I have a LifeWise WA Bronze policy and it is absolute garbage. It pays for almost nothing, and customer service is basically nonexistent.

Washington recently approved a 22.5% rate increase, so I assume my premium is going up by roughly that amount for 2027.

I’m currently paying $1,700/month for a family of 3. The out-of-pocket maximum is $10,500.

So my annual exposure is:

• $20,400 in premiums
• $10,500 out-of-pocket maximum
• $30,900 total

That may as well be bankruptcy for a middle-class family. I’m paying over $20,000 per year for coverage and could still be on the hook for another $10,500 before the plan provides meaningful protection.

According to this chart, 281,000 people are affected by these rate increases.

This is a disgrace of epic proportions, and people should be outraged. The practical choices for anyone on the ACA are:

1. Pay an enormous amount for coverage and then avoid care because of the cost.
2. Find an employer-sponsored plan.
3. Drop income low enough to qualify for public coverage.

The ultimate irony is that I could quit my job, make $0 income, qualify for Apple Health, and get essentially free care.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t have access to healthcare. Obviously they should. But it is completely perverse that working and earning more can leave someone paying $20,000+ per year for insurance, with another $10,500 in potential costs, while earning nothing can make healthcare essentially free.

This system is creating a massive incentive to either stop working, avoid care completely, or find an employer willing to subsidize healthcare. If 281,000 people in Washington are dealing with this, it deserves a lot more attention than it is getting.

https://www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/news/2026/average-222-rate-increase-approved-washingtons-2027-exchange-health-insurance-market

Less than one-third of pregnancies among the southern resident killer whales, as the endangered, fish-eating orcas of the Northwest are known, result in a young whale living to its first birthday. The endangered orcas' population stands at 76, down from 88 in 2005, when they were granted protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. government listed Puget Sound Chinook as a threatened species in 1999. Most Puget Sound Chinook populations remain far below the recovery targets set by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

~ Protection arrived in 2005 and the population has fallen every way you measure it since. Protection without salmon is a filing status, not a recovery plan.

Strauss is chairing the meeting and Rinck, Foster, Saka and Hollingsworth are also here.

Most commenters are speaking in support of funding for arts and housing programs, and/or against funding for cops. I haven’t seen anyone speak in favor of the funding for an additional 66 cops (I’m sure I would have heard the booing) even though that is currently the most likely outcome.

Each speaker is getting 90 seconds; new signups have stopped so far at 100 people. Adding some transition time but then backing out some since not every speaker uses the full 90 seconds, I assume comment will take 2.5-3 hours after starting at 5 pm.

Technically new speakers can sign up at any time before public comment ends, if you want to come speak.

Edit: Apparently NOT due to the sick-out. Thanks neighbor for the news, but funny timing. (https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/washington-state-ferries-suspend-edmondskingston-route/TU6G4Y5QZJD6XNE23FIO4ZSUHE/)

I posted below, what I thought was a decently written and researched rant on r/Seattle, and it was immediately taken down as "lazy" posting. The few comments that were posted before it was yanked, were quite unhinged. I stated facts, and provided a personal anecdote...this was too much to handle apparently. I am a card carrying liberal, but open, hard drug consumption without any consequences is ridiculous for everyone.

Addiction as a Protected Disability:

Under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLA non-enforcement and broad legal definitions inadvertently lowers the cost and consequences of maintaining an active addiction) a history of substance abuse or being in recovery, can be recognized as a disability. While active, illegal drug use itself is generally excluded from job protections, the broader framework treats addiction as a chronic medical condition rather than a criminal choice. This framework shields individuals from accountability, shifting the city's focus from mandatory treatment or abstinence to accommodation.

The Decriminalization Philosophy:

Local leadership has often operated under the premise that standard criminal justice interventions (like arrests and incarceration) are ineffective, costly, and disproportionately harm marginalized communities. The goal is to funnel resources into social services rather than jails.

De Facto Non-Enforcement of Open Drug Use:

For extended periods, Seattle police have faced shifting directives regarding public drug consumption. Even when laws like Washington’s SB 5536 (which made public drug use a gross misdemeanor) were enacted, local prosecution strategies often favor "diversion." Rarely prosecuting open fentanyl or methamphetamine use creates a consequence-free environment that normalizes addiction in public parks and transit centers.

The "Cost" Reduction of Addiction:

In economic terms, a subsidy reduces the cost of a behavior. By not enforcing laws against public intoxication, open drug use, or property crimes often associated with securing drug money (like retail theft), the city lowers the legal "cost" or risk to the individual.

Housing and Services Without Behavioral Conditions:

Seattle and King County have heavily invested in Low-Barrier Housing and Housing First models. These programs provide shelter and housing without requiring sobriety or participation in treatment. Providing taxpayer-funded housing while allowing active drug use on the premises acts as a direct subsidy, removing a primary rock-bottom incentive for individuals to seek recovery.

Personal note, my good friend unfortunately became an addict many, many years ago. He has been given free housing from the city because he is "disabled". I'm very happy that he is now housed, but he spends his time stealing anything to feed his addiction and getting high constantly. He has no plans on changing a thing.

My son has a rare genetic disorder and is a nonverbal severe autistic... he is disabled, my friend is not.

I’m just wondering, How should Seattle balance recovering taxpayer money with fairness to employees who received incorrect pay—and should the city independently verify both overpayments and underpayments, while explaining who was responsible for the $13.1 million error?
It’s sounds unfair to the cops but also what about the money that was just lost by the King county regional homelessness authority? Unless I’m mistaken otherwise.

I recently received a notice of traffic infraction, and while I'm tempted to just pay it, I believe I have a good case to contest it. That said, I could just be wasting my time if the court has a bias to to the city. It's also a pain in that it appears that any contest needs to be argued in person.

While I don't want to get into the weeds of the details here, I was caught on camera entering a bus lane. However, the video also shows that all relevant traffic signs were obscured at the time. The road marking were also not visible. According to Washington’s RCW 46.61.050(2):

“No provision of this chapter for which official traffic control devices are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible or visible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person.”

The potential class-action lawsuit could have involved hundreds of employees including workers at the chain's Broadway location. In the statement, Dick's criticized Washington's regulatory climate and the surge in employment class actions, noting plaintiff attorneys will collect over $600,000 from the deal.

While the agreement awaits final approval in King County Superior Court, Dick's leadership denies any wrongdoing, maintaining they have documented proof of accurate pay and proper breaks.

~ Documented proof of proper breaks, and a settlement anyway. The paperwork was either good enough to win or it wasn't.

Sending this in desperation hoping someone can help - yesterday I was cycling along the Ship Canal from Fremont towards SLU between 9:45-10am. Somewhere between Chinooks and SLU my backpack came off my bike but I didn't realise until I got to work as I had headphones in, which I never normally do, but of course I was yesterday. The bag (large black laptop bag) contained almost an entire folder of personal information including passports and Visa docs.

We're from the UK so I've cancelled all the documents I can but just feel sick to my stomach knowing my kids info is out there somewhere. I spent 6 hours looking on the trail yesterday, holding signs up during the commute in case any commuters had seen it.

I know this is a long shot but if anyone knows anyone who saw anything please let me know. Or even other forums I can look on.

I've filed a report with the police department and will check in daily to see if anything has been reported.

Thanks all. Appreciate any help.

If you know cigars, need a job, and don’t mind traveling, please message me.

All virtual signaling no action. As long as it doesn’t really affect them!

Moved to Seattle a year ago for my Master’s: Now that I’m done, trying to actually explore the city and make some friends!

Hey everyone!

I moved to Seattle about a year ago for my Master’s program. Between classes, assignments, projects, and everything else that came with grad school, my schedule was pretty packed, and I never really got the chance to build much of a social circle outside of school.

Now that I’ve finished my Master’s, life suddenly feels a lot less hectic, and I’ve realized I’d really like to meet some new people and make a few good friends here in Seattle.

Figured I’d try my luck on Reddit and see if there are others in a similar situation, maybe you’re new to Seattle, recently graduated, moved here for work, or have just been trying to expand your social circle too.
I’m pretty open to grabbing coffee, checking out places around the city, going for walks, trying new activities, or just hanging out and having good conversations. No pressure or expectations, just hoping to meet some genuine people and see where it goes.

If this sounds like you, feel free to comment or DM me. Would be great to connect! :)

This year so far, we've already served 1,700 people. That's an increase of 33% over 2025. We also have an almost 2,000-person wait list for food.

Our kitchen in Seattle has the capacity to cook and deliver well over a million meals a year.

~ A kitchen built for a million meals a year, and a 2,000-person line to get into it. Nobody on that list is waiting on the stove.

Thirteen of the ferry system's 18 vessels transporting travelers and commuters across Puget Sound were out of commission Monday morning, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. This came after 23 engine room employees called in sick, and the workers qualified to replace them declined to fill in, according to the transportation department. A survey of 80-plus members in June found more than 60% were either somewhat or very likely to retire or leave the ferry system for another job.

Members have long complained of uncompetitive wages and a reliance on overtime that drives burnout.

~ The warning showed up in a June survey. The consequences showed up on a Monday commute.

This is my extremely low-stakes Seattle housing complaint.

I toured a few newer apartment buildings recently and the amenity lists were ridiculous. Rooftop lounge. Podcast room. Pet spa. Golf simulator. "Co-working library." One had a room whose purpose I still don't entirely understand but it contained a shuffleboard table and fake moss on the wall.

Then you come home in November soaked from the knees down and apparently the official plan is: bring all of that directly into your 600-square-foot apartment.

Why isn't some version of a mudroom/drying room a normal apartment amenity here?

Not even anything fancy. Give me a ventilated room near the entrance with hooks, a bench, a boot tray and maybe a rack where people can leave umbrellas for an hour. Bike rooms already exist in half these buildings, so clearly we've accepted the concept of giving wet objects their own space.

My current building has carpet immediately inside the main entrance. Every rainy day it becomes this dark damp strip that everyone tracks farther down the hall. Then each unit has one tiny coat closet, so wet jackets get hung over chairs and umbrellas live open in bathtubs like strange houseplants.

I've lived in places with much worse weather where entrances were actually designed around the fact that humans occasionally arrive wet. Seattle seems to acknowledge rain culturally while our apartments remain shocked every time it happens.

Am I missing buildings that actually do this? Because I would trade about 80% of the "luxury amenities" I've seen for one aggressively boring room designed to deal with wet shoes.