Port Angeles approved ban on single-use plastic bags
Port Angeles officials have approved a measure banning plastic bags commonly used for carryout from stores within the city.
Port Angeles officials have approved a measure banning plastic bags commonly used for carryout from stores within the city.
Young gray whale that washed ashore on Whidbey Island was emaciated, researchers say
The carcass of a 30-foot gray whale washed ashore on the west side of Whidbey Island, and an examination on Thursday showed the young female was emaciated, Cascadia Research said.
The carcass of a 30-foot gray whale washed ashore on the west side of Whidbey Island, and an examination on Thursday showed the young female was emaciated, Cascadia Research said.
Local mayors to speak at GoGreen conference in Seattle
The mayors of Auburn, Issaquah, Kent, and Tacoma will take part in a panel at the 2018 GoGreen Seattle Conference Wednesday.
The mayors of Auburn, Issaquah, Kent, and Tacoma will take part in a panel at the 2018 GoGreen Seattle Conference Wednesday.
Rare sperm whale spotted near the San Juan Islands
The Pacific Whale Watch Association said the first ever sperm whale was spotted in inland waters Saturday. Their members recorded the sounds of the whale's echolocation.
The Pacific Whale Watch Association said the first ever sperm whale was spotted in inland waters Saturday. Their members recorded the sounds of the whale's echolocation.
Washington's wolf population surge slows, worrying advocates
Growth in Washington's gray wolf population slowed dramatically last year, raising concerns from an environmental group that says the state should stop killing wolves that prey on livestock.
Growth in Washington's gray wolf population slowed dramatically last year, raising concerns from an environmental group that says the state should stop killing wolves that prey on livestock.
Washington governor set to sign order on orca protections
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is set to establish an executive order calling for state actions to protect the unique population of endangered orcas that spend time in Puget Sound.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is set to establish an executive order calling for state actions to protect the unique population of endangered orcas that spend time in Puget Sound.
Thousands march to protest Canada pipeline expansion project
Thousands of demonstrators marched Saturday to speak out against a pipeline expansion project that would nearly triple the flow of oil from Canada's tar sands to the Pacific Coast.
Thousands of demonstrators marched Saturday to speak out against a pipeline expansion project that would nearly triple the flow of oil from Canada's tar sands to the Pacific Coast.
5 types of apples, once thought extinct, are rediscovered
David Benscoter worked with apple experts at the Temperate Orchard Conservancy in Oregon and Fedco Seeds in Maine to positively identify the apple types. They were compared to written descriptions from old books and antique watercolor paintings.
David Benscoter worked with apple experts at the Temperate Orchard Conservancy in Oregon and Fedco Seeds in Maine to positively identify the apple types. They were compared to written descriptions from old books and antique watercolor paintings.
Trump administration once again lifts elephant trophy ban
The Trump administration has quietly decided once again to allow Americans to import the body parts of African elephants shot for sport, despite presidential tweets decrying the practice as a "horror show."
The Trump administration has quietly decided once again to allow Americans to import the body parts of African elephants shot for sport, despite presidential tweets decrying the practice as a "horror show."
Plan to open drilling off Pacific Northwest draws opposition
The Trump administration's proposal to expand offshore drilling off the Pacific Northwest coast is drawing vocal opposition.
The Trump administration's proposal to expand offshore drilling off the Pacific Northwest coast is drawing vocal opposition.
Health of the world's last male northern white rhino is declining
The health of the world's last male northern white rhino has deteriorated, bringing the rhino subspecies a step closer to extinction caused by poaching.
The health of the world's last male northern white rhino has deteriorated, bringing the rhino subspecies a step closer to extinction caused by poaching.
Ugly delicacy? Regulators want you to eat more Monkfish
Members of the fishing industry, regulators and environmentalists are trying to persuade U.S. consumers to eat more of a, particularly weird-looking fish.
Members of the fishing industry, regulators and environmentalists are trying to persuade U.S. consumers to eat more of a, particularly weird-looking fish.
US considers protected status for Northwest salmon
Federal officials are considering putting a once-flourishing West Coast salmon on the list of threatened or endangered species.
Federal officials are considering putting a once-flourishing West Coast salmon on the list of threatened or endangered species.
Animal overpass project now visible to westbound motorists
A billion-dollar project that will allow animals to travel unimpeded over Washington state's busiest interstate is now visible to westbound I-90 travelers.
A billion-dollar project that will allow animals to travel unimpeded over Washington state's busiest interstate is now visible to westbound I-90 travelers.
In Olympia, ex-Secretary of State John Kerry says individual states can lead on climate change
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday urged support for legislative efforts in the Washington Legislature to pass a carbon pollution tax to address climate change.
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday urged support for legislative efforts in the Washington Legislature to pass a carbon pollution tax to address climate change.
California bill would ban servers from handing out plastic straws unless asked
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A California lawmaker is facing criticism for a bill that, if passed, would make it illegal for servers to offer plastic straws unless asked.The law makes providing a straw without being asked punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, reports KGTV.The bill was introduced by Majority Leader Ian Calderon last week.The law wouldn’t apply to bars or fast-food restaurants, but only to sit-down restaurants.Calderon said the law would eventually be amended to eliminate the extremely harsh penalties.Calderon says the bill is aimed at reducing the environmental damage from plastic that winds up in landfills, waterways and ocean.Still, critics have scorned the bill, calling it government overkill.Strawless in SeattleAn ordinance banning plastic straws and plastic utensils will take effect this year in Seattle.Starting July 1, 2018, eateries in the city will no longer be able to dispense plastic items, Seattle Public Utilities’ Strategic Adviser for Product Stewardship Sego Jackson said.The ordinance banning plastic silverware has been on the books since 2010, Jackson said, but an exemption has been in place.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A California lawmaker is facing criticism for a bill that, if passed, would make it illegal for servers to offer plastic straws unless asked.The law makes providing a straw without being asked punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, reports KGTV.The bill was introduced by Majority Leader Ian Calderon last week.The law wouldn’t apply to bars or fast-food restaurants, but only to sit-down restaurants.Calderon said the law would eventually be amended to eliminate the extremely harsh penalties.Calderon says the bill is aimed at reducing the environmental damage from plastic that winds up in landfills, waterways and ocean.Still, critics have scorned the bill, calling it government overkill.Strawless in SeattleAn ordinance banning plastic straws and plastic utensils will take effect this year in Seattle.Starting July 1, 2018, eateries in the city will no longer be able to dispense plastic items, Seattle Public Utilities’ Strategic Adviser for Product Stewardship Sego Jackson said.The ordinance banning plastic silverware has been on the books since 2010, Jackson said, but an exemption has been in place.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to reconsider drilling off Oregon
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke agreed to consider exempting Oregon from the Trump administration's offshore drilling plan after speaking with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, her office said Friday.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke agreed to consider exempting Oregon from the Trump administration's offshore drilling plan after speaking with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, her office said Friday.
The busiest locks in the country (ours) needs money for improvements
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks turned 100 last year. This year, they're asking for money for what they say are much-needed improvements.
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks turned 100 last year. This year, they're asking for money for what they say are much-needed improvements.
Al Gore tweets support for Gov. Inslee's proposed carbon tax
Gov. Jay Inslee made a forceful push Tuesday for a carbon tax in his annual state of the state address, calling it "our destiny" and "the right thing to do" to curb climate change.
Gov. Jay Inslee made a forceful push Tuesday for a carbon tax in his annual state of the state address, calling it "our destiny" and "the right thing to do" to curb climate change.
Touring band and volunteers help cleanup Lake Union
Dozens of people and a touring band from Australia cleaned up Terry Pettus Park on the southeast side of Lake Union Sunday.
Dozens of people and a touring band from Australia cleaned up Terry Pettus Park on the southeast side of Lake Union Sunday.