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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>.

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.

World Cup brought out Seattle's best

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

News

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>.

New Italian restaurant opens beneath Seattle's Pioneer Square

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

Food and Drink

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.

Hidden vacation costs can wreck a travel budget

Baggage fees, parking and meals can quietly inflate trip costs. Here's how to plan ahead.

Airfare and hotel rates may grab the headlines, but it&#x27;s often the smaller expenses — baggage fees, parking, meals and rideshares — that push a vacation over budget.The big picture: Travel costs are 11% higher than a year ago, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NerdWallet&#x27;s Travel Price Index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/travel-price-tracker" data-vars-content-id="c72f8690-45fc-4e7e-9185-c1f466689145" data-vars-headline="Hidden vacation costs can wreck a travel budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/travel-price-tracker" target="_blank">NerdWallet&#x27;s Travel Price Index</a>.

What Washington should have put in the nation's time capsule

Washington sent paperwork. We'd have packed a geoduck, a Dick's bag and other local icons.

<figure><img alt="Two large white industrial cylinders with a red-and-blue &#x27;250&#x27; logo and the word &quot;AMERICA&quot; on their fronts, placed on wooden pallets inside a factory or workshop." height="854" id="88c8261c-07dc-4f0b-8b5a-fdc6c584a35a" src="https://images.axios.com/Z_JY_3wV0AkieO4AZHTd1a70hMs=/2026/06/18/1781809875084.jpeg" width="1280"/><figcaption>The America 250 time capsule, left, and the bell jar that will fit on top of it. Photo: Courtesy of Rich Press/NIST</figcaption></figure>Every U.S. state contributed items to a time capsule marking the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" data-vars-content-id="85230a09-aa79-4d2f-a6f9-1e8313da7be8" data-vars-headline="What Washington should have put in the nation&#x27;s time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/america-250-freedom-250-national-mall-white-house-drama" target="_self">250th anniversary</a> this year. Washington&#x27;s picks were … well, a little boring.The big picture: While states like New Mexico, Maine and West Virginia <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sent" data-vars-click-url="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" data-vars-content-id="85230a09-aa79-4d2f-a6f9-1e8313da7be8" data-vars-headline="What Washington should have put in the nation&#x27;s time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/" target="_blank">sent</a> handmade art and cultural artifacts, Washington contributed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just two things" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28351307-time-capsule-docs/" data-vars-content-id="85230a09-aa79-4d2f-a6f9-1e8313da7be8" data-vars-headline="What Washington should have put in the nation&#x27;s time capsule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28351307-time-capsule-docs/" target="_blank">just two things</a>: a gubernatorial proclamation and a letter from the lieutenant governor.<ul><li>To put that in perspective, Arkansas sent a diamond. California sent a fusion superconductor. </li><li>Washington sent paperwork.</li></ul>

Rare U.S. founding documents are coming to Seattle this summer

See a rare Constitution draft, the Treaty of Paris and other historic records from the National Archives.

You can now reserve a spot to see some of the nation&#x27;s founding documents when they come to Seattle this summer.The big picture: The Museum of History &amp; Industry (MOHAI) is one of eight stops the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Freedom Plane National Tour" data-vars-click-url="https://mohai.org/exhibits/freedom-plane-national-tour-documents-that-forged-a-nation/" data-vars-content-id="ac6b473c-36c1-42a9-8883-2ef434403d49" data-vars-headline="Rare U.S. founding documents are coming to Seattle this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mohai.org/exhibits/freedom-plane-national-tour-documents-that-forged-a-nation/" target="_blank">Freedom Plane National Tour</a> is making this year to celebrate America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th birthday" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/45486562.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDIvMDcvYmxhY2staGlzdG9yeS0yNTAtd2hvLWRlY2lkZXM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/62df316bede8493bc70a2df6B419fcea6" data-vars-content-id="ac6b473c-36c1-42a9-8883-2ef434403d49" data-vars-headline="Rare U.S. founding documents are coming to Seattle this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/45486562.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDIvMDcvYmxhY2staGlzdG9yeS0yNTAtd2hvLWRlY2lkZXM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/62df316bede8493bc70a2df6B419fcea6" target="_self">250th birthday</a>.<ul><li>MOHAI will host the traveling exhibition from July 30 to Aug. 16.</li></ul>Zoom in: Nine of America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="founding documents" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/45486562.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmVlZG9tcGxhbmUub3JnL3RoZS1kb2N1bWVudHMvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/62df316bede8493bc70a2df6B21859b1d" data-vars-content-id="ac6b473c-36c1-42a9-8883-2ef434403d49" data-vars-headline="Rare U.S. founding documents are coming to Seattle this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/45486562.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmVlZG9tcGxhbmUub3JnL3RoZS1kb2N1bWVudHMvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/62df316bede8493bc70a2df6B21859b1d" target="_self">founding documents</a> from the National Archives will be on display, including:<ul><li>A secret printing of a draft of the Constitution from 1787.</li><li>George Washington&#x27;s, Alexander Hamilton&#x27;s and Aaron Burr&#x27;s oaths of allegiance to the Continental Army from 1778.</li><li>The Treaty of Paris from 1783, which recognized U.S. independence and ended the Revolutionary War.</li></ul>If you go: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Entry" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46247746.6182/aHR0cHM6Ly80OTIuYmxhY2tiYXVkaG9zdGluZy5jb20vNDkyL0ZyZWVkb20tUGxhbmUtRXhoaWJpdGlvbi1BZHZhbmNlLVRpY2tldHMtRnJlZS13aXRoLU11c2V1bS1BZG1pc3Npb24_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9taWFtaSZzdHJlYW09dG9w/62742699393470c48006d368Bbf7a28fc" data-vars-content-id="ac6b473c-36c1-42a9-8883-2ef434403d49" data-vars-headline="Rare U.S. founding documents are coming to Seattle this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46247746.6182/aHR0cHM6Ly80OTIuYmxhY2tiYXVkaG9zdGluZy5jb20vNDkyL0ZyZWVkb20tUGxhbmUtRXhoaWJpdGlvbi1BZHZhbmNlLVRpY2tldHMtRnJlZS13aXRoLU11c2V1bS1BZG1pc3Npb24_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9taWFtaSZzdHJlYW09dG9w/62742699393470c48006d368Bbf7a28fc" target="_self">Entry</a> is free, but advance timed reservations are highly recommended.<ul><li>MOHAI officials say that reservation slots have been snapped up quickly in other markets and that walk-ins can be accommodated only on a space-available basis.</li><li>The museum is located at 860 Terry Ave N. (in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lake Union Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattle.gov/parks/parks/lake-union-park" data-vars-content-id="ac6b473c-36c1-42a9-8883-2ef434403d49" data-vars-headline="Rare U.S. founding documents are coming to Seattle this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattle.gov/parks/parks/lake-union-park" target="_blank">Lake Union Park</a>).</li></ul>

Seattle tests looser alcohol rules for World Cup and beyond

New alcohol rules at fan zones and Pike Place may help reshape outdoor drinking across Washington.

Seattle is experimenting with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looser rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/04/18/washington-world-cup-beer-garden-rules" data-vars-content-id="66ca3d6e-8935-4733-a54f-3cd870346dbb" data-vars-headline="Seattle tests looser alcohol rules for World Cup and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/04/18/washington-world-cup-beer-garden-rules" target="_self">looser rules</a> around drinking, both for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/22/seattle-could-get-another-u-s-world-cup-match" data-vars-content-id="66ca3d6e-8935-4733-a54f-3cd870346dbb" data-vars-headline="Seattle tests looser alcohol rules for World Cup and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/06/22/seattle-could-get-another-u-s-world-cup-match" target="_self">World Cup</a> and beyond.Why it matters: Expanded alcohol service zones at World Cup fan events and Pike Place Market are temporary for now. But they may lead to a longer-term relaxation of the state&#x27;s liquor laws.

Pocket guide to Seattle's big Pride weekend

Seattle marks more than 50 years of Pride with parades, festivals, naked yoga and more.

Seattle&#x27;s big Pride weekend is here, with free festivals, a blockbuster parade and plenty of ways to celebrate across the city.Why it matters: Seattle is marking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than 50 years" data-vars-click-url="https://seattlepride.org/timeline" data-vars-content-id="c49465f0-98b2-4ad5-adbb-1541eea60fa7" data-vars-headline="Pocket guide to Seattle&#x27;s big Pride weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattlepride.org/timeline" target="_blank">more than 50 years</a> of Pride with one of the country&#x27;s longest-running celebrations — and a weekend expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people.

Why Walrus and the Carpenter shut its doors this week

The Ballard restaurant temporarily closed during a strike over pay, benefits and service charges.

One of Seattle&#x27;s most celebrated restaurants temporarily closed this week after a labor dispute moved from the bargaining table to the sidewalk, with management claiming customer harassment from the picket line.The latest: Workers and management reached a tentative agreement Wednesday evening that is expected to end the strike at The Walrus and the Carpenter restaurant, Ford Nickel, secretary-treasurer of United Creatures of the Sea told Axios.

Seattle thrust into World Cup travel dispute

Both Iran and Egypt say World Cup travel decisions put their teams at a disadvantage.

A brief soccer brouhaha erupted this week over how much time Iran and Egypt could spend in Seattle ahead of their Friday faceoff, though both teams have now been granted extra time in the city.Why it matters: The back-and-forth briefly put Seattle at the center of a World Cup travel controversy, with both teams publicly arguing that tournament travel arrangements created an unfair competitive burden, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KING 5 reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.king5.com/article/sports/soccer/world-cup/dhs-eases-rules-for-iran-ahead-of-seattle-match/281-b0b24e8b-2e7e-4726-8b51-05df288fcf53" data-vars-content-id="b98285f0-18cb-4577-a683-e61e5523dd05" data-vars-headline="Seattle thrust into World Cup travel dispute" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.king5.com/article/sports/soccer/world-cup/dhs-eases-rules-for-iran-ahead-of-seattle-match/281-b0b24e8b-2e7e-4726-8b51-05df288fcf53" target="_blank">KING 5 reported</a>.

King County homelessness rises as unsheltered numbers jump

More than 11,800 people were living unsheltered this year, a nearly 21% increase since 2024.

The number of people experiencing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/01/09/washington-homeless-2024-count-report" data-vars-content-id="fe58967d-1df9-4f12-b52f-33ae2a86cec3" data-vars-headline="King County homelessness rises as unsheltered numbers jump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/01/09/washington-homeless-2024-count-report" target="_self">homelessness</a> in King County rose 9% between 2024 and 2026, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="point-in-time count" data-vars-click-url="http://kcrha.org/news-2026-point-in-time-pit-count-initial-report/" data-vars-content-id="fe58967d-1df9-4f12-b52f-33ae2a86cec3" data-vars-headline="King County homelessness rises as unsheltered numbers jump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://kcrha.org/news-2026-point-in-time-pit-count-initial-report/" target="_blank">point-in-time count</a> released Tuesday.The big picture: The continued rise in homelessness in the Seattle area comes after years of efforts to get people into housing — and 11 years after Seattle and King County declared homelessness a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public emergency" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2015/11/mayor-county-executive-declare-homelessness-state-of-emergency/" data-vars-content-id="fe58967d-1df9-4f12-b52f-33ae2a86cec3" data-vars-headline="King County homelessness rises as unsheltered numbers jump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cascadepbs.org/politics/2015/11/mayor-county-executive-declare-homelessness-state-of-emergency/" target="_blank">public emergency</a>.

News 🗞

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