How good is the food around you? Today So Far

• Seattle soccer star Megan Rapinoe is planning to retire.
• Democrats must think Dave Reichert is serious competition for Washington governor.
• How good is the food near you?

This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for July 10, 2023.

Quick hits

• Seattle to get its first protected intersection
• Why many judges in WA won’t order abusers to turn in guns
• Years before implosion, experts warned OceanGate about submersible's dangers

Just a few days after her 38th birthday, Seattle soccer star Megan Rapinoe is planning to retire.

OL Reign's 2023 season will be her last, after 11 years with the National Women's Soccer League. The season ends in October. The Reign is planning for a celebration of Rapinoe's career at the team's last home game on October 6. Read more here.

I'm just going to be honest with you. When I first saw Dave Reichert's 33-second gubernatorial campaign announcement video, my knee-jerk reaction was to message his campaign: "A quick follow-up question for Mr. Reichert now that he has officially announced his campaign ... what is your workout routine? And do you have any tips for leg day?"

I know that is not the most journalistic take on an election story, but I can't be the only one whose thinking that the reason Reichert's announcement video is just 33 seconds long is because he recorded it in between reps. His Democratic counterparts announced their campaigns with highly produced, minutes-long videos backed by sensational music. Reichert basically showed up and said, "I'm here now, buckle up."

And that's all it took. He is now the most prominent Republican in the race for Washington governor. Shortly after his announcement went live, Republican Raul Garcia dropped out of the race (he's actually pivoting to run for Senate now). Democrats are also signaling that they think Reichert is serious competition. A handful of GOP candidates are already running, but within minutes of Reichert's campaign going live, Democrats started swinging. Both Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz attacked Reichert, citing his record on abortion rights and related issues. Read more here.

Upon first glance, the Kitsap Community Food Co-Op could appear like a simple convenience store. But a closer look reveals that inside, it has food — like real food.

There's locally grown produce, and basics like bulk grains, and fruit. This may sound like such a basic statement, but consider this: Seattle has it pretty good. Things can be a bit different outside of the city (and honestly, even still in parts of Seattle).

Wherever I lived in Seattle, walking to a grocery store was pretty easy, and I had options. I could always count on Safeway. In a pinch, I could search my couch cushions for spare change and maybe I could shop at Whole Foods. Fresh food was around. Ever since moving out of the city, I've come to appreciate Seattle's grocery scene. I'll put it this way: My current neighborhood has a lot of "Beware of Dog" signs around. There are two corner stores nearby where you might find an apple, but genuine food is not really an option. It's not too far, but a trip to the grocery store involves getting into a car and hopping on the freeway.

Downtown Bremerton used to have a similar problem. Despite having a downtown with local shops, theaters, bars, and a ferry dock, there weren't any easily accessible grocery stores in the neighborhood — until the Kitsap Community Food Co-Op showed up. Locals put their minds together to develop the co-op as a pop-up store in local shops. In 2019, they opened a physical location. As KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports, this is not an uncommon story. Co-ops have historically emerged amid times, and places, where they are needed. The full story on this "little Kitsap co-op that could" is here.

AS SEEN ON KUOW

Betty Clune displays yarns made by local dyers at her store, "So Much Yarn." From Pike Place to T-Mobile Park, downtown Seattle businesses have anticipated the arrival of Major League Baseball's All-Star Week and the increased foot traffic it will produce. (Joshua McNichols / KUOW)

DID YOU KNOW?

A lot of us think of Pride day, week, and month as a June event. But Tacoma keeps the celebration going through July. Yep. It's Pride month in Grit City right now. In fact, the Pierce County Council just declared July as Pride month in the county.

Tacoma Pride's opening week started on Friday. There was a street fair on Saturday, and a queer interfaith function on Sunday. Events will continue throughout the month, including a comedy show, movie in a park, a big hat brunch, and more. Read all about it here.

ALSO ON OUR MINDS

The northern lights are coming to several states this week, including Washington. Here's how to see them

On Wednesday, the northern lights will be highly visible "low on the horizon from Seattle, Des Moines [Iowa], Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and Halifax [Nova Scotia]."

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