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Belgium ends U.S. World Cup run before Seattle crowd

Thousands of U.S. fans packed downtown Seattle before the city's final World Cup match.

Sports

The U.S. men&#x27;s World Cup run ended Monday as Belgium defeated the Americans 4-1 before a sellout crowd in Seattle.The big picture: The match was Seattle&#x27;s sixth and final FIFA World Cup game, capping three weeks that saw the city emerge as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top host site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/06/seattle-world-cup-host-city-fan-festival-tourism-fifa26" data-vars-content-id="511a569e-5cd8-499d-a4b9-7a7791a33e1e" data-vars-headline="Belgium ends U.S. World Cup run before Seattle crowd" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/07/06/seattle-world-cup-host-city-fan-festival-tourism-fifa26" target="_self">top host site</a>.

Washington state's gas tax will now rise every year automatically

The tax will rise 2% yearly, without lawmakers voting on each increase.

News

Washington&#x27;s gas tax rose by 2% this month — and you can expect the same increase next year and every year after.Why it matters: The Legislature&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="choice" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/27/washington-gas-tax-increase-july-1" data-vars-content-id="9822c9f8-594e-41f0-83fe-6e919e132ec6" data-vars-headline="Washington state&#x27;s gas tax will now rise every year automatically" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/27/washington-gas-tax-increase-july-1" target="_self">choice</a> to automatically raise the gas tax yearly is designed to help keep up with rising costs of highway projects. But it also helps lawmakers avoid future votes on potentially unpopular gas tax hikes.

World Cup brought out Seattle's best

Sold-out crowds, packed fan festivals and glowing reviews gave Seattle a global moment beyond soccer.

Seattle&#x27;s biggest World Cup win wasn&#x27;t on the pitch. It was showing visitors — and maybe even Seattleites — what this city looks like at its best.Why it matters: For three weeks, Seattle has been a global gathering place, full of unity and joy, even as much of the world feels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly divided" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/america-social-media-polarization" data-vars-content-id="e0bf5410-ed99-4850-9e55-0bffd7db2464" data-vars-headline="World Cup brought out Seattle&#x27;s best" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/america-social-media-polarization" target="_self">increasingly divided</a>.

Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, including 605 in Washington

The latest layoffs affect hundreds of workers in Redmond and elsewhere. More changes may be ahead.

Business

Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs — roughly 2% of its global workforce — including hundreds of jobs in Washington state.Why it matters: Layoffs at the Redmond-based company, one of the Seattle area&#x27;s largest employers, will add to the steady stream of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tech job losses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/02/amazon-layoffs-washington-seattle-tech-jobs-2026-expedia-tmobile-zillow" data-vars-content-id="30d14f0a-eb2f-4368-a2e1-22d985174c53" data-vars-headline="Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, including 605 in Washington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/02/amazon-layoffs-washington-seattle-tech-jobs-2026-expedia-tmobile-zillow" target="_self">tech job losses</a> that have rolled across the Puget Sound region since last year.

Neighborly — or not? Seattle readers tell us why

Readers say strong neighborhood bonds don't happen by accident — someone has to make the first move.

Culture

We asked readers how well they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="know their neighbors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-a2908f52-74ad-48fb-978e-ddb9ec9b6a36.html" data-vars-content-id="aaa7ae11-8441-42c7-9a20-0fafe259c0d1" data-vars-headline="Neighborly — or not? Seattle readers tell us why" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-a2908f52-74ad-48fb-978e-ddb9ec9b6a36.html" target="_self">know their neighbors</a>. Turns out some of you barely know the people next door, while others count them among your closest friends.Why it matters: With Americans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="socializing less" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/americans-neighbors-socializing-less" data-vars-content-id="aaa7ae11-8441-42c7-9a20-0fafe259c0d1" data-vars-headline="Neighborly — or not? Seattle readers tell us why" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/americans-neighbors-socializing-less" target="_self">socializing less</a>, strong neighborhood ties reduce isolation and create a sense of belonging.

Seattle opens residential areas to small cafes, corner markets

New zoning rules aim to boost walkability and support local shops across Seattle neighborhoods.

Seattle now allows small cafes and markets throughout residential neighborhoods, ending decades-old zoning rules that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largely banned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/10/neighborhood-cafe-law-washington-state" data-vars-content-id="692b0cd2-15f9-49ba-bd6c-109786ba15c5" data-vars-headline="Seattle opens residential areas to small cafes, corner markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/10/neighborhood-cafe-law-washington-state" target="_self">largely banned</a> new businesses in those areas.Why it matters: The goal is to create walkable neighborhoods where people can buy groceries, grab a bite to eat or run errands on foot — a strategy that also helps support small local retailers, Seattle City Council president Joy Hollingsworth told Axios.

No opening date yet for Seattle waterfront playground

Officials say a summer debut is still planned, but materials delays have held things up.

Neighborhoods

<figure><img alt="A jellyfish climbing structure on the waterfront on Pier 58, with some construction barriers still up." height="1816" id="6cc71c18-b03c-4047-a845-d2499ad36d6c" src="https://images.axios.com/WwF7m2v_1Jk4XHe-YR1WsNZI9_4=/2025/06/04/1749066179527.jpg" width="2420"/><figcaption>Pier 58 will include a playground with a climbing structure shaped like a jellyfish. Photo: Courtesy of City of Seattle</figcaption></figure>A key feature of Seattle&#x27;s revamped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown waterfront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/02/new-gateway-walk-waterfront-2024" data-vars-content-id="0482eace-38b3-4df0-8d2f-4b757b51f7d0" data-vars-headline="No opening date yet for Seattle waterfront playground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/02/new-gateway-walk-waterfront-2024" target="_self">downtown waterfront</a> — the rebuilt Pier 58, which includes a new playground — still doesn&#x27;t have a firm opening date, city officials tell Axios.Why it matters: The main playground features, such as a giant climbable jellyfish, have been in place for months.

Help Seattle win our contest for best public art

Both of Seattle's entries have made it to the Elite Eight.

We knew you could do it, Seattle.The latest: Both Seattle art pieces we submitted in our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Local public art contest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/11/march-madness-best-public-art-mountain-west" data-vars-content-id="f366fff0-e721-47e2-b87a-ed2478cca2fc" data-vars-headline="Help Seattle win our contest for best public art" 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/2025/03/11/march-madness-best-public-art-mountain-west" target="_self">Axios Local public art contest</a> made it through the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first round" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-2dab8460-feac-11ef-86fc-dfeedb43743c.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_seattle&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="f366fff0-e721-47e2-b87a-ed2478cca2fc" data-vars-headline="Help Seattle win our contest for best public art" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-seattle-2dab8460-feac-11ef-86fc-dfeedb43743c.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_seattle&amp;stream=top" target="_self">first round</a> of voting, advancing to the Elite Eight.

The proper etiquette for Seattle's "free piles"

Axios Seattle surveyed readers and found 66% think free piles can be sustainable.

Many Seattleites are fans of placing unwanted items in &quot;free piles&quot; for others to take — but even those who embrace this form of recycling think it can quickly devolve into a source of litter.Why it matters: Free piles — which can include furniture, household items or boxes filled with things like clothes and books — commonly pop up on Seattle street corners. But sometimes the unwanted junk stays for days, which can become a nuisance.

No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle

No-mow and low-mow yards require less maintenance than lawns, while also benefiting birds and bees.

Some Seattle gardeners are moving away from grass and instead aiming to landscape or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;rewild&quot; their yards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/12/spring-tips-seattle-gardeners" data-vars-content-id="71575a0f-1c6f-47b9-81a5-fce2b0edfc42" data-vars-headline="No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/12/spring-tips-seattle-gardeners" target="_self">&quot;rewild&quot; their yards</a> by planting wildflowers, clovers and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cover crops" data-vars-click-url="https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2079/2015/06/Cover-Crops-for-Home-Gardens-West-of-the-Cascades-WSU.pdf" data-vars-content-id="71575a0f-1c6f-47b9-81a5-fce2b0edfc42" data-vars-headline="No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2079/2015/06/Cover-Crops-for-Home-Gardens-West-of-the-Cascades-WSU.pdf" target="_blank">cover crops</a>, such as vetch, local experts say.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No-mow (or low-mow) lawns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/05/no-mow-may-comes-with-caveats" data-vars-content-id="71575a0f-1c6f-47b9-81a5-fce2b0edfc42" data-vars-headline="No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/05/no-mow-may-comes-with-caveats" target="_self">No-mow (or low-mow) lawns</a> have been popular in the Pacific Northwest for decades but demand continues to grow as people seek yard solutions that require less maintenance while also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="benefiting birds and bees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/07/05/help-the-pollinators-in-your-backyard-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="71575a0f-1c6f-47b9-81a5-fce2b0edfc42" data-vars-headline="No-mow lawns are thriving in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/07/05/help-the-pollinators-in-your-backyard-north-carolina" target="_self">benefiting birds and bees</a>, said Kristin Jackson, co-owner of Urban Earth Nursery in Fremont.

A bracket that visualizes the best public art in Axios' Mountain West cities as voted on by readers.

Neighborhoods

Neighborly — or not? Seattle readers tell us why

Seattle opens residential areas to small cafes, corner markets

No opening date yet for Seattle waterfront playground

Help Seattle win our contest for best public art

Where are we?