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Seattle’s high buy-rent gap stirs policy debate

Housing market experts say rent control is a factor in Seattle having one of the biggest cost gaps between renting and buying. According to a recent study from Bankrate, the Seattle metro area has a buy-rent gap of 119.5%, behind only San Jose (185.6%) and San Francisco (190.7%), two other tech hubs.

Report: Job loss tops list of causes for homelessness in King County

A comprehensive report on King County’s homeless population reveals job loss is the leading driver of homelessness in the region. The report is based on data from King County’s 2024 Point in Time (PIT) count, which revealed that the majority of homeless people in the region (45%) cited job loss as the cause of their current homelessness, followed by eviction from their last stable home (9%).

Stay ahead of the curve: Your Q1-2025 market breakdown

For buyers, sellers, and investors interested in making a move, the question of “What’s going on with the real estate market?” is top of mind. However, the answer isn’t always as straightforward as one might expect, especially when analyzing a dynamic market like Seattle’s, with its wide property price point range, mix of condominium residences and single-family homes, and everything from sprawling waterfront estates to fixer-upper houses waiting for a modern makeover.

Tree Talk: Rhododendron’s act three and finale

There’s probably no flowering plant that is more cherished in the Pacific Northwest, more representative of our exuberant horticultural scene, than the Rhododendron. Mother’s Day in May is considered the peak of the season for these flamboyant bloomers… and it is.

Can childbirth be painless?

Whether you have had a baby, are pregnant now, or are planning to get pregnant...it’s worth knowing about the fetal ejection reflex, also called the Ferguson reflex - for it can surprisingly offer a painless birth - naturally.

Your favorite summer reading adventure underway

The Seattle Public Library (SPL) and Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) are joined by new partner King County Library System (KCLS) to launch Summer Book Bingo 2025. Readers in all corners of King County can now participate in the summer reading program that encourages adults to read widely for pleasure and to talk about books with friends, family and neighbors.

No small talk for us

My friend Elaine and I ate dinner together at Heyday Farm. It was probably over a month ago now, but I remember the evening clearly. There was something about the whole place that just lulled me.

Signal

The lights in Madison Park are flickering, which raises concerns about whether this story will be completed. Due to a recent power outage and today’s winds, it is possible that another outage may occur. I am documenting the events regarding the army in 1957 and the ironwork job I restarted after returning home.

King County officials urge caution around water

With summer activities kicking off this Memorial Day weekend, King County officials are urging residents to take extra precautions around water as new data shows a continued high number of preventable drowning deaths.

Critics of newly signed $78B operating budget predict dire fallout

The day after Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law a two-year, $78 billion operating budget that amounts to the largest tax increase in state history, critics expressed disappointment and concern about how higher taxes will impact families and large and small businesses.

Seattle’s summer safety plan includes fewer hours, more cops and locked toilets

After a recent shooting, Seattle parks will have more police officers present as part of a new summer safety strategy that focuses on reducing crimes in public areas. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the strategy in late May, saying that the city will boost patrols at high-traffic areas like parks and boat ramps, as these areas see more visitors during the summer season.

Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs plan emergency exercises

Imagine a massive power-grid failure leaving the entire Pacific Northwest without electricity. Now imagine this happening while Seattle hosts the World Cup Games! Volunteer workers of the Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs will test their crisis-response skills under a simulation of those conditions in activation drills scheduled for June.

Level up your prep: Go the extra mile

Although you should probably do something to prepare for The Big One when you live in Seattle, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Maybe you haven’t done anything at all, or you have a few flashlights and extra batteries around the house, but have been thinking about doing more, or you already have a stocked pantry and “go bag” and are feeling ready for action.

Farmer’s market coming to Madison Park

After almost a year of surveying the community, meeting with the businesses, working with the Seattle Farmer’s Market Association (which runs, the Ballard, Madrona and Wallingford Farmer’s Markets), the city has approved a Farmer’s Market for Madison Park.

Wildfire risks could put King County’s disaster budget up in smoke

Wildfire threats in western Washington are expected to rise in late summer even as King County prepares for the possible loss of federal funding for its emergency management department. In late May, King County Office of Emergency Management Director Brendan McCluskey told Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee members that his office is anticipating cuts in federal funding that directly affect wildfire services for the region.

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