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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

  • Political Donations From 3 Big Washington Employers Favor GOP

    Businesses have poured millions of dollars into political contributions this election season. But you may be surprised to learn that in Democratic-leaning Washington, the state’s three largest employers tend to favor Republican candidates.

  • Elusive Evergreen State Professor Found In Chile

    Washington state is heading south in its quest to recover the largest ethics fine in state history. As KUOW reported this spring, a former Evergreen State College professor has evaded efforts to collect the $120,000 fine against him.

  • caption: What happens behind this door -- the main entrance of Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. -- is hard to find out.

    Safety And Suicide At Western State Hospital

    Western State Hospital in Lakewood is the largest psychiatric institution in the Pacific Northwest. Its mission statement says the hospital: ... provides a healing environment free from danger, fear, hurt, injury, coercion, or intimidation for people with psychiatric disabilities. ... Through vigilant attention and effort, WSH ensures a safe haven.

  • Through The Cracks: The Life And Death Of Megan Templeton

    In the past decade, a dozen Western State Hospital patients have killed themselves. More than a hundred others have tried. Megan Templeton was the most recent. In April, she hanged herself in her hospital room. She had turned 20 the day before.