Interim Seattle police chief Sue Rahr issued a directive this month clarifying that a 2021 state law doesn't stop police from questioning juveniles who witness crimes.

Why it matters: It's a shift from Rahr's previous public comments, in which she said the law was impeding the investigation of a June 6 fatal shooting outside Garfield High School by blocking police from talking to teenage witnesses.

Catch up quick: The 2021 state law at issue requires that police connect minors to a lawyer before interrogating them as part of a criminal investigation.

• The goal is to ensure kids understand their constitutional right to remain silent while reducing the likelihood of false confessions, advocates say.

The latest: On July 9, Rahr issued an internal directive clarifying that officers can still question juvenile witnesses without connecting them with a lawyer, as long as the youths aren't suspects and there isn't probable cause to hold them in custody.

What they're saying: "During my roll call visits I have heard repeatedly that officers believe they cannot question juveniles without an attorney present," Rahr told SPD employees, according to a transcript of her email shared with Axios. "That is not accurate."

Flashback: Previously, at a June 26 community meeting, Rahr said that because of the law, "Our officers are not allowed to go out and confront juveniles and detain them to get a statement," KOMO reported.

• Referencing the Garfield shooting that killed 17-year-old Amarr Murphy-Paine, Rahr said, "We have not been able to obtain statements from many of the witnesses in that situation," per KOMO.

The other side: Jesse Johnson, a former state representative who sponsored the 2021 law, told Axios it was "unfortunate" that Rahr had publicly blamed the policy for hampering the Garfield shooting investigation.

• He described the law as an important tool to make sure that teenage suspects don't falsely incriminate themselves under police pressure.

Between the lines: While this law has been blamed for interfering with investigations, a recent audit found "broad non-compliance by SPD."

• The audit found the department only connected youths to lawyers in two of 50 cases where it was required.

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The Seattle Aquarium plans to open its new Ocean Pavilion expansion next month, completing a key piece of long-term plans to transform the city's waterfront.

Why it matters: The new building on Elliott Bay will include a landscaped public rooftop, elevators and stairs to help connect the waterfront with Pike Place Market — a change made possible by the demolition of the Alaskan Way viaduct in 2019.

Driving the news: The new addition will open to the public Aug. 29, featuring about 3,500 marine animals and plants.

• The expansion will measure nearly 50,000 square feet, increasing the aquarium's overall footprint by about 50%, the aquarium said.

What's inside: A reef ecosystem will showcase Indo-Pacific leopard sharks, spotted eagle rays and schools of tropical fish.

• Visitors will also be able to visit a jellyfish nursery and a shoreline mangrove forest, among other exhibits.

1 fun thing: While exploring the inside of the facility will require tickets, the outdoor plaza near the front of the building will let passersby peek into the reef habitat for free, through an oculus measuring 17.5-feet wide.

What's next: The Overlook Walk, which is designed to complete the pedestrian link between the aquarium and Pike Place Market, is scheduled to open by the end of the year.

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🏛️ U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Seattle) was among roughly 100 House Democrats and 28 Senate Democrats who skipped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress last night. (Axios)

• In a statement released before his speech, Jayapal said she "cannot in good conscience sit and listen to him speak as Palestinian people starve and hostages, including Israelis and Americans, remain in captivity."

🥪 Homegrown, a local chain that once described its business as "sandwich environmentalism," said it will close all but two of its locations in Seattle and lay off more than 150 people in September. (Seattle Times)

🗳️ Washington voters will decide in November whether to roll back policies designed to phase out natural gas in homes and buildings now that a citizen initiative, I-2066, has qualified for the ballot. (Washington State Standard)

It's the height of summer and the Seafair finale approaches with the Torchlight Parade and the Filipino festival, Pista Sa Nayon, among the local events happening this weekend.

Today

🥪 Try the zipline at the Duwamish Waterway Park party, where there will be art, games and free lunches for all. 10am-4pm Monday through Friday through Aug. 24. Free.

🇺🇸 Celebrate National Hire a Veteran Day at Republic Services in Seattle where vets can attend a free workshop, brush up their resume and apply for open positions at the waste facility. 10am-2pm. Free.

Tomorrow

🎨 Check out the annual Seattle Art Fair, which was started by the late Paul Allen, for a showing of modern and contemporary art. Lumen Field. 11am-7pm. Runs through Sunday. Day passes are $35.

Pro tip: There will also be free performances, art installations and events throughout Pioneer Square.

Saturday

🐴 Catch Seattle's iconic summer event, the Seafair Torchlight Parade, with marching bands, dragon dancers, drill teams, prancing horses and military bands. Downtown on 4th Avenue. 3-6pm. Free.

Sunday

Gather at Seward Park to experience Pista Sa Nayon, the Filipino American community festival held during Seafair celebration at Seward Park. 11am-6pm. Free.

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