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

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

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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.

Washington wildfire season turns deadly

A deadly, human-caused fire is reinforcing officials' warnings about drought and worsening fire conditions.

Washington&#x27;s wildfire season is off to a deadly start.State of play: A fast-moving blaze near Lake Chelan underscores the danger state officials have been warning about for months.

Seattle singles got a World Cup boost

A new survey found Seattle led all U.S. host cities in saying the tournament made single life more fun.

Turns out the World Cup was good for Seattle&#x27;s dating life.Why it matters: The global soccer tournament may have thawed the Seattle Freeze — at least for a few weeks.

Seattle's adult puppetry scene is having a moment

From shadow theater to puppet punk, Seattle artists say audiences want live, human-made experiences.

If your idea of puppetry begins and ends with &quot;Sesame Street,&quot; Seattle has a surprise for you.Why it matters: Seattle&#x27;s adult puppetry scene is drawing new audiences as more people seek live performances that feel distinctly human in an era dominated by streaming and AI.

Seattle-area light rail ridership hits No. 1 in U.S.

The jump in ridership follows Sound Transit opening a long-awaited light rail connection between Seattle and Bellevue.

Seattle-area light rail carried more riders in April than any other light rail system in the U.S., according to federal data.The big picture: The jump in ridership follows Sound Transit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opening" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/26/seattle-bellevue-east-link-light-rail-lake-washington-i90-floating-bridge" data-vars-content-id="2b8ab36c-2c74-465b-9dd2-b523aec3f7ae" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area light rail ridership hits No. 1 in U.S." 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-bellevue-east-link-light-rail-lake-washington-i90-floating-bridge" target="_self">opening</a> a long-awaited light rail connection between Seattle and Bellevue in late March.

How Sound Transit 3 opening dates have slipped since 2016

The package voters approved in 2016 promised completion by 2041. The timeline now stretches to 2052.

Transit

Not a single <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="light rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" data-vars-content-id="aa951a46-7df9-445d-b21d-5396d2f5ed93" data-vars-headline="How Sound Transit 3 opening dates have slipped since 2016" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" target="_self">light rail</a> line that Puget Sound voters approved in 2016 is on track to open on time.Why it matters: A decade ago, voters approved Sound Transit 3, a transit expansion plan that was projected to cost <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$54 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/st3-system-plan-2016-appendix-a.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aa951a46-7df9-445d-b21d-5396d2f5ed93" data-vars-headline="How Sound Transit 3 opening dates have slipped since 2016" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/st3-system-plan-2016-appendix-a.pdf" target="_blank">$54 billion</a> and be completed by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2041" data-vars-click-url="https://projects.seattletimes.com/2016/st3-guide/" data-vars-content-id="aa951a46-7df9-445d-b21d-5396d2f5ed93" data-vars-headline="How Sound Transit 3 opening dates have slipped since 2016" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://projects.seattletimes.com/2016/st3-guide/" target="_blank">2041</a>. That timeline has now slipped to 2052 — and a key light rail <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="connection to Ballard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/05/29/sound-transit-ballard-light-rail-delay-st3-budget-shortfall-second-downtown-tunnel" data-vars-content-id="aa951a46-7df9-445d-b21d-5396d2f5ed93" data-vars-headline="How Sound Transit 3 opening dates have slipped since 2016" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/05/29/sound-transit-ballard-light-rail-delay-st3-budget-shortfall-second-downtown-tunnel" target="_self">connection to Ballard</a> has no set opening date.

Sound Transit delays Ballard light rail amid $35B budget gap

A revised plan keeps West Seattle, Tacoma and Everett extensions moving without fully funding Ballard.

Sound Transit&#x27;s board voted Thursday to postpone plans to build <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="light rail to Ballard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/23/sound-transit-possible-light-rail-cuts-ballard-west-seattle-tacoma-seattle-officials" data-vars-content-id="dfbaea2f-9262-4ff5-b68c-802cbf279ef9" data-vars-headline="Sound Transit delays Ballard light rail amid $35B budget gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/23/sound-transit-possible-light-rail-cuts-ballard-west-seattle-tacoma-seattle-officials" target="_self">light rail to Ballard</a> — part of an effort to address a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$35 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/26/sound-transit-seattle-light-rail-75-year-bonds-35-billion-shortfall" data-vars-content-id="dfbaea2f-9262-4ff5-b68c-802cbf279ef9" data-vars-headline="Sound Transit delays Ballard light rail amid $35B budget gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/26/sound-transit-seattle-light-rail-75-year-bonds-35-billion-shortfall" target="_self">$35 billion</a> budget shortfall.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/ActiveDocuments/Substitute%20Resolution%20R2026-11.pdf" data-vars-content-id="dfbaea2f-9262-4ff5-b68c-802cbf279ef9" data-vars-headline="Sound Transit delays Ballard light rail amid $35B budget gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/ActiveDocuments/Substitute%20Resolution%20R2026-11.pdf" target="_blank">plan</a> delays some projects local voters approved 10 years ago in the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure — although it preserves plans to extend light rail to Tacoma, Everett and West Seattle.

Seattle-to-Bellevue light rail service to start March 28

Line 2 service across Lake Washington will open March 28, linking the Eastside to downtown Seattle.

Sound Transit&#x27;s long-awaited light rail connection between <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle and Bellevue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/21/seattle-bellevue-light-rail-delay-2026" data-vars-content-id="9f12b31d-37a8-4355-8168-eac382c737b9" data-vars-headline="Seattle-to-Bellevue light rail service to start March 28" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/21/seattle-bellevue-light-rail-delay-2026" target="_self">Seattle and Bellevue</a> will begin service March 28, completing a project that local voters first approved 18 years ago.Why it matters: The opening of Line 2 over Lake Washington will let riders travel by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="light rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" data-vars-content-id="9f12b31d-37a8-4355-8168-eac382c737b9" data-vars-headline="Seattle-to-Bellevue light rail service to start March 28" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" target="_self">light rail</a> from the Eastside into downtown Seattle — and from Redmond all the way north to Lynnwood.

Light rail to Federal Way is opening, 17 years after approval

The south King County extension adds 3 new stations and connects riders to Seattle and Lynnwood.

Three new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sound Transit stations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" data-vars-content-id="31e24326-c337-4bf3-b2d6-006542753e3c" data-vars-headline="Light rail to Federal Way is opening, 17 years after approval" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" target="_self">Sound Transit stations</a> will open in south King County this weekend, expanding light rail service deeper into Seattle&#x27;s suburbs.Why it matters: If you&#x27;ve ever driven from Seattle to Federal Way during rush hour, you might be glad there&#x27;s a new train for that — and it&#x27;s scheduled to run every <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eight minutes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/link-1-line-service-to-federal-way-begins-dec-6" data-vars-content-id="31e24326-c337-4bf3-b2d6-006542753e3c" data-vars-headline="Light rail to Federal Way is opening, 17 years after approval" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/link-1-line-service-to-federal-way-begins-dec-6" target="_blank">eight minutes</a> during peak times.

Monorail station at Seattle Center getting a $23M upgrade

The 63-year-old station will soon be easier to find, safer to use and more accessible to all riders.

Seattle&#x27;s aging monorail station at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/12/seattle-center-unveils-world-cup-countdown-clock" data-vars-content-id="4c958dac-cc8f-4f5a-8b9d-15a4a6ec6aa2" data-vars-headline="Monorail station at Seattle Center getting a $23M upgrade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/06/12/seattle-center-unveils-world-cup-countdown-clock" target="_self">Seattle Center</a> is getting a makeover.Why it matters: The station doesn&#x27;t meet modern safety and accessibility standards, project leaders say — plus, it can be hard for people to find amid the many attractions nearby.

High-speed rail plans inch forward in the Pacific Northwest

Seattle, Portland and Vancouver, B.C., are inching closer to a faster train — but it's still far off.

Plans for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-speed rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/16/high-speed-rail-portland-seattle-vancouver" data-vars-content-id="19584594-51f5-4b0a-990f-595cbb593cfc" data-vars-headline="High-speed rail plans inch forward in the Pacific Northwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/16/high-speed-rail-portland-seattle-vancouver" target="_self">high-speed rail</a> line that connects Seattle to Portland and Vancouver, B.C., are slowly moving forward — although it will likely be decades before anyone can board one of the trains.Why it matters: The Cascadia region is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expected to gain" data-vars-click-url="https://wstc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-1021-BP11B-Cascadia-2050-1.pdf" data-vars-content-id="19584594-51f5-4b0a-990f-595cbb593cfc" data-vars-headline="High-speed rail plans inch forward in the Pacific Northwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wstc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-1021-BP11B-Cascadia-2050-1.pdf" target="_blank">expected to gain</a> at least 3 million residents by 2050. A bullet train could help move those people quickly, cutting car and plane trips that generate emissions and fuel climate change.

Seattle-Bremerton riders get relief Sunday with second ferry

A second boat will mean more sailings and shorter waits for riders between Seattle and Bremerton.

A second <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ferry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/03/07/ferry-glitches-washington-state" data-vars-content-id="3937427c-bc4c-4b5d-9233-55461abce8fe" data-vars-headline="Seattle-Bremerton riders get relief Sunday with second ferry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/03/07/ferry-glitches-washington-state" target="_self">ferry</a> will begin service Sunday between Bremerton and Seattle, substantially reducing wait times between boats.The big picture: The addition of the second boat on the Seattle-Bremerton route is part of Gov. Bob Ferguson&#x27;s plan to restore <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ferry service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/05/15/washington-ferry-guide-2024" data-vars-content-id="3937427c-bc4c-4b5d-9233-55461abce8fe" data-vars-headline="Seattle-Bremerton riders get relief Sunday with second ferry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/05/15/washington-ferry-guide-2024" target="_self">ferry service</a> to pre-pandemic levels by July.

Seattle to Bellevue light rail gets delayed again

The long-awaited light rail between Seattle and Bellevue won't open until early 2026, Sound Transit says.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Light rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" data-vars-content-id="aba1ff26-ad15-4dc3-8aae-c5632e501db2" data-vars-headline="Seattle to Bellevue light rail gets delayed again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" target="_self">Light rail</a> connecting Bellevue and Seattle likely won&#x27;t open until next year, after Sound Transit officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/spring-construction-update-2-lines-cross-lake-connection" data-vars-content-id="aba1ff26-ad15-4dc3-8aae-c5632e501db2" data-vars-headline="Seattle to Bellevue light rail gets delayed again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/spring-construction-update-2-lines-cross-lake-connection" target="_blank">announced</a> yet another project delay.Why it matters: The regional transit agency had previously targeted opening the East Link connection by the end of this year — a timeline that had already been pushed back several times.

What to know about Seattle's $1.55 billion tax measure

With $1.55 billion on the line, here's how a new transportation levy aims to reshape Seattle.

Seattle voters will soon decide on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.55 billion transportation levy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/07/11/billion-transportation-tax-voters" data-vars-content-id="5eb50fbf-d129-4244-8463-fb595b41565d" data-vars-headline="What to know about Seattle&#x27;s $1.55 billion tax measure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/07/11/billion-transportation-tax-voters" target="_self">$1.55 billion transportation levy</a> — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest property tax measure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-city-council-approves-15-billion-transportation-levy-proposal/281-09e7d65c-86d4-41e9-8e5e-c5a00bb337f9" data-vars-content-id="5eb50fbf-d129-4244-8463-fb595b41565d" data-vars-headline="What to know about Seattle&#x27;s $1.55 billion tax measure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-city-council-approves-15-billion-transportation-levy-proposal/281-09e7d65c-86d4-41e9-8e5e-c5a00bb337f9" target="_blank">largest property tax measure</a> in city history — that aims to expand transit services and address deteriorating infrastructure.Why it matters: The levy, if approved, will fund <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="improved sidewalks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theurbanist.org/2024/06/25/seattle-sidewalk-expansion-proposal-may-be-infeasible/" data-vars-content-id="5eb50fbf-d129-4244-8463-fb595b41565d" data-vars-headline="What to know about Seattle&#x27;s $1.55 billion tax measure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theurbanist.org/2024/06/25/seattle-sidewalk-expansion-proposal-may-be-infeasible/" target="_blank">improved sidewalks</a>, extended bike lanes, and better transit, advocates say.

A bar chart that ranks U.S. urbanized areas by April 2026 light rail and streetcar passenger trips, excluding heavy rail. Seattle leads with 4.8 million trips, followed by Los Angeles at 4.4 and Boston at 4 million. Minneapolis-St. Paul is lowest among those shown at 1.1 million.

The most-used light rail systems in the U.S., April 2026

Data: Federal Transit Administration; Note: Includes light rail and streetcar rail. Excludes heavy rail systems; Chart: Melissa Santos/Axios

Transit 🚗

Seattle-area light rail ridership hits No. 1 in U.S.

How Sound Transit 3 opening dates have slipped since 2016

Sound Transit delays Ballard light rail amid $35B budget gap

Seattle-to-Bellevue light rail service to start March 28

Light rail to Federal Way is opening, 17 years after approval