Sunday Buzz is a weekly collection of insightful, entertaining and sometimes irreverent tidbits from the Puget Sound business community. Send tips or comments to business@seattletimes.com.
The nation’s largest operator of assisted-living facilities, Emeritus, has hired top lawyers in its bid to overturn a $23 million verdict in a woman’s death.
The Machinists seek an organizing victory at Portland-based aerospace supplier Precision Castparts; also, some state experts who track layoffs get laid off, and four years after failing, Westsound Bank is still a big financial crater.
Analyst skeptical about Amazon wonders why he’s not getting a chance to ask questions during the e-commerce giant’s quarterly conference calls.
One company isn’t worried about the plunge in gold prices - Blue Nile says it will bring in customers.
Washington credit unions are pitching a lottery with cash prizes to encourage people to start saving money. Also: a hedge fund comes down hard on Flow International, and the big Pinnacle Foods IPO may leave sour taste in Tacoma.
Rent rather than buy if you’re not staying at least four years, study suggests. Also, Sammamish man was allegedly at the center of a penny-stock fraud, and housing for artists is coming to Mount Baker neighborhood.
Boeing runs survey on attitudes towards the 787 Dreamliner. Also: Washington’s job recovery slow, but not the slowest; and, Seattle biotech has a new biggest loser, with $1.9 billion in total accumulated deficit.
Washington Mutual’s demise is re-enacted for leadership training at Ohio community bank; also, Redbox finds classy way to handle crude Oscars reference.
Top execs from the failed Washington Mutual have taken on key roles at growing Vericrest Financial of Texas; also, Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz stars in a comic-book biography.
Once mostly empty, the historic Smith Tower is filling up with tenants. Also, Seattle tech firm’s sellers sue buyer over $62 million payout.