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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Why you can't afford to ski anymore
Skiing has never been cheap, but it used to be accessible to families and casual skiers. Now the slopes seem to have turned into playgrounds for the rich. So can we find a way for everyone to access the mountains?
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REI and the steep climb to unionize retail
REI has been losing money for years, and that's put it at odds with its employees who want better wages and benefits. Could the next generation of workers revolutionize retail?
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'Mosquito Fleet Act' could bring small ferries to more Puget Sound communities
Washington State's new ferry boats are years away. It's a painful reality for waterfront communities that depend on ferries. But a new bill in the legislature promises to give them some relief.
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Big budget option for Seattle social housing surges ahead in early vote count
Assuming there are no dramatic changes in the ballot count, money for social housing will start flowing in Seattle this spring. The housing itself could come online later this year.
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Hundreds pack City Hall, fill overflow room for public hearing on Seattle's growth plan
Seattle's comprehensive plan lays out where new housing can be built in the city. The plan would allow more apartment buildings in more places than before. Public testimony at city hall ran late into the night Wednesday.
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Business
As countries lob tariffs, this small Seattle business hunkers down
New U.S. tariffs on China come on top of existing tariffs that have plagued clothing company KAVU for years. Now, its owner fears higher prices could push customers away.
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How to avoid being tariffed out of business
Joshua talks to Seattle outdoor clothing company KAVU to learn more about what they're doing to prepare for potential tariffs. And we dig into the techniques some companies use to engineer their way out of tariffs.
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Should WA cities cut down on parking spots required at new developments?
How much parking can a city require when new buildings are built, or older buildings renovated? That's a question state lawmakers will consider at a public hearing on Wednesday.
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Politics
Does Seattle love social housing enough to fund it?
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Why someone earning over $100,000 could qualify for Seattle’s affordable housing
The debate surrounding how to fund social housing in Seattle has raised a big question: Who are we building affordable housing for?