NEWS
Seattle Local
The dramatic step follows extreme drought, high winds, and a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" alert issued by the National Weather Service for critical fire danger east …
Sources
- FOX 13 Seattle (YouTube)
- FOX 13 Seattle / @fox13seattle
- KING 5 News / @KING5Seattle
- KING 5 Seattle (YouTube)
- KIRO 7 / @KIRO7Seattle
- KIRO 7 News (YouTube)
- KOMO News (YouTube)
- KOMO News / @komonews
- KQES Chinese Public Radio Seattle (YouTube)
- Sammamish Comment
- Seattle Channel (YouTube)
- Seattle Parks / @SeattleParks
- The Seattle Times / @seattletimes
Top Story
Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide wildfire emergency and imposed a sweeping ban on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30. The dramatic step follows extreme drought, high winds, and a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” alert issued by the National Weather Service for critical fire danger east of the Cascades.
Local News
Mayor Appoints Interim Police Chief After Barnes’ Resignation · KOMO News Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson appointed Deputy Chief Andre Sayles to serve as interim police chief after asking former Chief Shon Barnes to step down. Under a resignation agreement, Barnes will receive approximately $700,000 as he leaves the department. The leadership change comes as Wilson emphasizes the need for new priorities and urgently seeks a permanent chief to handle citywide security.
Bodycam Footage Released from Bite of Seattle Mass Shooting · KING 5 The Seattle Police Department released body camera video showing officers rushing through crowds to apprehend a suspect and administer first aid during last weekend’s deadly mass shooting at the Seattle Center. A 19-year-old suspect with previously dismissed gun charges is in custody, but interim SPD leadership confirmed the search for additional suspects remains ongoing. The city has implemented heightened security protocols for upcoming weekend events in response to the violence.
AG Nick Brown Challenges Puget Sound Energy Rate Hikes · KIRO 7 Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is fighting back against major utility rate increases proposed by Puget Sound Energy. The utility company has requested a 29% hike in electric rates and a 20% increase for gas. Brown’s pushback is an effort to shield local residents from significant utility cost spikes.
Sound Transit Sets 2042 Target for Ballard Light Rail · KIRO 7 Plans for a Ballard light rail extension are still in motion, with Sound Transit now targeting 2042 for passenger service along Market Street. The long-awaited transit project intends to connect the bustling maritime and residential neighborhood to the regional light rail grid.
Community & Lifestyle
Seafair weekend officially kicked off with an expected 180,000 visitors heading to Lake Washington, though organizers were forced to cancel Saturday’s iconic Blue Angels performance due to adverse weather and wind conditions. In local transit, cars and buses merging onto I-5 from Denny Way are no longer sharing the same lane thanks to a new Transportation Levy-funded project designed to improve Metro bus reliability. Meanwhile, South Sound residents were treated to a rare natural spectacle when a gray whale was spotted swimming beneath the Purdy Bridge in Henderson Bay.