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
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
