Seattle news: teacher charged with molestation, fight against copper thefts, and changes to the Seahawks roster
Video: More mountain snow expected
While Seattle residents track a weather forecast promising more mountain snow, a local KIRO 7 newscast ran a disturbing story entirely unrelated to the weather. The report, available on the station’s website, opens with a headline about incoming snow but quickly shifts to a shocking criminal case.
According to court documents, a 62-year-old gym teacher at a Skykomish school is accused of systematically abusing and raping a 12-year-old student. Prosecutors say the crimes continued for two years while the girl was in eighth and ninth grade. Prosecutors described the conduct as an “appalling abuse of power,” in which the accused exploited the victim’s vulnerability under the guise of mentorship and support. That wording underscores the deep breach of trust that is central to cases of this type, where an adult in a position of authority uses that position to manipulate a child. The incident became public after official documents were released, taking it beyond the walls of the school.
This news, appearing amid an otherwise routine weather segment, is a grim reminder of how criminal tragedies can intrude on the lives of the quietest communities. The story not only details the specific allegations against the educator but also raises broader questions about child safety in schools and mechanisms to prevent such abuses. For residents expecting only a report on snow in the Cascades, such a jarring shift in the news feed can produce a particularly strong emotional reaction, highlighting the fragility of calm and trust.
Fighting copper theft in King County: why the bill failed and what’s next
Although a bill aimed at tightening rules around the sale of stolen metals, particularly copper, failed to pass in the current legislative session, King County prosecutors aren’t giving up. They plan to reintroduce it next year to counter a growing wave of thefts that harm local utilities and small businesses. The core idea is to create a mandatory database for scrap metal buyers to track sales and to establish a new criminal offense for destroying critical communications infrastructure.
Gary Ernsdorff, senior deputy prosecuting attorney in the King County Prosecutor’s Office who helped originate the bill, emphasizes that as long as there is demand for stolen metal, there will be a steady stream of people willing to steal it for quick profit. He points to the success of similar legislation that helped reduce thefts of catalytic converters. He notes copper prices reached a record high this year and continue to rise, further motivating criminals. The thefts occur almost daily, affecting assets such as Sound Transit — which faces incidents several times a week, disrupting service for riders — as well as rural utility poles and small businesses.
A vivid example is The Lockspot Cafe in Ballard, which was targeted twice by thieves, forcing the owners to sleep at the restaurant to try to prevent further damage. As reported by FOX 13 Seattle, the owners still haven’t received a response from the city to their pleas for help. Ernsdorff laments that even a small copper theft can have catastrophic consequences for a small business.
Senate Bill 6190, known as the “Copper Wire Theft Bill,” was designed to attack the problem on the demand side. It would have required scrap yards to photograph materials they purchase, collect seller information, and upload that data to a centralized database accessible to law enforcement. That would allow police to quickly track stolen property, seize it and begin investigations, rather than having to manually canvass every scrap yard in the county — a task for which they lack resources. The bill also proposed a new criminal charge — “Destruction of Critical Communications Infrastructure” — an important step given that copper thefts frequently cripple communications and transportation systems.
Progress was blocked by resistance from scrap metal recyclers. Their primary complaints concerned requirements to hold purchased material and turn it over to police if theft is suspected. Recyclers opposed even minimal holding periods for evidence after purchase, which became a serious obstacle. As Ernsdorff explained, that is the barrier that must be overcome going forward. Despite the bill’s failure, prosecutors note that existing crimes — including theft, malicious mischief, and dealing in stolen property — can still be used to pursue charges.
Ernsdorff expresses confidence that, as with catalytic converter thefts, they will eventually secure the necessary measures. His strategy is straightforward: rather than only targeting the thieves (supply), they must hit the buyers of stolen goods (demand). He urges business owners suffering from theft not to lose hope — work on the bill will continue, though implementation will likely take another year. Given rising copper prices and the uptick in incidents, the legislative initiative remains critical to protecting the region’s infrastructure and economy.
Three Seattle Seahawks become unrestricted free agents
On Wednesday, at the start of the NFL’s new league year, three Seattle Seahawks players officially hit the open market as unrestricted free agents. The club did not tender qualifying offers to them, allowing tight end Brady Russell, wide receiver Cody White, and defensive tackle Brandon Pili to seek new teams. At the same time, the club retained four other players whose contracts had expired by making offers or signing new deals.
The NFL’s new league year always brings active roster movement, and the Seahawks were no exception. As reported by Seattle Sports, the team decided not to issue qualifying offers to three restricted free agents, which automatically made them unrestricted. That means those players can sign with any other team without the new club having to provide compensation. Meanwhile, the Seahawks retained wide receiver Jake Bobo (he received a qualifying offer), linebacker Drake Thomas, safety A.J. Finley, and long snapper Chris Stolla by signing them to new contracts.
Leaving the team is 27-year-old tight end Brady Russell, who spent the last three seasons in Seattle. He was signed off the Philadelphia practice squad in September 2023 and served as a backup tight end, fullback and key special teams player. In his NFL career he has no receptions but has recorded 31 tackles and one special-teams fumble recovery. In 2025 he played 396 special-teams snaps — more than any other Seahawk — highlighting his value in that often underappreciated phase of the game.
Also departing is 27-year-old receiver Cody White, who was signed to the practice squad in 2023 and debuted on the active roster in 2024. In his first game — an overtime win in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams — he impressed with two catches for 44 yards and a punt block. Last season he appeared in 10 games, with three catches for 90 yards and his first career touchdown. He also played 117 special-teams snaps and recorded seven tackles. Over four NFL seasons (with the Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers) his stat line is modest: 11 catches for 169 yards and one touchdown in 30 games.
The third player is 26-year-old defensive tackle Brandon Pili, a massive lineman (6 ft 4 in, 344 lbs). He was signed to the practice squad in 2024 and debuted in 2025. In 13 games he recorded 12 tackles and forced one fumble. Across three NFL seasons (with the Seahawks and Miami Dolphins) he has played in 25 games and tallied 16 tackles.
For context: a restricted free agent (RFA) is a player whose contract has expired and who has three accrued NFL seasons. His former club can issue a tender — a qualifying offer for a set amount — which gives that club the right to match any offer sheet from another team or receive draft-pick compensation if the player departs. By not issuing a tender, the club lets the player go for nothing, and he becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA), free to sign with any team.
The Seahawks’ decision not to tender offers to these three players signals a strategic roster refresh, particularly in reserve depth. Russell was a special-teams specialist, White a depth receiver with upside, and Pili a rotational defensive lineman. Their departures free roster spots for new acquisitions via the draft or free agency. At the same time, retaining Bobo, Thomas, Finley and Stolla indicates the team views them as part of its future, especially young and promising receiver Jake Bobo. These roster moves are part of the broader Seahawks offseason picture, which, as linked at the end of the article, also includes re-signings of veteran players such as offensive lineman Josh Jones and cornerback Josh Jobe, and draft analysis. Thus, the exit of three players is a routine but important step in building a competitive roster for the coming season.
