KOMO News
@komonews • 498,750 subscribers
The latest breaking news, traffic, and weather from Seattle and Western Washington.
Videos
The world's first light rail line over a floating bridge is inadvertently killing fish in Lake Washington, and now Sound Transit is scrambling to find a solution. It's unclear how many fish have died and how long the problem has existed since the Crosslake Connection first opened on March 28, linking Seattle to the Eastside along the I-90 floating bridge. "On August 3, we were alerted by our partners at the Washington State Department of Transportation to some number of deceased fish in the vicinity of the I-90 floating bridge," said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine on Thursday. Full story here:
KOMO News147,384 views • 10 days ago
Warning that Seattle’s economy is at a “fragile moment,” Mayor Katie Wilson has ordered the creation of a new task force aimed at helping businesses “start, stay and grow” in the city as leaders grapple with layoffs, empty offices and a shifting regional growth picture. “We are in a fragile moment,” Wilson said. The mayor signed an executive order directing a task force to recommend ways to strengthen the city’s economy and build what she has described as a “resilient Seattle economy.” The effort is expected to unfold over a year, though the plan’s price tag and funding source remain unclear, including whether businesses could be asked to help pay for it. Full story here:
KOMO News68,661 views • 5 days ago
A newly released video shows two men attacking a 77-year-old man who was walking down the street in downtown Seattle last month. The incident was captured by the city's Real Time Crime Center surveillance cameras, which monitor public areas that have been identified as crime hot spots. In the video, the victim is seen walking slowly southbound on Third Avenue, approaching a pharmacy at the corner of Pike Street. Without any prior interaction, two men shove the man to the ground and punch him, the video shows. They are then seen walking away from the man, who is left hunched over on the ground as bystanders walk past him. None of the witnesses to the attack approached or offered assistance to the man as he remained on the ground. Full story here: #komo #komo4 #komonews #komo4news #seattle #washington
KOMO News1,696,112 views • 4 months ago
Homeowners in Bellevue are raising concerns about noise from Sound Transit’s new 2 Line light rail trains operating on the elevated span between Mercer Island and Bellevue. Residents claim train noise has exceeded local standards and is disrupting nearby neighborhoods. A letter sent to Sound Transit alleges some trains have produced noise levels more than three times higher than surrounding vehicle traffic and above 80 decibels. Sound Transit confirmed it received the homeowners’ letter but said it could not comment because of potential legal issues and ongoing litigation concerns.
KOMO News331,421 views • 3 months ago
With less than 72 hours until one of the most anticipated FIFA World Cup matches in Seattle, Australian fans are pouring into the city and discovering what many say is a surprise: Seattle itself. The United States and Australia are set to face off Friday at Seattle Stadium, a matchup expected to draw one of the tournament's largest crowds. As excitement builds, international visitors are filling hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions while soaking up sunny summer weather across the city. MORE:
KOMO News124,861 views • 3 months ago
KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels asked Mayor Katie Wilson today about the recall effort that's been launched against her in the wake of the city's communication failures surrounding the Bite of Seattle shooting on July 26. He also asked her about the CCTV camera program in Seattle, and given recent crimes in areas where those cameras are turned off, if the mayor has changed her stance on turning them back on. She said an audit of the CCTV system is still ongoing. #komo #komonews #komo4 #seattle
KOMO News40,165 views • 27 days ago
A judge has ordered the operator of Beehive Espresso to pay $1.8 million in damages to 70 former baristas who sued the company over unpaid wages, stolen tips, and other workplace violations. The baristas have spent nearly two years fighting for pay they say they're owed, with some estimating they lost out on tens of thousands of dollars over years of working at the coffee stands. Former employees say owner Alan Tagle forced them to meet unrealistic sales goals or face retaliation, goals some described as nearly impossible to hit. Full story here:
KOMO News10,688 views • 6 days ago
Following a press conference Monday morning on the Bite of Seattle mass shooting, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes was seen getting into a heated confrontation with a reporter after being asked why he was out of town during the shooting that killed three people and injured four others. "I don't have to tell you where I go," said Barnes to the reporter. Another staffer eventually got in between Barnes and the reporter. Full story here: #komo #komo4 #komonews #seattle
KOMO News63,373 views • 1 month ago
🐋 Orcas from the pier! Talk about being in the right place at the right time. A viewer captured this incredible video of a pod of orcas swimming past the Edmonds Fishing Pier on Monday afternoon. Have you ever spotted orcas from shore? Tell us where in the comments! 👇 #komo #komonews #komo4 #komo4news #seattle #seattlenews #washingtonnews #Orcas #Edmonds #Pier #OrcaSighting
KOMO News46,275 views • 1 month ago
Mail-in voting may be under threat in Washington state and nationwide after a change in postmarking rules has led to more ballots being disqualified and not counted. The number of rejected ballots is surging under the changes by the United States Postal Service, and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs are raising alarms with voters. The rate of ballots rejected for late postmarks, known as “too-lates,” jumped 32% statewide compared with Washington’s 2024 primary, according to data released by Cantwell, a Democrat, and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. In 19 counties, the rate of late-postmarked ballots more than doubled. Mason and Stevens counties saw rates about four times higher than during the 2024 primary, they said. Link: #komo #komonews #komo4 #komo4news #seattle #seattlenews #washingtonnews #USPS #Postmarking #MailVoting #RejectedBallots #Ballots
KOMO News14,423 views • 12 days ago
A dispute over who should be allowed inside a women's-only spa where clients are nude has moved from Lynnwood to the U.S. Supreme Court, where a petition was filed today asking the justices to weigh in. At issue is transgender access, specifically transgender women at Olympus Spa, which offers traditional Korean body scrubs, open soaking pools and steam rooms in Lynnwood and Tacoma. The case stems from a battle that began more than six years ago, when a transgender woman said she was denied access to the spa. Olympus Spa had a longstanding policy that transgender women are welcome, but not if they are preoperative or have male anatomy. Link: #komo #komonews #komo4 #komo4news #seattle #seattlenews #washingtonnews #SupremeCourt #TransgenderAccess #Lynnwood #Tacoma
KOMO News33,604 views • 1 month ago
Former Gov. Gary Locke said Washington voters should focus on how a proposed millionaire's tax would be spent rather than simply whether it passes. Locke said the state is already facing a budget shortfall and says the new tax alone would not generate enough revenue to cover both existing obligations and proposed new programs. He questioned whether lawmakers would ultimately need to raise additional taxes or reduce spending if projected revenues fall short. Locke said the long-term funding plan should be clear before the state commits to new spending promises. Full story here: #komo #komo4 #komonews #seattle
KOMO News42,156 views • 1 month ago
Big changes are coming to one of Seattle’s busiest streets: the city is planning to remove one of the driving lanes and transform it into a bus-only lane. KOMO News Reporter Stella Sun is looking into how the lane changes could impact commuters across the city. #komo #komo4 #komonews #komo4news #seattle #washington
KOMO News88,837 views • 4 months ago
Seattle police have arrested a suspect in the murder of a University of Washington student. Juniper Blessing, a 19-year-old student and transgender woman, was found dead with stab wounds in a laundry room at the Nordheim Court Apartments – off-campus housing for UW students – Sunday night. The arrest came hours after the Seattle Police Department (SPD) released photos of a suspect on Wednesday, described as armed and dangerous. SPD confirmed to KOMO News that the man in the photos is the same man who was arrested. According to Seattle police Det. Brian Pritchard, the 31-year-old man — later identified as Christopher Leahy — turned himself in to Bellevue police before being transferred to SPD detectives. Full story here: #komo #komo4 #komonews #seattle
KOMO News72,246 views • 4 months ago
Seattle City Light says Seattle customers should expect higher electric bills starting in 2027 after the Seattle City Council adopted a rate ordinance that includes a 9.5% rate increase in 2027 and 2028. Seattle City Light said it presented its proposed 2027–2032 Strategic Plan and rate ordinance to the Seattle City Council’s Parks and City Light Committee in June. The utility said the plan is aimed at meeting rising electricity demand, responding to climate impacts and replacing aging infrastructure. Full story here:
KOMO News21,705 views • 1 month ago
Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said Washington should recognize it is now operating as a high-tax state and consider how that affects economic competitiveness. Speaking at Thursday’s Puget Sound Regional Council General Assembly meeting, Smith compared Washington’s tax structure to other high-tax states, including California, New York, and New Jersey. He said policymakers should focus on predictability and the combined impact of taxes on individuals and businesses when evaluating future policy decisions. Smith also called for a broader public discussion about how Washington can remain competitive while maintaining its current tax structure. #komo #komonews #komo4 #komo4news #seattle #seattlenews #washingtonnews
KOMO News59,314 views • 3 months ago