WTIA hopes you’re having a great start to the year! Here are the latest headlines surrounding the local Seattle tech community this week: Seattle Tops the List for Best Cities for STEM Jobs, King County Doubling Water Taxi Service, Seattle Waterfront Shuttle Hours to be Expanded Monday, and more.

WalletHub: Seattle Tops the List for Best Cities for STEM Jobs, 

Seattle PI | Alex Halverson | January 10
https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/WalletHub-Seattle-tops-the-list-for-best-cities-13521862.php

It’s no surprise that STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — jobs are multiplying by the day. According to a 2017 analysis by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs grew at double the rate of non-STEM jobs between 2009 and 2015. STEM jobs are growing everywhere, but where are the hotspots, and where should you work in the field?…If you’re in Seattle — or looking to avoid the impending period of maximum constraint and live somewhere else — and need a new change of pace in the STEM field, check out the slideshow above for the rest of the top 10.

Legislative Leaders Outline Plans for Upcoming Session

KING 5 | Martha Bellisie (AP) | January 10

https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/legislative-leaders-outline-plans-for-upcoming-session/281-e259395c-bdf9-4a83-8671-9fa58e2a10c4

“Funding schools and fixing the state’s struggling mental health system are top priorities for the upcoming legislative session, lawmakers and the governor said Thursday during panel discussions in Olympia. “We are in a crisis when it comes to mental health in this state,” said Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, who chairs the Behavioral Health Subcommittee. “It’s unacceptable for our jails to be our mental health hospitals.” Gov. Jay Inslee said his top priorities are climate change, working on behavioral health and saving the orcas. Inslee said he hopes to help orcas by reducing noise and water temperatures, as well as removing culverts that impact salmon runs.”

King County Doubling Water Taxi Service

KOMO News | Gabe Cohen | January 10

https://komonews.com/news/sr-99-tunnel/king-county-doubling-water-taxi-service

“King County Metro is doubling service on their water taxi route between West Seattle and Downtown during the viaduct closure. They’ve leased another boat, which can hold 240 people. Metro will have two boats running during rush hour, allowing departures every 20 minutes. “Ridership will spike,” King County Metro Marine Division Director Paul Brodeur said.”

Seattle Waterfront Shuttle Hours to be Expanded Monday

KING 5 | KING 5 Staff | January 4
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle-waterfront-shuttle-hours-to-be-expanded-monday/281-5f329108-6da9-4d7f-b00f-50aa8a6bb57e

“Seattle’s free waterfront shuttle will begin operating four hours earlier in the day starting Monday. The north-south loop, which currently runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, will begin offering service at 6 a.m. on weekdays to offer commuters and tourists another option during the approximately three-week viaduct closure. Weekend and holiday service will still begin at 10 a.m. That loop runs from the Seattle Center to King Street Station making stops along Alaskan Way.”