We asked for your takes on off-leash dogs in Seattle and you all had some thoughts.

The big picture: The debate taps into a long-running tension in Seattle parks over how to balance dog owners' desire for freedom with others' expectations for safety and respectfully shared spaces.

The majority of you said off-leash dogs create unpredictable — and sometimes dangerous — situations.

• "Not everyone is a fan of dogs and not every DOG is a fan of dogs," wrote Adeline P., who said loose dogs can put leash-reactive pets at risk.
• Sandra F. said a friend's knee was "shattered by an off leash 'friendly' dog" at Discovery Park, requiring multiple surgeries.

Others described milder, but still frustrating, encounters. Whitney B. recalled a muddy dog jumping on her at Green Lake: "He may be friendly, but he's also filthy."

• For Kaitlyn B., it's about control more than leashes — untrained dogs are the bigger issue.
• Dog walker Alice K. said she's been charged by two large off-leash dogs, seen two chased into traffic by other off-leash dogs and watched one kill a nest of baby bunnies in the past year alone.

The concern isn't just about people and pets.

• John L. tied the lack of off-leash enforcement to our recent story on bird counts dropping across city parks, in part due to habitat destruction.
• The seabirds are "completely" gone from Alki Beach, where he's had a panoramic view for 32 years, and there's a "four-word answer: dogs on the beach."
• "With near-total lack of enforcement, dog owners have made running their dogs on the beach a daily routine. It's a contagion."

The other side: Some readers argue the city doesn't have enough well-maintained, designated dog areas and that more off-leash options would curtail conflict.

• "Many are simply fenced-in, often muddy, and lack basic amenities," wrote Petey W., arguing better-maintained off-leash parks could reduce conflicts elsewhere.
• "Lots of other cities allow dogs to be off leash… when people are unlikely to be using the space," wrote Deena S.
• Molly M. described the pleasure of watching from her Capitol Hill apartment as dogs greet friends and chase each other in the "joy of being free."

The bottom line: The core issue isn't really even about leashes or dogs, a few readers told us.

• Greg S. said people who don't leash their dogs and don't clean up their waste are probably not much different from those who ride scooters on the sidewalks, fail to pay transit fares and litter.
• "Why can't we all live in a way that is considerate of other people?"

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Doula care has gone from a niche birth option to a Medicaid-covered benefit in more than half of U.S. states — including Washington.

Why it matters: Research has linked doula support to lower cesarean rates and fewer preterm births.

• A new review of clinical trials published this month in JAMA Network Open found doula support was most consistently associated with lower maternal anxiety, higher breastfeeding initiation and better postpartum follow-up care.

Zoom in: Washington is now one of 26 states actively reimbursing for Medicaid coverage of doula care, according to the National Health Law Program.

• Washington's new benefit took effect last year.
• Before 2020, only Oregon and Minnesota offered Medicaid coverage for doula care — that's "a lot of progress" in a few years, says Amy Chen, senior attorney at the National Health Law Program.

Catch up quick: A doula is a trained birth support professional who offers emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. That's not the same as a midwife.

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🚴🏽‍♂️ Seattle led the nation in bike commuting last year with 3.3 million miles logged on Strava, ranking ahead of other biking powerhouse metros, including Chicago and the Twin Cities. (Seattle Times)

🩺 Former University of Washington medical residents are suing over a state program meant to help struggling physicians, alleging it caused harm instead. (KUOW)

🏘️ Seattle City Council is debating new public-safety and "Good Neighbor Agreement" requirements as it considers allowing larger tiny house villages. (Capitol Hill Seattle Blog)

🛤️ A key federal deadline tied to the Ballard Link light-rail extension was pushed back again, adding costs to the project and uncertainty to the timeline. (The Urbanist)

🏒 The Kraken is working with Kirkland to build a privately funded $60 million, two-rink iceplex with a community center at a former park-and-ride site, set to open next year. (KOMO)

Americans feel worse off financially than at any point in the past 25 years, according to Gallup polling out this week.

Why it matters: Americans are struggling after years of higher inflation and a recent surge in gas prices due to the Iran war.

By the numbers: 55% of respondents to a poll conducted April 1-15 said their financial situation is getting worse; that's up from 53% last year and 47% in 2024.

• That's the highest since 2001, topping levels seen during the pandemic and the 2008 financial crisis.
• It's also the fifth consecutive year that more Americans say their finances are worsening rather than improving.

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Most readers clocked this one correctly as Bremerton — though the wrong answers ranged up and down Puget Sound and showed how similar our waterfronts can look.

The hour-long state ferry ride from Seattle is half the fun, bringing you to the gates of the base and shipyard that long defined this Navy town.

Things to do: Stroll the usually uncrowded waterfront, check out the Navy exhibits or the USS Turner Joy, and let kids splash at the submarine-themed water park.

Bonus: Don't skip Saboteur Bakery — a destination pastry spot from a Michelin-trained chef that's a 20-minute stroll across the Manette Bridge.