Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 4d

The details of Starbucks’ recent store closures in Washington have been hazy, but a state filing this week shows which locations have locked their doors for good.

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

Starbucks closes 31 stores in WA. Is yours on the list?

Has your favorite Starbucks store closed? Check out our updated list.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 4d

After Starbucks said last month that it planned to lay off 900 nonretail workers as part of a $1 billion restructuring plan, a new state filing shows what these job cuts mean for Washington workers.

Updates to come for @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

Starbucks layoffs sweep Seattle-area workers

The coffee giant announced last month 900 nonretail jobs would be cut as part of restructuring. Seattle-area workers are now seeing the brunt of these layoffs.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 5d

Mahalo nui loa, Hawaiian Council, for bringing this year's Native Hawaiian Convention to Washington!

What an honor and a pleasure to moderate two panels, interviewing Kānaka stars Sara Kehaulani Goo, Cris Romento, Daniel Aipa, Adam Keawe Manalo-Camp and Ipo Alkhaldi.

📸 Malia Peoples, Ipo Alkhaldi

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 7d

After sweeping store closures around the country last month, Starbucks will lay off 369 employees in Washington, according to a state filing.

The layoffs will be effective on Dec. 5.

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

Starbucks lays off hundreds of Washington workers after store closures

The layoffs follow sweeping store closures that are part of a $1 billion restructuring plan.

www.seattletimes.com

2

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 8d

The Mariners hype is real in Seattle, and brands can't get enough of the team's slugger, Cal Raleigh.

His collaboration with Honey Bucket caught fans' attention, so I put together a rundown of his other partnerships. For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/cal...

Big Dumper becomes a big brand name

The world knows Raleigh can set a Major League Baseball record, but the slugger also keeps busy as an entrepreneur.

www.seattletimes.com

1 1

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 11d

Starbucks is trying to stand out among the competition and welcome customers through its doors while fighting headwinds.

Some see last week’s layoffs and store closures as a move to please investors.

Here's the state of play for @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

Why is Starbucks closing so many stores, including popular ones in Seattle area?

Starbucks is trying to stand out among the competition and welcome more customers through its doors all while fighting global and local headwinds.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 14d

Nintendo of America will advance to the next level with a leadership change after its president and COO Doug Bowser retires at the end of the year.

More on the Redmond-based subsidiary of the Japanese video game company here at @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/nin...

Nintendo of America’s aptly named COO is retiring

Redmond-based Nintendo of America has tapped Devon Pritchard to replace President and Chief Operating Officer Doug Bowser. Nintendo’s Satoru Shibata will take over as CEO.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 14d

Nintendo of America will advance to the next level with a leadership change after its president and COO Doug Bowser retires at the end of the year.

More on the Redmond-based subsidiary of the Japanese video game company here at @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/nin...

Redmond-based Nintendo to see change in leadership

Redmond-based Nintendo of America has tapped Devon Pritchard to replace president and COO Doug Bowser. Nintendo's Satoru Shibata will take over as CEO.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 18d

Several Starbucks locations around Seattle are set to close on Sunday. I've put together a list of stores that will shutter this weekend for @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.

Have opinions? Check out our reader call-out within the story.
www.seattletimes.com/business/is-...

Is your Seattle Starbucks store closing? Check out our list

According to the Starbucks website, Saturday is the last day of operations at least six Seattle locations.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 18d

Starbucks’ stricter return-to-office mandate goes into effect Monday. The policy comes at a difficult time for some of the coffee giant’s workers.

For @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social, I spoke with employees who shared concerns about changes from the top down.
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

Starbucks’ stricter return to office looms amid bitter restructuring

The coffee giant's return-to-office mandate goes into effect on Monday, increasing the number of in-person days from three to four.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 19d

Seattle’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery on Capitol Hill is closing, according to a company memo. The sudden closure comes days after the store’s unionized workers rallied demanding progress on contract negotiations.

Updates to come @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social
www.seattletimes.com/business/sta...

Starbucks closes one of its most popular Seattle stores

"While this was a difficult decision to make, we remain dedicated to serving you," Starbucks wrote in a memo posted at the shuttered entrance.

www.seattletimes.com

1 1

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 22d

T-Mobile’s chief operating officer is set to take over the telecommunications giant in November.

Srini Gopalan, its COO of seven months, will replace Chief Executive Officer Mike Sievert, starting Nov. 1.

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

Seattle-area telecom giant replaces 'most value-creating CEO'

CEO Mike Sievert will step down on Nov. 1, with current COO Srini Gopalan stepping up to the plate.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · 22d

Seattle lives up to its reputation as a city that holds java in high regard. But coffee prices have been rising, brewing trouble for businesses, which are already struggling with bitter conditions and cost-sensitive customers.

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

A coffee crisis is brewing in Seattle

Coffee purveyors say they're contending with stumbling blocks and trying to avoid passing costs to weary customers.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Sep 8

Proud of today's A1 for @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social:

Trekked out to Yakima to find that farmers, brewers and distributors that work to deliver bottles of ale to consumers are watching repercussions from foreign policy fights trickle down to their businesses.
www.seattletimes.com/business/wa-...

'Collateral damage': What Trump's second term means for WA beer

The beer industry is watching repercussions from foreign policy fights around immigration and trade trickle down to individual businesses.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Sep 6

This #Seattle bakery specializing in Scandinavian sweets has been a neighborhood fixture. But change arrived last month with new ownership.

But fear not, says the woman now in charge. The bakery isn’t going anywhere.

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

A beloved Seattle bakery has been sold. What’s next?

Brenda Gage is the new face of Larsen's Bakery. But she plans to stay true to the neighborhood mainstay and other tenants in the property.

www.seattletimes.com

1

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Sep 3

The new frontier for AI technology: Starbucks coffeehouses.

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

Starbucks has a new way to ensure it doesn't run out of your favorites

Jumping on the latest technology train, the coffee chain says embracing AI will save workers' time and check inventory more frequently.

www.seattletimes.com

1

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Sep 1

Some #Seattle biz owners in the outdoor recreation industry say they’ve seen fewer customers this summer. They contend that economic uncertainty is driving people to embrace frugality regarding recreation and travel.

Today's A1 for @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/thi...

This Seattle summer is an economic bummer for water sports businesses

Economic uncertainty translates to fewer customers, according to some Seattle business owners in the outdoor recreation industry.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Aug 26

I'm at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, reporting on a breach of one of the tech giant’s buildings Tuesday afternoon as part of ongoing protests.

Updates to come here 👇 for @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/business/mic...

Protesters breach Microsoft president’s office, decrying Israel work

REDMOND — Activists protesting Microsoft's work for the Israeli government breached one of the tech giant's buildings at its headquarters Tuesday afternoon as part of ongoing protests. The security br...

www.seattletimes.com

1 2

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Aug 26

Pfizer permanently laid off 100 employees at the former Seagen campus in Bothell on Monday, according to a notice filed with the state’s Employment Security Department.

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

Pharma company lays off 100 in Seattle area

The biopharmaceutical company laid off 100 workers at its Bothell location on Monday, according to a notice filed with the state.

www.seattletimes.com

1

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Aug 26

IKEA plans to open a new store in Redmond this winter, but there is a catch.

The new, 2,730-square-foot store coming to Redmond Town Center isn’t a classic brick-and-mortar IKEA store.

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

New IKEA store is coming to the Seattle area

The new 2,730 square-foot IKEA store will be located at the Redmond Town Center. But it isn't what you expect from a classic IKEA store.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Aug 22

Car Toys plans to sell many of its brick-and-mortar locations after filing for bankruptcy, following years of struggling with falling sales and mounting debts.

The car audio retailer filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday.

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

Auburn-based Car Toys plans to sell 35 stores in bankruptcy bid

Car Toys plans to sell 35 stores in four states to five buyers, according to its legal filings.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Aug 21

A Port of Seattle employee is accusing the agency of discrimination after being passed over for a promotion two years ago.

Chris Linhardt, a straight white man, alleges that the Port showed illegal prejudice against him.

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

Port of Seattle accused of racial, sex discrimination by white employee

An employee is accusing the agency of discrimination after being passed over for a promotion two years ago.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Aug 20

At Gary's Place, a West Seattle arcade, for a small biz roundtable with local entrepreneurs, @portofseattle.bsky.social Commission President Toshiko Hasegawa and @wastatecommerce.bsky.social Director Joe Ngyuen.

Biz owners say it's a very volatile time for them due to tariffs and other factors.

1 4

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Aug 19

Costco said on Monday that its choice to not sell the abortion pill, mifepristone, remains unchanged, despite calls on the Issaquah-based wholesaler to reverse its stance.

Conservative Christian groups celebrated the move.

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

Costco asserts that it won’t sell abortion pill mifepristone

Costco, which never stocked the pill, said its position remains unchanged. The decision is being celebrated by conservative groups that consider it a win.

www.seattletimes.com

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton @meganululani.bsky.social · Aug 18

A nice weekend surprise!

I won two awards in the Colorado Press Association's Better News Contest for work done at @denverpost.com:
-1st place in best humorous column writing
-2nd place in best sustained coverage of CBZ Management with my colleagues @sethklamann.bsky.social and Joe Rubino!

4