Latest news with #Pacific Northwest
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LinkedIn names hottest job markets in the Pacific Northwest and US in 2025
Break out the ice cream potatoes, Idaho. A new report from the online job board LinkedIn named the Boise metropolitan area the second-fastest-growing metro in the United States for job opportunities and attracting new talent in 2025. The business-focused social networking platform analyzed its internal data to rank 25 "Cities on the Rise" based on several key metrics, including areas where the pace of hiring is accelerating, job postings are increasing, and new employees are transforming the local economy. "In today's post-pandemic economy, many mid-sized cities are proving they can compete with the largest metros – attracting new talent by offering a more affordable cost of living, expanding cultural amenities, greater access to outdoor space, and more," according to LinkedIn. The top industries hiring in the cities featured in LinkedIn's report include health care, manufacturing, professional services, education, and financial services. Here's more on the report and LinkedIn's top picks in the Pacific Northwest. Which cities in the Pacific Northwest are on the rise? 2. Boise Metro Area Boise is a growing tech hub, with notable developments such as Boise-based Micron Technology's multibillion-dollar semiconductor expansion, according to the report. Boise's "mountain trails, rivers and outdoor access" are also impressing potential new employees to the area. Here's a snapshot of the area, according to LinkedIn: Top industries hiring: Professional services, manufacturing, health care Top employers: Micron Technology, St. Luke's Health System, Boise State University Average income: $63,685 Average home listing price: $819,700 20. Portland Metro Area Portland's own local entrepreneurs and a surge of people walking around the city again are helping it regain its footing and "reclaim its reputation for livability," according to the report. "After clocking out, many Portlanders seek fresh air and nature, frequently heading to outdoor spots to relax." Top industries hiring: Manufacturing, professional services, health care Top employers: Intel Corporation, Nike, Oregon Health & Science University Average income: $74,990 Average home listing price: $787,530 While the Portland metro area typically includes parts of Washington state, such as Vancouver, no other metro area consisting solely of Washington cities ranked on LinkedIn's list. Where are the hottest job markets in the US? According to LinkedIn, these are the 25 fastest-growing metros in the country: Grand Rapids Metro Area Boise Metro Area Greater Harrisburg Area Albany Metro Area Greater Milwaukee Portland (Maine) Metro Area Greater Myrtle Beach Area Greater Hartford Nashville Metro Area Omaha Metro Area Kansas City Metro Area Greater Wilmington Area Greater Richmond Region Greater Indianapolis Greater Colorado Springs Area Greater Sacramento Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Area Austin Metro Area Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area Portland (Oregon) Metro Area Greater Fayetteville Area Greater Reno Area San Antonio Metro Area Greater Fort Wayne Pensacola Metro Area This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: LinkedIn names hottest job markets of 2025 in Pacific Northwest and US Solve the daily Crossword
The Review Geek
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
10 Best TV Shows Like ‘Smoke'
Fiery Thrillers For You Smoke is a gritty crime drama set deep in the Pacific Northwest. Dave Gudsen is an arson investigator with a haunted past and a flair for storytelling. He's working on a novel, but it's the fires that won't leave him alone. Alongside no-nonsense detective Michelle Calderone, the pair wind up investigating two serial arsonists. As the pair dig deeper, personal baggage starts to surface. If you've finished watching this and are looking for alternate series, fret not! We've combed through the archives and saved you the hassle of having to try and find something similar with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing. To keep things simple for skim-readers we've added what similarities these have. Of course for all the shows we've reviewed, we've also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it's something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you've finished streaming Smoke on Apple TV+! Burning Body Similarities – Investigation & Crime Set against the backdrop of Barcelona, Burning Body is a sultry, slow-burning crime drama based on real events. The show opens with a charred corpse found in a torched car, and from there unspools a tangled web of obsession, betrayal, and psychological control. At the heart of the mystery is Rosa, a complex police officer whose relationships with her colleagues — including the victim — blur the lines between professional and personal. As investigators dig deeper, the story becomes less about who committed the crime and more about why, peeling back layers of manipulation, power dynamics, and hidden motives. Stylish, moody, and laced with tension, Burning Body works well as a study of toxic desire and control — a show that lingers long after the final spark fades. Mr. Mercedes Similarities – Cat & Mouse Chase Based on Stephen King's trilogy sporting the same name, Mr. Mercedes is a gripping, slow-burn thriller that explores obsession, guilt, and the long shadow cast by unresolved crimes. The story follows retired detective Bill Hodges, who is forced back into the field again when the perpetrator of a mass murder—a man who drive a stolen Mercedes into a crowd of people —begins taunting him through his computer. Unlike typical King adaptations, Mr. Mercedes is more grounded and procedural in nature. This is very much a character-driven story, anchored by Brendan Gleeson's phenomenal performance as the jaded yet determined Hodges. Opposite him is Harry Treadaway's Brady Hartsfield, a chillingly believable sociopath whose mind games drive the narrative tension. What makes Mr. Mercedes stand out is its dual narrative. It's not just a psychological crime drama but also a tragic character study. While the later seasons do dive deeper into the supernatural elements, the first season in particular delves into themes of depression and revenge with a deft hand. This is a dark, introspective, and emotionally resonant series – exactly what you'd want in a high-stakes crime series. You can read our thoughts on Mr Mercedes in our full season review here! Mindhunter Similarities – Dark Drama & Psychological Thriller Smartly written, brilliantly acted and technically sound, Mindhunter is a rare breed of TV show and an absolute must-watch. The concept here is simple. Set in the late 1970s, Mindhunter offers a cerebral deep dive into the formation of the FBI's Behavioural Science Unit, chronicling how early profilers began studying the minds of serial killers to catch them more efficiently. The two agents are that of Holden Ford and Bill Tench, who work together to conduct unsettling interviews with real-life killers while trying to apply psychological insights to ongoing investigations. Instead of flashy violence or over-the-top dramatics, Mindhunter instead leans into uncomfortable silences, eerie tension, and unveiling the true faces of evil. The performances are absolutely stellar, with Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany portraying the professional and emotional strain of confronting human darkness head-on. Director David Fincher's signature style is all over this too, making it a must-watch for fans of intelligent, character-driven crime drama. You can read our thoughts on Mindhunter in our full season review here! Mare of Easttown Similarities – Small Town Mystery Set in a tightly-knit Pennsylvania town, Mare of Easttown blends investigative crime drama with a deeper character study. At the center of this is Kate Winslet, who delivers a career-best performance as Mare Sheehan, a weary detective investigating a local girl's murder while grappling with her own personal traumas and community pressure. What makes Mare stand out isn't just its central mystery, but instead the lived-in realism of its setting and characters. Every person in Easttown feels three-dimensional, from the grieving mother to Mare's own troubled family. The show captures the emotional burden of small-town life here in such a raw and intimate way. Everyone knows each other—and everyone has secrets. Beautifully acted, subtly directed, and rich with emotional complexity, Mare of Easttown is a show about grief, resilience, and how people navigate the messiness of real life, all whilst delivering a moreish whodunit. You can read our thoughts on Mare Of Easttown in our episode recaps here! Broadchurch Similarities – Mystery & Crime Drama Set in a quiet coastal town rocked by the sudden and shocking death of a young boy, Broadchurch is a gut-wrenching, slow-burn mystery that focuses as much on community grief and trust as it does on solving the central case. At the heart of this is DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, a mismatched pair of detectives forced to work together to track down the killer. David Tennant and Olivia Colman are phenomenal in their roles, and their performances carry an emotional weight that lingers well beyond the finale. Across three seasons, the story moves from murder mystery to courtroom drama, exploring the deeper toll of trauma and justice, all whilst retaining its grounded, character-first focus. Broadchurch is an essential watch for anyone who values character over spectacle. You can read our thoughts on Broadchurch in our full season reviews here! The Outsider Similarities – Mystery & Possessions Stephen King adaptations can be hit or miss, but The Outsider lands firmly in the former category. This is a chilling, slow-burn thriller that grips from the very first episode. While not without its flaws, the show weaves a compelling mystery that blends grounded detective work with creeping supernatural horror. The story begins with an unthinkable crime and a suspect who seems both unquestionably guilty and impossibly innocent. As the investigation unfolds, logic begins to unravel, and a deeper, more unsettling force seems to be at play. What truly sets The Outsider apart is its richly drawn characters and the bleak, choking atmosphere clinging to this one. If you're in the mood for a cerebral thriller with just a whisper of the otherworldly, this one delivers that in spades. You can read our full season review for The Outsider here! Under The Banner Of Heaven Similarities – Small Town Mystery Under the Banner of Heaven is a haunting true-crime drama that blends fact with fiction, exposing the dark undercurrents of religious extremism in a quiet Mormon town. Set in Utah, the series follows Detective Jeb Pyre, a devout member of the LDS Church whose world begins to unravel after the brutal murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her baby daughter. As Pyre investigates alongside his partner Bill Taba, he uncovers a chilling network of fanaticism, patriarchy, and control that forces him to question everything he believes. Gripping, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling, Under the Banner of Heaven doesn't shy away from confronting the institutional and cultural forces that allowed such violence to flourish. Beyond Evil Similarities – Haunted Protagonist This psychological thriller expertly blurs the line between good and evil, delivering an excellent example of how to take a simple concept and absolutely run with it. Set in a quiet town rocked by a series of gruesome murders, the story centers on two detectives—Lee Dong-sik, a formerly disgraced officer who's haunted by the death of his sister Yu-yeon 20 years prior. His counterpart is Han Joo-won, a young, ambitious investigator who suspects Dong-Sik killed Yu-yeon and sets to work piecing together evidence to incriminate him. As they dig into the past together, he soon comes to learn that those at Manyang substation are a tight-knit family and watch out for one another – no matter what. The pacing is deliberate but never dull, peeling back layers of trauma, guilt, and mistrust with every episode. Each character is morally grey, which gives the narrative an edge of unpredictability and emotional complexity. The chemistry between the leads is absolutely electric, and their evolving dynamic becomes just as gripping as the mystery itself. You can read our thoughts on Beyond Evil in our full season review here! Sharp Objects Similarities – Mystery & Characters Psychologically charged and gorgeously crafted, Sharp Objects is as emotionally unsettling as it is technically masterful. From its meticulous editing to haunting sound design, every detail is finely tuned to draw viewers into a gripping, slow-burn mystery. The story follows Camille Preaker, a troubled reporter reluctantly sent back to her hometown of Wind Gap to cover the brutal murder of a young girl. Battling her own inner demons and childhood trauma, Camille finds herself increasingly isolated from the adults in town — and disturbingly drawn toward the girls who may be the killer's next targets. What sets Sharp Objects apart is its commitment to character. This is a show less about solving a crime and more about excavating buried pain. It's a must-watch for fans of dark, emotionally layered mysteries that linger long after the credits roll. You can read our thoughts on Sharp Objects in our full season review here! Chimera Similarities – Crime & Characters Set across dual timelines, Chimera is a dark, atmospheric thriller that blends investigative crime drama with a haunting sense of psychological unease. At the heart of the series is a decades-old serial murder case known as the Chimera case. With the killer using explosives to kill, a new string of murders reawaken in the present day pointing to a killer once thought buried in the past. The central characters — including a profiler haunted by the past, a determined detective, and a surgeon with secrets of his own — are all shaped by a fire they can't seem to outrun. Stylishly shot and methodically paced, Chimera is less about jump scares and more about slow-burning tension. It's a show that simmers with dread, pulling you deeper into a world where science, revenge, and memory blur together in unsettling ways. If you're after an exciting, thrilling K-drama, this one should whet the appetite. So there we have it, our 10 TV show picks to check out when you're finished with Smoke on Apple TV+! What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
The Review Geek
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Smoke Episode 5 Preview: Release Date, Time & Where To Watch
Smoke Smoke is a gritty crime drama set in the rain-soaked forests of the Pacific Northwest. Taron Egerton plays Dave Gudsen, an arson investigator with a haunted past and a flair for storytelling. He's working on a novel, but it's the fires that won't leave him alone. Alongside him though is Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett) who plays a sharp, no-nonsense detective and ex-Marine who doesn't tolerate ego or excuses. Together, they're pulled into a string of escalating fires that point to not just one—but two serial arsonists. As the pair dig deeper, personal baggage starts to surface. If you've been following this one, you may be curious to find out when the next episode is releasing. Well, wonder no more! Here is everything you need to know about Smoke Episode 5, including its release date, time and where you can watch this. Where Can I Watch Smoke? Smoke is available to stream on Apple TV+. This is an exclusive original series, meaning this is the only place you're going to be able to watch this show. However, now that Apple is available as an extension on Amazon Prime Video, you can also get a subscription to Apple TV+ that way too! Smoke Episode 5 Release Date Smoke episode 5 will release on Friday 18th July at approximately 12am (ET/PT) / 5am (GMT). Of course, it's really dependent on how quickly Apple upload new episodes. Expect this to be pretty close to the release time though. Smoke Episode 5 is also available with subtitles from release, with the chapters scheduled to clock in at around 45 minutes long. How Many Episodes Will Smoke Have? Season 1 of Smoke is scheduled for 9 episodes, so we've got 4 more episodes to go after this one. Expect the story to continue developing, with plenty of drama still to come! Is There A Trailer For Smoke? There is indeed! You can find a trailer for Smoke Season 1 below: What do you hope to see as the series progresses? What's been your favourite moment of Smoke so far? Let us know in the comments below!
Geek Wire
11-07-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
Coding is dead: UW computer science program rethinks curriculum for the AI era
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace has academic institutions wrestling with the question of how best to prepare the next generation of graduates for tech jobs, helping them land entry-level roles and bolstering them against the bots. The issue is growing increasingly urgent as Microsoft's recent layoffs carry the worrying subtext that AI is starting to replace employees, and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy bluntly warns that corporate headcount will shrink as generative AI takes hold. The strategy at the University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering — the Pacific Northwest's premier tech program — is to graduate nimble problem-solvers who understand computing fundamentals, said director Magdalena Balazinska. 'Coding, or the translation of a precise design into software instructions, is dead,' Balazinska said told GeekWire via email. 'AI can do that. We have never graduated coders. We have always graduated software engineers.' Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have fundamentally changed how people interact with technology, allowing users to accomplish complex tasks through conversational prompts rather than hand-crafted code. The technology has the potential to replace workers by automating routine tasks while existing employees become more efficient. But Balazinska argues that the most demanding work remains distinctly human. 'The hard problem is to precisely figure out what we want computers to do in order to accomplish some task,' she said. 'That creative and conceptually challenging work is the true work of a software engineer.' Learning alongside AI Harshitha Rebala, who earned her computer science bachelor's degree from the Allen School in June, experienced this new paradigm firsthand. Her coursework included classes in AI ethics and natural language processing, which is the foundation for the large language models (LLMs) that underpin generative AI technologies. She was also allowed to use GPT tools in her assignments, a permission not granted at every university. Students were required to cite AI as a collaborator, just as they would credit input from a fellow student. It helped her tackle tricky software while learning how to use the AI assistants. 'After a really long day, if you're stuck on the same bug over and over again, it's really easy to just jump on and [say] 'this is the bug I'm running into, do you have any advice?'' Rebala said. 'And then you can just keep on going.' Given the rapid pace of AI evolution, Allen School professors have been encouraged to experiment with AI integration in their curriculum and its use by students, Balazinska said, rather than mandating program-wide initiatives. The school now is reflecting on lessons learned and will consider 'coordinated changes to our curriculum,' she said. Other top-tier institutions are taking similar steps. Carnegie Mellon University, for example, is convening faculty this summer to reflect on its approach to the technology, the New York Times reports. Rebala appreciated her instructors' honesty about the uncertainty ahead. 'Having that transparency from your professor saying, 'this is what I'm teaching you right now, but this field is moving so fast, and one day you could be the one making these big changes' is pretty cool,' she said. The job market reality But worries persist about job prospects for computer science graduates, as well as their ability to retain positions in an uncertain market. Rebala acknowledged that 'it is pretty hard out there right now,' though she didn't want to speak for her entire cohort. She was pleased to land a role as a technical staff member at Vercept, a Seattle startup founded by former Allen Institute for AI (Ai2) researchers that uses AI to automate repetitive tasks such as entering data, producing video content and organizing invoices. Other Allen School grads took jobs at tech giants Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Google, while some found spots at companies including Atlassian, Databricks, Jane Street, Oracle, Palantir, Uber, Visa and elsewhere. Entry-level jobs in particular may be more at risk amid the AI boom and recent hiring pullback at tech companies. Balazinska said those jobs aren't disappearing but rather changing. 'That's because by definition, there is always some position that is the entry-level position,' she said. The Allen School aims to graduate students with skills that exceed what's required in 'a basic entry-level programming position,' she added. Kiana Ehsani, CEO and co-founder of Vercept, said her company's hiring criteria varies by role. For engineering positions, they're looking for candidates familiar with AI frameworks, who understand how to implement models rather than solely relying on AI coding tools, and have deep technical knowledge. But AI prowess isn't the only box to check, Ehsani said. 'The most important quality, above all else, is curiosity and a genuine drive to learn,' she said. 'That mindset often beats any specific technical skill.' :
