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
Culture Podcast | Why one man biked every single street in Seattle Reporter Conor Courtney explains how cyclist Danny Roberts began the passion project — and what the journey meant to both of them. by Sara Bernard / July 12, 2023
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.
Environment Podcast | Who owns the trees outside your window? Crosscut reporter Hannah Weinberger discusses the Seattle policy that many homeowners didn't even know existed. by Sara Bernard / April 12, 2023
Environment Podcast | On WA’s coast, the threat of a flood is its own disaster Reporter Hannah Weinberger tells us how a monumental levee project could ease economic turbulence in two Grays Harbor County cities. by Sara Bernard / February 1, 2023
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 Podcast | Why the ancient stories of Mount Rainier matter now Peter Rainier never set foot on this continent. Some tribal members suggest giving a more fitting name for Washington’s tallest peak. by Ted Alvarez & Sara Bernard / October 6, 2021
Environment Podcast | A reluctant birder dabbles in an exploding pandemic pastime Ted Alvarez thinks birding is boring. But with so much interest in it now, he decides to investigate. by Ted Alvarez & Sara Bernard / September 29, 2021