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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Washington, other states sue to regain electric-vehicle funding as sales sag
As electric vehicle sales slump, Washington and 15 other states have sued the Trump administration for blocking funding for vehicle charging stations.
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States denied disaster aid as FEMA safety net begins to shrink
In his first 100 days, President Donald Trump turned down half the requests for major disaster aid that crossed his desk. Previous presidents had approved the vast majority of governors’ pleas for help after disasters struck, a KUOW investigation has learned.
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Premier climate study frozen by Trump administration as researchers get the boot
The Trump administration has put the nation’s most comprehensive climate study on hold and told hundreds of scientists working on it that their services are no longer needed.
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Tacoma man charged with sabotaging power grid 6 times. No neo-Nazi link found
A Tacoma man has been charged with sabotaging six electrical substations in western Washington in 2022.
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Seattle launches new actions to tame transport’s climate impact
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced measures Tuesday to cut the city’s stubborn carbon emissions, including more electric-vehicle charging stations and a program for e-cargo bike deliveries.
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Trump's FEMA denies Washington disaster relief for 'bomb cyclone' windstorm
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied a request from Washington state last week to help pay for damage caused during a storm last year.
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Trump admin aims to gut salmon spending
The Trump White House wants to eliminate several programs that benefit Pacific salmon, the iconic but widely threatened species of the Pacific Northwest.
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West Coast governors: We will defend our climate policies against Trump attack
After dismantling most federal action on the global climate, the Trump administration now aims to attack state and local policies that fight climate change as well.
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Another baby orca spotted with Northwest's endangered J Pod
It is the fourth calf born to the southern resident orcas since December. Two of the four have died already.
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Tens of thousands rally against Trump, Musk in Washington state ‘Hands Off’ protests
Throngs of demonstrators gathered Saturday in dozens of cities across Washington state, and around the country, to protest the actions of President Donald Trump and his billionaire advisor Elon Musk.
