Environment Seattle’s canopy shrinks as ordinance protects the wrong trees Since 2023, the city has classified more than 2,000 trees as “protected” — without regard to whether they ever were threatened by development. by Robert McClure / InvestigateWest / February 3, 2025
News This tiny Eastern WA town could become a bitcoin mining hub California investors hope to strike it rich by building a huge crypto operation in the remote town of Usk. But the community isn't so sure. by Zachariah Bryan InvestigateWest / November 17, 2022
Politics Signature checking is WA's safeguard against election fraud Over the years, officials have identified just a handful of ballots that might have been fraudulently cast — out of several million votes tallied across the state. by Zachariah Bryan InvestigateWest / November 8, 2022
News WA battery maker faces accusations of providing U.S. tech to China Mukilteo-based UniEnergy absorbed millions of taxpayer dollars. Hazardous waste, geopolitical chaos and corporate implosion ensued. by Zachariah Bryan InvestigateWest / September 26, 2022
Environment Lessons from a year of reporting on climate solutions in the PNW 11 steps Washington, Oregon and British Columbia can take to decarbonize the economy. by Robert McClure & Peter Fairley InvestigateWest / December 15, 2021
Environment WA dairies must do more to clean up their act, judges rule Environmentalists call the decision a ‘watershed moment,’ as concerns about groundwater pollution mount in Yakima Valley and Whatcom County. by Courtney Flatt Northwest Public Broadcasting / July 13, 2021
Environment Heat wave evokes fears of another massive salmon die-off in PNW Unprecedented temperatures recall a 2015 heat wave that killed 99% of salmon returning to one stretch of the Snake River. by Courtney Flatt Northwest Public Broadcasting / July 7, 2021
Environment Climate crisis, shrinking habitat threaten ‘cute, funny’ WA birds U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers listing Mt. Rainier ptarmigan on the federal endangered species list. by Courtney Flatt Northwest Public Broadcasting / July 6, 2021
Environment Sniffing out truffles in Washington’s woods The state hosts a bounty of truffles for enterprising gourmands — but finding them requires a dog’s superpowered nose. by Courtney Flatt Northwest Public Broadcasting / May 21, 2021
Environment Solar power becomes ‘nightmare’ for some Klickitat County residents If approved, the utility-scale solar farm would be the largest in Washington state. But not all residents are happy about it. by Courtney Flatt Northwest Public Broadcasting / May 12, 2021