In the roundup: the president of the Seattle teachers’ union denies allegations of abusing a student; a seaplane carrying 11 passengers crashed in the San Juan Islands, and everyone survived; the Seahawks signed veteran tight end Nick Vanett and waived cornerback Tyrone Broden.
Seattle teachers’ union president accused of abusing a student responds publicly for the first time
More than a month after an investigation by the Seattle Public Schools found that a special education teacher—and the newly elected president of the local teachers’ union—“most likely” grabbed a student’s arm hard enough to leave a bruise, the teacher has responded publicly to the allegations for the first time. Ibidjoke Idowu, who works at Rising Star Elementary School in South Beacon Hill, challenges the investigation’s findings and questions how thorough it was. In a statement submitted to The Seattle Times, she says the report “ignores” the testimony of multiple witnesses who said they saw no physical interaction between her and the student, and that “no witness said they observed any physical interference that could have caused a bruise.”
The district’s investigation, whose results were released earlier, found that Idowu most likely grabbed the student’s arm multiple times—once so hard it left a bruise—as well as threw a marker at him. The report also says she allegedly threw a book at another student, hitting him in the stomach. It further states that she yelled, “I don’t care that you’re crying,” at children who were crying in the classroom, and that students “flinched” when Idowu walked past them. Other allegations, including that she grabbed another two students by their hair or wrists, were not substantiated. As reported by The Seattle Times, the parents of a third-grader with autism and partial speech ownership reported alleged physical abuse, after which Idowu was placed on administrative leave with pay in December 2025. Still, in May she was elected president of the Seattle Education Association, which represents about 6,000 teachers, support staff, secretaries, counselors, and other employees.
In her statement, Idowu stresses that the investigation’s conclusions were based on the testimony of only some witnesses—“but not the majority.” She also notes that “most of the allegations don’t include specific dates or times from individuals required to report these incidents,” making it difficult for her “to provide clarity without context.” The district investigation included interviews with more than a dozen people, including Idowu herself. None of them personally saw her grab the student in a way that would have caused a bruise. However, three witnesses said Idowu was “rough” with students, “grabbing” or “yanking” them. At least three witnesses told investigators that Idowu yelled at the children and was angry. Two others said they saw no physical interaction between her and the students.
Idowu also commented on her relationship with the student, whose parents were the first to report the alleged physical abuse. “I care deeply about this student, and he cares about me. He was a joy at school. He always looked forward to learning. He grew by learning school routines through consistency and care,” she wrote. Addressing unverified allegations that she yanked hair or grabbed wrists, Idowu explained that she often helped students with their hair, and that such actions are part of the “comprehensive support” she provides so that students “can thrive and develop life skills.” She added: “I help students hold pencils correctly to meet occupational therapy goals.”
The student’s parents, who say Idowu left a bruise on their son’s arm and caused him long-term injury, were shocked by how toxic the classroom atmosphere was. The boy’s mother, Olla Marsh, said: “I was surprised that it was such a day-to-day thing—how she treated the students.” The parents hired an attorney, Lara Hruska, and are considering additional legal action. Neither Idowu nor the school district confirms whether she is still on paid leave, whether she will return to the classroom, or whether she faces discipline based on the investigation’s results. A district spokesperson said the district takes the allegations seriously, but the employee is entitled to due process, and the process has not yet been completed.
The parents also contacted the Seattle Police Department, which conducted its own investigation and referred the case to the King County Prosecutor’s Office, which declined to file felony charges, concluding that Idowu’s actions fell under a misdemeanor (fourth-degree assault). The case was returned to police and then sent to the city prosecutor’s office, which has not yet made a decision. The Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction said it did not receive any complaints from the school district regarding Idowu.
Regardless of the outcomes of any civil or criminal proceedings, several members of the Seattle teachers’ union expressed disappointment—and even a sense of betrayal—saying they were not informed that Idowu was on leave or under the district’s investigation when they voted for her in the April election. A petition calling for Idowu’s recall gathered 187 signatures. Some union members wrote a letter demanding her resignation, saying that “resignation is not an admission of guilt, but an acknowledgment that the position is bigger than any one person. When trust in leadership is substantially undermined, stepping aside can allow the organization to move forward.” Idowu said she was instructed not to discuss the investigation with anyone except her union representative and the district’s labor relations manager, and that she informed the union members who directly contacted her, while keeping the investigation confidential.
A SEA union spokesperson noted that any good-faith member can vote and run for president as long as they work actively in the district and pay dues. Idowu insists that her students thrived, pointing to improved test results and social-emotional regulation. However, she called the district’s decision to release the report “concerning,” saying she learned about it only through friends on social media, and that her rights to privacy and due process were grossly violated. She promised to use every available resource to challenge any action by the district.
Seaplane crash near Seattle leaves 11 onboard — all survived
A major emergency in a popular U.S. tourist region: a seaplane carrying 11 people crashed near a rocky shoreline on an island in the San Juan Islands north of Seattle. Thanks to the quick actions of bystanders and rescue services, everyone onboard was evacuated and taken to hospitals. As of Friday, at least five passengers had already been released, while the rest were in stable condition.
The incident occurred at around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island. Based on videos circulating on social media, the plane appeared to tip unusually onto one float during approach, then jumped back into the air and struck the ground with a loud crunch. In the footage, a bystander can be heard gasping at the moment of impact. After that, smoke began to billow from the cockpit, followed by bright orange flames engulfing the fuselage, which was partly in the water and pressed against a large boulder. People rushed in to help: the U.S. Coast Guard issued an urgent notice to vessels, and many volunteer boats responded immediately to pull passengers out.
According to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, the injured suffered head injuries, fractures, and cuts. Initially, one person was reported in critical condition, but it later turned out that all 11 people—the pilot and 10 passengers—survived. Five were released from hospitals on Friday, and two more were expected to leave medical facilities the same day. The pilot was taken to Skagit Valley Hospital. Two other passengers were sent to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where their condition was assessed as satisfactory.
The incident happened less than three weeks after another seaplane with eight people made a rough landing in New York’s East River, resulting in minor injuries. The operator of the crashed aircraft was Kenmore Air— the largest operator of DHC-3 Otter planes in the Puget Sound region. CEO David Gagel said the company is grateful that everyone remained alive, canceled all flights for Friday, and is cooperating with investigators. Notably, exactly the same type of aircraft—the Canadian-made DHC-3 Otter by de Havilland—was involved in a fatal accident in 2022 off the Seattle coast that killed ten people. At the time, federal regulators ordered inspections of all similar aircraft, and investigators found a failure of a single component in a critical flight control system. Kenmore Air had previously said its aircraft had passed inspections and met requirements.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have deployed a team to investigate the crash’s causes. An NTSB spokesperson said there is not yet enough information to provide a press briefing. The seaplane departed from Seattle’s Lake Union and was headed to Roche Harbor Seaplane Base on San Juan Island—a popular route for tourists visiting the archipelago for ferries, whale watching, and hiking. As Scripps News reports, the rapid response by people nearby and coordination among rescue services saved the lives of everyone involved in the dramatic crash.
Seahawks bring back veteran tight end and waive cornerback
The Seattle Seahawks announced Friday that they have signed veteran offensive tight end Nick Vanett. To free a spot on the 90-man roster, the team released cornerback Tyrone Broden. The move came the day before the opening of training camp at the Seahawks’ headquarters in Renton. Vanett’s return isn’t just another roster addition—it’s a story of a former player returning, after years of bouncing around the league, to a familiar environment.
Nick Vanett was drafted by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2016 draft from Ohio State University. In Seattle, he played 42 games from 2016 through 2019, when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2019 season. Then his career became something of a whirlwind of teams: the Denver Broncos (2020), New Orleans Saints (2021–2022), New York Giants (2022), Los Angeles Chargers (2023), Tennessee Titans (2024), Minnesota Vikings (2025), and Los Angeles Rams (2025). Over a decade-long NFL career, he has played for nine different clubs—without even counting Seattle.
Despite that lengthy résumé, Vanett’s most recent season was nearly invisible. In 2025, he played only 10 games—one in the starting lineup—between the Vikings and the Rams, and among 55 offensive snaps, he was not targeted once. On special teams, however, he recorded 76 snaps—suggesting that’s the role the team is looking for him to fill. Vanett’s most productive offensive season came in 2018, when he caught 29 passes on 43 targets for 269 yards and three touchdowns. And in 2024 with Tennessee, he flashed again: 17 receptions on 20 targets for 135 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games, 10 of which he started.
To sign Vanett, the Seahawks waived cornerback Tyrone Broden. Broden is interesting because he switched positions—from receiver to cornerback—during the offseason. At 6 feet 5 inches (about 196 cm), he could have become the tallest cornerback in NFL history if he recorded even one snap at that position. But on Monday, the team placed him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list due to an undisclosed injury—and he was ultimately released. Essentially, Broden didn’t even get a chance to debut at the new position.
The PUP designation (Physically Unable to Perform) is an official status for players who, due to injury, are unable to practice or play. Players on PUP do not occupy a spot on the active roster, but they can return after recovery. Still, the Seahawks decided not to wait and opened space for Vanett. Broden will now become a free agent and can try to sign with another team.
Vanett’s return isn’t just a nostalgic move. The team is likely looking for an experienced blocking tight end who can help on special teams and serve as a safety option for younger players. Since last year Vanett did not receive any passing assignments, his role would appear to be strictly supplemental. That said, in 2024 he showed he can complete short routes effectively.
The move also underscores how the Seahawks are making targeted roster decisions one day before training camp begins. As noted in a report by Seattle Sports, the team continues to look for balance between experience and youth. Along with other recent developments—such as placing a running back on PUP or intensive negotiations with Weatherspoon—this transaction suggests the coaching staff is trying to finalize every position before the real work starts.
For Vanett personally, this is a homecoming. He began his career in Seattle, and now, after six years of wandering, he gets another chance to wear Seahawks colors. The question is whether the 30-year-old veteran can deliver value for a team building for the future. For now, his signing looks like a low-cost, low-risk option: even if he doesn’t meet expectations, losing a player like that wouldn’t amount to a major blow.
