Monica Nickelsburg
AI & Economy Reporter
About
Monica Nickelsburg covers artificial intelligence, tech, and the local economy in the Pacific Northwest.
Monica came to KUOW in 2023. Before that, she spent six years covering the intersection of technology and politics for GeekWire and worked as a digital producer for The Week.
Monica grew up in Los Angeles and got her B.A. in Journalism and History from New York University before landing in Seattle.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Podcasts
Stories
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Amazon lays off 16,000 employees in major reduction of force
Amazon told about 16,000 corporate employees they’ll soon be out of a job early Wednesday morning. It’s part two of a 30,000-person layoff the company began in October. Taken together, it’s the largest layoff in the e-commerce giant’s history, and it marks a dramatic shift in the tech industry from a decade-long talent war to the artificial intelligence race.
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Tech layoffs drive Seattle-area unemployment above 5%
The first major tech layoff of 2026 hit Seattle-area workers at Meta this week. About 330 roles at the social networking giant were eliminated, according to a filing with the Washington Employment Security Department. It’s the latest in a series of tech layoffs, and more cuts are expected across the industry in the coming weeks.
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Lessons from the state that made child care free
In November, New Mexico became the first state to launch free, universal child care. So what can Washington learn from the state that managed to pull it off?
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How a bad bet built the internet: a short history of bubbles
Sometimes, an economic crash leaves something good behind that we may not appreciate for years. This week, we look at bubbles from the past and ask: When the money burns away, what’s left?
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A small town in Central Washington is Microsoft's answer to the data center backlash
Quincy is a small farming town in Central Washington near the Columbia River, home to one of the world’s top french fry producers. It’s also the model for Microsoft’s nationwide data center strategy.
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WA Gov. Bob Ferguson calls for regulations on AI chatbot companions
About one-third of U.S. teens report relying on an AI chatbot for emotional support. That trend has Washington state regulators sounding alarm bells.
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Housing costs dropped in Austin. How they did the impossible
Over the last few years, Austin's average rent fell. So what is Austin doing right? And what could Seattle learn from it?
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Flooding won’t dampen Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Evacuations driven by flood risk cost retailers and other businesses in the Skagit Valley tens of thousands of dollars, but the damage to one iconic product from the region appears to be minimal.
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How stores are spying on you (encore)
How AI is being used by some of your favorite retailers to get better at... selling you stuff. This story originally aired in December 2024.
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As Washington state's flood recovery unfolds, what resources can people expect?
We don't have numbers yet on how many Washington homes and businesses have experienced flooding. Emergency officials say it's too early to even guess until flood waters recede. But for people starting to clean up, the safety issues are serious. Flood waters can bring sewage and bacteria, which cause mold and other hazards. To find out more about what's ahead in the recovery process, Kim Malcolm talked to KUOW’s Monica Nickelsburg, who has been reporting on what assistance will be available to Western Washingtonians as they recover.
