Idaho leaders urged to address systemic failures following prison abuse reports
InvestigateWest reporters uncovered years of sexual abuse by women’s prison guards prompting calls for independent investigation
Environment
Two Towns in Washington Take Steps Toward Recognizing the Rights of Southern Resident Orcas
The moves are the latest developments in the “rights of nature” movement gathering momentum in countries around the world, including the U.S. With only 73 of the orcas of the Salish Sea still in existence, time is of the essence.
Oregon company pitches plan to create Northwest hydrogen hub outside state agencies
Lake Oswego-based Obsidian Renewables would like to be the largest green hydrogen producer in the Northwest
The cost of wildfires is rising. But by how much?
States are struggling to budget given incomplete data
Massive die-off hits fir trees across Pacific Northwest
Labeled “Firmageddon,” by researchers, the drought-driven “mortality event” is the largest ever recorded in the region
Investors make a massive bet on crypto mining in a tiny NE Washington town
California owners want to build one of the biggest operations in the country, but concerns about energy usage, noise and sustainability stand in the way
The U.S. Promised Tribes They Would Always Have Fish, but the Fish They Have Pose Toxic Risks
For decades, the U.S. government has failed to test for chemicals and metals in fish. So, we did. What we found was alarming for tribes.
Climate change likely playing role in 40% drop in Pacific gray whale population
A significant number of Pacific gray whales have died and washed ashore from California to Alaska and birth rates are down 40% in the last year
U.S. Supreme Court mulls federal water rules, wetlands designations in Idaho case
The case could restrict the federal government’s power to enforce clean water laws and affect wetland protections
WA battery maker faces accusations it gave U.S.-owned tech to China
Mukilteo-based UniEnergy absorbed millions of taxpayer dollars. Hazardous waste, geopolitical chaos and corporate implosion ensued
In Oregon, farmers are revamping century-old irrigation canals to stem water loss
Converting irrigation ditches into pipelines can save water — and create a new source of renewable energy.
The complicated process of recycling batteries in Washington state
As we use more batteries in our daily lives, our ability to dispose of them will struggle to keep up.