The well-known Pike Place Market restaurant and bar was set to close permanently on Sunday due to a disagreement over its lease with the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA).

Now—the restaurant can open its doors again. On Monday, the restaurant made a Facebook post announcing that the PDA had changed its decision.

“This morning we received a last-minute reprieve of the eviction notice from the PDA, with plans to find a path forward for the Virginia Inn,” the restaurant wrote in the post, “Thank you all for your overwhelming support, we couldn’t have done it without you. We will resume business as usual.”

Known to regulars as The V.I., the inn has been a key piece of the city’s culture, surviving prohibition and the COVID-19 pandemic.��In the 1980s, the Virginia Inn helped shape Seattle’s art bar scene and gained notable fame for its appearance in the 1992 grunge film 

At this time, there is no information as to why the PDA chose to grant a reprieve.

On Monday evening, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) reported a car driving northbound on Route 395, just north of Kramer Road, struck a moose. The car was found on the northbound shoulder, and WSP reported that there were two people in the car.

The driver, an unidentified 41-year-old man, was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The passenger, identified as 37-year-old Amanda Nack, survived but was injured.

WSP said that it is possible a second car also hit the animal after the initial impact, but did not stop at the scene.

According to the WSP, the district has investigated nine fatality collisions so far in 2025. At this time in 2024, there had only been two.

An amended version of Senate Bill 5393 passed on Sunday. It spared Yakima Valley School, which was also set to close. Under the amended bill, Rainier School will close when there are no longer any long-term residents. It is subject to end admissions for long-term admissions in July and short-term admissions in June, 2027.

“Bringing this forward was a difficult decision for me and all the committee members,” said House Appropriations Committee Chair Tim Ormsby, a Democrat, “We don’t do it lightly.”

Many House Republicans opposed this bill, walking out of the Appropriations Committee after it was passed last Tuesday. But they were behind the amended version, which they saw as a way to help residents transition.

In a conversation with , Rep. Dan Griffey said that although he is not happy with the bill, “It’s better, as we’re not going to shut it down right away.”

Nine Senate Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the bill. Six Democrats joined Republicans in opposition.

What was the debate about?

The bill’s proponents included representatives from the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, Disability Rights Washington, and Washington Autism Alliance.

Some proponents argued that these kinds of facilities are antiquated and that it could be seen as “locking” up loved ones. It is also seen as a cost-saving measure for the state.

Critics of the bill said that the state is erring if they view this as a true cost saving, arguing the savings would be negligible. They also noted that for many, Rainier School is seen as a home.

“I’ve lived personally and professionally in this space, legislatively as well. People will die as a result of this bill. It’s not just a fact, it’s also a prediction,” State Rep. Travis Couture (R-Allyn) said before the vote.

According to , Megan DeSmet, the Developmental Administration director of facilities at The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DHS) shared that there are at least 81 residents at the Rainier School, with it costing $52 million to run each year.

The April 18 shooting at the Swift bus stop on State Route 99 (SR 99) was the result of an altercation between the teens and another passenger, according to police. Multiple witnesses told police the teens were making gang signs with their hands, before exiting the bus and firing multiple shots into it.

, with support from the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, arrested and booked a 19-year-old man on charges of first-degree attempted murder, felony harassment, and second-degree malicious mischief.��The second suspect, a 17-year-old, was booked on the same charges as well as an additional charge for the second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

The Lynnwood Police Department has not yet revealed the names of the suspects. This investigation is ongoing.

The Port of Seattle is anticipating 298 calls, with almost 2 million passengers on board.

Linda Springmann, the Director of Cruise Business for the Port of Seattle, told ����Xվ Newsradio that this will be “the most calls we’ve seen in a cruise season,” creating a new record for the port.

This cruise season is said to create more than 5,000 jobs and nearly $900 million in economic impact. In Seattle, the cruise line is expected to drive significant tourism and create millions of dollars for the local economy.

Bracing for tariffs

Despite many cruise lines utilizing international goods and workers, Springmann said that at this time, they do anticipate many tariff-related issues.

“We’re not hearing of any changes at this point, it’s on everyone’s radar,”  Springman said, “We’re just watching things.”

Springman does note that the one thing tariffs could affect is the cost of provisions, but it won’t be very different from what people may experience day-to-day.

“It’s just like when you and I go do our grocery shopping,” Springman said. “If we start seeing an impact in local availability of things, it’s probably impacting the cruise lines as well.”

Environmental advancements

The port is also making environmental strides this season, continuing its mission to be

This will be the first full season that Seattle’s cruise berths will have “shore power,” meaning that cruises can shut off their engines while at anchor, which is expected to, on average,

The 2025 cruise season will run from April through October.

After an investigation, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) Pipeline Safety Staff said they believe Cascade may have been responsible for

In September of 2023, 83 barrels of liquid natural gas were released amid a delivery to a mobile site in Toppenish. The released gas formed a vapor cloud and subsequently started a fire upon contact with a nearby source. One man on site was injured, while another received “severe burns” and died two days later.

In the report, UTC claimed that Cascade did not notify the commission that they were using portable liquefied natural gas equipment, they did not give an employee flame-resistant clothing, and they did not follow proper fire protection procedures.

In a statement made to the , Cascade spokesman Byron Pfordte said they are taking “these allegations seriously,” and that “safety is a core value at Cascade.”

UTC noted that this investigation reflects the views of the UTC Pipeline Safety staff and not of the commissioners. According to the Pipeline Safety staff, the commission “is not obliged” to follow through with their recommendation.�� The commissioners will review the complaint and all “supporting evidence” before deciding whether to impose a penalty or not.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged 33-year-old Marvin Lopez Perez with attempted kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful imprisonment, and assault in the second degree.

During a first appearance hearing, Perez’s attorney asked that he be released on “personal recognizance.”  After hearing all arguments, the Court decided to set bail at $100,000 as they deem there is “the likelihood of a possible future violent act.”

The judge also issued a no-contact order between Perez and the 16-year-old victim.

What led to these charges?

On March 28, Bellevue Police Department (BPD) received a report of an attempted kidnapping in the Lake Hills neighborhood.

A 16-year-old girl had just exited a Metro bus when the suspect, who had also been on the bus, allegedly approached her. Police said he “accosted” the teenage victim. A bystander intervened and called police, which caused the suspect to flee the area on foot. BPD was able to find and arrest the suspect a few days later.

Perez will enter a plea during his arraignment scheduled for April 17.

On October 4, 2023, a Boeing 757-236 had to make an emergency landing. While completing a flight for FedEx, the flight crew received a warning that their left hydraulic system was failing, urging them to turn back to the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport-Lovell Field (CHA).

When the landing gear wouldn’t lower, crews landed without it in an emergency landed.

After the plane came to a stop, the crew tried to evacuate — but the emergency exit slide at the front left door didn’t deploy. One of the crew members tried the right front door instead. That slide worked, but only after they forcibly yanked the door open.��Although all passengers departed safely with no injuries, the flight was deemed an “accident,” as the plane sustained “substantial damage.”

After the emergency landing, FedEx inspected all Boeing 757 planes and discovered that 24% of their doors were not compliant with two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directives (AD), one of which aims at preventing slide packs from jamming doorways during an emergency, according to the NTSB.

Under closer inspection, NTSB found that the problem may have been tied to a specific aircraft latch that is intended to secure emergency slides to aircraft doors.

NTSB issues recommendations

Now, the NTSB is recommending that both Boeing and the FAA make some changes to their aircraft inspections, including:

•  Require all Boeing 757 planes, as well as any plane that uses the same bannis latches, to be inspected and, if needed, modified or replaced. They are also recommending that Boeing issue a service bulletin with the aforementioned advisories.
• Require all airplane models that use this latch design to update maintenance manuals and illustrated parts catalogs to “ensure they consistently and accurately depict the correct configuration of the bannis latch assembly.”

The Chattanooga flight accident is still being investigated. Additional recommendations may be issued by NTSB as the investigation concludes.

According to a by Heritage Distilling Co., the Gig Harbor spirits company won Whisky Magazine‘s coveted prize for their Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey.

Heritage has previously won the award twice for their Brown Sugar Bourbon.

“We are incredibly proud to have earned this prestigious global honor for the third time from the tasting panel at Whisky Magazine,” said Justin Stiefel, CEO and co-founder of Heritage. “Every whiskey we create captures the essence of true, authentic flavors, and this latest global award is proof of our efforts. To win this global category award for a third time is unprecedented in the global spirits industry, further solidifying our leading position in the rapidly growing flavored whiskey market.”

‘Whiskey for chocolate lovers and chocolate for whiskey lovers’

Heritage was founded by military veterans Drew and Sara Kellerman in 2011, alongside their business partners Justin and Jennifer Stiefel. According to their website, the two married couples were inspired to start the brand on “a perfect Pacific Northwest evening,” aiming to make “a whiskey better than the one they were drinking.”

Today, Heritage is recognized as “the largest independently owned craft distillery in Washington,” with four tasting rooms across the state and one in Oregon.

The Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey is said to include notes of semi-sweet dark cocoa and cocoa nibs.

In an interview with the , Jennifer Stiefel described the whiskey as “approachable,” with Justin adding, it is “whiskey for chocolate lovers and chocolate for whiskey lovers.”

Managers were informed that an employee was currently at work with a gun and was planning to shoot a coworker, according to the .

Managers searched the employee’s backpack and found “a loaded gun with an extended magazine.”  When police arrived on the scene, the employee said that the gun was placed in his backpack by “juveniles” during his lunch break.

After reviewing security footage, deputies determined that the suspect had the gun in his bag before work. They also say the gun had previously been reported stolen.

Stolen Gun Brought to Work

Deputies respond to a fast food restaurant when manager reports a gun was found and employee made threats to kill another employee.

For the full story, check out our Blotter:

— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff)

Bodycam footage released by the Sheriff’s Office shows the suspect being walked out of the fast-food chain and asking “what’s going to happen now?” According to the release, the suspect was arrested for attempted assault in the first degree, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm under 21 years of age.

Police received a 9-1-1 call on March 9 from a 19-year-old woman who reported that more than $2,000 worth of her “belongings had been damaged by her boyfriend,” the Kent Police Department (KPD) said in a release. They say the suspect fled the scene before police arrived and, ten days later, the victim called the detective handling her case to report an assault.

The victim said that her boyfriend attempted to start a fire inside the apartment they shared, while she hid in a balcony closet.

According to KPD, “the suspect turned on all the stove burners, put flammable items on them, then fled. The victim was able to put out the fire before it spread.”

‘One of the most severe instances of domestic violence’

Police discovered that the fire was just one of numerous instances of alleged domestic abuse that took place over the year.��A King County prosecutor said the case is “one of the most severe instances of domestic violence she has encountered in her career.”

Police say that the victim suffered repeated abuse, some of which occurred while she was pregnant with their baby.

“This case underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and highlights the importance of thorough investigations and multi-agency cooperation in bringing offenders to justice,” said Kent Investigations Commander C. Mills. “The Kent Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to protect survivors, ensure they are heard, and hold perpetrators accountable. Domestic violence is a crime that thrives in silence, and law enforcement stands with victims to break that silence and seek justice.”

On March 26, the suspect was booked into King County Jail for one count of arson, two counts of second-degree assault, and four other counts for third-degree and fourth-degree assault.

David A. McKean appeared at a supervised release hearing at the U.S. District Courthouse in Tacoma with fentanyl and heroin on his person, in September 2023, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller in a press release. He was ordered to be detained during that hearing, and “at some point” before being admitted to prison, McKean swallowed the balloons of drugs to distribute them to other inmates in his unit.

U.S. District Judge John H. Chun said McKean’s conduct is “a serious offense,” noting that two inmates who received drugs from him nearly died from fentanyl overdoses.

After these incidents, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff searched McKean’s cell and found heroin, fentanyl, suboxone, and other contraband.

Chun said it is “critical that deadly drugs be kept out of penal institutions.”

In addition to pleading guilty to providing contraband in prison, McKean’s sentencing was also based on 28 admitted supervised release violations.

Marysville Police said they received a 911 call from a concerned neighbor on the 1200 block of 2nd Street, who reported that a man was “lying on the sidewalk and not breathing,” according to a press release.

When police arrived on the scene, they said the neighbor was attempting to perform CPR on the victim. The Marysville Fire Department performed “life-saving measures,” but said that the man died from his injuries at the scene.

Marysville Police opens investigation

(MPD) issued a K-9 and police drone to search for any suspects, but the investigation is still ongoing.

The Marysville Investigations Unit said this is an “isolated” incident, and they do not feel that there are any immediate threats to the neighboring community.

The Marysville Investigations Division is urging anyone with information related to this incident to call (360) 363-8326.

This is a developing story, check back for updates 

According to a press release from the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is proposing 30% and 40% tariff increases for line extensions. This would include charges to new service lines and extensions, as well as extensions to plats.

BIAW argued that these tariffs are too high and could impact the future of home building.

“These increases will be catastrophic to the home building industry in Washington state,” BIAW Legislative Director Andrea Smiley said. “Already 80% of households in Washington can’t afford a median-priced home. Every added cost prices more households out of homeownership.”

BIAW noted that one of the best ways to build homes in Washington is directly on undeveloped plats. With PSE’s proposal, this means that the new cost development would be $82.69 per linear foot, according to the BIAW. This means that new home buyers could see an impact of cost increases anywhere from $760 to $1,500 per plat.

“Washington residential home builders struggle to keep up with the demand for new and affordable housing in Washington,” Smiley said. “Ever-rising costs of materials, permits, impact fees, and other regulatory costs only make it worse.”

Washington residents already paying too much

A report by the stated that Washington needs to build 1.1 million homes over the next 20 years in order to keep up with housing needs projections. In 2021, the Growth Management Act (GMA) found that in order to prioritize affordability, housing and utilities “should cost no more than 30% of household income.” Yet, recent federal data finds that most Washington residents are currently paying more than that.

“Builders in PSE’s service area cannot bear the cost of this nearly 40% increase,” Smiley said. “Because they have to show a level of profit to qualify for financing to build new homes, they will be forced to pass this cost on home buyers, making new homes even less affordable.”

PSE’s request is currently being reviewed by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). BIAW is urging the UTC to “consider the harm a 30% to 40% tariff increase for PSE-exclusive services will cause homeowners, home builders, and the public.”

Those who want to submit public comments on the matter can do so by visiting this .

According to the (SPD), officers followed up on a 911 call on Thursday evening, as a person claimed a group of men “attacked them” and were saying anti-transgender slurs.

After suffering injuries to the face and stomach, the victim waited at a nearby business until the police arrived. The suspects had left the scene, but police were able to identify a car and person who matched the victim’s and witnesses’ descriptions.

“Injuries included a bruised and swollen eye, broken teeth, scrapes to the hand, and pain in her abdomen,” SPD stated in a first appearance document.

The investigation is still ongoing, and police are searching for other suspects involved in the incident.

The 39-year-old suspect made his first appearance in court Friday afternoon, with the court finding probable cause for a hate crime and second-degree assault. His bail has been set at $200,000.

“The 39-year-old who was in court Friday is already the subject of a separate and ongoing King County hate crime case,” Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, stated. “The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged him on Sept. 18 for an attack on a Sound Transit fare enforcement worker.”

Mayor Harrell seeking protections for LGBTQ+ community

On Monday, March 31, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell plans to sign new legislation protecting individuals seeking gender-affirming care and reproductive health care services in Seattle, according to a press release.

In partnership with the Seattle LGBTQ Commission and LGBTQ+ city employees, the legislation aims to reaffirm the city’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community, extending Washington’s . The Shield Law bars Washington courts from enforcing out-of-state legal actions aimed at restricting health care services that are lawful in Washington.

“This legislation is a tangible step to strengthen local protections and stand with our LGBTQ+ community in the face of hateful, dangerous, and discriminatory attacks from the Trump administration and others,” “Leading with our One Seattle values of inclusion and acceptance, we will continue to fight to protect people’s right to live freely as their authentic selves.”

Monday, March 31 is recognized as Transgender Day of Visibility.

Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Stam sentenced James C. Forney to eight years in prison for assault of a child in the second degree, among other crimes, according to a by the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office.

In early January, Forney was convicted of choking his 4-year-old grandson as well as punching the child’s mother while under the influence during a July 2024 incident.

Maximum penalties

Judge David Petersen sentenced 73-year-old Gregory J. Bocek to a year in jail after he entered an Alford Plea on two counts of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, reported Thursday morning.

Six years ago, the former Hanford patrolman was initially charged with first-degree child molestation after a Kennewick mother claimed that her two sons had been sexually abused by Bocek.

According to the media outlet, the courtroom was packed with supporters for Bocek.

Judge Petersen responded to the crowd, stating, “I appreciate that everyone’s view of Mr. Bocek is of a wonderful police community serving man… I would love to play the forensic interviews of these children, so you would see the rest of the story.”

Bocek’s sentencing is the maximum penalty he could have received, with Judge Petersen adding, “he has sentenced murderers with more regret than Bocek had.”

Some cases still await sentencing

Robert J. Ramirez, who is still awaiting sentencing for charges of second and third degree rape as well as supplying liquor to a minor, was sentenced to over two years of prison time for raping two teen girls in Richmond.

The Tri-City Herald stated that he “pleaded guilty to third-degree child rape and providing a place for minors to drink,” in early February.

Ramirez, alongside a co-defendant, Marco Antonio Elias Tejada, allegedly gave the teenagers alcohol and drugs before sexually assaulting them while unconscious. A Benton County sheriff’s deputy found the car believed to be Tejada’s and arrested him and Ramirez.

Brown, alongside 20 other attorneys general, wrote an open letter to the legal community warning them to “stand strong” against any “illegal attempts” that the Trump administration may issue.

In the letter, the attorneys general write that President Donald Trump issued executive orders against five law firms, claiming to seek retribution over “ideological differences” as well as “punishing firms” for individual attorneys who are representing clients that are against the Trump administration.

This comes after the White House issued directing the heads of the Justice and Homeland Security Departments to “seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable and vexatious litigation against the United States.”

More on Trump’s executive order

These orders could require clients to share any contracts they may have with these firms, keep impacted lawyers out of public buildings, and ask for the attorneys general to “investigate” law firms that have programs or policies focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

According to a press release by the Washington AG’s Office, one firm has already decided to “abandon” diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, as well as offer $40 million in pro bono work for “causes” backed by President Trump.

“The legal community is a key pillar in our system of checks and balances, and helps protect people from tyranny,” Brown said in the news release. “The president attacking some law firms and demanding loyalty from others is clearly meant to bend the justice system to his will. I urge attorneys across Washington state to resist this attack on the rule of law.”

In their letter, the attorneys general argue that lawyers have an “obligation” to maintain the rule of law and should not drop any clients or make any decisions out of fear of retaliation. The coalition also states “they will not allow their offices to be used for political attacks against law firms that hold viewpoints unfavored by the administration.”