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Boost your pH IQ, and then test — and amend — your soil


With a fall application, your soil should be at the right level by the beginning of next season.




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Feed the soul: In chaotic times, gardening becomes therapy


CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Dig. Plant. Breathe. As spring’s arrival in the Northern Hemisphere coincides with government stay-at-home orders, the itch to get outside has turned backyard gardens into a getaway for the mind in chaotic times. Gardeners who already know that working with soil is a way to connect with nature say it helps […]




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Your garden can be a treasure trove of activities for your kids, so look around you


Mother Nature can be an accessible and interesting teaching assistant. With spring here, use your garden or a neighborhood garden to help keep your little ones occupied.




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Court overturns Quincy Jones’ win in Michael Jackson lawsuit


LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California appeals court on Tuesday overturned most of a 2017 jury verdict awarding Quincy Jones $9.4 million in royalties and fees from the Michael Jackson estate over the use of Jones-produced Jackson hits in the concert film “This Is It” and two Cirque du Soleil shows. The state’s 2nd District […]




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Court overturns Quincy Jones’ win in Michael Jackson lawsuit


LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California appeals court on Tuesday overturned most of a 2017 jury verdict awarding Quincy Jones $9.4 million in royalties and fees from the Michael Jackson estate over the use of Jones-produced Jackson hits in the concert film “This Is It” and two Cirque du Soleil shows. The state’s 2nd District […]




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Seattle Times Features Staff Picks: How to make mom feel special on this socially distant Mother’s Day


With social distancing efforts (or just distance) keeping many families apart for Mother's Day, our features staffers share how they'll be celebrating their moms this weekend. Happy Mother's Day!




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Washington’s barbers, hair salons, some in-store retail could restart June 1 amid coronavirus crisis


Those businesses are part of phase two in the four-phase gradual reopening plan released Friday by Gov. Jay Inslee.




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Some tribal casinos reopen amid coronavirus pandemic, despite Washington state’s stay-home order


Tribes operate their facilities on their lands, where they retain decision-making authority -- despite Gov. Jay Inslee's stay-home order, in place until the end of May.




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Gov. Inslee connected personal contacts with Washington state officials in hunt for coronavirus supplies


Amid a national frenzy to buy medical supplies for use in the COVID-19 outbreak, Washington state suspended competitive bidding and recruited help from the private sector. Gov. Inslee connected personal contacts with state buyers.




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Mask or no mask? New social tension splits Seattle-area residents in coronavirus era


Since health officials began recommending (but not requiring) that everyone cover their faces in public to reduce the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, a new divide has emerged over who wears a mask and who doesn't.




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Where a recession might hurt the Puget Sound region worst


If a downturn comes, the Seattle area benefits from a diverse economy. But it still has a few weak spots that would ripple out.




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Real-estate seers expect a strong 2020 in Seattle, though not so much for housing


Seattle real estate is expected to be a hotspot next year, continuing a long trend of investing and building. But the prospects for housebuilding are more muted.




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King County Sheriff’s Office will investigate shooting by Seattle police of man sought for taking child at gunpoint in Columbia City


Seattle police released portions of a frantic 911 call and a clip from an officer's body camera showing officers chasing and shooting the suspect at a Columbia City construction site. The 1-year-old infant the man had purportedly kidnapped at gunpoint was recovered unharmed from the scene.




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Georgia family demands arrests 2 months after son shot dead


SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — The parents of a black man slain in a pursuit by two white men armed with guns called for immediate arrests Wednesday as they faced the prospect of waiting a month or longer before a Georgia grand jury could consider bringing charges. A swelling outcry over the Feb. 23 shooting of […]




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‘It’s what you dream for’: Soak in the sights and sounds from the Sounders’ MLS Cup parade in Seattle


Watch as Seattle Sounders fans celebrate the team’s second MLS Cup in a parade to Seattle Center.




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Starbucks tells staff to clean every eight minutes and pauses use of personal cups


Starbucks said staff across its 14,000 U.S. sites are being told to wipe down busy areas of the store — ideally, every eight minutes. If that can't be achieved, stores shouldn't go more than 30 minutes before cleaning.




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Some key Seattle-area public companies hit hard by coronavirus-induced stock market crash


It was a rocky week on Wall Street, as most securities fell and some saw record declines. Seattle-area companies felt the pain as sharply as any.




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Starbucks to close some stores, eliminate seating in all others to slow spread of coronavirus


In a bid to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Starbucks will temporarily close some of its North American locations and will shift to a “to-go” model at the rest of its more than 10,000 North American stores. The closures, which were announced and implemented Sunday afternoon, will last at least two weeks and […]




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With MLB shut down due to coronavirus, Mariners host video roundtable on Jackie Robinson Day


The Mariners have 10 African-American players on the 40-man roster — the most in MLB.




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MLB reportedly is finalizing proposal to start season in early July after coronavirus shutdown


Major League Baseball is reportedly considering a plan of restarting spring training in early June with the season starting in early July.




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With season in limbo amid coronavirus pandemic, Everett AquaSox prepare for different scenarios


While the focus of the sports world is on the possible relaunch of the major-league season, minor-league teams cling to the hope of competing in 2020 while girding for the increasing likelihood that the season will be dormant.




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Teeing off: Topgolf’s indoor facility comes to Kirkland. So is virtual golf worth the price?


When it's miserable outside, you can still hit shots inside the recently opened Lounge by Topgolf in Kirkland, where plenty of virtual golf opportunities await.




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At least 1 Oregon ski resort, Timberline, plans to reopen this spring


Gov. Kate Brown announced earlier this week that some outdoor recreation activities can resume as the coronavirus pandemic continues.




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Young Rose Lavelle has been a revelation for U.S. soccer’s World Cup run


As the U.S. women's national soccer team played Japan for the World Cup trophy in Vancouver, Rose Lavelle was 140 miles south eating pizza in Seattle. Four years on, Lavelle is in position to help the United States win another championship.




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The sports bra seen round the world reveals something different 20 years later


It has been 20 years since that final, and Sunday the United States will seek its fourth World Cup title. The meaning of Brandi Chastain’s viral celebration has continued to evolve, though, even for Chastain.




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After U.S. World Cup win, the National Women’s Soccer League seeks more fans, sponsors


Women's soccer engages the U.S. every four years, then disappears for most fans. In the wake of the Americans' record-setting fourth World Cup title Sunday, the hard part remains: the weekly work of boosting the National Women's Soccer League, where average attendance remains at a minor league level.




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A look back at 10 of the biggest social movements of the 2010s, and how they shaped Seattle


The decade has seen some powerful movements — people organizing around shared causes to create change. Just as the civil rights movement fought back against racist segregation, disenfranchisement and lynchings of Black people, the 2010s have seen people come together to address some of the most pressing social issues of our time.




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Researchers: Some pet products touted as CBD don’t have any


Companies have unleashed hundreds of CBD pet health products accompanied by glowing customer testimonials claiming the cannabis derivative produced calmer, quieter and pain-free dogs and cats. But some of these products are all bark and no bite. “You’d be astounded by the analysis we’ve seen of products on the shelf with virtually no CBD in […]




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Pot politics: Some Northeast states regroup on legalization


NEW YORK (AP) — A year ago, marijuana legalization looked like it was on a roll in the Northeast — it had already passed in three of the region’s states and was a priority for governors in three more, including the populous New York. Now, after legislative efforts stalled and a vaping sickness stirred new […]




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Around the world in photos as restrictions ease but social distancing continues





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Sounders confirm member of support staff tests positive for coronavirus


Member worked March 7 match against Columbus at CenturyLink Field. Team says no other cases within Sounders FC have been identified.




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As MLS pushes back postponement for another month due to coronavirus, Sounders players adjust to life without soccer


Sounders players learned Thursday that soccer will not resume until at least May due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Here's how Stefan Frei and others are adapting to life without soccer.





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Sounders FC launches coronavirus relief fund, with $500,000 investment from Adrian Hanauer


In an effort to help local communities as they struggle with the adverse impacts brought on by the spread of the novel coronavirus, Seattle Sounders FC announced Wednesday that the club is launching a relief fund, with an initial investment of $500,000 from Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer and his family.




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How are Sounders staying fit during the coronavirus crisis? Creative workouts are required


MLS suspended its season until at least May 10 in an effort to help the U.S. slow the spread of novel coronavirus.




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Sounders, holed up at home like everyone amid coronavirus, hope for earlier restart to MLS season


GM Garth Lagerwey’s message to antsy soccer fans who are yearning to see the Sounders back in action is that there’s a link between safe health practices and the resumption of the season.




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Sounders turn to virtual world to connect with fans during coronavirus crisis


Amid quarantines mandated by governments in efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, athletes and entertainers have utilize social media to connect with fans and each other.




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Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer says widespread coronavirus testing needed before MLS can return


Hanauer, whose club won the 2019 MLS Cup, said all ideas are being considered by MLS owners in order to resume play.




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As Sounders wait to continue season, MLS says it’s ‘extremely unlikely’ to resume play in May


Major League Soccer announced Tuesday it's "extremely unlikely" to resume play in May and play its full 2020 season.




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MLS suspends season until June 8 due to concerns over coronavirus pandemic


The league softened the blow to its fans by announcing earlier this week it’s “extremely unlikely” games would resume May 10 due to safety concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic.




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Why the Seattle Sounders game March 7 went on despite coronavirus emergency


As virus fears grew, public officials and sports execs debated health risks — and PR messages — but let 33,000 into a March 7 Sounders match. At what cost?




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MLS to allow player workouts at team facilities, but Sounders must follow Washington guidelines and wait


Major League Soccer on Friday announced that players can use the outdoor portion of their club’s facility for individual workouts as long as use is also in compliance with health and safety protocols.




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Just like us, Sounders’ Stefan Frei, Cristian Roldan play waiting game during coronavirus pandemic


On Wednesdays, the Sounders gather via a Zoom meeting to chat and keep the camaraderie going. Other than that, these guys are waiting around just like us during the coronavirus pandemic.




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Sounders plan to get creative under coronavirus restrictions as other MLS teams begin outdoor training


MLS teams not under state or city stay-at-home mandates will be able to hold voluntary outdoor training sessions for individual players starting Wednesday. The Sounders cannot because Gov. Jay Inslee extended the state’s order through May 31. "We’re trying to think of fun ways to get to interact with each other but not interact with each other,” coach Brian Schmetzer said




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Lives Remembered: Meet some of the people Washington state has lost to the coronavirus pandemic


We often hear about the impact of the pandemic in terms of numbers: This many cases, that many deaths. But each data point represents a human life whose loss is felt by countless other people. If we are to truly understand the toll this virus is taking, their stories need to be front and center.




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Study: WeChat content outside China used for censorship


BOSTON (AP) — Documents and images shared by users outside China on WeChat, the country’s most popular social media platform, are being monitored and cataloged for use in political censorship in China, a new report says. Citizen Lab, the University of Toronto online watchdog, says in Thursday’s report that WeChat users outside of China are […]




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Study: WeChat content outside China used for censorship


BOSTON (AP) — Documents and images shared by users outside China on WeChat, the country’s most popular social media platform, are being monitored and cataloged for use in political censorship in China, a new report says. Citizen Lab, the University of Toronto online watchdog, says in Thursday’s report that WeChat users outside of China are […]




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How do I change what software handles my picture files?


Patrick Marshall answers your personal technology questions. This week's topics include changing the default program for images and photo editing software, trouble with colors on a LG GRAM and updating to Windows 10 and security software.




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Inslee allows some construction projects to reopen with safety rules to protect against the coronavirus


Inslee's 30-point plan calls for keeping workers 6 feet apart at all times and making sure contractors provide protective equipment like masks, gloves and goggles, if needed.




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Reaction mixed to Inslee’s order to allow some construction work amid coronavirus pandemic


Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Friday he will allow the return of some work on building projects in progress that were halted by his stay-at-home order issued on March 23.