Convenience Big Store: GeekWire's Most-Read Stories of the Week

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THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES

The ‘Tesla exemption’ no more: Rivian and Lucid break through Washington state's dealership wall

At the start of next year, Washington state shoppers will for the first time be able to visit showrooms for Rivian and Lucid Motors, take a test drive and buy an EV.

A whole new ballgame for trading cards: Startup uses robots and AI to sort and analyze collections

Gradient's Renton, Wash., office space is home to 10 million sports and gaming cards, where a team of card geeks and engineers are using technology to upend a $15 billion U.S.

Microsoft’s return-to-office policy creates a return to slower commutes, traffic analysis shows

Inrix measured travel speeds on eastbound and westbound SR 520 and southbound and northbound I-405 during the weeks of Feb.

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Opinion: You couldn't pay me to leave Washington state, and I'd pay more to stay

My view on Washington's proposed tax on very high incomes is simple: if I've found myself in the position of making that much in a year, I can afford to contribute a little more to the place that helped make that circumstance possible.

Contractors sue Modern Hydrogen, alleging the Bill Gates-backed startup left their final invoices unpaid

Five contractors are suing the Seattle-area clean energy startup for more than $363,458, alleging their final invoices went unpaid.

Atlassian layoffs impact 63 workers in Washington as CTO steps down

Atlassian announced Wednesday that it will lay off about 10% of its staff, or 1,600 employees, as the 24-year-old software firm transitions to an "AI-first company."

Washington House passes 9.9% 'millionaires tax' as business leaders warn of 'seismic shift'

Some tech leaders and entrepreneurs worry the legislation could undermine their sector by souring Washington's relatively favorable tax laws for startup founders, investors and high-wage earners.

Tech Moves: Microsoft Research gets a new leader; Amazon head joins AI startup; JPMorgan exec departing

Igor Tsyganskiy is now leading Microsoft Research (MSR) as past president Peter Lee takes the helm of Microsoft Science.

New free, on-demand EV service launches in Redmond to shuttle riders to light rail

RedLink riders can access the service via the Circuit app.

Opinion: The wrong tax at the wrong time for Washington

Seattle entrepreneur Jesse Proudman on why he's saddened by the state's new income tax, writing that it comes at the "worst possible moment" amid the AI boom.

Microsoft EVP Rajesh Jha retiring after 35 years in latest exit from senior leadership team

"When I think about the pantheon of leaders who have truly shaped this company, Rajesh stands firmly among them," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said.

Allen Institute for AI CEO Ali Farhadi steps down as nonprofit navigates shifting AI landscape

Ali Farhadi is stepping down as the CEO of the Allen Institute for AI (Ai2), after a two-and-a-half-year tenure that brought growing recognition to the Seattle-based nonprofit research institute as a key player in the world of open source artificial intelligence.

Microsoft’s new Copilot Cowork integrates Anthropic’s Claude in rollout of new E7 licensing tier

Microsoft is launching Copilot Cowork, a new AI assistant built with Anthropic that can run tasks in the background and work across Microsoft 365 apps, as part of a broader wave of updates including a new $99-per-user E7 licensing tier.

Seattle’s downtown paradox: Commercial engine sputters amid improved safety and visitor growth

Seattle is witnessing a curious role reversal in its economic narrative.

Here’s the pitch: UW students get in the room with key investors to share their AI startup ideas

Seven teams comprising 67 undergraduate and graduate students from across campus disciplines laid out their startup business plans at Pioneer Square Labs in Seattle to conclude a 10-week program.