Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Cristina Campos removes damaged apples from the flume, the front end of the packing line, on Tuesday November, 20, 2018, at Gilbert Orchards in Yakima. CREDIT: KUOW PHOTO/MEGAN FARMER

Northwest Apple Exports Are Down As Eastern European Growers Crunch Into U.S. Shipments

A boom in American consumers’ online shopping during the pandemic has prompted a boost in imports from Asia. But that left U.S. agriculture products without a ride back. Many ships aren’t waiting to be loaded with agricultural goods at West Coast ports before heading back across the ocean with empty containers. Plus, the Trump administration’s trade war hit apples hard. Continue Reading Northwest Apple Exports Are Down As Eastern European Growers Crunch Into U.S. Shipments

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People toasting the sunset with wine glasses outside in Washington state

Spring Release: If You’re Headed To Northwest Wine Country, You May Need An Appointment

When wineries release their new vintages to the public it’s often called “Spring release.” Those bottlings have been cooped up all winter aging. So have winter-weary patrons. Those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are stepping out to wineries and meeting in small groups both outdoors and in. Continue Reading Spring Release: If You’re Headed To Northwest Wine Country, You May Need An Appointment

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Washington state Capitol building in Olympia, March 10, 2021. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

It’s Pedal To The Metal As Washington State Lawmakers Push Ahead With Pandemic-Era Agenda

Washington’s 105-day legislative session has crossed the halfway point and a key deadline for policy (non-budget) bills to clear their chamber of origin has passed. Majority Democrats are moving swiftly to enact a pandemic-era agenda focused on issues like tax reform, police accountability, racial equity and global climate change. Minority Republicans, meanwhile, are seeing a few of their bills advance while also objecting to much of what Democrats are pushing forward. So, what’s moving and what’s not? Continue Reading It’s Pedal To The Metal As Washington State Lawmakers Push Ahead With Pandemic-Era Agenda

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An employee makes respiratory masks in a family-owned medical equipment factory in Miami on Feb. 15. American manufacturers are thriving but they are running into an unexpected problem: finding critical supplies. CREDIT: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

‘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

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Photo illustration by MacGregor Campbell/OPB; Original prison image by Oregon DOC, 2014

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

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