Thursday Headlines Microsoft and REI announce layoffs, lawmakers push to lower the blood alcohol limit, and mobile tasting rooms could become legal in WA. It’s our daily roundup of today’s top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna. Andy Hurst
Microsoft cuts 8% of gaming division after closing Activision deal Jeremy Monken’s wife had just given birth to a healthy daughter when he got the news. Monica Nickelsburg
GM's driverless car company Cruise is under investigation by several agencies Cruise hired a law firm to investigate the start-up's interactions with regulators after a Cruise vehicle dragged a pedestrian on October 2. Multiple government agencies are now examining the crash. Camila Domonoske
Introducing: Booming. An economy podcast from a city that (almost) never stops growing. Joshua McNichols
Many experts feared a recession. Instead, the economy has continued to soar The U.S. economy grew substantially faster in the final months of 2023 than forecasters had expected. For all of last year, the economy grew 3.1% — defying forecasts of a likely recession. Scott Horsley
Robitussin's maker recalls cough syrup for possible high levels of yeast The contamination, found in some eight lots of syrup that contain honey, could pose a serious risk to people with weakened immune systems. The Associated Press
Regulators target fees for consumers who are denied a purchase for insufficient funds It's the latest salvo in the government's campaign against so-called "junk fees," which President Biden said last year harm "working folks" and drive up costs for consumers. Joe Hernandez
The FAA lays out a path for Boeing 737 Max 9 to fly again, but new concerns surface While the Federal Aviation Administration says the grounded 737 Max 9 aircraft can resume flying after inspections, the agency imposed sweeping jet production restrictions at Boeing factories. Joel Rose
Biden lands a potentially major endorsement for president — the UAW President Biden spoke at a United Auto Workers conference on Wednesday, after marching on their picket line earlier this year. The union has officially endorsed him. Don Gonyea
Boeing's quality control draws criticism as a whistleblower alleges lapses at factory Concerns over quality control at Boeing's factory are mounting after this month's door plug blowout on a 737 Max 9. New revelations from an alleged whistleblower suggest Boeing could be at fault. Joel Rose
