Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton
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meganululani.bsky.social
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton
@meganululani.bsky.social
Seattle Times Biz Reporter | Past: Denver Post, BGOV | Bylines: Nat Geo, Better Homes & Gardens, Business Insider, Eater, Delish, Smithsonian Magazine | Kanaka ʻŌiwi

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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.

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‘They're not new to our people’: Washington tribes grapple with floods
Coast Salish tribes actively addressed the developing weather event this week.
www.seattletimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:53 AM
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...
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.
www.seattletimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:01 PM
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.

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Chateau Ste. Michelle is now under new ownership
The Wyckoff family announced its purchase of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates on Monday.
www.seattletimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM
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.

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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.
www.seattletimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:03 PM
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.”

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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."
www.seattletimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Has the death knell sounded for Black Friday in downtown Seattle? Not yet, according to several businesses, big and small.

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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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton
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
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
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.

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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."
www.seattletimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:49 PM
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.

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www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...
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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
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.

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www.seattletimes.com/business/pac...
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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
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...
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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:58 PM
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.

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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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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...
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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
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.

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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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:50 PM
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.

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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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:43 PM
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...
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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Reposted by Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton
Shout out to @meganululani.bsky.social for sparking the change!
Kudos to the @seattletimes.com for spelling with diacritical marks used in the Hawaiian language, the ʻokina and the kahakō.

A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:55 PM
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.

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The glaring absence at the top of Seattle’s big tech companies
Despite tech's successes, the industry has remained staggeringly white and male.
www.seattletimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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...
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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton
Style alert: the @seattletimes will now include diacritical marks when using Hawaiian-language words and place names. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
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.
www.seattletimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Starbucks union workers approved an authorization to strike on the company’s upcoming Red Cup Day, a major holiday promotional event, according to results released Wednesday.

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Starbucks union green lights strike before Red Cup Day, holidays
The union warned that it would turn Red Cup Day on Nov. 13 into "the Red Cup Rebellion" if the company doesn't finalize a contract by then.
www.seattletimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Bookworms, rejoice: Barnes & Noble plans to return to downtown Seattle, according to recent city filings.

The new location signals renewed potential in the area.

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This retailer is coming back to downtown Seattle
The bookseller will move into 520 Pike Street in the city's Central Business District, per a construction permit filed Monday.
www.seattletimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
In Seattle's Ballard, Smål Market is a new shop incubator funded by federal dollars.

The idea by the Ballard Alliance is said to present a local solution to two problems: costly retail rent and the sizes of available spaces.

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Ballard is turning into a small-business launchpad with this new idea
Smål Market in Ballard offers local businesses an affordable retail place to get their brands off the ground.
www.seattletimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:16 PM