Noteworthy on the Web
The State Broadband Office, the existence of which was news to us, is a five-year program under the state Department of Commerce. It was launched with $7.3 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Broadband Stimulus Funds, administrated by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). It is “charged with coordination, programming, and outreach on opportunities for funding, education and awareness of broadband issues.” They have a cool interactive map tool that shows broadband access across the state and a smattering crowdsourced citizen Internet speed tests to which you can contribute. The office is also accepting grant applications for what it calls Local Technology Planning Teams to extend the state office’s mission to the local level.
In other media
”Expeditors fined $5.5 million in Europe for price-fixing effort” (Seattle Times): Quietly successful Seattle-based Expeditors International (EXPD), a company that sweats the details of shipping stuff around the world, is in trouble with the European Union for joining “with seven other companies to set a “peak season surcharge” on freight shipped from south China to Europe in the months leading up to the Christmas shopping season.”
”Red Lion explores potential sale with investment bankers” (Seattle Times): Red Lion Hotels (RLH), the ubiquitous Pacific Northwest hospitality brand, based in Spokane, is looking to be bought or to merge, at the request of major shareholders.
“The Biggest Lottery Winners Are States” (Bloomberg Businessweek): For your consideration when deciding how big a bet to place on Mega Millions, which this week touts the biggest lottery jackpot in the history of humankind. And here’s what to do when you win.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
