Articles by Monica Nickelsburg

Monica Nickelsburg is GeekWire’s Civic Editor, covering technology-driven solutions to urban challenges and the intersection of tech and politics. Before joining GeekWire, she worked for The Week, Forbes, and NBC. Monica holds a BA in journalism and history from New York University. Follow her @mnickelsburg

Seattle scrutinizes Amazon, gig economy companies for ‘misclassifying’ employees as independent contractors

Full interview: Bill Gates on climate change, Paul Allen, nationalism and, of course, hamburgers
Politicians pushing back on corporate power celebrate victory in Amazon’s NYC reversal
In stunning reversal, Amazon drops plans for HQ2 in New York City in the face of growing backlash

Latest from Monica Nickelsburg

Trump calls for ‘5G and even 6G’ wireless tech as T-Mobile and Sprint seek merger approval

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 21, 2019February 21, 2019 at 10:00 amComment

President Donald Trump wants to see deployment of the super-fast wireless technology known as 5G — and, inexplicably, 6G, which does not yet exist. “I want 5G, and even 6G,… Read More

Seattle scrutinizes Amazon, gig economy companies for ‘misclassifying’ employees as independent contractors

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 20, 2019February 20, 2019 at 1:24 pmComment

Seattle lawmakers are taking a closer look at companies that hire big teams of independent contractors. The Seattle City Council passed a resolution Tuesday asking the city’s labor office to investigate… Read More

Seattle mayor forms student internship program with Amazon, Expedia and other employers

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 at 1:25 pm 8 Comments

Two of Seattle’s biggest tech companies are signing onto a new paid internship program for college students launched by Mayor Jenny Durkan. Amazon, Expedia, and other employers in the area… Read More

Howard Schultz calls out ‘far-left activists’ for torpedoing Amazon HQ2 in NY

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 at 10:50 am 4 Comments

As CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz grew his company alongside another massive Seattle-based corporation: Amazon. The two ambitious companies took different paths to dominance. Starbucks set out to open a… Read More

Meet Derek Kilmer, the rep from Washington state in charge of modernizing Congress

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 18, 2019February 18, 2019 at 11:07 amComment

When Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg testified before Congress last year, many elected officials appeared confounded by how technologies like social media work. Congress’ stately halls have always contrasted with the flashy… Read More

Podcast

Full interview: Bill Gates on climate change, Paul Allen, nationalism and, of course, hamburgers

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 16, 2019February 16, 2019 at 10:56 am1 Comment

Bill Gates is known to play his cards close to the vest, but in an interview with GeekWire, the Microsoft co-founder opened up on a wide range of topics, covering… Read More

Politicians pushing back on corporate power celebrate victory in Amazon’s NYC reversal

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 at 10:25 am 4 Comments

In the first few weeks of 2019, progressive politicians have started a national conversation about income inequality and corporate power. Turns out it’s more than just talk. On Thursday, Amazon… Read More

In stunning reversal, Amazon drops plans for HQ2 in New York City in the face of growing backlash

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 at 2:25 pm 12 Comments

Amazon is canceling its plans to build a 25,000 person office in New York City in an extraordinary twist to the “HQ2” story that has dominated the news for more… Read More

Video

Bill and Melinda Gates take to late-night TV to weigh in on 70% marginal tax rate floated by AOC

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 13, 2019February 13, 2019 at 3:00 pm 4 Comments

Should billionaires exist? That question is getting serious attention thanks to liberal officials raising the alarm over wealth concentration. It’s become such a hot-button issue that Late Show host Stephen Colbert… Read More

Sprint and T-Mobile make merger case to House committee, pledging to take on cable companies and accelerate 5G

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 13, 2019February 13, 2019 at 12:11 pmComment

T-Mobile CEO John Legere is “salivating” to compete with cable internet providers. So he said Monday in a hearing of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee over his company’s… Read More

Video

Bill Gates says textbooks are finally becoming obsolete, 25 years after he predicted their demise

by Monica Nickelsburg & Todd Bishop on February 13, 2019February 13, 2019 at 10:40 am1 Comment

Here’s a pop quiz: One of these passages about education technology was from Bill Gates’ 1995 book, “The Road Ahead.” The other was published by Gates this week, nearly 25… Read More

Poll shows majority of New Yorkers support Amazon HQ2 project

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 12, 2019February 12, 2019 at 1:07 pm1 Comment

New York officials have mounted a firm resistance to Amazon’s plan to open a 25,000-person office in Queens. But a new poll shows they may not have support from the majority… Read More

Execs from Amazon, Microsoft and other tech giants urge Congress to protect Dreamers

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 12, 2019February 12, 2019 at 5:07 pm 4 Comments

Some of the biggest names in tech sent a letter Monday asking Congressional leaders to come up with a legislative solution for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.… Read More

Amazon’s new East Coast hubs among the worst US cities for traffic

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 11, 2019February 12, 2019 at 9:39 amComment

If all goes according to plan, Amazon employees will be able to choose between the company’s Seattle headquarters two new homes: New York City and a Northern Virginia suburb of… Read More

Downtown Seattle Association CEO: Tech industry ‘unfairly blamed’ for housing crisis

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 11, 2019February 11, 2019 at 12:12 pm 7 Comments

Downtown Seattle has added 85,000 jobs since 2010, and nine out of 10 of new jobs in the city are technology-related. That’s according to a new report from the Downtown Seattle… Read More

Microsoft wants Washington state to double down on infrastructure and privacy

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 11, 2019February 11, 2019 at 10:17 am1 Comment

Microsoft will press the Washington state legislature to prioritize privacy legislation and infrastructure improvements this year, according to a blog post penned by Brad Smith, the company’s president and legal chief.… Read More

Cities wising up to disruptive transportation tech: ‘Why should they use our public right of way to become billionaires?’

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 9, 2019February 10, 2019 at 9:34 am 13 Comments

As cars clogged Seattle’s streets, desperately trying to escape a rare snowstorm, transportation experts high above discussed the future of urban mobility. Transportation leaders from West Coast tech hubs gathered… Read More

Amazon reportedly reconsidering New York location amid growing resistance movement

by Monica Nickelsburg on February 8, 2019February 8, 2019 at 4:37 pm1 Comment

Updated below with Amazon’s statement. Amazon is having second thoughts about plans to build a massive office in New York City, according to a new report from The Washington Post.… Read More

Video

Articles by Monica Nickelsburg

Top Stories from Monica Nickelsburg

Seattle scrutinizes Amazon, gig economy companies for ‘misclassifying’ employees as independent contractors

Latest from Monica Nickelsburg

Trump calls for ‘5G and even 6G’ wireless tech as T-Mobile and Sprint seek merger approval

Seattle scrutinizes Amazon, gig economy companies for ‘misclassifying’ employees as independent contractors

Seattle mayor forms student internship program with Amazon, Expedia and other employers

Howard Schultz calls out ‘far-left activists’ for torpedoing Amazon HQ2 in NY

Meet Derek Kilmer, the rep from Washington state in charge of modernizing Congress

Full interview: Bill Gates on climate change, Paul Allen, nationalism and, of course, hamburgers

Politicians pushing back on corporate power celebrate victory in Amazon’s NYC reversal

In stunning reversal, Amazon drops plans for HQ2 in New York City in the face of growing backlash

Bill and Melinda Gates take to late-night TV to weigh in on 70% marginal tax rate floated by AOC

Sprint and T-Mobile make merger case to House committee, pledging to take on cable companies and accelerate 5G

Bill Gates says textbooks are finally becoming obsolete, 25 years after he predicted their demise

Poll shows majority of New Yorkers support Amazon HQ2 project

Execs from Amazon, Microsoft and other tech giants urge Congress to protect Dreamers

Amazon’s new East Coast hubs among the worst US cities for traffic

Downtown Seattle Association CEO: Tech industry ‘unfairly blamed’ for housing crisis

Microsoft wants Washington state to double down on infrastructure and privacy

Cities wising up to disruptive transportation tech: ‘Why should they use our public right of way to become billionaires?’

Amazon reportedly reconsidering New York location amid growing resistance movement

Howard Schultz blames partisanship for lack of progress on immigration, job training and taxes

Amazon recommends 6 guidelines for facial recognition legislation

Washington Post untangles a complex web behind the National Enquirer’s Jeff Bezos exposé

Seattle becomes first city where Lyft riders can request electric cars

Trump avoids tech in State of the Union address

Amazon, Microsoft, Expedia and other tech giants urge Washington state to pass eviction reform

Amazon HQ2’s future in New York City uncertain as politicians butt heads

T-Mobile promises not to raise rates if Sprint deal goes through — for now

Snopes founder explains why Facebook fact-checking partnership dissolved

New York Senator opposed to Amazon HQ2 deal named to critical oversight board

US Senators reintroduce startup visa legislation but outlook is dim

Washington state has a $171M bill for Comcast as major consumer protection trial concludes

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