Investigations New Washington energy chair’s industry ties raise ethics questions Former energy consultant Kurt Beckett now heads the agency tasked with permitting his ex-clients’ wind and solar plants. by Brandon Block / April 30, 2025
Environment Podcast | It's not easy going green A new Northwest Reports series digs into the tensions, backlash and bureaucracy around building wind and solar energy facilities in Washington. by Sara Bernard & Maleeha Syed & Brandon Block / March 26, 2025
Investigations The obscure state agency that referees WA’s green energy battles The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council has power to overrule local zoning laws – putting it at the center of a backlash to renewable energy. by Brandon Block / March 4, 2025
Investigations Washington counties, tribes get more than $110M in federal land aid A small part of the American Rescue Plan provides direct, flexible dollars to compensate for untaxable national parks or other federally owned lands. by Brandon Block / June 13, 2023 / Updated at 12:15 p.m.
News Bisected by highways, a Spokane neighborhood shapes what's left The final stretch of North Spokane Corridor construction reopens old wounds in East Central — and sparks a pilot program to address historical damage. by Brandon Block / August 8, 2022
Opinion This legislative session is make or break for saving orcas The threats to Puget Sound's orcas will pose many tests to our ability to respond, starting with the Legislature. by Daniel Jack Chasan / January 8, 2019
Environment Retired lab chimps find an unlikely sanctuary in Central Washington A chimpanzee sanctuary near Cle Elum offers shelter to apes formerly confined to research labs. by Daniel Jack Chasan / August 30, 2018
Environment Save the orcas? We’ll have to do this one, radical thing We know the problem: The whales are starving. We've tried just about everything to address that — except the one thing we really need to do. by Daniel Jack Chasan / August 17, 2018
Environment Washington lawmakers hope to fight forest fires with fire As fire season approaches, state and federal officials announce ambitious plans to fund healthy forest restoration projects. by Daniel Jack Chasan / July 30, 2018
Environment Cougar attack inquiry raises more questions than it answers Theories that a sick cat killed one Seattle cyclist prove untrue, but the fear of backyard beasts remains. by Daniel Jack Chasan / July 18, 2018