Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton

Why are you participating in Dry January? Tell The Seattle Times Many decide to embrace the quiet start of the year for a bodily reset. Share your reasons.

With a new year comes new resolutions. But this Dry January arrives at a time when the drinking habits of Americans are in flux.

So @seattletimes.com wants to know: Why did you decide to participate in Dry January this year? ⬇️
www.seattletimes.com/business/par...

Washington's tribes boost state economic activity The scope of Washington's tribal economies is expanding its reach — and the tribes' reasoning is that's to the aid of all.

Sidebar here: www.seattletimes.com/business/loc...

Why WA tribes are betting big on casinos Leaders of several tribal casinos say business remains stable, though the state’s gaming scene isn’t immune to all headwinds.

While Las Vegas has faced a downward spiral, casinos in Washington — where Native American tribes are the industry’s keepers — have largely weathered the storm.

After working on this project for months, I'm so pleased to share this @seattletimes.com story.
www.seattletimes.com/business/loc...

George F. Russell, Jr., 93, grew WA investing firm into billion-dollar giant, dies Russell, the former chairman of Seattle-headquartered Russell Investments, was remembered as a transformative figure in the financial services industry.

George F. Russell, Jr., who shaped a small family-run investment business into a global force managing hundreds of billions of dollars in assets, died at his home near Tacoma last month. He was 93.

For @seattletimes.com.
www.seattletimes.com/business/loc...

A WA nonprofit sets up children and families for success For 56 years, Kent Youth and Family Services has endured as a community pillar, offering education, counseling and other support.

Since Asia Butler and her family became clients of Kent Youth and Family Services, the nonprofit has provided them with much more than child care.

It has built a support system, setting them up for success.

For @seattletimes.com.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Costco loses $400,000 worth of lobster The wholesale club recently found itself in a pinch after scammers stole a truck carrying lobster meat that was headed to its stores.

Costco recently found itself in a pinch after criminals allegedly stole $400,000 worth of lobster headed to its stores in Illinois and Minnesota.

For @seattletimes.com.
www.seattletimes.com/business/cos...

12 movies Seattle Times staffers loved in 2025 From “Sinners” and “KPop Demon Hunters” to “One Battle After Another” and “Bugonia,” here are our staff members’ favorite movies of the year.

Did your favorite film make our @seattletimes.com list?

See what our staffers wrote (including my love letter to "Sinners"). 💌
www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...

Washington’s ‘constantly squeezed’ dairy farms find cheer in eggnog Consumers are flocking to buy eggnog, cheese and other dairy products for their festivities, providing a boost to a struggling Washington industry.

Washington is home to hundreds of #dairy farms, but their owners are facing an industry in crisis.

Its bleak landscape is lightened by holiday cheer. Consumers are flocking to buy eggnog, cheese and other products.

A deep dive for @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/agr...

Majority of Starbucks’ striking baristas are returning to work | The Seattle Times While some employees will resume their roles, about 25% will continue to strike, the union said.

Nearly six weeks after thousands of Starbucks union workers began to strike over contract negotiations, the standoff with the Seattle-based coffee giant hasn’t budged.

Updates for @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social here:
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

‘They're not new to our people’: Washington tribes grapple with floods Coast Salish tribes actively addressed the developing weather event this week.

The Lhaq’temish counted as one of many communities grappling with flooding throughout Western Washington.

Of the state’s 29 tribal governments, several in the affected areas were focused on supporting their members Thursday.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Live: Historic flooding in Skagit, Snohomish rivers force road closures, evacuations Washington is under a state of emergency due to historic flooding. See the latest weather forecasts, road closures, evacuations, shelters and news.

The @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social team is working hard to provide updates on the record flooding happening across western Washington. I'm reporting on the tribal impacts.

Live updates here: www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Chateau Ste. Michelle is now under new ownership The Wyckoff family announced its purchase of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates on Monday.

Washington state’s largest wine producer is toasting its new ownership: an entrepreneurial family rooted in the Yakima Valley.

The Wyckoff family announced its purchase of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates on Monday.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/loc...

Seattle couples grow fonder of affordable alternatives to diamond rings The jewelry tastes of today's buyers are expanding beyond natural, mined diamonds to lab-grown alternatives and gemstones.

The jewelry tastes of today’s engagement ring buyers are expanding beyond natural, mined diamonds to lab-grown alternatives and other gemstones.

Many see lab-grown diamonds in particular as more affordable, ethical options.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/loc...

Starbucks union says strike is longest in company history Starbucks Workers United is now referring to its walkout as "the longest unfair labor practice strike in Starbucks history."

Starbucks Workers United, the union representing thousands of baristas, is now referring to its walkout that began on Nov. 13 over stalled contract negotiations as “the longest unfair labor practice strike in Starbucks history.”

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

Is Black Friday dead in downtown Seattle? Business owners answer Has the death knell sounded for Black Friday in downtown Seattle? Not yet, according to several businesses.

Has the death knell sounded for Black Friday in downtown Seattle? Not yet, according to several businesses, big and small.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/loc...

Screenshot of Seattle Times article. The header reads "Suquamish Tribe will acquire women's health centers in OB-GYN desert." Below the header is a photo of the St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale in 2022.

Thrilled that the Suquamish Tribe is acquiring women's health clinics in Kitsap County! Native American women endure high maternal mortality rates, and tribal-led initiatives have proven to be highly effective in reducing these health disparities. @seattletimes.com @meganululani.bsky.social

Facing the prospect of a medical 'desert,' a WA tribe steps in The Suquamish Tribe plans to acquire a women's health clinic next year to alleviate an "OB-GYN desert."

The Suquamish Tribe plans to acquire two women’s health clinics next year to alleviate an “OB-GYN desert.”

The tribe will acquire Kitsap OBGYN in January.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/loc...

Workers at 3 Seattle-area Starbucks stores still on strike one week later Staffers at two Seattle stores and one in Redmond are still striking, according to Starbucks Workers United, the union representing thousands of baristas.

Workers at three Starbucks coffeehouses in the Seattle area are continuing to strike one week after picket lines first formed at stores around the country to protest stalled union contract negotiations.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

REI is introducing this new benefit aimed at adventurers A new partnership will bring offerings of domestic and global travel experiences at a discount for members.

REI Co-op is returning to its roots of offering experiences by introducing a new benefit to its members Wednesday: trips planned through a tour operator to domestic and global travel destinations.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/pac...

Calling all newlyweds: Did you choose unique engagement rings? Tell us We want to hear from you if you are planning to get engaged, are engaged or were recently married in Washington state.

As the holidays approach, so does engagement season. Cue the confetti and Champagne.

We’re asking our readers: Did you choose a lab-grown diamond over a natural diamond? Are moissanite, emeralds or sapphires more your style?

Form here:
www.seattletimes.com/business/eng...

UW joins 'first wave' of colleges focused on AI The initiative, AI@UW, was made possible in part by a donation from Charles and Lisa Simonyi, a husband-wife pair of philanthropists linked to Microsoft.

The University of Washington unveiled its new initiative Tuesday to spearhead the college’s approach to AI.

The initiative, AI@UW, was made possible in part through a $10 million donation by philanthropists, the Simonyis.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/tec...

Hawaiian lei makers in WA share what it is like to do business now More lei makers are cropping up around the Seattle area, forming what's largely a cottage industry to meet the needs of the local Hawaiian community.

Lei makers are cropping up around Seattle to offer modern twists on an ancient Polynesian practice. They’re forming a cottage industry to meet the needs of the local Hawaiian community.

An honor to share this part of my culture with @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social
www.seattletimes.com/business/loc...

Starbucks sued over allegedly violating a local labor law A former Starbucks barista claims he and other Everett employees lost wages and tips following the company's violation of a local law.

A former Starbucks barista is claiming in a lawsuit that the company violated a local law in Everett, causing him and other employees in the city to lose wages and tips.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

Which Starbucks stores in Seattle are striking on Red Cup Day? The union estimated Thursday that more than 1,000 baristas across more than 65 stores in around 40 cities were participating in the strike against Starbucks.

Starbucks workers blocked a coffeehouse drive-thru, and a protester in an inflatable rat costume joined the picket.

These were a few of the scenes at two Seattle stores taking part in a nationwide union strike Thursday.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

This Washington lawmaker is urging Starbucks to reach a union contract Sen. Patty Murray has stepped into the melee between Starbucks and its union about contract negotiations ahead of a strike planned for Thursday.

Got the scoop on Sen. Patty Murray's letter to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol ahead of tomorrow's planned union strikes hitting some coffeehouses on Red Cup Day.

More details here at @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social:
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

Mahalo nui loa, Conrad!!

Shout out to @meganululani.bsky.social for sparking the change!

The glaring absence at the top of Seattle’s big tech companies Despite tech's successes, the industry has remained staggeringly white and male.

Seattle's tech industry has remained staggeringly white and male. As corporate giants cut thousands of workers to make way for AI spending, layoffs signal that the small gains by women and tech workers of color could be lost.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/tec...

Why we're using this spelling of Hawaiʻi You may notice a change in how we spell Hawaiʻi and other Native Hawaiian words at The Seattle Times. Here's why.

At @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social, our newspaper's style is constantly evolving.

As one of the largest newspapers on the West Coast, we've made the decision to use the Hawaiian diacritical marks (the ʻokina and the kahakō) in all relevant future stories.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Mahalo for sharing, Mike! 🤙 Exciting stuff.