Brady Wakayama

The milestone surpassed the previous high of $122 million set in July 2023, when Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week and two Taylor Swift concerts drew visitors. SEATTLE — Downtown Seattle hotels capped a record-breaking July, but operators warn that behind the surge in business, they continue to face steep operational challenges. Hotels citywide generated more than $126 million in revenue in July — the highest monthly total on record, according to Visit Seattle. Downtown properties sold nearly 420,000 rooms with an occupancy rate of 89%. “July was a record-breaking month for us,” said Michael Woody, chief strategy officer for Visit Seattle. “To see it starting to move in the right direction is so important.” The milestone surpassed the previous high of $122 million set in July 2023, when Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week and two Taylor Swift concerts drew visitors. This year’s numbers were fueled by more than 20 sporting events, eight concerts, 50-plus cruise ship sailings and other large gatherings. “We really had a great opportunity to welcome a lot of people here to Seattle to enjoy the things that make this place special,” Woody said. For longtime hoteliers, the strong season is encouraging but complicated. “We’re all grateful that we have so much business in the city right now,” said Craig Schafer, owner of Hotel Ändra, who has run Seattle properties for more than 25 years. “There was a time when we didn’t feel like that was going to happen.” But Schafer said record revenues mask the challenges of rising costs, staffing shortages, and a drop in international travel. “Most people would say, hey, you’re busy, you have records. Again, love it, but it’s a very challenging environment,” he said. Visit Seattle noted the strong summer was expected, given the seasonal spike. “We celebrate the records set while acknowledging operating challenges impacting the hospitality community nationwide,” the organization said in a statement to KING 5. Those challenges echo broader concerns raised by the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. CEO Mark Everton said in June that King County hotels have sold about 65% of their rooms this year at an average daily rate of $167, with both figures slightly down from a year ago. “In the case of some of the San Francisco Bay Area’s largest hotels, they’ve either closed or handed their keys back to their lenders simply because they can’t afford to refinance,” Everton said. “King County hotels may be facing some similar situation in the near future.” Visit Seattle told KING 5 that they're unaware of any imminent closures. Despite the busy cruise season and strong passenger traffic at Sea-Tac Airport, Everton said forecasts point to “minimal growth in occupancy” while operating costs and inflation continue to weigh on the industry. “Operating costs continue to grow and with inflation and low international travel, hotels are going struggle,” he said Wednesday.

Officers first stopped the 27-year-old around 3 a.m. Aug. 17 in North Bend after spotting erratic driving, and again seven days later, police said. SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — A Snoqualmie man was arrested twice in the same week on suspicion of driving under the influence, in nearly the same spot, according to police. Officers first stopped the 27-year-old around 3 a.m. Aug. 17 in North Bend after spotting erratic driving, police said. He was allegedly impaired and driving without a license and was booked into the Issaquah Jail. Seven days later, Snoqualmie police said they pulled the same man over less than a mile from the initial arrest site. Tests showed his blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit. He was booked into jail a second time, now facing another DUI charge. “It’s just shocking,” Snoqualmie police spokesperson Melinda Black said. “We haven’t seen anything like this, at least that I can recall … the same town, the same driver, nearly the same spot.” Black said Snoqualmie and North Bend police average about 50 DUI arrests a year. Over Labor Day weekend, only one DUI was reported citywide — none during the same weekend last year. “We don’t need a holiday to be looking for DUIs. It’s something we are constantly monitoring for,” Black said. “As a law enforcement agency, one of the greatest impacts we can have on public safety is removing impaired drivers from the road and potentially saving lives.” As of Tuesday afternoon, it was unclear why the man was released after his first arrest. He remains in custody facing two DUI charges. No injuries were reported in either incident. “I hope that he’s learned from these experiences and that he can understand that he’s not only putting himself in danger but he’s putting others at risk too,” Black said. “Hopefully this will help him to not do it anymore.”

Seattle Central College hosted a Labor Day protest, advocating for workers' rights and social justice under the 'Workers over Billionaires' initiative. SEATTLE — While many spent Labor Day enjoying time off, hundreds of people gathered at Seattle Central College on Monday to raise their voices for workers’ rights and social justice as part of a nationwide protest dubbed “Workers over Billionaires." The local event was organized by Capitol Hill Pride, a nonprofit group that advocates for diversity and community support. Director Charlette Lefevre said the gathering highlighted solidarity with unions, working families and marginalized groups. “I can’t think of a better place to be, supporting our laborers, unions, our working families,” LeFevre said. After rallying on campus, participants marched about half a mile to the Mexican Consulate before returning to the college. Organizers called on government leaders to stop targeting vulnerable communities and to focus resources on strengthening neighborhoods instead of funding wars. "We get to show the community that may not be able to even come out or are fearful in public, that there are neighbors, there are neighbors and there are friends who want to stand up and support," said LeFevre. The demonstration drew support from Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, who told attendees that his office is committed to protecting civil rights, health care and the integrity of transgender communities. "We're fighting for things like civil rights, health care, for the sanctity and identity and integrity for people who are transgendered. We are also fighting to protect money that was guaranteed to the state of Washington." Since taking office eight months ago, Brown has filed 37 lawsuits against the Trump administration. From what the KING 5 crew saw, the four-hour demonstration remained peaceful. Organizers emphasized that community action — no matter how small — can create meaningful change. “The smallest sign and even the smallest individual effort can have a huge impact,” LeFevre said.