Uber to Test Carpooling Service, Dark and Stormy Weather & More

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On Monday Seattle had one of its darkest days, according to KOMO News. Monday was the second darkest day in Seattle so far in the 21st century. The University of Washington measured only 0.44 MJ/m2 (megajoule/square meter), just barely outshining a measurement taken in 2006 at 0.39. We can thank the rain clouds for the dreary weather this week. Take your vitamin D, you’re going to need it. 

Beginning Thursday, Uber will begin piloting its new carpooling service called UberHOP in Seattle. This new service, GeekWire says, is meant to reduce the cost for customers while raising efficiency for Uber drivers. The carpool rides will be offered for a $5 flat fee and will be available along three central routes in the city, including downtown to Capitol Hill and Fremont and Ballard to South Lake Union. You can access UberHOP between the hours of 7 and 10 a.m. and 4 and 7 p.m. For a detailed explanation on how to use Uber’s new service visit geekwire.com.

Seattle City Council members went to bat for our city’s senior citizens on Monday and made last-minute changes to a 10-year agreement with Comcast. In a letter written by Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Bruce Harrell, the council demanded that Comcast allow Seattleites the same benefits given to residents in Philadelphia, where according to KIRO TV, low income seniors pay $9.95 per month for basic Internet speeds. Comcast had originally not agreed to offer this benefit in Seattle. Following the mayor and councilmember’s letter, Comcast has agreed to add this benefit to the agreement. KIRO says that Seattle seniors could register for this service as early as mid-2016.

Nearly 200 people have contracted the norovirus after attending a catered event at downtown Seattle’s Russell Investments Center. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (The CDC), norovirus is a very contagious illness that causes diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. The Seattle Times notes that the event was catered by Bon Appetit Management Co. of Palo Alto California. Health officials have closed all food vendors in the tower and continue to investigate the outbreak.

This story has been edited since its original publication. Food borne was removed since the actual source of the outbreak has not been determined by the health department.