Rob Smith

Their Spirits Were Not Broken

Their Spirits Were Not Broken

Ballard’s only distillery finally opens after years of setbacks

Covid caused multiple delays in the fabrication of their stills in Germany. A 140-day concrete workers strike created more chaos during build-out, as did city permitting issues. Much of their equipment burned to the ground in a Kent warehouse fire…

Rob Smith

Washington’s Woeful Gender-Pay Gap

Washington’s Woeful Gender-Pay Gap

Women across the state earn significantly less than men

Women across the state made $18,4000 less in average wages than men in 2022. New research from the National Partnership for Women and Families found that only Utah has a larger discrepancy, at $20,649.

Rob Smith

The Upside of Downtown Seattle

The Upside of Downtown Seattle

Activity is up, crime is down, people are returning

More than 106,000 residents now call downtown Seattle home. Thirty-one construction projects are underway. More than 3.5 million out-of-town visitors spent time in the city’s core last summer, a post-pandemic high.

Rob Smith

Seattle’s Neighborhoods: Creating Purpose and Place

Seattle’s Neighborhoods: Creating Purpose and Place

The March/April issue, out now, highlights why the city is such a special place

In more than three decades as a journalist, I’ve never yelled “stop the press.” But I will say “hot off the press,” which leads me to the new issue of Seattle magazine.

Illustration by Martin Haake

Rob Smith

Movers & Shakers

Movers & Shakers

Profiling the people who shaped Seattle

Back in April 1968, Seattle magazine published a feature similar to our Most Influential issue, focusing on those who “truly call the shots.”

Rob Smith

Women Making History Month

Women Making History Month

Grace Yoo seeks to reshape the Washington Women’s Commission

“Ultimately, I see our agency positioning Washington to lead the way nationally on innovative, practical policy that improves the lives of everyday women,” Grace Yoo says. 

Rob Smith

This Neighborhood is the ‘Friendliest’ in America

This Neighborhood is the ‘Friendliest’ in America

And it’s right here in Seattle

A few years ago, I was in Cooperstown, N.Y., because my son was playing in a weeklong baseball tournament. I asked one of the park workers which state had the friendliest people…

Rob Smith

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

New study pinpoints visitors, dollars in Washington state

A study for the Pacific Whale Watch Association by Martin Associates finds that whale watching expeditions in Washington state create $119.1 million in economic value and support 1,125 jobs…

Rob Smith

All You Need is Love, And Lots of Cash

All You Need is Love, And Lots of Cash

How much are Washington residents willing to spend on engagement rings?

If you’re in love and anything like the “average” Washington resident, it’s going to cost you…

Rob Smith

Most Influential, Sports, Equity, Activism: Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe

Most Influential, Sports, Equity, Activism: Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe

Athletes, activists

Though Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird both retired last year, chances are you’ll hear from them more often than ever…

Photo by Beau Grealy / Trunk Archive

Rob Smith

Puppies, Pizza, and Parlays

Puppies, Pizza, and Parlays

Lots to take in this Super Bowl weekend

A study by pet nutrition experts at PetLab analyzed Google data on more than 200 American Kennel Club dog breeds and also found that 38 states overall favor the Golden Retriever.

Rob Smith

Don’t Double-Dip During Sunday’s Super Bowl

Don’t Double-Dip During Sunday’s Super Bowl

Washington state’s favorite snack food is…

Who doesn’t like a seven-layer dip?

Rob Smith

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