🌱 Patch AM: How a Kirkland-based writer explains America’s stubborn corporate debt problem

Good morning Kirkland! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Kirkland-based writer explains America’s stubborn corporate debt problem
• Heading from Kirkland to Stevens Pass? Know these US‑2 warnings first

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cloudy with a little rain, with a high of 50 and low of 44 degrees.
• Saturday: A little rain in the morning, temps: high: 55, low: 46.
• Sunday: A brief shower or two, with a high of 50 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Why It's So Hard to Battle Corporate Debt with Policy (northwestern.edu) — A national look at how tax policy failed to curb corporate borrowing includes a small local tie: freelance writer Roberta Kwok is based in Kirkland. The piece explains why lenders absorbed higher costs after the 2017 tax law, keeping big-company debt levels high despite reduced interest deductibility.
   

• Highway 2 reopens between Skykomish and Stevens Pass after flood clean-up (komonews.com) — Kirkland skiers can once again reach Stevens Pass easily now that US‑2 between Skykomish and the pass has reopened after weeks of storm repairs. WSDOT urges drivers not to use the route for cross‑state travel, to prepare for winter conditions, and to watch for possible short‑notice closures due to crashes or avalanche control.
   

📸 Around Kirkland

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Kirkland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday January 3

• Reading with Rover
  Kingsgate Library 12315 NE 143rd Street, Kirkland, WA 98034
  1:00 pm

Monday January 5

• Toddler Story Time
  Kirkland Library , 308 Kirkland Avenue , Kirkland
  10:30 am
• Talk Time: English Conversation Practice
  Bothell Library , 18215 98th Avenue NE , Bothell
  1:15 pm
• Cheerleading Class ~ 6 Mondays~ 1/5 to 2/9/26 ~ 4:30 to 5:15pm
  Friendship Academy , 1206 N 185th St , Shoreline
  4:30 pm
• Winter Cooking Class ~ 7 Mondays ~ January 5 thru February 16th~ 6pm to 8pm - CLASS IS FULL
  Ronald United Methodist Church , 17839 Aurora Ave N , Shoreline
  6:00 pm
• 7 PM Twelfth Night Ball
  The Feather Ballroom , 801 1st Street , Snohomish
  7:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Family Story Time
  Kingsgate Library , 12315 NE 143rd Street , Kirkland
  1:00 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Middle School and Teen Craft Club
  Kingsgate Library , 12315 NE 143rd Street , Kirkland
  1:30 pm

📣 Kirkland Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday January 2

• Story Time at the Garden for Preschoolers
  Sharp Cabin , 12001 Main St. , Bellevue
  10:00 am
• Teen Dungeons & Dragons Meet-Up
  Bellevue Library , 1111 110th Avenue NE , Bellevue
  4:00 pm
• Creative Art Oasis
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  4:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Journaling the Garden
  Sharp Cabin , 12001 Main St. , Bellevue
  9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Kirkland PatchAM possible:

• Peony Massage — (425) 406-4698
  📣 𝟒𝟎% 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐬sage
• Sodo Pizza — (425) 588-0963
  New Pizzeria in Town!
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Primrose School of Redmond — (425) 800-6463
  Child Care , Day Care , Preschool, Opening Soon
• SD Framing — (425) 628-1326
  @sd.framing Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates!
• Crystal Carpet Cleaning & Restoration, Inc. — (425) 649-0908
  Celebrating 35 years serving our community

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
  Nira was LOST on December 29, 2025 in Woodway, WA 98020 near Nootka road Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the owner,… (Nextdoor Juanita)
• Phase 2 of the NW Bellevue Walkways and Safety Improvements begins construction on Jan.
  5. The city will construct additional traffic safety improvements along 100th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 24th and Northeast 14th streets… (Nextdoor )

• Ross Stores posted a job opening for Early Morning Stock Associate in Kirkland. Apply here.
• Resideo Technologies, Inc. posted a job opening for Merchandising Shipping/Receiving Associate in Kirkland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Kirkland here.

🗞 Nearby News

Redmond

• Redmond officers purchase jacket and snow pants for man accused of shoplifting (kiro7.com)
• Precious metals tax to hit Washington businesses (komonews.com)
• Washington state may regulate Flock cameras, other license-plate readers in 2026 (oregonlive.com)

Bothell

• A grandfather's words, lost for 82 years, finally reach home (king5.com)

Ok Kirkland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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