World Cup Watch: Seattle’s free fan-party push is ramping up as FIFA’s promised economic lift faces skepticism, with Westlake Park set for big-screen watch parties and other host-city efforts (including giveaways) aimed at filling seats amid thousands of unsold tickets. Local Business & Housing: Seattle is weighing a one-year pause on new data centers while a Texas firm seeks to build downtown, and the city’s moratorium debate is colliding with power and water concerns that could shape tech investment. Rent & Housing Costs: Washington’s rent-increase cap is showing early benefits, but critics warn it could squeeze small landlords and slow affordable construction. Workforce & Education: K-12 enrollment is declining nationwide, tightening budgets tied to student counts—an issue that hits districts like Seattle as staffing and school closures become more likely. Consumer & Legal: A Seattle-area case highlights how scammers are targeting Spanish-speaking injured workers with fake “workers’ comp” help, while a separate lawsuit alleges Tesla copied Seattle drinkware maker MiiR’s tumbler design. Public Safety & Community: Electric school buses are arriving in Eastern Washington, but rural districts still face high upfront costs and charging hurdles.