Cool cool (via @washingtonstatestandard.com)

Every U.S. state contributed items to a time capsule marking America's 250th anniversary. Arkansas sent a diamond. California sent a fusion superconductor. We sent ... a couple of documents.

Expanded alcohol service zones at World Cup fan events and Pike Place Market are temporary for now. But they may lead to a longer-term relaxation of the state's liquor laws. www.axios.com/local/seattl...

Yes, Seattle's light rail ridership was No. 1 in the country in April. When you compare Seattle to other urbanized areas with heavy-rail subway systems, our April ridership came in 8th nationwide.

Last chance to vote in our Seattle banh mi bracket: Q Bakery and Saigon Deli are duking it out for the championship. Voting closes at 2pm www.axios.com/local/seattl...

Not a single light rail line that Puget Sound voters approved in 2016 is on track to open on time. www.axios.com/local/seattl...

90 minutes left to vote in the Final Four of our Seattle banh mi bracket. It's Saigon Deli vs. Tammy's Bakery and Chu Minh Tofu vs Q Bakery duking it out. www.axios.com/local/seattl...

The intersection where a Seattle teacher died in a bicycle crash this week has long been identified as dangerous for cyclists — yet more ambitious plans to improve bike safety there were shelved years ago. www.axios.com/local/seattl...

Important research

We're down to the top 8 in our quest to find Seattle's favorite banh mi. Vote here by 2pm tomorrow to help us determine the Final Four: www.axios.com/local/seattl...

The most scientific system for ranking banh mi sandwiches in the Seattle area www.axios.com/local/seattl...

Vote in our Seattle-area banh mi bracket! First-round voting runs through 2pm tomorrow. It takes only about 1 minute so vote now to try to get your favorite shop through the first round www.axios.com/local/seattl...

Sound Transit's board voted yesterday to postpone plans to build light rail to Ballard — part of an effort to address a $35 billion budget shortfall. Plans to extend light rail to Tacoma, Everett and West Seattle are still moving ahead. www.axios.com/local/seattl...

For some reason no one wants to say plainly what just happened at the Sound Transit board meeting. They delayed building light rail to Ballard. It's not currently deemed affordable in the plan they approved, which only includes construction to Seattle Center. Working on a fix doesn't change that

We're searching for the best banh mi in Seattle. Ideally, we'll have the top 16 picks face off in a bracket. But I need your suggestions! Got a favorite local banh mi spot? let me know - reply here or email me at [email protected]. www.axios.com/local/seattl...

The state's Executive Ethics Board said the governor violated rules banning the use of state resources for the benefit of non-state employees. The plane ride at the center of the issue was first reported by Axios. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

WA Gov. Bob Ferguson has held more Seahawks flag-raising ceremonies than press conferences dedicated to taking wide-ranging questions from reporters. His avoidance of regular open Q&As is a departure from past governors — limiting public scrutiny of his office. #waleg www.axios.com/local/seattl...

WA Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office has imposed new rules requiring his office to pre-approve most media interviews, press releases and email responses to reporters, records show. The policy applies to dozens of agencies that once shared info more freely. Agencies aren’t supposed to talk about it. #waleg

Scoop: Gov. Ferguson’s sign-off policy is creating bottlenecks at state agencies, delaying public updates — including on bridge repairs, federal shutdown impacts and vaccine guidance. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

"We've missed opportunities to share key information with the public." A new rule that Gov. Bob Ferguson's office approve state agency news releases and media responses has slowed the flow of public information, causing frustration among state officials. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new tax on high earners into law Monday, ending Washington's run as one of the few states without an income tax on the books. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

Gov. Bob Ferguson is signing an income tax bill right now, which will start in 2028 and apply to annual income over $1 million per year. tvw.org/video/gov-bo... #waleg

About to test out this light rail situation across the lake

Under their new contract, Seattle police make some of the highest starting salaries for officers in the country. Out of the top 20 largest U.S. cities, only San Francisco and San Jose offer more, we found when looking at salary data.

"It basically says CARE can't respond to emergencies." How the latest Seattle Police Officers Guild contract constrains the city's civilian 911 response -- a key reform that grew out of the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020. www.axios.com/local/seattl...

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week on a case that involves the question of when states have to stop counting mailed in ballots. It could have a big impact on active duty military and procrastinators everywhere.

Seattle's latest police guild contract blocks several accountability reforms the City Council approved in 2017. For one, it allows complaints about excessive force or dishonesty by officers to go unpunished if more than four years have passed.

Washington state lawmakers rejected a plan to use a new income tax to help pay for lawyers for criminal defendants, despite warnings of a growing public defense crisis. #waleg www.axios.com/local/seattl...

Washington's Legislature approved an income tax last night --- one that supporters are calling a millionaires tax. The governor plans to sign the measure, but it faces a tough road after that. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

It’s roaring with crazy wind and rain outside. Is my house being lifted up and taken to Oz? What is happening??

The income tax that just passed Washington's Legislature won't have a smooth road ahead, even though it's expected to be signed by the governor. #waleg www.axios.com/local/seattl...

The WA income tax on annual incomes over $1M per year has passed the state Senate. It now heads to the governor, and he has said he looks forward to signing it. #waleg

My 6-year-old briefly wanted to see what I was doing and asked to listen to this floor debate. He lasted about 45 seconds and then put his hands over his ears and said it was BORING. (a kindergartner's review) #waleg

Income tax is up on the WA Senate floor now: tvw.org/video/senate... #waleg

The debate on the millionaire income tax stretched more than 24 hours in the state House. At times, it got a little odd. #waleg

This tax passed the state House on a 51-46 vote. It returns to Senate for approval of amendments, so this was not final passage. #waleg

Hey, the income tax aka millionaire's tax is finally on final passage in the state House: tvw.org/video/house-... #waleg

We are now past hour 20 and we are debating an amendment that would block the income tax from taking effect until the NBA brings the Seattle Supersonics back to Seattle. #waleg

We're rounding hour 20 of this debate, and we're still debating amendments to the income tax bill. #waleg

Almost on hour 18 here of the income tax debate on the Washington state House floor. "No one expects the Spanish inquisition." We're quoting Monty Python now. #waleg tvw.org/video/house-...

I am breaking from watching the Washington state House income tax debate to take my kids to school. But you can keep watching here: tvw.org/video/house-... #waleg

They went all night. And are still going…

We have reached the 12th hour of income tax debate, and a lawmaker just recited part of the state's law against having sex with human remains to make a point. That's where things are at. #waleg

Update: the state House is still debating amendments to the tax on income over $1 million per year. It's been 9+ hours. They're still gonig and not on final passage yet tvw.org/video/house-... #waleg

While you wait for this long income tax debate to wrap up sometime in the distant future, you can read about the police mask ban the Legislature passed earlier today. It's headed to Gov. Ferguson who is expected to sign it www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

Washington's Legislature has passed a ban on law enforcement officers wearing face coverings. The bill is now headed to the governor's desk. The measure is targeted at masked federal immigration agents, although it applies to state and local officers, too. #waleg www.axios.com/local/seattl...

The state House is debating the proposed income tax on high earners. But there are a zillion amendments, so this will take a while (and it still will need to go back to Senate for final approval) tvw.org/video/house-... #waleg

I haven't personally done a vote count in the state House, but this from Ferguson is a big step toward the state passing and enacting an income tax on annual income over $1M www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

Sound Transit wants the state's permission to take out 75-year bonds to try to keep light rail projects on track. Without this bill, the agency would likely look "to cut projects, defer them or delete them all together," its board chair said. axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

Washington state lawmakers want to make it easier to criminally charge drivers who go more than 30 mph over the speed limit. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg