Police departments across Washington are figuring out how to move forward after the state set new limits on license plate readers last month, with some hitting pause as they decide how — or whether — to turn them back on.

Why it matters: The cameras can track where vehicles go, raising concerns about privacy and government surveillance, while police say they're key tools for solving crimes.

• Advocates of the new law limiting the readers warned the technology allowed for widespread data sharing, including with federal agencies.

Driving the news: Washington lawmakers passed the state's first-ever restriction on automated license plate readers earlier this year, and Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law March 30.

• It limits how police can use the technology, caps how long data can be stored (21 days) and restricts how that data can be shared.
• It also bars agencies from collecting data near certain locations, including health care facilities, immigration-related sites, schools, places of worship and food banks.

Tee Sannon of the ACLU of Washington called the law "an important first step," but said it does not go far enough to protect Washingtonians from surveillance.

State of play: Seattle and Kent police are among those that have recently turned off some license plate reader systems while they review policies to comply with the new law.

• Others — including Redmond, Lynnwood and Sedro-Woolley — had already scaled back or shut down systems.

Zoom in: Mayor Katie Wilson halted use of license plate readers in mid-March before the new law took effect as part of a broader review of the city's surveillance tools and data practices.

• Residents and representatives from more than a dozen community groups are asking the city to use this moment as a reflection point and shut down surveillance cameras and license plate readers for good.
• Seattle police spokesperson Patrick Michaud tells Axios the program remains paused until the department "can guarantee the technology meets the new state requirements."

Bottom line: The debate over license plate readers reflects a much bigger question: how much surveillance people are willing to accept in the name of public safety.

Go deeper

Seattle's own Hey Bagel took home Best Bagel at the 2026 BagelFest West in Los Angeles this week — and also won Best Bagel (Sourdough).

Why it matters: The double win puts a local favorite on a bigger stage — and adds to Seattle's growing food cred beyond coffee.

State of play: Hey Bagel has been drawing lines at its University Village shop since opening its first brick-and-mortar last year.

• The bagels — meant to be torn and dipped, not sliced and toasted — have ample blistering and a crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture.

BagelFest, founded in 2019, has become the premier bagel industry showcase — drawing thousands of attendees and helping standout shops gain momentum.

Yes, but: Before New Yorkers revolt, it's worth noting this was BagelFest West — a Los Angeles event where West Coast shops dominated the field.

Tell a carb lover

✉️ More than 54,000 letters have flooded Seattle City Council members and Mayor Wilson urging a pause on new data centers. Wilson says she's exploring a potential moratorium alongside broader policy changes.(Seattle Times)

💔 Sports superstars Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe announced they are ending their 10-year relationship and winding down their joint podcast, saying the decision was mutual. (KUOW)

⚽️ The Sounders extended their home unbeaten streak to what appears to be a club record 19 games on Saturday with a 4-1 win over St. Louis City, highlighted by Cristian Roldan's first brace since 2020. (Sounders at Heart)

⛺️ A homeless encampment returned to West Seattle's Rotary Viewpoint Park one day after a city sweep cleared the site. (MyNorthwest)

🚴🏻 A new privately funded waterfront trail opens tomorrow through Belltown, offering a safer route along Alaskan Way where cruise ship loading often closes bike lanes. (The Urbanist)

More Washington homes for sale in 2025 came with homeowners association fees, and those dues climbed from a year earlier, Realtor.com data shows.

Why it matters: Rising HOA fees add to the already high cost of homeownership.

By the numbers: Roughly 45% of homes listed for sale in Washington had HOA dues, which fund maintenance and amenities.

• In metro Seattle, 58% of homes on the market included fees, up from 54% in 2024.

The median monthly fee nationwide rose to $135 from $125 in 2024 and $108 in 2019 — and dues can even stretch beyond $500.

• The median monthly fee in Washington is $99 and $130 in Seattle, per the data.

Zoom out: Nevada (68%), Arizona (65%) and Florida (65%) — home to many retirees living in planned communities — saw the biggest share of listings subject to HOA fees last year.

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👋🏼 Melissa here: I'm back today at work, but I'm still thinking about the tide pools I saw last week on Ruby Beach.

• My oldest is a natural at climbing over driftwood and scuttling over rocks.
• Checking out the colorful sea stars and other marine life was one of the highlights of our trip.