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KUOW Blog

News, factoids, and insights from KUOW's newsroom. And maybe some peeks behind the scenes. Check back daily for updates.

Have any leads or feedback for the KUOW Blog? Contact Dyer Oxley at dyer@kuow.org.

Stories

  • Seattle strikes down its fee on arcade games, pinball, pool, and more fun

    Game on! Seattle has nixed its licensing fee for arcade games, pinball machines, pool tables, and more. The goal is to help businesses bring in more fun as the city recovers from pandemic slowdowns.

    The City Council unanimously voted (8-0) this week to end the fee established decades ago on common forms of entertainment.

    "I'm pretty excited about that," said Alex Singleterry, owner of the Ice Box in Ballard. "It will save me quite a bit of money each year. I spend about $15,000 to $17,000 a year on those fees."

    Singleterry has about 200 arcade and pinball machines to license, and notes that the council's timing is great since, "November is right around the corner, and that is time to renew the licenses."

    Seattle is now the latest city to cancel its fee on amusement. Spokane, for example, recently made the same move. Such fees predate the modern era of arcade games.

    Starting in the 1940s, many U.S. cities were banning activities like pinball machines, under the argument that they were bilking coins from children. The machines were associated with gambling (because early forms of these machines were gambling devices), and in turn, they were tied to organized crime. That was the situation in Seattle, where suppliers of pinball machines and jukeboxes were suspected of blowing up each other's warehouses, and threatening elected officials and public figures. Instead of banning the machines, Seattle set up a fee system to control them.

    RELATED: The Northwest's pinball culture is flipping hot

    The fee expanded to other forms of entertainment associated with vice. It also covered shuffleboards, pool tables, some TVs, and peepshow devices. It even covered riding machines, like mechanical horses, the preferred vice of miscreant preschoolers. The fee varied. Some devices, such as video games, could be charged as much as $1,500 per machine, per year. Dart boards were $25 per year. Pool tables, shuffleboards, and music devices (jukeboxes) were $50 per year. That's a lot of quarters required to make the business model pencil out.

    But the landscape of Seattle's amusement has dramatically changed over the years.

    "It became clear and evident pretty quickly that there was no health, safety, or welfare basis for this fee," said Councilmember Andrew Lewis, who put forth the bill to do away with the amusement fee.

    Continue reading »

  • Big hit to Washington grapes: Today So Far

    Quick hits

    If you've ever dreamed of making your own wine at home, now may be a good time to hunt for a great deal on grapes. That's because Chateau Ste. Michelle just announced it won't be buying a whole lot of grapes from Washington farmers this season — 40% less than expected.

    This is a big deal. These grapes are already on the vine, growing out in Washington's fields. A difficult angle on this for growers is that these types of wine grapes are generally produced for large productions. That's why they were previously slated for Ste. Michelle. The winery's operations add up to half of the state's wine industry (and most of Oregon's too, though no Oregon grape contracts are taking a hit).

    As Northwest News Network's Anna King reports, the wine industry has experienced a few hits and cutbacks in recent years, and this cut could mean that some of Washington's vineyards will either sell or go out of business. Read more here.

    Our region might not have much wildfire smoke lingering about these days, but that doesn't mean Seattle isn't smoky. The city is experiencing a spike in vacant building fires. There was about one such fire per week by mid-July, which is about one-third more than in 2022. So far, investigators say some are arson, and others are accidents or have no known cause. KUOW's Ann Dornfeld has the full story here.

    Meanwhile, fires continue to rage elsewhere in Washington state, which should be concerning to folks in Seattle. Those wildfires are inching closer and closer to hydroelectric dams that provide power to Seattle City Light.

    Seattle's electric utility recently shut down its Diablo and Ross dams (they're technically still producing power locally, but not sending anything down the line to the utility). Workers from the small town of Diablo had to be evacuated because of the nearby Sourdough fire. But the concern here is not just about the dams themselves. Wildfires and wildfire smoke can damage transmission lines.

    The Gorge Dam continues to provide electricity to Seattle, and the utility has purchased power from other sources. KUOW's John Ryan has the full story here.

    AS SEEN ON KUOW

    Continue reading »

  • New deal saves Seattle's celebrity tree, 'Luma'


    The tree in Seattle's Wedgwood neighborhood that activists have named Luma, and which prompted a summer movement to save it, will be preserved.

    “This is exactly what we’re looking for — tribal-led resolution on protecting this elder tree," said Droplet, an activist, from within the tree's branches, on Wednesday morning. "But also reforming our laws and regulations so there’s never a situation where an elder tree like this is sacrificed for convenience.”

    The owner of the property, the lender for the project, and the builder have begun work with the Snoqualmie Tribe to preserve the tree as a "culturally modified tree," a term Washington uses to note and preserve trees of significance.

    "It is critical that culturally modified trees like Luma are respected and preserved,” said Jaime Martin, with the Snoqualmie Tribe. “We are excited Legacy Group Capital is making this commitment to cultural preservation and we look forward to working with them on developing a process for proactive CMT assessment during their feasibility process. Tribal leadership also looks forward to working with city leaders on their commitment to develop legislative protections and improved processes for identifying these threatened cultural resources.”

    RELATED: How a tree named Luma transfixed Seattle

    "Luma" is the name activists gave the western redcedar after climbing into its branches in July, and camping out, preventing builders from cutting down the tree. Crowds gathered around the protest, which sought to highlight Seattle's diminished tree canopy. The 80-foot, double-trunked tree qualifies as an "exceptional" tree under the city's code, based on its size and history, but that status didn't prevent plans for its removal.

    The Wedgwood property was reportedly slated to be redeveloped to accommodate as many as six housing units. Owners initially did not plan to cut down the tree, but revised plans called for the axe.

    As pushback against the plan mounted, the Snoqualmie Tribe weighed in, calling for the western redcedar to be considered as a culturally modified tree. Such trees have been used by Indigenous tribes for various reasons. The way the nearly 200-year-old redcedar had once been pruned indicated that it was used to mark a trail system that predated the city, and settlers in the area.

    Since then, the various parties have met to find a solution to the controversy, including Legacy Group Capital (the lender), Rock House Builders (the property owner), Bad Boyz GC (the builder), and the Snoqualmie Tribe. In a statement, Legacy said it was first notified about the tree's significance on July 21. That prompted a meeting on Aug. 7. The solution, according to Legacy, is to divide the property up. Three housing units will go on one side, and one or two housing units will be built on the other half. The original plan called for six units on the single property.

    Legacy adds that it wants to now "to develop a stronger relationship with the Tribe, as we'll be relying on their expertise to identify [culturally modified trees] moving forward."

    “Trees and housing are both critically important to Seattle’s future,” Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a statement. “Working together, I’m grateful for the collaborative approach embraced by the owner, builder, lender, and Snoqualmie Tribe to reach a solution preserving this culturally modified tree and allowing for much needed housing. We look forward to continued partnership with Tribes and regional Native leaders to identify and protect culturally modified trees in our city.”

    Continue reading »

  • Seattle Council President Juarez endorses Bob Kettle in District 7 race

    Update: A few days following Councilmember Debora Juarez's endorsement of Seattle council candidate Bob Kettle, Councilmember Alex Pedersen has come forth with the same support.

    “I’m supporting Bob Kettle for City Council," Pedersen said in a statement. "For Seattle to succeed, we need a reliable majority on the City Council focused firmly on the basics – public safety and fiscal responsibility. Bob Kettle is dedicated to bringing that pragmatic focus to the City Council.”

    Kettle is running for the council's District 7 against incumbent Andrew Lewis. Kettle now has support from current Councilmembers Juarez, Pedersen, and Sara Nelson.

    Lewis has endorsements from Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Teresa Mosqueda.

    Original report

    In the wake of the primary election, Seattle City Council President Debora Juarez has come out in support of Bob Kettle, who seeks to unseat her colleague on the dais, Councilmember Andrew Lewis.

    Juarez is not the only member on the dais who has come out in support of Lewis' competition. Councilmember Sara Nelson has also endorsed Kettle.

    Lewis is running for reelection in Seattle's District 7. As of Aug. 8, he has taken in 43.5% of the vote. Kettle came in second with nearly 32%.

    “If Bob Kettle can serve and protect America, as he has done, I know he can represent the good people of Seattle," Juarez said in a statement. "He’ll bring principled leadership gained in the Navy, and built upon as a community leader here in Seattle.”

    “I’m endorsing Bob because this ‘Girl Dad’ will fight for the most marginalized people in our community. He’ll include our young people, listen to the concerns of his constituents, and help us deliver ground-level results.”

    Kettle's campaign is hyping Juarez's support and pointing out that Lewis took in under 50% of the primary vote, which it argues is an "ominous sign" for an incumbent. Of the three incumbents in the primary, Lewis did take in the lowest percentage of votes. Dan Strauss in District 6, and Tammy Morales in District 2, both currently have 52% of votes in their respective districts.

    Lewis' campaign also boasts a couple of council member endorsements of its own. According to the campaign's website, Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda and Lisa Herbold have both backed the incumbent. Mosqueda currently aims to move over the King County Council and is campaigning for that seat on the November ballot. She took in 58% of the primary vote for County Council District 8. Herbold represents Seattle's District 1 and is stepping down from office after her current term, which concludes at the end of this year.

    Juarez represents District 5 on the council. She is not running for reelection and will leave office after this year. Nelson represents Position 9, which is an at-large seat. Her current term runs through 2024.

    KUOW has reached out to Andrew Lewis' campaign for a comment.

    Continue reading »

  • What about the Apple Cup? Today So Far
    • Temperatures slated to rise around Western Washington.
    • What about the Apple Cup?
    • There's a new U.S. attorney in town.

    This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for Aug. 8, 2023.

    Quick hits

    Heads up. Be prepared for a heatwave coming our way.

    Am I the only one who experienced joy when it started raining over the weekend, and wanted to go for a walk? Well, for folks complaining about summer rain (you know who you are), be careful what you wish for. Signs are pointing to a spike in temps over a few days, starting as early as this weekend. Though forecasts differ, depending on who you ask. Some say we'll be in the high 80s, some say near 90s next week. This may seem like not much, compared to what other parts of the country have experienced this season.

    The National Weather Service Meteorologist Dev McMillian told KUOW that temperatures could get around 90 degrees in Western Washington by Sunday, and that heat could stick around through about Tuesday. You'll notice I'm using words like "around" and "about," because again, this is weather and forecasts can differ. What is certain is that you should be prepared for higher temps. Read more here.

    What about the Apple Cup? That's the big question following UW's announcement that it is leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten.

    For those of you out there who are like me (you can name all the "Star Trek" captains, but don't how many homeruns it takes to score a touchdown), this is a big deal in the world of college sports. Universities join "conferences" so their sports teams can compete against each other. For decades, Washington State University and the University of Washington were in the same conference, the Pac-12, which meant they went up against each other. It our state's big college rivalry — east versus west, city versus rural, football versus ... the other football. Fans and alumni traditionally tune in for these universities to clash each year at the Apple Cup. But now WSU and UW are in different conferences. They don't play against each other. Can there still be a beloved Apple Cup?

    Some folks may try to give you an answer on this, but the truth is, nobody really knows what will happen. The announcement of UW's move is still fresh, so there is a lot to work out. The only firm comment on the issue from UW is that it is "committed to preserving the rich tradition of the Apple Cup rivalry with Washington State University in all sports, including football." UW President Ana Mari Cauce doubled down on the commitment, saying, "Even with this move, we remain committed to the Apple Cup and to competing with WSU across all of our sports." While they're certainly committed, both statements don't clearly state, "Don't worry, there will still be an Apple Cup." It still expresses a desire to keep it going, but as Christian Caple with Substack's "On Montlake" told KUOW, "It takes two to tango." The Cougars might not see any benefit in playing UW if they're not in the same conference. Plus, WSU might feel a bit burned.

    "I think that their future is so uncertain now, being left behind in the Pac-12, or what is left for the Pac-12, and there is so much for them to sort out in the conference front," Caple said. "I don't know that it's top of mind for them right now. I would guess that a lot of fans ultimately would like to see them continue to play that game, because it is so integral, it's such a great tradition in the state. But there's also a lot of WSU fans, rightfully so, who don't want to see [UW] again, and fault [UW] for the death of the Pac-12, a century-plus old conference, and it's hard to hold that against them, frankly."

    Sportswriter Danny O'Neil may also have some doubts about the two colleges going head-to-head again.

    Continue reading »

  • A heat wave is on its way to Western Washington

    Western Washington could see high temperatures near 90 by Sunday.

    The heat is expected to last through Aug. 15.

    National Weather Service Meteorologist Dev McMillian advises people to limit time outdoors and to check on potentially vulnerable people, including older adults.

    Still, this heat wave won't be as bad as past events.

    "We're not expecting to see anything along the lines of what we saw in June of 2021," McMillian said, referring to the deadly heat dome that brought a 108-degree day to Seattle. "We're going to see temperatures well below that threshold, thankfully."

    As of Monday, Seattle was on day 47 of hitting at least 70 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

    That streak will continue Tuesday with highs in the upper 70s and cloudy conditions.

    Continue reading »

  • Tuesday's Mega Millions now at $1.55 billion, the 3rd-largest in U.S. lottery history


    Lottery players will have another shot Tuesday night at a massive Mega Millions prize that ranks as the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history.

    The estimated $1.55 billion prize has been gradually building for months thanks to 31 straight drawings without a jackpot winner. The last time someone won the game's top prize was April 18.

    Each drawing without a winner pushes the prize closer to the record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot that someone in California won last year.

    Mega Millions jackpot winners are so rare thanks to odds of 1 in 302.6 million.

    The $1.55 billion payout would go to a winner who opts for an annuity, doled out over 30 years. But people usually prefer a lump sum option, which for Tuesday's jackpot would be an estimated $757.2 million.

    The money would be subject to federal taxes. Many states also tax lottery winnings.

    Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. [Copyright 2023 NPR]

    Continue reading »

  • Where your tires go: Today So Far
    • The problem with car tires and what folks are trying to do about it.
    • Got bug spray?
    • It's hard to get hiking tips in Washington state.

    This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for Aug. 7, 2023.

    Quick hits

    You know how you have to get new tires every so often? That's because they wear down. Ever think of where the tires disappear to?

    Tires break down into tiny bits of rubber that get left on the road. That eventually gets washed away. Around here, it gets washed into our streams, rivers, and other bodies of water. That's where salmon find it, and where those tire bits kill them. More specifically, a chemical called "6PPD" kills the fish. It's a toxic substance that tire companies use to stabilize rubber. It's so harmful to the environment that three tribes, including two from Washington state, are petitioning the government for a national ban of the chemical. Meanwhile, tire companies appear to be finding alternatives. Read more here.

    Stock up on bug spray. Use it liberally.

    As the climate continues to change, altering Northwest norms, different bugs are making their way to the region. That means there is potential for new diseases to come to town. Ticks are one such bug that researchers and entomologists are watching out for, and not just for Lyme disease.

    Mosquitos are the other bugs that they're keeping an eye one. These bugs are quite prevalent right now, and more so this year than in others. There are a few reasons for that. One is that the big snow melt off in the mountains has sent plenty of water downstream for mosquitoes to lay eggs in. But there is another reason, as Liz Dykstra, a public health entomologist with the Washington State Department of Health's Zoonotic Disease Program, explained to KUOW.

    "...we have subspecies that we refer to as floodwaters species. And what they do is they lay their eggs right above the waterline. You could have several years where multiple generations of mosquitoes lay their eggs right above that waterline. And those eggs are not covered, and they can stay viable for many years."

    Read more here.

    I had a feeling last week, when I asked for readers' suggestions for outdoor hiking and camping spots, I would get a response like this.

    Continue reading »

  • Understaffing leads to safety problems at King County juvenile detention, draft report finds

    An outside review of King County juvenile detention found staffing issues are leading to safety problems for youths and workers.

    The county commissioned the safety and security analysis following a sharp uptick in assaults by young people at the jail.

    In draft recommendations issued July 31, consultants found that ongoing staffing shortages, a lack of structure, and interrupted programming lead to behavior problems and fights at the jail.

    The draft report was issued just days after a youth fight at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center sent seven staff members to the hospital.

    RELATED: Seven staffers injured in youth brawl at King County juvenile detention facility

    Jason Smith, a representative of the Juvenile Detention Guild, which includes corrections officers at the jail, welcomed the recommendations.

    “The guild and the staff have been trying for several years to improve conditions in the juvenile detention center," Smith said.

    "We’ve always seen safety as our number one concern, because if we don’t have a safe environment, then we don’t have staff. If we don’t have staff, then we’re not able to properly monitor and program the youth.”

    Smith added that after last week's fight, many staff were out and many classes for youth at the facility were canceled.

    A county spokesperson declined to comment on the draft report.

    More than one-fifth of juvenile detention officer positions are unfilled at present, and King County is offering hiring bonuses of up to $25,000.

    Staff need more training about how to anticipate and respond to violence at the facility, consultants found, and youth need more opportunities for exercise rather than just "horseplay."

    Continue reading »

  • Seattle's Museum of Museums announces permanent closure

    The Museum of Museums (MoM) announced Thursday that its doors will shut for good on Sept. 1.

    The reason cited for the sudden closure is a $120,000 plumbing bill.

    The museum was founded by Greg Lundgren in 2019. He flipped a vacant medical office building on Broadway into one of the coolest contemporary museums in the city, opening it to the public at the peak of the pandemic in 2020.

    After the new museum survived Covid closures that rocked the arts community, Lundgren said he was shocked to learn that a plumbing issue would be the reason this bold venture failed. But after a $120,000 estimate on vital repairs on a building that isn't owned by MoM, Lundgren decided to close the museum.

    “The way that the building was designed, all the flat roofs drain into our main sewer line," Lundgren said. “They don't drain off the side of the building, they drain into our collective sewer. And that line is 80 years old and made out of clay.”

    Both MoM and the building owner, Swedish Medical Center, spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to address the issue before receiving the $120,000 estimate to fully repair the pipes. Lundgren explained that during heavy rain, up to 3 feet of water would collect in the space and the restrooms would become unusable.

    Without necessary repairs, the museum would not be able to safely host exhibits once the rainy season returns. MoM director Mary Anne Carter said the museum's legacy will live on within the local artist community it showcased.

    “I hope people view the museum as a reminder of how much talent we have in the Pacific Northwest,” Carter said. “At least 80% of the work we showed was from our region. And as an artist myself, I'm definitely sad that we're losing space, but I hope it encourages people to seek out ways to replicate the model or find new ways to show artists, because the artists are still here.”

    When the museum closes at the end of the summer, there are no plans for continuing in the near future. But, both Lundgren and Carter are hopeful that new opportunities for local artists will emerge.

    Continue reading »

  • UW football moving to Big Ten, pulling Huskies out of Pac-12

    The University of Washington is taking its football team out of the Pac-12 and moving the Huskies over to the Big Ten Conference.

    "The Big Ten is a thriving conference with strong athletic and academic traditions, and we are excited and confident about competing at the highest level on a national stage," UW President Ana Mari Cauce said in a statement. "My top priority must be to do what is best for our student-athletes and our University, and this move will help ensure a strong future for our athletics program."

    UW's move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten will become official in August 2024. The University of Oregon is making the same move. According to the Big Ten, both UW and UO submitted applications to join the conference Friday afternoon (morning Seattle time). The conference's board called a virtual meeting and voted in favor of allowing the universities to join.

    President Cauce added that the university concluded that the "opportunities and stability offered by the Big Ten are unmatched," and that UW had worked for more than a year to "find a viable path" that would keep the Pac-12 together.

    "We have tremendous respect and gratitude for the Pac-12, its treasured history and traditions," Jen Cohen, the UW's director of athletics, said in a statement. "At the same time, the college athletics landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. The Big Ten's history of athletic and academic success and long-term stability best positions our teams for future success, and we are energized at the opportunity to compete at the highest level against some of the best programs in the country."

    In its announcement Friday, UW noted that it is "committed to preserving the rich tradition of the Apple Cup rivalry with Washington State University in all sports, including football."

    In a statement, WSU President Kirk Schulz expressed disappointment in UW's decision, but said that the university has been preparing for "numerous scenarios."

    Continue reading »

  • Acting U.S. Attorney in Seattle turns focus to gun crimes, mental health solutions

    The local U.S. Attorney’s office is looking at new tactics to stem gun violence in Seattle.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman said her office is participating in the Community Violence Task Force launched by SPD Chief Adrian Diaz in June. Gorman said the group has discussed a rise in incidents that involve stolen firearms as well as dozens of shots fired.

    “We’re really looking at gun violence in a holistic approach — how do we prevent it?" Gorman said, adding she wants to review every possible case with local partners to see how her office can play a role, "using the tools from both our civil side of the house and our criminal side of the house.”

    Since machine guns are already illegal under federal law, Gorman said her office could take civil action against people who are importing and selling devices that convert semiautomatic firearms to become fully automatic.

    “I know our colleagues in the Eastern District of New York have taken an interesting approach that I’ve asked our team to explore — and they’re exploring — about if someone’s selling those in our district, could we enjoin them? could we get a temporary restraining order from the court?” Gorman said.

    (Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York filed civil complaints against two firearms companies for “unlawfully selling machine gun conversion devices” last January.)

    Gorman became acting U.S. Attorney for Western Washington on July 22. She takes the place of Nick Brown. He stepped down this summer to campaign for state attorney general.

    Gorman said she is also focused on improving reentry services for people being released from prison, and on the possibility of launching a mental health court at the federal level. The idea would be to keep people with mental illness out of prison.

    “We’ve seen cases with people who’ve had long-term mental health issues, and we’ve seen cases where people have gone through more acute mental health moments," she said. "And those look different. How you would treat those may be different, but they’re both — in my experience — deserving of an intervention that looks different than being incarcerated.”

    Gorman said her office is working with federal judges and other stakeholders to explore the feasibility of creating a mental health court to oversee certain cases.

    “We use all the tools we can, but there are some cases that we feel it’s appropriate to have a prosecution intervention," she said. "And in some of those cases over the years, we see what’s really driving the conduct is a mental health issue.”

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