Latest news with #PugetSound
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major Tech Company Announces More Layoffs
The ever-developing world of artificial intelligence has companies making major changes all across the board. Microsoft announced layoffs in May, cutting 6,000 workers, which was nearly 3% of its global workforce. Now, Microsoft has decided to lay off more workers, per Matt O'Brien of The Associated Press. "The tech giant began sending out layoff notices Wednesday that hit the company's Xbox video game business and other divisions. The company declined to say how many people would be laid off but said that it will comprise less than 4% of the workforce it had a year ago." O'Brien said. The layoffs will affect teams globally, including those in the sales division. The company released a statement on the decision to lay off more workers. 'We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace." In June, Microsoft cut 300 workers in Redmond, Washington, and another 2,000 in Puget Sound lost their jobs recently, so this is yet another domino effect for the tech guru that owns Xbox, Windows, LinkedIn and more brands. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives guessed why Microsoft made the decision, per O'Brien. 'They're focused more and more on AI, cloud and next-generation Microsoft and really looking to cut costs around Xbox and some of the more legacy areas,' Ives said. 'I think they overhired over the years. This is Nadella and team making sure that they're keeping with efficiency and that's the name of the game in Wall Street.' This latest batch of layoffs is estimated to affect 9,000 workers in another monumental Tech Company Announces More Layoffs first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 2, 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio


CBS News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Puget Sound orcas threatened by salmon decline and shrinking protections, conservationists say
The orcas lurking beneath the surface of Washington state's Puget Sound are some of nature's most magnificent, imposing and endangered species. Stefanie Stockwell and Mindy Roberts, both longtime advocates for wildlife conservation, took CBS News on a search for the Southern Resident killer whales. Unique to these waters and once thriving, there are now believed to be just 73 left. "Their numbers have declined because their food source is going down. The Chinook salmon that they mostly rely on, their population is crashing because of habitat destruction," said Roberts, the Puget Sound program director for Washington Conservation Action. Stockwell is a clean water advocate with Communities for a Healthy Bay, based in Tacoma. The Chinook salmon, or King salmon, was added to the list of endangered species last year. Under the Endangered Species Act's definition of harm, both the killer whales and King salmon, and the habitats in which they live, are protected. "It means including not just directly killing an animal, but also doing damage to its home. So where it lives, where it eats, where it breeds," Roberts said. The Trump administration has proposed changing the definition of harm to exclude damage to habitat, which would pave the way for industrial development, including logging and mining, where endangered species live in the U.S. Lance Winecka is the executive director of the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group that has revitalized South Prairie Creek to help increase the salmon's ability to breed. "Projects like this won't receive the federal investment that I think is necessary to really give these salmon a chance to thrive and survive," Winecka said. That could potentially deprive a food source for both the orcas and bald eagles — one of the Endangered Species Act's biggest success stories that also calls the Puget Sound area home. Although the bald eagle's population has made a significant rebound, "the coast is never clear," said Art Wang, a regional director of the National Audubon Society and former elected state representative in Washington. "There are threats to the bald eagle still, in terms of everything from loss of habitat, loss of fish, loss of salmon," Wang told CBS News. When asked what it means to exclude its habitat from the definition of harm, Wang replied, "It means the potential destruction of the species." Despite the uncertainty, conservationists try to hold on to optimism. "I've lived in Tacoma now for over 25 years, and I've seen changes. It's now vibrant. But that's why we just can't lose momentum on that recovery and particularly habitat that takes years and decades to recover," Roberts said.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man died after allegedly killing girlfriend on Ketron Island. They've been ID'd
A Ketron Island woman was stabbed and killed. Her 30-year-old boyfriend was found dead the next day in his vehicle submerged in Puget Sound. They both have been identified, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. Ruby Hamrick, 26, died from multiple sharp-force injuries near the 10300 block of Morris Boulevard on June 22. Her manner of death was listed as a homicide, the office wrote in a news release. James Jordan of Tacoma died the same day after driving his vehicle off a ferry dock on the island. His cause and manner is listed as 'pending,' the release said. That is a temporary designation used when additional information, investigation or tests are required for certification. Deputies were dispatched at 9:09 p.m. for a call after Jordan allegedly stabbed Hamrick. Neighbors found the woman with several stab wounds and attempted life-saving measures, according to the Sheriff's Office in a Facebook post. The News Tribune spoke to Ketron Island resident Scott Maddox who was one of the neighbors that helped provide CPR for nearly an hour before first responders arrived. Hamrick was pronounced dead that night. Maddox said before Hamrick died, she was fighting for a 'good solid hour' as neighbors took turns providing CPR. A short time after deputies were dispatched, a loud crash was heard at the ferry dock, and neighbors saw a vehicle floating in the water, the post said. Pierce County Dive and Marine Services Unit used a Remote Operated Vessel to find the vehicle, the post said. On June 23, the vehicle was found with Jordan dead inside. Hamrick and Jordan's 1-year-old child was at home and placed into Child Protective Services' custody temporarily. Sheriff's Office spokesperson Carly Cappetto said it appeared there was unreported domestic violence in the home, with Hamrick being the victim. She had spoken to other people on the island about it. Maddox said that Hamrick was a year-round resident, and the Ketron Island community knew her very well. 'We were probably as close to family as it comes,' he said.


Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Selfish Mini Cooper driver filmed being rescued from Puget Sound after 100mph chase killed two passengers
Two people were killed when a Mini Cooper plunged into Puget Sound while the speeding driver tried to flee police. The car went over a ferry dock in Seattle's Edmonds neighborhood Tuesday night after the driver led police on two chases, reaching speeds of at least 100mph. Body camera footage obtained by KOMO News shows how officers frantically rushed to the rescue after the driver drove off the dock with four passengers in tow. Officers threw life vests and flotation devices to the survivors as they screamed and shrieked in what police described as a state of complete 'panic'. A man was heard shrieking and yelling 'help! I'm serious' as officers tossed rope and the rescue devices into the water below. Police advised the man to 'put it over you' and instructed the other survivor, a woman who appeared in a much calmer to state, to help him. 'Put this over you, so you don't go down and you can hold him,' the officer told her, before asking him to put a flotation device on the man. Officers rescued three people from the water, including the 29-year-old driver who is suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Two other passengers tragically died in the vehicle. It is still unclear if they died by drowning. The horrific incident began just after 11pm when a Washington state trooper tried to pull over the vehicle on I-5 southbound for driving 19 miles over the speed limit. The driver refused to stop and a chase ensued, but the trooper stopped their pursuit just moments later for safety reasons. The same car was spotted driving recklessly on the same interstate further south, prompting an attempted stop by a Snohomish County Sheriff's Office deputy. The driver, from Tulalip, was weaving in and out of traffic as he drove at speeds greater than 100mph, KOMO reports. The deputy tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated to roughly 120mph and a chase ensued. He exited the highway and continued driving into the suburban town of Mountlake Terrace, before continuing into Edmonds, where he managed to lose the deputy. The officer finally located the vehicle after noticing a destroyed gate at the Edmonds Ferry Terminal. Officials say the driver went around the cones, through the gate at the head of the dock, and overboard into the water, where the car came to rest on its head. A witness told the TV station it sounded like the driver 'launched it', adding: 'He did not slow down at all.' The three survivors were pulled out of the water with serious injuries and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased - a 45-year-old woman from Lakewood and a 48-year-old woman from Auburn - were recovered by a dive team. The women's identities are being withheld, pending family notification. Footage captured by FOX 13 and KING 5 revealed the Mini Cooper was hoisted out of the water after being fully submerged at 40 feet below. Charges do not appear to have yet been filed against the driver, who officials say was impaired at the time of the crash. Edmonds police confirmed the crash occurred in the city, but told Daily Mail its officers were not involved in the pursuit. They deferred us to the Snohomish county sheriff and Washington state patrol, which is investigating the crash. Neither department immediately responded to our request for comment.


Associated Press
19-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Pike Plumbing & Sewer Renews Support for Granite Falls Youth Soccer, Reinforces Community Commitment Across Puget Sound
Pike Plumbing & Sewer renews youth soccer sponsorship, reinforcing community support across Puget Sound. Granite Falls, Washington, June 19, 2025 -- Pike Plumbing & Sewer, a well-established name in residential and commercial plumbing throughout the Puget Sound area, has announced its continued sponsorship of the Granite Falls Youth Soccer Club for the second year in a row. The renewed support reflects the company's growing commitment to building strong community connections by investing in youth development and local initiatives. The sponsorship includes financial donations used to provide scholarships for young players and support other club activities, helping ensure that children from all backgrounds can participate in the sport. The initiative is part of Pike Plumbing & Sewer's broader effort to be more than a plumbing service — it aims to be a visible and positive force in the neighborhoods it serves. 'Supporting youth sports is one way we can give back to the communities that have supported us for years,' said a spokesperson for the company. 'We're proud to stand behind the Granite Falls Youth Soccer Club and the values it promotes — teamwork, perseverance, and opportunity for all.' As a plumbing company providing community sponsorships, Pike Plumbing & Sewer has remained actively involved in civic efforts throughout Kent and the surrounding areas. The company's leadership believes that contributing to local programs is essential to fostering strong, connected communities. Beyond its philanthropic efforts, Pike Plumbing & Sewer is known for delivering high-quality plumbing services to both residential and commercial clients. With a team of licensed, experienced plumbers, the company handles everything from minor repairs and fixture installations to large-scale commercial plumbing projects. Its dedication to using up-to-date tools, techniques, and safety protocols has made it a trusted provider in the region. The company's website, showcases its range of services and customer testimonials. Visitors can also access valuable plumbing tips and request estimates directly through the platform. As Pike Plumbing & Sewer continues to grow, it remains committed to maintaining the personal, community-first values that have defined it since day one. About Pike Plumbing & Sewer Pike Plumbing & Sewer is a Kent, Washington-based plumbing company serving the greater Puget Sound area. Known for its professionalism, technical expertise, and community engagement, the company delivers residential and commercial plumbing solutions tailored to clients' needs. Its reputation is built on trust, reliability, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact both inside and outside the home. Contact Info: Name: Pike Plumbing & Sewer Email: Send Email Organization: Pike Plumbing & Sewer Address: 26530 Woodland Way S, Kent, WA 98030 Phone: 206-586-3555 Website: Release ID: 89162641 In case of detection of errors, concerns, or irregularities in the content provided in this press release, or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we strongly encourage you to reach out promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our efficient team will be at your disposal for immediate assistance within 8 hours – resolving identified issues diligently or guiding you through the removal process. We take great pride in delivering reliable and precise information to our valued readers.