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Seattle Fire responds as loud puffs of steam pulse from Seattle Central heating system malfunction

What sounded like a giant train puffing across Capitol Hill overnight was Seattle Central’s aging infrastructure letting off a little steam. Actually, a lot of steam. For hours. Thanks to a reader in the CHS Facebook Group for capturing the … Continue reading →

Seattle CARE Department finds home for its East Precinct hub

After plans to locate the facility in the heart of Capitol Hill and then on the busy Madison corridor of First Hill fell through, the city’s Community Assisted Response & Engagement Department crisis responders for the East Precinct have been … Continue reading →

Capitol Hill and Central District expansion remains on hold as Seattle will flip on new Real Time Crime Center cameras near stadium as World Cup games begin

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson says the FBI and Seattle Police Department have convinced her of “general but credible threats” that warrant a heightened level of security and the activation of SPD’s Real Time Crime Center surveillance cameras for Seattle’s World … Continue reading →

Is Sound Transit Getting Fare Gates? Plus, The World Cup’s Turf Makers

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by Kade Krichko of Ori Magazine to talk about the real World Cup heroes: sod farmers. Kade tells Jane all about the elaborate and logistically challenging process of making grass for the World. Then, Jane is joined by executive producer Ashley Smith and queen of the side hustle Eula Scott Bynoe to talk about ways Seattleites can profit off the World Cup, and ways Sound Transit could close its budget deficit. Mystery soda machine revamp, anyone? Learn more about the sponsors of this June 8th episode: Seattle Restored Argosy Cruises Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

The Black Panthers, Malcolm X, and Charlie Parker: How a 38.5-foot-long Central District retaining wall and mural became a Seattle landmark

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Landmarks Preservation Board has voted unanimously to approve the designation of The People’s Wall as an official Seattle landmark. Located at 1919 E Spruce in the Central District, the street-level concrete retaining wall and its … Continue reading →

This week in CHS history | First Hill retirement home parking lot tragedy, coyotes in Volunteer Park, Necia Mckendrick murder

Here are the top stories from this week in CHS history: 2025   Stumps appear along Capitol Hill’s 15th Ave as Seattle needs help to quickly grow its tree canopy to 30% ‘No Kings’ protests planned for Seattle include rally in Cal … Continue reading →

Spectator 2026-05-28

Spectator 2026-06-04

Sweet Caffeine keeping the tradition of tiny coffee alive on Broadway

It has not been the easiest time for Broadway’s tiniest coffee businesses. You might miss the magnetic sign outside Sweet Caffeine but there’s a big “Coffee” sign next to the window. For the past three months, Dave Thornton has opened … Continue reading →

‘We Keep Us Safe’ — NPR podcast series investigates deadly shooting that ended CHOP

The unsolved deadly shooting of a San Diego teenager during the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest will be the subject of a new investigative podcast series from National Public Radio. Meanwhile, the city is seeking to appeal a $30 million jury … Continue reading →

GPS Leads Driver Into Mount Baker Light Rail Station. Plus, How To Keep Beloved Local Businesses Open

Today on City Cast Seattle, a Utah woman drove her Mazda up the light rail tracks and into Mount Baker Station. Host Jane C. Hu explores this bizarre transit incident with guest Meron Menghistab, co-founder of CHUM News, and contributor Lex Vaughn, founder of The Needling. They ask, how did she get that far, and what can we do to prevent this from happening again? Meron also brings CHUM’s new report on lessons learned from the shuttering of three beloved local businesses: Columbia City Ale House, Waterwheel Lounge, and Shanty Tavern. The three discuss what the city can do to better support local businesses in the long run and what role individuals play in a healthy local economy. Then, it’s time for weekend recommendations, which include DJ sets on the Seattle/Bainbridge ferry to celebrate Washington State Ferries’ 75th anniversary, as well as Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the Park.  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Travel Dundee Seattle Art Museum Argosy Cruises Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastSeattle on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]. You can also call or text us at 206-880-3931. For more Seattle news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, City Cast Seattle. Support City Cast Seattle by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/seattle Looking to advertise on City Cast Seattle? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Virtue Coffee and Cocktails: The only new* Capitol Hill food+drink project of 2026?

A rare opening of a new mixed-use development on Capitol Hill will also bring something else not seen a lot these days in the central city — a wholly new food and drink space joining the area’s mix of bars, … Continue reading →