Site Logo
A view of the Federal Way Link Extension route looking west over downtown Federal Way in Nov. 2022. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda

News

Town hall will focus on Federal Way’s future development

March 9 event seeks public feedback on comprehensive plan.

Construction workers work on the final stop of the Federal Way Link Extension light rail route along S. 320th Street in Federal Way on Nov. 19, 2021. Olivia Sullivan / the Mirror

News

Light rail service to Tacoma delayed to 2035

Sound Transit studies more options for the train line route.

Decatur High School senior and “American Idol” contestant Iam Tongi sits at home on March 1. His father Rodney spent a bonus from his job as an electrician to buy Iam’s guitar. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

News

Federal Way student goes viral on ‘American Idol’

Decatur High School senior amasses more than a hundred million views of his performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters.”

Steve McNey

News

Federal Way public affairs officer Steve McNey resigns

McNey said he is leaving amicably, but the job had taken its toll.

Melissa Swain poses for a picture at the University of Washington Tacoma, where she takes classes, on the afternoon of Feb. 22. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

News

Hometown Hero: Federal Way veteran, researcher isn’t deterred by death

Melissa Swain isn’t afraid to talk about death.

Aerial photo of the soccer fields and skate park near Steel Lake. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda

News

City likely to abandon controversial Steel Lake maintenance facility plan

Federal Way appears poised to scrap the idea of building a maintenance facility on the Steel Lake Annex,…

This map shows some of the changes coming to the transit center area. Part of 23rd Avenue S (highlighted in red) will become northbound only. South 317th Street (orange) will have its center turn lane eliminated. Pete von Reichbauer Way South (blue) will be restriped to expand road capacity. And a new roundabout (purple) will be installed at the 23rd Avenue South / S 317th Street intersection by the end of the year. Image visualized using Google My Maps, using information from Sound Transit. Alex Bruell / The Mirror.

News

Prepare for traffic changes near Federal Way Transit Center

Major traffic changes are coming Feb. 23 near the Federal Way Transit Center as construction crews work on…

News

Wife rushed to Harborview after being shot in domestic incident in Federal Way

A 58-year-old woman was taken to Harborview Feb. 20 after her 70-year-old husband shot her at a residence…

Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell spoke to the city’s business opportunities and his desire to see legislative change in policing during the Feb. 16, 2023, State of the City Address. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

News

Big challenges, big opportunities outlined in mayor’s State of the City address

Mayor Jim Ferrell offered an optimistic vision of Federal Way’s future, buoyed by recent business development and approaching…

Alinea Kirshenbaum, in the black-and-white striped shirt, debuted her musical “City of Lights” this month at the Federal Way Public Academy. Photos taken and shared by Valerie Bradshaw, FWPA Office Manager / Registrar.

Life

Federal Way Public Academy students perform original musical

It’s a story of friendship, dreams and finding yourself in an unfamiliar place — but this musical was…

The Federal Way Inn and Suites at 1688 S. 348th St., which was formerly the Red Lion hotel. Photo take in February 2023. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

News

Red Lion shelter opening still in limbo after meth clean-up

Delays at the former Red Lion hotel, including the clean-up of methamphetamine contamination, kept the county-owned property from…

Federal Way councilmembers and the mayor pose for a photo with students from Thomas Jefferson and Decatur high schools during the city’s proclamation of Black History Month. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

News

FW City Council roundup includes Black History Month celebration

The Federal Way City Council discussed legislative news, approved spending for city projects and voted to let the…

This photo, shared by Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell on Twitter, shows officers working at the Feb. 4 gun buy-back event in Federal Way.

News

Federal Way gun buy-back event nets 190 no-longer-wanted firearms

The goal of the Feb. 4 gun buyback was to reduce the number of guns that are in…

Keanu Earnest is a 16-year-old Todd Beamer High School student with an infectious smile and plans to attend college after high school. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

News

Federal Way’s Youth of the Year isn’t afraid to step up

The 16-year-old Todd Beamer High School junior was recently chosen as Youth of the Year at the Federal…

This architectural rendering by Bumgardner Architects shows what the finished Redondo Heights development might look like from the street view level.

News

Ground broken at new affordable housing development near Star Lake

The development includes 334 units.

A view of the Federal Way Link Extension route looking west over downtown Federal Way in Nov. 2022. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda

News

Council retreat: What kind of Federal Way do residents want?

Federal Way City Councilmembers plotted the future of downtown and discussed, but didn’t take any action, on attendance…

Toby Dycus (left) explains how he and co-writer Stephen Prescott put together one of the issues of “Nightstik.” Alex Bruell/The Mirror

News

Federal Way teacher pens third issue of indie comic series

‘Nightstik’ is a superhero story decades in the making

The Rep. Roger Freeman Award highlights four qualities attributed to former local state Rep. Roger Freeman: Justice, Diversity, Compassion and Integrity.

News

Roger Freeman award seeks high school applicants from Federal Way

All contestants must submit an application and an essay, song, poem, video or other piece of art by…

Decatur High School Band Director Jeff Chang directs his early-morning jazz band students the morning of Jan. 18. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

News

Hometown Hero: Decatur band director drums up young musicians

Band Director Jeff Chang has been sharing his love of music with students at Decatur High School for…

Alex Bruell / The Mirror
The Stevenson Motel in Federal Way, as seen the afternoon of Jan. 11.
The Stevenson Motel in Federal Way, as seen the afternoon of Jan. 11. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

News

Federal Way motel could become temporary emergency shelter

Public comments are due to the City of Federal Way by Feb. 6.