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 Salmon, orca, and the soul of Seattle These creatures are at the core of our region's identity. Without them, 'we'd be just like everywhere else.' by Samantha Allen / November 12, 2021
Opinion Seattle is facing an indoor air quality crisis Air conditioning is rare in Seattle, but if we want to breathe indoors amid hotter, smokier summers, we’ll have to take action — soon. by Samantha Allen / July 27, 2021
Opinion To beat the heat, put a lid on I-5 The climate crisis has added new urgency to an ambitious idea. by Samantha Allen / July 9, 2021
Opinion Let’s stop the shaming at Seattle’s parks Seattleites have received mixed messages about spending time in parks. We should encourage outdoor socialization as much as possible. by Samantha Allen / April 30, 2021
Opinion Why Seattle’s industrial district needs more trees There’s no real excuse to have so little canopy in SoDo. It doesn’t have to be ‘like the forgotten land.’ by Samantha Allen / April 2, 2021