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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King County is moving hundreds of employees to permanent work-from-home status
Many people working from home wonder when they’ll be able sit next to their coworkers again. For about 800 King County employees, the answer is never.
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A spike in coronavirus cases as Seattle and King County enter Phase 2
Seattle and King County are moving into Phase 2 of the pandemic reopening plan today, Friday, despite a new uptick in cases. Sixty-two new cases were tracked in the county on Thursday – half of those from Seattle.
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Seattle fishing firm skimps on quarantine. Covid-19 outbreaks hit 110 crew members
A Seattle seafood company has had Covid-19 outbreaks on three of its six factory trawlers. Pandemic safety measures for the fishing industry are largely voluntary in Washington state, and not all companies follow them.
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The scramble to help Chinook salmon past landslide danger zone
One of the most important food sources for the Northwest’s endangered orcas was devastated by a rockslide.
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Replacing West Seattle Bridge expected to take half a decade
If the badly cracked bridge can’t be fixed, transportation officials say it would take at least four to six years to replace.
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Quit the tear gas, doctors tell cops. It might exacerbate the pandemic
Using tear gas or other chemical irritants can worsen the risk of Covid-19 spreading through a crowd, according to a petition signed by more than 2,000 health professionals.
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Traffic congestion returns to Seattle area
As more people get out from their homes and behind the wheel, traffic volumes are bouncing back in the Seattle area. That means the nemesis of the Seattle commuter is returning as well. Congestion.
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Novel virus could spread rapidly among orcas
Some Northwest residents don’t do social distancing well, which leaves them especially vulnerable to an outbreak of a highly contagious respiratory virus. These residents are orcas.
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A sockeye season like no other — because Covid-19
Thousands of people flood into remote parts of Alaska each summer from Washington and other states to catch salmon and get the fish ready for market. That influx during a pandemic has locals worried.
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Are you a loud talker? You might be a superspreader
A new study into how loud talking can spread viruses could shed light on a major outbreak at a choir practice in Skagit County.