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Seattle Firefighters use big red bus to save people from the cold

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Seattle Firefighters use big red bus to save people from the cold


Firefighters are hitting the streets this weekend in their signature red bus in order to provide outreach to people experiencing homelessness. 

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It’s officially called the Medical Ambulance Bus, or MAB. It’s equipped with cold weather supplies that volunteers will hand out to those in need. The red bus also serves as a mobile warming center and transport for shelter.

“We have a cup of noodles we bought, cups of coffee,” said Lt. Roger Webber, Seattle Fire Department member of Health One. “We have a heated space in here.”

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The goal of the firefighters with the Health One Unit, is to get people safe from the cold before it’s too late.  

Arctic blast in Western Washington with powerful winds for some

“People suffering from mental illness or experiencing substance abuse disorders sometimes make short-term decisions, and we are here to help them make better ones and get them safe, at least for the night or the day,” said Webber. 

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The bus is stocked with boxes of warm clothing, blankets and hand warmers. On Friday during our interview at Pine & 3rd in Seattle, Webber and the team gave a man a free hat, gloves and hot food and coffee. He declined a free coat and a ride to a shelter when offered.

“If they refuse to go to warming shelters, we are offering them warm calories, hot calories, and promise to visit them in an hour or two to see if they want to stay outside,” said Webber. 

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The bus doesn’t stay stationary but travels city streets, stopping at encampments as well. Webber says that hypothermia can set in quickly. He says if a person cannot stay dry, which can be a problem for those experiencing homelessness, the danger is even greater. 

“If you were wet on the concrete, in 15 minutes you would become a sick patient, and unable to make decisions on their own,” said Webber. “People experiencing mental health issues and addiction sometimes put their health second and, as a firefighter, it’s very concerning because we know how the story ends. 

The unit will be running late Friday into early Saturday morning, hoping to save lives. Webber expects to assist 50 to 100 people during that time frame. 

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‘Do you care more about the kids or the drug addicts?’: Jake calls out Seattle for potential homeless shelters near schools – MyNorthwest.com

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‘Do you care more about the kids or the drug addicts?’: Jake calls out Seattle for potential homeless shelters near schools – MyNorthwest.com


After the Seattle City Council moved forward with legislation that would expand temporary homeless shelters without buffer zones near schools, KIRO host Jake Skorheim questioned who the city really cares about.

Jake wondered aloud about what goes on in a Seattle City Council member’s head, assuming they even read the proposal.

“They see the thing, they go like, ‘Well, what do we think about this one here, about school zones?’ They’re like, ‘I don’t know about that. Let’s scratch that out. We can have homeless people around school zones, drug addicts, people who are trying to get their fix,’” he said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

Seattle legislation would increase shelter capacity by 50%

If approved, the legislation would let temporary shelter sites, including tiny home villages, RV safe lots, and tent encampments, increase capacity by 50%, raising the maximum from 100 to 150 residents.

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Approved amendments would require sites with more than 100 beds to maintain public safety plans and around-the-clock staffing. Another amendment would require shelters to establish agreements with surrounding neighborhoods outlining expectations for resident behavior and site management. A final amendment mandates at least one manager for every 15 high-needs residents.

Still, several nonprofits urged council members to pass the bill without amendments, arguing the added restrictions could slow resources to people experiencing homelessness and further stigmatize them.

Jake had a question for city leaders: “Who do you care more about? You care more about the kids or the homeless drug addicts?”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

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Seattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business

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Seattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business


Seattle police are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead Saturday morning at a business in the city’s Lake City neighborhood, authorities said.

Officers responded to the 8500 block of Lake City Way Northeast after employees arriving to open the Growler Guys, a beer garden and restaurant, discovered a deceased man inside around 9 a.m. Saturday, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said at the scene.

The man, who police confirmed to be an employee in his early 20s, appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, Barnes said.

Seattle Fire Department personnel pronounced him dead.

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Dozens of friends and family members of the young victim spent hours on the scene Saturday, and many were visibly overcome with emotion.

Kelly Dole, owner of the Growler Guys, described the victim as a warm, light-hearted young man.

“He was the type of friend that everybody wanted to have,” Dole said. “His group of friends, which includes my son, are really going to miss him. They’re about as tight as a group of young men can be.”

The victim had been working at the business the night before; however, Seattle police have not confirmed when the shooting happened or what may have led up to it.

“When we have things like this, we have to reevaluate what we could’ve done better,” Chief Barnes said. “How can we make sure that we’re doing everything in our power to bring justice to this family, because quite frankly, they deserve it.”

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Detectives are focusing their investigation on the business and were processing the scene for evidence Saturday. Officers, investigators, chaplains, and support services were present.

The restaurant’s owners are cooperating with police, Barnes said. Dole was emotional while speaking with KOMO News about how the tragic shooting has shaken his neighborhood business.

“He always had a smile; he was so buoyant, you could never get him down,” Dole talked about the victim. “The world lost someone important today.”

Authorities said residents can expect an increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues and in the coming days.

There is no suspect information at this time, and police did not make any arrests. The circumstances leading up to the killing are under investigation.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.

The killing marks Seattle’s 12th homicide of the year, according to Barnes.

This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.



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Where to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9

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Where to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9


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Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.

We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Saturday as the Seattle Mariners visit the Chicago White Sox.

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See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox?

First pitch between the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 9.

How to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox on Saturday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 6:32 a.m.

Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

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MLB scores, results

MLB scores for May 9 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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