While all eyes were on the midterm election, several U.S. corporations were cutting jobs.

Amazon let go of 95 employees in Washington state, according to a state filing. GeekWire reports the layoff is part of a previously announced layoff affecting hundreds of employees globally. Amazon confirmed that reduction in force in early October, and said it primary affected the company’s Stores organization.

Amazon’s layoff comes on the heels of a 200-person reduction at Seattle-based Alaska Airlines. A company spokesperson said 125 of those were employees in Washington state.

Beyond Washington, Disney, Canva, and Squarespace are all reportedly slashing about 20% of their staff, according to company disclosures and news reports.

It’s not unusual for corporations to cut jobs in the fourth quarter to wipe the financial slate clean for the following year, but layoffs are increasingly under the microscope as analysts look for signs that artificial intelligence may be replacing workers. Web and graphic design firms like Squarespace and Canva are seen as particularly vulnerable to automation.

Amazon previously said its latest layoffs are an effort to streamline its retail business and innovate for customers. Alaska’s cuts, meanwhile, appear to be tied to rising fuel costs. In memo to employees, Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci said fuel prices and geopolitical pressure could cost the company as much as $700 million this year.

Monica Nickelsburg is a reporter with KUOW. This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.

It is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/11/05/amazon-alaska-airlines-cut-jobs-washington-state/