KUOW Blog
News, factoids, and insights from KUOW's newsroom. And maybe some peeks behind the scenes. Check back daily for updates.
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Stories
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What to know as Western Washington enters August 2023 heat wave
With temperatures slated to reach into the 90s, Western Washington is under a heat advisory until 11 p.m. Wednesday evening.
The heat wave will span Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with overnight lows struggling to dip into the 70s. Temperatures are expected to lower into the high 80s Thursday, and potentially down into the 70s by Friday.
"We haven't had an extended stretch of heat like this so far, especially with the very warm overnight lows," said National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Cullen. "It will be really critical to stay hydrated. Get some cool air if you can, whether it's air conditioning at your home, if you have that. If you don't, finding a cool spot for at least a couple hours during the day. That really makes a big difference in terms of health."
RELATED: Need to cool off? Here are some heat wave-friendly snacks
"It will again be quite warm tonight," Cullen added. "It's the accumulation of heat that concerns us. The one hot day by itself isn't necessarily problematic for a lot of folks, as long as you take precautions. But the longer this draws out, that's where heat really starts to impact people's health."
The National Weather Service's Jacob De Flitch also advises that temperatures will fluctuate, depending on where you are. Communities closer to Puget Sound will likely be cooler than areas farther out.
"The further south you go and away from waters, the hotter it's going to get," De Flitch said. "So right now our forecast for Monday afternoon is looking in the upper 90s. Maybe for North Bend area, near 100, and then kind of Olympia southward, also in the mid to upper 90s."
Check for information about cooling centers in:
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WA GOP picks new chair, and makes an unexpected endorsement
Over the weekend, Washington state Republicans elected a new chair to lead the state party. And after a surprise debate, the group also issued an early endorsement for a candidate's 2024 congressional campaign in Southwest Washington.
Rep. Jim Walsh, a state lawmaker from Aberdeen, was elected chair of the Washington State Republican Party during a meeting of party leaders in Olympia Saturday. He says one of his priorities is increasing Republican voter turnout and ensuring those ballots are counted.
"One side has been doing it very aggressively and very effectively, and the other side – this side – has not been, so I want to balance that," Walsh said.
Walsh says he hasn't decided whether he'll keep his seat in the state Legislature alongside his new role as party chair. The chair typically oversees party operations, plays a key part in fundraising, and acts as a public face of the GOP party as needed.
Elections continue to prove challenging for the GOP across Washington. Democrats have a majority in the Legislature, and Republicans hold no statewide offices. The last time Washington had a Republican governor was in the 1980s. Just two of Washington's 10 congressional seats are held by Republicans.
But Walsh remains optimistic heading into 2024, as he aims to broaden the GOP's appeal to people who are dissatisfied with the Democratic party.
"They're not quite Republicans yet, but they are free agents as they haven't been in the past, and that is just a massive opportunity for us," Walsh said.
Electing a new chair wasn't the only action Republican leaders took at their weekend meeting.
Walsh's election to the position came after hours of party business, including a surprise debate over whether the group should issue an early endorsement for Joe Kent. Kent is running for Congress in Southwest Washington. He is challenging U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat, who narrowly beat him in 2022.
The endorsement of Kent was initially expected to come at a party convention early next year, but after some back and forth, enough members agreed to suspend meeting rules to take a vote on it at Saturday's meeting. Ultimately, a majority supported the early endorsement for Kent's 2024 campaign.
[Copyright 2023 Northwest News Network]
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Here comes Covid, walking down the street: Today So Far
- Covid cases are rising.
- How will Seattle fill a funding gap looming on the horizon?
- Hawaiian Seattle residents watch wildfire tragedy from afar.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for Aug. 11, 2023.
Quick hits
- Inflation got a little higher in July as prices for rent and gas spiked
- Washington once saw hydropower as an easy alternative to coal. That's changing
- Seattle Aquarium can borrow money to complete waterfront addition
One health expert tells KUOW that she expects the number of local Covid cases to start rising soon. Covid cases are already rising nationally, but not so much around the Seattle area. Dr. Helen Chu with UW Medicine says she understands when people say, anecdotally, that they're noticing a few more people testing positive for the virus around them. It's happening around her too! So, right now, it's a wait and see situation, but it's a safe bet that cases will rise around here, especially after schools start, people head indoors together, etc. Dr. Chu also notes that a new Covid booster will be available this fall.
Other local health officials, however, say they're starting to see Covid numbers rise. Read more here.
How will Seattle fill a funding gap looming on the horizon? If you guessed "new taxes," you'd be right (but let's be honest, that answer is super obvious). The city is spending more money than it takes in. A $221 million deficit is expected in 2025, and more gaps down the road. That's why the city formed the Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which just delivered a report filled with suggestions around what Seattle can do. It details nine new tax ideas as well as some potential spending cuts. KUOW's David Hyde highlights one such idea: a “high pay ratio” tax, which is a tax on CEOs making considerably more money their their employees.
The wildfires striking Hawaii are difficult to watch, especially if your family is there and you're watching from an ocean away. That's what Roxanne See has been dealing with lately as she keeps track of family members on Maui. See has lived in Seattle since 2013. She has been attempting to contact family in Hawaii, trying to make sure everyone is safe. Some family members had to run into the water to escape the flames. Elsewhere on Maui, the Vogt family from the Tri-Cities was enjoying a summer vacation when the flames began to grow. A couple days ago, they stopped at a little place to eat, and enjoyed it. Today, that spot has been completely burned away.
AS SEEN ON KUOW
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2 rambunctious youngsters, no dying elders might spell hope for NW orcas
Whale researchers say the Northwest’s endangered orcas have apparently had a very good year.
The southern resident killer whale population appears to have grown by two, from 73 to 75 individuals.
Results of the Center for Whale Research’s annual orca census aren’t final, but researchers say it looks like the whales had two births and no deaths over the past 12 months.
“It is rare,” Michael Weiss, the center’s research director. “We expect to lose one or two whales, at least, each year, and some years we lose as many as five, six, seven whales. So potentially having a year where we haven't lost anyone is really, really nice.”
The whale census depends on whales showing up and being photographed above the surface — a task that can take persistence, long lenses, and smooth seas. Weiss said all but one of the endangered orcas have been photographed recently.
“There's no one we currently think is missing,” Weiss said. “That being said, we haven't had enough days on the water with all of these groups to be totally sure.”
RELATED: Eavesdropping on orcas: love, grief, and family
Young orcas often die before their first birthday, but researchers say the newest members of the orcas’ L Pod, one male and one female, appeared healthy in July.
“When we saw them last, they were absolutely thriving, just really energetic and rambunctious,” said Deborah Giles, science and research director at the nonprofit Wild Orca.
Giles described the youngsters playing and roughhousing with their families off the west side of San Juan Island on July 4.
“A lot of social interaction with the family, being lifted and carried and thrown sometimes by the family, rolling over on their family members, in an attempt to get lifted,” Giles said. “It's very precious to get to see that, those playful interactions.”
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Washington sends Task Force 1 to Hawaii in wake of wildfires
A team of local first responders flew out of Boeing Field Friday to provide emergency assistance as Maui recovers from this week's deadly wildfires.
“This is a mixture of rescue specialists, guys that that know how to breach and break concrete, steel, lift and move,” said William Palmer, program manager for Washington Task Force 1. “We have five canine teams, three are human remains detection teams, and two are live find teams.”
The 35-member Task Force 1 is supported by 36 participating agencies from Seattle, King, and Pierce counties, including the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Rainier Emergency Physicians, Tacoma Fire, Mercer Island Fire, and more. FEMA is adding 10 more members for this deployment.
The team will travel in a self-contained unit and have the flexibility to perform a variety of tasks. Palmer said they usually are activated for a couple weeks at a time, but could be in Hawaii longer if needed.
"We're flexible enough to be like a Swiss army knife, we got seven or eight blades, we can do a few few different things," Palmer said.
When the task force was formed in 1991, it was the first of its kind in the United States, authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It previously served at disasters such as the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, and the Oso landslide. The team was last deployed to Oregon in 2020 to help battle wildfires. It also went to Hawaii in 2018 to help after Hurricane Lane hit the islands.
“What we consider like our finest hour usually happens when somebody else is having their worst hours,” Palmer said. “We have folks still on the team that went to the 9/11. We have some that go back as far as the Oklahoma City bombing.”
In a statement on the Maui wildfires, Gov. Jay Inslee said that Washington "is ready to assist in any way we can."
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'He's lost everything.' In Seattle, sadness — and fundraising — for Maui's wildfire survivors
The Hawaiian community in Seattle is reeling from news of the wildfires that swept across Maui and other islands this week, killing at least three dozen people and wiping out homes and businesses.
Peter Buza has dished up plate lunches to fellow Hawaiian transplants and workers in Georgetown’s industrial section for three decades. His Kauai Family Restaurant feels cheerful and relaxed. Buza does not.
“I couldn't sleep last night, just thinking," Buza said with tears in his eyes.
RELATED: Seattle woman recounts Hawaii family's escape from wildfire
Buza’s brother and sister-in-law’s home in Lahaina Town is in ashes, he said. So is their car.
“Let me quote my brother — he said it’s 'apocalyptic,'" Buza said. "It spread within minutes.”
Buza said it’s heartbreaking to watch folks like his brother, a disabled veteran, go through one more hardship.
“He's lost everything in Maui. Nothing to go back to. Nothing," Buzz said.
Scientists say climate change likely contributed to the conditions that let the fire get out of control.
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Following shooting that wounded 5, community gatherings to resume at Rainier Beach Safeway
The Boys and Girls Club of King County plans to resume its community outreach efforts at the Rainier Beach Safeway following a July 28 shooting in which five people were wounded. A return date has not yet been set.
Over the last three years, organizers have frequently held community gatherings in the grocery store's parking lot in an effort to address the root of gun violence, like that which took place last month. Advocates say there weren't any other instances of violence at the gatherings leading up to last month's shooting.
Marty Jackson is the executive director of the local Boys and Girls Club's SE Network SafetyNet Program, which organizes the community gatherings in question. Jackson grew up in this community and attended high school nearby. She said she's just one of many people working to uphold her community, and encouraged residents to get to know their neighbors.
“We didn't start this motivated by fear — we started motivated by love," she said during a press conference Thursday morning. "I love this place. Sometimes I hate that I love this place so much, but I love this place…love Rainier Beach High School — go Vikings! I’m always gonna say that, y’all. I’m a Viking to the core.”
She added that when it comes to the community healing in the wake of the shooting, it’s important to be mindful of fear-based reactions, which she said are short-sighted.
“Instead of being motivated by fear, and trying to fill up this place with law enforcement — nothing against law enforcement — but anything you do by fear isn't going to end well,” Jackson said.
She also asserted that law enforcement does have a role to play here, and part of that is facilitating better communication and building relationships with the Rainier Beach community.
That includes working with programs like hers, she said, and others in the community.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Seattle Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects or made announced any arrests in connection with the Safeway shooting.
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If you never got a Covid booster, get one now: experts say
Covid cases and hospitalizations are ticking up slightly in Washington state and King County, so people are wondering if they should run out and get another Covid shot.
Experts say some people should consider it: anyone who didn’t get last fall’s booster, and anyone who is over 65 or immunocompromised and didn’t get two of last fall’s shots.
“I would encourage them to get it,” said Shireesha Dhanireddy, an infectious disease doctor and professor at UW Medicine.
Her advice to doctors is that, if a patient didn’t get one of the Covid shots that came out last fall, they should give it to them now.
“If you have someone in your clinic that hasn’t been vaccinated, this is an opportunity to vaccinate them,” she said. “It’s been a year since that’s been out, and this person is finally interested in getting a vaccine — let’s just do it.”
King County’s public health agency agrees with her.
“The reality is that we really don't know when the new vaccine will be available,” said Dr. Eric Chow, with the county public health agency. “We have the current vaccine now, which continues to provide protection against severe disease and possibly longer-term complications.”
Given that cases and hospitalizations are increasing locally for the first time this calendar year, he said, “Why not go ahead and get updated with the recommended vaccines?”
But this story comes with an asterisk: Other experts think it’s OK for everyone to wait till the newest shots come out this fall.
Only one in four people in Washington state got last fall’s booster. In King County, the number was slightly higher: one in three. But still, a majority of people in the county and statewide never got their booster shot.
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Facing another budget deficit and possible school closures, SPS seeks community feedback
As Seattle Public Schools faces another budget deficit of roughly $100 million — and school closures are likely on the horizon — the district is looking for feedback at a series of community meetings this month.
For months, as district officials worked to patch a $131 million budget shortfall for the upcoming school year, they often referred to "well-resourced schools" as a key piece to solving the district's precarious financial situation long term.
"A lot of you have asked, 'Well, what does well-resourced schools mean? Why are you holding back the definition?'" Superintendent Brent Jones said Tuesday.
"Well, you caught me," he continued. "I am holding back the definition because I don't have one. You all are going to help us to define 'well-resourced schools.'"
On Tuesday, over 100 parents and community members gathered at Garfield High School for the first of six community meetings this month.
Seattle's financial woes have been fueled by declining enrollment in recent years, which has hit some schools harder than others. And when there are fewer students in a school, they get less funding and fewer resources, Jones said.
"The hard truth is, as much as we love every one of our schools, when they're under-enrolled, they're unable to provide the sufficient level of staff, services, programs, and up-to-date technology," he said. "That is our reality."
That's why, Jones said, the district must rebalance enrollment across its schools, which may mean closing and consolidating some buildings.
At Tuesday's meetings, district officials asked attendees about their favorite aspects of their child's school and how the district can improve the resources and services offered, using the lens of "well-resourced schools."
Jones said the feedback from these sessions, as well as a survey in September, will inform the district's plan. A draft of that plan is expected to be presented in November.
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Covid cases are on the rise nationally. In Seattle?
Nationally, Covid numbers are ticking up. A summer wave is expected. This is based on levels of the virus detected in wastewater. But Covid levels in Washington state remain low, as do hospitalization numbers, for now.
"It doesn't take much to tip this over the edge and I anticipate that once schools start and the weather gets colder, and people start gathering in doors, and all of the other viruses come back, those hospitalization numbers will start to go up," Dr. Helen Chu with UW Medicine told KUOW's Seattle Now.
Despite the low numbers in the Seattle area, currently, other local health officials are noting that the numbers are rising.
Anecdotally, Seattle Now host Patricia Murphy commented that she's noticed people around her coming down with Covid, some without symptoms. Chu has noticed the same thing.
"Anecdotally, I've also heard that a lot of people are having ... Covid right now, and it may be just a matter of days before it starts showing up," Chu said. "Certainly, a lot of the time this travels from east to west, so things that happen on the East Coast just take a little bit of time to make it over to the West Coast."
National Covid levels are not as severe as previous waves, like omicron or delta. But as before, case severity can range, depending on one's age, vaccination status, and overall health. Chu said younger people who are vaccinated aren't getting as sick, but folks above the age of 60 are more often getting hospitalized.
Chu added that another booster shot for Covid is slated to arrive in the fall, and that those who are more vulnerable should plan on getting it. The new booster specifically targets the variant going around right now.
Check out Seattle Now's full conversation with Dr. Chu here.
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Awkward Seattle election endorsements: Today So Far
- Not every Seattle council member is endorsing the same candidates.
- Game on! Seattle ends its longstanding fee on amusement.
- Seattle's celebrity tree is saved from the axe.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for Aug. 10, 2023.
Quick hits
- Seattle becomes first in U.S. to protect gig workers from sudden "deactivation"
- Seattle lays out plan to uphold treaties and consider Indigenous concerns
- A guided tour of Seattle's new waterfront
We're just a week past the primary election and Seattle is getting some campaign drama started. Council President Debora Juarez just endorsed Bob Kettle, who is challenging her council colleague, incumbent Andrew Lewis — awkward.
Juarez is actually just the latest council member to endorse a candidate in District 7. Councilmember Sara Nelson also endorsed Kettle. Councilmember Lisa Herbold endorsed Lewis, as did Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. So that's a pretty even endorsement split for each candidate. Once again, Seattle is dealing with a blue versus blue dilemma. All these candidates and politicians swim in the same end of the political pool, but there is a gap. Basically, one corner of Seattle says, "I'm blue." But another corner is quick to counter, "Nuh-uh, I'm more blue than you. You're more like periwinkle."
"Nah, I'm more like a blueberry."
"Well, I'm as blue as Bette Davis' eyes."
"Back off, I'm as blue as Blue's Clues!"
"Pssh, whatever, I'm as blue as when Beach House sings about lapis lazuli."
"You're not fooling me. I'm blue! Da ba dee da ba di..."
And that's basically the debate in Seattle. Read more here.
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Seattle woman recounts Hawaii family's escape from wildfire
At least 36 have died in the wildfires sweeping across Hawaii's Big Island and Maui. Dozens more have been injured, and thousands are taking shelter after evacuating their homes — many of which have been burned to the ground.
Roxanne See has watched it all, from a distance, at her home in Seattle. She moved to Washington from Oahu in 2013. Many of her family members are in the path of the flames. See was able to speak to them Wednesday night, and says they're all accounted for, however, several of their homes in Lahaina, Maui, are a total loss.
"According to one niece, they were told to evacuate, and as they were getting things out of their apartment or house, their roof caught fire," See told KUOW's Angela King. "So, they ran with whatever they could. They got to the car, but of course there is traffic because everybody is trying to evacuate, too. It got to the point where traffic wasn't moving, so one of my nieces said that they just got out of the car and jumped into the water."
At the time, the water was the family's only refuge from the flames.
See's cousin lost her home, as did two of her children. Still, she's staying positive.
"They're all separated, but they're out of the danger zone," See said.
While there isn't much See and others with loved ones on the islands can do, right now, she says she can still gather strength.
"We come together stronger. We rebuild. We'll help everybody we can," she said. "There's so many people from Hawaii that are here in Washington state, so very, very many people. Everybody's been checking on each other. So, our hearts just go out to everybody there."
RELATED: Washington family's vacation in ‘paradise’ turns to disaster
More than 270 structures and about 11,000 acres have been burned by wildfires on the Hawaiian islands. There's still much more damage to assess. Getting ahold of loved ones in the area can be difficult as internet and cell phone services are down in many places.
Hawaii Lieutenant Gov. Sylvia Luke told NPR's Morning Edition high temperatures on the island created wildfire conditions to begin with, and the Category 4 Hurricane Dora triggered brush fires, fanning the flames with with maximum sustained winds near 140 miles per hour; the wildfire-hurricane combination is rare, though officials say climate change could fuel more such extreme weather.
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