Seattle, WA
Political shakeup at Seattle City Hall for Council's Central Staff
Seattle’s new Council President Sara Nelson has fired the head of the Council’s central staff, Esther Handy.
Central Staff’s job is to help lawmakers with “objective research, and analysis,” much like the Congressional Budget Office in the Washington D.C.
Nelson is naming former Central Staff director Ben Noble to replace Handy. Noble was the director of Central Staff “for more than seven years” according to his city bio. He is currently Director of the Office of Economic and Revenue Forecasts.
RELATED: 5 new Seattle City Council members and 1 to go. Let the wrangling begin
Before her role at Central Staff, Handy served as a director of two progressive non-profits, including Puget Sound Sage, and before that worked as an aide to former Councilmember Mike O’Brien.
Handy was first hired to run Central Staff by former Council President Lorena Gonzalez, a Progressive who also ran for mayor against Bruce Harrell.
Councilmember Nelson’s politics are much less progressive. First elected in 2021 to an at-large council seat, Nelson has a reputation as a business-friendly centrist.
Seattle, WA
Delta flight from Seoul to Atlanta diverted to Seattle after report of suspicious package
SEATTLE — Delta Air Lines Flight 188, traveling from Incheon International Airport in South Korea to Atlanta, was diverted to Seattle on Monday morning after a suspicious package was reported on board.
The flight, a regularly scheduled service between Seoul-Incheon and Atlanta, diverted to Seattle around 10: 30 a.m. It was originally supposed to land in Atlanta at 5 p.m.
Delta released a statement that the diversion was initiated after reports of a “suspicious package” onboard, with the flight crew making the decision out of an abundance of caution.
After landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the plane was staged at Taxiway Tango on the airfield. Passengers were deplaned to buses while investigators assessed and swept the aircraft, and officials met the plane to conduct additional security screening.
Delta stated that no credible threat was discovered and no arrests were made. After the plane was cleared, passengers were reboarded and cleared to head to the gate and go through Customs.
Delta said it is supporting an investigation involving law enforcement, aviation regulators, and others.
Seattle, WA
Here, Kitty, Kitty: Scenes from POP Cats Seattle 2026
A whimsical world of whiskers, creativity, and community took over Seattle Center this weekend as POP Cats 2026 returned for a celebration of all things feline. The immersive convention turned the Exhibition Hall into a vibrant ‘cat city,’ complete with colorful art installations, interactive exhibits and endless photo ops. From adoptable rescue cats and hands-on workshops to cosplay, shopping, and meetups with fellow cat lovers, the event blended fun with purpose. Attendees could even bring their own cats, making it one of the few conventions where pets are part of the experience. Felines and their human friends embraced a joyful, cat-filled escape and one meow-velous weekend in Seattle. (Image: Elizabeth Crook / Seattle Refined) April 18, 2026{ }
Seattle, WA
Need to shred? Free drive-up/ride-up shredding Wednesday at Village Green West Seattle
With the tax deadline just past, you might have old paper documents you’re ready to shred and recycle. Just announced – a chance to do that for free this Wednesday (April 22), 1-4 pm!
Got sensitive documents piling up at home? We’ve got you covered! Join us for a FREE community shredding event with Liberty Shredding at Village Green West Seattle!
Secure, on‑site shredding
FREE (up to 3 boxes per person)
Just drive up and shred with confidence! Hearthside Driveway (building two)
Village Green West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is at 2615 SW Barton.
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