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
News WA is reopening but many essential workers aren’t vaccinated yet How the state chose who to inoculate first raises questions about equity — especially for restaurant, grocery and transit workers. by Nate Sanford / March 16, 2021
News Washington ax-throwing venues want to be able to serve alcohol While ax-throwing bars are showing up in urban areas across the country, they’re not permitted to serve alcohol everywhere. by Nate Sanford / February 4, 2021
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
Politics After Jayapal, are South Asian women about to reshape local politics? Port of Seattle candidate Preeti Shridhar marches in a 4th of July parade alongside Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in Burien, Washington. by Laila Kazmi / November 1, 2017
Could a new flag bring divided America back together? Visitors admire the work of Laura Sinai, one of several artists featured in "What Would Betsy Ross Do? The New American Flag Project" at the ArtXchange Gallery in Seattle. by Laila Kazmi / July 20, 2017