Austin built a lot of housing fast. Rents fell. What could Seattle learn? While rents kept rising in many big cities, including Seattle, rents in Austin, Texas, have been on the decline for the last three years. That raises a simple question: Why is Austin an outlier? And is there anything Seattle could copy? Joshua McNichols
Housing costs dropped in Austin. How they did the impossible Over the last few years, Austin's average rent fell. So what is Austin doing right? And what could Seattle learn from it? Lucy Soucek
Flooding won’t dampen Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Evacuations driven by flood risk cost retailers and other businesses in the Skagit Valley tens of thousands of dollars, but the damage to one iconic product from the region appears to be minimal. Monica Nickelsburg
West Seattle’s only overnight shelter set to close at the end of the year Westside Neighbors Shelter will keep serving breakfast and dinner daily, but the overnight sleeping program has run out of money and will close at the end of the year. Casey Martin
With highway access limited, will Washingtonians still find their way to Christmas town? Damage from the floods has limited highway access to Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town draped in extravagant holiday lighting. So many people come here for their holiday shopping that some call it "Christmas Town." But with highway access compromised by the floods, businesses will have to adapt. Joshua McNichols
How WA property owners can get financial relief after the flood More than 100,000 Washington residents have been advised to evacuate their homes in the wake of catastrophic flooding across the region. That’s about double the number of Washington homes and businesses that are covered by flood insurance. Monica Nickelsburg
'All the walls are falling.' Shoreline Community College plans layoffs Shoreline Community College is planning layoffs as it faces a $4 million three-year budget deficit. Ann Dornfeld
What's in Seattle's budget? Mapping the $8.9 billion spending plan Mayor Harrell leaves for Wilson The Seattle City Council last week approved Mayor Bruce Harrell’s $9 billion dollar budget for 2026. That means when Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson takes office in January, she and the new City Council will inherit those funding choices. Here’s what to know in the meantime — explained in pizza terms. Teo Popescu
BONUS: The future of Seattle's highways Live event recorded at the Seattle Public Library hosted by Joshua McNichols and Ian Coss about the future of Seattle's State Route 99. Lucy Soucek
Starbucks' union workers plan strike next week unless company agrees to a contract Starbucks’ union members have voted to strike at the company’s U.S. stores next week unless it finalizes a contract agreement, the union said Wednesday. Associated Press
