There’s a lot of great things happening around the Seattle tech community. This week’s headlines include: Port Approves $348M Budget for Waterfront Upgrades, Seattle High-School Graduates Will Get 2 Free Years of Community College, Monday Marks First Day of Fast Ferry Service from Kingston to Seattle, and more.

Seattle High-School Graduates Will Get 2 Free Years of Community College. Here’s How It Will Work.

Seattle Times | Katherine Long | November 29
https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/heres-how-free-community-college-will-work-for-future-seattle-high-school-graduates/

“Earlier this month, Seattle voters approved the city’s most expensive education levy ever. The tax includes a measure that gives future high-school graduates of Seattle Public Schools two years of community college tuition-free, no matter how much their families make. Seattle joins a wave of programs across the country that have been created by lawmakers, or voters, that aim to remove the barriers to higher education for all students by sending a simple message: Don’t worry about the cost of college — just prepare yourself in high school, and go.”

Port Approves $348M Budget for Waterfront Upgrades, Including 4th Cruise Ship terminal

KIRO 7 | KIRO 7 News Staff | November 28
https://www.kiro7.com/news/port-approves-348m-budget-for-waterfront-upgrades-including-4th-cruise-ship-terminal/879726431

“The Port of Seattle has approved a 5-year budget to expand its facilities, and that includes plans for a fourth cruise ship terminal on Seattle’s waterfront. The plan also means taxpayers will see an increase on their property bills. For King County property owners, it will be the first port levy increase in a decade. The 3 percent property tax increase is expected to bring in $74.2 million annually to help pay for the projects and fund environmental programs and debt service on bonds.”

Monday Marks First Day of Fast Ferry Service from Kingston to Seattle

Kitsap Sun | Christian Vosley | November 26
https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2018/11/26/monday-marks-first-day-fast-ferry-service-kingston-seattle/2115496002/

“Fast ferry service between Kingston and Seattle officially launched Monday morning, the second of three passenger-only routes Kitsap Transit plans to operate between Kitsap County and Seattle.

Residents got their first look at the M/V Finest, the ferry that runs on the route, at a grand opening celebration last week. On Monday, North Kitsap commuters braved a steady rain on the long walk down the pier at the Port of Kingston to try it for themselves.”

United Airlines Set to Begin Denver and SF Flights from Paine Field near Seattle in March 2019

GeekWire | Frank Catalano | November 26
https://www.geekwire.com/2018/united-airlines-set-begin-denver-sf-flights-paine-field-near-seattle-march-2019/

“United Airlines has become the second — and for now, final — airline to start selling tickets for commercial flights next year from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., north of Seattle. On Monday, United announced its schedule for nonstop service between the new commercial aviation terminal and the airline’s hubs in Denver and San Francisco. Starting March 31, 2019, United will operate six daily flights, two between Denver and Everett, and four between San Francisco and Everett, subject to final government approval.”