The specific vehicles impacted include a “VC-Turbo” engine that may have manufacturing defects in its bearings.

Nissan recalls multiple vehicle models

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that the defect may cause engine damage that could lead to engine failure while driving, increasing crash risks.

A total of are subject to the recall, which include:

• Infiniti QX50 (2019-2022)
• Infiniti QX55 (2022)
• Nissan Altima (2019-2020)
• Nissan Rogue (2021-2024)

The NHTSA report mentioned that the engine failure occurs over time, and is not an instantaneous occurrence. Drivers may notice warning signs before possible engine failures, like abnormal noises or dashboard light indicators.

A total of 443,899 vehicles in the United States are affected in the recall, and an additional 37,837 in Canada, a Nissan spokesperson told .

As a result of the recall, Nissan and Infiniti dealers will inspect each recalled vehicle’s oil pan for metal debris, and if necessary, repair or replace the defective engine.

“For vehicles with the 3-cylinder 1.5L VC-Turbo engine, if no debris is detected during the inspection, dealers will replace the oil pan gasket, engine oil, and reprogram the engine control module,” NHTSA stated.

Vehicles with a 4-cylinder 2.0L VC-Turbo engine will have the engine oil replaced if no debris is detected.

Each repair will be free of charge, and letters notifying each vehicle owner will be mailed Aug. 25, 2025.

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Chavez was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to his illegal citizenship status and an outstanding arrest warrant in Mexico.

Pro boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. arrested by ICE

Chavez is a Mexican citizen with an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

In a boxing match four days ago, Chavez lost to Jake Paul by unanimous decision in a 10-round cruiserweight fight.

Chavez entered the U.S. legally in August 2023 with a B2 tourist visa that was valid until February 2024 and has since expired.

The DHS noted that Chavez is believed to have an affiliation with the Sinaloa Cartel, a foreign terrorist organization, and was arrested in Studio City, California, on July 2.

Chavez filed an application for lawful permanent resident status in April 2024, citing his marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, the citizen had a connection to the Sinaloa Cartel with a prior relationship to the deceased son of the infamous cartel leader, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) made a referral to ICE that Chavez poses an egregious public safety threat on December 17, 2024. However, under the Biden administration, a DHS data entry indicated that Chavez was not deemed an immigration enforcement priority.

The Biden administration allowed Chavez to reenter the U.S. and paroled him into the country at the San Ysidro port of entry on Jan. 4.

“It is shocking the previous administration flagged this criminal illegal alien as a public safety threat, but chose to not prioritize his removal and let him leave and COME BACK into our country,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote.

After various fraudulent statements on his application to become a Lawful Permanent Resident, Chavez was determined to be in the country illegally and removable on June 27, 2025.

“Under President Trump, no one is above the law — including world-famous athletes,” McLaughlin said. “Our message to any cartel affiliates in the U.S. is clear: We will find you and you will face consequences. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.”

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s criminal history

California Highway Patrol arrested Chavez under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in January 2012. He was convicted in June 2012 for DUI and driving without a license. Chavez was sentenced to 13 days in jail and 36 months’ probation.

A district judge issued an arrest warrant for Chavez in January 2023, claiming Chavez trafficked weapons and committed manufacturing crimes. According to the DHS, Chavez brought weapons, ammunition, cartridges, and explosives into the U.S. Additionally, Chavez manufactured weapons, ammunition, cartridges, and explosives without the corresponding permits.

The Los Angeles Police Department arrested Chavez in January 2024, and charged him with illegal possession of an assault weapon and manufacture or import of a short-barreled rifle. Chavez was convicted on both charges.

President Donald Trump designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization on his first day in office of his second term.

“The Sinaloa Cartel has also played a major role in the trafficking of fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border,” the DHS wrote. “President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow vicious cartels to operate on American soil.”

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From July 3 through July 6, Amazon Prime members can take advantage of an exclusive deal that offers $1 off per gallon of gas, up to 35 gallons, at select gas stations nationwide.

Amazon Prime Day early discount

Amazon Prime members can link their Prime accounts to and receive a discount on their gas over the Fourth of July weekend at participating Amoco, BP, and AM/PM gas stations.

Each account, Amazon and Earnify, provides a five-cent discount, with an additional 90-cent discount that is only offered through July 3 and 6. After July 6, the discount will be cut down to only 10 cents from Amazon and Earnify.

The total list of gas stations across the nation includes more than 7,500 participating locations.

In order to redeem the discount, all Prime members need to link their membership to Earnify, the BP rewards program. Once the account is active, members can enter a phone number at any participating gas station, use Earnify’s app, or use a payment method linked to the Amazon account.

is scheduled to kick off on July 8, and Prime members who miss out on the deal can still take advantage of an ongoing 10-cent gas discount after July 6.

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The turkey bacon was produced between April 24 and June 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) .

Oscar Mayer turkey bacon recall

The following are subject to the recall:

Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original – 12oz Recall 025-2025 Product Labels Consumer facing UPC: 071871548601 “Use By” dates ranging from “18 Jul 2025” to “02 AUG 2025”

Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon 36 oz (3 -12 oz packs) Consumer facing UPC: 071871548748 “Use By” dates ranging from “23 JUL 2025” to “04 SEP 2025”

Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original 4-12oz (48oz) Consumer facing UPC: 071871548793 “Use By” dates ranging from “18 JUL 2025” to “04 SEP 2025”

FSIS claimed that the Kraft Heinz turkey bacon product was shipped nationwide and exported to Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands.

As of June 3, there have been no confirmed reports of harmful reactions associated with the consumption of the turkey bacon product.

“FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers,” FSIS stated. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

Symptoms of Listeria

The FSIS noted that consuming foods contaminated with Listeria can cause listeriosis, an infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Additionally, the infection can impact pregnant women by causing miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Listeriosis can also be a serious and sometimes fatal infection for older adults and persons with weakened immune systems.

People in high-risk categories who have experienced flu-like symptoms within two months of consuming contaminated food are urged to seek medical attention and can be treated with antibiotics.

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AAA projected that 72.2 million travelers will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday travel period from June 28 to July 6.

Seattle’s top 10 for Fourth of July travel destinations

AAA projects a record 61.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day weekend, an additional 1.7 million travelers compared to last year, and 7 million more than in 2019.

“Cruises, beaches, and fireworks are the main motivators for travelers heading to these cities,” AAA stated. “Alaska cruises are in peak season, Florida and Hawaii are in high demand for their resorts and attractions, and New York and Boston host two of the most popular fireworks shows in the nation.”

The top 10 domestic travel destinations in order include:

Orlando, FL; Seattle, WA; New York, NY; Anchorage, AK; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Honolulu, HI; Denver, CO; Miami, FL; Boston, MA; and Atlanta, GA.

“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4��is one of the most popular times to get away,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel.��

AAA also projected that 5.84 million people will fly to their July 4 destinations, a 1.4% increase compared to last year, and 8% of all Independence Day travelers.

“Following Memorial Day’s record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week,” Barber said. “With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.”

Through transportation data and insights, found that the worst travel times by car this holiday are July 3 and July 4 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Date��	Worst Travel Time��	Best Travel Time��
Monday, Jul 1��	Minimal Traffic Impact Expected��	����
Tuesday, Jul 2��	2 – 6 p.m.��	After 7 p.m.��
Wednesday, Jul 3��	2 – 7 p.m.	Before 12 p.m.��
Thursday, Jul 4��	2 – 7 p.m.��	Before 12 p.m.
Friday, Jul 5��	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Before 10 a.m.
Saturday, Jul 6��	10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.��	Before 10 a.m.��
Sunday, Jul 7��	2 – 8 p.m.	Before 11 a.m.��
Monday, Jul 8��	1 – 5 p.m.	After 7 p.m.��

 

The peak congestion route for Washington during the Fourth of July holiday is expected to be Ellensburg to Seattle via eastbound I-90. Travelers should expect peak congestion on Sunday around 4:30 p.m., with an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 19 minutes.

AAA recommends that travelers undergo routine vehicle maintenance ahead of their Fourth of July plans, citing a whopping 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls occurred last year, including issues such as dead batteries, flat tires, and running out of gas.

AAA noted that the Independence Day travel period is a nine-day window from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.

“Historically, this holiday period included only one weekend,” AAA stated. “The expanded travel window was instituted starting in 2024, with historical results calculated back to 2019 using the new nine-day period.”

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The new light rail station would demolish the local Freighthouse Square, an indoor market for more than 100 years, and is expected to displace 43 local businesses.

Tacoma’s new light rail station

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, a vice president on the Sound Transit Board, told the new light rail is the best route for commuters due to its distance from the Amtrak, T Line, and bus stations.

The design will not be up for approval until 2027, and construction is projected to be completed in 2035. As a result, expect to be displaced by the new light rail station.

The total taxable value of the Freighthouse Square building, according to the Assessor-Treasurer’s Office, is nearly $3 million. Additionally, a parking lot owned by Time in Space LLC across the street is valued at slightly less than $1 million.

Impact on local businesses

Current Freighthouse Square tenants have mentioned to The Tacoma News Tribune that they have “felt out of the loop,” in response to Sound Transit’s claim to support them with ongoing engagement and relocation assistance.

David Jackson, Sound Transit spokesperson, mentioned that each displaced business would be eligible for up to $200,000 in moving expenses and re-establishment. Additionally, Jackson noted in an email that the amount of money each business would receive “will vary based on [the] type of business and its requirements,” according to The News Tribune.

Regarding alternative plans the board could have chosen, Mello said that transit construction would “highly impact” business owners, and there would not be relocation assistance from the Sound Transit Board.

Natural Allah, a business owner in Pierce County for five years, noted that the lack of communication from the Sound Transit Board has been concerning.

“The ambiguity is the problem,” Allah said, according to The Tacoma News Tribune. “Many of the businesses here, it’s their livelihood, and you’re basically saying, ‘Well, we’re gonna give you something, you know, but we’re not gonna tell you what it is. You’re going to have to move, but we’re not gonna say exactly when.’ How does that play out, you know, in the scheme of things?”

The Sound Transit Board contemplated three alternative routes, which would displace significantly fewer businesses, although it would be more expensive.

Sound Transit officials have thought of various ways to support local businesses, which would include a new food hall that could be housed in the bottom level of the new station.

The planning process for the new station began in 2017 and is expected to end in 2027. The design process is expected to last from 2027 to 2029, and construction would be underway between 2029 and 2035.

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The settlement was reached on June 30, and the City of Tacoma will pay the family of Ellis $6 million.

City of Tacoma v. Manny Ellis settlement

Ellis died on March 3, 2020, while in the custody of Tacoma police officers after he was arrested during his walk home near 96th Avenue and South Ainsworth.

Throughout Ellis’ arrest, officers punched, tased, hogtied, and handcuffed him. Video footage from the arrest detailed Ellis telling officers that he could not breathe, along with videos detailing Ellis in a chokehold by an officer.

Ellis’ death was ruled a homicide by a medical examiner due to the lack of oxygen from physical restraint; however, defense attorneys argued his death was caused by methamphetamine and a heart condition.

Former Tacoma police officers Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins were both charged by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. Additionally, Timothy Rankine was charged with first-degree manslaughter.

All three officers were acquitted in December 2023, and the City of Tacoma paid each officer $500,000 to resign voluntarily, leaving the department “in good standing.”

Ellis’ family filed a civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court in September 2021. The lawsuit also named various individual officers and Pierce County for their involvement in his death.

Pierce County agreed to settle with the Ellis family as part of a separate lawsuit for $4 million in 2022.

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Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, employed 5,400 Bellevue employees last year, up from 3,600 employees at the end of 2023, according to .

Meta grows in Bellevue

Meta is now the third-largest employer in Bellevue with 5,400 employees, behind only Amazon (14,300 employees) and T-Mobile (7,800 employees).

Bellevue employees with Meta have grown over the years, while its overall Seattle-area workforce has been stagnant. Meta employs roughly 74,000 people nationwide, and had 8,000 local employees in 2023 and 2024, according to .

An announced layoff of 5% of Meta’s total workforce was made in January, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the layoffs as performance-based cuts, possibly to be backfilled later this year.

As other high-profile tech companies have announced massive layoffs in the region, Meta continued to add to its workforce.

The growth of Meta in Bellevue may be attributed to lower taxes, a business-friendly government, and talent.

In 2015, the city had a reported 144,472 employees citywide, which jumped to 164,679 employees by 2024, PSBJ reported.

Meta’s local office space

Meta leased a , a 1.8 million square foot location, of which the company only occupies about 50% of the space.

Additionally, Meta has an at 9825 Willows Road NE, which holds 1,434 employees as of 2021.

Seattle has a 190,000 square foot that was put up for sublease in 2023, and also moved out of an office building in Eastlake, moving its employees to Westlake.

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Fifty-eight percent of U.S. adults claimed they were either “extremely proud” or “very proud” to be an American, a substantial 23% drop from 10 years ago.

American pride survey

Gallup posed the question, “How proud are you to be an American?” and asked participants to select either extremely proud, very proud, moderately proud, a little proud, or not proud at all.

Of the total participants, 41% said that they are “extremely proud” to be an American, and 17% said they are “very proud.” The percentage of “extremely proud” Americans remained unchanged since 2024; however, the “very proud” percentage decreased by 9% since 2024.

The 58% of U.S. adults claiming they are either “extremely proud or very proud to be an American is the lowest on record. The second-lowest year was 2020, when 63% of participants claimed they were extremely or very proud.

On the contrary, 19% of U.S. adults said they were “moderately” proud, 11% were “only a little” proud, and 9% said they were “not at all” proud.

“The combined 20% on the lower end of the pride scale essentially ties the record 21% measured in 2020. Until 2018, less than 10% of U.S. adults had consistently said they had little or no national pride,” Gallup stated.

Republicans v. Democrats: American pride comparison

Gallup noted that Democrats were primarily responsible for the decline in U.S. pride among adults in 2025, with 36% saying they are “extremely” or “very” proud, which is down from 62% in 2024.

“Republicans’ level of national pride has been much steadier, typically registering above 90%, including 92% this year, up from 85% in 2024,” Gallup stated. “The only years in which fewer than nine in 10 Republicans were proud were 2016 and 2020 through 2024. All but 2020 were when a Democratic president was in office.”

The number of Independent voters has also reached a record low of 53%, compared to the second-lowest year in 2024 with 60%.

Gallup mentioned that Independents’ pride has been declining since the early 2000s, first dropping below 80% in 2005, then below 70% in 2019, and now below 60% this year.

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The hiker, from Happy Valley, Oregon, reportedly fell roughly 30 feet into Falls Creek at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Friday.

17-year-old hiker dies at Falls Creek Falls

received a 911 text message and dispatched an SCSO Search and Rescue coordinator to the location.

Resources were allocated from Skamania County Emergency Medical Services, and volunteers from SCSO Search and Rescue, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Crag Rats, Skamania County Fire District 1, and Skamania County Fire District 2.

The woman was extracted from the creek and transported by an ambulance to a Life Flight helicopter waiting nearby.

However, the hiker later succumbed to her injuries at a Portland hospital.

The hike to the waterfall is a 3.4-mile round trip with an elevation gain of 750 feet.

“The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathies to the hiker’s family during this tragic loss,” SCSO stated.

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A lawsuit was filed by a Seattle-based law firm on behalf of James Reese on June 16. Additionally, a California-based firm filed a similar suit on June 17 on behalf of Jessica Hardwick.

Clark County data breach

Both suits allege breach of implied contract, negligence, and unjust enrichment. The lawsuits also call for a judge to order Clark County to pay for 10 years of credit monitoring services for those affected, according to .

Clark County notified residents who had been impacted by the data breach in a mailed letter in May. The letter stated that an “unknown actor” accessed the county’s network and stole stored data, including residents’ names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and both financial account and health insurance information.

“Clark County takes this event and the security of the information in our care very seriously,” the letter stated. “Upon detecting the event, we moved quickly to respond, securely restore our systems, assess the security of our network, and investigate the event.”

An investigation was conducted by Clark County to determine who was affected and the specific information that was stolen. Reese and Hardwick mentioned in their lawsuits that the letter they received claimed their information may have been accessed in the breach.

“Clark County also reported the event to law enforcement and is notifying state regulators, as required,” the letter stated. “As part of our ongoing commitment to information security, Clark County reviewed our policies, procedures, security tools, and employee training programs to reduce the risk of a similar event occurring in the future.”

Both lawsuits allege that Clark County recklessly stored residents’ information, which was vulnerable to hackers. In Hardwick’s lawsuit, she noted that fraudulent charges to her bank account were recognized after the data breach.

“(The county) has only offered inadequate identity monitoring services, despite plaintiff and class members being at risk of identity theft and fraud for the remainder of their lifetimes,” the suit stated.

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Hoang has autism, and although he is 21 years old, his family shared that he functions more like a 10-year-old developmentally. Security camera footage from a Kirkland neighborhood, believed to show Hoang about a week ago, has sparked a response from his family.

Hoang’s family plans to conduct a grid search of the Kirkland area where Hoang was believed to be spotted on Wednesday morning. In addition to the search, Hoang’s family said they will hand out flyers and maps of the area.

Security footage aids search for missing man with autism

Hoang may have been captured on camera in the area of Northeast 114th Lane in Kirkland on June 23. The Hoang family has asked that the public be advised of his appearance in the surrounding areas of Kirkland and Redmond.

Hoang’s family believes that at the time of his disappearance, he left the house with his mother’s slip-on shoes, his iPad, and was last seen wearing a pair of khaki pants and a t-shirt.

“He is the most wholesome person you could interact with. I don’t think he’s ever told a single lie in his whole life. He’s so kind, genuine, and honest, and out of all the people to disappear, he’s the last person to deserve that, and I hope that we can find him,” Hoang’s older sister, Irene Pfister, said, according to ����Xվ 7.

Additionally, Hoang’s family urged the community to view the surveillance camera footage to increase the chance of spotting him. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the possible sighting.

Hoang was initially reported missing on March 31 in Arlington. Hoang’s family mentioned that he took a walk around 7:30 p.m. the night before, returned home, and went to his room, then was missing in the morning when his family checked on him.

Hoang’s family has offered a reward of $10,000 for information leading to his recovery. Any tips or information regarding Hoang’s location can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-8477, or urged to call 911.

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At about 8 p.m., SPD officers responded to a reported assault in the 100 block of Broadway E. and determined that the suspects, ranging in age from 13 to 16, had assaulted and stolen money from the victim with a firearm with serial numbers shaved off.

Seattle armed robbery arrests

SPD arrived on the scene in under a minute and arrested three of the suspects as they attempted to flee. One of the suspects arrested was a 16-year-old armed with a knife.

The fourth and last suspect arrested, who is also 16, was armed with a gun and fled through Cal Anderson Park before SPD apprehended him.

“Our detectives need to find out the level of their involvement in this crime and, of course, find out if they’re associated with any others,” SPD Detective Munoz said.

All four suspects were booked into juvenile detention at the Judge Patrica H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center.

The charges include 1st-degree robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, alteration of identifying marks (firearm), resisting arrest, and obstructing a police officer.

“The 15-year-old girl had an arrest warrant for escape from electronic home monitoring and unlawful possession of a firearm,” Munoz said. “And the 13-year-old boy had an arrest warrant for assault in the fourth degree.”

Contributing: James Lynch, ����Xվ Newsradio

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The official opening date has not been announced; however, Voodoo has released that the new donut shop will be located at 10713 Main Street.

Voodoo Doughnut plans new location in Bellevue

Voodoo Doughnut currently operates 24 locations across seven states, with its first-ever location opening in Portland, Oregon in 2003.

The latest addition by Voodoo Doughnut is Washington’s third location, including Capitol Hill and Vancouver.

Voodoo Doughnut is known for its non-traditional, unconventional donut styles and creative, ever-changing designs, including the fan-favorite Voodoo Doll—a donut filled with raspberry jelly, topped with chocolate icing, and a pretzel stick.

Chris Shultz, the Voodoo Doughnuts Chief Executive Officer (CFO), has been with the company since 2017, and formerly held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations for MOD Pizza, expanding MOD Pizza from one location to 350 restaurants.

“We’re excited to bring Voodoo to Bellevue,” Chris Schultz said, according to . “The city has a great energy and a strong sense of community that fits perfectly with our brand.”

Voodoo Doughnut history

Two Portland native friends, Kenneth “Cat Daddy” Pogson and Tres Shannon, founded Voodoo Doughnut to fill a void in Portland, which at the time lacked a donut shop.

Pogson and Shannon rented a between two nightclubs in Old Town in 2003 and strived to achieve “world doughnut domination.”

The original Voodoo Doughnut location has hosted a variety of non-donut-related activities, including weddings, concerts, and weekly Swahili lessons.

Voodoo Doughnut garnered national attention within a month of its opening, and has since been featured in a variety of media outlets, including Good Morning America, GQ, Wheel of Fortune, and People Magazine.

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Boeing made the transition public Monday, with West becoming a senior advisor to Kelly Ortberg, Boeing’s president and CEO.

New Boeing CFO

In Malave’s new role, he will lead Boeing’s financial strategy, reporting, long-range business planning, investor relations, treasury, controller, and audit operations, and Enterprise Services— which includes global real estate and facilities.

“Jay will become CFO at an important time in helping build Boeing’s next chapter as we continue to make progress on our recovery and implement fundamental changes rooted in safety and quality,” Ortberg said. “He is a well-respected financial and business leader, and brings decades of experience developing people and teams across complex aerospace and manufacturing businesses.”

Before Malave was a part of Boeing, he was the CFO of Lockheed Martin, and also spent more than 20 years at United Technologies Corporation, where he served as vice president and CFO of Carrier Corporation. He was also vice president and CFO at UTC Aerospace Systems.

Malave and West will assume their roles on Aug. 15. Malave will report to Ortberg, serving on the company’s executive council.

“I want to personally thank Brian for his outstanding work navigating our recovery and positioning the company for the future,” Ortberg said.

West was Boeing’s CFO for four years, and will assist in the upcoming transition for Malave.

“These past few years have been some of the most consequential in Boeing’s history,” Ortberg continued. “Brian successfully guided us through last year’s historic capital raise and ensured our team always had the resources to continue the critical work to strengthen safety and quality across our operations. I look forward to his continued counsel in his new role.”

Malave earned a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Connecticut, a Master’s in accounting from the University of Hartford, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

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Onomen Uduebor, 39, also known as Onomen Onohi, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme to steal and use income tax data for fraud.

Nigerian man sentenced to 40 months in prison for W-2 fraud

Uduebor was arrested in the United Kingdom in September 2023, arrived in the U.S. in March 2025, and pleaded guilty in April, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) stated in a . He will likely be deported back to Nigeria following his prison sentence.

Between February 2016 and April 2017, Uduebor participated in a scheme that created false emails, appearing to come from each company’s human resources department, and requested employees’ W-2 data.

The information received was then used to file more than 300 fake tax returns claiming more than $1 million in tax refunds. Of the many victims targeted, a Tukwila-based company was included.

Uduebor admitted to filing 150 of the false tax returns and tracking refunds and payments to bank accounts he set up under the names of the victims.

“This conduct damaged companies, employees, and the Internal Revenue Service. While the IRS caught most of the fake tax refund filings, it left the individual victims with tax headaches and a sense of fear since their identities had been stolen,” Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) paid out roughly $140,000 to the conspirators, although Uduebor claimed he received only $10,000 from the scheme. Additionally, the IRS retrieved some of the money, and the total restitution owed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury is $122,720.

The $10,000 Uduebor admitted to earning was forfeited, and he must pay the remaining $122,720.

“I have read the victim impact statements and I know an apology is not enough …. I was desperate to succeed in my music career. It is not an excuse, but it is the truth,” Uduebor said in court Monday.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), and the U.S. DOJ Office of International Affairs assisted with the extradition process.

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As of June 30, Washington residents are paying nearly 40% more per gallon of gas than the national average. Washington consumers are currently paying $1.248 more than the rest of the nation, according to

Washington gas prices continue to soar

Washington has the third-highest gas tax in the country, with California (61.2 cents) and Pennsylvania (57.6 cents) leading the pack.

Additionally, Washington’s average gallon of gas ranked third-highest in the nation, behind California, which cost $4.594 per gallon, and $4.473 in Hawaii.

The $4.433 average for Washington’s ranking is nearly 40 cents higher than fourth-placed Oregon, which had a $4.051 average per gallon of gas.

WA’s highest gas prices by county

The worst counties to buy a gallon of gas in Washington:

• San Juan, $5.543
• Wahkiakum, $4.899
• Pacific, $4.714
• King, $4.702
• Jefferson, $4.695

The highest statewide average cost per gallon of gas in Washington history was $5.56 on June 16, 2022, according to AAA.

Lowest WA county gas prices

The best counties to buy a gallon of gas in Washington:

• Asotin, $3.822
• Pend Oreille, $3.964
• Spokane, $3.966
• Ferry, $4.073
• Stevens, $4.120

The Washington gas price average, which includes regular, mid-grade, premium, and diesel, totals $4.433 per gallon, and the AAA national average was $3.185 as of June 30.

The statistics provided are updated daily by AAA and are subject to change.

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Workers at MultiCare Emergency-Parkland are planning a five-day strike, claiming the company withheld raises, blocked union access, and refused to negotiate key contract terms.

Parkland healthcare workers strike

Healthcare workers will strike outside the MultiCare Emergency Parkland location at 14815 Pacific Ave S. in Tacoma.

Approximately 75 Parkland healthcare workers, represented by, have called for an Unfair Labor Practice strike, which will take place from 12:01 a.m. Monday, to 11:59 p.m. on July 4.

“Our demands are clear: MultiCare must immediately stop breaking the law and bargain fairly,” Beth Bergeon, IAM Business Representative, said. “This strike is about respect, safety, and dignity—not just for our workers, but for the community we serve.”

The workers certified their union on May 7, and since then, IAM District 160 claims that MultiCare has committed at least 14 Unfair Labor Practices.

The alleged violations include withholding standard status quo raises despite providing them at other facilities, denying union representatives workplace access, illegally interrogating workers, and engaging in bad-faith bargaining by refusing to negotiate critical terms.

“I’ve negotiated for over a decade, and I’ve never sat across the table from someone with such blatant disregard and a real aversion for reaching a fair agreement,” Brandon Hemming, lead negotiator for IAM, said. “Shawn, MultiCare’s lead negotiator, continuously throws up roadblocks.”

According to the release, the actions by MultiCare have contributed to a significant drop in staff, and noted losses of roughly 45 employees since certification until the announced strike.

MultiCare employees perspective

“Workers at the Parkland facility—known widely as the busiest OCED (Off-Campus Emergency Department) location within MultiCare—face unique challenges, handling significant trauma patient volumes without direct hospital support,” the release stated.

Michelle Zaun, an emergency service technician at the Parkland MultiCare facility since 2022 and a member of the collective bargaining team, told what she works through on a daily basis.

“We take care of some of the most horrendous things that come through that door,” Zaun told The Tacoma News Tribune. “We have traumas, we have security issues where we’re located, and we always handle it. … We’re not in here demanding unreasonable things.”

MultiCare told The Tacoma News Tribune via email that it has bargained in good faith for more than a year to reach a contract that supports an equitable and economically sustainable workplace.

The Parkland facility will remain open throughout the strike, and the health system does not anticipate any disruptions to its patients’ care.

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The change will go into effect on June 30, according to a by the company.

Costco updates hours for executive members

All Costco stores will now open at 9 a.m. daily and provide executive members the opportunity to get a one-hour head start on their shopping until 10 a.m., when the store opens up for all members.

The 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. opening is specific to Sunday through Friday. However, executive members will only receive a 30-minute benefit on Saturday, with the store offering a 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. window.

All other membership subscribers will be able to access the store at 10 a.m. Sunday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Costco’s executive membership details

The at Costco provides a wide variety of benefits, including:

• Annual 2% reward: Up to $1,250 on eligible Costco purchases.
• Costco services discount: Benefits and discounts on select Costco services.
• Shop online and in warehouses.
• Two membership cards.
• 100% satisfaction guarantee.

In comparison, the Costco Executive Membership and the Costco Gold Star Membership have few differences. Costco’s Gold Star Membership is similar to the executive, although it does not offer a 2% reward or a Costco services discount.

The addition of an extra hour of shopping in the morning for executive members helps to lengthen the gap between the benefit opportunities provided.

King County Costco locations

Costco is home to 34 locations across the state, eight of which are located within King County: Covington, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kirkland, Seattle, Aurora, Tukwila, and Woodinville.

Of the eight Washington Costco locations, three appear in the top 10 ranking for the largest Costco locations, according to .

The 150,000 square foot Federal Way location (10th), Issaquah’s 152,000 square foot location (9th), and the Woodinville location (4th), with 168,000 square feet.

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The 41,000-square-foot property will be converted into an apartment building, one of the Kirkland-based investment group’s specialties.

Mountlake Terrace hotel to become 120 studio apartments

Sage plans to convert the current three-level, 119-room hotel into 120 studio apartment units by next year, according to

The Studio 6 hotel, built in 1997, was formerly owned by PMF Investments and is located at 24035 Van Ry Blvd.

SIG has recently purchased motels in Fife and Tacoma. The group specializes in purchasing hospitality properties, which are then transformed into affordable apartment units.

Each studio apartment will have a full kitchen and bathroom. Other notable amenities within the building include a laundry facility, gym, community space, and a possibility of a dog park.

The monthly rent for the new apartment building is expected to be roughly $1,300, which includes utilities, cable, internet, and parking, according to PSBJ.

Co-founder Emily Hubbard told The Puget Sound Business Journal the property was a perfect opportunity for Sage to expand north, citing the need for housing. The location is ideal due to its short distance from a Sound Transit light rail station and a Grocery Outlet opening soon.

“For our tenants, the most expensive thing in their budget is their housing, and the second most expensive thing for them is transportation,” Hubbard said, according to the media outlet. “To be able to have mass transit and food readily available within walking distance for our tenants, I think, is fantastic.”

Hubbard mentioned the priority SIG had for affordability ahead of its opening in a high-priced suburb.

“[Mountlake Terrace] used to be a reasonable, well-priced suburb, and now gotten so expensive, and being able to offer a studio option for people that want to stay and live in the area and thrive in the area, but can’t afford either a single-family home or a townhouse … I’m thrilled to be a part of that,” Hubbard told The Puget Sound Business Journal.

SIG is preparing to break ground in the next six to eight months and expects the construction costs to be between $3.8 million and $4.5 million.

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