State rules and new tariffs have squeezed Washington sawmills, forcing cut shifts and a scramble for buyers.

Amazon will add a 3.5% fuel-and-logistics surcharge to fulfillment fees starting April 17, a move that could squeeze small sellers and follows carrier surcharges.

A Powerball ticket sold at WinCo Foods in Federal Way matched four white balls plus the Powerball, turning a $50,000 prize into $150,000 with Power Play.

Starbucks unveiled a partner incentive program that offers quarterly rewards, expands app tipping and shifts U.S. partners to weekly pay — company says it could lift eligible earnings 5–8%.

Meridian Capital's Seattle team has joined CliftonLarsonAllen and will operate as CLA Meridian Capital, promising deeper M&A and capital‑raising support for local firms.

A flight attendant alleges a Stumptown Coffee package exploded aboard an Alaska Airlines flight in April 2024, leaving her with burns and permanent scarring; a federal suit was filed in Seattle.

Shareholders re-elected Starbucks’ full board on March 25, defeating a labor‑backed proxy challenge while approving a governance change to majority voting.

Seattle‑based Brooks Running will open a standalone University Village shop this summer, taking the former Eddie Bauer space and adding a dozen or two retail jobs.

Census tables show U.S. family‑owned firms rose between 2022 and 2023, but Washington recorded a net loss of 41 family businesses — a sign of local strain on Main Street.

Industry and market reports show Seattle hotels’ margins were squeezed in 2025 after a sharp drop in Canadian visitors and rising operating costs. Analysts say big events in 2026 could ease the pressure.

Amazon and the Postal Service are at odds after contract talks collapsed; Amazon plans to slash USPS volume and the Postal Service is rebidding last‑mile work.

A King County class-action alleges unpaid overtime and missed meal/rest breaks at Dick’s Drive‑In across the Puget Sound. The chain says it’s reviewing the claims.

Uwajimaya will open two new Northwest stores in 2027, including a Tacoma homecoming and an Issaquah expansion that brings its flagship-style market to new neighborhoods.