Reminder to drivers on when to stop for a school bus. If you see unpredictable kids or parents, please stop regardless of what is in the law to keep everyone safe.

Archive: https://archive.ph/Ws3pq

Some Highlights:

It will be near-empty for a long time.

Early data models said if housing and jobs didn’t pour in, as few as 1,100 people a day would board a train at Pinehurst, far below industry standards.

Seattle had a full decade to plan for nearby blocks of apartments or condos to make the $240 million station more useful, but none of that construction is underway.

Sound Transit once hesitated to build here. Early data models said if housing and jobs didn’t pour in, as few as 1,100 people a day would board a train at Pinehurst, far below industry standards.

But agency leaders acquiesced to the doggedness of one Seattle City Council member, Debora Juarez

But rezoning is on hold..the effects on trees and streams citywide must be examined first.

Juarez threatened to publicly oppose the ST3 tax vote if it omitted Northeast 130th...The cost estimate of $65 million looked cheap enough to not freak out her transit board colleagues, who hoisted it aboard the ST3 plan.

..$240 million now

Former transit board member David Baker, who served as Kenmore mayor, once called the station useless, and still thinks so.

Even though Bellevue meticulously created the midrise Spring District for tech firms and workers, a meager 1,128 average passengers per day caught trains there in August.

Helion this year removed a prediction from its website that Orion, its first commercial power plant, will begin producing electricity by 2028. "We will not, in no universe, have 50 megawatts hit full operation in 2028," Helion public affairs director Jackie Siebens said this summer at the FusionX conference in Boston. Helion's contract with Microsoft requires Orion to at least "be connected to the grid and begin operations by the end of 2028," Siebens said.

Two academic papers published this year questioned fundamental assumptions behind Helion's approach, including whether its reactor could produce enough fusion energy to overcome energy losses.

~ The site now says "initial operations," a phrase the company declines to define. The Microsoft deadline did not move. Only the promise did.

ST quietly published their 2 Line ridership late last week, the first update since the full Seattle to Redmond connection opened in March. They didn't issue any kind of press release and there was no media coverage.

The weekday boardings on 2 Line this year were projected to be 43000 to 52000 per day.

June is typically the busiest month for Link, and we had the World Cup in town which we were assured would mean packed trains. None of that helped because 2 Line only had 17,221 boardings per day, a shortfall of 66%.

Last month didn't even hit 14,000 boardings, a massive 73% below the target. The gap will widen over the winter months where Link ridership usually drops to it's lowest point.

There is no way this $5 billion dollar project is going to hit projections.

How long til they announce a budget shortfall and need more money for their next train?

Sources:

https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/system-performance-tracker/ridership

https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-breaks-ground-downtown-redmond-link

Edit: For people who are saying these are "old models" pre pandemic, that is true, they are from 2019, but ST has continued to use these numbers up until March of this year. e.g. March 2026 "According to Rachelle Cunningham, Public Information Officer with Sound Transit, “Sound Transit expects 50,000 daily boardings on the 2 Line between Lynnwood and Downtown Redmond stations."

How can I request one of these devices to be installed next to a school?

Where to go to see the most fun home decor in Seattle or nearby?

Zahilay's proposal directs dedicated revenues toward major infrastructure including $198 million for healthcare facilities including Harborview Medical Center and the Central Crisis Care Center opening on Capitol Hill in 2027, $100 million for land conservation, and $64.4 million for the RapidRide R line, alongside $19.5 million to build 612 shelter and housing units. [...] For Zahilay, the two-year buffer basically means the county can still afford to spend while Seattle saves.

Wilson's plan would drop $50 million in departmental operating costs by eliminating 128 positions and redirects $173 million in JumpStart payroll tax revenue to prop up core services and homelessness programs.

~ Two governments, one tax base, and the only thing separating a $100 million conservation buy from 128 eliminated jobs is which biennium the shortfall landed in.

October is Archives Month! Celebrate with King County Archives by exploring a range of fun, free activities open to everyone. Whether you’re interested in learning more about King County’s past, doing research, finding artistic inspiration, or simply geeking out over local history, there’s something for you. Choose your own adventure from the options below.

Archives à la Carte

Curious about what an archives is or what historical government records look like? This is your chance to find out! Archives staff have put together a “menu” of fascinating topics featuring some of our most unique records. Pick your favorites and book a time to see them in person.

When: October 13–23, weekdays (registration required)

Time: Reserve a time online

Where: King County Archives, 1215 E. Fir St., Seattle

Who: Free and open to the public

The Rise and Fall of the Kingdome Exhibit

Stop by the Customer Service Center at the King Street Center to explore a pop-up exhibit about the Kingdome, King County’s first multi‑purpose stadium. Learn why it was built, what happened there, and what led to its demolition. The exhibit includes historic photos from events like Seahawks games and a Rolling Stones concert, plus images of the stadium’s construction and its dramatic implosion.

When: October 5–31, weekdays, 8:30am–4pm

Where: 2nd floor, King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., downtown Seattle

Who: Free and open to the public; no registration needed

Make Your Own Zine

Create your own zine with help from Seattle-area archivists! Zines are small, self‑made booklets filled with drawings, writing, or cut‑and‑paste images from magazines, posters, books, and more. No experience needed—we’ll provide the supplies, you bring the creativity.

When: October 30, 2:30–5pm (registration required)

Where: *Seattle Public Library, Douglass‑Truth Branch, 2300 E. Yesler Way, Seattle

Who: Free and open to the public (sign‑up link)

*This event is NOT hosted, sponsored, or endorsed by The Seattle Public Library.

New to archives? You’re welcome here! Archives are for everyone, and Archives Month is a great time to explore historical government records and discover what the past can teach us.

To sign up or learn more, visit: kingcounty.gov/archives.

Looking for badminton players for weekday mornings in Renton/Bellevue 🏸
We’re a group of 5–7 players, ranging from beginner to intermediate, who play on weekday mornings in Renton and at Bellevue Badminton Club. We keep it fun while working on our movement, shots, and overall game.
If you’re around an intermediate level and would enjoy some friendly games with people who also want to improve, comment or send me a DM. Happy to share the details!

You can spend 10 minutes at Whole Foods at pretty much any time of day and see multiple people loading up their bags and walking out without paying. This can't be sustainable long term, right?

Roosevelt in general has been going downhill over the past year but I'm curious if anyone has any insight on Whole Foods situation specifically.

I legitimately had my eyes closed.