Northwest Public Radio

6 days ago | nwpb.org | Lauren Gallup

On a gray, early spring morning, I drove to Steilacoom, Washington, to catch the ferry to Anderson Island. I boarded alongside the line of other cars and after parking, stepped out onto the deck of the boat. The ferry pushed off from the dock and rocked a little in the Puget Sound before steadying. I took this journey to the real Anderson Island to see from the water what inspired Northwest author Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum’s new novel, “Elita,” which was published earlier this year.

1 week ago | nwpb.org | Anna King

At one of the largest blueberry farms in the U.S., there are rows and rows of bushes to the horizon. “This variety here is Draper,” said Ray Biln, whose family owns this sprawling farm in Franklin County, Washington state. Biln’s 1,500-acre farm here produces tons of blueberries every year from several varieties.

2 weeks ago | nwpb.org | Lauren Gallup

A state budget deficit is normally nothing to sing about. But, workers with the Washington Federation of State Employees have turned their frustration over potential budget cuts into a song, “Washington For All.” The refrain, “Washington’s for all, not just for the rich,” evokes the union’s stance that instead of making cuts to state services and workers, lawmakers should increase taxes on Washington’s wealthiest residents.

2 weeks ago | nwpb.org | Courtney Flatt

All signs point to mixed ocean conditions for salmon over the past couple of years, which fisheries biologists said could lead to average salmon runs. The ocean is where salmon spend a large part of their lives. That’s why it’s super important to know what’s going on out there. It helps scientists better understand and predict how salmon are doing. For a long time, scientists have studied what salmon eat. They also know where salmon go and know a lot more about their survival in the ocean.

2 weeks ago | nwpb.org | Courtney Flatt

Una ley estatal obliga a ciudades, pueblos y condados a elaborar planes contra el cambio climático. Los dirigentes de Tri-Cities quieren su ayuda. En 2023, el estado exigía a los municipios de Washington que incluyeran planes de cambio climático cuando pensaran en el crecimiento y el desarrollo a largo plazo. “El Departamento de Comercio nos defendió como un ejemplo positivo de cómo se puede trabajar juntos para luchar contra el cambio climático en lugar de que cada ciudad por separado haga algo.