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
Environment Federal affirmative action ruling may impact WA cap-and-trade Allocating funds from the carbon plan to minority communities most affected by pollution could draw legal battles based on the new SCOTUS decision. by Alex Brown Stateline / September 8, 2023
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
News Where the PNW — and the rest of the U.S. — stands on crypto mining Some state lawmakers see the bitcoin industry’s growth as a good thing. Others, not so much. by Alex Brown Stateline / March 30, 2023
Environment Planting the seeds for Washington's forest restoration efforts Reforestation starts with sufficient seed supply. The state Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to restock it. by Alex Brown Stateline / February 27, 2023
Environment Skip the woodchipper: Salvaged city trees are the new lumber From Seattle to Baltimore, cities are recycling felled urban trees into furniture, construction projects and guitars. by Alex Brown Stateline / December 20, 2022
Environment Offshore wind farming gains momentum on the West Coast Washington, Oregon and California could soon see floating turbines off their coasts. by Alex Brown Stateline / May 13, 2022
Environment WA seaweed farming could boom but permitting remains difficult Like much of the West Coast, the state needs a regulatory overhaul if it wants to take advantage of emerging ocean aquaculture. by Alex Brown Stateline / March 29, 2022
Environment Washington and other coastal states seek to limit seawall construction Protective structures can help save properties from erosion, but by blocking the natural flow of sand and sediment, they can accelerate erosion elsewhere. by Alex Brown Stateline / November 5, 2021
