Your morning news digest from KUOW | Tuesday, Feb. 26
Snow days // Zipper merge // Measles uptick // Bus fines // Backyard cottages // Lime danger // Transportation director
Summer school
The last day of school will now be June 27 in Seattle — five days later than planned to make up for snow days this month.
The district had considered applying for a waiver from the state excusing it from making up some of the snow days. By state law, school must be in session for 180 days a year.
Learn the merge
Washington state Rep. Jesse Young (R-Gig Harbor) and Rep. Chris Gildon (R-Puyallup) are sponsoring a bill to make the zipper merge part of driver education in Washington.
Under the legislation, people taking the driver's test would answer questions on the zipper merge. And people renewing their licenses would get a refresher.
The technique: If you're entering heavy traffic go all the way down the merge zone before trying to move over (don't feel guilty). And you're already on the highway, alternate letting those other drivers in (don't be a jerk).
Measles cases still ticking up
There are now 66 cases in Washington. The latest patient is in Clark County, bringing the total there to 65. There is also still one case in King County. Numbers as of Monday.
Bus fare fines
King County Metro is changing the way it handles bus riders who don't pay their fares. The agency is going to reduce the current fine amount from $124 dollars to $50.
It's also going to wipe out all previous citations and give everyone a clean slate.
An analysis of the program showed it had a negative impact on the homeless. And of the 3,900 citations issued, only 94 people paid them.
But those who do not pay their fines, either with cash or through a community service option, could be suspended from Metro service for 30 days.
Backyard cottages
Washington State Senator Guy Palumbo is on a mission – to help Seattle build more backyard cottages.
Which might seem strange, given that he represents Maltby – in unincorporated Snohomish County.
But Palumbo says Seattle has made it too hard to build new housing. And the suburbs are shouldering the cost, by growing too quickly.
Lime disease
A warning for those who use those Lime electric scooters: The company says a technical "glitch" is causing them to brake suddenly, especially when their being ridden downhill at top speed.
Lime says its issued remote updates that have helped reduced the number of braking incidents.
But the company is still urging riders to give the brakes a "tight squeeze" before they go for a ride.
Zimbabwe in Seattle
The Seattle City Council has confirmed Sam Zimbabwe as the new transportation director.
Before coming to Seattle Zimbabwe worked for the DOT in Washington, D.C., where one his major projects involved overseeing a project to increase the number of dockless scooters and bike shares.
