The kids aren’t alright. Education inequity is a long-festering problem in Seattle, and the first day of school saw dozens of students walk out to protest disparities in funding, access, and class sizes.

Students at Rainier Beach High School told The Seattle Times that they organized the demonstration after learning they would lose staff due to low enrollment.

The south end school has been ground zero for many conversations about the challenges faced by students and families in Seattle’s low-income neighborhoods. Last spring, comedian Wyatt Cenac used an episode of his HBO show “Problem Areas” to zero in on Rainier Beach as a place where limited budgets create tough choices that schools in wealthier areas don’t have to face.

Meanwhile, a Garfield High School senior named Azure Savage has published a book featuring their experiences as a mixed-race, genderqueer student. Called “You Failed Us: Students of Color Talk Seattle Schools,” the book also includes insights from 40 other local youth.

In other news…

“The blob” is back — maybe. NOAA scientists say a new marine heat wave has formed off the West Coast and that it strongly resembles the disastrous “blob” that first hit the Pacific Ocean in 2013. Caused by a persistent ridge of high pressure, the previous marine heat wave led to massive algae blooms, killed sea lions, and further weakened struggling salmon runs. (The Seattle Times)

One man’s trash is a local artist’s treasure. That’s especially true at the King County Recology CleanSpaces recycling facility, where local artists in residence sift through plastic bags and tin cans to find materials for their next masterpiece. (Crosscut)

“Kid Uber” has arrived in Seattle. Would you trust a stranger to schlep your child to soccer practice? HopSkipDrive says it heavily vets drivers and adds several safety features that elevate the service to something more akin to a driving nanny. It’s priced accordingly. (KUOW)

Washington state has the largest ferry system in North America with 22 vessels in Puget Sound and 25 million riders per year.

It’s up to Captain John McMillen to make sure tourists and regulars alike make the journey safely back and forth from Coleman Dock to Bainbridge Island. He’ll be the first to tell you: It’s hard to find a job that offers better views.

We wanted to find out: What’s it like to drive the ferry? Is it hard to become a captain? What’s the strangest question he’s ever received on the job?

Watch our short video story to learn the answers and get a taste of Captain John’s salty sense of humor.

SPONSORED BY FRIENDS OF WATERFRONT SEATTLE, WHO DID NOT PROVIDE EDITORIAL INPUT

🍽️ Seattle is changing fast, and certain communities are being pushed out as others flood into our city. This month’s Setting the Table is focused on one of the more challenging local issues: gentrification and displacement. Join us on Sept. 18 for a community conversation and dinner centered around the question, “Who gets to call Seattle home?” (Belltown)

Want to unlock big discounts at Evergrey events? Support The Evergrey with a membership.

Yesterday we introduced a new round of The Evergrey Jeopardy with the following clue: This award-winning African American science fiction author lived just north of Seattle in Lake Forest Park at the time of her death. 

The answer is Octavia Butler, whose sci-fi books have been translated into 10 different languages and sold more than 1 million copies. If you responded correctly, here’s your gold star for the day: 🌟

Have a great weekend, all. We’ll see ya on Monday.

— The Evergrey