Despite affirmative action ban, universities and tech programs committed to diversity 

• The schools are a pipeline of talent for tech companies trying to assemble teams representing the diversity found in their customer base and the broader public. 

• The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that bans the consideration of race when admitting students has some higher education leaders anxious about the legal fallout. 

• Leaders at schools in Washington state are vowing to continue building diversity at their institutions. Read the story.

• Above: A cohort of the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering’s Startup Program flashes “W” signs for the UW. The program supports incoming undergraduates from underrepresented groups. 

Pay with your hand: Amazon is expanding its biometric palm-scanning technology to its more than 500 Whole Foods stores in the U.S. this year. Amazon One lets users confirm their identity and pay for items with the wave of a hand over a scanning device. Read more.

Real cost of a rental: Zillow released a new tool to give renters a more accurate picture of what they can expect to pay. The “Cost of Renting Summary” comes as the Biden Administration moves to crack down on so-called “junk fees,” or obscured charges tacked on top of the initial listed price. Read more. 

Next-generation nuclear reactors: X-energy has an agreement with Energy Northwest to build up to 12 of its advanced small modular reactors in Central Washington. Read more.