Seattle

Seattle – September 17, 2026 -- Seattle Children's has secured a spot on U.S. News & World Report's Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll for the third consecutive year, a recognition given to only 10 hospitals nationwide.

The hospital ranked No. 1 in Washington state and tied for No. 1 in the Pacific region, which covers Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

Four specialties crack the national top 10

Seattle Children's ranked in every specialty category evaluated by U.S. News. Four of those specialties -- Cancer, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Nephrology, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery -- placed among the top 10 in the country.

Seattle – September 16, 2026 -- Tineco closed out IFA 2026 with a string of awards for three new floor care products, covering steam cleaning, wet-dry washing and cordless vacuuming.

The FLOOR ONE S11 Artist Fusion Steam, FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Boost Steam and PURE ONE STATION 7 ZeroTouch each received the Gadgety Award Best of Showstopper IFA 2026.

The FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Boost Steam heats water to 230°C in seconds

The S9 Artist Boost Steam also won the Global Product Technology Innovation Awards 2026 Indoor Cleaning Technology Gold Award, plus recognition from Smarthome Assistant and a Tech Star 2026 honor from GameStar Tech. Its BoostSteam technology reaches 230°C, producing steam in 20 seconds on first use and as fast as five seconds afterward. The device pairs high-temperature steam with Tineco's intelligent floor-washing system in one machine.

Seattle – September 15, 2026 -- Holland America Line is moving up the renovation of its Oosterdam ship by five weeks, adding five new voyages after strong demand for cruises aboard the newly reimagined vessel.

Oosterdam's first post-renovation cruise now departs October 31, 2027

The ship will undergo its Holland America Evolution transformation in Marseille, France, returning to service with a 10-day voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Trieste, Italy. Guests on that sailing will visit Italy, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia.

Because the dry dock start date moved earlier, several previously scheduled voyages between September 11, 2027, and December 9, 2027, have been canceled. Affected guests and travel advisors are being contacted directly about rebooking options.

Seattle – September 11, 2026 -- REI Co-op is donating $1 million to organizations that maintain America's National Scenic and Historic Trails, and shoppers get a say in how some of the money is spent.

Members and customers can vote online or in stores through October 2

From September 8 to October 2, REI members, customers and employees can vote in stores or online to help direct a portion of the funding to eligible nonprofit trail organizations. The donation, tied to National Public Lands Day on September 26, supports groups caring for more than 60,600 miles of trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail.

Tacoma – September 11, 2026 -- Best Heat & Air has introduced guaranteed service timelines and NATE-certified technician standards for homeowners across Pierce, King, and Thurston counties in Washington State.

The HVAC provider restructured its regional logistics and technician dispatch protocols to meet rising demand for heating and cooling repairs during extreme weather. The changes cover residents from North Seattle to Tacoma and Olympia.

Priority Dispatching Targets Faster Emergency Response

The company says its new dispatch system is designed to minimize downtime during summer heatwaves and winter freezes by prioritizing emergency calls.

Whidbey Island, Wash. – September 09, 2026 -- Vacation home buyers are increasingly drawn to Whidbey Island, Washington, for its mix of seclusion and easy access to major cities, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Pamela Z. Hill of Whidbey View Homes Inc.

The island balances remoteness with practical access to Seattle and Everett

The Deception Pass Bridge and regional ferry routes connect Whidbey Island to surrounding communities, letting buyers reach Seattle and Everett without giving up the feel of island living, the article notes.

Waterfront views and forests give the island year-round scenic variety

The article points to waterfront views, forests, beaches, farmland, and mountain scenery as major draws, noting that the landscapes stay attractive across all seasons while offering different settings depending on buyer preferences.

SEATTLE -- September 01, 2026 -- More than 78,000 renters had their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus through Zillow in July, the highest single-month total since the company launched its free rent reporting program in 2024. That figure is up 26% from a year earlier.