Seattle News Update: Tech Boom, Affordable Housing, and Community Trivia

Good morning, this is Seattle Local Pulse for Sunday, January 12, 2025. We start with some good news: a missing 12-year-old boy who was last seen on Capitol Hill has been located safely. The Seattle Police Department had been searching for Elijah since late Tuesday night after he was reported missing in the 1600 block of 12th Avenue near the East Precinct. Thankfully, he has been found, and we're glad to see this situation resolved positively. Moving on to our job market snapshot, Seattle's tech scene is booming in 2025, with a focus on AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity roles. Data scientists are leading the pack with a 48% growth rate, followed closely by cybersecurity analysts at 42%. Major employers like Amazon and Microsoft are expanding their operations, with Amazon alone having over 6,000 positions open in Seattle, including roles in software development, product management, and data science. The average tech salary in Seattle is around $148,000, making it an attractive destination for tech professionals. In real estate news, home and mortgage prices in Seattle are up, but so is inventory. The growing number of available houses is giving would-be buyers more options, though they still face steep upfront costs. The median home price in Seattle is around $850,000, with weekly inventory levels showing a slight increase. From City Hall, there are discussions about changing regular school hours in Seattle Public Schools. The city is also investing heavily in affordable housing and public safety, with a historic investment included in the latest budget. Looking at the weather, we're expecting a significant change today. After a warm Thursday that saw temperatures reach 70 degrees, we're now expecting snow flurries on Sunday morning. A potent storm system is set to hit the Seattle area on Monday, bringing windy conditions, high surf, and heavy rain. Make sure to check the latest forecasts before planning your day. In new business activity, the Space Needle is celebrating an anniversary with a contest to paint its roof using Galaxy Gold. On the other side of town, the Pioneer Square walkability project has been completed, boosting downtown and waterfront access. For upcoming community events, don't miss the 'super flower blood moon' visible in Seattle on Sunday. If you're a fan of trivia nights, there are several events happening around the city this week. In local sports, the Seahawks are reflecting on their season after missing the playoffs, drawing mixed reactions from fans. On a brighter note, Bellevue native Drew Fowler bid farewell to UW football with a heartfelt post. For our feel-good community story, Everett firefighters are aiming to raise $100,000 for leukemia research ahead of the LLS stairclimb. Finally, in today's crime report, a suspect in the stabbing murder of a Metro bus driver is expected in court. There have also been reports of racist vandalism at a middle school on Mercer Island, which local leaders have condemn This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.