Business & Economy
Business & Economy

Hold That Drill: Why Wall Street Wants Energy Companies To Pump Less Oil, Not More
Oil prices have risen sharply over the last few months. Normally, that’s a recipe for a drilling frenzy from U.S. oil producers. But something strange is happening, or rather, not happening. Continue Reading Hold That Drill: Why Wall Street Wants Energy Companies To Pump Less Oil, Not More

OPEC And Allies Keep Oil Production Steady As Saudi Arabia Urges ‘Caution’
OPEC and its allies said Thursday they are keeping oil production largely steady, even as crude prices stage a remarkable recovery, betting that a restrained approach will lay the groundwork for prices to climb even more. Continue Reading OPEC And Allies Keep Oil Production Steady As Saudi Arabia Urges ‘Caution’

Senate Democrats, White House Agree To Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks
Senate Democrats have reached an agreement with the White House to tighten the limits on who can receive the next round of stimulus checks as part of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, according to several Democratic sources. Continue Reading Senate Democrats, White House Agree To Tighter Income Limits For Stimulus Checks

‘It’s Madness’: American Factories Scramble To Secure Critical Supplies
Unexpectedly strong demand for furniture, appliances and other manufactured goods is providing a windfall to many of the country’s industries. But as factory gears spin faster to meet the surging demand, a big headache is emerging: Supply chains are getting stretched more than ever, and critical components are proving a lot harder to procure. Continue Reading ‘It’s Madness’: American Factories Scramble To Secure Critical Supplies

Northwest Prisoners Eligible For Stimulus Checks. But Getting Payout Behind Bars Is Complicated
Like many Americans, people behind bars are waiting to see if they will be getting checks from the federal government as part of the new stimulus bill — provided it passes Congress this month as expected. The majority of incarcerated people in Washington and Oregon were likely eligible for the first two rounds of relief money. Continue Reading Northwest Prisoners Eligible For Stimulus Checks. But Getting Payout Behind Bars Is Complicated

Governor Says No Washington Counties Will Move Back To Phase 1 Of Reopening – Yet
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said none of the state’s regions will revert back to more restrictive COVID-19 requirements under the state’s economic reopening plan under a pause in potential rollbacks the Democratic governor announced Thursday amid dropping case counts. Continue Reading Governor Says No Washington Counties Will Move Back To Phase 1 Of Reopening – Yet

Washington-Based Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: ‘This Isn’t Altruism,’ CEO Says
Costco plans to edge up its starting wage to $16 an hour starting next week, CEO W. Craig Jelinek said on Thursday, revealing plans that would propel his company ahead of most of its retail competitors. Continue Reading Washington-Based Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: ‘This Isn’t Altruism,’ CEO Says

How $1 Billion In Legal Marijuana Sales Gets Spent In Washington State
This year marks a milestone for the state’s legal pot industry. For the first time since voters approved recreational pot use nine years ago, the state of Washington is expected to collect more than $1 billion in marijuana sales taxes and fees over the course of its next two-year budget cycle. Continue Reading How $1 Billion In Legal Marijuana Sales Gets Spent In Washington State

Governor Signs $2.2B COVID Relief Package For Washington Schools, Businesses, Renters, Immigrants
A fresh round of federal aid will soon be flowing to Washington businesses and individuals hit hard by the COVID pandemic. On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a $2.2 billion relief package funded with money approved by Congress in December. Continue Reading Governor Signs $2.2B COVID Relief Package For Washington Schools, Businesses, Renters, Immigrants

Pay-Per-Mile Tax Gets A Test Drive In Washington Legislature To Augment Gas Tax
Washington state senators have teed up a mileage-based tax for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as the first step toward changing how the state pays for road maintenance and other transportation needs. Policymakers expect gas tax revenue to decline long term. Oregon has been experimenting with a per-mile charge for years. Continue Reading Pay-Per-Mile Tax Gets A Test Drive In Washington Legislature To Augment Gas Tax

Why Bill Gates Is Investing Big Time In Farmland Across Washington And The Country
Seattle’s technology billionaires are many things: innovators, visionaries, philanthropists and some less polite descriptors, depending on whom you ask. But thanks to some scrupulous digging by industry journal The Land Report, which tracks land ownership across the country, we now know that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has another feather in his multi hyphenated career cap: America’s Top Private Owner of Farmland. Continue Reading Why Bill Gates Is Investing Big Time In Farmland Across Washington And The Country

All Washington Counties Can Advance To Phase 2 Reopening As State Fixes Hospital Data
The south-central region of Washington’s 8-region area for coronavirus restrictions can immediately reopen. That news came Sunday from the state Department of Health. It means the counties encompassing Walla Walla, the Tri-Cities, Yakima and Ellensburg can advance to Phase 2. Continue Reading All Washington Counties Can Advance To Phase 2 Reopening As State Fixes Hospital Data