Seattle Saturday: Women's March, Tech Boom, and Lego Triumph

Good morning, this is Seattle Local Pulse for March 15, 2025. We're waking up to a chilly but clear Saturday morning here in Seattle. Bundle up if you're heading out early, but expect temperatures to warm up to the mid-50s by afternoon. Perfect weather for the International Women's Day march happening downtown today. Speaking of which, thousands are expected to gather at Westlake Park at noon for the annual rally. This year's theme is "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality." Organizers are calling on everyone to actively support and uplift women in all spheres of life. Expect some traffic delays around Pine Street and 4th Avenue during the event. In transportation news, heads up if you're planning to use I-5 today. The express lanes between downtown and Northgate Way will be closed until 4 PM for maintenance work. The I-5 mainline will remain open in both directions, but expect some congestion. On the job front, Seattle's tech scene continues to evolve. AI and machine learning roles are seeing huge growth, with job postings up 63% compared to last year. The average salary for data scientists has hit $122,000, while software developers are earning about $135,000 on average. If you're in tech or looking to switch careers, now might be a good time to brush up on those AI skills. In real estate, a major shakeup is coming. Mortgage lender Rocket Companies announced plans to acquire Seattle-based Redfin in a deal valued at $1.75 billion. This could have big implications for the local housing market, so keep an eye on this story as it develops. Now for some quick sports updates. The Seahawks made a splash in free agency, signing quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100 million deal. Fans are divided on this move, but it looks like Darnold will be our starter come September. In community news, a local group is empowering youth to tackle both climate change and mental health issues. They're hosting workshops this weekend at the Beacon Hill Community Center, teaching teens how to advocate for environmental policies while also providing mental health resources. On the crime front, police are investigating a shooting that occurred in downtown Seattle last night. Two people were injured in the incident, which took place near a nightclub on South Washington Street. If you have any information, please contact the Seattle Police Department. Ending on a positive note, five-year-old Mia Chen from Maple Elementary set a new Lego world record yesterday, using over 42,000 bricks to create a massive replica of the Space Needle. Way to go, Mia! This has been Seattle Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.