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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

6 people told Axios they've seen WA Department of Children, Youth and Families secretary Tana Senn treat employees of color differently than white employees. One of those people, DCYF's former equity director Patricia Colemon, quit last week, citing "discriminatory and biased leadership" #waleg

State of play: Colemon served as the director of DCYF's Office of Equity until Sept. 9, when she resigned after about nine months on the job.

Her resignation letter, which was reviewed by Axios, says she "personally witnessed" DCYF secretary Tana Senn "exhibit racist and discriminatory actions against Black women" on "more than one occasion."
Five others who have worked with Senn at DCYF also told Axios they witnessed Senn hold employees of color to higher standards than white employees or otherwise treat them differently.
Those five current and former employees declined to be named, citing concerns about professional repercussions.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

DCYF's former equity director says she "personally witnessed" DCYF secretary Tana Senn "exhibit racist and discriminatory actions against Black women" on "more than one occasion." 5 others said they'd also witnessed differential treatment by Senn. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

axios.com

Washington's child welfare agency faces racial bias allegations

The agency's equity director resigned and 5 others raised concerns about treatment of employees of color.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I am beyond amused that this is the backpack my 6-year-old chose for the first day of school

Photo of a black backpack with red trim and brightly colored neon galaxy with a cat wearing neon glasses, and another pouch with a colorful game controller on it

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

"Given the size of the error, we believe we need to publicly acknowledge and take responsibility for it," an Ecology official wrote Dec. 20, asking for approval to send a news release Dec. 22. The correction didn't go out until Jan. 6, after a conservative critic blogged about the error. #waleg

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Washington state officials wanted to correct a glaring error in a climate data report on Dec. 22. Gov. Bob Ferguson's office did not give them permission to do so, leaving the inaccurate data out there for weeks, emails reviewed by Axios show. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg

axios.com

Ferguson's office delayed climate data correction for weeks

Inflated claims about the state's cap-and-trade program lingered even after officials caught the error.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

The Space Needle bought the Boeing IMAX Theater and no longer shows Hollywood blockbusters there. That means Seattleites now have to go to British Columbia or California for a full-height IMAX screening of "The Odyssey." www.axios.com/local/seattl...

axios.com

You'll have to leave Washington to see "The Odyssey" in full-size IMAX

The former Boeing IMAX Theater no longer shows Hollywood movies, sending fans out of state for the experience.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

"...I'll tell you what I think Jimothy is: a short king," Jon Stewart said on "The Daily Show" Monday night. x.com/jackduval/st...

x.com

Jack Duval🌊 (@jackduval) on X

Jimothy was just featured by Jon Stewart on @TheDailyShow

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

My new theory on why we millennials mistakenly think we look so young is our eyes are going bad and we refuse to get reading glasses

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

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.

axios.com

What Washington should've put in America's 250th anniversary time capsule

Washington sent paperwork. We'd have packed a geoduck, a Dick's bag and other local icons.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

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...

axios.com

Seattle's World Cup drinking experiment may outlast the tournament

New alcohol rules at fan zones and Pike Place may help reshape outdoor drinking across Washington.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

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.

A bar chart that ranks U.S. urbanized areas by April 2026 light rail and streetcar passenger trips, excluding heavy rail. Seattle leads with 4.8 million trips, followed by Los Angeles at 4.4 and Boston at 4 million. Minneapolis-St. Paul is lowest among those shown at 1.1 million.

A bar chart that ranks U.S. urban rail systems by April 2026 unlinked passenger trips across all types of rail. New York leads at 231.8 million trips, far ahead of Washington, D.C., at 18.3 million and Boston at 16.2 million. San Diego is lowest among the 10 listed at 4 million.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

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...

axios.com

Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?

We're down to two finalists as we seek to crown the best Vietnamese sandwich shop in the area.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

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...

axios.com

Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?

Cast your vote as Vietnamese sandwich shops from across the region compete in our bracket.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

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...

axios.com

Seattle teacher killed where bike safety upgrades were scaled back

Officials once planned protected bike lanes near 12th and Yesler before scaling back the project.

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Reposted by Melissa Santos

Shechemist @shechemist.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Important research

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

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...

axios.com

Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?

Cast your vote as Vietnamese sandwich shops from across the region compete in our bracket.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

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...

axios.com

Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?

Cast your vote as Vietnamese sandwich shops from across the region compete in our bracket.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

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...

axios.com

Ballard light rail pushed back as Sound Transit tackles funding crunch

A revised plan keeps West Seattle, Tacoma and Everett extensions moving without fully funding Ballard.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

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

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

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 melissa.santos@axios.com. www.axios.com/local/seattl...

axios.com

Help us find Seattle's best bánh mì

We're building a Seattle bánh mì bracket. Send us your favorite spot to include in the vote.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

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

axios.com

Washington Gov. Ferguson fined over state ethics violation

Ferguson was fined after inviting ex-adviser Mike Webb on a state plane — a trip first reported by Axios.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

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...

axios.com

Ferguson limits press access, breaking from past governors

Washington's governor skips regular open-ended press conferences, limiting chances for tough questions.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

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

Screen grab from email reading:

"I received feedback from Brionna again this afternoon regarding our communications. Going forward,we should not reference the governor's office in any procedural context—including processes, deadlines, or timelines when communicating with reporters on inquiries. *They've requested that their office not be mentioned at all.* (this line highlighted)

Please use the following language when setting expectations with requestors:

*highlighted*"We have adopted a new process for responding to inquiries and are working diligently to meet your deadline. However, we may need additional time to complete our review. We appreciate your patience and will follow up with you as soon as possible."*highlighted*

If you need to request a deadline extension, please do so without mentioning their involvement."

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

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

axios.com

Scoop: Governor sign-off rule snarls flow of information in Washington

Records show delays in public updates on vaccine access, measles exposure risk and more.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

"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

axios.com

Scoop: Governor sign-off rule snarls flow of information in Washington

Records show delays in public updates on vaccine access, measles exposure risk and more.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

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

axios.com

Ferguson signs Washington millionaires tax, legal fight looms

The 9.9% tax on income over $1M starts in 2028 and is expected to face a court challenge.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

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

tvw.org

Gov. Bob Ferguson Bill Signing - TVW

Gov. Bob Ferguson signs SB 6346, which creates a 9.9% tax on income above $1 million.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

About to test out this light rail situation across the lake

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

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.

State of play: Seattle police officers' pay also ramps up quickly, reaching a minimum of $126,336 after six months.

In New York City, it takes officers more than five years to reach that base salary, after starting at $60,884.
In Chicago, officers start at $63,636 and see a roughly $27,000 pay increase after their first year.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

"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...

axios.com

Seattle police contract undercuts civilian response teams

The limits blunt one of Seattle's main alternatives to traditional policing.

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Reposted by Melissa Santos

Donna Blankinship @dgblankinship.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

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.

open.substack.com

How the Supreme Court could make it harder for you to vote by mail

I listened to the arguments so you didn’t have to.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

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.

Under the contract, most types of officer misconduct can still go unpunished if a complaint isn't made within four years of an incident.

The 2017 ordinance removed that deadline for cases involving dishonesty or excessive force, while setting a five-year limit for most other misconduct. But those changes were never incorporated into the contract.
The new agreement lifts the four-year deadline only in limited circumstances, including if there are criminal allegations or if an officer personally conceals evidence.
In most other cases, discipline can still be barred after four years — including if someone else hides evidence of an officer's misconduct.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

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...

axios.com

Washington counties warn public defense system nears breaking point

County officials say they're "going backwards" after funding was stripped from an income tax bill.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

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

axios.com

Washington's new income tax faces major hurdles

The tax on millionaires passed the Legislature, but is almost certain to face court and ballot fights.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

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

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

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...

axios.com

Washington's new income tax faces major hurdles

The tax on millionaires passed the Legislature, but is almost certain to face court and ballot fights.

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

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

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

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

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

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

Catch up quick: The daylong debate veered at times into theatrics.

State Rep. Jim Walsh (R-Aberdeen) at one point quoted Monty Python — "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition" — when talking about tax projections.
Earlier, state Rep. Brian Burnett (R-Wenatchee) recited part of the state's law against necrophilia, arguing that evading the income tax should not carry the same penalty as that crime, a class C felony.
Another failed amendment would have blocked the tax from taking effect until the NBA brings a professional basketball team back to Seattle. (The Seattle SuperSonics departed for Oklahoma City in 2008.)

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

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

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

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

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

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

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Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

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-...

tvw.org

House Floor Session - TVW

The House convenes for a floor session at the State Capitol to continue debate on SB 6346 (Tax on millionaires).

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