Joshua McNichols
Growth and Development Reporter
About
As KUOW's Growth and Development reporter and co-host of KUOW's Booming podcast, Joshua's "growing pains" beat sits at the nexus of housing, transportation, urban planning, government and the economy. His favorite stories also include themes of history, technology, and climate change.
Joshua holds a B.A. in Architecture from the University of Washington. Public Radio is his second career; architecture was his first. He is proud of the many odd jobs he's held in his life, such as salmon fisher, author, bike courier, and bed-and-breakfast cook.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: he/him
Professional Affiliations: The Society of Professional Journalists, Western Washington Chapter
Stories
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Ripple Effect: a special Soundside episode about housing in greater Seattle
A quest across greater Seattle to understand how we can grow as a region without forcing people out.
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What Washington's housing legislation could look like in 2023
How to build more housing, quickly, will be on the agenda when the Washington state Legislature begins its session in January 2023.
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Environment
One year after the Nooksack River flooded Sumas
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In Burien, an unusual affordable housing experiment gains steam
Buying a home is out of reach for most low-income families in the ultra-expensive greater Seattle metro area. The city of Burien is trying to change that. It's experimenting with tiny cottages, with up to two bedrooms, that families earning less than $50,000 per year can buy.
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Seattle gets a little more ambitious as it updates its growth plan
It’s been eight years since Seattle updated its comprehensive plan. That’s the document that says where the city will allow new homes. In that time, we’ve seen a dramatic population growth, a pandemic, downtown got knocked off its feet, we had protests against racial inequity, and there’s a climate crisis. All of those things are changing how the city thinks about how it should grow going forward.
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Emergency Covid orders are ending. Where does that leave renters and landlords?
Covid emergency measures end Monday, Oct. 31 in both Seattle and Washington state. Those emergency orders include protections for tenants who fall behind on their rent. KUOW looked into what their expiration means for renters and their landlords.
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Seattle home prices down a smidge, but nowhere close to affordable yet
Various indicators show a slowdown in the real estate market in the central Puget Sound area. That’s raised hopes that homes could become much more affordable soon. Don't hold your breath.
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Environment
Disappointed inner tubers and beat up salmon: observations from a dry year
This summer was Washington’s driest on record. October usually brings rain and cooling. But not this year. All over Western Washington, rivers are setting new records for low flow.
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Government
Can WA build a new airport and meet its climate goals?
A state-appointed commission recently proposed expanding service at Paine Field in Everett and adding a new new airport at one of three sites in Pierce and Thurston counties. But critics say the state's airport plans contradict its goal to lower emissions.
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Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood gets 'historic district' status
The neighborhood of Wallingford got a little more recognition at a meeting today. In a unanimous vote, a group of experts decided that Wallingford should be awarded "historic district" status for its collection of historic buildings and houses. But critics are worried about the decision's repercussions, as the region faces a critical shortage of housing.