Author B. "Toastie" Oaster B. “Toastie” Oaster (they/them) is an award-winning journalist and a staff writer for High Country News writing from the Pacific Northwest. They’re a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Email them at b.toastie@hcn.org or submit a letter to the editor. See our letters to the editor policy. Follow @toastie@journa.host
Author Syd Gladu Syd Gladu is a former on-call audience engagement producer for Crosscut. Syd also works on KEXP’s youth DJ program, 90.TEEN. She’s passionate about community, music and art.
Environment Nick on the Rocks: Why Mount Shuksan is made of sea green stone Greenschist gets its tint from minerals compressed under the ocean long ago. Now it caps an entire mountaintop in the North Cascades. Special thanks to Central Washington University as the original... by Shannen Ortale / January 5, 2024
Nick on the Rocks Mount Shuksan Greenschist Discover Mount Shuksan’s green top, all built from ancient oceanic greenschist. January 5, 2024
Investigations Over a third of WA’s job safety fines are reduced after appeals One company negotiated a $1.3M reduction with the state’s safety agency after a worker’s hand was crushed, following multiple other violations. by Lizz Giordano / January 5, 2024
Environment Seattle is electrifying new buildings despite ruling against gas bans A court struck down one California block on natural-gas appliances. But other cities are finding ways to eliminate fossil fuels despite legal hurdles. by Akielly Hu Grist / January 2, 2024
Politics New Seattle City Council sworn in, Sara Nelson elected president The Council kicked off the year swearing in five new members and two incumbents. by Josh Cohen / January 2, 2024
Investigations Podcast | It’s a Youth Today News takeover The third episode of the investigative series co-produced with Crosscut focuses on one woman’s experience with foster care and homelessness in WA. by Elizabeth Whitman / January 3, 2024
News Crosscut Now: Rural Washington is still in the digital dark Last year, we spoke to Grays Harbor County residents without affordable internet access. Has anything changed? by Paris Jackson / January 4, 2024
Culture Podcast | Comedian David Cross finds gefilte fish funny The 'Arrested Development' actor talks Canada's national dish, poutine. Plus, Rachel speaks with the Quebec restaurant claiming to be its birthplace. by Rachel Belle / January 4, 2024