Keiro Northwest announced on Dec. 14 that Tomio Moriguchi, former CEO of Uwajimaya and co-founder of Keiro Northwest, accepted the position of board president. Outgoing Board President Frank Fukui said, “Tomio and his contemporaries did what was once thought impossible, and Keiro is still here despite the challenges of the industry and the changes to […]
Mayor Durkan nominates Mariko Lockhart
Mayor Jenny Durkan announced on Dec. 19 she is nominating Seattle Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Interim Director Mariko Lockhart to a permanent position, pending confirmation by the City Council. “For her entire career, Mariko has proven time and again that she is committed to advancing equity across education, affordability, and the criminal justice system,” […]
ACRS music video
Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) released its very first music video about the agency in November. The original song “The First One There,” performed by AAPI musicians Daniel Pak and Geo Quibuyen, looks at how ACRS came to be, what it has stood for over the last 45 years, and its role in the […]
85°C Bakery in ID holds soft opening
85°C Bakery Cafe held a soft opening at its new store at 5th Avenue and Jackson Street beginning the last week of December. The chain, which has more than 1,000 stores worldwide, operates three other locations in the area, in Federal Way, Tukwila, and Lynnwood. Nicknamed the “Starbucks of Taiwan,” 85°C specializes in fresh breads […]
New Kin On Board
Kin On announced on Dec. 24 the election of Dennis Lam as its new board president. Lam is the founder of the Law Offices of Dennis Lam and has served on the Kin On Board for more than 20 years. Along with Lam, Hannah Wong will be 1st Vice President, Sherwin Tsao 2nd Vice President, […]
Ex-restaurant owner sentenced for forced labor
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A former owner of Thai restaurants who fraudulently obtained visas to bring cooks from Thailand and then compelled them to work long hours with minimal pay has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Paul Jumroon pleaded guilty in February to forced labor, conspiracy to […]
University student accused of poisoning roommate
EASTON, Pa. (AP) – A former Lehigh University student has been accused of poisoning his roommate. Prosecutors announced on Dec. 20 that 22-year-old Yukai Yang will be charged with attempted homicide and related offenses. Authorities say Yang, a chemistry major, sickened his roommate with thallium and possibly other chemicals last spring. Juwan Royal experienced symptoms […]
No charges against Chinese billionaire in alleged assault
By The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors said on Dec. 21 that Chinese billionaire Richard Liu will not face charges after a woman accused him of rape while he was attending a University business program in August. Liu, founder of the Beijing-based e-commerce site JD.com, was arrested Aug. 31 on suspicion of felony […]
US returns 3 disputed bells taken from Philippines in 1901
By JIM GOMEZAssociated Press MANILA, Philippines (AP) — For over a century, the Bells of Balangiga have not rung in the Philippines, a silence that the president last year called “painful.’’ Now, the revered bells will once again be heard in the country. Hundreds of Filipino villagers in 1901, armed with bolos and disguised as […]
Critique of Thai Miss Universe gown linked to royal insult
BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai social media influencer who criticized a gown worn by her country’s Miss Universe contestant could end up in court after another online personality filed a complaint with police charging that her thumbs-down fashion comment defamed the royal family. Kitjanut Chaiyosburana, a businessman and politician, said that he filed his complaint […]