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NFL team owners have unanimously approved the record-setting $9.6 billion sale of the Seattle Seahawks by the Paul G. Allen Trust to the Khosla family. Approved at a special league meeting in Atlanta, the transaction represents the largest ownership deal in NFL history and marks the franchise’s first ownership change in nearly 30 years.

Local News

Seattle Teachers Vote on Strike Amid SPS $87M Budget Deficit · KOMO News Seattle Public Schools educators are voting Wednesday night on whether to authorize a strike just as the new school year approaches. The Seattle Education Association is pushing back against growing workloads and challenging working conditions while the district grapples with a massive $87 million budget crisis. If approved, the strike threat could delay the start of classes for thousands of local students.

Half of Bellevue’s New Speed Cameras Vandalized Days After Installation · KING 5 Bellevue city crews began installing new signs on Monday to lower neighborhood speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph in residential areas like Lake Hills, Crossroads, and Wilburton. However, the safety campaign was immediately disrupted when vandals spray-painted and damaged four of the city’s eight newly installed speed cameras days after they went live. Bellevue police have increased patrols around the locations but currently have no suspect descriptions, leads, or known motive in the vandalism.

Mayor Wilson Officially Launches Search for Seattle’s Next Police Chief · The Seattle Times Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson officially launched a nationwide search on Tuesday for the Seattle Police Department’s next permanent leader. Mayor Wilson laid out expectations that the next chief must be visible, accountable, and present in local neighborhoods. Concurrently, the department is abruptly ending its recruitment bonus program, which previously offered up to $50,000 for new hires and had successfully brought hundreds of new officers to the force.

Washington Sues U.S. Postal Service Over Vote-by-Mail Regulations · KOMO News Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs announced a federal lawsuit on Wednesday against the U.S. Postal Service to challenge new mail-in voting regulations. State officials labeled the federal policies an “unlawful attack on vote-by-mail” and expect to secure a new injunction soon. The legal challenge comes after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows the restriction of mail-in ballots for non-compliant states.

Frustrated Seattle Veteran Turns to Billboard to Press City Action · KOMO News Disabled veteran Victor Fleming spent $2,750 of his own money to install a billboard along Aurora Avenue to protest city leaders’ failure to address ongoing crime. The billboard highlights persistent issues with shootings, drugs, and prostitution along the corridor, which Fleming claims has turned Seattle into a “city of enablers”. He resorted to the roadside advertisement after repeatedly calling City Hall for action without receiving any meaningful response.

Decaying Whale Carcass Found Lodged on Container Ship Bow near Port of Tacoma · FOX 13 Seattle Port of Tacoma workers discovered a 70-foot whale carcass wedged on the bow of an incoming Evergreen cargo ship early Monday morning. Marine mammal experts and investigators from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are currently working to determine what killed the endangered giant. Local dockworkers described the incident as absolutely crazy, stating they had never seen anything like it at the port.

T-Mobile to Lay Off 77 Employees and Shutter 7 Washington Retail Stores · KOMO News T-Mobile USA announced plans to lay off 77 employees at its Bellevue headquarters and shutter seven retail stores across Washington state. The layoffs are scheduled to occur between Sept. 21 and Nov. 18, according to a notice filed with the state Employment Security Department. The Bellevue-based wireless giant has not disclosed which retail locations will close.

Community & Lifestyle

Downtown Seattle saw a massive tourism boost in July, welcoming over 3.7 million unique visitors in large part due to the FIFA World Cup. For residents hoping for a clear look at Mount Rainier as cleaner and cooler air settles in this week, a local developer has launched a new app that pinpoints exactly whether “the mountain is out”. Meanwhile, local fans of Dolly Parton are planning a community vigil on Friday evening on Capitol Hill to celebrate her life, and Governor Bob Ferguson has ordered state flags to fly at half-staff for a week in her honor.

🎨 I can create a custom graphic comparing local Bellevue speed limit changes and camera locations if you’d like a visual layout of the new traffic safety zones.