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Community members donating food during the Santa Parade and food drive. Courtesy photo.

Life

Welcome to the Santa Parade

South King Fire firefighters and a volunteer Santa Claus pick up food donations in an annual tradition.

What is now a construction zone next to the Federal Way light rail station will ultimately become one of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) projects next to the light rail. MSC will partner to transform one of these parcels of land into affordable housing units, but the others have not yet been awarded. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

Affordable housing will be built next to FW light rail station

Their proposal includes approximately 230 homes across two buildings.

Founder Seung Park graduated from Todd Beamer High School and chose to open Climb NORA in Federal Way to share the sport and community he loves with the city he grew up in. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror.

Business

Gym takes climbing to new heights in Federal Way

Founder is a graduate of Todd Beamer High School.

Federal Way has a low to moderate risk of floods, according to the Washington Department of Ecology. Screenshot of map.

News

Federal Way’s flood risk is low

Large commuter population encouraged to be cautious.

Community members try out the light rail for the first time on Dec. 6 at the Federal Way station. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

Community celebrates new local light rail stations

The light rail stations in Kent-Des Moines, Star Lake and Federal Way are officially open as of Dec.…

Artist Steve Nagode brought a scale diorama to City Hall to share his proposal, which would include statues, seating and a variety of interactive elements. (City photo)

News

FW public art selection delayed to invite community feedback

The art will appear on the public-facing security wall along the east side of 28th Avenue South near…

This chart shows the total school district tax rate over time and how different voter-approved measures contribute to that total. Yellow indicates the School Construction Bond, gray the Tech Levy and orange the Federal Way HS Construction Bond. The EP&O Levy is the bottom section in blue. Graph courtesy of FWPS.

News

FWPS levy renewal approved for February ballot

Levy will fund academic programs, instructional and support staff, and daily operational costs.

The Federal Way light rail station features colorful glass art installations and a view of Federal Way’s developing downtown core. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

Light rail’s opening day includes celebrations and more

Three new stations officially open Dec. 6.

Volunteers and staff at the Multi-Service Center food bank. (Mirror file photo)

Life

MSC celebrates this year’s wins, braces for growing community needs

Multi-Service Center (MSC) helps residents of South King County who are most vulnerable to accessing food, affordable housing,…

Anthony Curtis and Lori Cooper at Lori’s Closet, a free community resource that is one program run by the Black Equality Coalition in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Life

Lori’s Closet grows as free clothing resource in FW

Lori’s Closet started where a small sharing shelf in the breakroom at UPS met conversations about racial justice.

Sen. Claire Wilson (D-District 30) at the Nov. 5 meeting of the Federal Way City Council. Photo by Bruce Honda

News

Council members will finalize FW’s legislative priorities

Community feedback is encouraged.

Dad and daughter Tim and Zoey Moen saw the heart of Federal Way when they built a community pantry in front of their house in response to local needs. Courtesy photo

Life

Heart of Federal Way revealed in response to free pantry

Meet the Mirror’s Hometown Heroes for November 2025.

Racial demographics in Federal Way still echo racially restrictive covenants, even though they haven’t been legally enforceable for decades. Census data mapped by bestneighborhood.org.

News

Racist language found in Federal Way property documents

City will notify owners and share steps they can take to remove it.

Wayside United Church of Christ (UCC) is located at 31247 SW Dash Point Road. Out of two portions of the property that are currently vacant and wooded, the church believes that the portion of their property located at the intersection of SW Dash Point Road and 21st Avenue (marked by “X” on the map) would be the most appealing to a potential buyer. Image from city documents

News

Affordable housing: City to explore partnership with church

There are 61 churches total within Federal Way, and they collectively own 179.9 acres.

Turkeys from a past Brooklake Church turkey drive in Federal Way. Photo provided by Shelley Pauls

News

Food resources in Federal Way

Upcoming donation drives, food pantries and more.

Pacific Bonsai Museum curator Aarin Packard describes one of his favorite bonsai, a tiny living forest from one of his teachers. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror.

Life

Winter happenings at the Pacific Bonsai Museum

Special traveling exhibit is on display.

Screenshot from kickitfw.com.

Life

Check out Federal Way’s World Cup festival plans

Free event Nov. 14 at the Performing Arts and Event Center.

The Juneteenth and Pride flags were flown in June 2025 next to the U.S. flag in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

FW flag policy change gets community pushback

Council ends the flying of any “non-governmental” flags at City Hall.

Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror Les Sessoms and Jack Dovey at the Federal Way Mirror’s candidate forum on Oct. 8. They are running against each other for Federal Way City Council position 6.

News

Federal Way early election results: Ferrell beats Honda, Sessoms leads Dovey

Early results are in for the 2025 general elections, including the races for Federal Way’s next mayor and…

Light rail trains can now be seen running their regular schedule as the simulated service tests the schedule and infrastructure that will open on Dec. 6 to Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

Test trains will simulate service to Federal Way until opening day

Long-awaited Federal Way light rail station undergoes final tests ahead of Dec. 6 opening date.