"Mayoral Race Update, Sonics Legend Remembered, and Community Events Galore - Seattle Local Pulse"

Good morning, this is Seattle Local Pulse for Thursday, November 13. We’re beginning today with what everyone’s talking about – the mayoral race. After a nail-biting week of ballot counting, Katie Wilson has now taken a slim but solid lead over incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell. With just under 2,000 votes separating them and most ballots counted, Wilson is being projected as our next mayor by King County Elections and major local outlets. Her campaign has focused on affordable housing, transportation, and social services, promising a progressive shift in city leadership. Both campaigns have encouraged voters, especially younger folks, to resolve any ballot issues quickly. Mayor Harrell is scheduled to address us today at noon, so all eyes will be on city hall for any final remarks. Big news beyond politics as well, with Lenny Wilkens, legendary Seattle SuperSonics coach and player, passing away at 88. Across local sports, the high school football playoffs saw Rainier Beach pull off a tense win last night at Memorial Stadium, while Garfield’s soccer team advanced to the state finals after a hard-fought match. Local schools are also celebrating Garfield High’s debate team, who just won the top spot in last weekend’s regional tournament. If you’re heading out, the weather is taking center stage again. Rain is already falling this morning and will continue throughout the day, with overcast skies and temperatures steady in the mid-to-high 50s. Expect soggy sidewalks and possible slick roads along Aurora Avenue and Rainier. If you were hoping to catch the northern lights tonight, the cloud cover may block the view for much of our area, so it’s umbrellas rather than sky-gazing for now. In real estate, Zillow reports Seattle median home prices have held mostly steady over the past month, just under $790,000, and the rental market is cooling a bit with some new apartment buildings opening up in Ballard and Capitol Hill. On the jobs front, Amazon lists more than 500 new positions in the Seattle area this week, ranging from warehouse roles in South Lake Union to tech jobs downtown. Turning to community events, don’t miss the Westlake Park renovation, currently underway and creating a buzz on Pine Street. The improved play area and new landscaping should be ready in time for holiday markets starting next week. This Friday, the Market to MOHAI walk kicks off at Pike Place at 9 a.m., and the Seattle Jazz Festival continues through Sunday with shows at smaller venues like the Tractor Tavern and Vera Project. For business updates, Rad Power Bikes is facing a permanent closure at their SODO location, while several new cafes have popped up near Green Lake and Queen Anne, bringing more choices for morning coffee. Crime-wise, Seattle PD responded to a burglary on 45th Street in Wallingford late last night, promptly arresting one suspect without incident. Public safety alerts remain active for an uptick in car break-ins around Northgate and parking lots downtown. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.