Indigenous Affairs Native nations lead salmon restoration efforts in Columbia Basin The number of returning adult salmon and steelhead has doubled since the 1990s, but is still only halfway to the NWPCC’s goal of 5 million. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore + ICT / February 10, 2025
Indigenous Affairs Cowlitz Tribe youth help lead this year’s First Salmon Ceremony “It’s what we do to thank the salmon for what they give,” said Lydia Hodges, 15, part of the new generation carrying on the sacred ritual. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore + ICT / June 24, 2024
Indigenous Affairs Yakama Nation’s new public safety campus gives justice room to grow The tribal court system, which had occupied a cluster of trailers since the ’50s, plans to add services like a mental health or a veterans court. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore News and ICT / January 9, 2024
Equity Snoqualmie Tribe starts land protection sales tax at Salish Lodge The 2% tax will preserve ancestral sites such as Snoqualmie Falls, and could be a model for other Indigenous nations. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore/ICT / July 17, 2023
News The Washington mental health lifeline made for and by Native people The Native and Strong Lifeline provides connection and culturally specific care to callers in crisis. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Indian Country Today and Underscore News / June 19, 2023
Opinion This legislative session is make or break for saving orcas The threats to Puget Sound's orcas will pose many tests to our ability to respond, starting with the Legislature. by Daniel Jack Chasan / January 8, 2019
Opinion From T-Mobile Park to wildfire smoke — 2018 in verse A look back at what happened locally and nationally the past 12 months — with a twist. by Daniel Jack Chasan / January 1, 2019
Environment Retired lab chimps find an unlikely sanctuary in Central Washington A chimpanzee sanctuary near Cle Elum offers shelter to apes formerly confined to research labs. by Daniel Jack Chasan / August 30, 2018
Environment Save the orcas? We’ll have to do this one, radical thing We know the problem: The whales are starving. We've tried just about everything to address that — except the one thing we really need to do. by Daniel Jack Chasan / August 17, 2018
Environment Washington lawmakers hope to fight forest fires with fire As fire season approaches, state and federal officials announce ambitious plans to fund healthy forest restoration projects. by Daniel Jack Chasan / July 30, 2018