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
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
Equity How one Yakama Nation fisherman inherited the fight for salmon After 150 years of broken treaties and declining salmon populations, Randy Settler worries there won't be enough fish for future Indigenous generations. by Tony Schick & Katie Campbell Oregon Public Broadcasting & ProPublica / January 5, 2023
Environment Closing a highway to save Washington salmon Washington state road crews will make large-scale improvements to roads to help promote fish survival. by Eilís O'Neill EarthFix/KUOW / September 13, 2018
Environment Despite climate threats, Seattle's swallowtail butterflies thrive As Seattle summers heat up, swallowtail butterfly sightings have become more common. by Eilís O'Neill EarthFix/KUOW / July 30, 2018
Politics Can copper, gold save towns near Mount St. Helens? Morton, Wash., was once a booming logging town. by Eilís O'Neill for EarthFix / September 25, 2017