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
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
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
Environment Big Oil is fighting taxes to help clean up toxic waste sites Senate Democrats are considering a bill that would nearly double the state's hazardous substances tax to pay for the projects, but they may need Republican help to pass it. by Brad Shannon Investigate West / April 25, 2019
Environment Building a seawall? These 'fish cops' might come knocking If passed by the Legislature, the new law would help save small fish and, by way of the food chain, orcas. by Brad Shannon & Robert McClure Investigate West / April 2, 2019
Environment Fixing culverts could save the orcas — but who will pay? Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Washington Legislature must find the funding to rebuild the salmon-blocking structures. by Brad Shannon InvestigateWest / March 12, 2019
Politics Private utilities want more time to meet green goals Washington's Legislature could implement the state's first carbon fee in 2030. Some say that's still too fast. by Brad Shannon & Robert McClure Investigate West / February 26, 2019 / Updated at 3:30 p.m.
