Gov. Christine Gregoire in a statement commenting on upcoming layoffs Tuesday at Tacoma’s Russell Investments said the state is working hard to find new jobs for the thousands laid off around the state including those at Russell.

Here is her statement:

"My thoughts are with those employees affected by the layoffs announced at Frank Russell in Tacoma. Frank Russell has been an important corporate citizen and an invaluable member of the Tacoma community.

"It is frustrating that the world financial crisis continues to take a toll on Washington business, resulting in job losses for these skilled

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A 58-day Machinists Union strike, delays in the 747-8 development program and a reserve for litigation losses moved Boeing into the red for the fourth quarter, the company said today.

The Chicago-based company reported losses of $56 million or 8 cents a share in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared with earnings of $1.03 billion for the fourth quarter of 2007.



For the full year, Boeing said, its earnings totaled $2.7 billion compared with $4.07 billion for 2007.

Revenues declined 27 percent to $12.7 billion due in large part to the strike and its aftermath.

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Almost 200 Boeing maintenance workers have already received layoff notices that they will lose their jobs in the next 60 days, the Herald in Everett reported today.

Those 190 workers are in addition to the 4,500 workers Boeing has said it will begin warning of layoffs on Feb. 20.

The workers already notified work for the company’s Shared Services Division that supplies services to the company’s production divisions.

The company’s largest union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has told its members it will fight the layoffs.

Some of the workers scheduled for layoffs

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Boeing rival Airbus has opted out of the competition to build a new presidential aircraft for the United States.

Airbus’ parent company, European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS), said late Tuesday the company won’t compete for the contract for three presidential aircraft.

“After careful review, we’ve determined that participation in the Air Force One program will not meet our business objectives,” EADS spokesman Guy Hicks told Aviation Week.

The Air Force had requested preliminary proposals from aircraft manufacturers for the new aircraft. Boeing has said it may propose either or both the new 747-8 four-engine aircraft

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A ship carrying four container cranes — two of them destined for the Port of Tacoma’s Washington United Terminal — pulled up anchor and left Commencement Bay early Tuesday evening.

The move out of the bay prompted some concern from Northeast Tacoma and Browns Point residents who called The News Tribune that something had gone awry with plans to install the cranes at the terminal.

Port spokeswoman Tara Mattina said the ship left the bay because it was dragging its anchor and couldn’t hold its position with the huge sail-like surfaces of the cranes being pushed by the

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Karin Walker-Rasmas opened FoxFire Salon & Spa in her home in 1984 as a one-woman enterprise. She eventually moved around to two other locations, including the current building she bought in 2001 at 1912 65th Ave. W.

The salon, which now employs roughly 40 full-time and part-time workers, celebrates its 25th anniversary Feb. 14.

“We’d like to say, ‘Thank you,’ to all our customers,” said Topie Castaneda, general manager.

The anniversary celebration includes an open house, double points on the salon’s rewards program and complimentary skin and make-up consultations on Feb. 14. In addition, customers get 15

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded an $850,000 grant today to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to help reduce diesel emissions at the ports of Tacoma and Seattle.

The money will help retrofit 84 pieces of cargo handling equipment at the ports with diesel particulate and other types of filters, replace old trucks with new ones and install oxidation catalysts on two top loaders, according to the clean air agency.

“By cutting diesel emissions from heavy duty engines at our ports these retrofits and engine replacements will help us clear the air and protect more people

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Tacoma’s Russell Investments will cut 20 percent of its staff of 2,100 workers worldwide, the company told its workers in a brief memorandum this afternoon.

The staff reductions will occur over the next 11 months.

A Russell spokesman, Steve Claiborne, said the company hasn’t yet provided details about how the reductions will happen or where.

“"That statement is all we’re announcing today," he said.

The investment management company with its headquarters in Tacoma employs 1,100 workers downtown. If the cutbacks are applied evenly to all of Russell’s worldwide operations, more than 200 workers in

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