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Microsoft claims new quantum computer 1000x more powerful than predecessor, S&P hits new milestone, Janicki selects Montana for $800m expansion, Washington judge won’t enforce $175k penalty in ebike case, Seattle Mayor eyes sales tax increase.
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PNW Market Look
As of market close 6.2.26
Headline Roundup
Trump taps housing finance director Pulte as acting director of national intelligence after Gabbard (Ground)
Seattle mayor pitches sales tax increase to boost bus service (ST)
An Ohio-based homebuilder has tapped Portland-based Prophetic for its AI tolls surrounding land acquisition and development. (PBJ)
Microsoft touts new AI agents, coding tools in pitch to developers (CNBC)
Microsoft says new quantum chip 1,000 times more reliable than predecessor (BBC)
Janicki Selects Great Falls, Montana for $800 Million Manufacturing Campus Expansion (Janicki)
Inside the Collapse of Providence Health Plan (WW)
225 seniors units to follow $14M land sale in Issaquah Highlands (DJC)
Melinda French Gates to join Seattle Kraken as minority investor (KUOW)
US construction spending rises 0.4% in April despite mortgage rate pressures (IBR)
Annum Housing Launches in Southern Oregon as 56% of Workers Say Housing is Unaffordable (PRW)
McCall's Critical Medical Devices wins Boise startup World Cup qualifier (IBR)
(WA) Judge Declines to Enforce $175K Settlement in Specialized E-Bike 'Over-Run' Lawsuit (Pinkbike)
Idaho Community Foundation awards nearly $295,000 through the Idaho Future Fund (IDP)
‘One of the biggest attractions’ in Idaho: Vision for Indian Creek could add dozens of projects, including whitewater park, promenade, more (BD)
Trump administration dumps $1.77B ‘anti-weaponization’ fund (IDS)
Allen Institute launches brain health program with $400 million in funding (PBJ)
Shoreline sends $100 million aquatic center project to voters (PBJ)
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Community Highlight
“Russell joined Kona in spring 2025 as Chief Revenue Officer. In that role, Russell worked alongside the company’s founders and senior team to help advance the business following its return to independent ownership. Charles has extensive experience in the bicycle industry, including senior roles with a number of organizations.
In May 2024, Kona co‑founders Dan Gerhard and Jake Heilbron reacquired the brand from Kent Outdoors. Since then, the founders focused on stabilizing the business, rebuilding the team, and re‑establishing Kona’s dealer‑first sales approach. Internally, this period marked the beginning of “Kona 3.0,” reflecting the company’s reset under private, rider‑owned control.
Russell’s appointment as president and CEO reflects a deliberate decision by the founders to invest in experienced leadership to guide the next stage of Kona 3.0, while maintaining continuity with the brand’s values and operating principles.”
Rip’s Spotlight
Why Seattle won’t make it (X)
“People seem to be misinterpreting why Seattle is fucked. Seattle is not fucked because they over-regulate big business or because of the “millionaire’s tax.” They’re fucked because they overregulate small and mid-sized businesses which caused a massive localized inflationary spiral that is forcing out big businesses because labor costs are too high
But here’s the thing: Because Seattle overregulated their small and midsize businesses, those businesses are now operating on razor thin margins and are reliant on highly paid corporate workers who can pay exorbitant prices in order to stay in business. So when a corporate office relocates out of Seattle, all of the local restaurants collapse because they no longer have a customer base who can afford the prices they have to charge due to Seattle’s regulatory environment
What this means is that as corporations cut payroll in Seattle the entire city’s service sector is imploding, which has resulted in localized stagflation. Their whole labor market is quickly evaporating and now they have 5.5% unemployment, 5% inflation, and -2% real wage growth”
On X…
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