Whitebark pines – the ‘quintessential wilderness tree’ – added to the Endangered Species List The federal government announced Wednesday it’s designating whitebark pine trees as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Courtney Flatt
Moose spotted for the first time in Mount Rainier National Park For the first time, a moose has been captured on camera in Mount Rainier National Park. According to the National Parks Service, the sighting is also the first documentation of a moose in southwest Washington. Courtney Flatt
Week in Review: Same-sex marriage, unionization, and aquatic life Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Seattle Times Isabella Breda, Crosscut’s Mai Hoang, and South Seattle Emerald’s Marcus Green. Bill Radke Kevin Kniestedt
How one quintet hopes music will help people process climate anxiety, grief A chamber jazz quintet from Seattle recently took its concert featuring music about climate change on the road. Courtney Flatt
Environment Murder kittens: Outdoor cats take heavy toll on wildlife Despite the wildlife hospital’s best efforts, 80% of cat-attack victims brought there do not survive. John Ryan
Environment Another La Niña winter arrives in Seattle and the Puget Sound region After starting fall off on an unseasonably dry and warm note, the Seattle area is ushering in the coldest start to December in nearly four decades. Angela King Katie Campbell
Many states fail to adequately budget for wildfire costs, study says As wildfires grow, so do the costs for fighting those fires. But many states are failing to adequately budget for wildfire costs, according to a new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts. Courtney Flatt
Environment Could grizzly bears officially return to the North Cascades? The last confirmed grizzly bear sighting in the North Cascades was in 1996. But that could change. Libby Denkmann Noel Gasca
Studies show prescribed burns key to forest resiliency Scientists are studying old wildfires to find what forest treatments slowed the flames – and what treatments didn’t work so well. Researchers are looking closely at the Schneider Springs fire, the largest wildfire in Washington in 2021. Courtney Flatt
