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  • West Seattle Link light rail project balloons by billions of dollars

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    WEST SEATTLE – The West Seattle Link project could be getting a makeover in the name of cost savings. Sound Transit officials say labor, materials and infrastructure in the original estimate have ballooned by billions of dollars.

    On Monday night, Sound Transit officials talked to the West Seattle community about how they plan to cut costs for the West Seattle Link project.

    One of those is to eliminate the proposed Avalon Station altogether. That could stop the acquisition of some homes and other properties in the area. 

    Erin Rubin spoke at Monday’s forum. She owns Mode Music, a business that sits in the path of the future West Seattle Link light rail project.

    She’s been pushing for more funding to be able to move the business after learning that it would have to be demolished to make way for the rail line.

    To her relief, this spring, a law was passed at the state level that increased the funding for the reimbursement cap. She says there’s still a long way to go, and it will likely cost more than that to move an entire business due to inflation and other increased costs.

    Businesses that need relocation aren’t the only ones facing rising expenses. The West Seattle Link extension project itself has jumped in price. So much so, Sound Transit dedicated a team to look into cost savings. 

    “I was really excited that Sound Transit is so proactively looking at ways to speed things up and reduce the costs,” said Jess Zimbabwe, West Seattle resident.

    By the numbers:

    Brad Owen, executive director of capital delivery at Sound Transit, says the initial finance plan was initially forecast at $4.2 billion. The current cost estimate is at more than $7 billion.   

    Owen says costs have escalated since COVID, and construction costs and tariffs have driven them higher.  

    Some of the ideas the team came up with to save money on the West Seattle Link project include eliminating a third-mile of temporary tracks, called shoofly track. Those tracks, according to project directors, enable train service while the station and permanent tracks are under construction. By reducing the amount of temporary track, it improves costs by reducing the need for property extensions.

    Another idea included using modular construction for some aspects of the project. Owen said that means some materials would be constructed off-site and then trucked into the locations where they will be fully assembled.

    West Seattle Link project proposed cost cutting measures

    Other cost-saving measures proposed Monday night included using a simplified, less costly bridge design, and eliminating the Avalon Station, which Owen says will save on the acquisition of properties and construction costs.

    “You saw a lot of the opportunities that we showed you to potentially reduce the property we have to take,” Owen said. 

    “Overall, we don’t see much of a ridership drop in eliminating the Avalon Station,” said Jason Hampton, Commercial Director for the West Seattle Link Extension. 

    Officials said Monday night after reassessing, it’s now possible the West Seattle Health Club and swimming pool could be spared from demolition, but that is still up in the air.

    Owen said the Sound Transit Board will be looking over the issue of cost savings over the next 5–6 months, and staff will be updating the public on progress during construction meetings.

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    To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story came from Sound Transit and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.

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  • Oregon’s governor declares emergency to ensure state gets enough fuel after pipeline leak

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    Oregon’s governor declared a state of emergency Monday to ensure that enough fuel arrives to the state while the Olympic Pipeline, which supplies more than 90% of the state’s fuel, remains shut down due to a leak ahead of Thanksgiving travel.

    Gov. Tina Kotek’s declaration is intended to keep enough fuel arriving to the state by ships and trucks partly by waiving certain regulations on how long commercial drivers hauling fuel can operate, according to the governor’s order.

    Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek

    FILE – Democratic Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks at a news conference in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 27, 2025, after Republican President Donald Trump said he would send troops to the city. (AP Photo/Claire Rush, File)

    The BP petrochemical pipeline runs from Washington into Oregon and has been shut down for a week following the first report of a leak and intermittent shutoffs earlier this month.

    BP crews have excavated 200 feet (60 meters) of the 400-mile-long (644-kilometer-long) pipeline, working around the clock to discover the source of the leak that was reported outside Everett, Washington, the company said in a statement.

    Oregon officials said they did not expect a fuel shortage in the state or at Portland International Airport with the emergency measures but cautioned that drivers might see an uptick in prices because of the more costly delivery methods.

    In Washington, where Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a similar state of emergency last week, the shutdown is starting to slow some air travel in Seattle ahead of Thanksgiving.

    On Monday, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s largest carriers, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, acknowledged some delays caused by the fuel shortages. Meanwhile, fuel is being brought in by tanker trucks, and airlines are directing flights to show up with extra fuel or stop afterward to top up.

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    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story came from the Associated Press.

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  • Olympic Pipeline shutdown forces Seattle flights to make unexpected fuel stops

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    SEATTLE – With Tuesday projected to be the busiest travel day of the year, some Washington passengers are already facing detours and delays due to ongoing aviation fuel supply issues linked to a shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline.

    At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Alaska Airlines passengers Jeanette and Aly Huckins, traveling to Orlando, learned early Monday their flight would first stop in Pasco to refuel.

    “Today is different,” said Jeanette. “We were hoping to have a straight flight to Orlando to see our daughters and grandkids but now we have to stop in Pasco to fuel so we can get to Orlando.”

    The diversion is particularly stressful for Aly, traveling with her dog, Miles.

    “It’s just his first time flying so I’m a bit worried about the extended stay and no potty break,” she told FOX 13.

    Miles the Dog

    Despite the disruption, Jeanette said Alaska Airlines has handled communications well. 

    “They sent me a text just this morning saying they were stopping at PSC and I didn’t know where that was, so I looked it up and it said Pasco,” she said. “I knew about the pipeline so I thought, okay.”

    Similar diversion chatter has surfaced online, including a flight bound for Fort Myers that reportedly stopped in Pasco as well. Max Chandrasekaran shared a few hours prior to his departure Alaska notified him his flight was diverting to Bozeman. 

    “It was a rapid approach into Bozeman, descending 3,000 feet per minute,” explained Chandrasekaran. “Time was of the essence, and Horizon Air and McGee Air Services teams on the ground did a fantastic job of refueling us within 30 minutes. Nobody left the plane. Some people on the flight flew from BZN to SEA to connect to DCA from Seattle, only to fly back briefly to Bozeman!”

    What they’re saying:

    Aviation expert Scott Hamilton says passengers inconvenienced by the refueling issue might actually be better off stopping over in small airports.

    “So you land in Billings or Pasco, you’re at the terminal in a hurry, you’re filled up in a hurry and you can taxi out quickly,” explained Hamilton. “That’s why I hope the airlines would avoid these hub airports like the plague.”

    He warned the timing couldn’t be worse.

    “Tomorrow and Sunday are the busiest travel days of the year before and after Thanksgiving busier even than the Christmas holidays,” said Hamilton. “You’re going to be looking at the potential for a lot of disruption, a lot of delays. You just have to hope that people will be understanding and they will be patient.”

    Hamilton emphasized that the refueling challenges are beyond the control of the airlines. He pointed to a difficult year for the industry, with multiple IT issues and federal government shutdown impacts further straining operations.

    “This has been a tough year for the airlines and of course for the passengers,” he said.

    Pipeline Remains Shut Down

    East of Everett, crews are working around the clock to resolve the problem. BP reports the Olympic Pipeline remains shut down, with 200 feet of line excavated, but the source of the leak has yet to be identified.

    Olympic Pipeline leak near Everett

    “What the governor has done is he’s created an emergency order to allow truckers to drive longer on the highway to bring in by tank truck as much fuel as they can,” noted Hamilton.

    Along with Gov. Ferguson’s emergency actions, federal lawmakers are now getting involved.

    Senator Maria Cantwell released a statement calling on BP for transparency, saying:

    “The fact that a blueberry farmer, not BP, first identified the spill, and that it is still not known for certain which of the two pipelines is leaking, raises significant concerns about the capabilities of the Olympic Pipeline’s leak detection systems and the adequacy of your inspection and maintenance programs.”

    What’s next:

    Jeanette Huckins summed it up with a hopeful note as she prepared to travel Monday.

    “I’m just glad we’re leaving on Monday,” said Jeanette. “I would feel bad if it impacted anybody. I’m hoping they get it figured out.”

    Sea-Tac Airport officials emphasize that while the airport is the landlord and ensures refueling infrastructure is operational, it does not control airline fueling processes, flight operations, or security line management.

    Hamilton says flight crews are preparing to assist frustrated travelers even though the delays aren’t of their making.

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    The Source: Information in this story came from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BP, Senator Maria Cantwell, and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.

    Seattle-Tacoma International AirportSeattleNewsTravelAlaska Airlines

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  • Bellingham, WA police seek public’s help in 16-year-old cold case murder

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    BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Bellingham Police Department (BPD) is bringing a murder case back into the spotlight 16 years after it went cold and is asking for the public’s help.

    (Bellingham Police Department)

    The BPD posted the 2009 unsolved murder case of Bryan L. Marriott on social media Monday morning, noting that this month marks 16 years since his death. Detectives are still looking for any information that may lead to an arrest in the case. 

    The backstory:

    On Nov. 20, 2009, at around 11:11 p.m., 43-year-old Marriott was found shot to death next to his car on East Ivy at North Garden Street in Bellingham.

    Witnesses reported hearing an argument just before the shooting and seeing a dark-colored passenger car leaving the area.

    What they’re saying:

    “For the past 16 years, this case has remained open with little to no new information,” wrote the BPD on social media. “Detectives investigating the case hope someone seeing this post or watching the video will remember some details which will aid in solving the crime. Or, after all these years, the person involved may feel more willing to come forward and help provide answers and closure for Mr. Marriott’s family.”

    Link to video: City of Bellingham Cold Cases

    Anyone with information is asked to contact the BPD using the following methods:

    • Email: wee.cob.org/tips
    • Phone: 260-778-8611
    • Detective Kelsh: 360-778-8690

    The Source: Information in this story comes from the Bellingham Police Department.

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  • Pentagon investigating Arizona Senator Mark Kelly over video

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    article

    PHOENIX – The Associated Press is reporting that the Pentagon is investigating Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) for possibly breaching military law.

    The backstory:

    The investigation, according to the AP, came about after Sen. Kelly joined five other Democratic lawmakers in a video, where they told members of the military that they can “refuse illegal orders.”

    The clip, approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds long, includes various statements from veterans now serving in Congress speaking to the armed forces warning the Trump Administration “is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens.”

    “You can refuse illegal orders,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said in the video. “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law.”

    It ends with a military phrase saying, “don’t give up the ship.”

    In response to the video, President Donald Trump labeled the recording “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR” that’s “punishable by DEATH!”

    “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand – We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET. President DJT,” read a post made by President Trump on TruthSocial.

    What we know:

    The Pentagon’s statement, which was posted on social media on Monday, cited a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other measures. Kelly served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot before going on to become an astronaut. He retired at the rank of captain.

    “All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful.  A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order,” read a portion of the social media post.

    The statement did not mention specifically why Kelly is being investigated.

    The Source: Information for this article was gathered from previous FOX 10 news reports and from the Associated Press.

    NewsArizonaPoliticsDonald J. Trump

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  • White Center shooting leaves 1 person injured

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    The Brief

      • A person was injured in a shooting in White Center on Sunday afternoon. 
      • Deputies did not say what led up to the shooting but the investigation remains ongoing. 

    WHITE CENTER, Wash. – Deputies are investigating after one person was injured in a shooting Sunday afternoon in White Center.

    What we know:

    King County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of shots fired in the area of Southwest Roxbury Street and 15th Avenue Southwest shortly before 4 p.m.

    Investigators said the shooting happened at the RapidRide bus stop near the Bartell Drugs.

    When deputies arrived, they found a man who had suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

    Deputies worked to obtain surveillance footage and interview witnesses who may provide information about a suspect.

    A description of the suspect had not been released as of Sunday night. The investigation remains ongoing.

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    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story came from the King County Sheriff’s Office. 

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  • Man hospitalized by Tacoma pedestrian throwing brick into car

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    TACOMA, Wash. – A 64-year-old Puyallup man had to be hospitalized Saturday night after a pedestrian threw a brick into a passing car. The victim was the passenger, the 63-year-old female driver was uninjured. 

    Timeline:

    Just after 10 p.m. on Nov. 22, the Washington State Patrol report that the driver was heading south on I-705 just north of State Route 509 in Tacoma when a male pedestrian launched the brick at her and her passenger driving past him.

    The 38-year-old pedestrian was standing in the right shoulder of I-705 when the incident happened, according to WSP. The right lane of the roadway was blocked for about an hour. 

    A Washington State Patrol car seen in Seattle, Wash.  (FOX 13 Seattle)

    The suspect now faces two assault charges, in addition to malicious mischief. The circumstances around the incident remain under investigation, according to WSP.

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    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story came from the Washington State Patrol in a press memo released to the public. 

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  • Slender Man stabbing: Morgan Geyser found in Illinois

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    MADISON, Wis. – Authorities in Madison confirmed Morgan Geyser was taken into custody in Illinois on Sunday night, Nov. 23.

    The Madison Police Department said just after 10:30 p.m., officials received confirmation that Geyser was taken into custody. They said there is no longer a need to search for her.

    Geyser had cut off her Department of Corrections monitoring bracelet and left a group home Saturday night, Nov. 22.

    This is a breaking update. Check back for updates and read the original report below.

    Morgan Geyser, image from previous surveillance footage

    Geyser was last seen in the area of Kroncke Dr. in Madison around 8 p.m. with an “adult acquaintance.” Her whereabouts are unknown.

    The Madison Police Department was notified of her disappearance on Sunday morning and immediately sent out the alert.

    Madison police say they are still searching for Morgan Geyser, who remained missing as of 7:25 p.m. Sunday, and released a detailed timeline showing when state officials and group home staff first realized she had removed her GPS monitor and left the facility.

    According to the Madison Police Department, Geyser was last seen at her group home around 8:15 p.m. Saturday. About an hour later, at 9:30 p.m., the Wisconsin Department of Corrections received an alert that her GPS monitoring bracelet was malfunctioning.

    DOC contacted the group home at 11:30 p.m., and five minutes later staff confirmed Geyser was not there and had taken off the bracelet. Around midnight, DOC issued an apprehension request – but Madison police say that request was never relayed to them.

    It wasn’t until 7:46 a.m. Sunday that someone from the group home called 911 to report Geyser as a missing person. Madison police were assigned to the call 12 minutes later and responded to Kroncke Drive, marking the first time the department learned she was gone.

    Police say they continue to investigate and are working to determine where Geyser may have gone after leaving the home.

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    If you see Geyser, call 911.

    Attorneys weigh in

    What they’re saying:

    “Turn yourself in. Do not continue to remain on the run like this,” said Anthony Cotton, Geyser’s defense attorney, in an Instagram post Sunday. “We don’t know any of the facts about what happened and who might have assisted her but certainly if there are – or if somebody assisted her – that person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    A separate attorney, Jonathan LaVoy, who is not involved in the case, said Geyser’s absence raises safety concerns.

    “If she was able to commit that level of violence when she was so young – I can understand the community’s concern that she’s out there on the loose and god forbid somebody else gets hurt right now,” he said.

    Geyser and co-defendant Anissa Weier were 12 years old in 2014 when they pleaded guilty to stabbing and nearly killing a classmate. They told investigators they acted because of the fictional horror character Slender Man and were later found not criminally responsible due to mental illness.

    LaVoy said Geyser had undergone years of treatment and monitoring before her conditional release.

    “Is she on the run with her medicine? And if she isn’t, that certainly poses a danger to the community,” LaVoy said. “We can’t keep mentally ill people in the hospital forever particularly if they are showing signs of improvement and stability and she certainly was doing and showing those signs.”

    LaVoy said authorities will arrest Geyser once she is located and will likely return her to a state hospital immediately.

    The Dane County District Attorney’s Office has not commented.

    History of the case

    The backstory:

    Geyser and Anissa Weier were 12 years old in 2014 when they stabbed and nearly killed their classmate, Payton Leutner, reportedly to please the fictional horror character Slender Man. Leutner survived the attack after being found by a cyclist.

    Both girls pleaded guilty in the case. But both said they were not responsible because they were mentally ill.

    Both girls were then sent to state mental health facilities. Weier was released in 2021 to live with her father and live under GPS monitoring. Geyser has faced hurdles in her own petitions for release. 

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    In April, after Geyser’s conditional release was granted, the victim’s family objected to her placement location because the group home was about eight miles from them.

    In July, a judge approved a plan for Geyser to be placed in a Sun Prairie group home. 

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    But records show Sun Prairie’s city attorney filed an objection, and days later, Geyser’s attorney said the facility declined placement because of publicity. 

    Statement from Leutner’s family

    What they’re saying:

    A spokesperson for Leutner’s family provided the following statement:

    “Payton Leutner and her family [are] aware of the most recent situation regarding Morgan Geyser.

    Payton and her family are safe and are working closely with local law enforcement to ensure their continued safety.

    The family would like to thank all of the law enforcement entities involved in the efforts to apprehend Morgan.

    The Leutner family also wish to thank the outpouring of support from family, friends, and well-wishers who have contacted them during this difficult time.”

    Forensic psychologist talks Morgan Geyser missing

    The Source: The information in this report comes from the Madison Police Department and prior reporting.

    Crime and Public SafetyNewsWisconsinNews

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  • Texas A&M committee finds professor’s firing over transgender-related lesson unjustified

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    A Texas A&M committee ruled that the university’s decision to fire a professor after a student was removed from class for objecting to a children’s literature lesson on gender identity was unjustified.

    A video recorded earlier this year by a female student showed her asking Melissa McCoul, a senior lecturer in the English department, if teaching gender ideology is legal, pointing to President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at removing the subject from higher education.

    The internal committee ruled that the university failed to follow proper procedures and did not prove there was good cause to terminate McCoul. The committee unanimously voted this week that “the summary dismissal of Dr. McCoul was not justified.”

    The university said in a statement that interim President Tommy Williams has received the committee’s nonbinding recommendation and will make a decision after reviewing it.

    TEXAS LAWMAKER SLAMS TEXAS A&M AFTER STUDENT ALLEGEDLY REMOVED FROM CLASS FOR CHALLENGING TRANSGENDER LESSON

    The internal committee ruled that the university failed to follow proper procedures and did not prove there was good cause to terminate the professor. (AP)

    McCoul’s lawyer, Amanda Reichek, said the dispute is likely to end up in court because the university appears to want to continue fighting, and the interim president is facing similar political pressure.

    “Dr. McCoul asserts that the flimsy reasons proffered by A&M for her termination are a pretext for the University’s true motivation: capitulation to Governor Abbott’s demands,” Reichek said in a statement.

    Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans had called for her firing after watching the video.

    “Fire the professor who acted contrary to Texas law,” the governor wrote on X in September.

    The video led to public criticism of university president Mark Welsh, who later resigned, although he did not offer a reason and never mentioned the video in his resignation announcement.

    Intersex and trans pride flags

    Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans had called for the professor’s firing after watching the video. (Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)

    State Rep. Brian Harrison said in a statement to Fox News Digital at the time that the “liberal president of Texas A&M must be fired and all DEI and LGBTQ indoctrination defunded.”

    The opening of the video posted by Harrison on social media showed a slide titled “Gender Unicorn” that noted different gender identities and expressions. 

    Students in the class told The Texas Tribune that they were discussing a book called “Jude Saves the World,” which is about a middle school student who comes out as nonbinary. Several other books included in the course also touched on LGBTQ+ issues.

    After a back-and-forth dispute about the legality of teaching the lessons on gender identity, McCoul asked the student to leave the class. Harrison also posted other recordings of the student’s meeting with Welsh that showed the then-university president defending McCoul’s instruction.

    TEXAS A&M REGENTS DEMAND AUDIT OF ALL COURSES AFTER TRANSGENDER LESSON CONTROVERSY

    President Trump pointing

    President Donald Trump signed executive orders seeking to root out instruction on gender identity in higher education. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

    Welsh said when McCoul was fired that he learned she had continued teaching content in a children’s literature course “that did not align with any reasonable expectation of standard curriculum for the course.” He also said the course content did not match its catalog descriptions.

    “If we allow different course content to be taught from what is advertised, we let our students down. When it comes to our academic offerings, we must keep our word to our students and to the state of Texas,” he said in September, noting that leaders in the College of Arts and Sciences were found to have approved plans to continue teaching course content that was not consistent with the course’s published description.

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    Earlier this month, the Texas A&M Regents issued a new policy stating that no academic course “will advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity” unless approved in advance by a campus president.

    Fox News Digital reached out to Texas A&M for comment.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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  • Man fatally shot, woman and children in critical condition after Arizona shootout

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    One man is dead, and three others were shot, including two children, after gunfire rang out Saturday afternoon in an Arizona parking lot.

    The shooting, which involved a sedan and an SUV, happened at about 2:45 p.m. local time in a business parking lot in south Phoenix. 

    Phoenix Police Department (PPD) Sgt. Brian Bower said during a news conference there was a dispute between the two cars, which both then pulled into the parking lot.

    The dispute continued in the parking lot and a physical fight ensued, according to Bower. After the fight, shots were fired.

    Police tape and officers seen near the area of 19th Ave. and Baseline in Phoenix, as officers responded to a shooting on Saturday. (Phoenix Police via X)

    VIDEO: DEPUTY HEROICALLY SAVES YOUNG BOY HELD HOSTAGE, TAKES DOWN KNIFE-WIELDING BROTHER WITH SINGLE HEADSHOT

    The male suspect was alone in the sedan, Bower said. A man, woman and two children were in the SUV.

    Police said multiple rounds were fired and all four people in the SUV were shot.

    Phoenix Police Department cruiser

    Police have not yet said what led up to the Phoenix shooting. (Phoenix Police Department)

    FATHER MAKES CHILLING CONFESSION ABOUT INFANT AFTER 4 OTHER CHILDREN FOUND DEAD OUTSIDE NORTH CAROLINA HOME

    The man in the SUV died at the scene, according to Bower. The woman and two children who were also in the SUV were taken to the hospital and remain in critical condition.

    Bower said the suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, remained at the scene until police arrived. The man was also treated at the hospital and later taken into custody.

    Red police lights

    It is unclear what led to the shooting, which left one person dead and three others wounded. (iStock)

    FUGITIVE DAD TRAVIS DECKER CONFIRMED DEAD AS DNA MATCHES REMAINS FOUND IN WASHINGTON STATE: OFFICIALS

    Police did not confirm any pending charges against the suspect, noting he was speaking with detectives.

    Detectives have not yet ruled out the possibility of the incident being related to road rage or self-defense, as there is no indication the two parties knew each other, according to Bower.

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    The PPD did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.

    This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

    Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.

    She has covered major national crises, including the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.

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  • Person killed after falling onto barge in Duwamish River in Seattle

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    SEATTLE – A person is dead after falling onto a barge this Saturday afternoon in south Seattle. Emergency crews went into the afternoon working to recover their body.

    Timeline:

    Just before 2 p.m. on Nov. 22, the Seattle Fire Department posted to X (formerly Twitter) about an emergency rescue operation for someone who had fallen from an elevated platform down onto a barge.

    The barge was docked in the Duwamish Waterway, near South Riverside Drive, at the time of the incident. Law enforcement has not released the identity of the victim.

    Shortly afterward, representatives with SFD updated the public that the person who fell was dead and that the rescue operation would be transitioned into a recovery operation. 

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    The Source: Informatoin in this story came from the Seattle Fire Department.

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  • WA dirt biker falls down cliff during photograph, airlifted to Tacoma hospital

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    TACOMA, Wash. – A man was rescued and airlifted to a hospital in Tacoma on Friday following a frightening end to a photo attempt. The victim fell down a cliff while the rest of his group remained safe. 

    The 33-year-old was dirt biking in a wooded area above Wilkeson, just south of Enumclaw, when he slipped and fell about 100–200 feet down a cliffside while stopping for a picture. 

    Due to the landscape and severity of his injuries, multiple Pierce County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue rope teams responded and worked with local first response agencies to find the man and conduct a rescue operation. 

    PSCO SAR Rope Rescue teams conduct an operation to help a man who fell during a group photo opportunity

    From there, he was airlifted to Tacoma General Hospital with serious injuries, where his recovery process began. Authorities have not yet released his identification or the nature of his injuries. 

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  • Trump calls Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation ‘great news’

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    Trump, others respond to MTG resignation

    President Trump and others are responding to the surprising news that Marjorie Taylor Greene is stepping down from her role in Congress. The representative made her announcement on Friday night on social media.

    ATLANTA – Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will resign from Congress early next year, a decision that stunned political observers and drew swift reaction from President Donald Trump.

    ORIGINAL STORY: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigning from Congress

    What we know:

    Greene, a high-profile Republican from Georgia, announced late Friday that her last day in office will be Jan. 5. In a video message, she said she does not want her district to “endure a hurtful and hateful primary” after Trump withdrew his support and backed a challenger against her for next year’s race.

    “This president that we all fought for dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me and the Georgia Republican Party,” Greene said, adding that the situation contributed to her decision to step aside.

    Trump responds 

    What they’re saying:

    Trump told ABC News the resignation was “great news for the country.” The two have been locked in a public feud in recent months, with Greene openly clashing with conservatives over her push to release the Epstein files and Trump publicly cutting ties with her about a week ago.

    The president also claimed on Truth Social that Marjorie “Traitor” Brown went BAD when he refused to return her “never ending barrage of phone calls.” However, he did thank her for her service to “our country.”

    MAGA activist Laura Loomer is celebrating Greene’s announcement, claiming she finally “LOOMERED” the congresswoman. She also accused the congresswoman of insider trading and claimed that she fired her Deputy Chief of Staff Nick Dyer because he wouldn’t help her cover up her stock trades. 

    Following Trump’s response, MTG posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that she believed in the American people and that there are “no leaders that will save this country.”

    The other side:

    Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon issued a statement acknowledging Greene’s departure and praising her tenure. “Her legacy as a bold voice for the grassroots will endure,” he said. “She entered Congress as a political outsider and never backed down from defending the forgotten men and women of our state.”

    Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who was a recent ally in the fight for the release of the Epstein files, posted on X that he is “sad for our country.” After Trump said that Greene’s resignation was “great news,” Massie also said “No, this is not great news for our country.”

    As of Friday morning, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has not issued a statement about Greene’s announcement. 

    Greene claims no plans for future

    What’s next:

    Greene said she plans to “go back to the people she loves” and denied that her resignation is part of a larger political strategy, saying there is “no 4D chess move” behind it. She did not reveal whether she intends to pursue another office or remain in public life.

    However, many people believe that Greene does have plans for the future and quit because she is “playing the long game.”

    Others seem to believe she may end up on CNN.

    Other reactions:

    What about her seat?

    What’s next:

    According to the former Georgia Secretary of State COO Gabriel Sterling, Greene’s resignation will lead to a special election to fill the remainder of her term. No details about a special election have been released at this time. 

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  • North Carolina driver says bald eagle dropped cat through her windshield: ‘You may not believe me’

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    A driver in North Carolina told a dispatcher that a cat carcass crashed into her windshield along a highway after the feline was dropped from the sky by a bald eagle.

    The woman called 911 on Wednesday morning to report the incident, saying that a bald eagle dropped the cat into the passenger side of her front windshield on U.S. Route 74 in Swain County, near Bryson City, which is located about 65 miles southwest of Asheville.

    It is unclear if the cat slipped from the eagle’s talons or was dropped intentionally.

    “You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield,” the driver said on the 911 call. “It absolutely shattered my windshield.”

    FLORIDA WOMAN WRESTLES ALLIGATOR TO RESCUE PUPPY IT DRAGGED INTO CREEK

    A smashed windshield after a cat carcass crashed into the car along a highway near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP)

    The dispatcher calmly responded, “Okay. I do believe you, honestly,” before laughing.

    The driver said another person also observed the cat dropping from the sky.

    “He’s like, ‘That is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.’ I’m like, ‘Really?’” the driver said.

    The dispatcher replied, “Oh my goodness. Let’s see. I’ve heard crazier.”

    “Well, that’s terrifying,” the caller responded, prompting more nervous laughter from the dispatcher.

    After receiving the driver’s location, the dispatcher said she would send the Highway Patrol to conduct a report.

    A bald eagle perched on a tree

    It is unclear if the cat slipped from the eagle’s talons or was dropped intentionally. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

    “Another question. Is the cat still alive?” the dispatcher asked.

    The cat was not alive, and the caller said the cat was on the side of the road rather than inside her vehicle.

    “Okay, I have to ask just to make sure,” the dispatcher said.

    North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s Kendrick Weeks said the cat could have been roadkill grabbed by the eagle.

    “But they can take animals the size of a cat,” he said. “It is much harder for them to take a live cat than a dead cat. They usually don’t prey on something they don’t find palatable. And, scavenging is a common behavior in bald eagles.”

    SOFI STADIUM HAWK STOLEN DURING RAMS GAME LOCATED, SECOND HAWK REMAINS MISSING

    bald eagle in water

    “I do believe you, honestly,” the dispatcher told the driver. ((Photo by: Valerio Ferraro/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images))

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    Weeks said eagles and other raptors can drop prey for several reasons, including due to a poor grip or if the prey is biting or otherwise struggling and the birds are wanting to prevent injury to themselves.

    Prey can also be dropped if a raptor is being harassed by another bird or if the prey becomes too heavy to carry.

    Some raptors may also drop prey to kill it, but that tactic is uncommon for bald eagles.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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  • Fire on ship docked at Port of Los Angeles prompts evacuation of crew, officials say

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    A cargo ship caught fire at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Friday, forcing the crew to evacuate the ship, according to officials, who described the incident as a major emergency.

    All 23 crew members were safely evacuated from the ship, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. No injuries were reported.

    The fire was observed on several levels of the ship. Hazardous materials were identified in the involved bays, and hazmat crews are monitoring air quality, the department said.

    FIRE ERUPTS IN US CAPITOL TROLLEY SYSTEM, 2 POLICE OFFICERS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL

    All 23 crew members were safely evacuated from the ship. (KTTV)

    An explosion was reported mid-deck at around 8 p.m. that affected power, including lights and crane operations on the ship.

    More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene, according to officials.

    ‘WE’RE TRAPPED!’: PANICKED 911 AUDIO FROM SOUTH CAROLINA FIRE WHERE JUDGE’S HUSBAND LEAPT TO SAFETY

    Cargo ship fire

    More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene. (KTTV)

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    “First responders are actively responding to a fire on a container ship at the Port of Los Angeles,” Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X. “LAFD continues fire-suppression efforts and is monitoring air quality. “

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  • Pierce County, WA mom credits heart monitor for helping save her life from rare condition

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    PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. – A Pierce County mother is alive to tell her survival story, after her heart stopped, twice. New technology detected she was experiencing abnormal heartbeats due to a rare genetic heart condition she was unaware of. With the help of the device, doctors were able to diagnose the life-threatening condition and prescribe treatment that saved her.

    “I was pretty healthy until I wasn’t,” said Charissa Hudson. “I do believe that the technology saved my life.”

    Charissa, 40, is a wife and mother of three. She said she tries to live a healthy lifestyle. 

    “I do love to be outside. We love to go down to the beach. I love to walk. I have three dogs, so walking is a part of keeping them healthy too,” she said.

    The backstory:

    Charissa said she never really questioned her health. But in April 2024, a regular walk through her neighborhood with her mother changed that.

    “I started feeling really weird and had that sensation. My mom was a little ahead of me and I said, ‘Mom I have to stop. I don’t feel right,’” said Charissa.

    Charissa Hudson

    She passed out for more than four minutes. Charissa said when she woke up, she had a splitting headache, and her heart was pounding. Short moments later, local firefighters and medics rushed her to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma.

    The incident happened after Charissa had just returned home from a two-week trip abroad. She thought maybe she was experiencing jetlag or an illness.

    “You don’t think of the worst. You think, like, well that’s strange, but I did not know at that point the magnitude of what had happened other than how it felt coming out of it,” said Charissa.

    Healthcare providers at St. Joseph Medical Center checked her vitals and everything was normal, except an abnormal heartbeat. Doctors prescribed a Zio AT heart monitor to be worn on her chest for two weeks and sent her home.

    Zio AT heart monitor

    Charissa said she felt fine following that hospital visit, but then eight days later, she passed out again. This time she was alone in her home office.

    “That time I had no warning. I just went out,” said Charissa.

    Rushed back to the emergency room, doctors collected data from iRhythm, the maker of her heart monitor. The data report showed her heart was abnormally beating so fast to a point that it stopped.

    “The doctor basically said you’ve had a sustained ventricular tachycardia event that’s not compatible with life. And I was like, ‘Oh, ok!’” she said in shock. “Everyone kept saying, we looked at your report, we don’t know how you’re here. It’s pretty miraculous.”

    With additional imaging and testing by her doctors, Charissa was diagnosed with a rare genetic heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Health professionals said ARVC causes the heart’s electrical system to beat too fast and to stop pumping. 

    ARVC has a prevalence of approximately 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 5,000 people. Its rarity is partly due to being underdiagnosed, as many individuals have mild or no symptoms, especially early in life. Symptoms can include palpitations, chest pain, fainting, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath.

    Charissa said she never knew she carried the gene for ARVC, and likely never would have known her heart was unhealthy. And at her age, she was pretty young to be experiencing cardiovascular issues.

    “If I hadn’t been wearing the heart monitor, I probably would have had another episode because my heart was getting weaker and weaker with each one. And that I probably wouldn’t be here,” she said.

    iRhythm explained arrhythmia is intermittent and can be hard to catch while someone is at the hospital. Continuous monitoring can help doctors make a more accurate diagnosis.

    Fortunately for Charissa, after her first fainting episode, medics transported her to one of the only hospitals in the area that “orders ambulatory cardiac monitoring using the Zio heart monitoring device on patients at discharge,” according to iRhythm.

    “Programs like the cardiac patch monitor system are a great example of how we continue to innovate and embrace that technology. It improves the quality of care for these patients and really for our community,” said Chris Handy, program manager at the Center for Cardiovascular Health at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

    Leaders at VMFH said advancement in technology is how their healthcare team is saving more lives, like Charissa’s.

    “These monitors have really helped our teams provide better care, and a good example that I’ll actually bring up is one of the programs that we started, which was in the emergency department. So, we identified this opportunity to really give more quality care to patients that were visiting our emergency departments,” said Handy.

    What you can do:

    For anyone who thinks they may be experiencing symptoms, Handy advises them to get medical attention.

    “We are always going to encourage them to come in and speak to a provider, but if they feel like it is more urgent, and they need to go into one of our urgent cares or the emergency departments at Virgina Mason Franciscan Health, we can place these monitors,” said Handy.

    Now living with a pacemaker, Charissa is finding new ways to maintain a healthy life and heart. Her diagnosis is also saving the lives of her family. Genetic testing revealed six people, including her daughter, also carry the ARVC gene. Two of her relatives will also need a pacemaker.

    Charisa said, “To me, the hidden gem in all of it is that, A, I survived. That’s pretty special. And B, my family is able to get some answers that they maybe otherwise wouldn’t have had, and hopefully and potentially avoid having a situation like I had.”

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    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story came from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.

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  • WA resident dies from rare bird flu variant

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    KING COUNTY, Wash. – A person in Washington has died from the bird flu, health officials confirmed Friday.

    What we know:

    A Grays Harbor County resident was infected with H5N5 avian influenza in early November, the first recorded human infection of the variant in the world.

    The patient was receiving treatment in King County, and has now died. The Department of Health says they were an older adult with underlying health conditions.

    According to the CDC, this is the second person in the U.S. to die from the bird flu since 2024.

    What they’re saying:

    Grays Harbor County health officials say no other people involved in the case have tested positive for bird flu. They will continue to monitor anyone who came in close contact with the person who died.

    The risk to the general public is low, as health officials say there is no evidence that the virus can be passed between people. The infected resident had a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds, which is likely how they were exposed.

    More information about the bird flu can be found on the Washington State Department of Health website.

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    The Source: Information in this story came from the Washington State Department of Health and the CDC.

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  • Olympic Pipeline: Crews working nonstop to repair Everett, WA leak

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    EVERETT, Wash. – Crews are working around the clock to repair a leak in the Olympic Pipeline that has stopped jet fuel delivery to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Right now, there is no timeline for the fix, and Governor Bob Ferguson issued an emergency declaration.

    SEA Airport possible impacts

    Gov. Ferguson’s office has said if things aren’t fixed by Saturday, the airport could be significantly impacted. BP, which operates the pipeline, told FOX 13 that crews are doing 24-hour excavation operations and are working closely with federal, state, tribal and local authorities. The pipeline leak is just east of Everett.

    “We have come a long way since the 90s, and I think you know, when you look at the recent failures of the Olympic Pipeline, they could have been a lot worse then, and they weren’t,” said Bill Caram, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust.

    The Pipeline Safety Trust is a watchdog organization that formed after the Olympic Pipeline explosion in Bellingham in June of 1999. That explosion killed three boys. When Caram heard about the recent leak, he was instantly reminded of what happened 26 years ago.

    What they’re saying:

    “After the ’99 spill, a lot of work went into this pipeline to make sure that something like that would never happen again,” Caram said. He adds, there have been significant improvements in safety since then, but more still needs to be done.

    “We still have a significant pipeline failure somewhere in America almost every day,” Caram said. “Despite all of that, we still are losing, you know, 10 to 12 lives each year somewhere across the country due to pipeline failure.”

    Department of Ecology shares photos of work on the Olympic Pipeline in the Everett, WA area in November 2025.

    The Department of Ecology shared these photos; one showed a boom placed in the ditch to soak up the fuel. The 400-mile pipeline transports gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to places like SEA Airport. As of Friday, the airport says, there were no impacts to flights.

    FOX 13 reached out to Delta Air Lines. In a statement, the company said it is closely “monitoring the fuel supply, and there are no operational impacts at this time.” Alaska Airlines also said it is working to mitigate potential impacts from the Olympic Pipeline fuel leak, and is also not currently experiencing any impacts. At Pipeline Safety Trust, its concern is elsewhere.

    “We’re much more concerned about, you know, if this were to contaminate water sources,” Caram said. Right now, the Department of Ecology says there is currently no concern about the leak reaching the Snohomish River.

    Between 2005 and 2023, there was only one significant problem on this pipeline, but since then, there have been four. 

    “To me, it’s just a hint that maybe some, you know, mismanagement or under maintenance, is starting to catch up with this pipeline, and I hope that’s not true, but it does give me pause,” Caram said.

    The cause and source of the spill is still under investigation. Officials are still working to determine how big the leak really is. They also say there is no ETA as to when it will all be cleaned up, and when the pipeline will reopen.

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  • Seattle City Council passes 2026 budget with record investments in housing, homelessness

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    SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council unanimously passed the 2026 city budget on Friday, adopting record-high investments in housing, public safety and affordability.

    By the numbers:

    The budget includes about $8.9 billion in appropriations, with around $7 billion for services and operations, and $2 billion going toward infrastructure and improvement projects.

    Of the issues outlined in the budget was affordable housing, which a record $349 million has been allocated for, along with nearly $65 million for social housing.

    As for homelessness, the city will set aside $9 million to protect shelter beds at risk of federal cuts. There’s a focus on expanding food access and supporting senior centers.

    The city is also increasing spending on public safety, investing in Seattle Police and Fire, drug treatment options, and a plethora of community safety programs.

    What’s next:

    The 2026 budget will now head to Mayor Bruce Harrell for signature, and will become the blueprint for mayor-elect Katie Wilson and her administration when she takes over next year.

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    To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

    Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

    The Source: Information in this story came from the Seattle City Council, City of Seattle and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

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