A recent federal appeals court decision affirmed that the University of Washington infringed upon a computer science professor's First Amendment rights. The court ruled against the university's investigation and reprimand related to a parody land acknowledgment in a course syllabus, emphasizing that discomfort among students does not warrant retaliation against academic speech.
In other developments, Seattle-based startup Ambassador secured $7 million to enhance its software designed for companies to analyze customer feedback. Meanwhile, Blue Origin appointed Tory Bruno, former CEO of United Launch Alliance, to lead its national security division, a move that may intensify competition with SpaceX.
Additionally, the Seattle data governance firm Codified is winding down operations as its founder transitions to a new role at Google. As Washington state navigates the implications of new U.S. drone regulations, experts suggest that Seattle has the potential to become a key player in the industry.
Lastly, Matheus Gonçalves created a website to provide real-time updates about Stevens Pass, catering to the needs of winter sports enthusiasts seeking information on ski resort conditions.