Aaron Kunkler

A plane drops fire retardant on the Palmer Mountain Fire last summer in north-central Washington. Laura Knowlton/Sound Publishing staff photo

Washington can expect a warmer, drier summer — and more fires

The Department of Natural Resources has responded to 615 wildfires across the state since January.

 

A woman gathers flowers at Snofalls Lavender Farm outside Fall City on July 18, 2020. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo

Finding farmland in King County is a perpetual struggle

An acre of farmland in King Co. averaged more than $35,000 in 2017. It was $19,332 in Snohomish Co.

 

Snohomish County Health District. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

Lawmakers examine restructuring public health in Washington

King, Snohomish and Pierce counties will likely be allowed to use their existing health departments.

 

Gray wolves historically roamed across the state but were eradicated in Washington by 1930s. In recent decades wolves have been migrating back to the state from Canada, Idaho and Oregon. John and Karen Hollingsworth/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Pack to the future: Will more wolves come to King County?

The state has more than 20 known wolf packs, but only one has crossed the Cascades, east of Bellingham.

Gray wolves historically roamed across the state but were eradicated in Washington by 1930s. In recent decades wolves have been migrating back to the state from Canada, Idaho and Oregon. John and Karen Hollingsworth/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Algae bloom is seen in June 2018 in Budd Inlet, at the southern end of Puget Sound in Thurston County. (Department of Ecology)

Human-caused ‘dead zones’ threaten the health of Puget Sound

Wastewater treatment plants account for about 70% of the excess nutrients.

Algae bloom is seen in June 2018 in Budd Inlet, at the southern end of Puget Sound in Thurston County. (Department of Ecology)
A train route that would shuttle people between Eastern and Western Washington could tie in with the proposed ultra-high-speed rail between B.C. and Portland. Photo courtesy RobertStafford/Pixabay.com

State considering an Auburn-to-Spokane high-speed rail line

An east-west route could tie in with the proposed ultra-high-speed rail between B.C. and Portland.

A train route that would shuttle people between Eastern and Western Washington could tie in with the proposed ultra-high-speed rail between B.C. and Portland. Photo courtesy RobertStafford/Pixabay.com
King County’s $5 million derelict boat problem

King County’s $5 million derelict boat problem

When a boat sinks, it costs a lot to bring it up, with millions being spent since 2003 on removals.

King County’s $5 million derelict boat problem

Canadian tourist who visited Seattle diagnosed with measles

He has since recovered from his illness.

King County’s landfill is going to get bigger

King County’s landfill is going to get bigger

A ninth cell will be built, extending its life by another decade.

King County’s landfill is going to get bigger
BPA could remove thousands of trees from Renton to Monroe

BPA could remove thousands of trees from Renton to Monroe

After taking over from Puget Sound Energy, the maintenance would affect 53 miles of power lines.

BPA could remove thousands of trees from Renton to Monroe
Washington copes with worsening climate change

Washington copes with worsening climate change

From rising sea levels and crop failures to dying forests and fish, our state is struggling.

Washington copes with worsening climate change
Somali community faces SeaTac displacement

Somali community faces SeaTac displacement

In 2016, a judge found then-mayor Gene Fisher wanted to force the Somalis out from “his neighborhood.”

Somali community faces SeaTac displacement
Amazon, Starbucks, Boeing, others address affordable housing

Amazon, Starbucks, Boeing, others address affordable housing

Several are the same companies that opposed Seattle’s head tax last year.

Amazon, Starbucks, Boeing, others address affordable housing
Local salmon face dire future amid effects of climate change

Local salmon face dire future amid effects of climate change

At least two species in the Puget Sound region may be near the end of their ability to reproduce.

Local salmon face dire future amid effects of climate change
Democrats turn attention to 30-round magazines, ghost guns

Democrats turn attention to 30-round magazines, ghost guns

Following gun control success on the November ballot, lawmakers are eyeing further regulation.

Democrats turn attention to 30-round magazines, ghost guns
Bothell buys back proposed hotel land

Bothell buys back proposed hotel land

A development deal to bring two hotels to downtown Bothell has fallen through.

Bothell buys back proposed hotel land
Issaquah company hosts Gab, site used by Pittsburgh shooter

Issaquah company hosts Gab, site used by Pittsburgh shooter

The social media website is popular with white supremacists, neo-Nazis and conspiracy theorists.

Issaquah company hosts Gab, site used by Pittsburgh shooter
New study confirms historical presence of grizzlies in Washington

New study confirms historical presence of grizzlies in Washington

The federal government hopes to rebuild a dwindling Washington grizzly population.

New study confirms historical presence of grizzlies in Washington
Developers miss deadline to salvage Bothell hotel project

Developers miss deadline to salvage Bothell hotel project

The city council set a deadline of July 20 for Bothell Hotels LLC to submit a new plan.

Developers miss deadline to salvage Bothell hotel project
Air quality is worse in the west due to bigger wildfires

Air quality is worse in the west due to bigger wildfires

A study released last week shows air quality in much of the west is worsening.

Air quality is worse in the west due to bigger wildfires