John Ryan

WA Election Breaks Campaign Spending Records

John Ryan — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:13:06 +0000

Some of the results may not be known for weeks, but the most expensive election ever in Washington state wrapped up last night.

Elusive Evergreen State Professor Found In Chile

John Ryan — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:14:13 +0000

Washington state is heading south in its quest to recover the largest ethics fine in state history.

Forbes: Washington's Billionaires Get Richer

John Ryan — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:00:34 +0000

Forbes magazine released its list of the 400 wealthiest Americans today Wednesday. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has once again topped the list of America's richest people. KUOW's John Ryan reports from Seattle.

Shell Delays Arctic Oil Drilling Until 2013

John Ryan — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:01:39 +0000

Problems in Puget Sound have led Shell Oil to cancel its plans for drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean this year. KUOW's John Ryan reports from the Bellingham waterfront.

The Arctic Challenger is Shell's oil-spill containment barge. It's here behind me at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. It's supposed to be in place in the Arctic to help mop up any oil spills. It's been under construction here at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal for months.

This weekend, a tugboat pulled it out into Puget Sound so its "containment dome" could be tested in 160 feet of water.

People For Puget Sound Is Shutting Its Doors

John Ryan — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:55:46 +0000

One of Washington's largest environmental groups is shutting down. People for Puget Sound announced it will close its doors at the end of the month.

Safety And Suicide At Western State Hospital

John Ryan — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:16:45 +0000

Western State Hospital, near Tacoma, is the largest psychiatric institution in the Pacific Northwest. Its mission statement says the hospital--

Actor: "provides a healing environment free from danger, fear, hurt, injury, coercion, or intimidation for people with psychiatric disabilities. … Through vigilant attention and effort, WSH ensures a safe haven."

One week in April, Western failed to live up to those words, and the consequences were dire. Attention was less than vigilant, and two patients wound up dead. In part one of our public radio investigation, KUOW's John Ryan reported on the case of one of those patients. She committed suicide. In part two of our investigation, John looks at the safety improvements Western has, and hasn't, made since April.

Through The Cracks: The Life And Death Of Megan Templeton

John Ryan — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:55:51 +0000

In the past decade, a dozen Western State Hospital patients have killed themselves. More than a hundred others have tried. Megan Templeton was the most recent. In April, she hanged herself in her hospital room. She had turned 20 the day before. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults in Washington.

Second Violent Death At Western State Hospital

John Ryan — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:10:36 +0000

A second patient at Western State Hospital has died violently in less than a week. Lakewood Police say 20-year-old Megan Templeton hanged herself with a bed sheet at the state's largest psychiatric hospital.

Washington Workplace Fatalities Fall To Lowest In Decades

John Ryan — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:49:38 +0000

Fifty-three people died on the job in Washington state last year. It was the least deadly year in Washington workplaces in three decades.

Washington Senate Toughens Treatment of Violence in Mental Hospitals

John Ryan — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:05:58 +0000

SEATTLE, Wash. -- A bill aimed at improving the safety of workers in mental hospitals passed the Washington state senate on Monday. KUOW's John Ryan reports from Seattle.