Starting today, most vehicles will no longer be able to drive through the heart of Pike Place Market during the daytime — part of a temporary experiment restricting car traffic at the busy Seattle tourist attraction.

Why it matters: For years, some Seattle residents and politicians have sought to limit driving on the street through the famous market, noting the danger of collisions between cars and pedestrians (which have been known to happen).

Zoom in: The new policy will restrict rideshare vehicles and general visitor traffic from entering the market at First Avenue and Pike Street from 8am-6pm, the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority said in a news release.

• During those hours, commercial delivery vehicles will still be allowed to enter and drive along Pike Place, the main thoroughfare that runs through the market, the market authority said.
• So will emergency vehicles and ADA-permitted vehicles.
• Business loading and unloading will still be allowed, as will customer curbside pickups for orders made in advance.

What they're saying: The changes "will make it more inviting and comfortable than ever for residents and visitors to walk around our cherished Pike Place Market," Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a written statement.

How it works: Beginning today, flaggers will be posted at the market entrance at First Avenue and Pike Street from 8am to 6pm to help enforce the limited access rules.

• New parking limits will be in effect along Pike Place in the daytime, along with a ban on overnight parking from 2am to 6am.

Between the lines: The changes coincide with construction that has narrowed the walkable area through the market — particularly at the corner of Stewart Street.

What's next: "There's no set end date" for the limits on car traffic at the market, Madison Douglas, spokesperson for the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority, told Axios.

• "We're using this time to test and learn," Douglas wrote in an email.
• She said the authority is developing a broader street management plan based on "what proves effective — and what doesn't."

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The craft brewing market is in the tank.

Why it matters: The once-thriving industry struggled to stay afloat in 2024 after posting its third consecutive year with negative growth, a trend driven by market saturation and shifts in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger drinkers.

State of play: Craft beer production declined 4% in 2024, the largest drop in industry history outside the pandemic, according to data released this month by the Brewers Association.

• The number of small, independent breweries operating in the U.S. decreased for the first time in 20 years, with 501 closures compared to 434 openings.

Zoom in: As of last year, Seattle was home to more than 60 breweries, according to the Washington Beer Blog.

• Two of those — Georgetown Brewing and Fremont Brewing — ranked among the top 50 craft breweries nationwide by sales volume last year, per the Brewers Association.
• But several others, including Ballard Beer Company, Two Beers Brewing Company and Lowercase Brewing, have closed since the end of 2023.

The big picture

🦶🏼 San Juan County has launched a free, 10-week passenger-only ferry trial between Anacortes and the three most populous San Juan Islands, using a chartered tour boat. (Salish Current)

🏫 Nearly 200 university presidents and chancellors — including about a dozen in Washington state — signed a letter denouncing the Trump administration's "coercive use of public research funding," calling it "unprecedented government overreach" into higher education. (Axios)

📃 Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed a new law requiring other states' National Guard troops to obtain his permission before entering Washington, unless they're under orders from the president. (Washington State Standard)

🪨 A rockslide has blocked part of scenic Chuckanut Drive in Skagit County at milepost 10, closing the road south of the Oyster Dome trailhead. (Seattle Times)

⛰️ State transportation officials have permanently closed the century-old Fairfax Bridge — also known as the Carbon River Bridge — cutting off access to a portion of Mount Rainier National Park. (KIRO 7)

🦠 Washington's fifth measles case of 2025 has been confirmed in a King County infant, officials announced yesterday. (Public Health — Seattle & King County)

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

A Night of Fashion, Music, and Art at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art on April 26: Join them for an unforgettable evening as Anna Flowers Designs and Madam Camille's Studio of Bel Canto present a captivating night out. Immerse yourself in a world where style, sound, and visual beauty collide in the most spectacular way.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Seattle stargazers may be in for a treat this week as two meteor showers — the Lyrids and the Eta Aquarids — light the early morning sky through Saturday.

Why it matters: The cosmic overlap offers a rare chance to catch shooting stars from two sources, no telescope required.

What's happening: The annual Lyrid meteor shower, which peaks this week, typically produces 10–15 meteor sightings per hour but can deliver up to 100 an hour during rare surges, per EarthSky.

• Look northeast near the Lyra constellation after midnight.
• Meanwhile, the Eta Aquarids — known for fast, bright meteors that can leave glowing "trains," or trails of ionized gas — are already active, although they don't peak until early May, according to NASA.
• Look toward the constellation Aquarius in the east-southeast from 3-5am for meteors that appear to skim along the surface of the Earth, per NASA.

Pro tips: Find an area away from the city or street lights if possible and bring a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair, writes Axios' Kelly Tyko.

• Lie flat on your back with your feet facing the direction of the shower's radiant and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adapt.

Tell a stargazer