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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Month of Hell' on I-5 is just the appetizer — next two years will be brutal
This story was originally posted to We're almost through the 'Month of Hell' on I-5 through Seattle, but commuters need to realize that this was just the appetizer. The main course will be served over the next two years. For every one of you who struggled through the lane closures on the Ship Canal Bridge and fought your way through the loss of the southbound express lanes, please pat yourselves on the back. You deserve it. This has not been easy. But this was just a practice run. This was only one month. There will be two, four-month extended lane closures on the northbound Ship Canal Bridge in 2026. 'We'll work for about four months, and then we will pause and pick everything up when the World Cup comes to town,' Tom Pearce, spokesperson for the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), said. 'Once the World Cup ends, we'll have another weekend-long closure, reset the work zone, and then we'll start to work on the right lanes of the northbound Ship Canal Bridge.' That's two, four 'months of Hell' to deal with. More lane closures on the menu That will be followed in 2027 with up to nine months of lane closures across the Ship Canal Bridge in the southbound direction. The state will be looking closely at how the current month went and see what engineers can learn for the upcoming closures. 'We have used the past month as kind of a practice run, give us some ideas on how people are going to react and drive,' Pearce said. 'We will be analyzing that information, and that will help us formulate any plans that we have for '26 and '27.' There will also be several weekends of southbound I-5 lane closures coming up this fall. Those have not been scheduled. But before we get to that, WSDOT has to wrap up this current work. All lanes of northbound I-5 will be closed across the Ship Canal Bridge late Friday night through 5 a.m. Monday morning. 'That will allow us to pick up the concrete barrier on the Ship Canal Bridge, restripe the bridge, and have all lanes open by 5 a.m. Monday,' Pearce explained. If you're heading to the Seahawks game, northbound I-5 won't close until just before midnight, though ramp closures will start earlier. The express lanes will remain in the northbound direction. WSDOT's work on I-5 so far So what did WSDOT get done during the last month? 'We have replaced more than 100 drains on the bridge, and we have replaced the left half of five expansion joints,' Pearce said. 'We've accomplished all the stuff that we wanted to get done this time.' As for how commuters fared during this event? 'We know that it was difficult for travelers, particularly southbound in the morning on I-5, but people did well at adapting and using other transportation methods, adjusting their schedule, so it went relatively well,' Pearce said. Daily drivers might dispute that. My unscientific analysis suggests the morning commute out of Snohomish County averaged about 30 minutes longer than normal. It's fair to say that we will see similar issues over the next two years. Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here. Follow KIRO Newsradio traffic on X.
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gold futures surge above $3,500 to all-time high amid U.S. tariff concerns
This story was originally posted to Gold futures hit an all-time high of $3,534 on Thursday after reports of the White House's plans to issue an executive order imposing tariffs on gold. A White House official told Reuters that an executive order is expected in the near future, which would provide clarity for misinformation regarding tariffs on gold bars and other products. Gold futures spike to an all-time high after tariff report Gold futures are standardized contracts that agree to trade gold at that time, but with a settlement day in the future. The terms, including the amount and price, are decided when the contract is made. The settlement day is when the actual trade takes place, with the delivery and payment being conducted. Invest in Gold Thor Metals Group: Best Overall Gold IRA Priority Gold: Up to $15k in Free Silver + Zero Account Fees on Qualifying Purchase American Hartford Gold: #1 Precious Metals Dealer in the Nation December U.S. gold futures were priced at $3,452 per ounce at 7 p.m. Thursday, before rocketing upwards to $3,534 as of 10 p.m. following the report. 'Gold's panic ascent shows that even safe haven assets are not immune to the volatility unleashed in the confusion of the tariff age,' Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said, according to Reuters. The U.S. gold futures continuous contract has increased 40.05% in the past year. The gold futures increase has outpaced the E-Mini S&P 500 futures continuous contract by more than double in the same period, with the S&P only up 19.99%, as of this reporting. Analysts have noted that they are still awaiting further clarity on the executive order. A U.S. tariff on gold deliveries could crucially affect Switzerland, as it holds the status as the world's leading country for gold refining and delivery, according to Reuters. Switzerland is subject to U.S. import tariffs of 39%, although the country is continuing to discuss with the United States about reducing the current tariffs. 'We are particularly concerned about the implications of the tariffs for the gold industry and the physical exchange of gold with the U.S., a long-standing and historical partner for Switzerland,' Christoph Wild, president of the Swiss Precious Metals Association, stated. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection claimed this week that one kilogram and 100 ounces of gold bars will not be excluded from the tariffs. 'It must be noted that this clarification does not apply exclusively to Switzerland but to all 1kg and 100oz gold cast bars imported into the USA from any country,' the Swiss Precious Metals Association said. Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Look out for July's full moon, the ‘Buck Moon,' this week
This story was originally published on A full moon in July is expected this week. The full moon, also called the 'Buck Moon,' is expected to take the stage Thursday night, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The name 'Buck Moon' comes from the time of year when male deer, or bucks, experience heightened antler growth. Other names, as stated by the Old Farmer's Almanac, include Feather Moulting Moon and Salmon Moon. July's full moon will be extra low in the sky due to the summer solstice and the 'Major Lunar Standstill,' a phenomenon that only happens every 18.6 years, according to The full moon will peak at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time, but won't be visible until sunset, the online publication noted. Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.
Int'l Business Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Amazon's AI Revolution Brings Job Cut Warnings, Relocation Mandate Adds to Employee Uncertainty
Amazon, a global e-commerce and tech giant, which is on the cusp of an artificial intelligence revolution, is sparking significant concerns among its workforce. With whispers of impending job cuts and a recent mandate requiring some employees to relocate, a palpable sense of uncertainty is now hanging over Amazon's vast employee base. Amazon's AI Revolution: A Time of Unease for Employees Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has hinted at workforce reductions, attributing them to the rapid advancements in AI. He has confirmed that the company will require fewer employees as Amazon pursues greater efficiency with Generative AI. The severity of the situation, including how many roles will be cut, remains unconfirmed, but the message clearly tells employees to prepare themselves for upcoming layoffs. Jassy's note, also shared on his public blog, highlights AI's rapid progress and profound impact on business efficiency and operations. Furthermore, Bloomberg reports that Amazon is poised to announce these cuts next month. 'As we roll out more Generative AI and agents, it should change the way our work is done. We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs,' Jassy wrote in his note to the employees. He added, 'It's hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company.' Efficiency Driven by AI: A Changing Workforce Amazon claims to have developed over 1,000 Generative AI services, with additional applications under development. This year, the company pledged to invest $100 million in AI technologies. Jassy hailed AI as a 'one-in-a-lifetime technology,' stating it will reshape Amazon's operational approach. Beyond the impact of AI, Amazon's workforce is grappling with another pressing issue: a strict relocation policy that leaves many employees with a difficult choice. Forced Moves: The Relocation Ultimatum Citing sources familiar with the situation, Bloomberg reports that Amazon has issued an ultimatum to its corporate employees: move closer to their managers and teams or resign without any severance. Amazon requires employee relocation: No severance offered via My Northwest local news feed. This is really interesting, and a sign of things to come at other companies. AI means fewer employees, which means Corporate will start demanding 'do this or goodbye' workforce… — stevemur (@stevemur) June 20, 2025 According to the report, employees must relocate to key centres, including Seattle, Arlington (Virginia), and Washington, D.C., a mandate that may necessitate cross-country moves for many. Employee Concerns Mount Amidst Changes This policy has sparked fresh concern among Amazon employees, who are already uneasy due to ongoing job reductions and warnings that AI might diminish their roles in the years ahead. A source cited by Bloomberg suggests this new directive could impact thousands of employees across different teams, particularly mid-career staff reluctant to move because of family commitments and spousal careers. The 30-Day Relocation Mandate The company operates numerous satellite offices throughout the US, including in key cities such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Austin. These locations have typically offered employees some choice in where they reside. One employee revealed to Bloomberg that this message was given during a team meeting. Their manager reportedly informed them they had 30 days to decide on relocating. Should they opt against it, they would receive 60 days to resign or start the relocation process. The manager said, ' There would be no severance for employees who resigned in lieu of relocating.' Originally published on IBTimes UK This article is copyrighted by the business news leader
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Breakdown of Washington bills signed on Friday
From increasing tracking of people convicted of sex crimes to improving maintenance of the State's ferries, Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson signed 14 bills into law on Friday. Lawmakers behind House Bill 1457 say it will help bolster public safety and how the state handles incarcerated sexually violent predators. 'This is one of the reforms that the bipartisan group came up with that makes sure that monitors to the fullest extent,' said Rep. Dan Griffey, a Republican representing Allyn, Washington. Washington was the first state to initiate a civil commitment process for sexually violent predators after they served their prison sentences. Prosecutors can petition for offenders to be committed to McNeil Island for mental health treatment, where they will undergo yearly screening to see if they still meet the definition of a 'Sexually Violent Predator.' Offenders whose condition is considered changed will be released, either unconditionally or to 'less-restrictive alternative' facilities. As MyNorthwest reports, when offenders are moved to LRA facilities, many communities push back. 1457 requires offenders released to those facilities to wear advanced electronic monitoring that will provide real-time location data, notify when a person leaves an area they are required to be in, and notify victims if the offender comes within several miles of them or if the offender has tampered with the monitor. It's a balance between keeping tabs on people who have committed heinous crimes and ensuring Washington's process holds up to due process challenges. 'What we're trying to do is maximize public safety. And not get ourselves into any kind of position where this very-needed program that we have in Washington state isn't ruled unconstitutional,' Griffey said. HB 1075 aimed to address the creation of affordable housing by allowing public-housing authorities to finance developments from private entities. Ferguson said in signing the bill, housing affordability is the topic he hears from people the most. HB 1054 allows counties to bid for contracts for ferry maintenance and repairs. The bidding process allows flexibility, Rep. Mari Levitt says, meaning lower costs when securing drydock space needed to work on the vehicles. 'County ferries are essential lifelines for communities like Anderson Island and beyond,' said Rep. Leavitt in a statement. 'This bill ensures counties can be proactive about keeping those ferries in service—so families can get to work, kids can get to school, and people can access medical care without disruption.' Here are the other bills the Governor signed on Friday: House Bill No. 1191 Relating to removing vehicle titles from manufactured homes. Primary Sponsor: Rep. April Connors House Bill No. 1003 Relating to service of notice by mail in cases involving forcible entry and forcible and unlawful detainer. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Peter Abbarno House Bill No. 1007 Relating to requisites of notice in small claims actions. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Sam Low House Bill No. 1112 Relating to removing the city residency requirement for judges pro tempore in municipalities with a population of more than 400,000 inhabitants. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Darya Farivar House Bill No. 1157 Relating to authorizing access to certifications of birth and death to additional family members. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Mike Steele House Bill No. 1172 Relating to authorizing fire protection districts to dissolve existing civil service systems with approval from the civil service employees. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Suzanne Schmidt House Bill No. 1304 Relating to the effective date of the filing of a notice of intention with a boundary review board. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Brandy Donaghy House Bill No. 1361 Relating to updating process service requirements in Washington state for business entities and motorists. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Natasha Hill House Bill No. 1553 Relating to extending the dairy inspection program until June 30, 2031. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Adison Richards House Bill No. 1556 Relating to tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges. Primary Sponsor: Rep. Debra Entenman House Bill No. 1947 Relating to reducing satellite management agency requirements for simple group B public water systems. Primary Sponsor: Andrew Engell The laws will go into effect 90 days from April 11.
