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
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
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
Culture Can legal weed save pizza and ice cream parlors? With the invention of period-free contraceptives, junk food is on a slippery slope. Will the proliferation of legal marijuana save the day? by Valerie Tarico / December 20, 2012
Culture Seattle's new Sunday Assembly Church is no Mars Hill Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans, comedians and founders of Sunday Assembly, the Atheist Church by Valerie Tarico / October 28, 2014
Culture What World War Z and Tacoma have in common A new urban ethic is remaking the Northwest. by Valerie Tarico / November 24, 2013
Culture Spread of Catholic health care raises barriers to care choices Religiously affiliated hospitals in Washington state servce much of the population. Click to enlarge by Valerie Tarico / April 10, 2013