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  Seattle doubles down on diversion — not charges — for public drug use

  This year, Seattle officials are putting a stronger emphasis on services for people arrested for public drug use. Supporters of “diversion” away from courts and jail call it a hopeful moment. Skeptics worry that the city’s so-called “hot spots” for drug use and disorder will continue to suffer.

  • Amy Radil
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  It took a community to get this Seattle library built. Now it's celebrating 50 years of service

  The Seattle Public Library's Broadview Branch should've been able to celebrate its 50th anniversary back in 2017, or thereabouts. After all, the City of Seattle bought the land to build it on back in 1967. But a diversion of that funding delayed its construction — and rallied a community that fought for years to get its promised library.

  • Katie Campbell
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  Tech layoffs drive Seattle-area unemployment above 5%

  The first major tech layoff of 2026 hit Seattle-area workers at Meta this week. About 330 roles at the social networking giant were eliminated, according to a filing with the Washington Employment Security Department. It’s the latest in a series of tech layoffs, and more cuts are expected across the industry in the coming weeks.

  • Monica Nickelsburg
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  After 100 years, a Northwest symbol of Japanese culture returns to Tacoma

  In 1928, Uwajimaya founders Fujimatsu and Sadako Moriguchi opened their first Japanese grocery store in Tacoma. Now, the company their granddaughter runs is returning to the city where Uwajimaya got its start. Plans are in the works to open a new Tacoma store in 2027.

  • Anna Marie Yanny
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  Seattle Schools knew there was methane gas beneath its new high school — but skipped some safety measures

  Before Seattle Public School spent $300 million to rebuild Rainier Beach High School on a peat bog, scientists hired by the district warned that methane in the soil could pose an explosive problem if it were to leak into the school.

  • Ann Dornfeld
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  Seattle Children's Theater will 'assess' upcoming production at Kennedy Center

  The Seattle Children’s Theater is discussing the "path forward" for a planned production at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., as artists continue to cancel performances in protest of the Trump administration.

  • Noel Gasca
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  A Seattle fourth-grader and his family self-deport to Guatemala

  A Seattle elementary school student left for Guatemala late Wednesday night. His family is self-deporting to avoid federal immigration police. Teachers in Seattle are calling on the school district to better protect students like him.

  • Casey Martin
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  Western Washington businesses, restaurants raise money for farmers after historic flood

  More than a dozen Seattle restaurants and small businesses from across Western Washington have come together to raise money to help farmers dealing with the aftermath of last month’s historic flood.

  • Ruby de Luna
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  Seattle joins national protest following Minneapolis ICE shooting

  This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

  • Stephen Howie
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  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

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