Latest News

Find it, fix it: Seattle startup Emphere raises $2.1M to automate software vulnerability patching

Emphere, a Seattle startup that emerged from the AI2 Incubator, raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding to automatically fix vulnerabilities found in popular open-source distributions, catering to software companies that sell to regulated industries. Read More

World Cup scoreboard in the sky: Drones will fly over Seattle to put match results in lights

The activation, from Visit Seattle, will take place at the Space Needle to add another visual flair to an event expected to draw huge crowds to the city. Read More

Data center operator reveals plans for downtown Seattle facility as city weighs one-year ban

Digital Realty has filed permits to redevelop a downtown Seattle building into a six-story data center, lab and retail project, as the City Council moves toward a one-year moratorium on new data centers. Read More

Google alert! Seattle-area teen wins Doodle contest with artwork celebrating hair and culture

Kameirah Johnson, a senior at Lakeside School, is the winner of the 2026 Doodle for Google contest, and her work is now displayed online for the millions of people who visit the search giant. Read More

Helion hits $15.5B valuation with $465M in new cash as it aims to commercialize fusion this decade

Helion is chasing the highly ambitious goal of becoming the first company to commercialize fusion energy. They already have a high-stakes agreement to supply power to a Microsoft data center by 2028 and have broken ground on a power plant. Read More

Celebrate Pride 2026, South End Style

Looking for Pride plans beyond downtown? Our guide rounds up South Seattle's biggest LBGTQIA+ celebrations, from White Center and Columbia City to Georgetown, Hillman City, and beyond.

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.

Wednesday Evening Headlines

Seattle one step closer to emergency ban on large data centers, 1,400 kids will get free tickets to the World Cup, and two veteran Seattle police officers are suing the department. 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. 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.

With $12M second fund, fintech startup aims to pump more cash into climate entrepreneurs

Enduring Planet, a fintech company with Pacific Northwest roots, on Wednesday announced it has closed its second fund at more… Read More

Ag tech startup wins top prize as UW’s Dempsey competition awards $92,500 across finalists

The ag tech startup BioBead won the $25,000 grand prize at the University of Washington's 29th annual Dempsey Startup Competition for its biodegradable soil-health pellets, leading a record-breaking field of student entrepreneurs. Read More

‘Biometrics for things’: Alitheon raises $8M to expand its optical AI tech to ID physical objects

The Bellevue startup's funding will accelerate its FeaturePrint technology, which uses optical AI to create a unique digital "fingerprint" for physical objects — no barcodes, tags, or labels required. Read More

OPINION | To the Class of 2026: Your Actions Can Help Shape Our Future