Here comes Covid, walking down the street: Today So Far

• Covid cases are rising.
• How will Seattle fill a funding gap looming on the horizon?
• Hawaiian Seattle residents watch wildfire tragedy from afar.

This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for Aug. 11, 2023.

Quick hits

• Inflation got a little higher in July as prices for rent and gas spiked
• Washington once saw hydropower as an easy alternative to coal. That's changing
• Seattle Aquarium can borrow money to complete waterfront addition

One health expert tells KUOW that she expects the number of local Covid cases to start rising soon. Covid cases are already rising nationally, but not so much around the Seattle area. Dr. Helen Chu with UW Medicine says she understands when people say, anecdotally, that they're noticing a few more people testing positive for the virus around them. It's happening around her too! So, right now, it's a wait and see situation, but it's a safe bet that cases will rise around here, especially after schools start, people head indoors together, etc. Dr. Chu also notes that a new Covid booster will be available this fall.

Other local health officials, however, say they're starting to see Covid numbers rise. Read more here.

How will Seattle fill a funding gap looming on the horizon? If you guessed "new taxes," you'd be right (but let's be honest, that answer is super obvious). The city is spending more money than it takes in. A $221 million deficit is expected in 2025, and more gaps down the road. That's why the city formed the Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which just delivered a report filled with suggestions around what Seattle can do. It details nine new tax ideas as well as some potential spending cuts. KUOW's David Hyde highlights one such idea: a “high pay ratio” tax, which is a tax on CEOs making considerably more money their their employees.

The wildfires striking Hawaii are difficult to watch, especially if your family is there and you're watching from an ocean away. That's what Roxanne See has been dealing with lately as she keeps track of family members on Maui. See has lived in Seattle since 2013. She has been attempting to contact family in Hawaii, trying to make sure everyone is safe. Some family members had to run into the water to escape the flames. Elsewhere on Maui, the Vogt family from the Tri-Cities was enjoying a summer vacation when the flames began to grow. A couple days ago, they stopped at a little place to eat, and enjoyed it. Today, that spot has been completely burned away.

AS SEEN ON KUOW

Ari Whidbey playing a broom like a guitar onstage before a Rhapsody Project event at the Black and Tan Hall in Seattle, on March 5, 2023. RadioActive’s Gideon Hall looked at one of his ‘third places’ — a Seattle music organization — and how they’re coming back from being online. (Gideon Hall / KUOW)

DID YOU KNOW?

The day of Aug. 11 is an important one for Beatles' fans, thanks to a trio of significant events. On this date in 1964, "A Hard Day's Night," the band's musical comedy, was released into movie theaters. It was a hit. Exactly one year later, the Beatle's released "Help!" into cinemas, their second musical comedy. When you think about movie productions today, which can take years to produce, the fact that the band threw together two in as many years, along with successful soundtracks, is quite impressive.

Another important Aug. 11 happening occurred in 1968. That's the day the band launched their own Apple Records. It was a considerable move for a band of that day. A band starting its own record label was uncommon to say the least.

ALSO ON OUR MINDS

Scorched by Maui wildfire, historic Lahaina banyan tree appears still standing

For 150 years, an enormous banyan tree has stood at the center of the Maui town of Lahaina. Now, that tree appears to be badly charred by wildfire that has killed at least 36 people. But it's still standing.

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