Do not forget that entire Amazon HQ2 factor? Again in 2017, Amazon introduced it was looking for a second headquarters, outdoors of Seattle. Lengthy story quick, Amazon selected two areas, however one did not work out. And as we speak, it refers to Arlington, Virginia as its HQ2.

Nevertheless, when it was all happening, I seemed throughout Lake Washington towards Bellevue and stated, “Effectively, that is truly HQ2.” And now, Amazon simply overtook T-Cellular to develop into Bellevue’s second largest employer. The variety of workers in Bellevue are nowhere close to the degrees on the Seattle HQ (about 61,000 individuals). Amazon has roughly 7,500 workers in Bellevue. It at the moment has 5,000 at its Virginia workplaces, although it goals to finally have 25,000 individuals there. Then once more, Amazon has additionally stated it needs simply as many workers in Bellevue by 2025.

It is an indicator that Bellevue and different Eastside communities are the place Seattle’s tech trade will additional be increasing within the years forward. KUOW’s Joshua McNichol’s has accomplished a terrific job overlaying the truth that the Seattle space would not have sufficient workplace area for the demand. And that demand is driving additional growth in cities like Bellevue.

There could also be strains drawn on a map separating cities, however my Dyer prediction is that this development will add as much as a single Lake Washington tech hub, with firms working increasingly more throughout workplaces in Seattle, Bellevue, Issaquah, Renton, Redmond, and past. We cannot simply be wanting towards South Lake Union after we discuss concerning the native tech hub. Learn extra in KUOW’s At this time So Far Weblog.

For those who plan on taking a visit to Orcas Island, you’ll now be passing by the brand new Cayou Channel. It isn’t a brand new physique of water, and in case you already journey this stretch, you might be fairly conversant in it. For generations, maps have referred to as it “Harney Channel.” However a latest dive into historical past by a neighborhood resident revealed that Normal William Harney, who the channel was named after, wasn’t precisely the kind of character that fashionable residents would wish to honor.

After a prolonged effort, this stretch is now named “Cayou Channel,” after Henry Cayou. Earlier than he handed away in 1959, he was an Indigenous entrepreneur, a fisher, and a San Juan County Commissioner for almost 30 years. Actually, Cayou was one of many first Indigenous elected officers within the state. It is the kind of character that is as inspirational because the view of Cayou Channel. Learn extra right here.

Native officers are getting ready to guard abortion rights in our nook of the US now that Roe v Wade has been overturned.

Some states have already begun banning abortions, and there may be additional concern that these states will take authorized motion in opposition to residents who search abortion providers outdoors their borders. It is one thing that Washington is already anticipating — individuals coming from out-of-state for medical care that’s authorized right here. It’s unclear if any legislation regulating what a state’s residents do out of state will even maintain up in courtroom. However officers in King County should not taking any dangers. Government Dow Constantine issued an order, barring the Sheriff’s Workplace from serving to out-of-state investigations into native abortion providers. Gov. Jay Inslee already issued the same order to the Washington State Patrol.

The King County Council has additionally permitted half one million {dollars} for the Northwest Abortion Entry Fund to assist with any inflow of out-of-state sufferers. The lone “no” vote on the matter got here from Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who stated he would not need the county paying for individuals who aren’t residents.

And one different growth value noting. On the nationwide stage, Sen. Maria Cantwell goals to guard private well being knowledge. She is co-sponsoring a invoice that might give customers extra management over such data. The priority right here is over any potential digital path that sufferers depart. Additionally, any knowledge that folks present on smartphone apps, reminiscent of period-tracking apps. Learn extra right here.

KUOW hasn’t had an arts and tradition reporter for fairly some time now. However that has lastly modified now that Mike Davis got here on board. Meet Mike Davis right here. (John O’Brien / KUOW)

DID YOU KNOW?

The explanation Harney Channel within the San Juan Islands was named after Normal William Harney is the Pig Struggle. What was the Pig Struggle?

In 1859, the US and the UK obtained in combat over the precise borders within the San Juan Island space. And to be extra actual, it was over a pig. Earlier treaties left some issues open to interpretation and each events claimed the San Juans. So when an American farmer shot and killed a pig belonging to a UK rancher (employed by the Hudson Bay Firm) on San Juan Island, issues escalated. UK officers needed to arrest the farmer. And the U.S. navy got here alongside to guard him, together with all different Individuals who the UK thought-about squatters. The troops had been despatched by Gen. William Harney, which is the place the channel obtained its unique identify (after all, there might have been one other unique identify if anybody would have simply requested the locals what they referred to as it).

After warships had been dispatched and weapons had been amassed, somebody spoke up and stated, “Hey, is not this all simply over a pig?” And a extra affordable answer was pursued. For some time, the Individuals and British had joint navy management of the islands. The 2 teams obtained alongside fairly effectively and mingled fairly a bit. However by the 1870s, extra treaties got here alongside and an official border was established, giving the San Juans over to the US. That is why the San Juans are within the U.S. as we speak, and Vancouver Island is a part of Canada. And someplace within the combine, Harney Channel was named after the overall who dispatched navy troops to the islands.

ALSO ON OUR MINDS

Harris requires renewing the assault weapons ban after Highland Park mass capturing

Vice President Kamala Harris, in Chicago to talk to a academics’ conference, addressed the July 4 mass capturing in Highland Park, Sick., saying, “We have to finish this horror. We have to cease this violence.”

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