Environment A decade after the Oso landslide, WA works to improve preparedness The Snohomish County disaster killed 43 residents in 2014. Today, geologists can better help people get out of harm’s way due to boosts in tech and funding. by Tom Banse Washington State Standard / March 20, 2024
Environment Salish Sea's 'humpback comeback' is a good sign, but concerns remain More whales mean greater risk of ship strikes and fishing line entanglement. by Tom Banse Northwest News Network / August 16, 2019
Environment These giant rats failed mine-sniffing school. Now they have a new career in Tacoma While their relatives are saving lives around the world, Point Defiance's adorable African giant pouched rats are ambassadors for rodents everywhere. by Tom Banse Northwest News Network / July 24, 2019
Environment A proposed San Juans sanctuary may offer hope for captive orcas — and risks for wild ones Nonprofit advocates think sea pens will improve the retired killer whales' quality of life. SeaWorld vets disagree. by Tom Banse Northwest News Network / July 17, 2019
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
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
Environment Cougar attack inquiry raises more questions than it answers Theories that a sick cat killed one Seattle cyclist prove untrue, but the fear of backyard beasts remains. by Daniel Jack Chasan / July 18, 2018
Environment Grizzly bears could make a return to WA — for real this time Ryan Zinke's support for grizzly recovery plan in the North Cascades was a Nixon-to-China moment. Now what? by Daniel Jack Chasan / April 26, 2018