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
News New Washington laws aim to break foster care-to-prison pipeline As the state looks to reform its juvenile justice system, special attention is being given to foster children. by Elizabeth Amon The Imprint / August 17, 2021
Environment Heat and smoke protections for WA farmworkers may fall short While deaths and illnesses among agricultural workers mount, state regulators face pressure to do more to protect them. by Elizabeth Amon / August 13, 2021
News Lummi Nation reimagines foster care for Indigenous families To reconnect parents and children, the tribe opened a supportive family housing center. by Elizabeth Amon The Imprint / August 2, 2021
News WA foster system to stop housing kids in hotels, offices. But then what? The state has until November to fix an ‘egregious problem’ affecting hundreds of Washington children. by Elizabeth Amon The Imprint / July 9, 2021