Sound Transit's board voted yesterday to postpone plans to build light rail to Ballard — part of an effort to address a $35 billion budget shortfall.

Why it matters: The plan 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.

The latest: The cost-saving plan funds construction of the Ballard line only to Seattle Center for now, rather than extending it to Ballard's Market Street as originally envisioned.

• It prioritizes building a second tunnel through downtown Seattle, which will expand light rail capacity for the region "for decades to come," Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Sound Transit board chair, said during yesterday's meeting.
• Officials said they'll keep working toward building a line to Ballard, but that it's not affordable at the moment.

Catch up quick: Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss had instead proposed building a shorter light rail line from Ballard to Westlake, while delaying the second downtown tunnel.

• Strauss said the second tunnel should be a lower priority, since it will run parallel to the existing downtown tunnel and serve areas that mostly already have light rail access.
• His plan would have required riders coming from Ballard to transfer at Westlake to access the rest of the light rail system.
• That approach was voted down 14-4 by the larger Sound Transit board, with multiple board members saying it could put other projects at risk.

The big picture: The Ballard extension isn't the only item left unfunded. Other projects still in limbo include additional Sounder commuter service and several parking projects.

Yes, but: Another push by Seattle and King County officials to preserve the Graham Street light rail station was approved, keeping that South Seattle project in the pipeline.

What's next: Sound Transit officials say they'll continue working to find funding to pay for deferred projects, while completing design work for a future extension to Ballard.

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The Atlantic Crossing Pub — a longtime Seattle soccer drinking hub — is getting national recognition.

State of play: USA Today recently named the Greenlake pub among its nominees for best soccer bar in the country, putting a national spotlight on a Seattle institution that has drawn fans since 2004.

• The bar has built a loyal following around early-morning English Premier League matches, Seattle Sounders watch parties and international tournaments where regulars sit shoulder-to-shoulder with supporters of rival clubs.
• It's praised for its food, ambience and "British sports bar" vibes.

Of note: The pub was incorrectly listed as "permanently closed" on some websites when it moved to Woodlawn from its former Roosevelt digs, but is decidedly open.

What's next: Voting ends Monday to get the Atlantic Crossing into USA Today's top 10.

🌊 Seattle officials are warning people to stay out of the water at Matthews Beach and Pritchard Beach because of high bacteria levels, and reminding folks that Green Lake remains closed due to toxic algae. (Seattle Parks)

🚀 A New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch-pad test last night, days before it was set to carry Amazon Leo internet satellites into orbit. The mishap is another setback for Kent-based Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos' space company, following an April mission failure. (Associated Press)

Eight workers are confirmed dead and three others are presumed dead after a chemical tank imploded Tuesday at a Longview paper mill, in what Gov. Bob Ferguson has called one of the deadliest industrial accidents in modern Washington history. (Seattle Times)

• Investigators are still working to determine what caused the blast as crews flush contaminated runoff away from homes and drinking water sources near the Columbia River. (Oregonlive)

🏛️ Mayor Wilson's homelessness adviser Jon Grant resigned amid growing tensions with the City Council over the administration's shelter plans and communication strategy. (KIRO 7)

Walkers, runners and bicyclists will have a stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard to themselves every weekend this summer, boosting the number of days when the scenic road is closed to cars.

Why it matters: The expansion of the city's Bicycle Weekends program is part of Mayor Katie Wilson's push to prioritize pedestrians and non-vehicle traffic on the lakefront route.

How it works: On weekends through Labor Day, cars generally won't be allowed along three miles of Lake Washington Boulevard, from Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park.

• The traffic restrictions will typically start at 7pm Friday and end at 6am Monday.
• Lakeside parking lots — including for beaches and boat launches — can still be accessed from the nearest cross streets.
• People driving to homes along the boulevard can also enter the road from the nearest cross street.

By the numbers: The closures, which kicked off last weekend, will run for 15 weekends and include federal holidays such as Labor Day and July 3 (when Independence Day is officially observed this year).

• Last year's closure schedule was more limited, extending to 10 weekends and not including Monday and Friday holidays.

Caveat: The road will be open to vehicle traffic Aug. 1-2 for Seafair Weekend.

What they're saying

Meet two Seattle cats with very different approaches to bird watching.

State of play: Black-and-white Artha, 9, moved to Seattle from Florida with Axios reader Ernesto M. three years ago.

• She has since made it her mission to "exchange insults" with the neighborhood crows from her balcony perch, Ernesto says.
• Meanwhile, Willow, 2½, prefers bird-watching from the comfort of her tower by a sliding glass door, Erin B. tells Axios.
• "She is visited by crows, seagulls, the occasional humming bird, and even a racoon!"

Area birds declined to comment on this level of feline oversight.

📸 Got a pet that deserves the spotlight? Hit reply and send us their name, some cute pics and what they most like and dislike. They might just become our next featured star!