August 2026

Resilience and Return: Duwamish River Festival set for triumphant 2026 comeback with unprecedented safety measures

After a painful cancellation last year, the Duwamish River Festival is officially returning to the Duwamish Valley on August 8, 2026. Marking its 19th year, this landmark event represents a powerful story of community resilience, environmental justice, and a massive dual celebration born from collaboration.

The festival, scheduled from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Duwamish River People’s Park & Shoreline Habitat (8700 Dallas Ave S), comes after a difficult period. In 2025, organizers felt forced to cancel the gathering due to rising fears in immigrant communities following ICE arrests in nearby Burien and White Center. There was widespread concern that holding the event could put vulnerable attendees at risk.

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COMMUNITY VOICE AND COST SAVINGS: Sound Transit trims $2 Billion from West Seattle Link Extension as neighbors demand density and affordability

As Westside Seattle reported in April, Sound Transit came back from an Executive Retreat with some clear directional changes for the West Seattle Link Extension. They shared those in a community forum on April 1.

The board’s pivotal decision on May 28 addresses an estimated $34.5 billion long-term funding gap through a series of sweeping cost-saving updates.

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White Center and North Highline residents take the lead: Shaping $1.1 Million in community-driven investments as King County launches 2026 participatory budgeting

White Center and North Highline residents are officially in the driver’s seat for local public spending as King County’s Department of Local Services launches its 2026 Participatory Budgeting process. This landmark initiative puts local community members directly in charge of deciding how county funds are invested.

Out of approximately $2.7 million in total community-guided grants available this year, a dedicated $1.1 million is earmarked specifically for White Center/North Highline to fund grassroots, resident-led solutions.

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Beyond Alki Beach: Southwest Seattle Historical Society launches new interactive exhibit celebrating the shared stories of the Duwamish Peninsula

Join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society for the grand opening of its new interactive exhibit, Beyond Alki: Stories of West Seattle and the Duwamish Peninsula, on Thursday, August 20 from 5-7:30-pm at the Log House Museum.

Alki was first called sbaqʷabqs. It means prairie in Lushootseed, the language of Coast Salish people. It describes how this place looked—grassy plains and scattered stands of fir trees. Settlers who accessed federal land grants arrived in 1851 and called this place “Alki.” Alki translates to “by and by” in Chinook Jargon, a trade language of the era. They envisioned a major city from this shore.

As Seattle grew, so did the Duwamish Peninsula – industry developed, waterways changed, and forests disappeared (almost). Newcomers arrived in waves and built homes, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods.

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UPDATE: Library Levy solidifies lead as turnout climbs and Skykomish measure flips in King County Primary

Update Aug. 5

With a new batch of ballots processed, the August 2026 Primary Election has seen voter turnout rise to 22.47%, representing 326,767 total ballots cast. The latest returns show established incumbents strengthening their positions, while a key local ballot measure outside Seattle has flipped to a leading status.

Seattle Library Levy and Local Propositions

Support continues to build for City of Seattle Proposition No. 1 (the library levy), which is now passing with 72.41% of the vote. In a major shift from early returns, the Skykomish School District Proposition No. 1 has flipped and is now leading with 50.63% "Yes" votes compared to 49.37% "No" votes.

West Seattle, White Center, and Burien: District 34 and Council District 8

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A hidden gem in the Junction: Discover the magic of Sundays in the Alley

If you are looking for a shopping experience that feels worlds away from the sterile aisles of a department store or the solitary glow of a laptop screen, look no further than the West Seattle Junction every Sunday in August.

Tucked away behind the storefronts is Sundays in the Alley, a vibrant, blended market that brings together clothing, food, music, and local artists in a way that is truly memorable.

The magic begins before you even step outside. Shoppers are drawn in by live music piped to the front of Carmilia’s, leading them through the shop and into a back room with a distinct "speakeasy feel". From there, you emerge into a sun-drenched alley transformed into a welcoming oasis, complete with benches, umbrellas, and tables where neighbors can hang out and support independent businesses.

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Sports Watch 8-5-26
Sports contests worth keeping an eye on

By Tim Clinton

Sports Editor

Seattle sports fans have a busy week ahead starting today, August 5th, with several critical matchups across multiple leagues. T-Mobile Park is currently hosting the Mariners as they finish a series against Detroit before welcoming Tampa Bay for a three-game home stand through the weekend. This stretch is followed by a significant road series in New York beginning August 11th.

On the pitch, the Sounders are engaged in a mix of international and domestic play, facing Toluca away tonight before returning to Lumen Field for home matches against Quarellar and Guadalajara. Simultaneously, Seattle Reign will take the field at Lumen Field on Sunday, August 9th, for a high-profile contest against Angel City FC.

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Seattle CARE Department expands crisis responder hours to meet growing demand

Starting August 5, the Seattle CARE Department is significantly expanding the operational hours for its Community Crisis Responders (CCRs) to provide citywide support from 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM daily. This shift extends the previous service window, which ran from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, to better align with the city's needs.

The expansion into early morning and late-night hours is a strategic response to call data indicating that 84% of the department's most common call types occur during this new timeframe. These calls typically include welfare checks, requests for community resources, and assistance for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

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Mike's view: Cleopatra was no Daisy

Editors Note: This was originally published in the Federal Way News in January of 1983. It is written by Mike Robinson the eldest of the Robinson clan of five boys.

 

By Mike Robinson

We drove out to visit Great Grandma Daisy in the nursing home last week. At 93, she doesn't remember her family, but we remember her.

We took Anna, who is four going on 35, like a lot of kids her age.

We took Baby Owen, who at two months old sees life from the opposite end of Grandma's telescope.

Grandma was not among the white-haired ladies in the dining room who sat around in shawls, nodding and chat-ting. But many of them looked up as if we might have come to see them.

They reminded me of baby birds, their sharp eyes were so quick.

We found Daisy down a long hallway, still as a statue in her room. We approached her gently.

"And who might you be?" she said in her reedy voice.

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Kennedy great, Alexander ready to open practices for UW

 

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Xe'Ree Alexander has no problem getting ready for the 10 a.m. Thursday opening of fall practices for his University of Washington football team.

It is his senior season as a linebacker for the Huskies, and the Kennedy Catholic graduate is coming off a season that was capped off by him winning the Most Valuable Player award in the UW's 38-10 victory over Boise State in the LA Bowl.

"It felt great," Alexander said.  "That was a blessing for sure."

Alexander hopes for more big things for himself and the highly regarded Huskies in 2026 and in the January 2027 national playoff picture.

"I can't wait," he said.  "The defense is going to play phenomenal and the offense, too."

But first comes a lot of practice time leading up to the UW's 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 opener against Washington State University.

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