News Labor shortages, heat bring tough tides for WA shellfish farm At Taylor Shellfish Farms, hiring is increasingly a challenge as skyrocketing housing costs and difficult working conditions make it hard to recruit. by Mara Kardas-Nelson High Country News / October 17, 2022
News New rules put Puget Sound's urban trees in private hands Because the majority of the region's trees are in residential neighborhoods, responsibility for maintaining canopy coverage is shifting to homeowners. by Lizz Giordano / August 31, 2022
How wildfires in the American West hurt the entire country As smoke travels, it can cause illness and economic hardship thousands of miles away. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / October 1, 2020
As wildfires break records, firefighters face growing health risks Emerging scientific evidence shows they may be at risk of respiratory and heart illness, and maybe even cancer. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 28, 2020
How British Columbia protects its people from wildfire smoke The Canadian province is well ahead of Washington and Oregon in protecting people’s health from wildfires. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 22, 2020
Wildfire smoke’s health impacts have only just begun A growing body of evidence shows smoke sickens and can even kill. Is the government doing enough to protect residents? by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 21, 2020
During wildfires, West Coast farmworkers forced to put harvest over health Little is done to protect the workers’ health, and many feel powerless to hold employers accountable. by Mara Kardas-Nelson & Jess Alvarenga & Rosa Amanda Tuirán InvestigateWest / October 6, 2020
Environment The dream of high speed rail in the PNW may finally be on the horizon Rail advocates argue new lines will grow the economy, shrink mobility inequalities and help decarbonize the region. by Lizz Giordano / November 18, 2021
Environment Whidbey locals ask: Is the drinking water safe? Catherine Andrews of Coupeville collects water samples from her well to be tested by an environmental group concerned about the Navy's limited response to the discovery of contamination by... by Lizz Giordano / May 10, 2017
Politics As Puget Sound region grows, park and rides fill up The region faces big questions about how to meet demands for parking spots near transit — and who should pay. by Lizz Giordano / March 29, 2018