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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Stories
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Kroger, Albertsons are selling 124 grocery stores in Washington
Food
FILE - A customer removes her purchases at a Kroger grocery store in Flowood, Miss., Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Kroger and Albertsons are selling more than 400 stores and other assets to C&S Wholesale Grocers in an approximately $1.9 billion deal as part of their efforts to complete their merger, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)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
Environment
A Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan and two of her chicks at North Cascades National Park in Washington on July 15, 2003US Fish and Wildlife Service/A. LaValleA 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
Politics
The Confronting Hate Together exhibit is displayed on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle.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
Education
Students arrive for the first day of school on Wednesday, Sept 6, 202.3, at Daniel Bagley Elementary School in Seattle.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
Kids play at the Seattle Center's International Fountain on a hot day in July last summer.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
County assessors are mailing out notices over the summer, informing owners of the change in property values as of 2024. The numbers will be used for 2025's tax bills.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%.
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Undocumented Washingtonians can now work as doctors, teachers under new professional licensing law
Starting Monday, undocumented people in Washington can apply for professional state licenses and certifications, such as those held by doctors, teachers, and engineers. That’s because of a bill passed earlier this year.
“Immigration status is really a federal matter,” said State House Rep. Amy Walen (D-Kirkland), who sponsored the bill. “It's not relevant to whether you can do a job that you need a license for in the state of Washington. So why would we put that up as a barrier to work?”
The new law opens the door to dozens of new career options for undocumented people. But some state agencies have already been issuing professional licenses to that demographic.
Last year, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry began allowing people to apply for contractor licenses using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, federal tax processing numbers commonly used by people who don’t have federal work authorization or Social Security numbers. The State Department of Health said in an email that the agency already doesn’t collect immigration or citizenship status from applicants.
The new law formalizes this practice, Walen said.
“A bill clarifies what our values are around this: that all the members of our communities are welcome to participate in the economy and to bring their skills,” she said.
RELATED: 'In deep': Seattle area man sentenced for stealing $70K-plus in green card scam
At the national level, the Biden Administration announced last month that people protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which shields undocumented people who came to the U.S. as children from deportation, could receive work visas more quickly if they have a college degree and related job offer.
Walen said the new state law applies to all undocumented people, regardless of their federal immigration status.
"[People] may have visas to work, but may think that they cannot work here because [they think] their certification at home doesn't apply,” she said. “This bill just says your certification at home does apply if you can just pass the tests in the state of Washington.”
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Before you spark up, know where fireworks are banned in western Washington
Environment
Not every community in western Washington allows fireworks around the Fourth of July. Many cities and counties have banned fireworks, such as Seattle and parts of King County.The Fourth of July means fireworks for many people across Western Washington. That translates to a lot of anxiety for the region's fire departments and emergency rooms, which is why many cities and counties have banned them, such as Seattle, Tacoma, and unincorporated King County.
RELATED: Where to see 4th of July fireworks shows around Western Washington 2023
See a larger list of places where fireworks have been banned below.
Fireworks sales began in Washington state on June 28 and will continue through July 5. While consumer sales are allowed during this time, rules for discharging fireworks vary around the state.
Fireworks bans in western Washington
Many cities may have restrictions on fireworks, such as limited times when fireworks are allowed. Check with your local city, county, or fire department.
Below are cities in Western Washington where setting off fireworks has been banned entirely. Selling fireworks could also be banned in cities that have nixed them.
- Arlington (potential $513 fine)
- Bellevue (permit required)
- Bellingham (civil infraction and a potential fine between $250 to $1,000)
- Bothell (only sparklers and novelty devices on July 4 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.)
- Brier
- Edmonds
- Everett
- Fircrest
- Gold Bar
- Greenwater
- Issaquah
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)
- Kenmore
- Kent
- King County: Banned in unincorporated areas. King County fireworks complaints can be reported by calling 206-848-0800.
- Kirkland
- Lacey
- Lake Forest Park
- Lynnwood
- Marysville
- Mercer Island (Discharge of legal “safe and sane” fireworks is allowable ONE DAY ONLY on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.")
- Mill Creek
- Mountlake Terrace
- Mukilteo
- Olympia
- Pierce County: Banned in county and state parks, including Crystal Mountain. Pierce County fireworks complaints can be reported by calling 253-287-4455.
- Redmond
- Renton
- Ruston
- Sammamish: All fireworks banned except professional permitted shows.
- Seattle (permit required for certain fireworks)
- Shoreline
- Snohomish County: Banned in county parks and in southwest Snohomish County. South County Fire hands out free signs about the fireworks ban for people to place in their yards. Starting in 2025, the sale of fireworks will also be banned.
- Steilacoom
- Tacoma: Violations could result in s $513 fine. Violations can be reported to 253-287-4455.
- Tumwater
- Woodway
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Home Depot fined $1.6M for selling banned super-pollutant in Washington
Environment
A refrigerant recovery machine vacuums climate superpollutant R134a from the air-conditioning system of a Honda in New York state in June 2024.Courtesy Michael Helme/ New Yorkers for Cool Refrigerant ManagementWashington state has fined The Home Depot $1.6 million for selling canisters of a banned substance that harms the climate.
The big-box retailer sold a refrigerant for do-it-yourself car air-conditioner repairs for two years after the state had prohibited sales of the super-pollutant in 2021, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.
The refrigerant, a gas called R-134a or Freon 134a, traps heat in the atmosphere at 1,430 times the rate of carbon dioxide.
It’s part of a family of heat-trapping chemicals known as hydrofluorocarbons that are being largely phased out worldwide due to their steep climate impacts.
For nearly 20 years, R-134a was the primary refrigerant used in American automobiles and is today the most common hydrofluorocarbon in the atmosphere, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Washington Department of Ecology says Home Depot sold roughly half a ton of the do-it-yourself coolant after the state banned its sale in 2021.
If all that R-134a leaked out, it would damage the climate as much as burning 70,000 gallons of gasoline.
“Leading states like Washington, New York, and California have rulemakings in place to ensure that we are not causing global warming when trying to cool ourselves,” said Avipsa Mahapatra with the Environmental Investigation Agency, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that investigates environmental crimes, including sales of banned substances.
“Robust enforcement is as important as setting regulations,” Mahapatra said.
Home Depot officials did not respond to KUOW’s interview requests.
Home Depot’s website says the company tries to introduce customers to greener products to reduce their environmental impact. A webpage dedicated to the retailer’s efforts to protect the climate says Home Depot is committed to reducing its climate impact —and that of the products it sells — 42% by 2030.
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Does the US Supreme Court ruling on public camping bans criminalize homelessness?
Law & Courts
The city of Seattle removed unhoused people and their belongings from an encampment on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Woodland Park in Seattle. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that cities can ban public sleeping and camping.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that cities can ban camping and sleeping in public, even if there is no shelter to send them to, overturning a previous ruling that has guided cities' approaches to homelessness for years.
Seattle was among the cities seeking the Supreme Court's decision this week.
"Today’s ruling makes it clear that determining policy to address homelessness is a task for locally elected leaders,” Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison said in a statement. “This decision emphasizes the importance of local authority."
In recent years, local policies around whether public sleeping or camping can be banned have centered on the Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment. A 2018 U.S. Court of Appeals ruling stated that cities could not oust people sleeping in public if there is no shelter space available for them. That decision stemmed from a case in Boise, Idaho.
RELATED: Judge rules some of Seattle’s encampment removal rules are unconstitutional
Seattle and other cities across the West have long argued that the previous ruling hampered their response to the homelessness crisis and their ability to keep streets clean and lawful. As Seattle City Attorney, Davison previously wrote an amicus brief for the current case, which was also signed by Spokane, Tacoma, and other cities spanning the country.
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Seattle plans to send more mental health specialists to 911 calls
Patrol cars and ambulances are shown at the intersection of Third Avenue and Pine Street on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020.KUOW Photo/Megan FarmerSeattle is expanding its program that sends behavioral health specialists to some 911 calls.
Mayor Bruce Harrell’s “vision was to set up and legislate a third public safety department,” said Amy Smith, who oversees the program: police, the fire department, and her team.
RELATED: North King County cities broaden mental-health response to 911 calls
Since October 2023, the city has been piloting the program in downtown Seattle. The six behavioral health specialists respond to calls alongside police officers. So far, they've joined in on 539 calls.
Now, the city plans to put a bigger team in place to respond citywide by the end of 2024. The goal is to add 18 more responders, and three more supervisors. The program will also expand to operate daily, from noon to 10 p.m.
The behavioral health team currently responds to about a dozen calls each week. Most of those calls involve people who are lost or evicted, in distress, or who need clothes or shoes. Police officers also come to the scene; however, the behavioral health team can stay longer — sometimes for hours — which frees up officers for other needs.
Smith said she would like her team to respond to a lot more than a dozen calls per week.
"We get almost 900,000 calls for service (to 911)," Smith said. "If you just looked at the calls ... about 40-50% of the time, they just don’t require fire or police."
RELATED: Many 911 call centers are understaffed, and the job has gotten harder
The city’s agreement with the police union limits how many calls the behavioral health team gets. This is a point that Mayor Harrell said he plans to revisit during upcoming union negotiations.
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