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How agentic AI is rewiring Amazon’s teams and upending its traditions

Swami Sivasubramanian runs dozens of small teams building agentic AI tools and products inside Amazon Web Services. They've been using the tools themselves to quietly change how they work — starting with one of Amazon's most sacred processes. Read More

Black and Brown Birders Find Community and Wellness in the South End

What starts with spotting eagles and hawks becomes something deeper: Black and Brown birders across the South End are finding healing, belonging, and wonder outdoors.

Startup led by Microsoft veterans debuts the first real-time carbon tracker for AI workloads

A new tool from Seattle-based startup Neuralwatt calculates the exact AI carbon footprint tracker metrics for individual prompts in real time to curb data center emissions. Read More

UW Allen School honors Ridwell and Focused Space co-founders with 2026 alumni awards

Two University of Washington alumni who built companies out of everyday frustrations — hard-to-recycle household waste and the struggle to focus while working alone — have been recognized with the Allen School's 2026 Alumni Impact Awards. Read More

Sophon Appears to Shuttered

Almost exactly a year ago, the Phinney Ridge restaurant and bar Sophon was hosting a James Beard Foundation event showcasing Khmer cuisine and culture. Since its opening in 2024, Sophon had become one of Seattle’s most celebrated restaurants and a demonstration of what Cambodian food and drink could be.  In a complete turnaround, Sophon appears […] The post Sophon Appears to Shuttered appeared first on The Stranger.

Five years in, new analysis ties Seattle’s ‘JumpStart’ tax to downtown decline

A new Downtown Seattle Association report says the city's JumpStart payroll tax has helped drive jobs and office value out of downtown over its first five years, pointing to booming Bellevue as the contrast. Supporters, including Mayor Katie Wilson, call the tax a success. Read More

‘Wake Up Everybody!’ This Song Still Resonates In Black Music Month 2026

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' 1975 track, 'Wake Up Everybody,' maintains its profound relevance as a call to action for societal improvement and justice. Introduced on Soul Train by lead singer Teddy Pendergrass, the song urged listeners to actively contribute to a better America, a message that continues to inspire awareness and engagement in addressing systemic issues.

Nobody Is Safe From the Rumba

This story originally appeared in The Stranger’s 2026 Queer Issue. It’s easy to glamorize the life of a record store owner. Just look at High Fidelity (both the original and the remake). Shooting the shit all day with your similarly music-obsessed friends while you mercilessly judge the tastes of customers—what more could you ask for? […] The post Nobody Is Safe From the Rumba appeared first on The Stranger.

Amazon CEO reportedly raised Anthropic Fable concerns prior to U.S. order forcing models offline

Andy Jassy was reportedly among the tech leaders who flagged security risks in Anthropic's newest AI models to senior Trump administration officials — an awkward turn for Amazon, which has invested billions in the AI lab. Read More

Slog AM: Another Ceasefire, Trump’s 80th Birthday, and Seattle’s First World Cup Game

Good morning! Are you hot? I’m hot. But I’m happy to report that we’re more than halfway through this heatwave. It’ll hit 88 today, but tomorrow it’s smooth sailing with a high of 72. For today, the name of the game is light fabrics and air-conditioned activities. And if you need some AC that you […] The post Slog AM: Another Ceasefire, Trump’s 80th Birthday, and Seattle’s First World Cup Game appeared first on The Stranger.

COLUMN | Remembering Tyjon Stewart and Tra'Veiah Houfmuse on Graduation Day at Rainier Beach High School

Stranger Suggests: Your Agenda This Week, June 15–21

MONDAY 6/15 Disappearance at the Rocky Mountain Leatherdyke Snowpicnic (THEATER) I’ve been saying it for years: Pride month needs more ski slope murder mysteries. Thankfully, the good people at the Annex Theatre have listened. Writer Monty Rozema and director Adrian Prendergast have teamed up for the perfect lesbian whodunnit in Disappearance at the Rocky Mountain Leatherdyke […] The post Stranger Suggests: Your Agenda This Week, June 15–21 appeared first on The Stranger.