Saying goodbye to Tokitae The world lost Tokitae on Friday. She was the last living Southern Resident Orca in captivity. Organizers were trying to return her to the Salish Sea from Florida where she spent more than 50 years in the Miami seaquarium. Lummi Nation member Jay Julius is here along with Seattle Times reporter Lynda Mapes to talk about her life as part of the story of endangered Orcas. Jennie Cecil Moore Patricia Murphy Play AudioListen 17 mins
Tokitae’s final song: A celebration of life for the last captive southern resident orca Hundreds of mourners gathered at San Juan Island's Jackson Park Beach on Sunday to celebrate the life of Tokitae, a southern resident orca who died in captivity before her planned return to the Salish Sea. Megan Farmer
Rocketing boulders, dwindling streams: signs of WA's shriveling glaciers Zack McGill was guiding a group of climbers down from the icy summit of Washington’s Mount Baker when he saw something few have seen: torso-sized boulders rocketing down the mountain at about 40 miles an hour. John Ryan Play AudioListen 1 min
Oregon Road Fire survivor recounts harrowing escape Justin Knutsen his wife and children had mere minutes to escape their home in Elk, Wash., as the Oregon Road Fire bore down on them. Angela King Play AudioListen 3 mins
Washington may upgrade Western gray squirrel to 'endangered' status Washington’s Western gray squirrels are in trouble. So much so that state officials are considering uplisting the squirrels from threatened to endangered. Courtney Flatt
Scientists discover ‘turtle power’ could help monitor radioactive materials Northwest researchers have discovered that turtle shells, of all things, can help track radioactive doses through time – like walking tree rings. Scientists say these heroes in a half shell could help with environmental monitoring at nuclear waste and fallout sites around the world. Courtney Flatt
No spring bear hunts in Washington – again Two petitions to allow a spring black bear hunt next year – are denied by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. Courtney Flatt
Feds announce millions in funding to bring salmon back to the Upper Columbia River In a historic agreement, the federal government announced Thursday it will fund tribal efforts to bring salmon back to the Upper Columbia River. Two massive dams have blocked salmon from that part of the river for close to a century. Courtney Flatt
