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🌱 Patch AM: Are Seattle gig drivers actually earning more under the new wage law?

And on the Seattle Patch calendar - Weekend First Sphere Course - Learn the Art of Ascension

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Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
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Hi Seattle! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

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In today's newsletter:

  • Are Seattle gig drivers actually earning more under the new wage law?
  • Could a rat really crawl up your Seattle toilet?
  • What’s new inside Seattle’s oldest community center before it reopens?

Also on today's calendar: Weekend First Sphere Course - Learn the Art of Ascension and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: An a.m. shower; rather cloudy, with a high of 47 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Occasional rain, temps: high: 48, low: 40.
  • Thursday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 45 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Has Seattle's gig worker wage law delivered increased pay? (kuow.org) — Seattle’s gig worker minimum wage law, now nearly two years old, has left food delivery drivers earning about the same overall, according to a new study. Researchers found drivers make more per trip but face longer unpaid idle time and distances, while worker advocates argue the law still improves protections in Seattle’s app-based economy.
   

2. Washington officials issue frightening alert about toilet rats after historic floods (foxweather.com) — Seattle and King County health officials are warning that recent historic flooding may have pushed rats into local sewer lines, meaning some residents could unexpectedly find rodents in their toilets. Officials explain how to safely try flushing them away, when to call pest control, and note that widespread flood damage across Washington will take weeks to fully assess.
   

3. Historic Hiawatha Community Center to reopen following multi-million dollar renovation (westsideseattle.com) — Seattle’s historic Hiawatha Community Center in West Seattle is set to reopen after a $3.9 million stabilization and renovation, with a soft opening in late January and a grand reopening on February 21. Funded by the Seattle Parks District and a city levy, the project adds seismic upgrades, a new electrified HVAC system, and accessibility improvements while preserving the 1911 Olmsted-designed building’s character.
   

4. 4 hospitalized with E. coli after eating at Bellevue restaurant (seattletimes.com) — Public Health – Seattle & King County is investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to Tokyo Stop Teriyaki in Bellevue, where five customers got sick and four were hospitalized but later recovered. Inspectors temporarily closed the restaurant over food-safety violations and are asking anyone who ate there in November or December and developed symptoms to complete an online survey to help trace the source.
   

5. VIDEO: Elderly couple robbed, attacked in Lynnwood, WA parking lot (fox13seattle.com) — A violent robbery spree targeting elderly couples in Lynnwood and Bellevue has led to the arrest of a Romanian couple police believe is tied to a larger transnational crime ring. Lynnwood police released video of an $80,000 watch theft and assault outside H-Mart, and investigators say similar parking-lot attacks across the Puget Sound are under review, with FOX 13 Seattle promoting ongoing local coverage.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Franky was LOST on July 12, 2025 in Seattle, WA 98108 near S Henderson st, Seattle, WA 98118 rainier beach Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest… (Nextdoor South Delridge)
  • *Update*
    Just wanted to let everyone know, after searching until about 2am, and ready to give up for the night, the little stinker was inside the whole time… (Nextdoor Lakeridge II)
  • VIP Hospitality, LLC posted a job opening for Baggage Handler (Full-time) in Seattle. Apply here.
  • MBK Senior Living posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Seattle. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Seattle here.

Ok Seattle! 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 find you very attractive!
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