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Week Four Washington Youth Football League Scores & Highlights

By
Seattle Medium
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6U:

5 Star Cougars 40, Bethel Bison 0

Renton Rangers 19, HEIR 0

Benson 21, CD Panthers 6

8U:

Renton Rangers 12, HEIR 0

Renton 8U BoomSquad came ready to make a statement, setting the tone early with a dominant defensive performance against HEIR 8U Bad Boys.

BoomSquad opened the game on defense and immediately put pressure on HEIR’s offense, repeatedly getting into the backfield and disrupting the quarterback and running game. Led by Malakai Armstead and Otulau Kamoto, the BoomSquad defense remained aggressive throughout the game, with Dondre Dowlen, Nasir Rogers, Hassan Finch III, Siaosi Ryder and Messiah Reynolds also making their presence felt with hard hits and strong tackles.

BoomSquad’s offense moved the ball well in the first half but struggled to finish drives after losing three fumbles on its first three possessions. Once those mistakes were corrected, the offense found its rhythm.

Dowlen, Lonzell King III and Armstead formed a three-headed rushing attack that made it difficult for HEIR’s defense to focus on one player. Dowlen eventually took over in the second half, breaking loose for touchdown runs of 50 and 35 yards while adding several other long gains.

BoomSquad held on for the 12-0 victory, avenging a 7-6 overtime loss to HEIR in last year’s state championship game.

Benson 8U 31, Tac City 7U 0

The Benson Bruins 8U NewWaveBoyz continued their strong start to the season with a 31-0 victory over Tac City 7U over the weekend.

The NewWaveBoyz set the tone before the game even started, making an electric entrance as they ran onto the field through their organization’s tunnel surrounded by black smoke as the crowd cheered them on.

Benson’s offense was powered by its offensive line of Mark Seraile, Titus Isumu, Matthias Isumu, Karson Lefau-Moi, Julieyon Bradley, Deadreon Budnik and Xavier Taulealea, who consistently opened up running lanes and helped the NewWaveBoyz establish their ground game from the very start.

Elijah Elmore continued to showcase his talents as he found paydirt twice during the game, while teammates Amarius Leon, Kayvion Rogers and Raynen Royce Alejaga all found their way to the end zone for the Bruins.

Tac City 7U put up a good fight throughout the game, but the NewWaveBoyz defense continued to swarm to the football and kept Tac City out of the end zone, recording another shutout as Benson secured the 31-0 victory.

The NewWaveBoyz will look to carry their momentum into Week 5 when they take on Rise Academy.

5 Star Cougars 48, Bethel Bison 0

Tac City 8U 62, Royal T 0

RISE 25, Benson 7U 13

CD Panthers 6, FW Hawks 0

10U:

Bethel Bison 38, 5 Star Cougars 14

B12 32, Royal T 0

RISE 20, HEIR 9U 18

HEIR 10U 28, Renton Rangers 7

Benson 10U 27, Benson 9U 12

FW Hawks 7, CD Panthers 6

12U:

HEIR 11U 34, RISE 11U 0

HEIR YK 11U put together a dominant all-around performance, shutting out RISE 34-0 behind an explosive offense and a defense that consistently kept RISE from finding any rhythm.

HEIR wasted little time setting the tone. On the opening play of the game, running back James Sears broke loose for a 55-yard touchdown run, immediately giving HEIR the early lead.

Quarterback Liam Bartlett added to the offensive attack when he connected with Isaiah Johnson on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Johnson made an impressive play on the ball, elevating over the defender to secure the catch before diving into the end zone for the score.

Johnson later showed his versatility by stepping in at quarterback and connecting with Cortez Foster on a 60-yard touchdown strike.

HEIR continued to find success on the ground, with Jaireal Jones powering through for a 15-yard touchdown run. Kaden Walker then provided another explosive play, breaking free for a 75-yard touchdown run and using his track speed to outrun the RISE defense.

While the offense was producing big plays, HEIR’s defense was just as effective.

Nainoa Alexander came away with an interception, while Jason Doelman made an impact on special teams by blocking a punt that HEIR recovered.

The HEIR defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game, consistently creating penetration and making plays in the backfield. RISE was held to fewer than 100 yards of total offense as HEIR prevented the offense from building any sustained momentum.

The 34-0 victory showcased HEIR YK’s ability to make an impact in every phase of the game, from the running and passing game to explosive plays, turnovers and strong defensive line play.

RISE 12U 46, HEIR 12U 0

CD Panthers 31, FW Hawks 13

Benson 11U 32, Renton Rangers 0

Benson 12U 28, Tac City 0

5 Star Cougars 42, Bethel Bison 0

B12 34, Royal T 0

14U:

HEIR 13U 30, RISE 7

Benson 13U 72, Renton Rangers 8

Week Four WYFL Pictorial Highlights

Benson 10U Pulls Away From Benson 9U For 27-12 Victory

By
Seattle Medium
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By Chris B. Bennett, The Seattle Medium

For two quarters, the Benson Bruins 9U Kutthroat Boyz went toe-to-toe with their older 10U counterparts, using an opportunistic defense and two big stops late in the first half to keep the highly anticipated matchup scoreless.

But after battling to a 0-0 tie at halftime, the Benson 10U Rebel Boyz took control in the second half behind Johzais Failautusi and a powerful rushing attack, scoring 27 points over the final two quarters to earn a 27-12 victory in The Seattle Medium’s Youth Football Game of the Week.

Both teams entered the matchup undefeated and had dominated their opponents through the first three games. The Kutthroat Boyz had outscored their opponents 95-12, while the Rebel Boyz had yet to allow a point, outscoring their opponents 101-0.

The first half belonged to the defenses.

Benson 10U was able to move the football into 9U territory on several occasions, but the younger Bruins repeatedly found ways to keep them out of the end zone.

One of their biggest defensive plays came late in the second quarter when James Hatfield intercepted a Tyce Jones pass to end a Benson 10U scoring threat.

Benson 10U got the ball back and made one final push before halftime, driving all the way to the goal line. But on the final play of the half, the 9U defense came up with another big stop, keeping the ball carrier out of the end zone and sending the teams into halftime locked in a 0-0 tie.

However, the game began to turn after halftime.

Benson 10U kicked off to begin the third quarter, and the ball sailed over the 9U returners before being recovered near their own 5-yard line. The 10U defense took advantage of the field position, forcing a turnover on downs and giving its offense the ball deep in 9U territory.

Failautusi eventually punched the ball into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run, finally breaking the scoreless tie and giving Benson 10U its first lead of the game.

The 9U team tried to respond, but the 10U defense came up with another key play when Andrew Foushee recovered a fumble at the 43-yard line.

Benson 10U took advantage of the turnover as its rushing attack began to find more room against the younger Bruins. Maurice McCray contributed a 6-yard run during the possession, while Failautusi helped keep the chains moving before Jones finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run. The extra point gave the Rebel Boyz a 13-0 lead with 35 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Even as the game began to shift, the 9U defense continued to battle. Emmett Noel recorded a sack early in the fourth quarter as the Kutthroat Boyz tried to keep the game within reach.

But as the second half wore on, Failautusi and the 10U rushing attack began to take over.

Failautusi broke loose for a 35-yard run that moved the ball to the 1-yard line, then finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to extend the Rebel Boyz lead to 20-0.

Benson 9U, however, answered immediately with one of the game’s most exciting plays.

Khalil Ladd fielded the ensuing kickoff and raced 67 yards for a touchdown with 3:36 remaining, finally putting the Kutthroat Boyz on the scoreboard and cutting the deficit to 20-6.

Benson 10U responded by going right back to the ground game. Failautusi eventually finished another scoring drive with an 8-yard touchdown run, his third touchdown of the second half, and the extra point increased the lead to 27-6.

Still, the 9U team wasn’t finished.

Facing fourth-and-10 with just 22 seconds remaining, Ladd broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run, his second touchdown of the quarter, to make the final score 27-12.

Failautusi finished the game with 119 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, with all three of his scores coming after halftime. Jones added the other 10U touchdown as the Rebel Boyz used their rushing attack to finally break through a 9U defense that had kept them scoreless for the first two quarters.

Ladd provided the biggest offensive spark for the Kutthroat Boyz, finishing with 141 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including 74 yards and a touchdown on six carries and a 67-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

With the win, the Rebel Boyz improved to 4-0, while the Kutthroat Boyz suffered their first loss of the season and fell to 3-1.

Because the two Benson teams practice on the same field and regularly scrimmage against one another, Benson 10U head coach King Matavao said the familiarity between the players contributed to the competitive nature of the game.

“It was a close game. We practice on the same field every day, and we scrimmage them literally every week, so having an actual game over here, it kind of feels different,” said Matavao. “The familiarity kind of helps keep it close.”

For Benson 9U head coach Mike Fesili, the first half showed what his young team was capable of against an older opponent, but he said sustaining that effort for four quarters was ultimately the difference.

“They’re older. I tell you, we’re all nine,” said Fesili. “I think they didn’t give up a touchdown the whole year and we’ve got two. It’s just the age game, really, the one that played out. Yeah. 0-0 going to a half. You know, that age just kicks in. Four quarters. We played two-and-a-half good quarters. We got to play four to beat these older teams. That’s it.”

Game Stats

Benson Bruins 10U Rebel Boyz

Passing: Tyce Jones, 2 completions, 11 yards; Jaxson Shandill, 1 completion, -2 yards; Johzais Failautusi, 0 completions.

Rushing: Johzais Failautusi, 16 carries, 119 yards, 3 TDs; Omir Thomas, 6 carries, 30 yards; Jaxson Shandill, 5 carries, 23 yards; Jeremiah Sii, 7 carries, 15 yards; Tyce Jones, 2 carries, 11 yards, 1 TD; Bless Austin-Curry, 4 carries, 8 yards; Misiuepa Muaau, 2 carries, 8 yards; Maurice McCray, 1 carry, 6 yards; Khalil Randolph, 1 carry, 5 yards; Kainoa Ongque, 1 carry, 4 yards.

Receiving: Jaxson Shandill, 1 reception, 11 yards.

Defense: Misiuepa Muaau, 1 tackle; Tyce Jones, 1 INT; Andrew Foushee, 1 fumble recovery.

Benson Bruins 9U Kutthroat Boyz

Passing: Khalil Ladd, 0 completions; James Hatfield, 0 completions.

Rushing: Khalil Ladd, 6 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD; Leeangelo Bentley, 9 carries, 22 yards; Judah Maile, 4 carries, 8 yards; James Hatfield, 3 carries, 3 yards; Jaxton Prum, 1 carry, 1 yard.

Receiving: James Hatfield, 2 receptions, -2 yards.

Special Teams: Khalil Ladd, 67-yard kickoff return, 1 TD.

Defense: Keila Sausau, 2 tackles; Khalil Ladd, 1 tackle; Judah Maile, 1 tackle; Aiden Nieves-Leon, 1 tackle; Jojo Clark, 1 tackle; Ezekiel Palmer, 1 tackle; Emmett Noel, 1 sack; Sosaia Toutai, 1 sack; James Hatfield, 1 INT.

Week Four WYFL Pictorial Highlights

Gun Violence And Youth: The Unseen Dangers That Can Shape Their Futures

By
Seattle Medium
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B. Maurice Ward

By B. Maurice Ward

Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum Organizing Committee

In my work across King County, I’ve seen a pattern that should concern us all: Many young people do not fully understand the risks and potential consequences that come with possessing a firearm.

Not firing it.

Not threatening anyone.

Just possessing it.

For a young person who is scared, pressured or trying to feel safe, carrying a gun may seem like protection.

But that gun can bring consequences the young person never anticipated.

A young person may get a gun without knowing where it came from or what happened before it reached them.

That gun may have changed hands several times. It may have been lost, hidden, sold or stolen. It may have been involved in something the young person knows nothing about.

But the gun keeps moving.

And every time it changes hands, another young person can become connected to a weapon whose history they do not know.

Young people also need to understand that there can be serious legal consequences for possessing a firearm.

Washington law generally prohibits firearm possession by people younger than 18, although the law provides specific exceptions under certain circumstances, including firearm safety courses, target shooting and lawful hunting.

The exact circumstances matter.

But the larger lesson for our youth is simple:

Gun possession is not a small decision.

It can be a life-altering risk.

We also cannot have an honest conversation about youth and guns without talking about fear.

Some young people carry weapons because they are afraid.

Some feel pressured.

Some believe a gun is the only way to protect themselves.

That means adults cannot simply tell young people, “Don’t carry a gun,” and consider the problem solved.

We must create spaces where young people can talk about fear, pressure and safety without judgment.

We must teach them the legal realities the streets may never explain.

We must build trust so they come to us before they turn to a weapon.

And we must work to make sure young people have safe alternatives when they believe they are in danger.

The Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum is about altering trajectories — giving young people the knowledge, tools and relationships they need to make informed decisions.

This year, we must speak plainly:

A gun is not something to pick up casually.

You cannot know everywhere that gun has been.

You cannot know everything it may have been used for.

And you should not assume that carrying one will make you safer.

Our young people need to understand the consequences before they face the decision.

Parents, mentors and community leaders have a role.

We must create spaces where young people can talk about fear, pressure and safety without judgment.

We must listen.

We must help them understand the risks.

And we must build enough trust that they come to us before they come to a weapon.

To our young people:

You deserve to grow old.

You deserve to feel safe.

You deserve a future that isn’t defined by a moment of fear or a bad decision.

Your life matters.

Your choices matter.

And we are here to help you choose a different path.

Editor’s note: This commentary is part of The Seattle Medium’s special content produced in partnership with the Judge Charles V. Johnson Youth and Law Forum. The views expressed are those of the author.

Unemployment Fuels ‘Black Suffering,’ Ayanna Pressley Says At CBC Panel

By
Seattle Medium
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U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.

By Aaliyah Clarke

WASHINGTON (HUNS) — U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., announced  federal job guarantee legislation on Friday as panelists at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference discussed the financial pressures facing Black families.

During the panel, “Black Jobs, Black Women, Black Families, Black Futures: A Pathway to an Inclusive Job Market,” Pressley pointed to racial differences in unemployment and the financial challenges that can follow when people lose their jobs.

“Black suffering is so systemic,” Pressley told attendees. “It’s so endemic. It’s so ingrained in the fabric of who we are that for many it is unremarkable.” 

Pressley said white unemployment is at 3.7%, compared with 6% for African Americans, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Black women are also the primary breadwinners in 80% of Black households, she said.

Pressley’s legislation urges the federal government to guarantee jobs that would “pay no less than $25 per hour.” She referenced Coretta Scott King’s work advocating for full employment as an economic right and called on the Federal Reserve to fulfill its mandate of maximum employment.

Described as an “urgent discussion about the unemployment crisis facing Black women,” the panel also focused on how unemployment can affect entire households. 

Ofronama Biu, chief economist of the Maven Collaborative, a research and advocacy nonprofit, presented data showing that when a Black woman becomes unemployed, her household income averages $44,000, compared to $80,000 for households with unemployed white women.

Biu said financial strain can also affect access to basic needs. Among unemployed Black women, health insurance coverage drops from 92% to 79%, she said. Inflation can also lead families to rely on short-term installment loans to pay for groceries and gas.

“When Black women suffer, Black children suffer,” said Brittany Packnett Cunningham, vice president and chief strategy officer at the Children’s Defense Fund.

Cunningham said Black women often take on unpaid work that helps support neighborhoods, volunteer programs and extended families even when they are not working formal jobs.

Angie Nixon, Florida state representative and Democratic Senate nominee, encouraged attendees to rebuild community-centered mutual aid networks, pointing to grassroots programs created by communities during the Civil Rights Movement.

The conversation became more personal during the question and answer portion of the session when an attendee with a law degree asked how workers can stay resilient after using their savings and facing repeated rejection in the job market.

Before the session ended, Pressley sent a member of her congressional staff into the audience to collect the woman’s resume and contact information.

“There is so much shame we carry about things, a shame that is shaped by policies and systems and leaders that have failed us,” Pressley said. “It took great bravery to be candid … and we want to reward that bravery.”

Tacoma Seeks Applicants For Five Police Advisory Committee Positions

By
Seattle Medium
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The Tacoma City Council is seeking residents to fill five vacancies on the Community’s Police Advisory Committee, an advisory panel that provides input on Tacoma Police Department policies, procedures, training and programs.

Applications are due by noon Oct. 12. The vacancies include representatives from City Council Districts 1, 2 and 3, an Emerging Leader position and one at-large position open to Tacoma residents.

The committee, commonly known as CPAC, advises the City Council, city manager and police chief on matters involving police policies, procedures, rules, training and programs. At the request of the City Council or city manager, members may also review completed investigations and other department matters.

Another part of the committee’s role is connecting residents with the city’s police accountability process. CPAC promotes awareness of the public complaint process and receives and reviews policy complaints from community members.

The committee also works to foster communication between the Tacoma Police Department and the community and can convene community conversations about public safety, police services, programs, policies, procedures and training.

Applicants must live in Tacoma, cannot hold another elective public office and cannot currently serve as a member of the Tacoma Police Department or be an immediate family member of a department employee.

The city is encouraging residents from a range of backgrounds to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ residents, people with disabilities, seniors, young people, immigrants and refugees, as part of its effort to have city committees, boards and commissions reflect Tacoma’s population.

Those appointed to CPAC will be required to complete training on Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act within 90 days of their appointment.

Applications can be submitted through the City Clerk’s Office at tacoma.gov/cbcapplication. More information about CPAC is available at tacoma.gov.

Questions about the application process, requests for an application in an alternate format or requests to submit additional documents can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at servetacoma@tacoma.gov or 253-591-5178.

For Chef Sabrina Tinsley, Osteria La Spiga Is Where Italian Tradition And Community Come Together

By
Seattle Medium
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Osteria la Spiga executive chef and co-owner Sabrina Tinsley.

By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium

There are plenty of foodies in Seattle’s Black community who are always on the lookout for great dishes prepared by Black chefs. One of the more unexpected finds in that search for Black culinary excellence is Osteria la Spiga, where executive chef and co-owner Sabrina Tinsley has spent more than 25 years bringing the food traditions of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region to Seattle.

Raised in Alaska, Tinsley’s path to restaurant ownership took her through France, Austria and eventually Italy. She met her husband and La Spiga co-founder, Pietro Borghesi, in Salzburg, Austria, before the couple moved to Italy, where they lived for five years and operated businesses together.

“I spent some time in France, a year in Salzburg, Austria, and that’s where I met my husband to be, who’s Italian,” said Tinsley. “We lived in Italy for five years and had businesses there, so that was kind of the start of my business career. I’ve always had a passion for eating and then later a passion for cooking. [After living in Italy], I just wanted to come back home stateside, so we opened a full-scale restaurant after that.”

When it came time to decide where they would build that restaurant, Seattle emerged as the place where both could see themselves putting down roots.

“My sister had moved here from Alaska,” said Tinsley. “We came and did a grand tour of the United States, all the different places that I had lived, and we both agreed that if we were going to move back, Seattle was the only place that we would put down roots.”

The couple opened Osteria la Spiga in October 1998, building the restaurant around the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna, the northern Italian region where Borghesi is from and where Tinsley developed a deep appreciation for the food and traditions that would eventually shape her cooking in Seattle.

“The food is inspired by the region of Emilia-Romagna, famous for Parmesan cheese, prosciutto di Parma and balsamic vinegar. It’s really considered the culinary cradle of the world, so we focus our cuisine around that region, and it’s probably the apex of comfort food,” said Tinsley. “We do handmade pastas and classic shared appetizers that encourage community and sharing. People leave happy and pleasantly full.”

Those traditions can be found throughout La Spiga’s menu.

Among its popular dishes is Pesca Arrosto, featuring a roasted local peach with fresh burrata cheese, prosciutto and gnocco fritto, the fried bread puffs of Emilia-Romagna. Tagliatelle al Burro di Tartufo pairs handmade tagliatelle with white Alba truffle butter, while Lasagne Verdi layers spinach lasagna noodles with ragù Bolognese, béchamel and Parmigiano Reggiano.

As the restaurant transitions into its fall menu, diners can also find Tortelli di Zucca, stuffed with butternut squash and house-made fruit mostarda and served with Sangiovese vellutata, along with Maiale al Latte, milk-braised pork cheek medallions with butternut squash vellutata and sautéed escarole.

For Tinsley, those dishes remain closely connected to her role in the kitchen. Although La Spiga has grown considerably from its beginnings, she continues to oversee the recipes and seasonal direction of the menu.

“I’m really just executive chef at this point,” said Tinsley. “I write all the recipes, I teach and train for all the recipes, I come up with the seasonal menus, 100% yes, I do all that.”

As the restaurant grew, it eventually moved from its original smaller space on Broadway to a much larger location on 12th Avenue. The restaurant now occupies approximately 6,000 square feet in a converted former automotive space, with high wooden beams, steel elements and large glass panels that can open the dining room during warmer weather.

In 2022, Tinsley and Borghesi expanded the business with La Dispensa, an adjoining marketplace where customers can purchase items including house-made pasta, cured meats, cheeses and other culinary products.

Beyond her work at La Spiga, Tinsley has also focused on mentorship and advocacy within the restaurant industry, mentoring emerging culinary professionals, hosting guest chefs and supporting efforts to increase diversity in the field.

As La Spiga grew, Tinsley’s role remained largely behind the scenes. For many years, customers experienced her cooking without necessarily knowing much about the chef behind it.

“For the first many, many years of La Spiga I was just stuck in the kitchen, so I didn’t really have a presence at La Spiga,” said Tinsley. “But once I started coming out of the kitchen and being more visible publicly, people were very pleasantly surprised.”

As Tinsley became more visible outside the kitchen, she also began hearing directly from Black diners who wanted to support Black-owned businesses.

Tama Smith, who first came to know Tinsley as a customer and later became a friend, said Tinsley’s background is part of what makes La Spiga distinctive.

“Chef and owner Sabrina Tinsley has created an Italian gem in the heart of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, Osteria la Spiga,” said Smith. “The food is centered around a region in Northern Italy that is dear to Sabrina, and that has been interpreted through her lens as a Black chef.”

Smith points in particular to Tinsley’s lasagna, one of the restaurant’s longtime favorites.

“If you’re looking to take home a meal or cater a party, you must include Sabrina’s renowned lasagna in your order,” said Smith.

For Tinsley, becoming more visible has brought another reward: hearing from Black customers who want to intentionally support Black-owned businesses like hers.

“I hear a lot of Black folks really wanting to support Black-owned businesses,” said Tinsley. “I personally have just felt so much love and support from the community, just share the love, spread the word.”

Osteria la Spiga is a participating restaurant in the Pack the House campaign, a 10-week community initiative presented by The Seattle Medium, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Byrd Barr Place and the Central Area Collaborative to encourage the community to intentionally support local Black-owned restaurants. For more information about the campaign, participating restaurants and weekly schedule, visit PackTheHouseSeattle.com.

Pierce County Voters Prepare For Nov. 3 General Election

By
Seattle Medium
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Tacoma, United States - January 8, 2012: Skyline of downtown Tacoma consisting of office buildings, condominiums, the Washington State History Museum, the Museum of Glass and Union Station.
Tacoma, United States – January 8, 2012: Skyline of downtown Tacoma consisting of office buildings, condominiums, the Washington State History Museum, the Museum of Glass and Union Station.

Pierce County voters will begin receiving ballots in October for the Nov. 3 general election, which includes congressional and state legislative races, county offices, judicial contests and a number of state and local ballot measures.

The Pierce County Auditor’s Office is preparing to mail ballots Oct. 13, a few days earlier than usual, and county ballot drop boxes are scheduled to open the same day. Voters can return their ballots as soon as they receive them. Pierce County Washington

The ballot includes races for U.S. representative, state Senate and state House positions, as well as Pierce County auditor, prosecuting attorney and County Council Districts 1, 5 and 7. Judicial positions on the Washington Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Pierce County District Court and Tacoma Municipal Court will also appear on ballots. Pierce County Washington

Voters will also decide a range of local measures involving cities and towns, school districts, fire protection and emergency medical services, and transit-related taxes. Three statewide initiatives, several Pierce County charter amendments and a City of Tacoma initiative are also on the ballot. Pierce County Washington

Washington conducts elections primarily by mail, and registered voters are automatically sent ballots. Pierce County election officials are encouraging voters to cast their ballots early and use official ballot drop boxes when possible. Pierce County Washington

The deadline to register or update voter information online or by mail is Oct. 26. Eligible residents may also register or update their information in person through 8 p.m. on Election Day at the Pierce County Elections Office. Pierce County Washington

Ballots returned to an official drop box must be deposited by 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. WA Secretary of State

The Pierce County Auditor’s Office has posted an “Election at a Glance” guide along with a voters’ pamphlet, sample ballot, drop box locations and other election information through Pierce County Elections.

Seattle Jack And Jill Chapter Targets Voter Turnout With Postcard Campaign

By
Seattle Medium
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Volunteers with the Seattle Chapter of Jack and Jill prepare postcards to send to infrequent voters in other states.

By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium

When Nicole Alston-Abel looks at a stack of blank postcards, she sees more than paper. She sees a connection to her family’s history and an opportunity to encourage thousands of people across the country to vote.

Alston-Abel, vice president of the Seattle Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., is helping organize an Oct. 17 community postcard-writing drive in Kent with a goal of sending 5,000 handwritten messages encouraging registered, infrequent voters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas to vote.

For Alston-Abel, the effort is deeply personal.

“I am a child of someone who was on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday,” said Alston-Abel. “My father was on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday. The very idea that the things that he was bitten by dogs for are being systematically deconstructed is appalling to me. That is the anchor that is rooting me in this.”

That history shapes how Alston-Abel views current debates over voting access, particularly in states where members of her own family live.

“Slavery hasn’t changed, but the mechanism—they just call it something different. This is James Crow, Esquire,” said Alston-Abel. “My family in North Carolina is impacted by gerrymandering. My mom is 89 years old. Why does she have to request a ballot every single time… and then have that ballot notarized in order to vote? They don’t want her to vote. And that’s wrong.”

Alston-Abel said Washington’s vote-by-mail system shouldn’t keep residents here from paying attention to the voting experiences of people in other states.

The chapter plans to send 1,000 of its 5,000 postcards to registered, infrequent voters in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, with the remaining cards going to voters in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas. Alston-Abel said the outreach is focused on districts with significant Black populations and historically low voter turnout. She said increased participation in those communities could influence key races in the upcoming midterm elections and, collectively, the balance of power in Congress.

The chapter is working with voter outreach initiatives including Postcards to Swing States and collaborating locally with organizations including the Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, Divine Nine Greek-letter organizations, League of Women Voters and local senior centers.

The handwritten cards carry a simple message: “Thank you for being a voter. Who you vote for is private, but whether you vote is public record.”

Alston-Abel said the campaign is intended to encourage people who might otherwise sit out an election to vote.

“The reason we are where we are as a country is because people decided to stay home,” said Alston-Abel. “The people who are orchestrating the destruction of the Voting Rights Act are counting on the fact that Black folks won’t get out and vote. They only win if we don’t fight.”

The campaign also reflects the civic tradition of Jack and Jill of America, which was founded in January 1938 in Philadelphia by Marion Stubbs Thomas and 20 other African American mothers. The organization began as a way to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for Black children at a time when segregation excluded Black families from many mainstream social and recreational spaces.

The Seattle Chapter was established in 1958 by 22 local mothers as the organization’s 98th chapter. Its programs serve families and young people across King and Snohomish counties, with an emphasis on leadership, cultural enrichment, community service and civic engagement.

For Alston-Abel, the connection between that history and the postcard campaign is also playing out within her own family. Her 15-year-old daughter, Claire Abel, is helping mobilize another generation.

Claire, a student at Raisbeck Aviation High School and a member of her school’s Black Student Union, is encouraging other young people to participate in the postcard effort. She is also creating the playlist for the chapter’s organizing sessions.

“I don’t want my rights to ever be in jeopardy as a young person growing up in America,” said Claire. “It’s like what Sheryl Lee Ralph said: Just because I have rights today, it doesn’t mean I’ll have rights tomorrow. And I do want to have my rights tomorrow, so this is really important to me.”

Claire also sees the campaign as part of a larger responsibility for her generation.

“I think I would like to be a revolutionary, but not in the way that people think,” said Claire. “I think that more people are trying to pit us against each other than we actually are. My solution is we come together and just battle this as a collective, because we’re stronger together than we are apart.”

The chapter’s goal of writing and mailing 5,000 postcards comes with a significant logistical and financial challenge. During its 2024 presidential election drive, organizers say the chapter completed 4,500 cards before running out of postage. This year, the chapter is asking community members to help it reach the 5,000-card goal by contributing postcard stamps, helping with postage costs or lending their time to write and address cards.

Organizers estimate postage for the campaign will cost about $3,000.

Community members can participate in the Seattle Chapter’s Community Postcard Writing Drive on Saturday, Oct. 17, at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship in Kent. Organizers are inviting young people, elders, local organizations and other community members to help write messages to voters before the postcards are mailed by the Oct. 21 deadline.

“Come on out, bring postcard stamps with you, and help us write these postcards,” said Alston-Abel. “Just because we’re here in Washington and we have the luxury of voting by mail doesn’t mean that other people do… Every card that we write and every voter that we reach is one step closer to getting us to the place where we want to be.”

Tacoma Seeks Volunteers for Citywide Green Tacoma Day on Oct. 10

By
Seattle Medium
-

Tacoma residents will have an opportunity to help restore parks and natural areas across the city on Oct. 10 as the City of Tacoma and Green Tacoma Partnership host the annual Green Tacoma Day.

The citywide volunteer effort will include projects at seven sites, where participants will plant native trees and shrubs, remove weeds, pick up litter and complete other work aimed at improving Tacoma’s parks, neighborhoods and natural areas.

Organizers are inviting community members of all ages and abilities to participate, and no previous experience is required. Tools, gloves and guidance will be provided at the volunteer sites.

“Thank you to all the volunteers, organizations, and City staff that make this day possible every year,” said Tacoma Mayor Anders Ibsen. “Our green spaces are the biggest legacy we leave to the next generation, and we commend the amazing Tacomans who make that possible.”

Green Tacoma Day is organized by the City of Tacoma and the Green Tacoma Partnership as an annual day of service that gives residents a hands-on role in caring for green spaces throughout the city.

Descriptions of the volunteer projects, site locations and registration information are available at greentacomaday.org.

New Early Learning Sites To Expand Free Preschool Access In Tacoma And Surrounding Areas

By
Seattle Medium
-
Governor Bob Ferguson

Families in Tacoma, Lakewood and Federal Way will have additional options for free preschool as Washington expands its Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program by approximately 2,400 slots statewide for the 2026-27 school year.

Gov. Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families announced 42 new ECEAP sites across the state, along with additional openings at 105 existing sites. The expansion includes new locations at Birth to Five Learning Center in Tacoma, Just Like Home Daycare Center and Pierce College Milgard Child Development Center in Lakewood, and several sites in Federal Way.

Federal Way locations identified as part of the expansion include College for Kids, Planting Flowers and Green Gables Elementary School.

ECEAP is Washington’s state-funded prekindergarten program for eligible low-income families with children ages 3 and 4. In addition to preschool education, the program provides family support intended to help children prepare for school.

The expansion is being funded through a partnership between Washington state and Ballmer Group. More than $251 million in state and Ballmer Group grant funding will be awarded to early learning providers during the 2026-27 school year, according to the state.

“As we’re facing budget challenges, our public-private partnership is expanding access to high-quality early education for thousands of kids across our state,” Ferguson said. “This expansion means more children, including our most vulnerable, will get the support they need to thrive in school and beyond.”

The partnership was announced in November 2025 by Ferguson, DCYF Secretary Tana Senn and Ballmer Group representatives. Under the agreement, Ballmer Group is expected to provide approximately $1 billion over 10 years to support as many as 10,000 additional seats in ECEAP’s school-day program.

The approximately 2,400 new openings exceed the state’s original first-year goal of serving 2,000 additional children, but fall slightly below the number previously announced.

According to DCYF, some providers that initially accepted funding later returned it because of workforce shortages and other challenges associated with opening new classrooms. The department said it continues to work with applicants to address barriers to providing services.

The expansion comes as access to early learning remains dependent not only on funding but also on whether providers have enough workers and facilities to accommodate additional children. The experience of providers that returned funding illustrates some of the challenges involved in translating new investments into available classroom seats.

Families interested in ECEAP can find information about eligibility and programs through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

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