Week in review

TUESDAY

Thousands of General Motors Corp. workers went on strike nationwide as the United Auto Workers reached an impasse with the automaker over job security, wages and benefits.

“Microsoft Corp. released Halo 3 for the Xbox 360 console to the delight of fans who waited in long lines for a chance to buy it at stores nationwide, including in the Inland Northwest. This third and final installment in the hugely popular series is expected to be the top-selling video game of the year.

WEDNESDAY

Spokane film production company North by Northwest is expected to receive about $800,000 in incentives for three movies from a statewide fund. The company says that will translate into $4 million spent in the state, most of it in Spokane. The nonprofit Washington FilmWorks says it has raised $6.2 million, much of it from Spokane companies, to encourage growth of the state’s film industry.

THURSDAY

The UAW strike against General Motors ended with a tentative agreement calling for GM to unload billions in retiree health costs onto the union and the UAW extracting promises from GM to keep jobs in the United States.

FRIDAY

Heidi Stanley has been appointed president and CEO of Sterling Savings Bank. The move will take effect Jan. 1, following the retirement of William Zuppe, who co-founded the Spokane bank with Harold Gilkey in 1981. Zuppe will retain his positions as chairman of the bank’s board and director of its parent company, Sterling Financial Corp.

“Tomlinson Black Real Estate is splitting into two companies to focus on different parts of the real estate business. NAI Black, headed by Dave Black, will handle commercial listings and property management, while The Tomlinson Real Estate Group, operated by Bob Tomlinson, will provide residential services. Both are affiliating with separate global companies to increase their networking abilities and services.