Washington's economy is joining other states in a slide toward recession, at least one expert says.

Why it matters: Tariffs, slowing immigration and federal job cuts are driving slowdowns nationwide, according to Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi.

Driving the news: Washington is among 22 states that are either in or near recession, per Zandi. The states make up about one-third of U.S. GDP.

• The warning comes after a year of layoffs and slowing growth in Washington.

How it works: Zandi constructed an index combining state-level employment data, industrial production models, personal income estimates and housing starts to mirror how the National Bureau of Economic Research dates recessions.

By the numbers: Washington lost 13,600 jobs in August, but that followed several months of upward movement, said state Employment Security Department labor economist Paul Turek.

• Employment was down 5,400 jobs from a year ago, per ESD.
• The unemployment rate held steady at 4.5%, unchanged from July and from the same month last year.
• Washington's underemployment rate — which includes part-time and discouraged workers who've stopped looking for jobs due to limited opportunities or other barriers — stands at 8.7%, above the national rate of 7.8%.

What they're saying: "We're running in place," Turek told Axios. "Hiring has slowed to stall speed — a no-hire, no-fire situation."

• He said employers remain wary amid political uncertainty, federal cuts and weak business investment.
• "Businesses are gamblers," he said. "They're betting the future will be brighter, but for now they're holding back."

Zoom in: Turek pointed to continued layoffs in tech and information services, sluggish aerospace production and a lull in manufacturing, partly offset by health care and education hiring.

Between the lines: With federal data flows disrupted by the government shutdown, August may offer the last clear snapshot of regional economic health for a while, writes Axios' Emily Peck.

What we're watching: Turek says future growth in Washington could hinge, in part, on private investment in data centers and advanced manufacturing, as companies position themselves for the AI boom.

• But nationally, private-sector data suggests the economy continued to lose jobs in September — underscoring the uncertainty ahead.

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The Mariners' push for the American League pennant stalled last night with a 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays, forcing a decisive Game 7 tonight.

Why it matters: The Mariners are the only Major League Baseball franchise that has never reached the World Series.

Driving the news: The teams are tied at three games apiece heading into the final game in the American League Championship Series in Toronto, with a World Series berth against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the line.

State of play: Seattle was mistake-prone in Game 6, committing errors in the field, throwing wild and grounding into double plays as Toronto capitalized on every opening.

• Logan Gilbert gave up five runs (four earned) in four innings, including home runs by Addison Barger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Twice in early innings the Mariners filled the bases, only to see both rallies die on inning-ending double plays.
• Cal Raleigh capped it with a throwing error in the seventh that let the Jays score another run.

Flashback: The Game 6 loss followed the Mariners pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in franchise history on Friday.

• In that adrenaline-inducing Game 5, Raleigh tied the score with a solo homer in the eighth inning — and, minutes later, a grand slam by Eugenio Suárez secured the M's first home ALCS win since 2000.

What's next: The Mariners hand the ball to George Kirby in the team's first-ever Game 7, with a trip to the World Series at stake.

🪧 An estimated 90,000 people joined Seattle's "No Kings" march on Saturday — part of a nationwide day of demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump's leadership. (KING 5)

💰 Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposed budget for next year assumes that city departments will underspend — a technique to balance the budget that city council staffers warn is risky. (Seattle Times)

⚽️ The Seattle Sounders edged out New York City FC 2-1 to end the regular season on a high. They now gear up to face Minnesota United FC in the first round of the playoffs. (Sounder at Heart)

The antipasto misto at Artusi — the sister bar to Italian joint Spinasse — is my new Seattle dinner hack.

Zoom in: For $33, you get a generous plate of appetizers that can serve as a light dinner for two (depending on how hungry you and your dining companion are).

What to expect: During a recent visit, the antipasto sampler included a large portion of hazelnuts roasted with Controne chile, muscovado sugar and fennel pollen; bread with seasonal spread (ours was ricotta with caramelized onions); a chopped salad with chickpeas and salami; plus burrata and olives.

• The most filling and show-stopping part of the plate was the fry bread, which came with aioli, cooked prosciutto, radishes and salsa verde.

🍝 Artusi also offers a pasta night deal on Sundays and Mondays, where you can get two pastas and a bottle of wine for $47.

Stop by: 5–10pm Sunday through Thursday; 5–11pm Friday and Saturday.

• 1535 14th Ave. (on Capitol Hill)

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👋 Melissa here. Historically, I've loved going out to eat in Seattle — but lately, it's gotten hard to get two people in and out of a restaurant for under $100 (especially if you each order a drink).

I'm curious: What are your favorite ways to enjoy a night out on the town without breaking the bank? Think: places with great happy hours, great deals on food, or specific menu items you like to order when staying on a budget.

• Share your secrets by sending us an email (or just hit reply).