KIRO Newsradio Headlines: Seattle City Light raises rates due to rising costs

Seattle City Light raises rates due to rising materials, labor costs

If you pay Seattle City Light for your electricity, expect a bigger bill next year.

The public utility says it wants to charge every residential customer at least 5% more in 2023 and 2024.

City Light says it needs to increase rates because they’re paying more for materials, labor, and services, while demand for electricity remains flat.

According to SCL, the increase over the two years means a household paying a bill of $150 now will pay $159 by 2024.

Bobcat spotted in Lynnwood

There was an unusual sighting in Lynnwood recently.

KIRO 7 received a video sent to the newsroom by Justin Luckenback, which showed a bobcat strolling in a park and ride lot off Interstate 5 in Lynnwood.

While bobcats are very elusive, it is even harder to spot them in broad daylight as they typically hunt in the dark.

However, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife agents said bobcats occasionally do mark their territory in daylight.

One other thing to note is that if small dogs and cats are near bobcats, they are at risk of being attacked.

Officials said the animals appear to be present in suburban settings more often.

Snohomish County plans to fill service gaps in its broadband internet

In an effort to bring high-quality broadband internet to everyone, Snohomish County’s executive wants to find out where the service gaps are.

Executive Dave Somers says the county is using American Rescue Plan Act funds to launch a new study of the situation.

But before the study can begin, the county needs to hire an independent partner to do the mapping.

Officials want to learn where there are gaps in broadband service, speed, and affordability.

Interested survey companies have until Sept. 1 to submit a proposal to Snohomish County.

Port Townsend ferry service hit with another delay

It’s a rough day out on the water, especially for the state ferries.

Port Townsend -Coupeville service was expected to resume by Wednesday evening, but it will be 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning before a replacement boat is in place.

The ferry on the run was taken out this morning for an unexpected repair.

An inter-island ferry on the San Juan run was out all morning but is back on the water after a full crew was able to report.

And, the Edmonds-Kingston route is back to two-boat service as of mid-morning.

Pierce County appoints new councilmember

Pierce County’s new council member is Paul Herrera.

He was chosen by the rest of the council.

Herrera has a background in law enforcement and is a military veteran.

He is a Republican and filling the district two seat. Republican Hans Zeiger left at the end of last month.

Zeiger went to work for an educational non-profit.

Snake River dam protestors perform stunt at Seattle City Hall

Demonstrators brought a giant Orca banner to Seattle City Hall Wednesday morning.

They are pushing for the removal of four dams that block Columbia River salmon from getting to spawning grounds.

Opponents of removal say that, if the dams were taken down, the state’s energy grid would be adversely affected.

It will also make it harder to ship agricultural products to Western Washington and Oregon.

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