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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Live updates: Trump assassination attempt news & analysis
KUOW and NPR coverage in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
UW researchers find online rumors, but no major disinformation campaigns, after Trump assassination attempt
University of Washington researchers say rumors and misinformation on social media following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump came from the left, right and center.
“We have to be savvier about how we approach those spaces as consumers and participants, because it's not just this natural sense-making process that's happening. It's also been being manipulated and shaped by attention dynamics in ways that lead to it being very poor-quality information, especially in the early moments after a crisis event," said Kate Starbird who heads the Center for an Informed Public.
Starbird said researchers identified no major disinformation campaign by outside actors. Instead, it's rumors that circulated spontaneously by people trying to get attention for themselves or their causes.
Researchers said rumors focused on elements like the shooter’s identity, Secret Service preparedness, and whether the attack was staged.
The UW center is conducting rapid research on election-year rumors after disinformation efforts — domestic and from overseas, including Russia — roiled presidential elections in 2020 and 2016.
Read more here about misinformation that spread shortly after the assassination attempt.
— Ann Dornfeld, KUOW
Monday, July 15, 2024
Cantwell, Wyden of Oregon denounce political violence during energy summit
At an energy summit on Seattle’s waterfront on Monday, Democratic U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell from Washington and Ron Wyden of Oregon condemned political violence following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump over the weekend.
The two also voiced their concerns over Trump's pick for vice president, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance from Ohio.
— Casey Martin
Bob Ferguson pauses talking about Trump on the campaign trail
While talking with KUOW, Washington state Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson said that his thoughts are with former President Trump and his family after the assassination attempt. He said that he will hold off on talking about Trump while on the campaign trail for a while.
"I do frequently talk about Dave Reichert’s support for Donald Trump, and Donald Trump’s policies, and that sort of thing … but you know, I told my audience yesterday, I spoke about what happened to former president Trump, my views on that, and that I would not be speaking about Donald Trump in my remarks to them."
"Obviously, as Americans we need to avoid this escalating," he added. "Like what we saw in, say, 1968 where you had MLK Jr. and Bobby Kennedy assassinated within a very short period of time."
"Assassinations and attempted assassinations have long been a part of American political life, which is deeply problematic and deeply concerning so I think where it goes back to, is all leaders, all Americans, need to express their condemnation of what happened."
— Jeanie Lindsay (Northwest News Network), KUOW staff
Mónica Guzmán: "You can feel that everything is shook"
There have been many reactions following the assassination attempt of former President Trump. While some have denounced political violence, others have leaned into conspiracy theories and pointing a political finger of blame.
As Mónica Guzmán, senior fellow at Braver Angels (a nonpartisan organization dedicated to political depolarization), told KUOW's Soundside, political differences are part of how our democracy works. But how we handle those differences, how we react, is what impacts our daily lives.
"Heat in a conversation, a disagreement across differences, politically, heat is good," Guzmán said. "The question is whether you are cooking something, or burning something."
Read the full story here.
— KUOW staff
Reichert calls Secret Service protection of Trump into question
Dave Reichert is no stranger to threats of violence — he described many he received as King County sheriff and congressman in an interview with KUOW.
In 2015, a caller who threatened to kill him was charged with harassment. As head of King County's SWAT division, he worked with the U.S. Secret Service on protection for visiting dignitaries.
"I'm sure that the Secret Service has recognized that they absolutely, obviously, left a gap — allowed someone to get into a position to have a clear shot at President Trump," Reichert said. "That should have never happened."
Reichert said he does not have security, and will not be getting any after this shooting.
Both major Democrats in the race condemned political violence in statements. The other major Republican candidate in the race, Semi Bird, blamed so-called elites trying to "maintain power and control of government."
— Scott Greenstone
Washington Sen. Patty Murray condemns "all forms of political violence" and says "We cannot denounce one and disregard another" ”
Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray from Washington state issued a statement following the assassination attempt on former President Trump this weekend. Murray argues that leaders should not only condemn the attack on Trump, but also the "political violence that has been incited or condoned by Trump and his allies."
“Violence begets violence, and leaders from all walks of life should forcefully reject violence in all its forms in the strongest possible terms. Political violence, though, is a direct assault on our democracy—no matter what the political beliefs of the perpetrator might be. As we mourn for the father who was killed and hope for the full recovery of those who were injured, we should all be grateful for the safety of former President Donald Trump—for the sake of his family and loved ones and for the country.
We can only be credible and effective in refuting political violence if we are clear and consistent—which is why in this moment, it is not enough for anyone to condemn the attack on former President Trump if they still refuse to condemn the political violence that has been incited or condoned by Trump and his allies. Donald Trump incited a violent mob that attempted to overturn the results of a free and fair election on January 6th, he openly ridiculed the heinous assault on Paul Pelosi, and he brazenly directed far-right extremists to ‘stand back and standby’—anyone who is turning a blind eye to Trump’s ceaseless rhetoric is doing this country a grave disservice. Just today, the former President called January 6th a hoax—I was there on January 6th, and I could hear the banging on the doors of my office. I will not let the history of that day be rewritten. It was an attack on our very democracy—a violent one.
It is easy to say political violence has no place in America, but if we want that sentiment to hold true, we must condemn all forms of political violence—we cannot denounce one and disregard another. Here’s what I know: if we want to protect our democracy for the future, we can only do it using our voices and our votes—and we have to be clear-eyed and unwavering in calling out leaders who willfully and purposefully incite political violence.”
— KUOW staff
Stranger reporter suspended for tweet about Trump assassination attempt
A reporter from The Stranger, Seattle’s alternative news outlet, was suspended this weekend after posting a tweet on X that read, "Make American aim again," suggesting that the bullet that grazed Trump’s ear missed its mark.
Wrote Rich Smith, The Stranger’s editor: "We suspended Ashley [Nerbovig]. The Stranger stands against political violence. Period."
Nerbovig has since deleted her account on X.
— Scott Greenstone
State GOP Chair Jim Walsh was in Milwaukie for the Republican National Convention when he heard about the shooting. When talking with KUOW, he partially blamed the incident on the media for demonizing Trump, and said that the former president will receive a "hero's welcome" at the convention.
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Following Trump shooting, Washington state politicians condemn violence and spread conspiracy theories
Political leaders in Washington state are responding to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally over the weekend. While many have condemned the violence, others have called its motivation into question.
Jim Walsh, chair of the state GOP, said he learned of the shooting at a Milwaukee Brewers game. He was with a number of delegates and staff who’d arrived at the Republican National Convention early.
RELATED: How the Trump rally shooting unfolded in photos
“Needless to say, it was hard to pay attention to the game after that,” Walsh said.
Walsh blamed the attack on commentators and magazines who’ve called Trump a fascist and compared him to Hitler.
“We've been dreading this kind of thing for a while. I mean, the rhetoric of the criticism and political opposition to Trump is so vitriolic,” Walsh said.
He spoke to KUOW hours before the shooter’s name was revealed and his registration as a Republican was reported. But Walsh doubled down on this stance on social media on Sunday.
He said Trump will receive a “hero’s welcome” at the convention this week.
State Democratic Chair Shasti Conrad, Sen. Patty Murray, and a number of other elected leaders on both sides of the aisle decried political violence in statements. Republican Representative Dan Newhouse called the shooting “appalling.” Newhouse voted to impeach Trump after the capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
RELATED: Biden live address after Trump assassination attempt
Some Trump supporters, like the GOP-endorsed candidate for governor, Semi Bird, blamed the attack on “elite extremists.” He called it an effort to “maintain power and control of the government.”
Trump supporters weren’t the only ones spreading conspiracy theories.
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The Gotta-go-Joe to Pro-Joe meter: Washington state edition
Democratic politicians and political donors spoke up last week about whether they believe President Joe Biden should stay in the race. Here's where lawmakers and donors from Washington state stand.
You-gotta-go Joe
Rep. Adam Smith, District 9 (Seattle to Tacoma)
Adam Smith was one of the first members of Congress to call for Biden to step down. Smith told NPR, “The concerns about his health are papering over our efforts to focus on Trump. …We need a better messenger, and I think we have an opportunity to get a better one, and I think we ought to take it,” he told NPR.
(Statement issued on July 8)
Sen. Patty Murray
Sen. Patty Murray said Biden should “seriously consider” how to secure his legacy, which The New York Times called “a statement that passed for fighting words.”
(Statement issued on July 8)
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It’s so hot in Seattle, they’re spraying down the drawbridges
It’s been blazingly hot in Seattle this week with Tuesday being the hottest day in the city since the deadly 2021 heat dome. With temperatures this high, the city’s drawbridges have to be cooled down to keep operating properly.
How hot is it in Seattle this week? So hot that even our drawbridges need a cool-down spritz. If you see fire hoses at some Seattle bridges during this heat wave, don't worry: it's just preventative maintenance.
“We give our bridges cool baths whenever temperatures get this high,” said Ethan Bergerson, press secretary for the Seattle Department of Transportation.
Three drawbridges in Seattle get hosed down multiple times a day in this weather: the Fremont, Ballard, and University Bridges.
Bergerson said these bridges have metal components and, “when you get really hot weather for several days in a row, you run the risk of that metal expanding and the bridge getting stuck.”
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In Seattle, office-to-residential building conversions win unanimous council approval
It just got easier for developers in Seattle to turn underused office buildings into apartments.
Imagine if the people who own empty office towers in downtown Seattle were to tear them all to the ground. The reason for doing so would be to make space for new buildings better suited to the reality of remote work culture.
There are many buildings that could see this fate, given the record high number of office vacancies in downtown Seattle (and in other cities with downtown tech hubs).
RELATED: Downtown Seattle's 'zombie' office buildings could get second life as apartments under new rules
Collectively, these actions would create a central business district full of rubble-filled, fenced-off lots, like a scene from a post-apocalyptic zombie movie. And once developers started building new apartment towers on those sites — which is what the market seems to want today — the whole of downtown would feel like one big construction site for several more years.
An alternative, which Mayor Bruce Harrell has championed as part of his downtown activation plan, is to turn underused offices into apartments. The idea is that new residents would refill empty streets and help them feel safer.
The city council approved his legislation 9-0 on Tuesday.
RELATED: Downtown Seattle office values are dropping like overripe plums. That's not all bad
But office-to-residential conversions are complicated and expensive. And the big question is whether the legislation makes the option attractive enough that developers will take the bait.
The answer will depend on whether permit applications start rolling in.
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Kroger, Albertsons are selling 124 grocery stores in Washington
To move their corporate merger along, Kroger and Albertsons will sell hundreds of stores across the United States, with the largest share coming from Washington.
The merger will result in the sale of 579 stores (across the companies' five brands) to C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC. C&S is headquartered in Keene, New Hampshire, and owns the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union brands. In a joint video statement, the CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons argued that the sales will lead to lower prices and more choices for customers.
RELATED: Grocery worker protections move forward in Washington in preparation for merger disruptions
"The agreement creates an even more competitive landscape," Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran said. "Their deep industry knowledge and experience gives us great confidence in their ability to become even fiercer competitors moving forward.”
The sentiment over competition and choice comes in the wake of two recent legal challenges. In February the Federal Trade Commission filed suit to block the merger. A month earlier, Washington's Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued in King County superior court, arguing that since more than half of the grocery stores in the state are operated by the two companies, the merger would "dwarf the competition."
Kroger and Albertsons first announced plans to merge in 2022, joining the forces of the two largest grocery chains in the United States. Since the two chains operate in some of the same markets, the sale of hundreds of stores was expected. Until now, it was unknown exactly which locations were slated for the chopping block.
Of the 18 states (and Washington DC) where Kroger/Albertsons are unloading grocery stores, Washington has the most — 124 Kroger and Albertsons brands. In addition to its own stores, Albertsons owns the Safeway and Haggen brands. Kroger owns QFC and Fred Meyer.
A total of 16 stores in Seattle are part of the sale, five in Bellevue, five in Tacoma, four in Kirkland, and four in Redmond. In addition to stores, the list includes six distribution centers; one of those centers is in Auburn, Washington. See a full list of stores being sold to C&S below.
RELATED: Are we nearing the end of the grocery store experience?
In a video statement, Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said "divested stores are not closed stores." Perhaps echoing concerns expressed earlier this year, McMullen added that "C&S is committed to operating these stores as they are today."
“C&S will honor all collective bargaining agreements and ensure associates have the great healthcare benefits and pensions as they do today," McMullen said. "It has committed that no stores will close and no frontline workers will be laid off as a part of this agreement."
In a statement, a coalition of local unions representing grocery workers expressed skepticism, saying the announcement doesn't change its opposition to the merger.
Having trouble seeing the map below? Hit refresh on your browser!
Kroger / Albertsons stores being sold in Washington
Haggen — 1406 Lake Tapps Pkwy E, Auburn
Safeway — 101 Auburn Way S, Auburn
Albertsons — 2108 W Main St, Battle Ground
Safeway — 904 W Main St, Battle Ground
QFC — 201 NE State Route 300, Belfair
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Mount Rainier's chubby snowbird is now a threatened species
A chubby bird that lives year-round in some of the Pacific Northwest’s most pristine habitats has been added to the nation’s roster of threatened species.
The Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan makes its home in alpine tundra and high mountain meadows above treeline in Washington and British Columbia.
The ptarmigan’s uncanny camouflage — its mottled brown plumage turns pure white in winter — hides it from predators, and its habitat is mostly congressionally designated wilderness, off-limits to most types of human disturbance.
But no disguise or land designation can protect rare species from a rapidly changing climate.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan, one of five subspecies of the mountain-dwelling camouflage artist, a threatened species.
“The effects of climate change are already evident in Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan habitat, and the likely projected future increase in the scope, magnitude, and intensity of those effects will decrease the viability of the subspecies,” the agency’s decision states in the Federal Register.
When the thermometer hits 70 degrees, ptarmigans pant to avoid overheating.
“Rising temperatures associated with climate change are expected to have direct and rapid impacts on individual birds,” the agency concluded.
Under federal law, a “threatened” species is not currently in danger of extinction like an “endangered” species but is likely to become in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future.
The Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that the ptarmigan could lose 90% of its snowy habitat as the world’s fossil-fuel pollution keeps heating up Washington’s mountains in decades ahead.
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Seattle's Wing Luke Museum to move and reopen exhibit that sparked staff walkout
Seattle's Wing Luke Museum will relaunch its controversial exhibit "Confronting Hate Together" following pushback from some of its employees. The exhibit won't be at the museum, however.
"Our plan is to identify a new venue," said Steve McLean with the Wing Luke Museum. "Once we know that venue, we will announce it. But at this point, we know that our museum wouldn't have the capacity to house this ... kind of relaunched exhibit."
RELATED: Wing Luke exhibit shows how Black, Asian, and Jewish Seattleites confront hate together
The museum posted a statement on its website. Read the full statement below. McLean told KUOW that the "Confronting Hate Together" exhibit will open later in summer 2024.
The exhibit "Confronting Hate Together" is the result of a partnership between the Wing Luke Museum, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, and the Washington State Jewish Historical Society. It is aimed at exploring the different ways such communities have experienced hate and prejudice in the past, as well as more modern incidents of hate crimes.
Shortly after the exhibit opened in May, a portion of the museum's staff walked out in protest, arguing that the way Jewish hate was displayed did not take into account Palestinian perspectives.
“In a nutshell, there was a panel in particular that one of our partners had created and we had several staff who had concerns with some of the content, even though it was not intended to come across in a certain way," McLean said. "Staff had some strong beliefs about it and walked out in protest of that content … the museum doesn't censor content. We believe everyone has their truths and they have a right to tell their story. That is the goal of this exhibit, to allow these three communities that had been historically redlined together in this community to share their stories on how they confronted racism, hate, and antisemitism, and the strategies that they deployed to do so."
McLean added that the hope is that, as the exhibit travels to other museums, other communities would be inspired to add their own stories and perspectives, and therefore "it would have been more or less a beginning of having that community dialogue, and that dialogue just happened to take place within our own museum.”
The exhibit has since been revised with updates addressing staff concerns. It also prompted trainings for all of Wing Luke's staff.
"We saw this as an opportunity to explore some of the missing perspectives that were part of the the rationale for the walkout, both amongst the Palestinian and Muslim communities, also some further education about Zionism, anti-Zionism, antisemitism."
RELATED: Wing Luke Museum Executive Director Joël Barraquiel Tan discusses the staff walkout
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With school closures looming, Seattle Public Schools passes belt-tightening budget
Seattle Public Schools' newly-passed budget closes a nearly $105 million budget gap — and tees up probable school closures in the fall of 2025.
The school board unanimously approved the budget Tuesday, despite concerns from some that it doesn't adequately address the issues at the root of the district's ongoing deficit spending.
Officials say they've aimed to keep cuts as far away from students and teachers as possible. But students and families may still notice some belt-tightening next year.
For example, class sizes will increase slightly at middle and high schools to 31 students per teacher. The move means the district will save about $7 million on school staffing.
And students will once again pay athletic fees of $200 per sport, unless they can't afford it. If a student participates in more than one sport, the fee is capped at $400 for the year. The district eliminated the fees during the 2015-16 school year, but officials are bringing it back to raise about $1 million in revenue.
RELATED: How will Seattle Public Schools leaders decide which elementary schools should close?
Outside of classrooms and school buildings, the district also is making about $8 million in cuts to staffing and other expenses in the central office to cover the deficit.
The district will also borrow $27.5 million from its capital fund for building construction and maintenance. That's part of the reason former board member Vivian Song called on the board to reject the latest budget.
At last week's board meeting, she said it's too risky to assume the district can repay the loan — with interest, by June of 2026 — by closing schools.
Instead, Song said the board should put the district into state financial oversight, something the Marysville school district recently did.
"SPS has exhausted all they can do. It's time for state intervention," said Song, who represented Seattle schools District 4 from 2021 to earlier this year, when she resigned amid concerns she was violating state residency requirements.
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Get ready, Seattle. Summer '24 is about to bring the heat
Western Washington is bracing for potentially record-breaking heat over the first weekend in July, with high temperatures expected to top 90 degrees Sunday.
While the hot temperatures might be welcome news for beachgoers, they also pose hazards for swimmers, not to mention those who work outdoors.
RELATED: Not-so-fresh water. How to avoid getting poop-sick from Seattle lakes
With the coming heat wave, King County officials are urging everyone to take precautions when they swim in open water. More people have drowned in the county in the past five years than historically — about 30 people every year.
The air will be hot this weekend, but many lakes and rivers will still be dangerously cold, and even strong swimmers can go into shock and go under — so officials say to wear a life jacket when going into open water.
Also, they say, don’t consume drugs or alcohol before swimming. Seventy percent of drowning deaths in the county involve drugs or alcohol.
Their other advice is to supervise children closely and to be especially careful around rivers, which are cold and strong this time of year.
Washington state's rules for hot weather and outdoor workers
Washington's new heat rules for outdoor workers, including people who work in construction, on farms, or in food trucks, are expected to kick in when the heat wave arrives on Friday. The state updated its heat protection rules in 2023 and made them effective year-round. Starting at 80 degrees, employers have to provide cool drinking water and shade for rest breaks.
This weekend, temperatures will reach into the 90s throughout much of Western Washington, so the rules go up a notch. Employers will also be required to give workers 10 minutes of paid rest every two hours.
RELATED: Seattle is now an air conditioning town
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Woodland Park Zoo has a new baby boy gorilla
It has yet to be named, but Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo is abuzz with excitement over its new baby gorilla resident.
“The average weight for a gorilla at birth is 4 pounds, and we’re pleased to report our new boy weighs 4.4 pounds," said Dr. Yousuf Jafarey, Associate Veterinarian at Woodland Park Zoo. "His vital signs are good, and he is healthy and physically normal."
RELATED: Coveted zoo poop makes Seattle gardens bloom. It's the most 'poopular' compost around
The mother, Akenji, was pregnant for about nine months before giving birth on June 28. According to the zoo, an animal care team intervened shortly after the birth because "Akenji did not show appropriate maternal behaviors despite the months-long maternal skills training the gorilla care team provided." For now, humans will take care of the baby with bottle feeding. The team has placed the baby in Akenji's presence for periods of time with the hope that she will eventually bond with it.
“Although we have been encouraging maternal behaviors, Akenji still hasn’t shown any promising signs of interest to bond with her baby," said Interim Animal Care Manager Rachel Vass. "Because she demonstrated capable maternal behaviors throughout her training program, we’re disappointed and a little surprised those instincts haven’t kicked in. As we continue to hand-rear her baby for the short term, the positive news is that he remains healthy, he has a great appetite and strong grip, and he is getting bigger every day.”
This is the 16th baby gorilla born at the zoo. A zoo official noted that their gorilla team has plenty of experience uniting moms with infants, or bringing in other gorillas "to step in as moms."
In fact, a similar situation happened in 2015 when baby girl Yola was born to mother Nadiri. The zoo's team stepped in to help that baby get started, too. It took a few months, but the zoo reported that Yola was eventually reunited with her mom and gorilla family. The same thing happened with Nadiri's second daughter Zuna in 2021; however, this time the two were able to bond within a couple weeks.
This is Akenji's first pregnancy and experience with her own baby. It's the third baby for father Kwame, who had a son in 2020 and a daughter in 2021. Both live at the zoo and are often seen playing with their dad.
RELATED: ‘That’s not nice!’ Brown bear eats entire family of ducks in front of kids at Seattle zoo
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Most of western Washington will see a rise in 2024 property values, but not everywhere
Home values across Western Washington are generally up for 2024, but how much depends on the community. Meanwhile, many office spaces and condos are showing a decline in value.
"After dramatic fluctuations in the residential market during the Covid years, values have returned to a steady level of increase," King County Assessor John Wilson said in a statement. "The volatility now is in the commercial sector and among condominiums."
RELATED: Seattle's surprising place for housing bargains — downtown
Western Washington property owners will soon learn how much their values have gone up or down over the past year, as county assessors begin mailing out notices. This updated information is sent over each summer to determine upcoming taxes — 2024's property values will be used for 2025's tax bills (there are more than 720,000 property owners in King County alone).
As Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Mike Lonergan noted in a statement, any rise in values won't necessarily result in higher property taxes next year. He pointed out that state law limits taxing districts to a 1% increase annually (unless voters say otherwise).
"Your property tax in 2025 will be the new 2024 value multiplied by the combined tax rates of your school district, city, fire district and other local districts, plus the statewide school levy that everyone pays," Lonergan said. "So, a lot depends on public votes such as levy lid lifts and bond issues."
King County property values
In King County, most residential communities can expect to see an average value increase of about 10%. Condos stand out, however, with an overall decline in value following fewer sales in 2023. It's a mixed bag for commercial properties, especially in downtown Seattle where values are most dramatically down.
According to the Assessor's Office:
- Seattle home values mostly increased in "the single digits."
- Some east King County areas saw residential values increase by about 20%.
- Countywide condo values have declined by single digits after fewer sales in 2023. Downtown Seattle condos saw the largest drop in value.
- Industrial property values are up 10%.
- Larger offices are down 30-35%. The Assessor's Office noted that many long term leases are up and offices are renewing leases for shorter time periods, and for less space. Also, the office vacancy rate has gone up.
- Downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square, and Lake Union commercial values are down 35% to 40%.