly 40% of adults who undergo surgery experience serious <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial hardship" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/sponsored/inside-americans-health-and-wealth-habits-and-how-theyre-linked" data-vars-content-id="1eb39d20-7aab-4ae5-96a1-907f527ffa8e" data-vars-headline="Study: Private insurance doesn&#x27;t shield patients from surgical debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/sponsored/inside-americans-health-and-wealth-habits-and-how-theyre-linked" target="_self">financial hardship</a> in the year after, according to a new University of Washington analysis.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2841652" data-vars-content-id="1eb39d20-7aab-4ae5-96a1-907f527ffa8e" data-vars-headline="Study: Private insurance doesn&#x27;t shield patients from surgical debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2841652" target="_blank">study</a> adds to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting evidence" data-vars-click-url="https://rooseveltinstitute.org/publications/medical-debt/" data-vars-content-id="1eb39d20-7aab-4ae5-96a1-907f527ffa8e" data-vars-headline="Study: Private insurance doesn&#x27;t shield patients from surgical debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rooseveltinstitute.org/publications/medical-debt/" target="_blank">mounting evidence</a> that private insurance increasingly fails to shield Americans from high medical costs, as health care <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/state-medicaid-cost-squeeze" data-vars-content-id="1eb39d20-7aab-4ae5-96a1-907f527ffa8e" data-vars-headline="Study: Private insurance doesn&#x27;t shield patients from surgical debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/state-medicaid-cost-squeeze" target="_self">affordability</a> emerges as a major federal policy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flashpoint" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/senate-republicans-aca-subsidies-tax-credits-plan-proposal" data-vars-content-id="1eb39d20-7aab-4ae5-96a1-907f527ffa8e" data-vars-headline="Study: Private insurance doesn&#x27;t shield patients from surgical debt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/senate-republicans-aca-subsidies-tax-credits-plan-proposal" target="_self">flashpoint</a>.

Young adult suicide rate rises in Washington state

Bullying on social media and economic despair could be factors, according to a recent analysis.

Washington&#x27;s young adult suicide rate rose more than 13% from 2014 to 2024, mirroring a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/young-adult-suicide-rate-map" data-vars-content-id="59596a46-a266-4436-a085-9f33ebc41eba" data-vars-headline="Young adult suicide rate rises in Washington state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/young-adult-suicide-rate-map" target="_self">national trend</a>, a recent analysis finds.Why it matters: The increase underscores the toll of the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mental health crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/16/youth-mental-health-crisis-emergency" data-vars-content-id="59596a46-a266-4436-a085-9f33ebc41eba" data-vars-headline="Young adult suicide rate rises in Washington state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/16/youth-mental-health-crisis-emergency" target="_self">mental health crisis</a> — particularly in Washington, where the suicide rate among young people remains higher than the national average.

Seattle braces for "The Big Dark" as light fades fast

No major U.S. city loses light faster than Seattle each fall.

Seattle is savoring a sunny start to fall this week, but the countdown to &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Big Dark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/11/02/daylight-saving-time-dark-forward-backward" data-vars-content-id="e7cd246f-ab4e-4b3e-95a0-aab725d60eb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle braces for &quot;The Big Dark&quot; as light fades fast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/11/02/daylight-saving-time-dark-forward-backward" target="_self">The Big Dark</a>&quot; has begun.Why it matters: No major U.S. city loses daylight faster than Seattle — and the darkness can leave residents grappling with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seasonal depression" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/seasonal-affective-disorder-sunset-hours" data-vars-content-id="e7cd246f-ab4e-4b3e-95a0-aab725d60eb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle braces for &quot;The Big Dark&quot; as light fades fast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/seasonal-affective-disorder-sunset-hours" target="_self">seasonal depression</a> and scrambling for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="happy lamps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/12/14/seasonal-depression-tips-sad-affective-disorder" data-vars-content-id="e7cd246f-ab4e-4b3e-95a0-aab725d60eb1" data-vars-headline="Seattle braces for &quot;The Big Dark&quot; as light fades fast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/12/14/seasonal-depression-tips-sad-affective-disorder" target="_self">happy lamps</a> and extra coffee.

A U.S. map shows state efforts to expand Medicaid coverage of doulas, as of March 2026. 26 states and D.C. are actively reimbursing doula care. 13 states have taken adjacent actions. Seven states have implementations in process and four have either failed to pass legislation or have not taken action.

State efforts to expand Medicaid coverage of doulas

Adapted from National Health Law Program; Map: Axios Visuals

🏃🏻‍♂️ Committed to cardio

Washington’s heart health ranks 8th in U.S., per Apple Watch data

A scatterplot showing average resting heart rate and daily exercise minutes, by state, based on a study of 146k Apple Watch users with five or more VO2 max readings between January 2021 and February 2025. States with residents that spend more time exercising tend to have lower average resting heart rates. Mississippi and West Virginia had the highest resting heart rates, and Hawaii the lowest. Mississippi had the fewest exercise minutes and D.C. the most. Washington had an average of 35.3 minutes of daily exercise and an average resting heart rate of 62.

Health 🩺

6 Washington residents monitored after rare hantavirus exposure

Washington among states expanding Medicaid coverage for doulas

Measles outbreak in Washington likely to grow

Washington’s heart health ranks 8th in U.S., per Apple Watch data

AI therapy is booming — Seattle is helping set the guardrails