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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Environment
Seattle stayed cool in April while the planet felt record heat
Though Seattle residents might not believe it, April 2024 was the earth’s hottest April on record, with pollution-fueled heat expected to continue.
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Crime
2 tons of cocaine, 1 whale-stranded sailor: Coast Guard cutter’s haul
A Coast Guard cutter from Port Angeles plucked six smugglers and one unlucky sailor from the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
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Environment
Extra-low (and high) tides coming to Puget Sound this week
Extra-low tides on Puget Sound May 8 to May 12 bring opportunities to witness sea stars and other colorful creatures along local shorelines.
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Environment
Climate change supercharged the Northwest heat dome
“That event really was longer, larger, and more extreme due to climate change.”
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Federal disaster declared for 16 Washington counties
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a disaster declaration for 16 counties in Washington state following weeks of extreme winter weather in January.
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Environment
Coming soon: Grizzly bears in the North Cascades
Grizzly bears will be reintroduced to the North Cascades, federal officials announced Thursday.
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Environment
Want an EV? Washington state offers $45 million in rebates
State officials announced $45 million in rebates on electric vehicles Tuesday, with the point-of-sale discounts to be available in August to people buying or leasing a more climate-friendly car, whether new or used.
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Environment
These Northwest snails might need stronger protection than just their tiny shells
Environmentalists are urging federal officials to save a pair of Northwest species that you’ve probably never heard of.
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More aboard! Activists, officials disagree about how to boost Amtrak Cascades ridership
Ridership on the Amtrak Cascades, running between Eugene, Oregon, and Vancouver, Canada, has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, though it came close in 2023.
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Environment
Not in my valley. Some San Juan Islanders say no to solar power
The island utility wants to cover a pasture near Friday Harbor with 5,200 solar panels to help San Juan Island avoid blackouts. Opponents of the project along the San Juan Island Scenic Byway say they welcome solar power, but not on San Juan Valley farmland preserved as open space.