Alina Hunter-Grah headshot

Alina Hunter-Grah

Senior Newsletter Editor, SEAtoday

Alina is based in Seattle, WA, but grew up in Clarksville, TN. She has 5+ years of professional journalism experience, but also spent a stint working for public transit in Nashville, TN. You’re likely to find her cruising local beaches for rocks or sailing her 1970s laser when the weather is warm.

A mural depicting the Dallas County Courthouse, a mockingbird, cacti, and a trolley is painted along the side of a building using a dusty rose + teal color palette.
Play
11 murals around Dallas
Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city.
November 14, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
A wintry background with snowflakes that reads "SEAtoday's 2024 Gift Guide."
Culture
SEAtoday’s 2024 holiday gift guide: 90+ gifts for everyone on your list
Including gifts for neighbors, foodies, significant others, homebodies, students, and gifts under $20.
November 12, 2024
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
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Culture
Late-night studying spots around Seattle
Grind still going well after the sun goes down? These late-night studying spots in Seattle provide a comfy place to get cracking on your project.
October 28, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
A pumpkin with a creepy smiling face sits on a rock outside.
City
What to do with fallen leaves and rotting Halloween pumpkins
Here are a few creative ways to get rid of your Halloween pumpkins and fallen leaves instead of tossing them in the garbage can.
October 28, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
Dunlap School in Rainier Beach is partially obscured by surrounding trees in the foreground, whose branches cover up the top half of the building. The building, composed of white stone and red brick, features a columned entry and a wide, green grass lawn.
City
Seattle Public Schools announces four schools set for closure in 2025-26 school year
After a few different plans to fix a $91.5 million budget gap, Seattle Public Schools has announced the four schools it officially intends to close in the 2025-26 school year.
October 24, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
SEA_parks and rec CommUNITY Fund
Travel and Outdoors
Seattle Parks and Rec announces 15 recipients of Park CommUNITY Fund
Each of the projects receiving support from the Park CommUNITY Fund were suggested and voted on by locals in Seattle — from new basketball courts and exercise equipment to access improvements and water bottle refill stations.
October 22, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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Food
Where to grab a late-night meal in Seattle
Fancy a midnight snack? These Seattle restaurants have their kitchens open after 9 p.m. — so let’s get munching.
October 21, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
Crews repair a pothole by smoothing asphalt on Cherry Street in Seattle, WA.
City
Explaining Seattle’s $1.5 billion transportation levy
Originally proposed in April 2024, the Seattle transportation levy would help pay for a long list of transportation projects and infrastructure repairs.
October 18, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
Happy 3rd birthday SEAtoday.png
Culture
Celebrating SEAtoday’s third birthday
City Editors Alina, Madeline, and Gabe have spent a collective three years bringing local readers top stories and comprehensive guides to Seattle.
October 16, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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Play
24 museums in Seattle
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or sports fan, these 24 museums in the Seattle area have it all.
October 16, 2024
 · 
Katie Molck
A hand holds a stack of mail-in ballots from King County Elections.
City
Ready those ballots: Guide to Seattle’s 2024 General Election
In addition to the presidential election, ballots will also include a number of local measures and races for US Senators, US Representatives, Governor, and a few other state positions.
October 14, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
Rows of yellow, magenta, and light pink tulips stretch out away from the camera towards a light pink sunset.
Travel and Outdoors
Skagit Valley is getting a new tulip farm
A sister farm of the popular Tulip Town, the new Skagit Acres will be adding another three acres of colorful blooms to next year’s Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
October 14, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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City
Discover your own city with interactive maps from the City of Seattle
The City of Seattle’s Geographic Information System (GIS) maps can help locals find hidden beaches, restrooms, picnic benches, and even figure out what kinds of trees are in the neighborhood.
October 10, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
A picture of golden chanterelle mushrooms.
Travel and Outdoors
Tips for finding the best mushrooms near Seattle
If you’re heading out for some mushroom foraging for the first time, we have a list of books, trails, and other tips for anyone looking to head out into the woods.
October 10, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
MagnusonDogPark-WP
Travel and Outdoors
Seattle Parks and Rec is planning two new off-leash areas for dogs
Slated for West Seattle and Othello, the new sites are part of Seattle Parks and Rec’s Off-Leash Area expansion project — and it wants your feedback.
October 7, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
A group of seven people stand out on the street carrying a rainbow of umbrellas. Most are wearing trench coats.
City
Seattle decades: the 1980s
This decade brought Seattle the nickname “The Emerald City,” the first-ever Costco, and Nirvana.
October 3, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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Culture
Independent theater Grand Illusion Cinema looking for community help to move
The Grand Illusion Cinema, Seattle’s “longest continuously running movie theater”, just launched a campaign to help fund its move to a new location.
October 2, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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Travel and Outdoors
Places Seattleites can travel to by train
Catch the Amtrak train at Seattle’s King Street Station to get to places like Glacier National Park, San Diego, and even Miami.
September 30, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
Seattle sits at sunset amidst a bed of orange-hued trees.
Play
Fall events happening around Seattle
Make the most of the cozy weather with this list of the best local events and activities happening this fall.
September 27, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
The lighthouse at Cape Disappointment sits atop the cliff during golden hour, giving the entire area a golden glow.
Travel and Outdoors
Where did the name of Washington’s “Cape Disappointment” and others come from?
From Cape Disappointment to Point No Point, Washington’s got some funny names for its geographical features. But where did these silly — and somewhat depressing — names come from?
September 26, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
The City of Seattle stands underneath a sunny sky, but still hazy, sky.
City
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell proposes 2025-26 city budget
Seattle’s proposed city budget for 2025-26 needed to close a $250 million deficit, but still includes a variety of new initiatives.
September 24, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
A King County Metro bus drives along Third Avenue downtown under several recently installed strings of lights now hovering above the street.
City
Seattle’s Third Avenue has new permanent string lights
The string lights installed over downtown Seattle’s Third Avenue are intended to improve safety in the area + encourage other nearby businesses to join in the beautifying effort.
September 24, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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Travel and Outdoors
Snug vacation rentals for cool fall getaways near Seattle
These Seattle-area cabins will perfectly set the mood for a fall getaway in the PNW.
September 23, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
An "I voted early" sticker on a finger in front of a green background.
City
Celebrate National Voter Registration Day in Austin
Here’s when, where, and how to register to vote in Austin.
September 16, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
The front of Chief Sealth high school in Seattle, WA with the school's color and logo on the facade.
Education
Seattle Public Schools introduces two proposals for closing schools
Both plans proposed by Seattle Public Schools include closing at least 17 schools, but differ in whether or not some K-8 schools remain open + whether staff reductions are enacted.
September 12, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
Trees in varying shades of yellows, greens, reds, and oranges are lush and vibrant in the Seattle Japanese Garden, which has a gravel trail winding throughout and several benches scattered along. A small pond reflects the trees' colors.
Travel and Outdoors
Where and when to view fall colors in Seattle
The Emerald City trades some of its greens for a fiery display of foliage in the autumn months — here’s what to expect for this year’s fall colors.
September 11, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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Food
Behind the scenes: Seattle’s Mediterranean-inspired bagel + coffee shop Toasted. recently opened
Toasted. has creative takes on Mediterranean-inspired bagel combinations, but the business’s use of AI to solve common industry issues is also pretty noteworthy.
September 10, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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City
City of Seattle introduces updated Food Action Plan
The modified Food Action Plan is intended to help alleviate food insecurity, high prices, negative environmental impacts, and food waste.
September 6, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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Travel and Outdoors
Seattle named top Labor Day weekend destination by AAA
If you’re planning on traveling into or out of Seattle during Labor Day weekend, prepare for a lot of road and airport traffic — especially with Sea-Tac airport’s web systems still down.
August 29, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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City
Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail Lynnwood extension opens
The new Sound Transit Link Light Rail Lynnwood extension includes four new stops north of Northgate — and the whole area is celebrating.
August 29, 2024
 · 
Alina Hunter-Grah
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