Environment Invasive ‘murder hornets’ eradicated from the U.S. The Washington and U.S. Departments of Agriculture announced the eradication Wednesday, saying there had been no detections of the northern giant hornet in Washington since 2021. Gene Johnson, Associated Press
Environment Why Washington state aims to ban English ivy It’s not a war on Christmas. But two botanical symbols of the holiday — holly and ivy — face increasing controls in Washington due to the ecological havoc they can wreak when they escape into the wild. John Ryan
Environment Have a Holly Noxious Christmas? State board eyes un-jolly label for invasive greenery Washington state officials are debating whether to brand a traditional holiday decoration a noxious weed. The dubious decor is English holly. John Ryan
Environment Sister seas on opposite shores face same foe: polluted runoff “Why do we think it takes 40 or 50 years to fix an estuary, a series of rivers, or even a bay? If you stop putting shit in these rivers, they get better fast." John Ryan
Economy Washington state farmworkers sue U.S. Department of Labor over depressed wages A group of Washington state farmworkers is suing the U.S. Department of Labor, saying the agency allows employers to exclude them from work by hiring cheaper, foreign labor. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
Environment Low snowpack plus dry summer means tough choices for Eastern Washington farmers Soundside host Libby Denkmann sits down with NW News Network correspondent Anna King to talk about the impacts drought has on Farmers out in Eastern WA. Libby Denkmann Jason Burrows Hans Anderson Anna King
Science What's at the core of new apple creation at Washington State University? Soundside host Diana Opong sits down with WSU horticulturalist and fruit breeder Kate Evans to talk about the science behind creating the new WA64 apple. Diana Opong Jason Burrows
Food Can you name Washington's next big apple? Contest is open The state's next new apple is ready for a name, and Washington State University is asking for suggestions. Dyer Oxley