Another $750K hits Tacoma schools: Tacoma Public Schools loses a $750,000 transportation safety net, exacerbating its $40 million deficit and forcing more cuts — find out what comes next.
Tacoma’s indie cinemas find new life: Community donations have helped the Grand Cinema acquire the Merlino Arts Center and the 100-year-old Blue Mouse Theatre upgrade seating and facilities — find out how.
Gentle density strategy: Since the 2019 ordinance eased ADU rules, Tacoma has approved nearly 600 backyard homes, boosting “gentle density” and expanding affordable options — learn what’s driving the surge.
Asian superstore craze: Over a hundred shoppers started lining up as early as 6 a.m. to score free gifts and premium items at TESO Life’s first West Coast store in Federal Way — find out why everyone’s lining up.
Tacoma’s fire-breathing dragon: This July 12–13, Steve LaBerge’s 7-foot LED-lit fiberglass dragon will spit real flames in Tacoma Porchfest’s free weekend parade — find out what powers this dragon.
Rare agave in full bloom: After nearly 20 years, Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is showcasing a towering 15-foot Agave parryi var. truncata stalk, but its spectacular bloom lasts only two to three weeks — find out when you can catch it.
Pinball fever hits Gig Harbor: Kaping’s Ka-Ping! Games has outfitted HarborCade at Locust Cider with modern and classic machines, drawing players from across the region — find out how you can join the fun.
Pierce County housing surge: A wave of new projects—from a 60-unit tiny home village and 77-unit senior apartments at Patsy Surh Place to a $20 million expansion doubling shelter beds by summer 2026—aims to tackle homelessness across Pierce County — find out how they’re reshaping shelter.
Ports power Washington economy: A July 7 report finds the Northwest Seaport Alliance, Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle drove 265,000 jobs, $17.7 billion in wages and nearly $55 billion in business output in 2023 — learn what that means.
New children’s therapy center: Officials broke ground this week on a two-story, 16,000-square-foot outpatient facility at 3307 S. 19th St., offering physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapy, plus audiology and in-house orthotics and prosthetics, set to open late next year — learn what this expansion means for local families.
Other Tacoma headlines this week
- No charges in Tacoma Amber Alert case
- Tacoma funded 80 nonprofits for 2025–26
- Downtown Tacoma saw rare office sale
- Popular Tacoma eatery to triple size downtown
- Denson shares cancer diagnosis and urges screening
- Washington museum unveils Gilded Age fashion
- Off-duty WDFW employees rescued couple near Tacoma
