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48º | Occasional showers | 56% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:57 a.m. | Sunset 4:31 p.m. | High tides 10:32 a.m. and 12:16 a.m. | Low tides 4:31 a.m. and 6:31 p.m.
 

🏈 Big move for UW

UW Huskies are going to join the Big Ten conference
A crowd at the Huskies game on September 17, 2022 with purple smoke rising from the stands and the players emerging from the tunnel
Husky Stadium looks to be hosting a few new rivals in the coming years. | Photo via University of Washington Football
Pack your bags, Huskies — UW is leaving the Pac-12 conference for the Big Ten. Whooooa.

The college sports shakeup became official in a vote on Friday — and will go into effect in the 2024 academic year. This will have a major impact on the school’s athletic programs and creates the largest conference in college football history.

Let’s answer a few burning questions.

What’s the “Big” deal, exactly?

In the Big Ten, the Huskies will play a different set of schools and go up against the likes of big-time programs like Ohio State and Michigan on a regular basis. The changes will be to all sports, not just football (even though that’s what many reports are focused on now).

UW has been in the same conference since 1915, back when it was called the Pacific Coast Conference. So jumping ship is massive.

Huskies football players line up for a play against Michigan State in Husky stadium on September 17, 2022

Huskies will play teams like Michigan State more regularly.

|

Photo via University of Washington Football

Why are they doing this?

Basically, money. The Big Ten generates more media revenue for its members than the Pac-12 does. This means extra cash for the Huskies to spend on things like recruiting, equipment, stadium upgrades — you name it.

Do the Huskies have to change their colors or anything?

Nah, most of the team’s aesthetics will stay the same — except of course for those conference patches on the unis. Seeing UW in the Big 10 could be weird at first, though.

Fans need to get a different channel (the Big 10 Network) if the games are not nationally televised. You’ll recognize some old frenemies like USC, UCLA, and Oregon, but the Huskies would also face a lot of Midwestern squads. Can you say “air miles?”

Wait, what will happen to the Apple Cup?

Since the Washington State Cougars will not be joining the Huskies in the Big Ten, it’s unclear whether the annual rivalry game will continue as we know it. But UW released a statement saying it is “committed” to preserving the tradition in all sports, including football.
Asked

What do you think of UW going to the Big Ten?
A. Love it — time for a change.
B. Eh, we’ll see. That’s a tough conference.
C. Hate it — Pac-12 forever.
Share your thoughts
 
Events
Monday, Aug. 7
  • Summer of Salsa and Bachata | Monday, Aug. 7 | 7-8 p.m. | VivaArts, 4421 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle | $75 | Step it up with this bootcamp class teaching the basics of two rhythmic Latin styles.
Tuesday, Aug. 8
  • Yoga Cruise to Lake Washington | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 6-9 p.m. | 2441 N. Northlake Way, Seattle | $75 | Give yourself a stretch during a leisurely journey around the lake with light snacks + drinks included.
  • Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 6:40 p.m. | T-Mobile Park, 1250 First Ave. S., Seattle | $10-$600 | Watch the M’s take on the NL West squad loaded with big stars like Manny Machado and Juan Soto.
Wednesday, Aug. 9
  • Pun Intended Punslam | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 6:30-9 p.m. | ShowBoat, 4358 Leary Way NW, Seattle | $6-$25 | Pun will be had by all at this hilarious fest that pits the best wordsmiths against each other.
  • True Crime Obsessed Live | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 8 p.m. | Neptune Theatre, 1303 NE 45th St., Seattle | $40 | See the live version of this bloody popular podcast that recalls grisly tales of murder and mayhem.
Thursday, Aug. 10
  • Lost 80’s Live | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 6 p.m. | Marymoor Live, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond | $54-$60 | This lineup of nostalgia acts features Wang Chung, Flock of Seagulls, and other bands that will have you reaching for the Aquanet.
  • “Hedda Gabler” | Thursday, Aug. 10-Saturday, Aug. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | West of Lenin, 203 N. 36th St., Seattle | Pay what you will | Check out the Henrik Ibsen classic featuring an all-woman and non-binary cast.
Friday, Aug. 11
  • Winemaker Picnic and Barrel Auction | Friday, Aug. 11 | 5-8:30 p.m. | Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14111 NE 145th St., Woodinville | $175-$250 | Here’s your chance to score rare cases while hobnobbing with members of Washington’s prestigious wine industry.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Transit
  • Pump the brakes. The long-discussed First Avenue streetcar hit a speed bump when a City Council Finance and Housing committee voted to cut $1 million for the project’s study on budget and timeline. If the full council votes for the budget reduction, it would likely further slow down the streetcar planning process. (Seattle Times)
Award
  • Envelopes, please? Local nonprofit Intentionalist announced it has created its first-ever awards, which will honor local small businesses in categories like Cross-Cultural Champion and Rookie of the Year. Nominate your own business or others online and keep an eye on Intentionalist’s Instagram for updates.
Sports
Number
  • Are we finally chilling out? According to recently released data, 54% of Seattle homes had air conditioning in 2021. That’s an increase of nine percentage points in two years and means Seattle is the second-least air conditioned city in the US, behind San Francisco, instead of the first. (Seattle Times)
Closing
  • AAA Washington will close its travel agency’s office at 1523 15th Ave. W in Magnolia on Friday, Oct. 27. The company made the decision based on the fact that members now mainly use the internet or phone to arrange travel rather than the brick-and-mortar location. (Seattle Times)
Cause
  • Awww, thanks blondie. Pop star Taylor Swift made a significant donation to local nonprofit Food Lifeline when she was in town for her sold-out shows. As a result, the organization will be able to secure thousands of items for their food bank partners. (KING 5)
The Word
  • Champions. That’s what Ballard FC can call themselves after winning the USL League Two national final on Saturday, 2-1. Seattle’s semi-pro soccer squad took the title after scoring on a free kick in the last seconds of the match. This is just the club’s second season ever. (Seattle Times)
Development
  • Construction company Ryan Cos. recently introduced a new multistory warehouse in SODO. The $42.5 million facility at 65 S. Horton St. has amenities made for business like freight elevators big enough for forklifts. Storage, distribution, and tech groups have shown interest in the space — as did a pickleball company. (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Fitness
  • Calling all local detectives — Phinney Ridge’s Gumshoe 5K kicked off on Friday. The fun fitness challenge gives locals 30 clues to solve as they walk around the Phinney Ridge and Greenwood neighborhoods. There’s still time to register since the event runs through Sunday, Aug. 20.
Community
  • After receiving a $2.1 million investment, Seattle Parks and Recreation is now expanding hours at community centers in Delridge, Rainier Beach, Van Asselt, Miller, Northgate, Yesler, Bitter Lake, and Laurelhurst. Around 104 weekly hours will be added across the facilities, increasing the availability for services like childcare.
Eat
  • Sundae funday — vegan ice cream shop Frankie & Jo’s announced that it has re-imagined its Ballard store. Changes to the shop at 1411 NW 70th St. include a children’s corner with activities, a new garden in the back patio, and items like soft-serve + sundaes on the menu.
Finance
  • A Banksy got everyday investors 32% returns? You read that right. Thousands of investors are smiling all the way to the bank thanks to the fine-art investing platform Masterworks. Investors have benefited from 14 sales with returns including 17.8%, 21.5%, and 35%. SEAtoday readers can skip the waitlist and join.†*
† See important Masterworks disclosures.
Traffic

🚕 All charged up in Bellevue

Bellevue launches free on-demand electric car service
A small shuttle that says "Explore Bellevue Bellhop Your Free Ride" on the side, with passengers inside
BellHop launched at the beginning of August and will run through Sunday, Dec. 31. | Photo via Visit Bellevue
It’s electric — boogie-woogie-woogie. We’re talking about Bellevue’s free rideshare service that takes passengers on quick trips in electric vehicles.

BellHop is a new pilot program between Visit Bellevue and on-demand transportation Circuit that will run through the end of the year. It hopes to take care of short-distance city rides in a cost-free, environmentally friendly way.

To try it out, download the Ride Circuit app and call up a driver like you would an Uber or Lyft. The BellHop cars motor around a four-mile area including the Spring District, Botanical Gardens, and Meydenbauer Bay Park.

The app aims to get you a car within eight minutes, but drivers may pick up other passengers on the way (keep that in mind, if you’re in a hurry). It runs Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday + Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. See how a test ride went.
 
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The Wrap
 
Gabe Guarente headshot

Today’s edition by:
Gabe
From the editor
Even though the hints of UW going to the Big Ten have been around for awhile, the news still shocked me. “Memorieeees...”

But knowing the strength of the new conference, look for the Huskies to get more love in the college football rankings.
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