Ruby de Luna
Reporter
About
Ruby de Luna is a reporter with a focus on food and how it intersects with health, communities, and culture. She has also reported on health care and immigrant communities.
Ruby is a transplant from Taipei, Taiwan. She holds a B.A. in communication from Seattle Pacific University. She is proud to be one of the few old-schoolers who can edit tape with a razor blade.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English, Conversational Mandarin, Tagalog
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Member, AAJA
Stories
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Unlock the secrets of Seattle's mysterious seed vault: Travel For Good
Seattle is home to the largest seed collection in the Pacific Northwest. It’s called the Miller Seed Vault, and it’s tucked away in a small building, surrounded by public gardens, on the edge of University of Washington campus.
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That pot in your kitchen could be a source of lead exposure
A new King County study shows that aluminum cookware could be a source of lead exposure. Health officials noted elevated blood lead levels in King County’s Afghan refugee community, and worked with the families to track the source.
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How Washington’s vineyards are adapting to a changing climate: Travel For Good
Washington state is the second largest wine producer in the U.S., behind California. The changing climate and its unpredictability has created new challenges for growers. It’s one of the many reasons why vineyards around the state are adopting practices that make their grape crops more resilient.
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Vaccine-related firings exacerbate King County Sheriff vacancies
King County Sheriff’s Office continues to struggle with job vacancies. The agency is looking to fill 172 open positions, or about 15 percent of its total workforce. And the county’s employee vaccine mandate, issued last August, hasn’t helped.
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Trade programs at Seattle Central avoid the axe, for now
Seattle community colleges have been facing enrollment declines for the past few years. At a recent budget forum, Seattle Central College leaders say they’re facing a $15 million dollar deficit. And without new funding options, they’re proposing deep cuts.
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Seattle seeks to raise pay and set labor standards for gig workers
After months of stakeholder meetings, the Seattle City Council is introducing a series of policies establishing app-based labor standards. Called “Pay Up” ordinance for gig workers, the legislation sponsored by Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Andrew Lewis, is aimed at raising pay and providing basic worker protections.
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Diary of a Seattle gig worker: car trouble, drive-thru battles, and no gray area
Delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Instacart boomed during the pandemic. But drivers for such services say they didn’t benefit from that growth, and that their pay actually decreased. Seattle City Council is drafting legislation to guarantee workers minimum pay and other protections. But critics say the proposal would hurt businesses and consumers who rely on the services.
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Covid started gardening boom. Now new challenges fuel interest
So, you and hundreds of your neighbors started a vegetable garden during Covid lockdown. Two years in, and studies show the hobby is becoming an enduring habit. Now, rising food costs are attracting a new crop of enthusiasts.
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New exhibit explores the history and dangers of 'traveling while Black' in the U.S.
Travel represents freedom, to move without care or concern. But during the Jim Crow era, travel was risky if you were Black. The "Green Book," a guide for African American travelers, helped them navigate toward places and establishments that were welcoming. A Smithsonian Institute exhibit in Tacoma looks at how a humble guidebook became an essential resource for African Americans, allowing them to move for work or to vacation.
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The brave Seattle foodies who opened restaurants during Covid — and flourished
Many Seattle restaurants, including beloved icons like Beth’s Café, Dahlia Lounge, and Tup Tim Thai shuttered during the pandemic. But that hasn’t stopped many more from opening. Meet two restaurant owners who chose to launch new businesses despite uncertain times.