Axios Seattle

March 20, 2026
ππΌ It's Friday β and thank goodness Mercury is out of retrograde today.
π Islam's holy month of Ramadan ends this week. Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate.
π§οΈ Today's weather: Light rain, with a high of 56 and a low of 41.
π Happy birthday to our Axios Seattle members Aaron Epstein, Helen Garneau, Roger Nyhus, and Temma Abe!
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Today's newsletter is 798 words, a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: π Traffic pain comedy
The hell that is traveling on Interstate-5 in Seattle is now viral content β thanks to an Instagram account that brings some welcome hilarity to our shared highway misery.
The big picture: The I-5 Commuters account features two dudes narrating their I-5 adventures in and around Seattle. Think part comedy sketch, part public safety commentary.
- They call out bad driving in real time β from botched merges to people texting behind the wheel β while also critiquing passing trucks.
- With 711K followers, they also zero in on familiar pain points like the Seneca Street exit-only lane, where some drivers pretend to exit, race ahead and cut back in.
- When they turn the camera on themselves, they lean into the bit β wearing wigs, fake mustaches, hats and sunglasses β and occasionally interview people, including a state trooper about how fast drivers can go without getting pulled over.
The content creators celebrate the rare bright spots, especially properly secured cargo with flags and twisted straps β often signaling approval with a thumbs up sign.
- "This dude passed my truck screaming something I couldn't tell what it was β¦. Here I am a couple days later realizing homie just respected the load ππ," wrote one bemused user.
Axios reached out to the account but hasn't heard back.
IG news you can use: Some of their commentary even lines up with real-world driving guidance.
- There's no "safe" speed over the limit: Police can technically pull drivers over for going even 1 mph over, but tend to focus on those going well above the flow of traffic, a state trooper says in one video.
- Go with the flow: Driving the speed of surrounding traffic is often the safest bet.
- Focus on the basics: Put the phone down, master the zipper merge and, for the love of God, secure the load.
The bottom line: It's a chaotic, very Seattle take on commuting β and a reminder that if you're driving I-5, you might spot yourself on the feed.
2. ποΈ Joe Kent under investigation
Joe Kent, who resigned Tuesday as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has been under FBI investigation for months on suspicion of leaking classified information, three sources familiar with the case tell Axios.
- Kent previously ran for Congress twice as a Republican in Washington's closely watched 3rd Congressional District.
Catch up quick: This week, Kent blamed Israel for tricking President Trump into launching a war with Iran, saying the country posed "no imminent threat" to the United States.
Driving the news: Immediately after Kent's resignation, administration officials said he had been "a known leaker" and had been cut out of briefings with the president.
- Kent had been placed under investigation prior to his resignation, which Semafor reported and Axios confirmed.
- One of the sources said Kent was suspected of leaking to Tucker Carlson and another conservative podcaster. That source said the FBI was also examining leaked intel related to Israel and Iran.
The big picture: Few details have been released because the investigation revolves around classified information.
- "He left quite an online paper trail and he has been monitored for months," one source familiar with the investigation told Axios.
- "He's going to try to say this was in retaliation for his resignation," that source said, "but it's the other way around: He quit because he's under investigation and he knew it."
- Kent didn't return messages seeking comment.
The intrigue: It's unclear why Kent was not immediately fired if he had been placed under investigation before Tuesday.
3. Morning Buzz: π« Mask ban signed
π Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law yesterday banning law enforcement β including federal immigration agents β from wearing face coverings in most circumstances. (Washington State Standard)
πΉ Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has paused expansion of the city's surveillance camera program, citing unresolved privacy and data concerns.
- Existing cameras will continue to operate. (MyNorthwest)
π Sound Transit is weighing fare gates and other new revenue options as it tries to close a multibillion-dollar budget gap that could affect future projects and service. (KING5)
βΈοΈ Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu and other top U.S. figure skaters are heading to Seattle in May for the Stars on Ice tour at Climate Pledge Arena. (FOX 13)
π Melissa's youngest child is turning 2 this weekend β and she has no desire to revisit the baby days.
π Clarridge dreamed she was yelling at someone and woke up feeling better.
This newsletter was edited by Geoff Ziezulewicz.
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