Latest on Blue Origin’s rocket reschedule plan | Spokane’s Tech Hub lands $48M

Spokane’s Tech Hub for developing advanced aerospace materials landed $48 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce after previously missing out on federal funding. Read more.

Umoja Biopharma raised $100 million to further develop its immunotherapy treatments, becoming the latest Seattle-area health startup to secure a big new round of funding. Read more.

Was it the right call? Three months after writing about how he hoped he could wait a couple years to get his 6th-grade daughter a smartphone, GeekWire’s Kurt Schlosser caved at Christmas. Read about how it’s going so far, and why he feels kind of sad.

• Related: A bill proposed in the Washington State Legislature would require school districts to enforce policies that restrict the use of phones by students. Read more.

Tech Moves: Smartsheet and Zillow name new VPs; Zenoti adds a CFO; Meta taps product leader; and more key personnel changes. 

SDF Labs acquired: Data development company dbt Labs is scooping up the Seattle startup that helps developers manage enterprise data warehouse systems. Read more.

Instacart and Uber aren’t letting up in their fight against a new law in Seattle, filing an appeal in a lawsuit over the city’s new ordinance that regulates the driver deactivation process. 

A good sideline read: Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown was spotted reading an obscure self-help book during an NFL playoff game, and the title shot to No. 1 on Amazon overnight. 

A new way to roleplay: Seattle startup Yoodli is rolling out a new AI product that simulates real world conversations and aims to help people practice sales pitches, interviews, and public speaking.

Give InKind, a social giving platform with roots in Tacoma, Wash., is helping people provide aid to families and friends affected by the fires in Los Angeles.

Hot Links:

• The AI for Good Lab at Microsoft analyzed wildfire damages in Los Angeles using high resolution satellite imagery from Planet. The before and after images could potentially aid recovery efforts. (LinkedIn)

• “2025 will be a year unlike any other in venture capital,” predicts Seattle VC Leslie Feinzaig, noting potential threats to emerging venture capital funds — but also opportunity. (LinkedIn) 

• Microsoft announced a partnership with learning company Pearson to help people build AI proficiency. (Microsoft)