Hell Yeah, No More Plastic Straws in Seattle
Here’s another reason to love Seattle if you don’t already: The gray city just became the first major one in the U.S. to ban plastic straws, utensils, and even cocktail picks.
Seattle Repeals 'Head Tax' Amid Pressure From Amazon
Less than a month after unanimously passing a contentious tax on big business, Seattle’s city council has voted to repeal the so-called “head tax.” Against the fervent protestations of residents and local coalitions—which were extended to a full hour of testimony—council members voted 7-2 to pulled the plug on what…
Against Amazon's Wishes, Seattle Passes 'Head Tax' on Big Businesses
In a unanimous decision (9-0) yesterday, the Seattle City Council approved a version of the “head tax” plan—a progressive tax on big businesses to combat homelessness in the city—putting an end to months of fierce debate.
Amazon to Affordable Housing: Screw You
Amazon has a big middle finger today for all the affordable housing proponents out there. According to a Wednesday report in the New York Times, Amazon—Seattle’s largest employer with 45,000 staff in the city—has abruptly decided to halt a “huge” two-building, 7,000 employee expansion plan there after the City Council…
Watch Seattle Evolve and Grow in This Epic Three-Year Timelapse Shot From the Space Needle
Most timelapses condense a few hours or days into bite-size videos that make the world appear to fly by in fast-forward. But Ricardo Martin Brualla has created an aerial timelapse of Seattle that shows the city growing and evolving over three full years—and he didn’t even have to set up a camera himself.
Seattle Offers $85K for Artist to Make Graphic Novel About a Power Plant
Comic book creators who like the rain and steampunk might have just found their dream job. The city of Seattle is holding a contest for an artist (or team of artists) to make a graphic novel about a historic steam plant. Cha-ching!
Researchers Used Rideshare Service To Test a Stingray-Detecting Device
Researchers at the University of Washington are developing tech to detect the use of a controversial device used by law enforcement to track and surveil cellphones.
Dumbass Convicted Over Pride Parade Drone Crash That Knocked Woman Out Cold
It was supposed to be a celebration LGBT culture, but it ended up serving as a lesson in robot etiquette. On Friday, a 38-year-old man was found guilty of reckless endangerment in connection with a drone crash at Seattle’s 2015 pride parade that left an attendee unconscious.
BMW Remotely Locks Stolen Car With Alleged Thief Still Inside
Last week, a suspected thief’s getaway vehicle turned into his jail cell when BMW employees managed to track and remotely lock a stolen car in Seattle, according to police.
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Is Now Taking Public Nominations
The EMP Museum of Seattle is home to the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, and this year, they’re asking the public for nominations for this year’s class.
The Two-Mile-Long Tunnel Beneath Seattle Makes Humans Look So Tiny
One of the major elements of the the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program will be the gigantic SR 99 tunnel which will host a double-deck roadway under downtown Seattle. In this stunning new photo, you are looking south inside the tunnel dug by Bertha, the SR 99 tunneling machine. It is hard to say less than this…
Fearing Cannibalism, Aquarium Cancels Octopus Sex Show on Valentine's Day
At the Seattle Aquarium, the annual tradition of watching live octopuses bone on Valentine’s Day was canceled last night. Why? Cannibalism concerns, of course.
Uber and Lyft Drivers Can Now Unionize in Seattle
Seattle City Council has unanimously passed a bill allowing drivers for Uber, Lyft, and other ride-hailing services to form unions. Seattle is the first US city to allow these drivers a way to collectively bargain.
Seattle's Famous Gum Wall Is Being Scrubbed Away to Bare Brick
Seattle’s sticky, rainbow-colored Gum Wall has attracted tourists for 20 years and has dominated #Seattle Instagram posts, but now the Pike Place staple is being removed by industrial steamers.
In 2014, the King County Library system of Seattle distributed over 21 million items between 48 branches. As library systems grow, they’re increasingly turning to technology to manage the logistics of getting materials to patrons.
The Noisiest Neighborhoods in New York, Seattle, and San Francisco
Car alarms, jackhammers, barking dogs, drunken brawls outside your window—ah, the sounds of the city. Urban living comes with challenges, and annoying, loud noise is one of ‘em. But these maps show us which neighborhoods you’ll want to steer clear of in three major U.S. cities if you want a sound night’s sleep.
What Japan Can Teach Us About Prepping for a Major Earthquake
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the US Pacific Northwest could face a 1-in-10 chance of a suffering a catastrophic, 9.0 earthquake within the next 50 years. We have to do a better job preparing for it. That’s where Japan comes in.
Can The Lightest Mountaineering Boots Ever Handle Mt Rainier?
At less than 500 grams, these new Salomon S-LAB X ALP CARBON GTXs are the lightest mountaineering boots ever. That means they’re uninsulated, lack ankle support and aren’t compatible with traditional crampons. Can you still climb a mountain in them? We summited Rainier to find out.
Earthquake Kits Selling Like Hotcakes After Terrifying New Yorker Story
It’s been more than a week since The New Yorker published a story called The Really Big One, describing how much of the Pacific Northwest will be destroyed by a massive earthquake and tsunami and scaring the crap out of Americans nationwide. Now, emergency kits are “flying off the shelves.”
Did Your Drone Knock Out a Woman on Sunday? Seattle Police Want to Chat
Sunday’s Pride celebrations in downtown Seattle were going fantastically. Until a drone fell from the sky and knocked a woman out cold. If that drone was yours, the Seattle Police Department would like to have a word with you.
