Seattle Local — 2026-06-30#

Top Story#

Starting Wednesday, Washington drivers will pay slightly more at the pump as the state’s gas tax increases by 2%,. This statewide hike to the motor vehicle fund takes effect just as residents prepare to hit the roads for the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend,.

Local News#

Man accused of killing transgender UW student found incompetent to stand trial · KOMO News Christopher Leahy, the 31-year-old accused of fatally stabbing 19-year-old transgender UW student Juniper Blessing more than 40 times, was found mentally incompetent to assist in his own defense,,,. A King County Superior Court judge has ordered Leahy to spend up to 90 days at Western State Hospital for competency restoration treatment. The murder case is now delayed until at least September,.

Drivers who struck fallen WSP Trooper will not face criminal charges · KOMO News The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against the two drivers who struck and killed Washington State Patrol Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting on a State Route 509 on-ramp in Tacoma last December,. According to a prosecutor’s memo, the first driver was traveling below the posted speed limit, showed no signs of impairment, and would not have been able to see the trooper until the exact moment of impact,.

Bellevue rabbi, camp counselors escape house fire by jumping from second-story window · KOMO News Rabbi Sholom Elishevitz, his family, and seven visiting summer camp counselors escaped an early morning fire at their Bellevue home on Saturday by jumping from a second-story window,,. The residence also served as a popular gathering place for meals and celebrations within the local Jewish community,. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, though the rabbi was treated for minor burns to his hands and smoke inhalation,.

Washington Fish and Wildlife officer uncovers 21 hidden Dungeness crabs at Tokeland · KIRO 7 Four people are facing criminal charges after state wildlife officials caught them attempting to smuggle 21 illegal, live Dungeness crabs near Tokeland on the Washington coast,,,. The accused poachers were caught hiding the live crabs inside their custom clothing, stuffing them into items like puffer jackets and jacket hoods,,,.

Washington workers officially begin contributing to WA Cares Fund · FOX 13 Washington workers are officially seeing a new payroll tax hit their paychecks to fund the WA Cares Fund, a first-in-the-nation long-term care benefit,. The Department of Social and Health Services states the program will secure a lifetime benefit of up to $36,500, aiming to protect residents’ retirement savings from the devastating financial impacts of long-term care,.

Community & Lifestyle#

Washington State Ferries anticipates a massive influx of 400,000 riders over the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend,. Travelers can look forward to pleasant weather, as skies will gradually clear and temperatures are expected to warm into the upper 70s in time for the holiday,. In other local news, downtown Kent residents will finally get some peace and quiet beginning in late August, as the Federal Railroad Administration approved a horn-free train “Quiet Zone” through the city center,,. Finally, the iconic Seattle Dog—complete with its signature cream cheese and grilled onions—was just named the country’s best regional hot dog in a taste test by The New York Times and famed Chef José Andrés,.