Podcasts about washington department

A scathing new audit found ‘pervasive failures’ in the Washington Department of Ecology’s Digital Navigator Program. More layoffs hit Seattle’s tech sector in the form of Expedia. A 78-year-old man was the victim of a hit-and-run at a Seattle protest. // Tom Homan held a press conference in Minneapolis today after taking over the helm of ICE operations in the city. New video shows Alex Pretti engaged in another intense altercation with federal law enforcement 11 days before he was killed. // Thousands of Keurig decaf coffee K-cups have been recalled because they contain caffeine.

In this episode, we explore what it means to stay human in a time of collective trauma. We talk about messiness as a core part of being alive, how purity culture and rigid systems disconnect us from our bodies, and why agency, consent, and clear yeses and nos are essential forms of resistance. Together, we unpack how supremacy shapes therapy, relationships, and identity — especially through individualism, whiteness, and disembodiment — and imagine more liberating ways of practicing care, connection, and community. The conversation weaves personal reflection, cultural critique, and somatic wisdom, inviting listeners back into their bodies, their grief, and their shared humanity.Subverting Supremacy Culture in our Practice: Part 2Friday, January 30, 20262:00 PM  4:00 PMVIRTUALhttps://www.shelterwoodcollective.com/events/subverting-supremacy-culture-in-our-practice-part-2Working with people means navigating power, race, and trauma.This workshop will help you notice supremacy culture in the room and resist it. Due to the way Christian nationalism works in the US we create space to engage Christian supremacy and its manifestations of racialized heteronormativity that affects all bodies — regardless of religious or non-religious status. You will learn embodied, relational tools to strengthen your practice and reduce harm. Danielle S. Rueb Castillejo (she/her), Psychotherapist, Activist, Community Organizer; Jenny McGrath (she/her), Psychotherapist Writer, Author, Body Movement Worker; Abby Wong-Heffter, (she/her), Psychotherapist Teacher, Attachment Specialist; Tamice Spencer-Helms, (she/they), Author, Theoactivist, Non-Profit Leader are collaborating to create a generative learning space for therapists, social workers, educators, organizers, spiritual leaders, healthcare providers, and community practitioners. Together we will work with the ways supremacy culture shows up somatically, relationally, and structurally in helping professions. We will examine how dissociation, fragmentation, and inherited oppression narratives shape our work, and develop practices to interrupt these patterns.This workshop addresses diversity and cultural competence by:Examining how supremacy culture impacts Black, Indigenous, and People of Color differently than white-bodied practitioners. Naming cultural, historical, and intergenerational forces that shape power dynamics in clinical and community settings. Offering embodied, relational, and trauma-informed tools to practitioners working across racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic differences. Developing the capacity to recognize and intervene in oppression harm while maintaining therapeutic integrity and accountability. Participants will engage in reflective dialogue, somatic exercises, case-based examples, and guided exploration of their own positionality. The intent is not perfection but deepening collective responsibility and expanding our capacity to resist supremacy culture inside our practice and in ourselves. The workshop is designed to meet the Washington Department of Health requirement for two hours of health equity continuing education (WAC 246-12-820).The Blackfoot Wisdom that Inspired Maslow's HierarchyBy Teju Ravilochan, originally published by Esperanza Projecthttps://www.resilience.org/stories/2021-06-18/the-blackfoot-wisdom-that-inspired-maslows-hierarchy/ Danielle (00:05):Be with you. Yeah. Well, it seems like from week to week, something drastically changes or some new trauma happens. It reminds me a lot of 2020.Jenny  (00:15):Yeah. Yeah, it really does. I do feel like the positive in that is that similar to 2020, it seems like people are really looking for points of connection with one another, and I feel like there was this lull on Zoom calls or trainings or things like that for a while. People were just burned out and now people are like, okay, where in the world can I connect with people that are similar to me? And sometimes that means neighbors, but sadly, I think a lot of times that means people in other states, a lot of people that can feel kind of siloed in where they are and how they're doing right now.Danielle (00:56):Yeah, I was just thinking about how even I have become resistant to zoom or kind of tired and fed up and then all of a sudden meeting online or texting or whatever feels safer. Okay. Again.About? Just all the shit and then you go out in the real world and do I messed that up? I messed that up. I messed that up. I think that's part of it though, not living in perfection, being willing to be really messy. And how does that play out? How does that play out in our therapeutic practices?Jenny (01:50):Yeah, totally. I've been thinking a lot about messiness lately and how we actually come into the world. I think reveling often in messiness for anyone that's tried to feed a young child or a toddler and they just have spaghetti in their hair and everything's everywhere. And then we work so hard to tell kids, don't be messy. Don't be messy. And I'm like, how much of this is this infusion of purity culture and this idea that things should be clean and tidy? That's really actually antithetical to the human experience, which is really messy and nuanced and complicated. But we've tried to force these really binary, rigid, clean systems or ways of relating so that when things inevitably become messy, it feels like relationships just snap, rather than having the fluidity to move through and navigate,Danielle (02:57):It becomes points of stop or I can't be in contact with you. And of course, there's situations where that is appropriate and there might be ways I can connect with this person in this way, but maybe not on social media for instance. That's a way that there's a number of people I don't connect with on social media intentionally, but am willing to connect with them offline. So yeah, so I think there's a number of ways to think about that. I think just in subverting supremacy, Abby and I talked a lot about consent and how also bringing your own agency and acknowledging your yeses and your nos and being forthcoming. Yeah, those are some of the things, but what are you and Tamis going to touch on?Jenny (03:47):I'd be curious to hear what you think inhibits somebody's agency and why? Because I thought that was so great. How much you talked about consent and if you were to talk about why you think that that is absent or missing or not as robust as it could be, what are your thoughts on that?Danielle (04:06):Well, sometimes I think we look in our society to people in power to kind of play out fantasies. So we look for them to keep checking in with us and it, it goes along with maybe just the way the country was formed. I talked a little bit about that this week. It was formed for white men in power, so there was obviously going to be hierarchical caste system down from there. And in each cast you're checking with the powerful person up. So I think we forget that that plays out in our day-to-day relationships too.(04:44):And I think it's a hard thing to acknowledge like, oh, I might have power as a professional in this realm, but I might enter this other realm where then I don't have power and I'm deferring to someone else. And in some ways those differences and those hierarchies serve what we're doing and they're good. And in other ways I think it inhibits us actually bringing our own agency. It's like a social conditioning against it, along with there's trauma and there's a lot of childhood sexual abuse in our country a lot. And it's odd that it gets pinned on immigrants when where's the pedophiles? We know where some of them are, but they're not being pursued. So I think all of these dynamics are at play. What do you think about thatJenny (05:32):When you talk? It makes me think about something I've just learned in the last couple years, which is like Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which has been turned into this pyramid that says you need all of these things before you can be self-actualizing. What is actually interesting is that Mazo sort of misappropriated that way of thinking from the Blackfoot nation that he had been living and researching, and the Blackfoot people were saying and have been saying and do say that they believe we come into the world as self-actualized. And so the culture and the community is designed to help that sovereign being come into their full selves.(06:20):And so actually the way that the pyramid was created was sort of the antithesis of what the Blackfoot people were trying to communicate and how they were living. But unfortunately, white psychology said, well, we can't acknowledge that this was from indigenous people, so we're going to whitewash it. We're going to say that Maslow created it and it's going to be wrong, basically. And I'm just thinking about the shift of if we view people and water and plants and animals and planets as sovereign, as beings that have self-actualizing agency, then of course we're going to probably want to practice consent and honoring them. Whereas if we view the world and people as these extractive things and objects, we're going to feel entitled to take what we want or what we feel like we deserve.Danielle (07:32):I'm not surprised though that we've extracted that hierarchy of needs from somewhere because as I write about, I've been writing a lot as I think about moral injury and what's happened to our society and how trauma's become a weapon, like a tool of empire in white bodies to use them as machinery, as weapons. One of the things I've thought a lot about is just this idea that we're not bodies, we're just part of the machine.(08:03):So then it would make sense to make a form, here's your needs, get this shit done so you can keep moving.Jenny (08:12):Totally. We just started watching Pluribus last night. Do you know what this is?(08:24):Is this really interesting show where there's this virus that comes from outer space and it makes everyone in the world basically a hive mind. And so there's immediately no wars, no genocide, nothing bad is going on,(08:43):Nobody is thinking for themselves except for this one woman who for whatever reason was not infected with the virus.(08:52):And it's so interesting and it's kind of playing with this idea of she is this white woman from America that's like, well, we should be able to think for ourselves. And everyone else is like, but wars are gone. And it's really interesting. I don't know where the show's going to actually go, but it's playing with this idea of this capitalistic individuation. I'm my own self, so I should be able to do that. And I know this, it's this place of tension with I am a sovereign being and I am deeply interconnected to all other beings. And so what does agency look like with being responsible to the people I'm in relationship with, whether I know them or not,Danielle (09:42):What is agency? I think we honor other people by keeping short accounts. I don't think I've done a good job of that much in my life. I think it's more recent that I've done that. I think we honor other people by letting them know when we're actually find something joyful about what our encounter with them or pointing out something loving. And I think we honor our community when we make a clear yes or clear no or say I can't say yes or no. Why can I tell you yes or no at a later date when we speak for ourselves, I think we give into our community, we build a pattern of agency. And I think as therapists, I think sometimes we build the system where instead of promoting agency, we've taken it away.Jenny (10:35):Yeah, I agree. I agree. I think I was just having a conversation with a supervisee about this recently. I who has heard a lot of people say, you shouldn't give your clients psychoeducation. You shouldn't give them these moments of information. And I was like, well, how gatekeeping is that? And they were having a hard time with, I've heard this, but this doesn't actually feel right. And I do think a lot of times this therapist, it's like this idea that I'm the professional, and so I'm going to keep all of this information siloed from you where I think it's ethical responsibility if we have information that would help things make more sense for our clients to educate them. And I often tell my clients in our first session, my job is to work myself out of a job. And unfortunately, I think that there's a lot in a lot of people in the therapy world who think it's their job to be someone's therapist forever. And I think I'm like, how do we start with, again, believing in someone's agency and ability to self-actualize and we just get to sort of steward that process and then let them go do whatever they're going to do.Danielle (11:54):I think that also speaks to can therapy change? I think the model I learned in graduate school has revolved a lot around childhood trauma, which is good. So glad I've been able to grow and learn some of those skills that might help me engage someone. I also think there's aspects I think of our society that are just missing in general, that feel necessary in a therapeutic relationship like coaching or talking from your own personal experience, being clear about it, but also saying like, Hey, in these years this has happened. I'm not prescribing this for you, but this is another experience. I think on one hand in grad school, you're invited to tell your story and know your story and deal with counter transference and transference and try to disseminate that in some sort of a blank way. That's not possible. We're coming in with our entire identity front and center. Yeah, those are just thoughts I have.Jenny (12:59):Yeah, I think that's so good. And it makes me think about what whiteness does to people, and I think a lot of times it puts on this cloak or this veneer of not our fullest truest selves. And I don't even think that white people are often conscious that that's what we're doing. I remember I am in this group where we're practicing what does it look like to be in our bodies in cross-racial experiences? And there's a black woman in my cohort that said, do you ever feel separate from your whiteness? Can you ever get a little bit of space from your whiteness? And I was like, honestly, I don't feel like I can. I feel like I'm like Jim Carrey in the mask, where the more I try to pull it off, the more it snaps back and it's like this crustacean that has encapsulated us. And so how do we break through with our humanity, with our messiness to these constraints that whiteness has put on us?(14:20):Oh, tomorrow. Oh my gosh. So I'm going to do a little bit of a timeline of Jenny's timeline, my emotional support timeline. I told Tamis, I was like, I can get rid of this if you don't think it's important, but I will tell you these are my emotional support timelines. And they were like, no, you can talk about 'em. So I'm just doing two slides on the timeline. I have dozens of slides as Danielle, but I'm just going to do two really looking at post civil rights movement through the early two thousands and what purity culture and Christian nationalism did to continue. What I'm talking about is the trope of white womanhood and how disembodied that is from this visceral self and organism that is our body. And to me is going to talk about essentially how hatred and fear and disgust of the black queer body is this projection of those feelings of fear, of shame, of guilt, of all of those things that are ugly or disavowed within the system of Christian nationalism, that it gets projected and put on to black bodies. And so how do we then engage the impact of our bodies from these systems in our different gendered and sexual and racial locations and socioeconomic locations and a million other intersectional ways? As you and Abby talked about the power flower and how many different parts of our identity are touched by systems of oppression and power(16:11):And how when we learn to move beyond binary and really make space for our own anger, our own fear, our own disgust, our own fill in the blank, then we are less likely to enable systems that project that on to other bodies. That's what we're going to be talking about, and I'm so excited.Danielle (16:32):Just that, just that NBD, how do you think about being in your body then on a screen? There's been a lot of debate about it after the pandemic. How do you think about that? Talking about something that's so intimate on a screen? How are you thinking about it?Jenny (16:52):Totally. I mean, we are on a screen, but we're never not in our bodies. And so I do think that there is something that is different about being in a room with other bodies. And I'm not going to pretend I know anything about energy or the relational field, but I know that I have had somatic work done on the screen where literally my practitioner will be like, okay, I'm touching your kidney right now and I will feel a hand on my kidney. And it's so wild. That probably sounds so bizarre, and I get it. It sounds bizarre to me too, but I've experienced that time and space really are relative, I think. And so there is something that we can still do in our shared relational space even if we're not in the same physical space.(17:48):I do think that for some bodies, that actually creates a little bit more safety where I can be with you, but I'm not with you. And so I know I can slam my computer shut, I can walk out of the room, I can do whatever I need to do, whether I actually do that or not. I think there sometimes can be a little bit of mobility that being on the screen gives us that our bodies might not feel if we are in a shared physical space together. And so I think there's value and there's difference to both. What about you?Danielle (18:25):Well, I used it a lot because I started working during the pandemic. So it was a lifeline to get clients and to work with clients. I have to remind myself to slow down a lot when I'm on the screen. I think it's easier to be more talkative or say more, et cetera, et cetera. So I think pacing, sometimes I take breaks to breathe. I used to have self-hate for that or self-criticism or the super ego SmackDown get body slammed. But no, I mean, I try to be down to earth who I would prefer to be and not to be different on screen. I don't know that that's a strategy, but it's the way I'm thinking about it.Jenny (19:20):As someone who has co-lead therapy spaces with you in person, I can say, I really appreciate your, and these things that feel unrushed and you just in the moment for me, a lot of times I'm like, oh yeah, we're just here. We don't have to rush to what's next. I think that's been such a really powerful thing I've gleaned from co-facilitating and holding space with you.Danielle (19:51):Oh, that's a sweet thing to say. So when you think about subverting supremacy in our practices, us as therapists or just in the world we are in, what's an area that you find yourself stuck in often if you're willing to share?Jenny (20:12):I think for me and a lot of the clients that I work with, it is that place of individualism. And this is, I think again, the therapy model is you come in, you talk about your story, talk about your family of origin, talk about your current relationships, and it becomes so insular. And there is of course things that we can talk about in our relationships, in our family, in our story. And it's not like those things happen in a, and I think it does a disservice, and especially for white female clients, I think it enables a real sense of agency when it's like, I'm going through the hardest thing that anyone's ever gone through. And it's like, open your eyes. Look at what the world is going through you, and we and us are so much more capable than white womanhood would want you to assume that you are. And so I think that a lot of times for white women, for a lot of my work is growing their capacity to feel their agency because I think that white patriarchal Christian capitalistic supremacy only progresses so long as white women perform being these damsels that need rescue and need help. And if we really truly owned our self-actualizing power, it would really topple the system, I believe.Danielle (21:53):Yeah, I mean, you see the shaking of the system with Renee, Nicole Goode. People don't know what to do with her. Of course, some people want to make her all bad, or the contortions they do to try to manipulate that video to say what they wanted to say. But the rattling for people that I've heard everywhere around her death and her murder, I think she was murdered in defense of her neighbors. And that's both terror inducing. And it's also like, wow, she believed in that she died for something she actually believed in.Jenny (22:54):Yeah. And I were talking about this as well in that of course we don't know, but I don't know that things would've played out the same way they played out if she wasn't clearly with a female partner. And I do think that heteronormativity had a part to play in that she was already subverting what she should be doing as a white woman by being with another woman. And I think that that is a really important conversation as well as where is queerness playing into these systems of oppression and these binary heteronormative systems. And this is my own theory with Renee, Nicole. Good. And with Alex, there is something about their final words where Nicole says, I'm not mad at you. And Alex says, are you okay? And my theory is that that is actually the moment where something snapped for these ice agents because they had their own projection on what these race traders were, and they probably dehumanized them. And so in this moment of their humanity intersecting with the projection that these agents had, I think that induced violence, not that they caused it or it was their(24:33):But I think that when our dehumanizing projections of people are interrupted with their humanity, we have a choice where we go, wait, you are not what I thought you were. Or we double down on the dehumanization. And I think that these were two examples of that collision of humanity and projection, and then the doubling down of violence and dehumanization(25:07):Yeah. It makes me think of, have you seen the sound of music?(25:13):So the young girl, she has this boyfriend that turns into a Nazi. There's this interaction towards the end of the film where he sees the family. He has this moment facing the dad, and he hasn't yet called in the other Nazis. And the dad says to him, you'll never be one of them.(25:36):And that was the moment that he snapped. And he called in the other guards. And I think it's making a point that there's something in these moments of humanity, calling to humanity is a really pivotal moment of are you going to let yourself be a human or are you going to double down in your allegiance to the systems of oppression? And so I think that what we're trying to invite with subverting supremacy is when we come to those moments, how do we choose humanity? How do we choose empathy? How do we choose kindness? And wait, I had this all wrong rather than a doubling down of violence. I don't know. Those are my thoughts. What do you think? Well,Danielle (26:27):I hadn't thought about that, but I do know that moment in sound of music, and that feels true to me, or it feels like, where do you belong? A question of where do you belong? And in the case of Alex and Nicole, I mean, in some sense the agents already knew they didn't belong with them, but to change this. But on the other hand, it feels like, yeah, maybe it is true. It just set off those alarm bells or just said like, oh, they're not one of us. Something like that.(27:19):It's a pretty intense thought. Yeah. My friend that's a pastor there in Minneapolis put out a video with Jen Hatmaker yesterday, and I watched the Instagram live of it this morning, and she talked about how she came home from the protest, and there were men all over her yard, in the neighbor's yard with machine guns. And she said they were trying to block her in, and they came up to her car and they had taken a picture of her license plate, and they're like, roll down your window. And she's like, why? And they're like, I gave you an order. She's like, but why? And then they took a picture of her face and they're like, now you have us in your database. And she's like, I'm not rolling down my window. Because when the last person did that, you shot him in the face(28:03):And she said they got out of their car and parked. And the neighbor who, I dunno why they were harassing her neighbor, she described him as a white male, but he was standing there and he was yelling at them to leave. And she said, at this time, there was like 50 neighbors out, like 50 people out on the street. And the ice van stopped, ran back, tackled him, slammed his face into the ice, beat him up, and then threw him in the back of the car and then dropped him off at the hospital or released him or something. And he had to go get wound care. And I guess just thinking about that, just the mere presence of white people that don't fit. I wonder if it's just the mere presence.Jenny (28:59):Yeah, yeah. Well, I think part of it is exposing the illusion of whiteness and this counterfeit collaboration that is supposed to mean based on melanin, that if you have this lack of melanin, this is how you're supposed to perform. And I'm really grateful that we have people with less melanin going, no, I would not that we want to die, but if my choice is to die or to give up my soul, I don't want to give up my soul.(29:50):I feel my heart pounding. It's scary. And I think there's also grief in the people I love that are choosing to not have a soul right now, to not allow space for their soul that are choosing to go into numbness and to bearing their head in the sand and to saying, we just need to have law and order. And I believe that they were made for so much more than that.(30:46):It is painful. I mean, it doesn't go(30:55):No, no. I've been watching a lot of sad movies lately because they helped me cry. One of the things that I loved when I was in Uganda was there was people who were professional whalers(31:12):They would be hired to come into funerals or ceremonies and just wail and grieve and move the group into a collective catharsis. And I really think our bodies need catharsis right now because there's so much we're taking in. There's so much we're moving through. And I think this is part of the system of white Christian supremacy, is that it has removed us from cultural practices of making guttural sounds together, of riving together, of dancing and shaking and screaming, and these things that I think our bodies really need individually and collectively. What are you doing in your body that feels even like 2% supportive with what we're navigating?Danielle (32:08):I don't know. I honestly, I've had a bad week or bad couple weeks, but I think I try to eat food that I know will taste good. That seems really silly, but I'm not eating anything I don't like.(32:27):That. Yeah, that's one thing. Yesterday I had a chance to go work out at 12 like I do every day, and I just noticed I was too fatigued, and so I just canceled. I called it in and ate lunch with someone and just, I didn't talk much, but they had a lot to say. So that was fine with me, hung out with someone. So I think, I don't know, I guess it was a hitting two needs for me, human face-to-face connection and also just actual food that tastes good to me.(33:09):Yeah. Well, so you're going to put that Maslow resource need in the chat or in the comments. Are you going to send it to me so I can put it in the(33:21):And then if people want to sign up for tomorrow and listen to you and Tamis, is that still a possibility?Jenny (33:26):It is, yeah. They can sign up, I think, until it's starting. So I don't know for sure. You should sign up for today, just by today, just in case. Yeah, I'll send you that link too.   Well, first I guess I would have to believe that there was or is an actual political dialogue taking place that I could potentially be a part of. And honestly, I'm not sure that I believe that.

In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, host Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey welcome guest Eric Fong to discuss a significant case involving Jessica Hilton versus the Washington Department of Corrections and Child Protective Services.   CASE SUMMARY:  **TRIGGER WARNING** The case in focus deals with severe instances of sexual abuse, specifically involving Jessica Hilton and multiple failures of state agencies to protect her and her siblings.    ERIC FONG BIO: Eric has obtained the two largest general damages jury verdicts for one person in Washington state history; $91,000,000 for a premise liability matter that resulted in a TBI and $42,000,000 for the governmental neglect of a child that resulted in abuse and PTSD.  Eric began his career as a public defender, dedicating 11 years advocating for those in need — work he remains most proud of to this day. With nearly three decades of trial experience, Eric has tried over 100 cases to verdict and has received state and national trial lawyer of the year awards. In addition to his legal practice, Eric loves teaching and has been an instructor of the Gerry Spence Method for over 20 years.  Eric loves working with his wife on their cut flower farm, hiking and fishing. (READ MORE)   CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: FONG LAW   LISTEN TO PREVIOUS EPISODES & MEET THE TEAM: Great Trials Podcast Show Sponsors: Legal Technology Services  Harris Lowry Manton LLP - hlmlawfirm.com Production Team: Dee Daniels Media Podcast Production   Free Resources: Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1 Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2  

What happens when we trace the history of our forests? Not just through trees, but through people, policy, and place? In this episode, I talk with Jennifer Ott, Executive Director of HistoryLink.org, Washington's free online encyclopedia of history. Jennifer is an environmental historian, author of Olmsted in Seattle: Creating a Park System for a Modern City, and co-author of Waterway: The Story of Seattle's Locks and Ship Canal. She brings a deep knowledge of Seattle's reshaped landscapes; it's filled tidelands, leveled hills, and rechanneled rivers, and a lifelong commitment to accessible public history. We dig into HistoryLink's new Forest History Project, a wide-ranging effort to tell the story of Washington's forests through essays, oral histories, and educational curricula. Funded by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the project includes over a dozen new feature essays - from Indigenous land stewardship to timber company towns, the Douglas fir to the Northwest Forest Plan - as well as 15 interviews with key figures from forestry, conservation, and tribal leadership. We talk about the relationship between ecological change and historical narrative, the legacies of environmental thinkers, and how public history can shape our understanding of climate adaptation, land stewardship, and just futures. This conversation is a reminder that forests are more than trees; they're stories, struggles, and visions of what's possible. Resources and Links Forest History Project (HistoryLink): https://historylink.org/File/23334 Learn more about Jennifer Ott's work  Olmsted in Seattle: Creating A Park System for a Modern City Seattle at 150: Stories of the City Through 150 Objects Waterway: The Story of Seattle's Locks and Ship Canal This episode features music from The Grey Room / Golden Palms. Find more at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoOTOoAbEhY-WD_XhkvJBJg Upcoming Event: Plants as Teachers I'll be giving a talk on January 28, called Plants as Teachers, Messengers and Climate Partners: Habitat Care and Adaptation in a Warming World,  hosted by Tacoma Tree Foundation. As climate change reshapes our ecosystems, ecological restorationist Michael Yadrick invites us to rethink so-called "weeds" as allies in adaptation, revealing how plants respond to stress, guide our land care decisions, and help us imagine better futures. Register here: https://tacomatreefoundation.org/calendar/plants-as-teachers Support the Podcast + Connect Treehugger Podcast is a labor of love. If you'd like to help me cover costs and keep episodes like this one flowing, you can support the show here: Venmo: @myadrickPayPal: paypal.me/myadrickCashApp: $michaelyadrickjr

Skunks can stink, no doubt about it. But that stink is actually a superpower! Join Molly and co-host Diya as they find out how these critters use their smell to scare away enemies, what the smell is made of, and how to make your own de-skunking potion. Plus, Wombat Pete drops by to promote his new music festival, we speak to some skunk experts, and we try our best to guess a new Mystery Sound. Don't forget the de-skunking potion mnemonic: 4 Cats Had Problems Queen Coughed Beside Suzie's Tenth Lasagna, Don't Sneeze Translation: 4 Cups hydrogen peroxide Quarter Cup baking soda Teaspoon Liquid Dish Soap Guest: Marie Tosa, Research Scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Guest: Ted Stankowich, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and CSU Long Beach. Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Click here for a transcript of this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no secret that the child welfare system can be frustrating for children, their biological families, and foster families alike. More often than not, agency workers are the people who have to carry the brunt of this frustration. Yet, if we were to take a look behind the scenes, we would see individuals who care deeply about children and families and are doing their best to secure positive outcomes for the people they serve—but they are overworked, overwhelmed, and often trying to keep up with ever-changing policies. My guest for this conversation is deeply familiar with nearly every part of the child welfare system, from investigations and licensing to prevention and support. Abraham Choate has spent years serving children and families through the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families. He's also a licensed social worker who provides counseling part-time. Abe's story and perspective offer us a unique look into the realities of child welfare, helping us understand how we can better support and partner with our local workers. In this episode, Abraham shares some of the inner workings on the agency side of child welfare, the stressful environment agency workers are thrust into, the importance of everyone having healthy boundaries, and much more. Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes for this episode: https://theforgotteninitiative.org/abraham-choate-281/

What are the aquatic invasive species that Great Lakes experts wish you knew more about? Megan and Carolyn discuss with TMATGL all-stars El Lower, Katie O'Reilly, and Brian Roth.Links:Past episodes featuring today's guests 13: It Smells Like Science, 27: The Claws Have the Sweetest Meat, 46: It's All Stuff That I've Eaten, Teach Me About the Great Lakes | 55: Ask Dr. Fish, Ask Dr. Fish, Teach Me About the Great Lakes | A Really Nice Thickness of CheeseFlathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) New state-record flathead catfish weighs in above 64 pounds Marmorkrebs (Procambarus virginalis)Marbled crayfish becomes plentiful species thanks to genetic mutation  Marbled crayfish raises eyebrows, and concerns | Great Lakes Now  Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Keep, Cool, Call: What to do if you capture a black carp Lake Michigan Quagga Mussel Density Signal crayfish | Washington Department of Fish & WildlifeNew invasive crayfish found in Minnesota | UMN Extension  Research reveals hope for managing invasive red swamp crayfish | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Invasive Crayfish Collaborative: Prevention, RegulationsNational Invasive Species Awareness Week: Water hyacinth - MSU ExtensionArticle: Pretty but problematic: Aquatic plants to avoid   GLANSIS: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory - Ann Arbor, MI, USA Invasive water hyacinths are effective at removing microplastics, study findsStarry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) | Minnesota DNRGrant supports educational resources for Chicago area boaters, harbormasters, shoreline property owners | Illinois  Ballast Water - Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway SystemHow Invasions Happen: Aquariums Bellflower RestaurantThe Bread CompanyPhở Số 1 Belle Isle Conservancy Bradford Beach | Travel Wisconsin Bellaire Chamber of Commerce Honourable mentions for titles: These are not small fish; Catch ‘em and keep ‘em; Perpetual crayfish machine; It's very, very pretty, it's really hard to kill; If you're not sure what it is, take it off your boat

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has launched a public survey to guide three-year hunting season planning for 2027–2029. Residents can provide input on species, permits, access, and management through Oct. 31. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/wdfw-opens-public-feedback-survey-to-begin-three-year-hunting-season-planning/ #WDFW #WashingtonState #Hunting #WildlifeManagement #Sportsmen #GameSpecies #PublicFeedback

Since 1994, the Washington Department of Transportation has operated a roadside memorial program that allows for the creation and installation of signs along state highways in honor of victims of fatal collisions. Washington was the first state in the nation to start a roadside memorial program, and there are now more than 1,000 signs posted along state highways bearing a message such as “Reckless Driving Costs Lives” or “Please Don’t Drink and Drive” above the name of a crash victim. Nearly 70% of the roughly 500 signs installed in the first 15 years of the program are still standing.   The Columbian recently reported on WSDOT’s current efforts to collect public feedback  about the future of its roadside memorial program and possible changes to it, such as limiting how long the signs can be up for and how often they can be renewed by family members. Kelly Moyer, a staff reporter at The Columbian, joins us for more details, including concerns that family members who had paid for memorial signs shared with her.  We also hear from Sarah Risser, the treasurer and board member of the Portland chapter of the national nonprofit Families for Safe Streets. In 2019, while Risser was driving with her 18 year-old son in Wisconsin, a motorist crashed into the vehicle, killing her son and leaving her injured. Last year, Risser placed a sign honoring victims at every fatal crash site in Portland, and she has also created  bike memorials at the request of families of cyclists killed on Portland roads.

Angel Studios https://Angel.com/ToddJoin the Angel Guild today and stream Testament, a powerful new series featuring the retelling of the book of Acts. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE.  Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today.  Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddLISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeGavin Newsom Gives Birth to MAGA in Palisades, California // The Party of AOC is the Party of Always-On-Crime. // Christianity Without Jesus. Episode Links:Trump on the Los Angeles/Palisades fireThe State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife sends a letter to a home/landowner asking for permission to access a creek on his property to document the decline in a certain species of unheard of frogs.Activists in DC protesting about Trump cracking down on violence are starting to fight each other. How ironic.THIS Is Why Trump Is Cracking Down On Washington, D.C.How White Women Would Fix CrimeDC Mayor Muriel Bowser: “We're at a 30 year violent crime low!”These idiots in DC are protesting cleaning up crime. “Trump can't have it”Dana Bash response to Trump federalizing DC police to fight violent crime: “I should note that the most violent moment in recent DC history was January 6." This is CNN.Somewhere last night in New York City, a single mother and her children slept at a homeless shelter because you, assemblyman @ZohranKMamdani  are occupying her rent controlled apartment. - Andrew Cuomo. BREAKING: Mass ARRESTS are now happening at an anti-ICE protest in New York! Arrest them all!!!Reverend Al Sharpton attempted to link J6 to Trump's decision to deploy federal law enforcement to curb crime in DC, but the guest rejected it outright.The Rev. Gordon explains why monogamy isn't for him, and why he and his 'husband' have an 'open marriage.'"These questions are going to get me into so much trouble on the internet." 'Different Church' impastor Hannah Siegmund explains why Jesus didn't have to die on the cross.

The 25th annual Merwin Day of Fishing welcomed over 300 kids with disabilities to enjoy a supportive, fun-filled day at the Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland. Hosted by Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the event included fishing, a barbecue, and plenty of smiles. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/families-celebrate-25-years-of-inclusive-fishing-at-merwin-day-of-fishing/ #MerwinFishingDay #InclusiveOutdoors #WDFW #PacificPower #WoodlandWA #YouthEvents #FishingWithKids #DisabilityInclusion #CommunitySupport

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been running a Red Knot survey for the past 20 years.  We tagged along with Shorebird Biologist, Allison, to learn about the survey in Willapa Bay and why this work is important.Adventure begins at: 12:45 Show notes Southeast Arizona Birding Festival Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival International Bird Beer Label Association America's Favorite Couple Red Knot with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife eBird Trip Reporthttps://ebird.org/checklist/S238007600  Birds/Animals mentionedRed Knot: https://ebird.org/species/redkno Marbled Godwit: https://ebird.org/species/margod Intro Bird Call: Red Knot (Recorded May 2025, Willapa Bay, Washington)Outro Bird Call: Red Knot (Recorded May 2025, Willapa Bay, Washington) Support the showConnect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @ErikgoesbirdingFacebook: @HannahandErikGoBirdingEmail us at HannahandErikGoBirding@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.comVenmo: @hannahanderikgobirdingGet a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

As the owner of a marina, Kate Gervais is used to seeing boats in the water. But for the last couple of days, she's been seeing them in the air. The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) used one of its firefighting helicopters to haul abandoned boats off an uninhabited island in the southernmost reaches of Puget Sound, where the vessels had come to rest after drifting with the currents, and fly them to the mainland to be deconstructed later. With 14 vessels removed, it was the agency's largest operation of its kind, officials said. "It was a very, very weird sight," said Gervais, who owns Boston Harbor Marina, just north of Olympia. "The sailboat with the mast was the weirdest one to see." A boat removal by helicopter is typically done by a private pilot, but for this operation, which was funded by a federal grant, the DNR opted to use one of its firefighting helicopters. It was cheaper and helped stretch the $1 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grant, said Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove. The state agency opts to airlift boats when towing them would disrupt the marine bed or the surrounding environment too much. The aquatic lands where the boats land often include kelp beds, which are critical for supporting the forage fish that salmon rely on. Vessels for this operation were found in hard-to-reach coves, at the tree line or in mud that rendered an airlift a better option, agency staff said. Since the boat removal program began in 2002, the department has hauled out more than 1,200 derelict vessels. There are at least 300 more out there, with more found all the time, Upthegrove said. "It's a real challenge impacting the Puget Sound when people essentially dump their old boats into the water because they don't want to deal with disposing of them," he said. "That burden then falls on all of us." This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Eric Higbee is a landscape architect and writer who teaches university courses on community engagement at the University of Washington Department of Landscape Architecture. He works on community design and planning projects through his award-winning landscape architecture practice, Convene. Today, Eric joins Tiffany to discuss the importance of community engagement, why attempts at this kind of engagement often fail, and how to succeed at it. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Read more from Eric in his Substack, The Answer is Community Convene (site) Local Recommendations: Third Place Books Café Vitta UpGarden Columbia City Business District Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

The Pacific Northwest is a great place to hunt for clams of all types: Razor, manilla, butter, and even the elusive geoduck. But one bivalve flies under the radar: horse clams. In this episode, Seattle Eats host Tan takes a horse clamming lesson with Chris Cvetkovich, owner of Nue on Capitol Hill. Chris digs up a bounty of horse clams and shares his recipe for preparing them in a Peruvian ceviche. Remember to get a shellfish license from the Washington Department of Food and Wildlife before any clamming trip. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating forest regulations can be difficult sometimes, but thanks to programs like the Small Forest Landowner Office in the Washington Department of Natural Resources, there are people here to help! We sit down with Hollis and Brent from the DNR to discuss some of the do's and dont's, common pitfalls, and frequently asked questions around forest regulations in Washington State.

After months of social media controversy and a formal Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife investigation, Casey Brooks shared his story with us. Here are the details behind the hunt. Read the full story at https://www.outdoorlife.com/brooksbull Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio. Hosted by editor in chief Alex Robinson. Produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

KGMI's Emma Toscani speaks with several employees with the state Department of Ecology about the ongoing effort to clean toxins out of Bellingham Bay.

Jason Cummins, President of the National Tuberculosis Coalition of America, gives an update on a TB outbreak in Kansas; Dr. Charles Chima, Washington Department of Health Chief Healthcare Innovation and Strategy Officer, tells us about the “clarion call” for public health regarding telehealth; on ASTHO PROFILE resource focuses on the transition from Healthy People 2020 to Healthy People 2030; and ASTHO has several resources for “Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain.” The Topeka Capital-Journal News Article: Kansas tuberculosis outbreak is now America's largest in recorded history National Tuberculosis Coalition of America ASTHO Telehealth Project Initiation and Scoping Assessment Web Page Washington State Department of Health Web Page: Telehealth ASTHO PROFILE Web Page: Making the Transition to Healthy People 2030 ASTHO Web Page: Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain  

Buzzz... Think of a bee. Do you see a honey bee gathering pollen and making honey in its hive? Is it native to the Western Hemisphere? No! Think of another bee. Do you see a bumble bee? Peraps a picture or a drawing? Think of another bee. Having problems? Do you know that there are over 600 native bee species in Washington? Nan Evans talks with Dr. Karen Wright from the Washington Department of Agriculture to learn more about our native bees and the Washington Bee Atlas. (Airdate: January 29, 2025) Learn more:Washington Bee AtlasWashington Native Bee SocietyBuzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees by Thor HansonBird sound recording courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay LibraryNature Now is created by a dedicated team of volunteers. If you enjoy this episode and want to support the work that goes into making Nature Now, we invite you to go to kptz.org/donate to make a contribution. Thank you for your support!

Amy Porter is the Director of Conservation with Wolf Haven International and is part of the Wolf Advisory Group with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. She has done research in Congo, working with communities on conservation efforts and conflicts within the region. She has translated much of her experience from that work in Congo, to her efforts in Washington state with wolves. Amy described in detail the knowledge she learned from her time in Congo, parallels in conflict areas with monkeys and wolves, and how she is able to advise and help conservation efforts with Wolf Haven International and the Wolf Advisory Group.Wolf Haven International Wolf Advisory Group@wolfhavenint@thewolfconnectionpod

Robby hosts Woodrow "Woody" Myers on today's episode. Woody was a wildlife biologist for the state of Washington for 40 years before retiring and joining the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Commission members | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife He's been instrumental in conserving mule deer in Washington and has a deep historical perspective on challenges for mule deer in the Evergreen State. Woody helped pioneer net-gunning for mule deer, helped defeat development that would have killed critical winter range and migration corridors, and accomplished much more for mule deer. His latest battle is winning for hunters at the Washington Commission level. He explains the challenges he's up against and how hunters can help him help not only help mule deer in Washington, but all big game species. Also joining the episode is Daniel Russell, Target Shooting Program Manager for Washington Department of Natural Resources Recreational Target Shooting | WA - DNR Daniel brings a hunter's perspective to the episode concerning growing big mule deer and recruiting hunters to fight the challenges mounting against Washington hunters. Listen in for some good perspective on managing wildlife in the Evergreen State of Washington. The net-gunning stories alone are worth the listen. Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app You can find Robby's books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here     

Wildfire is a regular part of the landscape in Washington State, but that doesn't make it less disruptive to communities and the forests they manage. In this episode, Collin Haffey, who manages the Washington Department of Natural Resource's Postfire Recovery Program, discusses the unique challenges facing forest owners and managers effected by wildfire and what resources are available to help. Mentioned in the podcast: WA DNR Landowner Assistance Portal: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/LandownerAssistancePortal WA DNR Find Your Forester Tool: https://foresthealthtracker.dnr.wa.gov/FindYourForester/Index After the Fire Washington: https://afterthefirewa.org/ Northwest Fire Science Consortium: https://nwfirescience.org/ Transcript (PDF): https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/cahnrs/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/ep32_CollinHaffey.pdf

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we are joined by Xerces Society's Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist and Freshwater Mussel Lead, Emilie Blevins and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife's Native Freshwater Fish and Freshwater Shellfish Specialist, Marie Winkowski to discuss the secret strength of freshwater mussels. Together, we discuss our local freshwater mussel's life cycle and habitat. We also explore the ecological and cultural significance and discuss how we are working collaboratively to build resilience for these at-risk species Resources:Xerces Society - About Freshwater MusselsWDFW - Western pearlshell musselWDFW - Western ridged musselWDFW - Zebra musselShare your Freshwater Mussels sighting hereConserving the Gems of Our Waters (Book)Absurd Creature of the Week: This Mussel Does an Incredible Impression of a Fish (Article and Video by Wired)

KGMI's Jason Upton speaks with Washington Department of Ecology Adjudication Manager Robin McPherson about Tuesday's adjudication hearing in Whatcom County Superior Court, what came out of it and what the next steps are for local residents in the process to prove their water rights.

Two King County councilmembers want to pass a bill to help recover from last week's bomb cyclone, one of Seattle's largest event companies is buying a historic arts building, and the Washington Department of Transportation has recommendations for when you should travel on this busy holiday weekend. It's our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Paige Browning. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gray v. Washington Department of Transportation

My guest today is Dr. Britt Yamamoto.I'm also delighted to share that the host of today's conversation is my friend, Russ Watts.  This is Russ's second time hosting a conversation here and I hope you'll encourage him to do more!My only dilemma when Russ hosts is that I am slightly envious of not being in the conversation myself.  But, to counter that, I have the delight of listening and being touched and inspired and it is a very special experience.Dr. Yamamoto is an expert in designing strategies and building environments that emphasize ongoing, reciprocal learning within businesses, organizations, and educational institutions.  He is highly skilled in working with leaders to grow their self-awareness, deepen their purpose, and enhance their personal and professional wellbeing.Britt in the co-founder and CEO of Perennial, a leadership training organization that works with community leaders in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East on how to connect to and grow their long-term leadership capacities.  He's a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington Department of Global Health, and the author of the book, Soil of Leadership: Cultivating the Conditions for Transformation.  His book is newly released and is a collection of leadership practices and perspectives informed by his work as an organic farmer.On a personal note, Britt is an avid long-distance runner, a novice podcaster, and as a child of the Pacific Ocean, finds joy in warm water, navigating beach breaks, and looking out for the perfect taco!Britt, thank you for this wise, thoughtful, and stirring conversation.  Thank you for the inspiration to ‘human better together'.  May your work continue to grow deep into the heart and souls of leaders young and old and produce the fruit of transformation that our world craves.To learn more about Britt and his work, you'll find links below:The Soil of Leadership: https://thesoilofleadership.org/Connect with Britt on LinkedInFollow Britt on Instagram Make Life Less Difficult

Building leadership in agriculture. That's the goal of the Ag Leadership Program, from the Washington Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.

Building leadership in agriculture. That's the goal of the Ag Leadership Program, from the Washington Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.

What’s Trending: Bob Ferguson threw a hissy fit when he was asked about the Democrats potentially being responsible for the crime crisis in Washington. 3 of the 4 initiatives on the ballot in Washington state this year face significant headwinds. The Washington State Patrol is reporting there have been more than 200 deadly crashes this year. // LongForm: GUEST:  Journalist Alison Morrow is joined by attorney Pete Serrano to discuss her lawsuit against the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources for an interview she did on her personal YouTube channel. // The Quick Hit: A new rule could make it easier to unsubscribe from subscriptions.

Who decided that we're fully mature at 18? Should 16-year-olds have the right to vote? And why are young people bringing their parents to job interviews? SOURCES:Jeffrey Arnett, senior research scholar in psychology at Clark University.Julie Beck, staff writer at The Atlantic.Grace Icenogle, confinement prevention administrator in the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families.Allyson Mackey, professor of neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.Trevor Noah, comedian, writer, and late-night television host.Heejung Park, professor of psychology at Bryn Mawr College.Lawrence Steinberg, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Temple University.Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University. RESOURCES:"1 in 4 Gen Zers Brought a Parent to a Job Interview," (ResumeTemplates.com, 2024)."Puberty Starts Earlier Than It Used To. No One Knows Why," by Azeen Ghorayshi (The New York Times, 2022)."Early Life Stress Is Associated With Earlier Emergence of Permanent Molars," by Cassidy L. McDermott, Katherine Hilton, Anne T. Park, Allyson P. Mackey, et al. (PNAS, 2021)."When Are You Really an Adult?" by Maria Cramer (The New York Times, 2020)."The Decline in Adult Activities Among U.S. Adolescents, 1976-2016," by Jean M. Twenge and Heejung Park (Child Development, 2019)."Using Developmental Science to Distinguish Adolescents and Adults Under the Law," by Laurence Steinberg and Grace Icenogle (Annual Review of Developmental Psychology, 2019).Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah (2016)."When Are You Really an Adult?" by Julie Beck (The Atlantic, 2016)."Adulthood in Law and Culture," by Vivian E. Hamilton (William & Mary Law School Scholarship Repository, 2016)."Emerging Adulthood. A Theory of Development From the Late Teens Through the Twenties," by Jeffrey Arnett (American Psychologist, 2000). EXTRA:"Do 'Generations' Mean Anything?" by No Stupid Questions (2023).

Welcome, everyone, to your introductory course in public health informatics! On today's episode, we discuss all things public health, including what it is, how it varies on a state and national level, and how health departments respond to public health crises. We demystify some of our misconceptions about how the public health system works, like how state departments are separate from the CDC, how we share disease statistics such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how our medical history may or may not travel with us from state to state. Of course, our question always is, why does informatics matter in this conversation? Our guests have many ideas about how we can utilize informatics to create more efficient means of sharing data and, by extension, improving our overall public health. Dr. Bryant Thomas Karras is the Chief Medical Informatics Officer at the State of Washington Department of Health and a faculty member at the University of Washington's School of Public Health. He is a physician, biomedical engineer, and informatician who uses his multifaceted experience to promote interoperability and help various agencies utilize new technologies in their public health efforts. He's advised health departments on a local, state, and national level, including the Center of Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Jessie Tenenbaum is an Associate Professor at Duke University School of Medicine, and she recently concluded a five-year tenure as the Chief Data Officer for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Her work focuses on enhancing data-driven decision-making to improve public health outcomes and finding AI methods to improve whole person health. She's served on the editorial board for the Journal of Biomedical Informatics, on AMIA's Board of Directors, and on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Library of Medicine, all while advocating for women in STEM and precision medicine efforts. We were so thankful to have both of these experts on this episode! Last but not least, we were joined by a new guest—Lauren Malloy joined us as a co-host for this episode. Lauren is the administrative coordinator for the Artificial Intelligence for Ambulatory Care Innovation Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, which investigates how technology can address healthcare challenges. Her insights into how public health issues manifest in our daily lives were invaluable, and we were honored to have her as a guest star! We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did filming it! "Cheat Sheet" to the acronyms discussed in this episode: -AMIA: American Medical Informatics Association -APHL: Association for Public Health Laboratories -CDC: Center for Disease Control and Prevention -CDO/CIO/CMIO: Chief Data Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Medical Informatics Officer -ECR: electronic case reporting -EHR: electronic health record -EIS: Epidemic Intelligence Service -IIS: Immunization Information System -IPS: International Patient Summary (Canada) -HHS: Department of Health and Human Services -NPI: National Patient Identifier, also National Provider Identifier -PPRL: Privacy Protecting Record Linkage -VCI: verifiable clinical information Make sure to follow our Instagram, Twitter, Threads, and TikTok accounts so you can stay up to date on all our new content. Also don't forget to follow us on Twitter @kbjohnsonmd. You can find us wherever you typically get your podcasts. Thanks for listening! Instagram: @infointhernd Twitter: @infointhernd Threads: @infointhernd TikTok: @infointhernd Website: https://www.kevinbjohnsonmd.net/

This week John Kruse chats with fellow outdoors radio show host Cam Parry about "Hooked on Oregon", airing Thursdays from 3 to 5 PM on KWRO AM 630 out of Coos Bay, Oregon.  Mike Mauk clarifies some rules about the Brewster Salmon Derby, taking place on the Upper Columbia River August 2nd thru the 4th, and Sarah Garrison with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for help counting upland birds this summer.  Throw in our extended Mack's Minute with Bob Loomis, another edition of BirdNote, and your Sportsman's Warehouse Trivia Question of the Week and we've got another great show coming your way! www.northwesternoutdoors.com 

Join us on this episode of The Broadside Podcast as we sit down with Margen Carlson, the new Conservation Director for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Margen dives into her role in shaping conservation policies, balancing human population growth with natural habitat preservation, and the crucial task of building trust with landowners. We also explore the challenges of balancing diverse perspectives in conservation efforts, discuss a significant $47 million funding package for biodiversity protection, and unveil the updated State Wildlife Action Plan. Margen shares her career journey, her strategic vision for the agency, and her commitment to fostering partnerships, especially with young people and urban communities. Whether you're a passionate conservationist, an outdoor enthusiast, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes efforts to protect our wildlife, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Don't forget to visit Elliottoutdoors.com for all your hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear needs. Gear up for your next adventure with the best products and support a business that loves the great outdoors as much as you do. Tune in now for an enlightening and engaging conversation with Margen Carlson   Elliott Outdoors https://elliottoutdoors.com https://www.instagram.com/elliott__outdoors/ http://www.youtube.com/@elliott_outdoors https://www.facebook.com/elliottoutdoorgear/   Conservation Coalition of WA https://www.instagram.com/conservation_coalition_of_wa/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/2568186139986794/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555373932967   Kelsey Ross https://www.instagram.com/thewildermother/   WDFW https://wdfw.wa.gov      

Ultralight thru hiking evangelist and the Wildfire Communications Manager and Public Information Officer for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Ryan "Sparky" Rodruck sits down with Doc to talk trail and what every hiker should know about the impact of fires on their favorite activity. Settle in and buckle up as Sparky discusses his 10-pound base weight, KnowItAll, Five-Pound Pete, party fouls, bidet practice, the Loowit Trail, blast zones, cautionary tales, and everything you need to know about wildland fires and how to be safe out there. Epic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send Kris and Rob a Text Message.Unveiling the Mystery: The Case of Susan Schwarz, The Queen of HeartsIn the quiet suburban town of Lynnwood, Washington, the autumn of 1979 was forever marked by a chilling discovery. On October 22, 1979, the body of 24-year-old Susan Schwarz was found in her home, a victim of a brutal crime that would haunt the community for decades. This week, Hitched 2 Homicide delves into the harrowing details of Susan Schwarz's murder, the years of unanswered questions, and the eventual breakthrough that brought her killer to justice.The CrimeSusan Schwarz was a young woman full of promise and life. However, her vibrant existence was cut short in a horrifying manner. She was found bound and shot in the head in her own home. The crime scene yielded no significant evidence—no fingerprints, no signs of forced entry, and no immediate suspects. The investigation quickly hit a dead end, leaving Susan's family and friends in a state of grief and confusion.The Cold CaseFor 32 years, Susan's murder remained a cold case. The lack of evidence and leads frustrated investigators and the community. Over the years, many theories were proposed, and numerous potential suspects were questioned, but nothing concrete emerged. Susan Schwarz's case became a haunting reminder of the limitations of forensic science and investigative techniques of that era. But her best friend held a letter from her ex-brother in-law that would prove helpful.The BreakthroughThe breakthrough in Susan Schwarz's case came from an unexpected source: a deck of playing cards. In an innovative move to solve cold cases, the Washington Department of Corrections had distributed decks of playing cards to inmates, each card featuring details of an unsolved crime. Susan Schwarz was featured as the Queen of Hearts. And when her killer's half brother who was set on revenge saw Susan's face, he was ready to talk.     In 2011, prison inmate, Sherwood KVay Knight recognized the case from the playing cards and came forward with crucial information about his half brother, Greg Johnson. This led to the re-examination of old evidence and witness testimonies, including Johnson's unknown 17-year-old girlfriend at the time. It eventually produced the confession needed to solve the case. Justice ServedThe confession and subsequent investigation led to the arrest and conviction of Greg Johnson, Susan Schwarz's murderer. This long-awaited justice brought a sense of closure to Susan's family and the community. The case of the Queen of Hearts, once a symbol of mystery and sorrow, transformed into a testament to persistence and the power of innovative investigative techniques.ConclusionTune in to our latest episode for an in-depth look at the Susan Schwarz case. Subscribe, share, and follow us on social media using the hashtags #TrueCrime #QueenOfHearts #SusanSchwarz #Hitched2Homicide. Join us as we continue to unravel the mysteries of unsolved crimes and bring forgotten stories back to life.Sources used for this podcastSupport the Show.JOIN THE HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE IN-LAWS AND OUTLAWSSTART KRIS CALVERT'S BOOKS TODAY FOR FREEH2H WEBSITEH2H on TWITTERH2H on INSTA

In today's episode we focus on the badass adaptations that caribou have developed. We also discuss some of the basics of these ungulates and the difference between caribou and reindeer!Find us on all the things: http://linktr.ee/bearsandbrewspodcastLinks We Discussed:Badass Caribou Adaptations: https://www.fws.gov/story/caribou-keep-it-cool-coldSouth Selkirk Mountain Caribou Updates: https://conservationnw.org/our-work/wildlife/mountain-caribou/Porcupine Caribou Herd Information: https://defendingthearcticrefuge.com/wildlife/Porcupine Caribou Management Board: https://pcmb.ca/Sources Cited:“Arctic Reindeer / Caribou - Facts and Adaptations Rangifer Tarandus.” Reindeer of the Arctic, Facts and Adaptations - Rangifer Tarandus, Also Called Caribou, www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/wildlife/Arctic_animals/arctic-reindeer-caribou.php. Bishop, Sam. “Comprehending Caribou in the Oil Patch.” Aurora, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2023, www.uaf.edu/aurora/files/spring2023/Aurora-spring-2023-comprehending-caribou.pdf. Eickmeier, Ashly. “Woodland Caribou.” Species Conservation, State of Idaho, 23 Mar. 2023, species.idaho.gov/wildlife-species/woodland-caribou/. “Migration.” Porcupine Caribou Management Board (PCMB), 27 July 2021, pcmb.ca/migration/. Peterson, Jan. “Southern Mountain Caribou Make a Comeback: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.” FWS.Gov, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 6 Sept. 2023, www.fws.gov/story/2023-09/southern-mountain-caribou-make-comeback#:~:text=The%20Central%20Selkirk%20herd%20had,2021%2C%20only%2028%20caribou%20remained. Ross, Evan. “Oil Development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Will Affect Wildlife.” DEBATING SCIENCE, COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST, 19 Apr. 2016, websites.umass.edu/natsci397a-eross/oil-development-in-the-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-will-affect-wildlife/#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20caribou%20exhibit%20avoidance,(such%20as%20oil%20development%20infrastructure)%20which%20has. “Southern Mountain Caribou Listed as Endangered.” Conservation Northwest - Protecting, Connecting and Restoring Wildlands and Wildlife, 3 Oct. 2019, conservationnw.org/news-updates/southern-mountain-caribou-endangered/. Sweeney, Brittany. “Caribou Keep It Cool in the Cold: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.” FWS.Gov, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/story/caribou-keep-it-cool-coldWhitten, Kenneth R, and Wayne L Regelin. “Movement Patterns of the Porcupine Caribou Herd in Relation to Oil Development.” Alaska Department of Fish & Game , Oct. 1988, www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/library/pdfs/wildlife/federal_aid/88_ca_porc_whitten_regelin.pdf. Wiles, Gary J. “Periodic Status Review for the Woodland Caribou - WDFW.” Washington Department of FISH AND WILDLIFE Wildlife Program, State of Washington, Jan. 2017, wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/01852/wdfw01852.pdf. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a gift for us in Washington to be surrounded by wildlife. You can catch sight of whales on a ferry commute, coyotes from the back deck, or ospreys diving for fish at the local park. But not all human-animal interactions are without a bit of risk. If you happen to run into a backwoods bear or a concealed cougar, someone like Kevin O'Connor may be sent in for help. O'Connor is a wildlife conflict specialist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and he joined Soundside to break down what you should know when it comes to our common wildlife encounters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human feet have been washing up on beaches in the Pacific Northwest's Salish Sea since at least 2007. But why? Turns out there are scientific explanations for "why feet?" and "why here?" The answer sheds light on why the ecosystem's name—The Salish Sea—is important, and why place names matter in general. Support the creation of this show: seadocsociety.org/tidepoolers -- GUESTS: Erika Engelhaupt, author of Gory Details - https://erikaengelhaupt.com/gory-details-book/ - x.com/GoryErika David Trimbach, Conservation Social Scientist at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife - https://davidtrimbach.com/current/

In this week's episode of the Sportsmen's Voice Roundup Fred is joined once again by regular guest, Kaleigh Leager, for our lead story out of Pennsylvania, covering the potential changes to Sunday hunting regulations in Pennsylvania. Kaleigh provides an overview of the current restrictions and the proposed legislation that aims to remove them. They highlight the benefits of Sunday hunting, such as increased opportunities for sportsmen and women and potential economic contributions to conservation funding. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balancing the interests of different stakeholders and the need for legislative support to pass the bill. Fred then covers various topics related to wolf management in the Northwest region, including discussions with the Washington Wolf Advisory Group and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Other topics also covered include a very successful policy forum held by the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, and a successful launch meeting held by the Clemson University Collegiate Sportsmen and Women's Coalition. Fred concludes with a discussion on the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas, through which it is clear that the Administration's benchmark for lands and waters that are considered conserved is largely consistent with the sporting conservation community.   Takeaways Wolf management decisions have wide-ranging effects on wildlife conservation, hunting, and trapping opportunities, and it's important to base management decisions on science rather than aesthetics or emotions. In the recently released American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas the Administration's benchmark for conserved lands and waters is largely consistent with the priorities of the sporting conservation community. The South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus hosted a policy forum to discuss the challenges facing South Carolina's sportsman community and policy solutions to address them.  Related to the North American right whale, recent advances in technology can create safer environments for both whales and humans.  The Clemson Collegiate Sportsmen and Women's Coalition is now officially launched and has grown its membership. Additional Coalitions may soon be formed at colleges and universities across the country.   Get the FREE Sportsmen's Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pearlette J. Ramos, Ph.D., J.D. is a lawyer, transformational leader, social justice advocate, and entrepreneur with more than 25 years' experience in activism, change and strategic management, and DEI consultation. Born in Youngstown, Ohio and raised in the housing projects, Pearlette's childhood home was poverty- stricken and riddled with substance abuse, domestic abuse and untreated mental illness. Due to the trauma, she fled her parents' home when she was 15 years old. Within twelve months she was pregnant, married and a high school dropout. During her 20s, she struggled as a single mom who worked three jobs at a time just to make ends meet. These challenges prompted her to attend college-then law school school—where she dreamt of changing the laws and systems that disproportionately impacted women and children. Dr. Ramos serves as the senior director for the Office of Justice and Civil Rights for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, the largest state agency with more than 17,000 employees serving approximately 2 million clients. She also leads Pearlette Ramos LLC as well as Sisters Talk About Race, an Arizona nonprofit she co-founded, which is committed to connecting, educating, and activating women to end systemic racism and ensure justice. She is committed to breaking cycles of poverty, advocating for justice and strengthening the health and vitality of communities. Dr. Ramos is producing her first social impact film, Three (Extra)Ordinary Women, which explores the life stories of three women of color who collectively overcame poverty, abuse, systemic racism, and political occupation as they brave their biggest physical obstacle yet—climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The documentary uses the imposing Mt. Kilimanjaro as both a physical structure and metaphor for conquering battles that seem insurmountable --like overcoming trauma, ending violence, and ensuring justice. See https://threeextraordinarywomen.com After graduating from Case Western Reserve University School of Law (1995), Dr. Ramos practiced law as a civil litigator prior to attending Saybrook University where she earned a doctorate degree in psychology. Her dissertation, Well-Being: A Study of Attorney Believes, Attitudes, and Perceptions (2012), takes a critical look at the factors that influence well-being among Arizona lawyers. When she isn't cherishing time spent with her two adult daughters, Dr. Ramos contributes her talents to various community organizations including serving as the president of the Arizona Black Bar, vice chairperson of OneAZ Credit Union, and member of the Avondale Neighborhood and Family Services Commission, Arizona Lawyers for Equal Justice, State Bar of Arizona's Council on Minorities and Women in the Law, Phoenix Rotary 100, and the Arizona Center for Civil Leadership (Flinn Brown). ---------- Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders Join our hosts, Sarah Watts and Ben Kalkman, as we explore the human journey of leaders - their stories of humility, triumph, roadblocks, and lessons learned - as they reflect on how they became who they are today and share stories of inspiration and hope with listeners. We'll take away the title, just for a moment, and enjoy a connection with the soul. Be sure to subscribe to our show for more interviews with community leaders. This podcast is brought to you by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Modern Moments. Learn more about our show at https://guidinggrowth.co. View our Privacy Policy at https://modernmoments.com/privacy

Julia Smith is currently the Endangered Species Recovery Manager for the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. She formerly held the position of Lead of Wolf Policy for the same department for just over 2 years. Julia spoke at about her academic background learning about large predators, ultimately working with wolves in Arizona and later Washington, her experience working in the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and how wolves are faring in the state. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife: Grey WolfCapital Press: Washington Wolf Lead Takes New Challenge@thewolfconnectionpod

Forests provide immense benefits to society, but does everyone have equal access to those benefits? The field of environmental justice and equity is gaining increasing traction, including at the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Ashley Blazina is Environmental Justice Planner for the Department and joins the podcast to discuss some of the efforts the agency is making to ensure the benefits of their forestry work can reach underserved communities.

Chris and Eric catch up with Dr. Melanie Martin, an Associate Professor in the University of Washington Department of Anthropology, whose research examines biocultural influences on health, growth, and development across the life course. In addition to being the Co-PI of the Biodemography Lab at the University of Washington Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, she conducts field research with two international projects on Indigenous community health and well-being: the Chaco Area Reproductive Ecology Program (Co-Director) and the Tsimane Health and Life History Project (Affiliate). In this episode, Dr. Martin breaks down two of her papers, one looking at COVID-19 transmission in mothers and infants and another examining sleep health in undergraduates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. ------------------------------ Find the papers discussed in this episode: Martin MA, Keith M, Pace RM, Williams JE, Ley SH, Barbosa-Leiker C, Caffé B, Smith CB, Kunkle A, Lackey KA, Navarrete AD, Pace CDW, Gogel AC, Eisenberg DTA, Fehrenkamp BD, McGuire MA, McGuire MK, Meehan CL and Brindle E (2022) SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody trajectories in mothers and infants over two months following maternal infection. Front. Immunol. 13:1015002. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1015002 Alicia Rice, Olivia Sather, Kenneth P Wright, Céline Vetter, Melanie A Martin, Horacio O de la Iglesia, COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions increase the alignment in sleep and light exposure between school days and weekends in university students, Sleep, Volume 46, Issue 7, July 2023, zsad059, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsad059 ------------------------------ Contact Melanie: martinm7@uw.edu Website: https://www.melaniemartin-anthropologist.com/ ------------------------------ Contact the Sausage of Science Podcast and Human Biology Association: Facebook: facebook.com/groups/humanbiologyassociation/, Website: humbio.org, Twitter: @HumBioAssoc Chris Lynn, Co-Host, Website: cdlynn.people.ua.edu/, E-mail: cdlynn@ua.edu, Twitter:@Chris_Ly Eric Griffith, Guest Co-Host, HBA Junior Fellow E-mail: eric.griffith@duke.edu Cristina Gildee, HBA Junior Fellow, SoS producer Website: cristinagildee.org, E-mail: cgildee@uw.edu, Twitter:@CristinaGildee

Dr. Michelle Mello, Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University School of Medicine, studied state lawmakers' response to the use of public health authority during the pandemic; Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Chief Science Officer at the Washington Department of Health, discusses the vending machines filled with COVID and Flu tests that are popping up all over Washington; and ASTHO's speakers bureau can help you find the person to take your event to the next level. British Medical Journal Webpage: Legal infrastructure for pandemic response – lessons not learnt in the US Washington State Department of Health Webpage: Department of Health unveils kiosks that offer free COVID-19 and flu tests ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed

A mystery dog illness that spread across the U.S. last year and can lead to serious or fatal respiratory problems is still under investigation, but cases are starting to slow, experts say. The illness, which started to spread more widely in the summer and fall of 2023, causes coughing, sneezing and fatigue, among other symptoms, and can progress quickly to pneumonia. The dogs suspected to have it test negative for all of the typical causes of respiratory symptoms and often don't respond to treatment. In a statement to TODAY.com, the American Veterinary Medical Association says that based on "conversations with various sources ... the number of cases are declining," adding that an "ebb and flow" of respiratory illness in dogs over the course of the year is common, similar to cold and flu season in humans. The statement also explains that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has so far not seen that the rise in respiratory illness in dogs is linked to a new virus or bacteria. A statement from the Animal and Plant Inspection Service, part of the USDA, confirms to TODAY.com that the state-led testing that the agency is helping coordinate "has not indicated the presence of a novel pathogen or single infectious cause among these cases." Numerous veterinary diagnostic labs across the country are investigating the outbreak, from Oregon to Kansas to New Hampshire. The APHIS spokesperson adds that the illness is not regulated by APHIS and therefore the branch doesn't have data on case numbers. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association also shared in an Feb. 14, 2024, update that "cases seem to be waning, if not back to normal," citing veterinarian Dr. Scott Weese's Worms and Germs blog. At last count, at least 19 states had reported cases of the illness, according to various expert groups. The AVMA explained in an earlier statement that the mystery dog illness is difficult to track because there's no national surveillance system. In November 2023, veterinarians in critical care settings told TODAY.com that they'd seen dozens of cases since the fall. Late last year, multiple groups — including the Colorado and Oregon departments of agriculture, the AVMA, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health — issued warnings about the mystery illness in dogs. “We don't know what is causing this situation, where dogs are presenting at veterinarians with what private veterinarians would call kennel cough,” Rhode Island's state veterinarian Dr. Scott Marshall told NBC affiliate WJAR. “What's different about this situation is that dogs are presenting with little bit more severe signs, not responding to usual treatments, and unfortunately had a small number, still a number, of dogs that have succumbed to them.” “It seems to happen very, very quickly — to go from this cough that's just won't go away ... and then all of a sudden they develop this pneumonia,” Dr. Lindsey Ganzer, veterinarian and CEO at North Springs Veterinary Referral Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, told TODAY.com. She said she treated over a dozen dogs with what she believes is the condition between October and November 2023. If your dog develops a cough, do not panic, the AVMA advises. But stay vigilant about its progression and your pet's overall health, and contact your vet right away if anything seems off. What is the mystery dog illness? Dogs with this mystery illness usually have coughing, sneezing, eye or nose discharge, are abnormally tired, and do not test positive for any common causes of canine respiratory illness, the Oregon Department of Agriculture noted in a Nov. 9 press release. Typically, dogs with respiratory illnesses have a cough for seven to 10 days, but some vets saw an uptick in dogs with coughs lasting weeks to months that don't respond to treatment, the Colorado Department of Agriculture said in a Nov. 22 statement. One of the distinguishing characteristics of this mystery illness outbreak was the high number of dogs who developed pneumonia. One Colorado vet, Dr. Michael Lappin, director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, told NBC News the number of canine pneumonia cases in the state rose by 50% between September and November 2023 compared to 2022. Marshall estimated that Rhode Island saw at least 35 cases of the mystery respiratory illness, but it's hard to know exactly how many because not all cases are reported. Dogs are most likely to contract it by being in close contact with numerous other dogs — so places like doggy day care, dog parks, groomers or boarding kennels, Ganzer said. The illness seems to affect dogs regardless of age, size or breed, though dogs with snort snouts, like bulldogs and pugs, may be at higher risk. Between mid-August and mid-November, the Oregon Department of Agriculture received reports of over 200 cases of the illness from veterinarians in the state but has had no additional cases to report since. A Dec. 1 statement from the Washington Department of Agriculture said the state has received 16 reports of unusual canine respiratory disease. Two cases were confirmed as such. The Colorado Department of Agriculture also shared in November that veterinarians in the state were seeing "double the number of cases than what is typically seen during a canine infectious respiratory disease outbreak."   The Wisconsin State Journal reported that between late October and December, clinics around the state saw six to 12 cases each, according to Dr. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at University of Wisconin-Madison. Dr. Amanda Cavanagh, head of urgent care services at Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Fort Collins, Colorado, told TODAY.com that this past summer she started seeing cases of dogs with coughs lasting several weeks or longer, and the trend continued into the fall. She estimated her caseload of coughing dogs doubled from October to November. While dogs with a contagious cough are common in veterinary settings, Cavanagh noted that she normally sees cases decrease in the fall as temperatures drop and fewer dogs are gathering at parks. "But this year, the spike has stayed high," she explains. In its original press release, the Oregon Department of Agriculture noted that the illness can progress in three ways: Mild to moderate cough for six to eight weeks or longer that either doesn't respond to antibiotics or only responds a little Chronic pneumonia that doesn't respond to antibiotics Severe pneumonia that "often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24 to 36 hours" Cavanagh witnessed all three scenarios play out at her hospital. Last fall, she said she saw more dogs than usual with a long-lasting upper respiratory infection who then developed pneumonia from a secondary bacterial infection. Of the dogs she treated, she said most who developed pneumonia responded to antibiotics, and many with the long-lasting cough recovered with time and never got pneumonia. But of those who developed the severe pneumonia, some died or had to be euthanized. "That really bad pneumonia, historically, is very, very rare. Maybe I would see one case a year," but last fall alone, Cavanagh saw a "handful," she said. How many dogs have died from the mystery illness? Because most states are not tracking case numbers, it's not known exactly how many dogs have died from the illness. The Oregon Department of Agriculture tells TODAY.com that it does not know how many dogs have died from the illness in the state. However, it is confirmed that some dogs in the U.S. have died from the mystery illness. The Colorado Department of Agriculture said in a statement that "in rare cases, the canine patients progress quickly from pneumonia to death." Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences also said the illness has resulted in "some fatalities." Ganzer and Cavanagh both have had several canine patients die from what they believe to be the condition. Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association President Shelly Pancoast told WJAR that she's seen five to 10 dogs die from the mystery illness. “We still don't have a great handle on how exactly we should be treating these dogs,” Pancoast said. “A vast majority of them are making full recovery, it's just unlike anything we've seen in previous years with kennel cough." What states have the mystery dog illness? According to various expert groups, cases that match the description of the mystery dog illness have been reported, officially or anecdotally, in: Colorado California Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Indiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts New Hampshire Nevada Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Vermont Washington Wisconsin This above list of states comes from the AVMA, the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mystery dog illness 2023 symptoms Symptoms of the mystery dog illness include: Coughing that doesn't get better on its own after a week or so Sneezing Nasal or eye discharge Red eyes Lethargy Trouble breathing, especially from the stomach Blue or purple gums (due to not getting enough oxygen) Related: What does coughing in a dog sound like? Vet explains in viral video Signs of coughing in dogs For many dog owners, the signs of coughing can be difficult to recognize, Dr. Michele Forbes, Dr. Michele Forbes, owner of Compassionate Care Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, says. "Rarely do (dog owners) identify a cough until it becomes an overt problem and it's clearly coming from the chest,” Forbes explained in a now-viral TikTok. As a result of owners not noticing coughing or confusing it for something else, like throat-clearing or gagging, some dogs are arriving at vet facilities in more advanced stages of the condition, which can make it more difficult to treat, Forbes told TODAY.com. Some tips to help identify signs of coughing in dogs: The sound dogs make when they're choking can be confused for coughing. Some dogs sound like they're honking, kind of like a goose. Coughing can also sound like the dog is gagging or clearing its throat. The chest may heave or the abdomen may move while the dog is coughing. For some dogs, it looks like they're trying to cough up a hair ball and they may produce some liquid. A wet cough may produce a gargling sound. If a dog is coughing a lot, they may end up vomiting, which dog owners often confuse for a gastrointestinal issue. Reverse-sneezing can be confused for coughing but it's not usually a reason to call the vet unless it's paired with actual coughing, nasal discharge or any other concerning symptoms. When to see the vet for the mystery dog illness Other signs that your dog should see the vet, per the AVMA, include: Lingering cough Weakness Loss of appetite Difficulty breathing Worsening of illness Cough that is sufficiently severe that it causes the dog to vomit or makes it hard for the animal to breathe Tips to prevent mystery dog illness from vets Dogs are most likely to contract the illness when in close contact with other dogs, so previous guidance was to keep dogs away from other dogs. But case rates have essentially returned to normal, Weese noted in his blog. To keep your dog safe and healthy overall, the AVMA recommends keeping up to date with vaccinations. "While the existing vaccines may not specifically target this unknown infection, maintaining overall health through routine vaccinations can help support a dog's immune system in combating various infections," it said. The AVMA stressed the following vaccines: Bordetella, Adenovirus type 2, and parainfluenza combined with the injectable influenza H3N2 vaccine. Be sure to give your dog two weeks after vaccination before interacting with other dogs so they can build up immunity. If your dog is sick, consult a vet as soon as possible, as early testing can help with treatment, and keep the dog away from other dogs to avoid spreading the illness, experts advise. While it's unlikely a humans can get sick with the respiratory illness, because the cause is still unknown, the AVMA suggests thoroughly washing hands after handling any dogs. Caroline Kee contributed reporting.

In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Jeffrey Iliff about his research on changes in sleep patterns over time and how that is linked to cognitive function. He discusses the relationship between sleep and cognitive function in general, and then describes how some sleep patterns over time may be more prone to cognitive decline than others and explains the theories behind that. He talks about the optimal number of hours of sleep a person should get each night and how that was determined. Finally, he explains the larger health impact of his work, particulary in an age when cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease are on the rise. Dr. Iliff is a researcher and professor at the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Associate Director for Research at the Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System. His research focuses on traumatic brain injuries and neurodegeneration.You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or Twitter.On Youtube.Or Threads.SUBSCRIBE to her newsletter here.Support the showSupport the show

Washington Department of Health Vaccinating Youthhttps://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/vaccine-information/vaccinating-youthHomestead Community Land Trusthttps://www.homesteadclt.org/Seattle Times feature on Jean Darsiehttps://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/how-one-woman-is-still-combating-seattles-housing-crisis-even-in-death/We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. You have the power! Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenowAnd we want to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram at SeattleNowPod, or leave us feedback online: https://www.kuow.org/feedback 

Since you last heard from us at Justice in America, we're excited to share that The Appeal became a worker-led nonprofit newsroom. We are continuing to expose the harms of the criminal legal system and elevate solutions that keep all people safe.    While Justice in America remains on hiatus for now, we are thrilled to share our first podcast episode since our relaunch: a co-produced episode of "The Wall: Behind and Beyond," hosted by Phillip A. Jones, who has spent more than 30 years in prison in Maryland and Washington.    In this episode, Phillip interviews David Shipley about his experiences in a British "open prison," where there are no guards, no bars, and prisoners are free to leave during the day to work or study in the community. As David says, "It's the most free you can be while still being in prison." Phillip and David discuss the promises and limitations of this model, as well as the challenges in implementing a similar model in the United States. Please note: The this audio was recorded by Philip while in his cell as the Washington Department of Corrections does not provide prisoners with access to high-quality studios.   To support our work, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to The Appeal today or subscribe to our weekly newsletter.   You can also follow Phillip (@PhillipAJones71) and David (@ShipleyWrites) on Twitter and subscribe to The Wall: Behind and Beyond podcast to hear more of their work.