A polluted river runs through the heart of industrial Seattle. The Lower Duwamish waterway was designated a Superfund site in 2001 . Now the community coalition that has spent years helping shape the cleanup plan for this 5-mile stretch of the

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visits Quinault as climate pushes coastal tribes to higher ground

Aug 10th, 2021 1m 55s

Irreversible sea-level rise is among the permanent consequences of human-caused climate change. That’s one of the findings of the new report out this week from the United Nation’s panel of scientists, the IPCC. On the front lines of the new cha

Worried about climate change? This Seattle therapist says you're not alone

Aug 9th, 2021 7m 1s

The wildfires, drought and off-the-charts heat in the Northwest are just a few examples of extreme weather events that sound the climate-change alarm bells.

Swinomish Tribe objects as state allows Cooke Aquaculture to stock net pen at Hope Island

Aug 9th, 2021 1m 14s

The Swinomish Tribe is filing another amicus brief this week, in support of a lawsuit against the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Environmental groups want to stop Cooke Aquaculture’s plans to continue fish farming in Washington waters.

Unanimous county council vote bans new refineries, fossil fuel facilities at Cherry Point

Jul 28th, 2021 4m 24s

"No one got everything they wanted, but we have a very good compromise on the table. … Please pass this ordinance as amended July 13."

Murray pushes climate as Senate tackles infrastructure, budget measures

Jul 27th, 2021 3m 55s

Negotiations continue in the U.S. Senate around massive infrastructure and budget measures. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, is among the Senate Democrats pushing provisions aimed at addressing climate change .

Makah Tribe remains closed to outsiders while resuming annual Makah Days festival

Jul 26th, 2021 1m 15s

Every year in late August, the tiny Makah Nation welcomes neighboring tribes and others from all over the state to celebrate its traditions and learn about its unique culture. Many of the protocols on display during Makah Days were developed ov

J-pod orcas missing from inland waters of Salish Sea for more than 100 days

Jul 21st, 2021 1m 19s

It’s peak season for whale watching in the Salish Sea. But the iconic southern resident killer whales that for decades spent their summers here have been scarce, likely because of a lack of salmon.

Official death toll from heat wave at 78 in Washington – and it's expected to rise

Jul 8th, 2021 53s

11:45 a.m.: Updated with new information from the state Department of Health. The Washington state Department of Health has a preliminary tally of heat-related deaths in the past week. At least 78 people died statewide because of the scorching

Study: How smoke affects birds in Washington ... and our ability to see them

Jul 7th, 2021 2m 3s

We know that people suffer when smoke from wildfires fills the air. It’s a nuisance and a health hazard. But how does it affect wildlife? Researchers at the University of Washington are tackling that question.

How Washington state may (finally) be leading on climate action

Jul 2nd, 2021 7m 22s

State lawmakers passed significant legislation this session that takes concrete steps to address climate pollution and the concerns of communities that it has harmed the most in Washington. KNKX environment reporter Bellamy Pailthorp sat down w

Extreme heat came at worst possible time for Washington raspberry growers

Jun 29th, 2021 1m 9s

Cool offshore flow and mild summer heat normally make western Washington an ideal place to grow red raspberries. The state commission for that crop reports growers here provide about 70 percent of the nation’s premium flash-frozen raspberries.

Federal court: Puyallup River dam needs permits under Endangered Species Act before it can restart

Jun 22nd, 2021 1m 14s

In another blow to the operators of the Electron Dam on the Puyallup River, a judge in federal District Court has barred its parent company from diverting any water to generate power until it gets permits under the Endangered Species Act.

Researchers identify shellfish-killing phytoplankton behind massive summer die-offs in Puget Sound

Jun 17th, 2021 7m 40s

In July of 2018 and 2019, large numbers of oysters, cockles and clams died on beaches all around Puget Sound. No one knew why. It was a particularly bad couple of years, but summer mortality events with mass die-offs of shellfish happen regular

Native leader calls him a 'snake,' but Inslee defends veto of tribal consent in cap-and-trade law

Jun 4th, 2021 2m 2s

Anger lingers among tribal leaders in Washington after a surprise veto from Gov. Jay Inslee last month. As he signed the cap and trade Climate Commitment Act, the governor struck down new powers for tribes.

Invasive green crabs continue to spread in Washington, especially in coastal estuaries

May 14th, 2021 1m 22s

European green crabs were found in Washington’s inland waters in 2016, prompting extensive monitoring. Now state officials say this destructive invasive species is spreading in several coastal locations. They thrive in shallow water and soft se

Special group of gray whales returns each year for shrimp ‘buffet' around Whidbey Island

May 11th, 2021 8m 8s

Every spring, gray whales migrate up the West Coast on a 12,000-mile round-trip from their calving grounds in Mexico to the Alaskan Arctic, where they feed on tiny crustaceans. Since early 2019, an unusual mortality event has reduced their popu

Earth Day celebration calls on Port of Seattle for a pollution-free Salish Sea

Apr 23rd, 2021 1m 13s

A celebration of Earth Day in honor of the Salish Sea took aim at the Port of Seattle Thursday. Representatives of several groups, including 350.org and the Center for Biological Diversity, called attention to the port’s impact on marine life.

SR3 SeaLife Rescue Center brings critical care closer for Pacific Northwest marine animals

Apr 22nd, 2021 2m 16s

Even as human impacts cause increasing numbers of animal strandings along beaches in Washington and Oregon, there has been a gap in critical care for them. Till now, there was no marine wildlife hospital in either state dedicated to rehabilitat

Washington sets ambitious goal: All new cars sold will be electric by 2030

Apr 16th, 2021 1m 7s

In less than a decade, all cars and light-duty vehicles sold in Washington will be powered by electricity, not fossil fuels. That’s the goal set within legislation that has passed the state House and Senate. The 2030 timeline is now part of a b

Law to reduce plastic waste, ban polystyrene foam statewide passes House floor vote

Apr 9th, 2021 1m 7s

It looks increasingly likely that Washington will ban plastic foam, reduce plastic waste and strengthen recycling markets. A bill to that effect is nearly through the Legislature.

Leafline Trails Coalition working to expand, connect regional network of accessible trails

Apr 8th, 2021 4m 36s

Throughout the central Puget Sound region, wide trails offer the promise of safe and accessible transportation corridors for people who bike or walk. Many are converted railroad right-of-ways, and some connect to high-speed transit. But many st

State urges spring boaters to take safety courses (and wear a life vest)

Apr 6th, 2021 1m 12s

Spring has sprung, many people are now vaccinated and there’s renewed excitement to get outdoors. The pandemic has again led to a surge in outdoor recreation as people look for safe things to do in the open air.

A law to reduce plastic waste, ban plastic foam statewide is advancing in Legislature

Mar 30th, 2021 1m 2s

A law that would respond to the plastic waste crisis in the U.S. is advancing in the state Legislature. It passed the state Senate earlier this month; a hearing in the House appropriations committee is expected this week.

NW scientist taps into personalities, diets to help sunflower sea stars shine again

Mar 23rd, 2021 7m 29s

In December, sunflower sea stars were declared critically endangered by an international union of scientists. This species is the largest and hardest hit among the iconic and colorful starfish that have been devastated by a wasting syndrome.