Washington State is Best in the Nation for Workers, New Study Says

KOMO News | KOMO Staff | August 30
https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-state-is-best-in-the-nation-for-workers-new-study-says

“Washington is the best state in the nation for workers, according to a new report released Thursday. The study, by Oxfam America, based its findings on wages, worker protections and workers’ rights in all 50 states and the nation’s capital – and only Washington, D.C., had a higher overall score than Washington state. A statement released by Gov. Jay Inslee said he believes the state’s new paid family and medical leave program played an important part in securing Washington’s top spot in the ranking.”

Alaska Airlines Adds Nonstop Flight from Seattle to Columbus, Ohio, Fueling Tech Industry Collaboration

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | August 29
https://www.geekwire.com/2018/alaska-airlines-adds-nonstop-flight-seattle-columbus-ohio-fueling-tech-industry-collaboration/

“Alaska Airlines is adding a daily nonstop flight from Seattle to Columbus, Ohio, starting March 7, 2019. It’s the first flight to connect the two cities in years and is a boon for the Midwestern capital city, which is already home to large outposts of some of the Seattle area’s biggest tech companies. Microsoft has a corporate sales office and retail operation in Columbus. Boeing has a Columbus outpost and Amazon has more than 4,000 employees in the city at its cloud data centers and warehouses.”

Seattle Could Greenlist 3 Bikeshare Services as Early as Next Week, Weighing Applications from Uber, Lyft and Lime

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | August 28
https://www.geekwire.com/2018/seattle-poised-greenlight-3-bikeshare-services-bringing-uber-lyft-bikes-city/

“The Seattle Department of Transportation expects to approve permits for new bikeshare companies Sept. 4, which could pave the way for two new services in the city. Three companies have applied for permanent, dockless bikeshare permits in Seattle: Lime, Lyft, and Uber. Lime is already operating its bright green bicycles in Seattle, as the company was one of three in a year-long pilot program. Spin and Ofo, the other two companies in the pilot, are shutting down service in Seattle.”