Melissa Santos
@melissajsantos.bsky.social
Reporter at Axios Seattle, with a focus on Washington state and local politics. (But also doughnuts). Formerly a state politics reporter for Cascade PBS and The News Tribune in Tacoma.
Pinned
Washington's child welfare agency faces racial bias allegations
The agency's equity director resigned and 5 others raised concerns about treatment of employees of color.
www.axios.com
DCYF's former equity director says she "personally witnessed" DCYF secretary Tana Senn "exhibit racist and discriminatory actions against Black women" on "more than one occasion."
5 others said they'd also witnessed differential treatment by Senn. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
5 others said they'd also witnessed differential treatment by Senn. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
6 people told Axios they've seen WA Department of Children, Youth and Families secretary Tana Senn treat employees of color differently than white employees.
One of those people, DCYF's former equity director Patricia Colemon, quit last week, citing "discriminatory and biased leadership" #waleg
One of those people, DCYF's former equity director Patricia Colemon, quit last week, citing "discriminatory and biased leadership" #waleg
September 16, 2026 at 3:26 PM
6 people told Axios they've seen WA Department of Children, Youth and Families secretary Tana Senn treat employees of color differently than white employees.
One of those people, DCYF's former equity director Patricia Colemon, quit last week, citing "discriminatory and biased leadership" #waleg
One of those people, DCYF's former equity director Patricia Colemon, quit last week, citing "discriminatory and biased leadership" #waleg
DCYF's former equity director says she "personally witnessed" DCYF secretary Tana Senn "exhibit racist and discriminatory actions against Black women" on "more than one occasion."
5 others said they'd also witnessed differential treatment by Senn. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
5 others said they'd also witnessed differential treatment by Senn. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Washington's child welfare agency faces racial bias allegations
The agency's equity director resigned and 5 others raised concerns about treatment of employees of color.
www.axios.com
September 16, 2026 at 3:07 PM
DCYF's former equity director says she "personally witnessed" DCYF secretary Tana Senn "exhibit racist and discriminatory actions against Black women" on "more than one occasion."
5 others said they'd also witnessed differential treatment by Senn. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
5 others said they'd also witnessed differential treatment by Senn. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
I am beyond amused that this is the backpack my 6-year-old chose for the first day of school
September 2, 2026 at 3:55 PM
I am beyond amused that this is the backpack my 6-year-old chose for the first day of school
"Given the size of the error, we believe we need to publicly acknowledge and take responsibility for it," an Ecology official wrote Dec. 20, asking for approval to send a news release Dec. 22.
The correction didn't go out until Jan. 6, after a conservative critic blogged about the error. #waleg
The correction didn't go out until Jan. 6, after a conservative critic blogged about the error. #waleg
Washington state officials wanted to correct a glaring error in a climate data report on Dec. 22.
Gov. Bob Ferguson's office did not give them permission to do so, leaving the inaccurate data out there for weeks, emails reviewed by Axios show.
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Gov. Bob Ferguson's office did not give them permission to do so, leaving the inaccurate data out there for weeks, emails reviewed by Axios show.
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Ferguson's office delayed climate data correction for weeks
Inflated claims about the state's cap-and-trade program lingered even after officials caught the error.
www.axios.com
August 13, 2026 at 4:52 PM
"Given the size of the error, we believe we need to publicly acknowledge and take responsibility for it," an Ecology official wrote Dec. 20, asking for approval to send a news release Dec. 22.
The correction didn't go out until Jan. 6, after a conservative critic blogged about the error. #waleg
The correction didn't go out until Jan. 6, after a conservative critic blogged about the error. #waleg
Washington state officials wanted to correct a glaring error in a climate data report on Dec. 22.
Gov. Bob Ferguson's office did not give them permission to do so, leaving the inaccurate data out there for weeks, emails reviewed by Axios show.
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Gov. Bob Ferguson's office did not give them permission to do so, leaving the inaccurate data out there for weeks, emails reviewed by Axios show.
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Ferguson's office delayed climate data correction for weeks
Inflated claims about the state's cap-and-trade program lingered even after officials caught the error.
www.axios.com
August 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Washington state officials wanted to correct a glaring error in a climate data report on Dec. 22.
Gov. Bob Ferguson's office did not give them permission to do so, leaving the inaccurate data out there for weeks, emails reviewed by Axios show.
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Gov. Bob Ferguson's office did not give them permission to do so, leaving the inaccurate data out there for weeks, emails reviewed by Axios show.
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
The Space Needle bought the Boeing IMAX Theater and no longer shows Hollywood blockbusters there. That means Seattleites now have to go to British Columbia or California for a full-height IMAX screening of "The Odyssey." www.axios.com/local/seattl...
You'll have to leave Washington to see "The Odyssey" in full-size IMAX
The former Boeing IMAX Theater no longer shows Hollywood movies, sending fans out of state for the experience.
www.axios.com
July 24, 2026 at 4:56 PM
The Space Needle bought the Boeing IMAX Theater and no longer shows Hollywood blockbusters there. That means Seattleites now have to go to British Columbia or California for a full-height IMAX screening of "The Odyssey." www.axios.com/local/seattl...
"...I'll tell you what I think Jimothy is: a short king," Jon Stewart said on "The Daily Show" Monday night.
x.com/jackduval/st...
x.com/jackduval/st...
July 21, 2026 at 4:38 PM
"...I'll tell you what I think Jimothy is: a short king," Jon Stewart said on "The Daily Show" Monday night.
x.com/jackduval/st...
x.com/jackduval/st...
My new theory on why we millennials mistakenly think we look so young is our eyes are going bad and we refuse to get reading glasses
July 14, 2026 at 5:40 AM
My new theory on why we millennials mistakenly think we look so young is our eyes are going bad and we refuse to get reading glasses
The automatic increases help lawmakers avoid potentially unpopular votes on big gas tax hikes. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Washington's gas tax just went up — and it'll keep rising every year
The first automatic increase took effect July 1, with 2% annual increases now built into state law.
www.axios.com
July 8, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The automatic increases help lawmakers avoid potentially unpopular votes on big gas tax hikes. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
Cool cool
(via @washingtonstatestandard.com)
(via @washingtonstatestandard.com)
July 5, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Cool cool
(via @washingtonstatestandard.com)
(via @washingtonstatestandard.com)
Every U.S. state contributed items to a time capsule marking America's 250th anniversary.
Arkansas sent a diamond. California sent a fusion superconductor. We sent ... a couple of documents.
Arkansas sent a diamond. California sent a fusion superconductor. We sent ... a couple of documents.
What Washington should've put in America's 250th anniversary time capsule
Washington sent paperwork. We'd have packed a geoduck, a Dick's bag and other local icons.
www.axios.com
June 30, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Every U.S. state contributed items to a time capsule marking America's 250th anniversary.
Arkansas sent a diamond. California sent a fusion superconductor. We sent ... a couple of documents.
Arkansas sent a diamond. California sent a fusion superconductor. We sent ... a couple of documents.
Expanded alcohol service zones at World Cup fan events and Pike Place Market are temporary for now. But they may lead to a longer-term relaxation of the state's liquor laws. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Seattle's World Cup drinking experiment may outlast the tournament
New alcohol rules at fan zones and Pike Place may help reshape outdoor drinking across Washington.
www.axios.com
June 28, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Expanded alcohol service zones at World Cup fan events and Pike Place Market are temporary for now. But they may lead to a longer-term relaxation of the state's liquor laws. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Yes, Seattle's light rail ridership was No. 1 in the country in April.
When you compare Seattle to other urbanized areas with heavy-rail subway systems, our April ridership came in 8th nationwide.
When you compare Seattle to other urbanized areas with heavy-rail subway systems, our April ridership came in 8th nationwide.
June 10, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Yes, Seattle's light rail ridership was No. 1 in the country in April.
When you compare Seattle to other urbanized areas with heavy-rail subway systems, our April ridership came in 8th nationwide.
When you compare Seattle to other urbanized areas with heavy-rail subway systems, our April ridership came in 8th nationwide.
Last chance to vote in our Seattle banh mi bracket: Q Bakery and Saigon Deli are duking it out for the championship. Voting closes at 2pm www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?
We're down to two finalists as we seek to crown the best Vietnamese sandwich shop in the area.
www.axios.com
June 10, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Last chance to vote in our Seattle banh mi bracket: Q Bakery and Saigon Deli are duking it out for the championship. Voting closes at 2pm www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Not a single light rail line that Puget Sound voters approved in 2016 is on track to open on time.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Every major Sound Transit 3 rail project is now running late
The package voters approved in 2016 promised completion by 2041. The timeline now stretches to 2052.
www.axios.com
June 9, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Not a single light rail line that Puget Sound voters approved in 2016 is on track to open on time.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
90 minutes left to vote in the Final Four of our Seattle banh mi bracket. It's Saigon Deli vs. Tammy's Bakery and Chu Minh Tofu vs Q Bakery duking it out. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?
Cast your vote as Vietnamese sandwich shops from across the region compete in our bracket.
www.axios.com
June 8, 2026 at 7:24 PM
90 minutes left to vote in the Final Four of our Seattle banh mi bracket. It's Saigon Deli vs. Tammy's Bakery and Chu Minh Tofu vs Q Bakery duking it out. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
The intersection where a Seattle teacher died in a bicycle crash this week has long been identified as dangerous for cyclists — yet more ambitious plans to improve bike safety there were shelved years ago.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Seattle teacher killed where bike safety upgrades were scaled back
Officials once planned protected bike lanes near 12th and Yesler before scaling back the project.
www.axios.com
June 5, 2026 at 3:42 PM
The intersection where a Seattle teacher died in a bicycle crash this week has long been identified as dangerous for cyclists — yet more ambitious plans to improve bike safety there were shelved years ago.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Reposted by Melissa Santos
Important research
We're down to the top 8 in our quest to find Seattle's favorite banh mi. Vote here by 2pm tomorrow to help us determine the Final Four: www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?
Cast your vote as Vietnamese sandwich shops from across the region compete in our bracket.
www.axios.com
June 3, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Important research
We're down to the top 8 in our quest to find Seattle's favorite banh mi. Vote here by 2pm tomorrow to help us determine the Final Four: www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?
Cast your vote as Vietnamese sandwich shops from across the region compete in our bracket.
www.axios.com
June 3, 2026 at 3:33 PM
We're down to the top 8 in our quest to find Seattle's favorite banh mi. Vote here by 2pm tomorrow to help us determine the Final Four: www.axios.com/local/seattl...
The most scientific system for ranking banh mi sandwiches in the Seattle area www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?
Cast your vote as Vietnamese sandwich shops from across the region compete in our bracket.
www.axios.com
June 1, 2026 at 4:34 PM
The most scientific system for ranking banh mi sandwiches in the Seattle area www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Vote in our Seattle-area banh mi bracket! First-round voting runs through 2pm tomorrow. It takes only about 1 minute so vote now to try to get your favorite shop through the first round www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Who has the Seattle area's best bánh mì?
Cast your vote as Vietnamese sandwich shops from across the region compete in our bracket.
www.axios.com
June 1, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Vote in our Seattle-area banh mi bracket! First-round voting runs through 2pm tomorrow. It takes only about 1 minute so vote now to try to get your favorite shop through the first round www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Sound Transit's board voted yesterday to postpone plans to build light rail to Ballard — part of an effort to address a $35 billion budget shortfall. Plans to extend light rail to Tacoma, Everett and West Seattle are still moving ahead.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Ballard light rail pushed back as Sound Transit tackles funding crunch
A revised plan keeps West Seattle, Tacoma and Everett extensions moving without fully funding Ballard.
www.axios.com
May 29, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Sound Transit's board voted yesterday to postpone plans to build light rail to Ballard — part of an effort to address a $35 billion budget shortfall. Plans to extend light rail to Tacoma, Everett and West Seattle are still moving ahead.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
For some reason no one wants to say plainly what just happened at the Sound Transit board meeting. They delayed building light rail to Ballard.
It's not currently deemed affordable in the plan they approved, which only includes construction to Seattle Center. Working on a fix doesn't change that
It's not currently deemed affordable in the plan they approved, which only includes construction to Seattle Center. Working on a fix doesn't change that
May 29, 2026 at 5:59 AM
For some reason no one wants to say plainly what just happened at the Sound Transit board meeting. They delayed building light rail to Ballard.
It's not currently deemed affordable in the plan they approved, which only includes construction to Seattle Center. Working on a fix doesn't change that
It's not currently deemed affordable in the plan they approved, which only includes construction to Seattle Center. Working on a fix doesn't change that
We're searching for the best banh mi in Seattle. Ideally, we'll have the top 16 picks face off in a bracket. But I need your suggestions!
Got a favorite local banh mi spot? let me know - reply here or email me at [email protected]. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Got a favorite local banh mi spot? let me know - reply here or email me at [email protected]. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Help us find Seattle's best bánh mì
We're building a Seattle bánh mì bracket. Send us your favorite spot to include in the vote.
www.axios.com
May 21, 2026 at 5:14 PM
We're searching for the best banh mi in Seattle. Ideally, we'll have the top 16 picks face off in a bracket. But I need your suggestions!
Got a favorite local banh mi spot? let me know - reply here or email me at [email protected]. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Got a favorite local banh mi spot? let me know - reply here or email me at [email protected]. www.axios.com/local/seattl...