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Crosslake Light Rail Pushes Sound Transit to Most-Used Light Rail System in US

With the boost from the expanded 2 Line, Seattle's Link rail system is humming along at 160,000 daily riders, according to new April data. That makes it the busiest light rail system in the U.S.

Weekend Listen: Aurora Avenue residents call for urgent gun violence measures, Longview rallies after paper mill disaster, students in Bothell are fighting for their SRO, and great blue herons find a home in Redmond

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom First, residents of North Seattle along Aurora Avenue are on edge, after a recent surge of gun violence in a neighborhood that has been a longtime hotspot for human trafficking. City officials say they’re working urgently to close streets and assign police patrols Next, the latest from the paper mill disaster in Longview, where earlier this week, the names were released of the 11 people who died. The scope of the tragedy has sparked concerns about the lasting impact on this Southwest Washington town. Next, students and families in Bothell have been pushing back against a decision to not renew the contract of a popular school resource officer. And finally, typically when you spot a great blue heron in western Washington, you see one flying or fishing alone. In Redmond a huge group of herons have picked a place to nest - in an unusual spot. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Evening Headlines

Mayor Wilson agrees to turn on surveillance cameras near stadiums, King County prosecutor wants to increase penalties for buying sex, and there's huge demand for Seattle's first social housing building. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. Use promo code SEATTLENOW to access a 20% discount. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spectator 2026-05-28

Spectator 2026-06-04

Op-Ed: It's Time to Reform Sound Transit

Robert Cruickshank explains the ballot initiative he has filed to reform Sound Transit's board governance, arguing the overhaul is needed to ensure ST3 rail expansions are delivered as promised.

Legal Appeal from MLB Stadium Authority Restarts Stadium District Housing Saga

A push to allow housing in the Stadium District looked like it had been thwarted by a legal appeal and a shift on city council, but a new appeal from T-Mobile Park's facilities district is poised to reignite debate.

Casual Friday with Danny Ball and Michael Wong

This week… Thousands of Seattle residents are lining up to volunteer during the World Cup. An iconic local karaoke spot is re-opening its doors. And why does Lumen Field just say "Field" right now? Simply Seattle’s Danny Ball and Asian Verified founder Michael Wong are here to break down the week. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Evening Headlines

Hotel workers near Lumen Field could go on strike, Mayor Wilson is no longer boycotting Starbucks, and Seattle delays its plan to reduce pickleball courts. It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. Use promo code SEATTLENOW to access a 20% discount. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound Transit Recommends Fare Gates at 14 Stations for Initial Pilot

Installing fare gates at a focused number of light rail stations would pay for itself within two to five years and boost fare revenue by more than $30 million, according to Sound Transit. If given the green light later this year, gates could be in place by 2029 or 2030.

Issaquah Claims Victory at Sound Transit, Despite Rail Delay to 2050

Even though the 4 Line was delayed from 2044 to 2050, Issaquah leaders including Mayor Mark Mullet hosted a community celebration Monday night. Mullet sees staying on the calendar as the first step in getting the timeline for the Eastside's next light rail line moved up.

After rocket explosion, Kent's Blue Origin falls further behind in the space race

When Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded last week, it affected NASA’s space aspirations, and private companies like Amazon. The New York Times’ Karen Weise will tell us about the fallout from the Kent-based company’s launchpad disaster. Read Karen’s reporting here. And make sure to join us this Saturday for a live taping of Seattle Now where Patricia Murphy will interview King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival. Get tickets here. Use promo code SEATTLENOW to access a 20% discount. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.  Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.