News

Black political and civil rights organizations are launching multimillion-dollar campaigns to boost Black turnout ahead of the 2026 midterms, targeting young, rural and low-propensity voters. The push, including the CBC Institute's "SO VOTE" and NAACP's $20 million effort, comes amid legal battles over mail voting rules and racial gerrymandering that threaten Black political influence.

President Donald Trump was pictured reviewing a poster that appears to read, “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED,” hours before his administration told a judge the arts institution had to be closed due to “structural deterioration” it characterized as posing “untenable risks” to safety.

Touchscreens and self-checkout machines were designed to help customers. But restaurants and retailers are ditching them to humanize stores and attract workers.

A new report from Community College Research Initiatives and the Washington Student Achievement Council finds that Washington's college transfer system creates significant barriers for students of color, low-income and first-generation students. While Black students transfer at rates exceeding national averages, only 44% earn bachelor's degrees post-transfer, highlighting gaps in advising, financial support, and institutional coordination.

Chef Tay Proctor-Mills Jr. blends Southern roots with contemporary flavor at Black & Tan Hall, a cooperatively owned Hillman City restaurant and event space. Featured in the Pack the House campaign, the Hall honors Seattle's historic Jackson Street nightlife while offering inclusive dining, live music and community gatherings for everyone.

Seattle Medium’s Pack the House campaign spotlights Black-owned coffee shops Avole Coffee, Boon Boona Coffee and The Scene, exploring how founders Solomon Dubie, Efrem Fesaha and Michelle Lang-Raymond blend East African heritage, hospitality and community. The 10-week initiative encourages residents to discover, support and return to these gathering spaces beyond just grabbing a cup of coffee.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has announced a gun violence reduction plan shifting over $5 million in community intervention contracts to the CARE department, expanding youth programs, police patrols and mental health services.

New federal Medicaid rules under H.R. 1 will reshape Apple Health coverage for King County residents starting Oct. 1, with work requirements, more frequent renewals, and shorter retroactive coverage following in 2027. Officials warn thousands could lose insurance, urging residents to update contact information and seek help from certified navigators through CHAP.

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay has proposed $100 million for 57 conservation projects protecting roughly 1,500 acres countywide, funded through Conservation Futures and the King County Parks Levy.

President Trump dismissed AI safety concerns as a "HOAX," comparing them to climate change fears while rejecting industry calls for regulation. Despite warnings from tech leaders and internal White House worries, Trump prioritized AI-driven economic growth and outpacing China, insisting his own oversight provides sufficient safeguards against the technology.