Axios Seattle

May 05, 2026
It's Tuesday! And it's a perfect one.
π€οΈ Today's weather: Mostly sunny, with a high of 75 and a low of 53.
π Happy birthday to our Axios Seattle member Heather Waller!
π Back the journalism that helps you understand your city by becoming a member today.
Today's newsletter is 855 words, a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: Waterfront Sasquatch ride roars to life

Head to the Seattle waterfront and you'll find people waiting to take selfies with a roaring Sasquatch that towers over passersby.
The big picture: The animatronic Bigfoot welcomes people to a new virtual reality ride, Sasquatch Mountain β one of a growing number of attractions on Seattle's revamped Elliott Bay promenade.
I took my 6-year-old last week after months of him asking to go. (The ride only debuted last month, but "coming soon" signs had been up much longer.)
What to expect: Head inside and you'll get a video explaining your mission to find Sasquatch, complete with gear that lets you see invisible animals. (I didn't fully track this β I was busy adjusting my kid's virtual reality goggles β but apparently Sasquatch has a cloaking feature.)
- Entering the ride wearing your headset, you'll see that you and your companions are now wearing sleek tactical gear. (This is cool, although it's a bit awkward to sit down and figure out where to put your stuff when you can't quite see your real legs.)
- Soon the ride shakes, blows mist in your face and transports you to rivers, a mine and snowy mountains β all without leaving the room. You'll experience bouncing, hanging over cliffs and even creatures crawling in your virtual reality rig β plus a close encounter with Sasquatch.

- The 4D action makes it feel like a real roller coaster, so you and your companions may end up screaming from time to time.
Yes, but: It's a pretty short mission, so for some people it may not be worth the cost.
- Tickets are $25 per adult and $20 per child. (Kids have to be 42 inches or taller to ride.)
If you go: The ride's exit spits you out next to the arcade and other attractions inside Pier 57 β so if you're not careful, you could end up spending another $20 to play multiple rounds of a Jurassic Park game, as I did.
- It's a good idea to set expectations with kids beforehand if you're firmly against playing additional games, riding the carousel or getting ice cream afterward.
Stop by: Miners Landing (Pier 57), 1301 Alaskan Way. 11amβ9pm.

2. π« Court blocks income tax referendum
The Washington state Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the state's newly passed income tax cannot be overturned through a referendum campaign.
Why it matters: Opponents of the tax β which targets people who make more than $1 million a year β now face a tougher path to repeal it at the ballot box.
- They would need to pursue a citizen initiative, which requires double the signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Catch up quick: Senate Bill 6346, which Washington lawmakers approved in March, will impose a 9.9% tax on annual incomes over $1 million starting in 2028.
- The Legislature declared the tax "necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions."
- That language led Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to reject a referendum petition earlier this year, saying the tax is exempt from the referendum process.
Yes, but: Brian Heywood, founder of Let's Go Washington, which filed the referendum, challenged Hobbs' decision in court.
- He and other plaintiffs argued that laws can be exempt from referenda only if they relate to the immediate preservation of public health, peace or safety.
What they're saying: The high court rejected that claim, writing that the state constitution also allows laws that support state government to be shielded from referendum campaigns.
What we're watching: Another court case challenging the constitutionality of the income tax is still active. The high court did not weigh in on that issue in yesterday's ruling.
- For a repeal initiative to go before voters this fall, opponents would need to gather the necessary signatures by July.
3. Morning Buzz: πΊ Becoming more commercial
π¬ Seattle is pitching itself as a more attractive place to shoot TV commercials, hoping to grow local film jobs and production spending. (Seattle Times)
π Ezell's Famous Chicken could soon be owned outside the founding family, marking a potential turning point for the iconic Seattle chain. (KUOW)
βοΈ The Museum of Flight's new "Runway to Runway" exhibit spotlights vintage flight attendant uniforms and aviation-era fashion in Seattle. (KOMO)
π¦ It's peak bird migration season in the Pacific Northwest, and experts say small steps like turning off lights at night can help protect traveling birds. (KNKX)
4. βΎοΈ 1 Big Unit to go
Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson, aka The Big Unit, threw out the first pitch Saturday as the Mariners retired his jersey.
- Johnson threw the first no-hitter in team history during his stretch with the team in the 1990s, becoming a "6-foot-10 force," as The Seattle Times put it.
- His mullet might be gone, but the legend remains.
π¦ Melissa wore her child's shark backpack while walking around town yesterday, after forgetting to leave it with him at school.
π¬π§ Clarridge is off exploring the United Kingdom. Ta-ta!
This newsletter was edited by Geoff Ziezulewicz.
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