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Tens of thousands expected at No Kings Seattle

Seattle organizers say Saturday's march could exceed last year's 90,000 attendees.

News

Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to flood Seattle streets Saturday as part of a nationwide No Kings day of action spanning more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="3,000 events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="7047f0d9-04be-464d-82dd-9f0f878dade4" data-vars-headline="Tens of thousands expected at No Kings Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" target="_self">3,000 events</a>.Why it matters: The protest is part of what organizers hope will be one of the largest single-day demonstrations in recent U.S. history — reflecting opposition to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" data-vars-content-id="7047f0d9-04be-464d-82dd-9f0f878dade4" data-vars-headline="Tens of thousands expected at No Kings Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" target="_self">immigration enforcement</a> and broader economic and political concerns.

Light rail opens from Seattle to Bellevue this weekend

New East Link service connects Seattle and Bellevue across I-90 after nearly two decades of waiting.

Light rail over Lake Washington will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="become a reality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/23/seattle-bellevue-light-rail-opening-east-link-delay-i90" data-vars-content-id="53bfc036-f358-4011-a0bd-37a617905162" data-vars-headline="Light rail opens from Seattle to Bellevue this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/23/seattle-bellevue-light-rail-opening-east-link-delay-i90" target="_self">become a reality</a> on Saturday, nearly 18 years after Puget Sound voters first approved it.Why it matters: The completion of Sound Transit&#x27;s East Link extension will connect Bellevue to Seattle, creating a roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="60-mile" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/crosslake-connection-opens-march-28" data-vars-content-id="53bfc036-f358-4011-a0bd-37a617905162" data-vars-headline="Light rail opens from Seattle to Bellevue this weekend" 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/crosslake-connection-opens-march-28" target="_blank">60-mile</a> network stretching from the Eastside to Lynnwood to Federal Way.

Ferguson signs Washington income tax targeting millionaires

The 9.9% tax on income over $1M starts in 2028 and is expected to face a court challenge.

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/11/washington-income-tax-millionaires-clears-house" data-vars-content-id="097d3f7d-40d1-443a-ae66-8c858596a5c2" data-vars-headline="Ferguson signs Washington income tax targeting millionaires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/11/washington-income-tax-millionaires-clears-house" target="_self">new tax</a> on high earners into law Monday, ending Washington&#x27;s run as one of the few states without an income tax on the books.Why it matters: The tax, which won&#x27;t be imposed for nearly two years, is likely to face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legal and political" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/12/washington-income-tax-clears-legislature-faces-challenges" data-vars-content-id="097d3f7d-40d1-443a-ae66-8c858596a5c2" data-vars-headline="Ferguson signs Washington income tax targeting millionaires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/12/washington-income-tax-clears-legislature-faces-challenges" target="_self">legal and political</a> challenges, even as supporters say it will make the state&#x27;s tax code fairer.

Seattle could rename former Chávez park for Dolores Huerta

Seattle removed the Chávez name and is now taking suggestions, including honoring Dolores Huerta.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is accepting suggestions to rename the former César Chávez Park — and some would like a name that honors labor leader Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Chávez.The big picture: The push to rename the park follows a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Times investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html" data-vars-content-id="a31e65ce-d4a6-452f-aaef-dec676bb6e66" data-vars-headline="Seattle could rename former Chávez park for Dolores Huerta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html" target="_blank">New York Times investigation</a> last month that detailed reports of Chávez sexually abusing women and girls, including Huerta.

Dozens of LA shelter pets arrive in Seattle

Their arrival creates room in crowded LA shelters for pets separated from their owners during the California wildfires.

Who doesn&#x27;t need a little extra pawsitivity right now?Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle Humane" data-vars-click-url="https://seattlehumane.org/" data-vars-content-id="d87ecabd-84c9-4707-ae79-1c7bb8253a57" data-vars-headline="Dozens of LA shelter pets arrive in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seattlehumane.org/" target="_blank">Seattle Humane</a> has opened its doors to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="39 dogs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEyPzmsP7Sc/?igsh=MXZ6b2luMnhkMnNvcA==" data-vars-content-id="d87ecabd-84c9-4707-ae79-1c7bb8253a57" data-vars-headline="Dozens of LA shelter pets arrive in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEyPzmsP7Sc/?igsh=MXZ6b2luMnhkMnNvcA==" target="_blank">39 dogs</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="18 cats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEv2AQqvAoM/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="d87ecabd-84c9-4707-ae79-1c7bb8253a57" data-vars-headline="Dozens of LA shelter pets arrive in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEv2AQqvAoM/?img_index=1" target="_blank">18 cats</a> from overcrowded Los Angeles shelters, creating room for pets separated from their owners during the California wildfires.

Wildfire smoke increases dementia risk, study finds

"A few really severe wildfire smoke days" may translate into increased risk, one of the authors says.

People exposed to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire smoke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/21/wildfire-smokes-pacific-northwest-seattle-air-quality" data-vars-content-id="ea0883ed-6d05-4288-9306-fe1b3f6a173c" data-vars-headline="Wildfire smoke increases dementia risk, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/21/wildfire-smokes-pacific-northwest-seattle-air-quality" target="_self">wildfire smoke</a> have a much greater risk of developing dementia, according to a recent study led by researchers at the University of Washington.Why it matters: While wildfires <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cause destruction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/palisades-fire-los-angeles-residents-evacuated" data-vars-content-id="ea0883ed-6d05-4288-9306-fe1b3f6a173c" data-vars-headline="Wildfire smoke increases dementia risk, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/palisades-fire-los-angeles-residents-evacuated" target="_self">cause destruction</a> and force evacuations in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southern California" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/07/california-wildfire-risk-critical-fire-weather-santa-ana-winds" data-vars-content-id="ea0883ed-6d05-4288-9306-fe1b3f6a173c" data-vars-headline="Wildfire smoke increases dementia risk, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/07/california-wildfire-risk-critical-fire-weather-santa-ana-winds" target="_self">Southern California</a>, researchers are finding that wildfire hazards affect more people than those directly in the path of the flames.

Wildfire smoke expected in Seattle

Air quality could fall if smoke drops to surface level.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Smoke from Oregon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/22/oregon-wildfires-season-aggressive-start" data-vars-content-id="f019dfd2-274b-41f2-ac9f-12923730fc9d" data-vars-headline="Wildfire smoke expected in Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/22/oregon-wildfires-season-aggressive-start" target="_self">Smoke from Oregon</a> and eastern Washington wildfires is expected to be in Seattle by early Friday, according to local meteorologists.Driving the news: On Thursday, smoke from eastern Washington could be seen on satellite drifting over the Cascade Mountains, National Weather Service Seattle meteorologist Matthew Cullen told Axios.

Washington's wildfire season ramps up

More than 70,000 acres have burned in eight fires, according to the state.

Wildfires

Fires have closed or threatened parts of the Pacific Crest Trail, Highway 20, campgrounds and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hiking trails" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/lightning-sparks-miners-complex-wildfire" data-vars-content-id="8ea9e00f-1c6f-476a-8db3-78ba875930e1" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s wildfire season ramps up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/lightning-sparks-miners-complex-wildfire" target="_blank">hiking trails</a> just as Seattleites head out for some of the region&#x27;s peak outdoor recreation weather.Why it matters: Studies show human-caused <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/30/heatwave-canada-wildfires-smoke-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="8ea9e00f-1c6f-476a-8db3-78ba875930e1" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s wildfire season ramps up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/30/heatwave-canada-wildfires-smoke-climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a> has increased extreme <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfire events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/14/fire-weather-expanding-across-us-west-southwest" data-vars-content-id="8ea9e00f-1c6f-476a-8db3-78ba875930e1" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s wildfire season ramps up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/14/fire-weather-expanding-across-us-west-southwest" target="_self">wildfire events</a> over the past two decades, especially in the West, as temperatures warm and vegetation dries out faster.