It has been a heavy few days in the Pacific Northwest. If you’ve been scrolling through your phone trying to keep up with king five breaking news, you know the headlines are moving faster than a hydroplane on Lake Washington. Seattle feels a bit like a pressure cooker right now. Between the legislative session kicking off in Olympia and the Seahawks prepping for a high-stakes playoff battle against the 49ers, there’s a lot to untangle. Honestly, it’s hard to know which story is going to impact your commute or your wallet more.
Basically, the city is at a crossroads. We’ve got Boeing employees facing fresh anxiety, mountain passes finally clearing up after some scary incidents, and a state government trying to figure out how to plug a multi-billion dollar budget hole without making everyone’s life more expensive.
Boeing and the Defense Supply Chain Shakeup
One of the biggest stories hitting the wire today involves our local aerospace giant. A source inside Boeing confirmed to KING 5 that the company held a mandatory 7 a.m. call on Friday. The news wasn't great. They’re looking at cutting roughly 10% of the workforce within the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) supply chain group.
Boeing is being kinda vague about it. They haven’t dropped the exact headcount or specific sites yet, but they did mention that this won't hit the SPEEA engineers or the IAM machinists. It’s part of that broader cost-cutting plan we’ve been seeing since late 2024. If you have friends or family working in Renton or Everett, this is the story they’re talking about over coffee this morning.
The Stevens Pass Recovery and Refund Mystery
If you tried to head up Highway 2 lately, you know it’s been a mess. After weeks of emergency repairs and pilot car restrictions, the highway is finally open 24/7. But the drama isn’t over for skiers. Stevens Pass just announced they are doing pro-rated refunds for some pass holders.
It’s only about 7%, which feels a little low to some folks who missed out on prime powder days while the road was shut down. But hey, it's better than nothing. Just check your email if you’re an Epic Pass holder; you might have a small credit waiting for you at the end of the season.
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Tragically, the mountains also brought some somber news this week. We lost two people in an avalanche near Longs Pass. They’ve been identified as Paul Markoff from North Bend and Erik Henne from Snoqualmie Pass. It’s a gut-wrenching reminder of how quickly the backcountry can turn dangerous, even for experienced people.
Olympia’s $2 Billion Headache
Today marks the start of the 2026 legislative session, and the vibes in Olympia are... tense. Governor Bob Ferguson and state lawmakers are walking into a room with a $2 billion budget gap staring them in the face. This comes after they already raised about $9 billion in taxes over the last few years.
What are they actually talking about?
- AI Regulation: There is a huge push to regulate AI chatbots, especially those marketed to kids.
- Immigration: This is a massive flashpoint. There's a bill on the table that would ban law enforcement from wearing face coverings and another to put "guardrails" on how Flock camera data is used to track people.
- Gas Prices: We’re all feeling it. Lawmakers are debating how the shift to EVs is gutting the gas tax revenue that usually pays for our roads.
The "State of Education" address from Superintendent Chris Reykdal wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows either. He’s basically saying the system is broken and the way we tax people—relying so much on sales and property taxes—isn't working anymore. It’s a conversation that’s been brewing for years, but 2026 might be the year it boils over.
Seahawks Fever and the "12s" Factor
On a lighter note, the city is absolutely buzzing for the Seahawks vs. 49ers playoff game. If you walked past Lumen Field today, the line at The Pro Shop was wrapped around the building. People are desperate for that 50th-anniversary gear.
The team is hitting its stride at the perfect time. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was just named an AP first-team All-Pro, and the running game is finally looking like the "ground and pound" style we love. But a word of warning: the Seahawks actually sent out a message to season ticket holders telling them not to resell their playoff tickets to 49ers fans. They want a sea of blue on Saturday, not red.
Crime and Community Safety
We can't talk about king five breaking news without touching on the safety issues hitting local neighborhoods. In Belltown, the owner of Meekong Bar is fed up. Thieves hit his spot for the third time since August, walking out with a grand's worth of liquor. It’s the same story we’re hearing from Pioneer Square to Ballard—small businesses are feeling exposed.
Then there was the Beacon Hill apartment fire. It was a two-alarm blaze that left two people in the hospital and, sadly, claimed the lives of two cats. Residents are pretty frustrated because they say the first responders were originally sent to the wrong address, which delayed the rescue.
Quick Hits You Should Know:
- Aldi Expansion: The discount grocer is opening 180 new stores this year. They’re finally heading into Colorado and Maine.
- Kirkland Sentencing: A man was sentenced to 32 years for a brutal 2019 stabbing. It took a long time, but the survivor finally saw justice this week.
- Puppy Rescue: In Gold Bar, six puppies were saved after a suspected fentanyl overdose. It’s a weird, sad story, but thankfully they’re recovering.
Making Sense of the Chaos
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of "breaking" alerts. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the legislative moves in Olympia over the next 60 days. Decisions made there will likely dictate your property tax bill and how your data is handled by the state.
If you're heading to the mountains, check the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) reports every single time. The snowpack is tricky this year with the recent rain-on-snow events. And if you're a Seahawks fan, maybe skip the secondary market and look into the $10 lottery raffle for tickets—it’s a long shot, but way cheaper than the $400 seats on the apps.
Stay safe out there, Seattle. We'll keep an eye on the scanners for you.
Next Steps for You:
- Check the WSDOT website before heading over Stevens Pass to ensure no new pilot car restrictions are in place.
- Monitor the Washington State Legislature website if you want to testify or comment on the upcoming AI or immigration bills.
- If you’re a Boeing employee in the BDS supply chain, contact your local HR rep or union steward to find out how the 10% reduction specifically impacts your site.