Melissa Santos
@melissajsantos.bsky.social
Reporter at Axios Seattle, with a focus on Washington state and local politics. (But also doughnuts). Formerly a state politics reporter for Cascade PBS and The News Tribune in Tacoma.
Pinned
Scoop: Ferguson's office was warned about top aide's behavior in 2019
Records show concerns about adviser Mike Webb were raised to Ferguson's staff long before Webb resigned this year.
www.axios.com
Scoop: Ferguson's team was told of concerns about top aide years before his resignation
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
And now in the Seattle mayor's race, Katie Wilson is ahead by 91 votes, out of more than 267,000 ballots counted so far. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
November 11, 2025 at 12:58 AM
And now in the Seattle mayor's race, Katie Wilson is ahead by 91 votes, out of more than 267,000 ballots counted so far. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
Katie Wilson now leads Bruce Harrell by... 91 votes in the race for Seattle mayor. #waelex
Katie WIlson has barely overtaken incumbent Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayor's race, per the latest count on Monday.
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
November 10, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Katie Wilson now leads Bruce Harrell by... 91 votes in the race for Seattle mayor. #waelex
Katie WIlson has barely overtaken incumbent Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayor's race, per the latest count on Monday.
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
November 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Katie WIlson has barely overtaken incumbent Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayor's race, per the latest count on Monday.
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
She has 49.83% to Bruce Harrell's 49.79%
Why did Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson go from being down 8 points the day after the election, to less than 2 points by Friday? A look at how late ballots in Seattle trend left as counting goes on: www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
Why Seattle's elections often swing left during later counts
Younger Seattleites tend to vote late — a dynamic that's shaping the mayor's race.
www.axios.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Why did Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson go from being down 8 points the day after the election, to less than 2 points by Friday? A look at how late ballots in Seattle trend left as counting goes on: www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
The Seattle mayor's race is "on the knife's edge" right now. Here's why left-lane candidates like Katie Wilson see these kinds of gains as counting goes on: www.axios.com/local/seattl... #w
Why Seattle's elections often swing left during later counts
Younger Seattleites tend to vote late — a dynamic that's shaping the mayor's race.
www.axios.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:27 AM
The Seattle mayor's race is "on the knife's edge" right now. Here's why left-lane candidates like Katie Wilson see these kinds of gains as counting goes on: www.axios.com/local/seattl... #w
Day 4 of counting and fairly notable jump for Katie Wilson today. Now only less than 2 points separate her and Harrell. He's at 50.74% and she's at 48.86%. #waelex
November 7, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Day 4 of counting and fairly notable jump for Katie Wilson today. Now only less than 2 points separate her and Harrell. He's at 50.74% and she's at 48.86%. #waelex
I forgot I wrote this last year. Still applies www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Why ballot counting takes so long in Washington state
In some races, election night results can change dramatically over several days.
www.axios.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I forgot I wrote this last year. Still applies www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Wilson gained a fair amount on Day 3 of ballot counting. Harrell now leads her by about 5.7 percentage points, versus about 8.1 points yesterday. She has 46.93%, he has 52.64% in latest count. #waelex
November 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Wilson gained a fair amount on Day 3 of ballot counting. Harrell now leads her by about 5.7 percentage points, versus about 8.1 points yesterday. She has 46.93%, he has 52.64% in latest count. #waelex
What I'm watching in tonight's election results in Seattle: whether progressives lead 3 centrist incumbents, including in the race for mayor, in early results.
If that happens, it's unlikely that Harrell, City Attorney Davison or Council President Nelson will catch up. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
If that happens, it's unlikely that Harrell, City Attorney Davison or Council President Nelson will catch up. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Seattle progressives could oust mayor and top city officials Tuesday
Three top Seattle incumbents trailed in the primary — now progressives are trying to unseat them.
www.axios.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
What I'm watching in tonight's election results in Seattle: whether progressives lead 3 centrist incumbents, including in the race for mayor, in early results.
If that happens, it's unlikely that Harrell, City Attorney Davison or Council President Nelson will catch up. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
If that happens, it's unlikely that Harrell, City Attorney Davison or Council President Nelson will catch up. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
are the Seahawks possibly going to rescue Seattle from Mariners-induced sports sadness? Could this really be
November 3, 2025 at 6:48 AM
are the Seahawks possibly going to rescue Seattle from Mariners-induced sports sadness? Could this really be
important news of the day www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Grumpy Seattle pets dress up for Halloween
They don't want to be here, but we're here for it.
www.axios.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
important news of the day www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Federal authorities have been able to access police surveillance data in Washington state — sometimes without permission, a recent report shows.
by my @axios.com colleague Christine Clarridge:
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
by my @axios.com colleague Christine Clarridge:
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Feds can tap Washington police networks, even without approval, study shows
A recent UW report reveals federal authorities accessed local police plate‑reader systems.
www.axios.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Federal authorities have been able to access police surveillance data in Washington state — sometimes without permission, a recent report shows.
by my @axios.com colleague Christine Clarridge:
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
by my @axios.com colleague Christine Clarridge:
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Our Axios.com Seattle voter guide has info on everything that's on the ballot for Seattle voters -- plus details on getting a new ballot if you need one. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
What to know about Seattle's Nov. 4 election
From the mayor's seat to business taxes and child care, Seattle ballots are packed this fall.
www.axios.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Our Axios.com Seattle voter guide has info on everything that's on the ballot for Seattle voters -- plus details on getting a new ballot if you need one. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waelex
For years I just didn't do Halloween because I wrote about politics and was always busy this particular week of the year. Now I have kids and they will not accept such an excuse. So right now I'm draping orange lights around my porch
October 28, 2025 at 9:09 PM
For years I just didn't do Halloween because I wrote about politics and was always busy this particular week of the year. Now I have kids and they will not accept such an excuse. So right now I'm draping orange lights around my porch
Coffee is costly right now --- especially in Seattle.
Local prices for a cup of regular drip went up 12%+ year-over year, according to data from the payment platform Toast --the highest price jump among 20 major U.S. cities.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Local prices for a cup of regular drip went up 12%+ year-over year, according to data from the payment platform Toast --the highest price jump among 20 major U.S. cities.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Seattle's coffee just got pricier — more than any big U.S. city
A Seattle coffee now costs $4.50 — up 12%, the biggest jump among major U.S. cities, per Toast.
www.axios.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Coffee is costly right now --- especially in Seattle.
Local prices for a cup of regular drip went up 12%+ year-over year, according to data from the payment platform Toast --the highest price jump among 20 major U.S. cities.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Local prices for a cup of regular drip went up 12%+ year-over year, according to data from the payment platform Toast --the highest price jump among 20 major U.S. cities.
www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Seattle mayor Bruce Harrell pledged on the campaign trail in 2021 to build 2,000 units of shelter or permanent supportive housing in a year. More than three years into his term, he still hasn't added that many net new units, an Axios analysis finds.
September 30, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Seattle mayor Bruce Harrell pledged on the campaign trail in 2021 to build 2,000 units of shelter or permanent supportive housing in a year. More than three years into his term, he still hasn't added that many net new units, an Axios analysis finds.
What are the Seattle cafes that most scream "old school Seattle" coffee shop experience to you? I'm thinking like: Cafe Allegro, Cafe Umbria, the Cherry Street Coffee on 1st and Cherry, and Zeitgeist Coffee (where I am now). Where else?
September 29, 2025 at 11:42 PM
What are the Seattle cafes that most scream "old school Seattle" coffee shop experience to you? I'm thinking like: Cafe Allegro, Cafe Umbria, the Cherry Street Coffee on 1st and Cherry, and Zeitgeist Coffee (where I am now). Where else?
Reposted by Melissa Santos
I understand most people's final day is Oct. 31. As if you needed more confirmation of how out of touch KCTS leadership is with its own news operation, I'm pretty sure this is the second time they've fired people days before an election.
I heard the news this morning. I owe everything to Crosscut and this breaks my heart. Frankly, it always felt over managed by people who’d never worked in print journalism before. My heart goes out to everyone there
BREAKING: Cascade PBS, which operates the website Crosscut, is laying off 19 people, reportedly including its entire news staff. In an email to staff, CEO Rob Dunlop blamed federal cuts, saying the nonprofit is "winding down our longform, written journalism."
September 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I understand most people's final day is Oct. 31. As if you needed more confirmation of how out of touch KCTS leadership is with its own news operation, I'm pretty sure this is the second time they've fired people days before an election.
It was a special time.
Some of my best journalism memories are grinding with @lillyanafowler.bsky.social, @melissajsantos.bsky.social and @jcohenwrites.bsky.social on the news desk
September 23, 2025 at 12:03 AM
It was a special time.
I've struggled to put into words how I feel about Cascade PBS cutting its entire newsroom today. That newsroom (formerly Crosscut) gave me space to do the most in-depth, informative public policy journalism of my career -- work other journalists continued after I left. The region is now worse off.
September 23, 2025 at 12:01 AM
I've struggled to put into words how I feel about Cascade PBS cutting its entire newsroom today. That newsroom (formerly Crosscut) gave me space to do the most in-depth, informative public policy journalism of my career -- work other journalists continued after I left. The region is now worse off.
Reposted by Melissa Santos
"We do not yet fully understand why this decision was made and we will be meeting in Cascade PBS executives and management in the coming days to discuss the impact on our union members and the reasoning behinds these decisions," the Pacific NW Newspaper Guild said about the layoffs.
September 22, 2025 at 7:49 PM
"We do not yet fully understand why this decision was made and we will be meeting in Cascade PBS executives and management in the coming days to discuss the impact on our union members and the reasoning behinds these decisions," the Pacific NW Newspaper Guild said about the layoffs.
Reposted by Melissa Santos
BREAKING: Cascade PBS, which operates the website Crosscut, is laying off 19 people, reportedly including its entire news staff. In an email to staff, CEO Rob Dunlop blamed federal cuts, saying the nonprofit is "winding down our longform, written journalism."
September 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
BREAKING: Cascade PBS, which operates the website Crosscut, is laying off 19 people, reportedly including its entire news staff. In an email to staff, CEO Rob Dunlop blamed federal cuts, saying the nonprofit is "winding down our longform, written journalism."
The perils of taking an iPhone on a ferry. My keys are fine in my bag, not in the bay
September 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The perils of taking an iPhone on a ferry. My keys are fine in my bag, not in the bay