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Hey, good morning. I'm Patricia Murphy. It's Friday. This is Seattle now. This week, the pilot program

to make Pike Place car free is extending into next year, which makes us wonder, at what point does a

pilot program become more than just a pilot? A new study from Microsoft says AI will change how we do

our jobs, unless, of course, you went to trade school, and we had an election this week, but about

65% of King County voters were apparently busy doing something else.

Stranger News Editor Vivian McCall and your last meal host, Rachel Bell, are here to break down the week.

But first, let's get you caught up.

Washington State is starting to crack down on landlords who raise rents too steeply. Under a new state law that took effect in May, rent can only increase by a maximum of 10% for most people. Attorney General Nick Brown is enforcing the law on eight landlords with properties in Isoquois, Bothel, Edmonds, and several other cities.

Brown says about 250 residents who were charged too much under the new law will get refunds from their property owners.

Workers in Tacoma could be getting a raise in the future.

The Tacoma City Council will vote on a plan today to raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports the council is expected to send the measure to voters, though the council does have the option to approve

the plan on its own. Backers of the so-called Workers Bill of Rights turned in signatures in June

to get the measure on the ballot. And it's going to be a sunny weekend. You can check out Washington State Parks for free.

Apparently August 9th is Smokey Bear's birthday.

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