Civic

Jun 4, 2026, 8:17 AM

Data center operator reveals plans for downtown Seattle facility as city weighs one-year ban

Digital Realty has filed permits to redevelop a downtown Seattle building into a six-story data center, lab and retail project, as the City Council moves toward a one-year moratorium on new data centers. Read More

May 28, 2026, 10:27 AM

City of Seattle selects new CTO: Shannon Smith is longtime public-sector tech executive

Smith has more than 10 years experience working in technology with Seattle-area government agencies, including the cities of Seattle and Bellevue, as well as King County. Read More

May 22, 2026, 9:16 AM

The view from Bellevue: Seattle has the foundation for future growth — if it can fix its taxes

At a Bellevue Chamber panel, regional business leaders warned that Seattle’s aggressive tax policies threaten to undermine its world-class economic foundation. Read More

May 20, 2026, 3:48 PM

Data center resistance comes home to Seattle as council considers a one-year freeze

As Amazon and Microsoft pour billions into AI, Seattle residents push back against new data centers over worries about rising energy costs and environmental impacts. Read More

May 20, 2026, 9:52 AM

Seattle, we’ve got an image problem

GeekWire co-founder John Cook argues that Seattle’s increasingly anti-business national image threatens the city’s standing as an innovation hub, exactly 30 years after Newsweek celebrated it as one of America’s great boomtowns. Read More

May 14, 2026, 10:55 AM

Are we on a Road to Nowhere? Seattle’s growth masks deeper anxieties about its future

For three decades, Seattle’s tech industry has been an extraordinary economic engine, transforming the region into a global center for cloud computing, e-commerce and artificial intelligence. But are cracks beginning to form in that foundation? Read More

May 1, 2026, 3:47 PM

Seattle mayor’s ‘bye’ to millionaires who leave state over taxes is no laughing matter to some in tech

The debate over progressive taxation in Washington state has been building for months, with the tech community largely alarmed by what it sees as a hostility toward business in the region. Read More

Apr 18, 2026, 3:03 PM

Seattle mayor floats moratorium on new data centers in city limits

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson raised the possibility of a moratorium on new data centers in the city, following a report that four companies have approached Seattle City Light about building five large-scale facilities. Read More

Apr 13, 2026, 12:27 PM

Can AI revive democracy? Former Amazon product manager builds tool to spark civic engagement

A former Amazon product manager is using AI to turn dense city council agendas and meeting minutes into plain-language briefings, with alerts tuned to each user’s interests, aiming to inspire people to show up to local government meetings. Read More

Apr 10, 2026, 9:44 AM

Non-compete ban stirs optimism and uncertainty in Washington state — here’s what it means for tech

A new state law wipes out nearly all non-compete agreements in Washington, sparking debate across the tech ecosystem about innovation, talent mobility and employer rights. Read More

Mar 26, 2026, 3:18 PM

GeekWire rides the world’s first floating-bridge train — Seattle tech commutes will never be the same

A preview of the Crosslake Connection, the region’s newest mass transit milestone, featured a trip between South Bellevue and new stations at Mercer Island and Judkins Park. The public will get to ride between Seattle and its Eastside neighbors starting on Saturday. Read More

Mar 19, 2026, 4:41 PM

Sidewalk scooter riders, beware: AI-powered ‘Lime Vision’ will soon call you out

“Lime Vision” uses a camera mounted to the front of an electric scooter and a trained AI model to detect where a rider is riding. The goal is to improve rider and pedestrian safety. The technology will make its public debut in Seattle in June. Read More

Mar 19, 2026, 11:38 AM

City of Seattle awards $455k in ‘Technology Matching Fund’ grants to support digital equity efforts

The winners are expected to serve 20 different language groups by providing digital literacy training, devices, technical support, digital navigator services, and internet connectivity. Read More

Mar 16, 2026, 2:43 PM

Seattle puts Microsoft Copilot expansion on hold as new mayor takes stock of AI

Five months after releasing its “responsible AI plan” providing guidelines for the technology’s use, the City of Seattle has tapped the brakes on artificial intelligence. Read More

Mar 16, 2026, 12:03 PM

FAQ: What the millionaires tax means for Seattle startup founders, investors, and tech workers

GeekWire spoke with legal experts and wealth advisors to learn more about how the new income tax may impact different people in Washington’s tech ecosystem. Read More

Mar 13, 2026, 12:42 PM

Big tech dodged Washington state’s data center rules – but didn’t escape a sales tax bill

Big tech scored a big win with the defeat of data center regulations, but it lost a significant tax break for the facilities with Thursday’s 11th-hour passage of a Senate bill. Read More

Mar 12, 2026, 8:05 PM

The ‘Tesla exemption’ no more: Rivian and Lucid break through Washington state’s dealership wall

At the start of next year, Washington state shoppers will for the first time be able to visit showrooms for Rivian and Lucid Motors, take a test drive and buy an EV. Read More

Mar 12, 2026, 11:32 AM

Seattle’s downtown paradox: Commercial engine sputters amid improved safety and visitor growth

Seattle is witnessing a curious role reversal in its economic narrative. While the city finally gains ground on perennial challenges like crime and transportation, its traditional growth engine — the tech sector and downtown employment — is beginning to sputter. Read More

Mar 11, 2026, 8:08 AM

Washington House passes 9.9% ‘millionaires tax’ as business leaders warn of ‘seismic shift’

Some tech leaders and entrepreneurs worry the legislation could undermine their sector by souring Washington’s relatively favorable tax laws for startup founders, investors and high-wage earners. Read More

Mar 9, 2026, 9:32 AM

New free, on-demand EV service launches in Redmond to shuttle riders to light rail

RedLink riders can access the service via the Circuit app. It’s available to all Redmond residents and visitors traveling within the service area, which includes parts of Downtown Redmond, Education Hill, and Southeast Redmond. Read More

Mar 6, 2026, 10:53 AM

Washington governor says he’ll sign millionaires tax

Ferguson said a revised proposal met his desire to send more revenue back to working families and small businesses. The legislation has sparked intense debate within the state’s tech and business circles. Read More

Mar 6, 2026, 7:51 AM

Washington state bill to ban microchipping of employees heads to governor for approval

The bill prohibits employers from requiring, requesting or coercing employees to have microchips implanted in their bodies as a condition of employment, and would bar the use of subcutaneous tracking or identification technology for workplace management or surveillance. Read More

Mar 5, 2026, 7:02 AM

Washington state lawmakers target data center sales tax breaks to help plug $2B budget gap

Washington lawmakers are considering ending a sales tax break for data center owners when they replace equipment. Read More

Mar 4, 2026, 8:46 AM

Washington state bill allowing direct sales of Rivian and Lucid is speeding toward finish line

Washington lawmakers are racing to pass legislation to let Rivian and Lucid sell their EVs directly to consumers following Rivian’s threat to put the issue on the ballot. Read More

Mar 3, 2026, 10:34 AM

Washington state’s data center regulation bill fails following pushback from tech industry

Microsoft last week publicly came out in opposition to the bill, which garnered support from environmental groups, tribal nations, and ratepayer advocates warning that the rapid expansion of data centers risked driving up utility bills and straining limited water supplies. Read More

Mar 2, 2026, 9:50 AM