Tulalip Casino lays off 240 employees - 2004-02-01
Almost eight months after the doors opened to a lavish, new gaming operation, the Tulalip Casino yesterday announced the layoffs of 240 workers.

"This action is intended to increase the efficiency of our operations," Marci Fryberg, the casino's acting general manager, said in a statement yesterday.

"These cuts are not performance-based, and we want to help everyone affected by today's announcement to find other jobs," the statement said.
Read the full story at Seattle Post Intelligencer

Business Boost In Tama - 2004-02-01
Tama businesses are seeing sales go up. Now that the Meskwaki Casino is open, more people are coming into the community and more people means more money. A boost many businesses say is important. Leno Anaya owns Leno's sports bar in Tama. He relies on business from casino employees and the local meat-packing plant. But with both big employers closed down for several months, he didn't know if his business would make it through, "I talked to my wife like two, three times trying to go bankruptcy."
Read the full story at KWWL