John Ryan
Environment Reporter
About
John Ryan joined KUOW as its first full-time investigative reporter in 2009 and became its environment reporter in 2018. He focuses on climate change, energy, and the ecosystems of the Puget Sound region. He has also investigated toxic air pollution, landslides, failed cleanups, and money in politics for KUOW.
Over a quarter century as an environmental journalist, John has covered everything from Arctic drilling to Indonesian reef bombing. He has been a reporter at NPR stations in southeast and southwest Alaska (KTOO-Juneau and KUCB-Unalaska) and at the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
John’s stories have won multiple national awards for KUOW, including the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi awards for Public Service in Radio Journalism and for Investigative Reporting, national Edward R. Murrow and PMJA/PRNDI awards for coverage of breaking news, and Society of Environmental Journalists awards for in-depth reporting.
John welcomes tips, documents, and feedback. Reach him at jryan@kuow.org or for secure, encrypted communication, he's at heyjohnryan@protonmail.com or 1-401-405-1206 on the Signal messaging app.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English, some Spanish, some Indonesian
Professional Affiliations: SAG-AFTRA union member and former shop steward; Society of Environmental Journalists member and mentor
Stories
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These safety rules aimed to stop explosions. Trump's EPA has blocked them
Eleven states including Washington have sued the Trump administration to improve safety at the nation’s refineries and chemical plants. The lawsuit, led...
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In Tacoma, once known for its aroma, the mayoral race focuses on environment
Environmental issues haven't been a big focus in the race to become Seattle's next mayor, but they're playing a key role in Tacoma.
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Sorry, Seattle, your climate change ‘leadership’ hasn’t made much of a dent
Seattle leaders love to talk about fighting climate change.
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Cuts to tribes, lands would be ‘devastating,’ former Interior secretary says
The agency that manages Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic national parks will see big budget cuts, if the Trump administration has its way.
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WA Republicans join Democrats in opposing Trump energy budget cuts
Both Democrats and Republicans pushed back against cuts proposed for the U.S. Department of Energy when Energy Secretary Rick Perry came to Capitol Hill...
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Trump's EPA cuts run into Democratic and Republican foes
President Donald Trump's proposal to slash funding for the Environmental Protection Agency faced a tough crowd Thursday. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt...
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San Juan Islands archaeological dig postponed after islanders have their say
The Bureau of Land Management will not allow an archaeological dig at Iceberg Point in the San Juan Islands this summer after officials got an earful...
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Microsoft wants to fight climate change, even if Trump won’t
It’s rush hour in Wallingford, and commuters are stepping off a bus, closing up their laptops and heading into the evening sun. It’s not public transit....
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Judge rejects fine for Texas oil company in deadly Anacortes blast
The largest workplace-safety fine in Washington history has been overturned. A state appeals judge on Friday rejected a $2.4 million fine that oil...
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Trump administration starts slashing EPA without waiting for Congress
While President Trump was announcing that the United States would exit the Paris climate agreement in a ceremony at the White House, Environmental...