Seattle Gains 11 Extra Minutes of Daylight During Spring Equinox The spring equinox occurred at 7:46 a.m. PDT on Friday, marking the start of longer days for the northern hemisphere. While the idea that balancing an egg on its end is only possible during the equinox is a myth, the event does signal the beginning of the brightest six months of the year. The equinox happens twice annually when the sun’s rays strike the equator at a right angle, creating nearly equal periods of daylight and darkness. This occurs because Earth’s tilted axis causes the sun’s direct rays to cross the equator from south to north during the spring equinox, allowing the northern hemisphere to receive more sunlight for six months. The term “equinox” comes from Latin, meaning “equal night,” though in Seattle, the day is actually 12 minutes longer than 12 hours. This discrepancy arises due to atmospheric refraction, which bends sunlight and extends the visible daylight. A day with precisely 12 hours of daylight is called the equilux, which in Seattle coincided with St. Patrick’s Day. While the equinox itself doesn’t guarantee perfect day-night balance, it sets the stage for the gradual increase in daylight as spring progresses. As the season transitions, residents are encouraged to embrace the changing light and enjoy the extended hours of sunlight.#seattle #st_patrick_s_day #spring_equinox #equilux #atmospheric_refraction
LeBron James' pursuit of NBA ownership faces significant challenges as the league's expansion plans move forward LeBron James has long expressed interest in owning an NBA team after his playing career concludes, but his ambitions may be encountering obstacles as the league prepares to vote on adding franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle. The NBA's expansion plans received a major update earlier this week, with team owners set to vote on March 25 to potentially approve the addition of two new teams. If 23 of the 30 owners approve, the league aims to bring the franchises to the 2028-29 season. The approval of expansion would be the first step in securing ownership groups for the new teams. While Magic Johnson and Bill Foley, owner of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, have shown interest in the Las Vegas and Seattle markets respectively, LeBron James remains a key figure in the Las Vegas bid. However, his ability to secure the franchise may be complicated by financial hurdles. James, who became the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status, would need additional funding to cover the estimated $7 billion to $10 billion cost of an expansion team. His partnership with Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC, was expected to provide the necessary capital. However, Fenway Sports Group has reportedly withdrawn from the idea of purchasing an NBA team due to the high expansion fee, making it "less likely" that James could proceed with his bid. While James could explore alternative partnerships with other business associates, the lack of support from Fenway Sports Group complicates his plans. Additionally, James must retire to pursue ownership, a step that remains uncertain. He has not announced a retirement timeline and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.#las_vegas #lebron_james #nba #seattle #fenway_sports_group
NBA Set for First Vote on Las Vegas-Seattle Expansion The National Basketball Association is preparing to hold its first vote on expanding into Las Vegas and Seattle, according to sources. The decision will take place during the board of governors meetings next week, with the two new franchises expected to begin play in the 2028-29 season. The vote marks a critical step in the league’s plan to add teams to its roster, which currently stands at 30. Industry insiders indicate strong support within the league office and among the governors for moving forward with the expansion. Proposals for the new teams are projected to range between $7 billion and $10 billion each, with both markets anticipated to rank among the NBA’s top revenue-generating destinations. The appeal of Las Vegas and Seattle, combined with the league’s current collective bargaining agreement that promotes competitive balance, is expected to create a lucrative environment for potential buyers. This initial vote will focus solely on Las Vegas and Seattle, allowing the league to initiate a bidding process for the franchises. A subsequent vote later in the year will determine the final approval for the expansion, bringing the total number of teams to 32. To pass either vote, at least 23 of the 30 governors must approve the proposal. While many owners support the expansion due to the long-term financial benefits from the Las Vegas and Seattle markets, some remain cautious. Concerns include the potential dilution of individual ownership stakes, as league equity would shift from 1/30 to 1/32. These owners are also seeking final bid valuations and franchise fees before committing to the expansion. The NBA’s expansion plans are not without precedent. The National Hockey League recently added teams to both Las Vegas (Golden Knights, 2017) and Seattle (Kraken, 2021).#las_vegas #nba #adam_silver #seattle #climate_pledge_arena
PSE Rate Proposal Could Raise Seattle Area Bills Seattle area households and businesses may face significant increases in energy costs as Puget Sound Energy seeks approval for a three-year rate plan that would raise electric and natural gas bills from 2027 to 2029. The utility filed its proposal on February 27, proposing a front-loaded increase in the first year, which could add dozens of dollars to monthly bills for many customers. These hikes would build on existing rate adjustments already in place for 2025 and 2026. Puget Sound Energy is requesting state regulators to approve the plan, which would allow the utility to recover over $1.5 billion in costs. The proposed increases—29.32% for electric service and 19.83% for natural gas over three years—would fund investments in new power generation, transmission upgrades, and grid improvements. These projects aim to meet rising demand and comply with state mandates for clean energy. The utility argues that the funds are necessary to ensure reliability and resilience against extreme weather events and wildfires. For residential customers, the impact would be noticeable. A typical electric user consuming 800 kilowatt-hours per month could see an additional $28 in early 2027, rising to about $7 in 2028 and nearly $16 in 2029. Natural gas customers using 64 therms monthly would face a $14 increase in 2027, with smaller annual adjustments in the following years. The utility also highlights projected federal tax credits worth $529 million, which it claims would offset some of the costs for customers. The proposal comes amid broader challenges for utilities, including surging demand from data centers driven by artificial intelligence. A recent study by the Berkeley Lab, supported by the Department of Energy, warns that U.S.#seattle #puget_sound_energy #berkeley_lab #department_of_energy #house_bill_2515
Weather Impact Alert Issued for Houston Ahead of Weekend Storms A weather system moving into Southeast Texas this weekend could bring rain, thunderstorms, and the potential for isolated severe weather, prompting a Weather Impact Alert for the Houston area. The alert is in effect for Saturday evening, with storms expected to last into Sunday morning. Forecasters have outlined a detailed timeline of expected conditions, based on current data as of Thursday night. The weekend weather pattern begins with light streamer showers developing as moisture streams in from the Gulf, though these are expected to be brief and limited to sprinkles. Morning temperatures will start in the low 70s, with warm, humid, and breezy conditions throughout the day, peaking near 84 degrees. Rain chances are low, with only a 30% chance of isolated showers, though forecasters note even that may be overestimated. Most areas are expected to remain dry, with a few isolated streamer showers possible early in the morning. By late afternoon, scattered showers may develop north of Houston, but the metro area is likely to stay mostly dry. Conditions are still favorable for outdoor activities earlier in the day, with forecast models suggesting little to no significant rain during the day. However, a stalled front and upper-level disturbance could trigger thunderstorms late Saturday night, with some storms potentially reaching severe levels. These storms may bring damaging straight-line winds up to 60–70 mph, large hail, and brief heavy rainfall that could cause street ponding. There is also a low chance of an isolated tornado. A line of thunderstorms could move through around sunrise, with strong storms possible in parts of the region. The main batch of storms is expected to pass by around 9 a.m.#texas #houston #houston_livestock_show_and_rodeo #khou_11 #seattle
