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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‘Safety shouldn’t be a privilege.’ Garfield High parents demand action after student was shot
Education
Garfield High School on June 5, 2023KUOW Photo / Sami WestGarfield High School parents want Seattle leaders to do more to protect students after a 17-year-old was shot in the leg nearby the school last week.
Some parents have organized a “protect and protest'' event Wednesday, exactly one week after the student was shot. Organizers invited the community to protest at each corner of 23rd Avenue at 2:10 p.m., before school ends, to help them bring awareness to the ongoing gun violence in the area.
RELATED: What can be done to prevent further gun violence in or near Seattle schools?
“Our kid's lives are at stake every single day,” said Melanie Skinner, one of the parents organizing the protest outside Garfield High. “God, I’ll try not to cry, but I just — I feel like [Seattle’s Central District] is a community that nobody cares about.”
Parents and community members want city leaders and Seattle Public Schools to take stronger action to protect students and the larger Central District community. They told KUOW they feel like they have to do something to make it clear that something must be done about escalating violence they are witnessing.
“It should not be a privilege to have safety. [It] should be offered to all students," said another Garfield parent, whose name we're not disclosing to protect their child's privacy.
For Skinner, the tension and concern for safety is constantly on her mind.
“I think about it every morning, sending my daughter off to school,” she said. “Like, is she going to be killed today? Is that terrible? I mean, that's how I feel.”
According to a Seattle Police Department statement, the shooting on March 13 was not connected to a homicide that happened later in the day near 24th Avenue South and South Main Street. Investigators are still looking for a suspect. The student who was shot in the leg was not the intended target, according to police.
Newly elected Seattle City Councilmember Tanya Woo attended the East Precinct Advisory Council meeting Monday night, where many Garfield High parents showed up to voice their concerns and talk about solutions.
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Last season was harsh on Washington cherry growers. The USDA is offering help
Government
The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 11 Washington counties as primary natural disaster areas after a harsh 2023 season for cherry growers. Emergency loans of $500,000 were made available to farmers.Washington's sweet cherry growers can now apply for federal aid to help them bounce back from a disastrous 2023 season.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making $500,000 loans available to growers who lost crops — and cash — to poor conditions.
RELATED: $10 cherry grown in Washington state
Washington's Democratic Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Rep. Kim Schrier requested this help in a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.
"Through no fault of their own, our cherry growers experienced immense challenges and economic losses last season, with data showing growers experienced losses of more than 50%," Schrier said in a statement. "That's why I proudly joined my colleagues in the Washington delegation in calling for a disaster declaration to help our growers recover and prepare for this upcoming growing season."
Extreme high temperatures in Washington state, and heavy rains in California, led to a bad season for growers, who ultimately lost about half their crops. The USDA declared 11 Washington counties as "primary natural disaster areas." They included Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Walla Walla, and Yakima.
RELATED: Rare, super-luxe greenhouse Northwest cherries fetch top dollar in Asia
In a statement, Cantwell said this disaster designation would help keep cherry industry going this season — "and ensure Washington's famously delicious sweet cherries make it into shopping carts."
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Salmon-spilling company ends fight to resume farming at Puget Sound sites
Environment
Cooke Aquaculture's ruined Atlantic salmon farm off Cypress Island on Aug. 28, 2017.Washington Dept. of Natural ResourcesThe company behind a massive spill of Atlantic salmon in 2017 has thrown in the towel on its efforts to keep farming fish at two sites in Puget Sound.
Cooke Aquaculture withdrew its appeal Friday of a 2022 Washington Department of Natural Resources order to shut down its floating farms off Bainbridge Island, just west of Seattle, and Hope Island in Skagit County.
New Brunswick, Canada-based Cooke Aquaculture is one of the world's largest aquaculture businesses, with operations in 14 countries.
The company’s decrepit Cypress Island farm, rusting and overgrown with algae and other marine life, tore apart in August 2017, releasing 250,000 fish from another ocean into Puget Sound.
RELATED: Divers' videos capture new suspects in salmon farm collapse
In a press release, the company said the department withheld public documents, making it impossible to argue the case at Thurston County Superior Court effectively.
"At the rate DNR has produced records to date, it would take another six to seven years for all responsive records to be produced by DNR, which is an untenable and inconceivable situation," Cooke Aquaculture said in a statement.
"A further hearing on this matter is futile without Cooke having an opportunity to review DNR's internal records," the company concluded.
In an email to KUOW, Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Michael Kelly accused the company of going on "a lot of fishing expeditions" for public records.
"As a public agency, we have a proud record of providing records to litigants and the public as a whole as thoroughly and quickly as possible," Kelly said.
Public Lands Commissioner Hillary Franz has characterized Cooke's actions as "corporate tantrums."
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Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer will not run for re-election
Law & Courts
In this Feb. 18, 2020, file photo, then-Pierce County Sheriff's Dept. spokesman Det. Ed Troyer answers questions during a news conference in Tacoma, Wash. The Washington state attorney general on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, filed two misdemeanor criminal charges against Troyer, now the Pierce County sheriff, stemming from his confrontation with a Black newspaper carrier in January. Troyer has denied wrongdoing. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)Ted S. Warren / Associated PressPierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer will not run for re-election in 2024.
KUOW confirmed with Troyer's office Tuesday morning that the sheriff does not plan to seek re-election on November's ballot.
Troyer first started working at the Pierce County Sheriff's Office in 1985, and was elected to the sheriff's job in November 2020. His name was well known before that. As the spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff's Office since 1999, he was often the face and voice in front of media cameras.
Shortly after taking office, Troyer became the center of a controversy that led to a high-profile trial.
In 2021, Troyer called for backup on an early morning Black newspaper carrier, alleging he was acting suspiciously. Troyer claimed the newspaper carrier threatened his life and referred to him as a potential porch pirate. Multiple agencies responded to the incident. Troyer was eventually charged with making false or misleading statements to a public servant as well as false reporting.
A jury found Troyer not guilty. The sheriff, however, was added to the Brady List, a list maintained by prosecutors that identifies law enforcement officials with credibility issues.
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Is Seattle headed toward preschool for all? Another expansion announced for 2024-25
Education
Seattle Preschool Program student Jason, 5, uses glue to make crafts in teacher Hien Do's class on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at the ReWA Early Learning Center at Beacon, in Seattle, Washington.KUOW Photo/Megan FarmerThe Seattle Preschool Program will serve nearly 2,500 children next school year, thanks to a 16-classroom expansion that will create 279 additional slots.
Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the $3.5 million expansion Monday, and encouraged any city resident with a 3- or 4-year-old child to apply.
"Our commitment through programs like the Seattle Preschool Program is that every child, every neighborhood in our city can access education and opportunities to build the future that they deserve — that they have a right to," he said.
RELATED: Everett is the latest community to open a Bezos-funded free preschool
The pre-kindergarten program has expanded every year since it launched in 2015.
The goal is to improve kindergarten readiness for all Seattle kids — but especially children of color, those experiencing homelessness, or children in foster care who are less likely to be able to afford or access quality early education.
State data shows readiness rates for Indigenous, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Black children remain substantially below their white and Asian peers.
Harrell said Monday that about 70% of families currently in the program pay no tuition, because program costs are calculated based on household income and family size. About three in four kids identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color.
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Democrats compete for endorsements in race for Washington's 6th district
Politics
Washington state Sen. Emily Randall represents the 26th Legislative District (Bremerton, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor). In 2024, she is running to represent the 6th Congressional District.The race for Washington's 6th Congressional District is not just a competition to represent the region in Congress, it's a competition for local endorsements as Democrats garner the backing from different corners of their party.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray announced Monday that she is throwing her support behind Washington state Sen. Emily Randall, who is running for Congress. Murray's is one of the biggest names to come out in support of Randall.
RELATED: Longtime Washington powerhouse politician Frank Chopp is stepping down
"I'm with Emily for Congress because I know she will be a strong voice for working people – the friends and neighbors she grew up with – in a district that is her home," Murray said in a statement. "Emily will be a strong voice for women's rights and health care at a crucial moment, and she's someone with a proven track record of being able to deliver on common sense legislative solutions that will make life better for the people she represents. Emily is someone who really cares and wants to hear about the problems and challenges facing her neighbors; importantly, she will roll up her sleeves and work to make a real change – let's send Emily to Congress."
State Sen. Randall currently represents Washington's 26th Legislative District, which covers part of Bremerton, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, and rural areas at the south end of the Kitsap Peninsula. Of the three state representatives for the district, she is the only Democrat. She is also deputy majority leader.
Washington's 6th Congressional District has been represented by Democrats since the 1930s (aside from 1947-65 when it was represented by Republican Thor Tollefson). It covers much of the Olympic Peninsula, as well as parts of Tacoma. It's currently represented by Congressmember Derek Kilmer, who previously announced he would not seek re-election this year. It didn't take long for other local lawmakers to jump into the race to replace Kilmer, such as state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, who was running for governor but switched to running for the 6th District.
RELATED: U.S. House approves TikTok ban with help from Washington state delegation
Democratic support has been split.
While Sen. Murray is the most recent high-profile figure to announce their support for Randall, Randall's campaign is also boasting Democratic support from U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from Washington, as well as a handful of other Congress members from other states. She also has the backing of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and state Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (who is stepping down at the end of 2024).
Franz has been endorsed by Rep. Kilmer, the district's current representative, as well as Norm Dicks, the Democrat who held the seat before Kilmer (1977-2013).
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Covid isolation reduced to 24 hours in Washington state
Health
Washington’s Department of Health announced Monday that people experiencing Covid symptoms only need to isolate for 24 hours or until their health improves. Previous guidelines from the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended people stay home for at least five days to stop the spread of the disease.
Health officials say previous guidelines were based on time, while the new ones are focused on symptoms.
“When their symptoms are getting better overall and they've not had fever for at least 24 hours without having to use fever-reducing medicines,” Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, chief science officer for Washington’s Department of Health, said in an interview with KUOW.
RELATED: Do doctors have a right to free speech, even when it includes spreading misinformation?
Kwan-Gett said, even though Covid remains a “significant threat,” vaccinations and population immunity in Washington have led to a decrease in case numbers.
The guidelines are exactly that — recommendations for people to stay healthy. They are not enforced and could change from place to place.
“Any organization, business, facility, or jurisdiction can choose to have more protective recommendations,” Kwan-Gett said. “So, people should always be aware of the place you're visiting has different recommendations from these general guidelines.”
The new guidelines apply to all respiratory infections, Kwan-Gett said. That includes the flu, respiratory syncytial virus, Covid, and others. Combining this information should make guidance clearer and simpler for people to follow, he said.
Not much should change at hospitals and clinics, he said. Health care settings have their own specific CDC guidance, with which Washington remains aligned.
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Seattle Reign reportedly sold for $58 million to group that includes the Sounders
Sports
Seattle Reign forward Bethany Balcer, right, points at teammate Jordyn Huitema after scoring on a penalty kick won by Huitema against the Washington Spirit during the first half of an NWSL soccer match Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Seattle.The French company that owns the Seattle Reign announced Monday it will sell its stake in the women’s soccer team to a group that includes the Seattle Sounders.
The Reign’s majority owner, Olympique Lyonnais (or OL) Groupe, is based in Lyon, France. OL Group says it's selling the team for $58 million to a group that includes the Seattle Sounders and global investment firm Carlyle.
RELATED: Seattle Reign fans gear up for a new era, minus Rapinoe and plus a new look
OL Groupe originally bought the Reign for $3.5 million in 2019.
In addition to new ownership, the Reign is playing this season under a new name, new colors, and a new logo. The team will drop "OL" from its name and return to its original moniker "Seattle Reign FC." This is the name the team played under during its firs six seasons (the Reign was founded in 2012).
The team is also returning to blue and gold colors, which can be seen in a redesign of its old crest. It features a blue woman — who many fans call the Queen or the Valkyrie — with a gold crown.
The Reign said in a statement that the deal is expected to close early this year, pending approval from both the National Women’s Soccer League and Major League Soccer.
The Sounders wouldn’t confirm the news of the sale, but they hope to have more information in the coming days.
The Reign made a surprise appearance in last season’s NWSL Final. This is their first season without franchise icon Megan Rapinoe.
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Seattle cherry blossoms are nearing peak bloom 2024
Arts & Life
A Seattle street lined with cherry blossom trees.It's March 2024. That means a few things for Western Washington — rain turns into sun, sun turns into hail, and hail turns into more rain, but not the same kind of rain as before. All of this adds up to the annual cherry blossom bloom around Seattle.
The main hotspot for cherry blossom action is the Quad at the University of Washington, where 29 large Yoshino cherry trees are located.
Peak bloom for 2024 at the UW Quad is expected March 20.
“Historically, peak bloom in the Quad typically begins during the third full week of March and goes into the fourth week of March. That seems to be what this year is going to look like,” UW arborist Sara Shores said in a statement. “Right now, I would guess that the last two weekends of March are ideal viewing conditions.”
RELATED: Seattle will save cherry blossom trees on Pike Street, but the old ones still have to go
Below is a live view of the UW Quad.
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After years of waiting, Seattle is getting two new dog parks. They each cost more than $1 million
Government
A golden retriever lays in the grass at Seattle's Woodland Park. After months of consideration and surveys, Seattle's Parks and Recreation Department is considering the placement of two new dog parks, located at West Seattle Stadium and Othello Park. Ravenna Park is also an option, but more funding is needed.Seattle dog owners rejoice: After more than a year conducting studies, holding public hearings, and posting online surveys, Seattle is about to get a pair of new, off-leash dog parks.
Last March, the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department announced they would add two new off-leash areas for dogs to play.
With just over a dozen official areas for Seattleites to let their tens of thousands of dogs run free, it’s been clear for a while that the city needs more of these kinds of parks.
RELATED: Woolly dogs once provided fleece for Coast Salish tribes. What happened to them?
A year has passed since that announcement and the city is nearly ready to open the much anticipated new dog parks.
Over the past 12 months, the parks department studied 30 potential spots around Seattle to add an OLA (off-leash area). They put up a survey for people to give feedback online and attended farmers markets over the summer to talk to them in-person.
Overall, the city says it heard from more than 4,700 people on two possible parks.
Of the original 30 locations considered by the Parks Department, two have been “identified to be suitable for the development” of an off-leash park: West Seattle Stadium and Othello Park.
Ravenna Park was also chosen to be designed but parks officials say they’ll need more funding for construction there.
The city says it will spend $3.46 million to build the two parks and design the third at Ravenna.
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A cougar attacked them. They fought back for 45 harrowing minutes
Environment
Cyclists from the Recycled Cycles Racing team pin down a young male cougar with a bike, as one of them calls 911. The cougar had attacked their friend Keri Bergere 15 minutes before this photo was taken.Courtesy of Keri BergereEditor's note: This story contains graphic photographs and descriptions of an animal attack.
It was a beautiful Pacific Northwest day. Sunny, puffy clouds on the horizon.
Five competitive cyclists – women in their 50s and 60s – met at the Tokul Creek trail north of Snoqualmie.
At the yellow gate before riding into the deep forest, the women took a group selfie. They had no premonition that 19 miles in, a young male cougar would attack one of them, and that they’d spend 45 minutes in a battle for their lives.
Cougars, wild cats also known as mountain lions or pumas, are reclusive and tend to stay away from humans. In the Northwest, people who spend time in the mountains know these apex predators may be lurking nearby, but sightings are rare.
Even more unusual is an attack on a human. There have been 20 cougar attacks recorded in Washington state in the last century, two of which were fatal.
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Seattle area TikTok influencers slam Congress's proposed ban
Technology
Seattle area TikTok influencer Teena Thach is among many content creators who say Congress's proposed ban of the social media app would have negative consequences for them.Courtesy of Teena ThachSeattle-area content creators are speaking out about legislation that could ban TikTok across the United States.
U.S. House lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that would give TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, 180 days to divest from the app in the U.S. If it doesn’t, TikTok would be banned throughout the country.
Renton, Wash.-based Teena Thach said the ban would be crushing.
“I would lose my community — the community that I started with, the community that I built from Washington foodies,” she said.
RELATED: U.S. House approves TikTok ban with help from Washington state delegation
Thach has made a name for herself on TikTok by reviewing minority-owned restaurants in the Seattle area. It all started during the pandemic when she posted a review of the boba bar Mangosteen. She said the owner called to thank her for bringing in business during a difficult time.
“At that moment, I was like, 'OK, this might be my purpose in life to tell these stories and uplift people through storytelling in these short form videos,'” she said.
Now Thach is worried her platform could disappear.
Backers of the bill say TikTok exposes Americans to influence and surveillance because of ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government. TikTok denies those claims, and says its American users are insulated from foreign influence.
“This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: it's a ban,” a TikTok spokesperson said. “We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realize the impact on the economy, seven million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service.”
The last time the federal government considered forcing TikTok to spin out of ByteDance, Microsoft emerged as a likely buyer. The Seattle-area company considered buying TikTok in 2020 when President Donald Trump threatened to ban the app if it retained Chinese ownership. Trump’s attempted TikTok ban stalled in court, and was ultimately rescinded by the Biden administration.
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