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
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Alaska Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Oregon after window and chunk of fuselage blow out
An Alaska Airlines jetliner blew out a window and a portion of its fuselage shortly after takeoff three miles above Oregon, creating a gaping hole that sucked clothing off a child and forced the pilots to make an emergency landing as its 174 passengers and six crew members donned oxygen masks.
No one was seriously hurt as the depressurized plane returned safely Friday night to Portland International Airport about 20 minutes after it had departed, but the airline grounded its 65 Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft until they can be inspected. The National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday it will also investigate.
Passenger Evan Smith said a boy and his mother were sitting in the row where the window blew out and the child’s shirt was sucked off him and out of the plane.
“You heard a big loud bang to the left rear. A whooshing sound and all the oxygen masks deployed instantly and everyone got those on,” Smith told KATU-TV.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said the inspection of the company 737-9 fleet aircraft could take days to complete. They make up a fifth of the company’s 314 planes. It wasn’t immediately known Saturday how that would affect the company’s flight schedule.
“We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what occurred ... and will share updates as more information is available,” Minicucci said. “My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced.”
RELATED: FAA orders grounding of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after Alaska Airlines incident
The Port of Portland, which operates the airport, told KPTV that the fire department treated minor injuries at the scene. One person was taken for more treatment, but wasn’t seriously hurt.
Flight 1282 had taken off from Portland at 5:07 p.m. Friday for a two-hour flight to Ontario, California. About six minutes later, the window and a chunk of the fuselage blew out as the plane was at about 16,000 feet (4.8 kilometers). One of the pilots declared an emergency and asked for clearance to descend to 10,000 feet (3 kilometers), the altitude where the air would have enough oxygen to breathe safely.
‘We need to turn back to Portland,” the pilot told controllers in a calm voice that she maintained throughout the landing process.
Videos posted by passengers online showed a gaping hole where the window had been and passengers wearing their masks. They applauded when the plane landed safely about 13 minutes after the window blew out. Firefighters then came down the aisle, asking passengers to remain in their seats as they treated the injured.
The aircraft involved rolled off the assembly line and received its certification just two months ago, according to online FAA records. The plane had been on 145 flights since entering commercial service on Nov. 11, said FlightRadar24, another tracking service. The flight from Portland was the aircraft’s third of the day.
The Max is the newest version of Boeing’s venerable 737, a twin-engine, single-aisle plane frequently used on U.S. domestic flights. The plane went into service in May 2017.
The union representing flight attendants at 19 airlines, including Alaska Airlines, commended the crew for keeping passengers safe.
“Flight Attendants are trained for emergencies and we work every flight for aviation safety first and foremost,” the Association of Flight Attendants said in a statement Saturday.
Two Max 8 jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people and leading to a near two-year worldwide grounding of all Max 8 and Max 9 planes. The planes returned to service only after Boeing made changes to an automated flight control system implicated in the crashes.
Last year, the FAA told pilots to limit use of an anti-ice system on the Max in dry conditions because of concern that inlets around the engines could overheat and break away, possibly striking the plane.
Max deliveries have been interrupted at times to fix manufacturing flaws. The company told airlines in December to inspect the planes for a possible loose bolt in the rudder-control system.
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'Co-living' bill would revive a nearly extinct affordable housing type in Washington cities
Should cities in Washington state allow people to live in small rooms with shared kitchens and sometimes shared bathrooms? That’s a question state lawmakers will consider in a hearing on Monday, Jan. 8.
Sixty years ago, people in Seattle could rent tiny apartments, just big enough for a bed and a little sitting area. They were cheap, even though they were right in the heart of downtown.
A few older buildings like that burned down, and in the 1970s and 80s, many cities made them illegal.
State Rep. Mia Gregerson, a SeaTac Democrat, wants to bring them back, so that people on limited incomes can live near their jobs again.
"And then it’s so cool because you’re able to live in the same communities as others, and then it’s between like $300 to $500 less than that same maybe studio down the street," she said.
Gregerson said the modern version of these buildings are much more fire resistant, and they tend to include large common areas, where residents can relax together, like a dorm. Many have their own bathrooms.
Learn more about these "dorms for adults" in the first episode of KUOW's new economics podcast, Booming.
Listen with the player below, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Which Republicans will be on Washington state's 2024 primary ballot?
Washington's presidential primary is slated for March 12 and the state's Republican Party is wasting no time in getting its candidates on the ballot.
RELATED: Supreme Court takes up Colorado's decision to kick Trump off its primary ballot
The Office of the Secretary of State reports that the Washington State Republican Party has submitted five names for voters' consideration in 2024:
- Donald Trump
- Ron DeSantis
- Nikki Haley
- Vivek Ramaswamy
- Chris Christie
Major parties have until Jan. 9 to submit candidates for the presidential primary in March. So far, the Democrats have yet to officially submit any primary candidates.
Candidate Nikki Haley has already taken steps to highlight her campaign in Washington. On Jan. 2, Haley's campaign announced its leadership team for the state, which includes a range of current and former elected officials, as well as local GOP organizers.
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Keys to the band: UW and Michigan marching to win over fans at national championship game
When the Huskies and Wolverines take the field at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Monday night, each school will bring its own style, game plan, and tempo to the field.
But which marching band will put on the most electric, championship-worthy performance? And how will it punctuate the football game that’s also rumored to be taking place at that time?
RELATED: Michigan and Washington will face off in the 2024 college football championship
Band directors Brad McDavid (Washington) and John Pasquale (Michigan) have different approaches. And while there may not be a "Battle of the Bands" going on, both told KUOW that they're aiming for a pregame dazzler, followed by a halftime spectacular.
In three decades at UW, McDavid has been to more than 200 halftime shows and 20 bowl games, but Monday is the first time he's bringing the Husky Marching Band to a national football championship. It will also be the last: McDavid plans to retire at the end of this year.
"I love taking the band to any city that's never seen them before and just showing them off," McDavid said. "They're like rabid dogs ... I tell them, 'Leave everything on the field, because this will be the first, and who knows, maybe the last time that the city of Houston, certainly a lot of Michigan fans, will ever see you. So give it your all and let's put the best show on the field that we can.'"
Michigan owns 12 national football titles, but, like McDavid, this will be also be Pasquale's first time performing at the national championship game.
"We have to be as good as we can possibly be, and however anyone else does it, well, that's up to them," Pasquale said.
"I have very high expectations of our students and staff so that they will perform at the highest level, both in terms of musical execution, and visual execution," Pasquale said. "They are always supportive of the team, have a ton of energy, fire up the crowd ... but for me, it all comes down to, 'How does the band sound? How does the band look?' It's my job to inspire the staff, the faculty, and the students to achieve at the highest possible level. That's a win for me."
Precision plays on the field
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Washington State Ferries confirms passenger fears: Service disruptions will continue for years
A perfect storm of increasing demand for ferry services, crew shortages, and an aging fleet means Washington ferry passengers will continue to see limited sailings and frequent cancellations over the next four to five years.
The latest “Service Contingency Plan” released this week by Washington State Ferries projects that the combined stress on the system means that service will be limited and potentially disrupted on multiple popular ferry routes until new vessels enter service in 2028.
The report, which comes on the heels of a more optimistic 2023 report, cites multiple stressors — including a fleet that has been reduced from 24 to 21 vessels in the last nine years and a “global shortage of mariners” — as the primary factors in the ongoing reduction of ferry service.
The plan details how the state will compensate for these factors over the next four to five years until new vessels can be built and added to the state fleet.
More than 1,000 ferry trips were cancelled during the three-month period from July to September 2023, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. Of those, more than half, 60%, were due to a lack of crew.
WSF is launching a new recruitment campaign backed by $20 million in state funds that should increase staffing levels over the next 18 to 24 months.
But ferry riders will have to wait even longer for new vessels, despite a 2023 law that loosens restrictions and allows WSF to contract with out-of-state shipbuilders.
RELATED: Washington can now look to out-of-state shipbuilders for its next ferries
The current fleet of 21 vessels range from 5 to 64 years old. Half of the fleet is more than 30 years old.
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'The viruses are returning to normal' in Washington for winter 2024
The winter season in the Northwest brings rain, dark skies, and the sniffles. For winter 2024, health officials expect that a lot more sniffles are coming, with three viruses circulating through the region.
"I think it's just the viruses are returning to normal," Dr. Helen Chu with the University of Washington School Of Medicine told Seattle Now.
RELATED: Washington's Covid dashboard upgraded to include flu and RSV
Dr. Chu gave an overall status report on seasonal illnesses as Washington begins 2024, following holiday gatherings, and returning to school and work.
- There are three viruses roaming among the general public — Covid, flu, and RSV.
- Currently, flu and Covid cases are going up.
- After surging over the fall, RSV cases are now on the decline.
- Washington is currently faring a bit better than other parts of the country, such as the Southeast and California where flu cases are high. With three different flu viruses spreading, Washington currently has moderate to high case levels, but that is expected to quickly change.
- Chu expects two viruses will spread at the same time, but probably (hopefully) not all three. She expects considerable increases in flu and Covid cases over the coming weeks.
"We are heading into the time when we are going to start seeing the numbers of cases go up, over the course of the next several days, and it is possible that the hospitals will start to fill up with cases of Covid and flu," Dr. Chu said, adding that the current flu vaccine appears to be a "good match" for what is going around.
RELATED: Here's how much private and homeschooling in WA has jumped since the pandemic
Vaccination levels in King County, however, are not looking as good. About 20% of county residents are up to date on Covid shots; 30% have received the flu vaccine; and roughly 15% of people eligible for an RSV vaccine have gotten the shot.
"So quite low, overall," Chu said. "I think people are tired of getting vaccines. It's a lot to get all at once; three vaccines at one time has lots of side effects. People probably have a lot of vaccine fatigue. The important thing is that it is not too late, and you can space them out ... Flu has not peaked yet, and Covid numbers are going to start coming up, and it takes about a week after you get your vaccine to get your antibody levels up and be protected. So now is a good time, as you go back to work and back to school, to get those seasonal vaccines."
Listen to Dr. Chu's full conversation with Seattle Now here.
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Starbucks will allow customers to use their own cups for mobile, drive-thru orders
In an effort to reduce waste, Starbucks says it now will allow customers to use their own cups for drive-thru and mobile orders.
“At Starbucks, we envision a future where every beverage can be served in a reusable cup,” said Michael Kobori, Starbucks chief sustainability officer, in the company's announcement. “We know our customers are passionate about the planet, and now, they can join us in our efforts to give more than we take, no matter how they order.”
RELATED: Starbucks increases U.S. hourly wages and adds other benefits for non-union workers
The new policy was announced Wednesday and immediately went into effect. Starbucks previously tested the idea in Colorado last summer. It promoted the initiative as part of its broader waste-reduction goals. The Seattle-based coffee giant says it aims to decrease its waste by 50% by 2030.
That means customers can now use their own clean reusable cups at any participating stores across the United States and Canada. According to Starbucks' announcement, participation by licensed stores, like those in grocery stores, may vary.
Don't think of this as an opportunity to get too cute with sizes, though; the standard size options (Short, Tall, Grande, Venti, and Trenta) still apply.
Customers going through the drive-thru should let the barista know they have their own cup, then hand it over without the lid at the window.
RELATED: 'It adds up.' Consumer group alleges Starbucks' app traps customers into paying more
Customers using the Starbucks app to place an order should see a "Personal Cup" option in the customization menu. When they get to the store, they'll hand over their mug at the pickup area.
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Washington AG cries fowl, but poultry payout for chicken price-fixing ruffles some feathers
Settlement money of $460,000 from a major antitrust lawsuit may seem like chicken feed to some people. But consider that these funds are being added to a pool worth millions, which, in turn, is being divvied up and sent to Washington residents.
“As a result of corporate greed and illegal price-fixing, Washingtonians paid more for chicken without realizing it,” said Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson in a statement. “We are holding accountable those responsible, and getting money back to Washington families who were most harmed. We will continue to serve as a force for economic justice for Washingtonians.”
RELATED: Washington reaches settlement in chicken conspiracy lawsuit
Most of the 19 companies that Washington sued in a 2021 antitrust lawsuit agreed to settle in early December. The coop of settlement funds added up to $40.6 million. This week, the AG's Office announced that two more producers have agreed to pay up, adding $460,000 to that sum. That means the state could be cooking up more checks and sending them to Washington mailboxes.
Price fixing appears to be one issue that really sticks in Ferguson's gizzard. Washington also sued tuna producers in 2020, in a separate price-fixing lawsuit, and took in $5.1 million.
All of these funds are being divvied up and dispersed to eligible Washington residents.
The approach that the AG's Office has taken to disperse checks has ruffled some partisan feathers. The conservative think tank Washington Policy Center points out that, while all Washington consumers overpaid for chicken and tuna over the past decade, the state is only giving checks to residents under a certain income (below 175% of the federal poverty level). It argues that the Legislature should make decisions over who gets the money, and who doesn't.
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Seattle electric customers may notice higher bills this month
When Seattle residents open their electric bill for January, they could be paying about $9 more than expected. That's how much Seattle City Light estimates the average resident will pay under the most recent rate hike.
Seattle City Light prepared customers for the rate hike last October. The City Council also approved a 4.5% increase to the base rate in 2022 that is just now coming online (read more about that below).
RELATED: How hot temps, wildfire affect NW power grid
"We understand that rate increases are never welcome. But with atypical weather and rising costs over the last year, they are necessary so we can continue delivering safe, reliable power," City Light said in a blog post.
A total of 1% of the recent rate hike is actually coming from the Bonneville Power Administration, which City Light is passing on to customers. The majority of the rate hike is for higher wholesale power costs, which City Light blames on "unfavorable weather and market price conditions."
A Seattle residential customer can expect about $9 to be tacked on to their bill each month, according to the utility. People using the Utility Discount Program will pay about $4 more each month.
RELATED: Washington once saw hydropower as an easy alternative to coal. That's changing
In 2022, the Seattle City Council began a series of annual rate increases to the city's electric utility. According to that plan, a 4.5% rate increase would kick in at the start of 2023 and 2024. After that, a 3% rate increase would occur at the start of the year through 2028.
According to a September 2022 City Light blog post, the 4.5% increase is actually an average across all customer groups. Residential customers alone were actually slated for a 5.7% increase. City Light expected these increases to be less than inflation, and at the time estimated that residential customers would experience a $4 increase on their 2023 bills ($2 for those on the Utility Discount Program).
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Seattle records its warmest December. What does that mean for mountain snowpack?
Seattle just experienced its warmest December on record, and the trend is likely to continue through the rest of winter. That's bad news for Washington's mountains, which are currently quite low on snowpack.
"December temperatures across all of Washington state were between 3 and 6 degrees Fahrenheit above normal," Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco told Seattle Now. "So that's a pretty strong monthly anomaly."
The National Weather Service takes measurements for Seattle at Sea-Tac International Airport. December's daily average temperature for Seattle was 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit. That beats the old record (45.3 degrees) set in 2014.
Seattle was not alone. Olympia also hit 45.5 degrees in December, beating its previous high record (45 degrees) set in 1950.
Bumbaco wasn't entirely surprised by the warmth this season. Climatologists knew El Niño would influence the weather, causing a warmer, drier winter across the Northwest. The current forecast calls for more of the same through March with less precipitation and warmer temps.
RELATED: Ocean heat wave comes to Pacific Northwest shores
"The warm temperatures mean that the precipitation that we did see in December mostly fell as rain rather than snow in the mountains, so our snow is much below normal for this time of year average," Bumbaco said. "Statewide, it's only at 45% of median as of January 2, and several of the stations that monitor snowpack are at their record lowest for this time of year."
For example, Bumbaco said the Olympic Mountains are at their record lowest levels of snowpack. December and January are traditionally Washington's largest snow-delivering months.
"We would really have to see a lot of snow between January and March to get us to normal," Bumbaco said.
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New-look Seattle City Council backs new president in unanimous vote
On a day in which five newly elected members took the oath to serve on the Seattle City Council, council members new and old voted unanimously on a new president — Sara Nelson.
Tuesday ushered in a new era for the City Council, which includes newcombers Joy Hollingsworth, Bob Kettle, Cathy Moore, Maritza Rivera, and Rob Saka. They teamed up with returning members Tammy Morales and Dan Strauss to elect Nelson council president on a 9-0 vote.
Mayor Bruce Harrell may have been the biggest winner in the 2023 election. He endorsed four of the five newcomers and one of the incumbents, Strauss. The newly aligned City Council is expected to more centrist and less progressive than its previous incarnation.
In a statement Tuesday, Harrell commended Nelson, who is midway through her first term on the Council.
"Council President Nelson serves as a strong voice for critical issues facing the city, including police recruitment and retention, support for Seattle’s small businesses, Downtown revitalization, and addressing the fentanyl epidemic," Harrell said. "Council President Nelson will bring an approach focused on serving our community, good governance, and tangible progress — common values that will serve her well in this leadership role and build consensus across the Council."
Harrell also said he was excited about the new makeup of the Council and its potential to bring about changes and make decisions to move Seattle forward in the coming years.
“With members sworn in, let's celebrate that this City Council reflects a new diversity of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that will help us collectively serve our Seattle communities," the mayor said. "I am looking forward to working with Council President Nelson and with all of the new and returning members of the Council to drive progress toward our vision for a safe, welcoming, and thriving One Seattle in 2024.”
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Nikki Haley debuts WA team ahead of 2024 GOP presidential primary
About two and half months before Washington's presidential primary, GOP candidate Nikki Haley announced her team Tuesday to carry her campaign forward at the state level.
“The world is on fire, and Nikki Haley is the leader we need to make America strong and proud," said Saul Gamoran, Washington state chair for the Haley campaign. "Washingtonians want a president who has the vision and grit to jump into the fight on Day One. That person is Nikki Haley.”
"We’ve got a country to save, and a deep bench in the Evergreen State to help us do it," Haley said in a statement announcing her Washington campaign leadership team. "From inflation to the border crisis to the growing threat from China, Washingtonians know we need solutions and results. No one understands that better than the members of this leadership team, and I’m incredibly grateful to each of them for bringing their expertise to our campaign.”
RELATED: DeSantis, Haley remain opening acts to Trump
Haley's campaign not only announced its local team, it also hyped a slate of endorsements from elected leaders and GOP figures from across Washington, such as state Rep. J.T. Wilcox, former House minority leader; and Rep. Drew Stokesbary, the current House minority leader. The campaign's King County chair is GOP organizer Cynthia Cole.
While former president Donald Trump has been considered the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in 2024, the Republican primaries will ultimately decide the candidate. Haley's campaign has gained momentum in recent weeks (especially among big donors).
RELATED: Nikki Haley lands endorsement from Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity PAC
Washington state's primary is scheduled for March 12.
Nikki Haley’s Washington leadership team
Chair: Saul Gamoran, President, Gamoran Legal Consulting; Co-Chair: Paul Hess, King County Committeeman; Co-Chair: Diane Tebelius, Former Chair, Washington State Republican Party; Co-Chair: Barry Kaplan, Retired Partner, Wilson Sonsini; Co-Chair: Manette Merrill, Political Organizer.
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