August 2026

Seattle public school teachers are gathering tonight at the Seattle Convention Center for a high-stakes general membership meeting that could determine whether the city's school year begins on time. Members of the Seattle Education Association (SEA), which represents approximately 6,000 teachers, counselors, and staff, are slated to vote Wednesday evening to either ratify a tentative contract agreement or authorize a strike.

If a strike is authorized and no last-minute agreement is reached, a walkout could begin on the first day of school next Tuesday, Sept. 2, potentially disrupting classes for nearly 50,000 students across Seattle Public Schools (SPS).

Negotiations between the district and the union have been underway since June, but key issues remain unresolved. According to the SEA, the primary sticking points in the collective bargaining process include compensation, special education support, class sizes, workloads, and "pressurization".

In 1834, a fourteen-year-old girl named Afong Moy arrived in New York from Guangzhou, brought by American traders Nathaniel and Frederick Carnes. She was not welcomed as an immigrant seeking a new life, but rather imported as a commercial commodity: the first documented Chinese woman to set foot in the United States. For decades, she was displayed to curious American onlookers as a living exhibit. Audiences paid to watch her perform her culture—drinking tea, handling chopsticks, and walking on her tightly bound feet.

By Tim Clinton

Sports Editor

Several key matchups stand out as the most significant highlights of the week. Today, the Seattle Mariners host Philadelphia at T-Mobile Park in a mid-day matchup before embarking on an extended road trip to Toronto and Boston. Football fans will be focused on Friday, August 28, when the Seahawks travel to Kansas City for an evening kickoff for their third exhibition game. Meanwhile, soccer enthusiasts have a massive weekend at Lumen Field, which hosts a doubleheader of sorts: the Sounders take on Chicago on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Reign hosting Houston on Sunday.

Don Armeni Park is famous for its sweep of the Seattle skyline, but lately, visitors to the boat launch have had their eyes fixed firmly on the ground. The attraction? A young, female mallard duck who has spent the last three weeks holding court near the park’s public restrooms.

Nicknamed “Donna” by local Harbor Avenue couple Greg Haapla and Carolyn Grieser, she has become a bonafide neighborhood celebrity, drawing crowds, photographers, and a steady stream of hand-outs.

After a refreshing summer hiatus, the local live music scene is springing back to life. The Center for Active Living has officially announced the return of its popular Jazz Night on Thursday, September 3, 2026, kicking off the autumn season with community-focused entertainment.

The upcoming performance, scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., will showcase the musical talents of Larry Knapp alongside a lineup of featured guest musicians.

This special evening is designed to be fully inclusive. The event is open to the entire community and welcomes attendees of all ages, with no membership required to participate. Admission is set at $10, payable at the door.

On the evening of August 22 at approximately 5:40 PM, King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputies responded to emergency calls reporting gunfire at the City's Edge apartment complex located at 11800 Ambaum Blvd SW.

Upon arriving at the scene, deputies located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders administered immediate medical aid to the victim until medics arrived.

The injured man was subsequently transported to a local hospital. His current condition is unknown.

While the scene has since been cleared, the shooting remains under active investigation by the King County Sheriff's Office. Authorities have noted that no further details are available at this time