They’re back! Endangered orcas surface off San Juans after nearly 6 weeks away Southern resident killer whales returned to their usual summertime haunts on Thursday for the first time since July 6, to the delight of San Juan Island’s human residents. John Ryan
Does eating less Chinook salmon help endangered orca whales? It’s been about a year since some local businesses decided to stop selling chinook salmon as a way to help ailing orca whales.But does it really help? Ruby de Luna
Wheat farmers fear extinction if Snake River dams are removed to help orcas In the southeastern corner of Washington state, wheat goes down the river, while salmon are trucked up around dams on the road. “And taxpayers pay for all of it,” said Sam Mace, with Save Our Wild Salmon. Eilís O'Neill
Take out Ballard Locks, state senator says With calls to take down dams on the Snake River to help salmon habitat, a Whatcom County Republican wants to take a look at changing some of Seattle's major waterways. KUOW Staff
Have we already passed the time to save Puget Sound orcas, task force member asks? Members of the governor's Southern Resident Orca Task Force are seeing a lot of work ahead to save the Pacific Northwest orcas. Task force member Laura Blackmore says she's not confident help will come in time for the endangered whales, but she's not giving up. Kim Malcolm
Orca population drops as 3 more killer whales presumed dead Three endangered orcas are believed to be dead, according to the Center for Whale Research, which keeps an eye on the southern resident killer whales of the Salish Sea. Isolde Raftery
Salmon catch airlift toward spawning grounds after rock slide blocks their way An emergency operation is under way to help salmon fly – and help orcas not run out of food. John Ryan
The San Juan Islands could become home to a sanctuary for captive orcas Kim Malcolm talks with Lori Marino, founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project. Kim Malcolm
Puget Sound orcas look fatter ... maybe because they've moved away It looks like endangered Orcas that reside around Puget Sound… may be residing somewhere else. Anna Boiko-Weyrauch
Endangered orcas have been missing for 8 weeks. This is unprecedented, researchers say It all comes back to chinook salmon. John Ryan
