Seattle, WA
I flew to Seattle but stayed in Bellevue — I loved its walkable streets, great food, and outdoor escapes
As my flight approached Seattle, I eagerly peered out of my window seat, hoping to see Mount Rainier’s majestic glory. The mountain hid in the clouds, typical of the local weather. I couldn’t wait to land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and catch a rideshare to Bellevue, where I’d stay for a few days. I planned to eat at the local restaurants, taste local wine, kayak, zipline, and go sightseeing around town.
Arriving in Bellevue
Bellevue Botanical Garden
The traffic leaving the airport was heavy, and I wasn’t surprised — over four million people live in the Seattle metro. However, I was relieved to notice a slower pace once I got into Bellevue.
During the 30-minute drive from the airport, my friendly rideshare driver told me that Bellevue is a safe place to visit and that I would enjoy walking around town with my friends. He also revealed that it’s home to a few big tech companies. I subtly picked up on the tech scene when I saw multiple brands of electric cars, like Tesla, driving on the streets.
I was dropped off at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside. The lobby was gorgeous, the staff was kind, and I was thrilled to have a fantastic suite overlooking Lake Washington.
Dinner and drinks in Old Bellevue
Dinner at Monsoon Bellevue / Drinks at Browne Family Vineyards Tasting Room
I freshened up and headed out to meet with my friends and walk around town. After window shopping along the way, we decided to grab a glass of wine at the Browne Family Vineyards Tasting Room, which serves local wine from Walla Walla. One of my favorite things about visiting places is trying the local wine, and a sparkling glass of their brut rosé was refreshing after a long day of travel.
We headed next door to Monsoon Bellevue, a Vietnamese restaurant, for dinner. The lighting was dimmed, and the aromas inside were warm and inviting. My tastebuds sang as I savored authentic vermicelli dishes, spring rolls, flank steak, and the best flan I’ve ever had. I left wishing there was a Monsoon Bellevue in my hometown.
Planning tip: If you decide not to walk or drive while exploring Bellevue, take the BellHop. It is a free shuttle servicing Old Main, the Spring District, and downtown Bellevue.
A kayak tour that shows off the area’s best views
Kayaking around Lake Washington in Bellevue
The following day, we drove to Meydenbauer Bay Park to kayak around Lake Washington. While driving there, I learned that Bellevue has over 100 city parks.
My friends and I rented gear from the REI Boathouse and took a guided tour to look for turtles, seabirds, and other wildlife. We also hoped to see Mount Rainier, but it was hidden in the haze. On a clear day, kayaking around the lake lets you see the Issaquah Alps, Cascade Mountains, and Mount Rainier.
After paddling, we walked to Gilberts on Old Main Street for brunch. Their apple, walnut, and gorgonzola salad hit the spot, and I appreciated the outdoor patio. We did more window shopping and found a cute boutique chocolate shop called Fran’s. I bought delicious chocolate-covered salted caramels to bring home to my husband.
Soar through the canopy on a ziplining adventure
Suspension bridge / Ashlee getting ready to zipline
Rainforests are the best place for ziplining; Bellevue Zip Tours leans into that opportunity. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, the park has seven ziplines and two suspension bridges where you can fly through the Douglas fir and bigleaf maple trees like Tarzan.
We did the two-hour tour, which took us through the entire course. The two guides were patient, kind, and motivating. It was a blast! I would have never thought a place like this existed near a major city like Seattle.
A tranquil escape for nature lovers
Exploring the Bellevue Botanical Garden / Suspension bridge
On the last afternoon of the trip, we visited the Bellevue Botanical Garden. It’s one of the city’s top attractions, attracting over 400,000 visitors annually. As soon as I entered, I was awed by a hummingbird collecting nectar from a giant trumpet flower.
The garden has over 3,000 varieties of plants and an incredible swinging bridge. It’s a beautiful place to visit all year round. If you visit during December, you can see its spectacular holiday light display.
Planning tip: The garden is free for the public and open from dawn until dusk.
Ending the trip at a charming local tavern
Bellevue cityscape at sunset
After touring the garden, we returned to our hotel to freshen up and then walked to Black Bottle Tavern. There, we shared family-style dishes with a rustic twist, like blistered shishito peppers, bacon lemon scallops, and malbec demi-glazed beef short ribs.
We concluded the night by indulging in their lemon curd ricotta cake with a lavender crust over a cup of coffee. It was the best way to end the day before walking back to the hotel to rest after the epic adventures.
Seattle, WA
Flurry of Seattle Seahawks roster moves includes Diggs return
The Seattle Seahawks made several roster moves on Wednesday, which included a pair of reported additions becoming official.
Record-chasing JSN could be NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiver
Here’s a breakdown of what the Seahawks announced Wednesday.
Signed to active roster
• Running back Cam Akers
Akers comes to the Seahawks after being released on Saturday by the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle’s next opponent. For a full story on the Akers addition, click here.
Signed to practice squad
• Safety Quandre Diggs
• Running back Myles Gaskin
• Wide receiver Jimmy Holiday
The reunion with Diggs, who was a three-time Pro Bowler during a five-year tenure with the Seahawks from 2019-23, was reported Tuesday to be in the works. The Seahawks released Diggs after the 2023 season, and he signed with the Tennessee Titans in August 2024. Diggs was waived earlier this month by the Titans. Click here for more on Diggs’ return.
Gaskin, a Lynnwood native and O’Dea High School and UW Huskies product, returns to the Hawks practice squad after being cut last Thursday.
Holiday is an undrafted rookie from Lousiana Tech. He was released by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this month.
Promoted from practice squad
• Cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• Linebacker Patrick O’Connell
Griffin, who was a Pro Bowler for Seattle in 2019, returned to the Seahawks for the first time since 2020 this offseason and has appeared in two games.
O’Connell has appeared in at least one game for the Seahawks in each of the past three seasons, including three games this year. The 26-year-old Montana product had nine tackles and a sack while playing a career-high 42 defensive snaps filling in during last Sunday’s win over the Titans, a game that both Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight missed due to injury.
Placed on injured reserve
• Linebacker Chazz Surratt
Surratt suffered an ankle injury on an early Seahawks kickoff return last Sunday and did not return to the game. A five-year NFL veteran, he has appeared in 11 games this season for Seattle.
Designated to return to practice
• Defensive end Rylie Mills
A 2025 fifth-round NFL Draft pick out of Notre Dame, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Mills has been on the non-football related injured reserve while recovering from a torn ACL he sustained during his senior season with the Fighting Irish.
Waived
• Cornerback Derion Kendrick
The 25-year-old Kendrick has appeared in 10 games for Seattle this year and has two interceptions and five passes defensed.
Kendrick has reportedly been claimed by the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams, reported NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Wednesday afternoon. The 8-3 Seahawks are one game behind the 9-2 Rams in the standings.
Released from practice squad
• Tackle Logan Brown
A 24-year-old product of Wisconsin and Kansas, the undrafted Brown has been with both the Seahawks and Cleveland Browns practice squads this year.
The Seahawks will host the Minnesota Vikings in a 1:05 p.m. game Sunday at Lumen Field. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports begin at 10 a.m. with the pregame show.
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Seahawks legend Earl Thomas named Pro Football HOF semifinalist
• Ex-Seahawks coach Jim Mora returning to Pac-12 with Colorado State
• Bump details how Seahawks RB Walker had his best game vs. Titans
• Status Report: Pass rush bounces back but Hawks looking for more
• Where the Seahawks would land if NFL playoffs started now
Seattle, WA
Report: King County sees record-low gun violence in 2025
SEATTLE – New numbers show gun violence in King County has dropped to record lows, according to the latest quarterly report from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion says the positive shift is tied to growing collaboration between police, prosecutors and local nonprofit groups.
But survivors of violent crime say numbers alone don’t capture how safe people actually feel in their communities.
What they’re saying:
Chief Rafael Padilla of the Kent Police Department described how routine gun violence once felt in his city.
“It was not unusual to have multiple shootings in a week. It was not uncommon to have two or three homicides in a month,” Padilla told FOX 13 Seattle in July. He says gun violence has been a persistent concern since the pandemic.
Manion said the newest data shows progress.
“Things do appear to be trending in the right direction in King County,” Manion said.
By the numbers:
According to the report, there were 292 shootings between July through September 2025.
“So, in quarter three of 2025, there have been 292 incidents of overall shots fired,” Manion said.
That’s down from 426 during the same period last year; 130 fewer shootings and the lowest total since 2021.
A closer look at the numbers shows 63 people were shot, of which 18 were killed and 45 were injured.
According to the report, nearly half of all victims were members of Black or African American communities, and most were men in their 30s.
“We also know that victims of gun violence are disproportionately people of color, so we have to make sure that we offer intervention services that are culturally competent and that we are reaching all parts of our community,” Manion said.
Crime in King County
The other side:
While the data shows improvement, survivors say the numbers don’t always reflect lived experience.
On Monday, Tracy Roberts stood in downtown Seattle handing out orange and purple ribbons for “Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls Day.”
Roberts is a violent crime survivor who has fought for years to have the day recognized in Seattle.
“When I was assaulted, it was considered rare for a stranger assault. But it doesn’t feel rare,” Roberts said.
Her attack in January 2021 was captured on surveillance cameras, when a stranger kicked Roberts in the head as she gardened in Belltown, leaving her with traumatic brain injuries. Investigators said the same man was caught on a bus camera kicking another woman in the face earlier that day.
Roberts said she was stunned by the sentence he received.
“He was released for time served after 17 months and that’s appalling,” Roberts said. “That happened to me when we caught him and we had all this evidence. I think we need to change the way we sentence people. I don’t think you should offer deals or accept deals from people who commit violent acts.”
Roberts says even with a downward trend, safety is about more than numbers.
After reviewing the latest data, she told FOX 13: “You do have to look at those numbers. You know, if there is a downward trend, that’s fantastic. But what does it truly feel like when you walk out the street? Does it feel as safe? Does it feel better? Do you feel like there’s improvements?”
Manion says the county’s progress is driven largely by what’s happening in Kent, where police and nonprofits — including the Latino Civic Alliance and Project Be Free — have spent the past year partnering with prosecutors to solve shooting cases and support at-risk youth.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Thanksgiving holiday travel underway at SEA Airport, could be record-setting travel season nationwide
WA dirt biker falls down cliff during photograph, airlifted to Tacoma hospital
Person killed after falling onto barge in Duwamish River in Seattle
Pierce County, WA mom credits heart monitor for helping save her life from rare condition
Who is Katie Wilson? A look at Seattle’s next mayor
‘Speechless’: Tacoma, WA aid group braces for SNAP surge as requirements tighten
How to watch Seattle Mariners games in 2026 after ROOT sports shuts down
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Alejandra Guzman.
Seattle, WA
VIDEO: One less station? Two less, for now? Sound Transit’s possible light-rail cost-cutting options floated at full-house West Seattle forum
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The event that brought a standing-room-only crowd to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center‘s Thelma Dewitty Theater tonight was announced as a “light-rail visioning forum,” but “floating forum” would have been more accurate: At the heart of it were Sound Transit managers floating their most promising options for getting West Seattle light rail cost back into “affordable” range.
The biggest potential changes: “Phasing” West Seattle light rail – build between SODO and Delridge first, extend to The Junction sometime later – or dropping the Avalon station entirely. The latter has already been more extensively discussed than the former – both were presented at a board committee meeting we covered in September – and the way that ST’s Brad Owen and Jason Hampton discussed it tonight, it sounded almost like a done deal.
Nothing, however, has been decided, or is on the brink of decision, but it’s just a matter of months before the Sound Transit Board starts making decisions as part of its “Enterprise Initiative.” Before we talk more about what was shown tonight, here’s our full video of the hour-and-a-half forum, introduced by our area’s King Countu Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who mentioned she’s hoping to join the ST Board (which will have vacancies soon, such as King County Council chair Girmay Zahilay vacating his seat as he moves up to the one guaranteed for his new job as KC Executive):
The first half-hour was spent mostly in acknowledgments and preface; then came the heart of the presentation, followed by about 20 minutes for questions.

During her introduction, Mosqueda said the forum was important because “West Seattleites like details.” She is one herself, a North Delridge resident, as is the other local elected official she introduced, City Councilmember Rob Saka, who otherwise did not speak. Second speaker was ST CEO Dow Constantine, who championed West Seattle light rail during the years he was on the board as county executive (and noted tonight that his first swearing-in was exactly 16 years ago).

He said the “Enterprise Initiative” is all about trying to make the agency sustainable, explaining that it has evolved from a “capital construction fir” to a “substantial transit agency,” serving “up to 150,000 people a day” while building one of the nation’s longest light-rail lines – and figuring out how to close a $34 billion, 20-year budget deficit. In the big picture, Constantine said, by the time the FIFA World Cup games come here next year, ST will have built 63 miles in less than 17 years, pronouncing that a “history of success” that should offer hope “we can solve today’s problems.”

More optimism was offered by Carrie Avila-Mooney, representing outgoing County Executive Shannon Braddock (who had been billed as a forum speaker), reminding those present that the project already had its Federal Record of Decision and therefore hope for the federal funding it would need. She said Braddock – a West Seattleite who had served as Constantine’s deputy executive – is a “huge, huge fan of building” West Seattle light raill
When Owen and Hampton from ST finally began their presentation, one of the early slides was notable for added rationale points arguing for the West Seattle line, including that it would be a travel alternative “if the West Seattle Bridge is congested or closed for repairs” and that it “facilitates future expansion to the south” such as White Center and the airport.

Owen said West Seattle is now about a third of the way through design – 30 percent – meaning they are getting “cost clarity.” That’s led to the previous reporting about the three-stop West Seattle line potentially costing up to $7.9 billion, while current financing would cover about $4.2 billion.
So that gap called for some “project-specific things we think we can move the needle on. Station optimization for SODO and The Junction would save some money, but not as much as eliminating the Avalon station or “phasing” by stopping at Delridge for an undetermined while.
ST describes potential savings in terms of “levers”:

The highest level “lever” would be phasing. If they stopped at Delridge for now, they project it would cost just over $3 billion, within the range of affordability, and that’s a “conservative” estimate, Owen said.

“Phasing is a very typical thing for these projects,” he insisted.
The next level of “lever” would apply to dropping the Avalon station, though that would only drop the cost into the $6 billion rang, still more money than the agency could cover.

Skipping the Avalon station also could enable a different entrance for the tunnel to The Junction, possibly sparing the West Seattle Health Club (among other properties) and reducing the impact to Longfellow Creek, the ST reps said.
They also briefly discussed possible optimization for the Junction station – a previously reported design change that would remove the plan for “tail tracks” south of the station – and changes to the Duwamish River light-rail-only bridge as well as the SODO station.
After the brief review of these possibilities, the podium was given to Kurt Hovenkotter of the Transportation Choices Coalition, a light-rail booster who explained his group’s recently announced Build the Damn Trains campaign.

He said that instead of cutting back on projects like this, ST should look at “creative” ways to turn the plan into reality. (We asked him afterward if he was suggesting a search for new revenue; he said no,
they don’t want to see ST cut back on projects like this; instead, he said he supports ST’s quest for legislative approval to issue 75-year bonds without voter approval.

Less than half an hour remained when they started taking audience questions – both written ones collected from the crowd by people including Rachel Porter, executive director of the co-sponsoring strong>West Seattle Chamber of Commerce:

Those included a request for more information on what the “no Avalon station” concept might mean:

Hampton said the West Seattle extension wouldn’t see much of an overall ridership drop if Avalon was scratched – most of its prospective users would go to one of the other stations. Meantime, Owen acknowledged that they’re slowing the pursuit of properties until this is all figured out. Hampton acknowledged that they had acquired three homes, not because they needed the property quickly but because the owners requested early action due to life circumstances (as reported here in July). The ST reps said that if it ultimately turns out those properties aren’t needed for the project, they’ll “work with the property acquisition team” to determine what to do with them.
A few questions were asked via open microphone. One was whether there would be a “real town hall” devoted to people’s questions. Mosqueda said she hopes to have more events like this but in the meantime, all the officials and managers who were there are accessible for one-on-one questioning. Another attendee asked how to build the light-rail extension faster; Owen suggested the “phasing” was one answer – “when you have to build less, you could build faster.”
But while it’s decided whether they will build less, or make other changes, some residents and business owners remain in limbo, like Erin Rubin of Mode Music Studios and nonprofit Mode Music and Performing Arts, still likely to have to move no matter what changes are made in the plan, as their building remains in the Delridge station footprint, whether the project is “phased,” trimmed dow, or changed in some other way.
WHAT’S NEXT: The ST Board’s work on the “Enterprise Initiative” is expected to take another year or so, but decisions on plan changes and project changes are expected sooner, likely in the first half of next year. Until then, ST says it wants “feedback on design refinements,” so if you have thoughts on what was floated tonight – and/or other ideas – you can email westseattlelink@soundtransit.org.
-
World1 week agoFrance and Germany support simplification push for digital rules
-
Business1 week ago
Fire survivors can use this new portal to rebuild faster and save money
-
News1 week agoCourt documents shed light on Indiana shooting that sparked stand-your-ground debate
-
World1 week agoSinclair Snaps Up 8% Stake in Scripps in Advance of Potential Merger
-
Science5 days agoWashington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
-
World1 week agoCalls for answers grow over Canada’s interrogation of Israel critic
-
Politics1 week agoDuckworth fires staffer who claimed to be attorney for detained illegal immigrant with criminal history
-
Technology1 week agoFake flight cancellation texts target travelers