Seattle Now Weekend Listen: December’s floods weren’t just bad for humans in Washington, a look at how Washington is trying to protect birds, and a former Microsoft executive’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein comes under scrutiny
Feb 14, 2026
Alex Halverson, a business reporter digging into newly released Epstein-related documents tied to Nathan Myhrvold. Lauren Gallup, a climate and outdoor recreation reporter on how a warm winter is squeezing Washington ski areas. Courtney Flatt, an environmental correspondent explaining Audubon Conservation Ranching and bird habitat efforts. John Ryan, covering tribal and environmental stories about Stillaguamish River restoration and salmon impacts after December floods.
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Tribe Buys Back Land To Restore Salmon Habitat
- The Stillaguamish tribe bought riverfront farmland and removed two miles of levee to restore tidal marsh for salmon habitat.
- Tribal members describe restoring habitat as reclaiming resources traded away in treaties and say the project reconnects the river to its floodplain like it hasn't been in 140 years.
Wetland Restoration Helps Salmon And Flood Control
- Restoring tidal marshes benefits both salmon and shorebirds while also dispersing flood energy to reduce damage.
- Scientists say thousands of acres of restored floodplain will be needed to help Puget Sound Chinook recover from threatened status.
Farmer's Night On The Levee During Floods
- Farmer Tyler Bram describes riding an ATV on a levee through the December floods, checking for damage hourly overnight.
- He supports habitat projects if they also protect farmers and acknowledges levees enable farming in the floodplain.