Should we nix these Seattle buses? Today So Far

• Some folks are talking about switching things up along Seattle's 3rd Avenue.
• Wildfires, heat waves, and your power.
• Mount Rainier got stomped on.

This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for Aug. 17, 2023.

Quick hits

• Three-alarm fire at Fort Steilacoom Park prompts neighborhood evacuation
• Seattle heat wave got you down? You’re not alone
• Target says backlash against LGBTQ+ Pride merchandise hurt sales

Would you remove all the buses from Seattle's 3rd Avenue? Keep in mind, this stretch of downtown road is largely reserved for buses and is used by a lot transit riders to get through town. At the same time, 3rd Avenue has a bad reputation. I'm sure I don't have to tell you why. In the current spirit of revitalizing downtown, a conversation has begun around the potential of switching things up, such as kicking the buses off 3rd Avenue and converting the street to pedestrian and bike use, while filling it with cafes and a lot more people. The idea reminds me of Munich's Fussganger Zone, or Dublin's Grafton Street, or any other popular pedestrian street that is more known for shopping and dining than travel. It may sound like a fun idea, but it's not an easy idea. KUOW's Joshua McNichols has the full story.

This summer's wildfires and heat wave are bringing to light a major risk that many might not have considered before — the power grid. Seattle City Light's customers may be in the city, but its electricity comes from hydroelectric dams up in the Cascades. The utility has had to shut down multiple dams over the past two weeks because of risks from wildfires. Another utility, Puget Sound Energy, recently asked customers to reduce power usage amid the heat wave. The idea was to decrease strain on the grid during times of high demand.

Did you watch the Perseid meteor shower earlier this week? A lot of folks went over to Mount Rainier for some better views of the sky, but it appears many forgot to look down while they were there. National Park officials report that stargazers went off the trails and trampled alpine meadows — you know, those areas with all the wildflowers folks swarm to see each summer. Then there was the — let's say "creative" — parking jobs at the park, and the trash. This is just a reminder that space is great, but so is your planet.

AS SEEN ON KUOW

While many try to escape the heat during heat waves, there are some whose work is outdoors. Doug Copeland, Charles Hanks and Erika Lazcano are picking up litter in Ballard. They work for Uplift Northwest, which provides temporary labor for people experiencing poverty and homelessness. (Joshua McNichols / KUOW)

DID YOU KNOW?

Why do we call it the "Perseid meteor shower"? The meteor shower that had everyone looking to the night sky last weekend actually happens annually. A considerable number of falling stars are visible during this event from July through August (sometimes into September). It generally peaks in mid-August, which is when folks get out to watch. These meteors were originally part of the Swift-Tuttle comet that orbits our sun. As it goes around, pieces break off and leave a trail. Once a year, Earth's orbit comes close to this debris trail, and we pick up a few pieces, which fall through our atmosphere, creating "falling stars." We know where to look for these meteors, too. They are located in the direction of the Perseus constellation. "Perseid" comes from the Greek word "Perseidai," which relates to Perseus.

ALSO ON OUR MINDS

People are freaking out over a question mark seen in space. Scientists can explain

The James Webb Space Telescope recently captured a stunning new image of what scientists call a pair of actively forming stars. But eagle-eyed viewers were quick to seize on an even tinier — and to some, more intriguing — detail at the very bottom of the frame: an orange formation in the unmistakable shape of a question mark, tail and all.

SUBSCRIBE TO TODAY SO FAR