News – Seattle photojournalist and editorial photographer – M. Scott Brauer https://www.mscottbrauer.com Seattle photographer specializing in editorial, corporate, and photojournalism assignments. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:46:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.7 173420084 Now Part 107 Remote Pilot certified for drone photography https://www.mscottbrauer.com/now-part-107-remote-pilot-certified-for-drone-photography/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:35:20 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=14260
A seagull flies over the Snohomish River in Everett, Washington, USA, on Tue., Jan. 27, 2026.

I now have my Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate from the FAA allowing me to use a drone on assignment. I also have drone liability insurance and can provide a COI on request. 

Here’s my drone photography and video portfolio. 

It’s been more fun than I expected to fly this thing and get a different perspective. Looking forward to flying more as the Pacific Northwest weather dries out in the coming months. 

]]> 14260 Disaster relief supply delivery in Alaska, for About Amazon https://www.mscottbrauer.com/disaster-relief-supply-delivery-in-alaska-for-about-amazon/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:58:48 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=14108
A Prime Air flight carrying disaster relief supplies arrives to be unloaded by a Naniq Global Logistics Team in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Workers from Naniq Global Logistics unload disaster relief supplies from a Prime Air flight in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.

For About Amazon, I spent a few days in Anchorage, Alaska, documenting the shipment of disaster relief supplies donated to the Red Cross as part of relief efforts after Typhoon Halong displaced thousands of people from western Alaska villages. I was on the tarmac when the Prime Air flight arrived with pallets of donated goods, and then followed the goods as they moved along the supply chain until they were handed off to the Red Cross for further distribution. 

Workers from Naniq Global Logistics unload disaster relief supplies from a Prime Air flight in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Workers from Naniq Global Logistics unload disaster relief supplies from a Prime Air flight in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Naniq Global Logistics employee Mike Miller loads disaster relief supplies from a Prime Air flight while Amazon employee Zach Adair looks on in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Naniq Global Logistics employee Mike Miller drives a load of disaster relief supplies away from a Prime Air flight in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Pallets of disaster relief supplies stand in a Naniq Global Logistics warehouse after being shipped by Prime Air in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Keila Suka loads pallets of disaster relief supplies onto a truck in a Naniq Global Logistics warehouse after being shipped by Prime Air in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies will be taken to Amazon Delivery Station WGE2. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Jonathan Savage, a driver with Naniq Global Logistics, prepares a truck loaded with disaster relief supplies to transport to Amazon Delivery Station WGE2 in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Jonathan Savage, a driver with Naniq Global Logistics, prepares to unload disaster relief supplies at Amazon Delivery Station WGE2 in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Jonathan Savage, a driver with Naniq Global Logistics, unloads disaster relief supplies at Amazon Delivery Station WGE2 in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Disaster relief supplies stand after being unloaded at Amazon Delivery Station WGE2 in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Nicole Cooper, Process Assistant at Amazon Delivery Station WGE2, moves disaster relief supplies to a storage location at WGE2 in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Sun., Oct. 19, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and will be handed off to the Red Cross to support those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
An Amazon truck arrives to deliver disaster relief supplies donated to the Red Cross in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Wed., Oct. 22, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and the Red Cross will distribute them to those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Amazon employee Orlando Begay (from left) and and Jennifer Barry and Ellen White, with the Red Cross, unload disaster relief supplies donated by Amazon to the Red Cross in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Wed., Oct. 22, 2025. The Red Cross will distribute the supplies to those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Amazon employee Orlando Begay unloads disaster relief supplies donated to the Red Cross in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Wed., Oct. 22, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and the Red Cross will distribute them to those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Ellen White, with the Red Cross, uses a forklift to move disaster relief supplies donated by Amazon in a warehouse after being given to the Red Cross in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Wed., Oct. 22, 2025. The Red Cross will distribute the supplies to those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Amazon employee Orlando Begay unloads disaster relief supplies donated to the Red Cross in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Wed., Oct. 22, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and the Red Cross will distribute them to those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Amazon employee Zach Adair (left) and Red Cross worker Kevin Pyszora unload disaster relief supplies donated by Amazon to the Red Cross in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Wed., Oct. 22, 2025. The Red Cross will distribute the supplies to those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
Disaster relief supplies donated by Amazon to the Red Cross stand in a warehouse after being given to the Red Cross in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Wed., Oct. 22, 2025. The Red Cross will distribute the supplies to those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
An Amazon truck used to deliver disaster relief supplies to the Red Cross stands parked near a Red Cross van in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on Wed., Oct. 22, 2025. The supplies have been donated by Amazon and the Red Cross will distribute them to those affected by Typhoon Halong in western Alaska.
]]> 14108 Activity at the Port of Seattle as tariffs threaten global trade https://www.mscottbrauer.com/activity-at-the-port-of-seattle-as-tariffs-threaten-global-trade/ Wed, 17 Sep 2025 20:21:51 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=14060
Trucks carrying shipping containers wait to be unloaded and stacked in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Aug. 11, 2025. Tariffs on Chinese goods were set to raise to 145% at midnight tonight, but US President Donald Trump announced he would again extend the tariff deadline by 90 days.

As the on-again, off-again tariff war continues, I’ve photographed shipping activity at the Port of Seattle for a few outlets. It’s such a fun thing to photograph, I can’t imagine what it’d be like to actually be on the ground among the shipping containers….hoping an assignment like that comes through some time. 

Trucks carrying shipping containers wait to be unloaded and stacked in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Aug. 11, 2025. Tariffs on Chinese goods were set to raise to 145% at midnight tonight, but US President Donald Trump announced he would again extend the tariff deadline by 90 days.
Semi-trucks stand parked outside the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Aug. 11, 2025. Tariffs on Chinese goods were set to raise to 145% at midnight tonight, but US President Donald Trump announced he would again extend the tariff deadline by 90 days.
Shipping containers stand stacked in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Aug. 11, 2025. Tariffs on Chinese goods were set to raise to 145% at midnight tonight, but US President Donald Trump announced he would again extend the tariff deadline by 90 days.
Shipping containers stand stacked in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025.
Shipping containers stand stacked in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025.
Shipping containers stand stacked in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025.
Mount Rainier is visible in the distance beyond the West Seattle Bridge and shipping containers stacked in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025.
Trucks carrying shipping containers drive near the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Aug. 11, 2025. Tariffs on Chinese goods were set to raise to 145% at midnight tonight, but US President Donald Trump announced he would again extend the tariff deadline by 90 days.
Shipping containers stand stacked in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Fri., April 4, 2025.
Seen behind a chainlink fence, a semi-trucks carries a shipping container in the Port of Seattle in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., Aug. 11, 2025. Tariffs on Chinese goods were set to raise to 145% at midnight tonight, but US President Donald Trump announced he would again extend the tariff deadline by 90 days.
]]> 14060 Alzheimer’s photos featured on PBS News Weekend https://www.mscottbrauer.com/alzheimers-photos-featured-on-pbs-news-weekend/ Sun, 16 Nov 2025 19:49:44 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=14047
Play Video

My recently-published story on Alzheimer’s research for the New York Times was the subject of a segment on PBS News Weekend on the Nov. 15, 2025 broadcast. The segment featured a number of my photos and videos alongside an interview with writer Pam Belluck. I’m not 100% certain, but I think this is the first time my photos have been featured on the PBS News broadcast. I’ve been a long-time viewer of the program, so this is especially exciting for me! 

Here’s a link to the piece on the PBS website. 

]]> 14047 New story: Investigating an Alzheimer’s mystery https://www.mscottbrauer.com/new-story-investigating-an-alzheimers-mystery/ Sat, 01 Nov 2025 20:41:11 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=14020
Doug Whitney, 75, at his home in Port Orchard, Washington, USA, on Wed., March 12, 2025. Doug Whitney is the son of Mildred Reiswig, who died of early-onset Alzheimer's disease along with 9 of her 13 siblings. It was later discovered that the family carries a genetic mutation that makes them more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer's, usually before the age of 53. Doug, a retired Navy mechanic, carries the mutation but has not developed symptoms of the disease. Because of this, Doug has been active in Alzheimer's research including volunteering for annual testing at Washington University in St. Louis. Doug's older brother Roger died of early-onset Alzheimer's but his other siblings have not developed symptoms. Doug's son carries the mutation, but in his early 50s has still not developed symptoms.

I’ve added a new story to my portfolio: Investigating an Alzheimer’s mystery.

The story, photographed on assignment in the spring of 2025, was commissioned by Matt McCann at the New York Times and written by Pam Belluck. The subject is Doug Whitney, a man who should have died from early-onset Alzheimer’s because of genetic susceptibility but somehow hasn’t developed any symptoms. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have been studying him for more than a decade looking for answers about the debilitating disease. 

Laser guidelines help researchers align a Doug Whitney, 75, in the scanner before a PET scan as part of annual Alzheimer's Disease research testing that Whitney undergoes at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on Tue., March 18, 2025. The mask hardens as it cools and helps hold the patient's head in place during the scan. This scan uses the MK-6240 radioactive tracer, which is used to visualize tau proteins in a patient's brain, a common indicator of Alzheimer's disease. Because of radioactive decay, the use of the tracer requires a precise timeline of medicine creation, injection, and scanning. Whitney carries the PSEN2 genetic mutation, which almost always leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease and death by about age 55, as was the case with all members of his family who have inherited the genetic mutation. Whitney was identified as a so-called "escapee" in 2011 when it was discovered that he is one of three known such inheritors of the mutation who have not developed Alzheimer's and has taken part in a number of clinical research studies connected to WashU's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network study, which includes annual visits to St. Louis for ongoing study.
Neurologist Joy Snider, MD PhD, (right) checks hand-eye coordination during a neurological and physical exam on Doug Whitney, 75, of Port Orchard, Wash., looking at vital signs, reflexes, peripheral vision, and other things, in the Memory and Aging Project suite in the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on Mon., March 17, 2025. Whitney carries the PSEN2 genetic mutation, which almost always leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease and death by about age 55, as was the case with all members of his family who have inherited the genetic mutation. Whitney was identified as a so-called "escapee" in 2011 when it was discovered that he is one of three known such inheritors of the mutation who have not developed Alzheimer's and has taken part in a number of clinical research studies connected to WashU's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network study, which includes annual visits to St. Louis for ongoing study.
Clinical research nurse Wendy Sigurdson (left) and research nurse coordinator Georgia Stubbs-Cucchi look at a blood plasma sample collected from Doug Whitney, 75, as part of annual Alzheimer's Disease research testing that Whitney undergoes at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on Tue., March 18, 2025. Whitney carries the PSEN2 genetic mutation, which almost always leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease and death by about age 55, as was the case with all members of his family who have inherited the genetic mutation. Whitney was identified as a so-called "escapee" in 2011 when it was discovered that he is one of three known such inheritors of the mutation who have not developed Alzheimer's and has taken part in a number of clinical research studies connected to WashU's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network study, which includes annual visits to St. Louis for ongoing study.
Doug Whitney, 75, and wife Ione Whitney, walk between appointments as part of annual Alzheimer's Disease research testing that Whitney undergoes at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on Tue., March 18, 2025. Whitney carries the PSEN2 genetic mutation, which almost always leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease and death by about age 55, as was the case with all members of his family who have inherited the genetic mutation. Whitney was identified as a so-called "escapee" in 2011 when it was discovered that he is one of three known such inheritors of the mutation who have not developed Alzheimer's and has taken part in a number of clinical research studies connected to WashU's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network study, which includes annual visits to St. Louis for ongoing study.
Nuclear medicine technologist Nick Dunn places a mask on Doug Whitney, 75, before Whitney has a PET scan as part of annual Alzheimer's Disease research testing that Whitney undergoes at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on Tue., March 18, 2025. This scan uses a radioactive C-11 tracer that allows researchers to visualize amyloid plaques, associated with Alzheimer's Disease, in PET scan brain images. A mask that hardens as it cools is used to hold his head in place. Whitney carries the PSEN2 genetic mutation, which almost always leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease and death by about age 55, as was the case with all members of his family who have inherited the genetic mutation. Whitney was identified as a so-called "escapee" in 2011 when it was discovered that he is one of three known such inheritors of the mutation who have not developed Alzheimer's and has taken part in a number of clinical research studies connected to WashU's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network study, which includes annual visits to St. Louis for ongoing study.
Doug, 75, (left) and Ione Whitney, 74, hold hands at their home in Port Orchard, Washington, USA, on Wed., March 12, 2025. Doug Whitney is the son of Mildred Reiswig, who died of early-onset Alzheimer's disease along with 9 of her 13 siblings. It was later discovered that the family carries a genetic mutation that makes them more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer's, usually before the age of 53. Doug, a retired Navy mechanic, carries the mutation but has not developed symptoms of the disease. Because of this, Doug has been active in Alzheimer's research including volunteering for annual testing at Washington University in St. Louis. Doug's older brother Roger died of early-onset Alzheimer's but his other siblings have not developed symptoms. Doug's son carries the mutation, but in his early 50s has still not developed symptoms.
PET research technologist JulieAnna Hudson (standing) prepares Doug Whitney, 75, for a PET scan as part of annual Alzheimer's Disease research testing that Whitney undergoes at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on Tue., March 18, 2025. This scan uses the MK-6240 radioactive tracer, which is used to visualize tau proteins in a patient's brain, a common indicator of Alzheimer's disease. Because of radioactive decay, the use of the tracer requires a precise timeline of medicine creation, injection, and scanning. Whitney carries the PSEN2 genetic mutation, which almost always leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease and death by about age 55, as was the case with all members of his family who have inherited the genetic mutation. Whitney was identified as a so-called "escapee" in 2011 when it was discovered that he is one of three known such inheritors of the mutation who have not developed Alzheimer's and has taken part in a number of clinical research studies connected to WashU's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network study, which includes annual visits to St. Louis for ongoing study.
A photo of the fourteen Reiswig siblings, including Mildred (center row, second from left), the mother of Doug Whitney, now 75, at his home in Port Orchard, Washington, USA, on Wed., March 12, 2025. Doug Whitney is the son of Mildred Reiswig, who died of early-onset Alzheimer's disease along with 9 of her 13 siblings. It was later discovered that the family carries a genetic mutation that makes them more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer's, usually before the age of 53. Doug, a retired Navy mechanic, carries the mutation but has not developed symptoms of the disease. Because of this, Doug has been active in Alzheimer's research including volunteering for annual testing at Washington University in St. Louis. Doug's older brother Roger died of early-onset Alzheimer's but his other siblings have not developed symptoms. Doug's son carries the mutation, but in his early 50s has still not developed symptoms.
Dr. Jorge Llibre-Guerra (left) speaks with Doug Whitney, 75, (blue plaid) and wife Ione Whitney, about recent updates to his research on Doug's brain at the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Washington University School of Medicine as part of annual Alzheimer's Disease research testing that Whitney undergoes in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on Tue., March 18, 2025. Llibre-Guerra is an Assistant Professor Neurology at Washington University's School of Medicine. Whitney carries the PSEN2 genetic mutation, which almost always leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease and death by about age 55, as was the case with all members of his family who have inherited the genetic mutation. Whitney was identified as a so-called "escapee" in 2011 when it was discovered that he is one of three known such inheritors of the mutation who have not developed Alzheimer's and has taken part in a number of clinical research studies connected to WashU's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network study, which includes annual visits to St. Louis for ongoing study.
Doug Whitney, 75, of Port Orchard, Wash., exits the machine after receiving a CAT scan and MRI scan at the Center for Clinical Imaging Research at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, on Mon., March 17, 2025. The scans are some of the ways that researchers look at the physical structure of Whitney's brain, including buildup of amyloid plaques and tau proteins associated with Alzheimer's Disease symptoms. Whitney carries the PSEN2 genetic mutation, which almost always leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease and death by about age 55, as was the case with all members of his family who have inherited the genetic mutation. Whitney was identified as a so-called "escapee" in 2011 when it was discovered that he is one of three known such inheritors of the mutation who have not developed Alzheimer's and has taken part in a number of clinical research studies connected to WashU's Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network study, which includes annual visits to St. Louis for ongoing study.
]]> 14020 Worked as Associate Photo Editor (temporary) at CascadePBS: Nov 2024 to May 2025 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/worked-as-associate-photo-editor-temporary-at-cascadepbs-nov-2024-to-may-2025/ Tue, 20 May 2025 20:58:24 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=13893

I spent the last six months working as Associate Photo Editor (temporary) at CascadePBS, formerly known as Crosscut, handling day-to-day photo editing and shooting duties. I’m a long-term freelancer, but when Genna Martin asked me if I’d be interested in filling her role while she was out on parental leave, I jumped at the chance. I’ve heard from others over the years that working as a photo editor strengthens one’s work as a photographer, and I was very excited to get a little insight into how photo editors work with the rest of a publication.

I hadn’t been in a newsroom with any regularity since my newspaper internships years ago, so it was such a great experience to be in a newsroom (sometimes in person, sometimes virtually) planning the next day’s, week’s, and month’s coverage; developing a plan for visuals alongside the news, investigative, podcast, and broadcast teams; assigning and supporting freelancers when the need arose; and figuring out how my own photos could fit in with the rest of the newsroom’s work. One particular highlight, which required a lot of logistical legwork, was producing still photo shoots for the fifth and final year of Black Arts Legacies. I also found particular interest and enjoyment in working on some very local stories, which is something I don’t get to as often with the national publications I usually work with. Here are a few things I worked on while at Cascade PBS, some of which started as my own pitches.

It was such a wonderful opportunity, but I am glad to be going back to freelance assignment work now that my term is done.

]]> 13893 New story: To Train a Mustang https://www.mscottbrauer.com/new-story-to-train-mustang/ Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:27:33 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=13727
Loriann Warner, of Eatonville, Wash., rests her hand on the back of her mustang, Glory, during a morning walk before the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition in Enumclaw, Washington, USA, on Sat., Aug. 3, 2024. In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches.
Loriann Warner, of Eatonville, Wash., and her mustang, Glory, display first place ribbons won in the Mounted Division events during the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition in Enumclaw, Washington, USA, on Sat., Aug. 3, 2024. Loriann and Glory won 1st prize in the Mounted Division, which comes with an approximate $2500 prize, the largest prize in all divisions in the competition. In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches.

I’ve added a new story to my portfolio: To Train a Mustang.

The story, photographed on assignment over the summer of 2024, was commissioned by Bear Guerra at High Country News and written by Elizabeth Whitman. It focuses on a group of people who adopt wild horses from the US Bureau of Land Management and train and show them in an annual competition in eastern Washington state.

Emily Fouts, 17, of Lake Stevens, Wash., leads her mustang Feathertail through an arch obstacle with streams as practice for the Freestyle portion of the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition in Enumclaw, Washington, USA, on Sat., Aug. 3, 2024. In the Freestyle portion of the competition, trainers lead their horses around the arena demonstrating how they respond to commands or negotiate obstacles like this arch. Fouts says this was her first mustang. "She's been so easy," she said, "I was touching her day two." In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches.
Marjie Hicks, of Roy, Wash., displays a tattoo of the BLM brand of her first mustang, Samba, next to Roulette, one of two wild mustangs Marjie Hicks, of Roy, Wash., took on this year as part of her participation in the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition, at her home in Roy, Washington, USA, on Sun., June 9, 2024. The tattoo starts with "...the horse you need," a continuation of a quote that Marjie says describes her relationship with her first mustang, a Chestnut mare. "In the horse world, the worst horse you can get is a Chestnut mare," she said, "You may not get the horse you want, but you get the horse you need." The markings beneath the quotation are a type of coding that starts with a shape indicating that the horse is part of a US government program, a vertical set of marks indicating year of the horse's birth (15 for 2015, in this case), and then the horse's registration number (024388 here). In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, Marjie and other trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches. Though Marjie is planning only to show her horses "in hand," rather than riding them, some trainers get the horses accustomed to having a saddle and rider on their back.
Marjie Hicks, of Roy, Wash., stands with one of her mustangs, Roulette, during a morning walk before the start of the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition in Enumclaw, Washington, USA, on Fri., Aug. 2, 2024. In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, Marjie and other trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches. Though Marjie is planning only to show her horses "in hand," rather than riding them, some trainers get the horses accustomed to having a saddle and rider on their back.
Marjie Hicks, of Roy, Wash., looks over her notes for her routine before the Freestyle portion of the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition in Enumclaw, Washington, USA, on Sat., Aug. 3, 2024. In the Freestyle portion of the competition, trainers lead their horses around the arena demonstrating how they respond to commands, ignore stimuli, or negotiate obstacles. In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches.
Loriann Warner, 32, preps her mustang Glory for a training session and saddle ride at Frontier Park in Graham, Washington, USA, on Sun., June 16, 2024. Frontier Park is close to where Warner keeps her horses in nearby Eatonville, and features both a horse arena and trails. Warner is a participant in the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth program, a wild mustang training program run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in which trainers pay $125 per horse to receive a wild mustang in the early spring and then train the horse for competition in mid- to late-summer of the same year, after which the horses are either kept by the trainers or auctioned to people who want to own a mustang. Glory is Warner's fifth wild mustang.
Loriann Warner, of Eatonville, Wash., brings coffee to niece Kiyra Marjamaa-Warner, who was sleeping in Warner's horse trailer with her son Warren Threadgill (foreground) and daughter Julianne Threadgill, before the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition in Enumclaw, Washington, USA, on Sat., Aug. 3, 2024. In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches.
Loriann Warner, 32, rides her mustang Glory up a steep hill during a trail ride training session at Frontier Park in Graham, Washington, USA, on Sun., June 16, 2024. During a trail ride, Warner leads the horse through different controlled paces and works to get the horse used to navigating unfamiliar territory. Warner says she's "asking questions" of a horse when she trains it, rather than commanding it. "Most people will say 'I'm training a horse' but I'm asking if she'll do something for me...it's a more compassionate, graceful approach," she says. "Maybe sometimes the answer [from the horse] is 'no.' I asked her and she gave me her answer. It's never 'you have to do this for me,' it's 'can you?'" Frontier Park is close to where Warner keeps her horses in nearby Eatonville, and features both a horse arena and trails. Warner is a participant in the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth program, a wild mustang training program run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in which trainers pay $125 per horse to receive a wild mustang in the early spring and then train the horse for competition in mid- to late-summer of the same year, after which the horses are either kept by the trainers or auctioned to people who want to own a mustang. Glory is Warner's fifth wild mustang.
Hannah Brown, of Burlington, Wash., leads her mustang, Cooper, during the Mounted Division at the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition in Enumclaw, Washington, USA, on Sat., Aug. 3, 2024. Brown has only had the horse for a month, taking care of Cooper after the horse's first adopter suffered a non-horse-related injury making her unable to participate in the competition. Though the 6-year-old horse competed in the mounted division, Hannah said, "He's not quite ready to ride," and led the horse around by hand. Hannah received an award for being so willing to help out another horse trainer. In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches.
Loriann Warner, 32, uses a rope to guide her mustang Glory during an arena training session at Frontier Park in Graham, Washington, USA, on Sun., June 16, 2024. During the arena training session, Warner leads the horse through different controlled paces and sees how the horse responds to different pressures and directions on the rope. Warner says she's "asking questions" of a horse when she trains it, rather than commanding it. "Most people will say 'I'm training a horse' but I'm asking if she'll do something for me...it's a more compassionate, graceful approach," she says. "Maybe sometimes the answer [from the horse] is 'no.' I asked her and she gave me her answer. It's never 'you have to do this for me,' it's 'can you?'" Frontier Park is close to where Warner keeps her horses in nearby Eatonville, and features both a horse arena and trails. Warner is a participant in the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth program, a wild mustang training program run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in which trainers pay $125 per horse to receive a wild mustang in the early spring and then train the horse for competition in mid- to late-summer of the same year, after which the horses are either kept by the trainers or auctioned to people who want to own a mustang. Glory is Warner's fifth wild mustang.
Loriann Warner, 32, removes the saddle from her mustang Glory after a trail ride training session at Frontier Park in Graham, Washington, USA, on Sun., June 16, 2024. During a trail ride, Warner leads the horse through different controlled paces and works to get the horse used to navigating unfamiliar territory. Warner says she's "asking questions" of a horse when she trains it, rather than commanding it. "Most people will say 'I'm training a horse' but I'm asking if she'll do something for me...it's a more compassionate, graceful approach," she says. "Maybe sometimes the answer [from the horse] is 'no.' I asked her and she gave me her answer. It's never 'you have to do this for me,' it's 'can you?'" Frontier Park is close to where Warner keeps her horses in nearby Eatonville, and features both a horse arena and trails. Warner is a participant in the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth program, a wild mustang training program run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in which trainers pay $125 per horse to receive a wild mustang in the early spring and then train the horse for competition in mid- to late-summer of the same year, after which the horses are either kept by the trainers or auctioned to people who want to own a mustang. Glory is Warner's fifth wild mustang.
Loriann Warner, of Eatonville, Wash., looks toward the crowd during awards ceremony of the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition in Enumclaw, Washington, USA, on Sat., Aug. 3, 2024. In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches.
Cooper, a mustang trained by Lillian Nagy, calmly grazes in a corral at her home in Graham, Washington, USA, on Sun., June 9, 2024. Lillian got Cooper in a previous year's Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth (MYWY) Mustang Madness competition program, in which she won 1st place in the Senior division. "I got a good horse who was willing to work with me and learn stuff," she said. In the MYWY Mustang Madness competition, horse trainers receive a wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program in March and then work with the horses to present them at the competition in late summer, about 5 months later. For the competition, trainers work with the horses to get them to stand calmly with tack on their body, respond to standard horse movement commands, and to ignore distracting stimuli including noises and touches. Some trainers also get the horses accustomed to having a saddle and rider on their back.
]]> 13727 Behind the scenes of Cascade PBS’ Black Arts Legacies final season https://www.mscottbrauer.com/behind-the-scenes-cascade-pbs-black-arts-legacies/ Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:20:34 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=13750
Andrew Lee Creech, playwright and performer, rehearses a monologue from one of his plays during a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photo shoot with Meron Menghistab at the ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington, on Mon., March 24, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Mixed media artist Jite Agbro works in her Ballard studio during a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photo shoot at the ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington, on Thu., March 20, 2025.

While serving as Associate Photo Editor at Cascade PBS, I helped produce still photo shoots for the fourth and final season of Black Arts Legacies, a series focusing on living and dead Black artists in Seattle. I worked with the team to schedule the shoots for photographer Meron Menghistab, who has served as lead photographer for the series since the start, around the artists’ schedules and multiple video shoots. I also photographed some alternate, behind the scenes, and detail images to help flesh out the final presentation on the website and broadcast.  

The artists here are print artist Jite Agbro, drummer and music producer Kassa Overall, and playwright and actor Andrew Lee Creech.

Congratulations to the whole team for making this project over the years!

Drummer and producer Kassa Overall performs in his backyard studio for a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photoshoot with Meron Menghistab in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., March 10, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Paint and tools lay on a table used for mixing paints as mixed media artist Jite Agbro works in her Ballard studio during a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photo shoot at the ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington, on Thu., March 20, 2025.
Andrew Lee Creech, playwright and performer, rehearses a monologue from one of his plays during a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photo shoot with Meron Menghistab at the ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington, on Mon., March 24, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Drummer and producer Kassa Overall's drumsticks rest on a snare drum after he performed in his backyard studio for a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photoshoot with Meron Menghistab in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., March 10, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Meron Menghistab photographs mixed media artist Jite Agbro works in her Ballard studio during a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photo shoot at the ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington, on Thu., March 20, 2025.
Meron Menghistab photographs drummer and producer Kassa Overall in Overall's backyard studio for a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photoshoot in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., March 10, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Meron Menghistab photographs playwright and performer Andrew Lee Creech during a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photo shoot with Meron Menghistab at the ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington, on Mon., March 24, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Mixed media artist Jite Agbro in her Ballard studio during a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photo shoot at the ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington, on Thu., March 20, 2025.
Drummer and producer Kassa Overall performs in his backyard studio for a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photoshoot with Meron Menghistab in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Mon., March 10, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Andrew Lee Creech, playwright and performer, rehearses a monologue from one of his plays during a Cascade PBS Black Arts Legacies photo shoot with Meron Menghistab at the ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington, on Mon., March 24, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
]]> 13750 Pedal Forward Shoreline e-bike program for residents of ‘overburdened community,’ for Cascade PBS https://www.mscottbrauer.com/pedal-forward-shoreline-e-bike-program-for-residents-of-overburdened-community-for-cascade-pbs/ Fri, 30 May 2025 17:19:48 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=13529
Pedal Forward Shoreline participants take part in an e-bike-focused urban cycling class put on by Cascade Bicycle Club at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Lily Sheets (foreground), instructor with Cascade Bicycle Club, leads Pedal Forward Shoreline participants during an e-bike-focused urban cycling class at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Bike safety information and maps are available for Pedal Forward Shoreline participants before they take part in an e-bike-focused urban cycling class put on by Cascade Bicycle Club at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)

Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. In order to receive an e-bike, the participants were required to take a safety class like this one from Cascade Bicycle Club. 

I pitched this story while serving as temporary Associate Photo Editor at Cascade PBS. 

An orange Tern e-bike stands on the road as Pedal Forward Shoreline participants take part in an e-bike-focused urban cycling class put on by Cascade Bicycle Club at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Pedal Forward Shoreline participants take part in an e-bike-focused urban cycling class put on by Cascade Bicycle Club at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Pedal Forward Shoreline participants take part in an e-bike-focused urban cycling class put on by Cascade Bicycle Club at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Yvonne Wu, a Pedal Forward Shoreline participant, listens during an e-bike-focused urban cycling class at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
A sign indicates the proper methods of fitting a bicycle helmet as Pedal Forward Shoreline participants during an e-bike-focused urban cycling class at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Pedal Forward Shoreline participants take part in an e-bike-focused urban cycling class put on by Cascade Bicycle Club at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
An e-bike's pedal assist control is visible on the handlebars while Pedal Forward Shoreline participants take part in an e-bike-focused urban cycling class put on by Cascade Bicycle Club at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Dominique Blachon (right), instructor with Cascade Bicycle Club, leads Pedal Forward Shoreline participants an e-bike-focused urban cycling class at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Pedal Forward Shoreline participants take part in an e-bike-focused urban cycling class put on by Cascade Bicycle Club at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Wed., May 7, 2025. Pedal Forward Shoreline is a program to give free e-bikes to residents in what has been deemed an “overburdened community” determined to have health, social, and environmental inequities at the south end of Shoreline east of I-5. As part of an effort to reduce driving in the city, the program will give out approximately 100 e-bikes to residents in the neighborhood, prioritizing households with incomes at or below 80% of the King County median income. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
]]> 13529 Earplug ordinance, senior housing rent caps, Rainier school closure, and other recent stories for Cascade PBS https://www.mscottbrauer.com/earplug-senior-housing-rainier-school-recent-cascadepbs/ Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:33:45 +0000 https://www.mscottbrauer.com/?p=13819 a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} Live music at Fremont’s Add-A-Ball for a story about a proposal that live venues should provide free or cheap earplugs /*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Advocates on boths sides of the possible closure of ...]]>

Live music at Fremont's Add-A-Ball for a story about a proposal that live venues should provide free or cheap earplugs

The crowd dances as Fluung performs at their self-titled third album release concert at Add-A-Ball in the Fremont area of Seattle, Washington, USA, on Sat., April 12, 2025. Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss has proposed a law requiring venues with loud music to provide earplugs to concertgoers for under $1. Add-A-Ball sells pairs of earplugs for 50 cents at the bar. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
A sign behind the bar menu indicates that earplugs are available for 50 cents a pair during a concert at Add-A-Ball in the Fremont area of Seattle, Washington, USA, on Sat., April 12, 2025. Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss has proposed a law requiring venues with loud music to provide earplugs to concertgoers for under $1. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Schuyler Jensen (right), guitarist with the band Waltzerr, says he always wears earplugs while performing, seen here during a recent performance at Add-A-Ball in the Fremont area of Seattle, Washington, USA, on Sat., April 12, 2025. Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss has proposed a law requiring venues with loud music to provide earplugs to concertgoers for under $1. Add-A-Ball sells pairs of earplugs for 50 cents at the bar. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Mike Sampson (right) and Dylan Ramsey wear earplugs during Fluung’s album release concert at Add-A-Ball in the Fremont area of Seattle, Washington, USA, on Sat., April 12, 2025. “I never leave home without them,” Sampson says of his six-year-old pair of Decibullz custom molded earplugs. Some concertgoers like Sampson use higher-end, and more expensive, earplugs which are supposed to protect one’s hearing while maintaining music sound quality. Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss has proposed a law requiring venues with loud music to provide earplugs to concertgoers for under $1. Add-A-Ball sells pairs of earplugs for 50 cents at the bar. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Concertgoers hold out the various types of earplugs that they brought to Fluung’s album release concert at Add-A-Ball in the Fremont area of Seattle, Washington, USA, on Sat., April 12, 2025. Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss has proposed a law requiring venues with loud music to provide earplugs to concertgoers for under $1. Add-A-Ball sells pairs of earplugs for 50 cents at the bar. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Kara Kelly, singer and guitarist for Seattle band Letterbomb, leaves the venue after Fluung’s album release concert at Add-A-Ball in the Fremont area of Seattle, Washington, USA, on Sat., April 12, 2025. Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss has proposed a law requiring venues with loud music to provide earplugs to concertgoers for under $1. Add-A-Ball sells pairs of earplugs for 50 cents at the bar. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)

Advocates on boths sides of the possible closure of the Rainier School

Mike Raymond, 78, lived at the Rainier School, for most of the first twenty years of his life. At age 20, his sister asked him if he wanted to stay or leave the school, and he made the decision to live independently with his wife, also a former Rainier resident with intellectual developmental delays. Raymond has been a long-time advocate for closing state-run institutional housing for those with intellectual developmental delays, and he helped found People First of Washington in the 1970s, an organization that advocates that no person should be segregated from their community in institutional housing. Raymond now lives with his niece, Kasey Bowen, his licensed care provider, in her home in Belfair, Washington, USA, on Mon., April 14, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Willis McNabb, of Carbonado, has worked for almost 34 years at Rainier School, a residential habilitation center for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in Buckley, Washington, seen on Thu., April 10, 2025. McNabb, who has served in various leadership roles in the Washington Federation of State Employees union, has helped organize efforts to keep the Rainier School open. Bills before the state legislature would close some of these institutions in the state and replace care for those in need with other types of community-based housing and support. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Ken (left) and Tamra Jennings, of Bonney Lake, joined a rally with Rainier School employees and community advocates in Buckley, Washington, on Thu., April 10, 2025, to advocate for the Rainier School to stay open. The Jennings' son has lived at the school for 16 years. "There's no place for him in the community," Ken Jennings said, "The [group homes] that are out there, I wouldn't put my dog in them, let alone my family." Bills before the state legislature would close some of these institutions in the state and replace care for those in need with other types of community-based housing and support.
A button reads "Shut them down / We count too" on the hat of Mike Raymond, 78, who lived at the Rainier School, for most of the first twenty years of his life. At age 20, his sister asked him if he wanted to stay or leave the school, and he made the decision to live independently with his wife, also a former Rainier resident with intellectual developmental delays. Raymond has been a long-time advocate for closing state-run institutional housing for those with intellectual developmental delays, and he helped found People First of Washington in the 1970s, an organization that advocates that no person should be segregated from their community in institutional housing. Raymond now lives with his niece, Kasey Bowen, his licensed care provider, in her home in Belfair, Washington, USA, on Mon., April 14, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Mike Raymond, 78, and his niece and licensed care provider Kasey Bowen, walk on the pier at Twanoh Falls Beach Club near their home in Belfair, Washington, USA, on Mon., April 14, 2025. Raymond spends a lot of time with family and community members at the beach, an opportunity he says he wouldn't have if he still lived in a state-run institutional facility for people with intellectual developmental delays. Raymond lived at the Rainier School, for most of the first twenty years of his life. At age 20, his sister asked him if he wanted to stay or leave the school, and he made the decision to live independently with his wife, also a former Rainier resident with intellectual developmental delays. Raymond has been a long-time advocate for closing state-run institutional housing for those with intellectual developmental delays, and he helped found People First of Washington in the 1970s, an organization that advocates that no person should be segregated from their community in institutional housing. Raymond now lives with his niece, Kasey Bowen, his licensed care provider, in her home in Belfair, Washington, USA. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)

AIDNW provides support for recently-released immigrants outside Tacoma's ICE facility

Aidan Perkinson is the Operations Manager of Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest (AIDNW), which operates a Welcome Center for newly released immigrants outside the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, USA, on Fri., March 21, 2025. AIDNW serves as a first point of contact for immigrants released from the ICE detention facility. Volunteers with the organization and partners operate the Welcome Center outside the facility and provide assistance including food, clothing, and help with making travel arrangements. The Tacoma Northwest Detention Center is one of the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in the United States.
Sack lunches provided by local churches stand on a table at the Welcome Center put up by Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest (AIDNW) outside the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, USA, on Fri., March 21, 2025. AIDNW serves as a first point of contact for immigrants released from the ICE detention facility. Volunteers with the organization and partners operate the Welcome Center outside the facility and provide assistance including food, clothing, and help with making travel arrangements. The Tacoma Northwest Detention Center is one of the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in the United States.
An intake form for recording travel arrangements rests on a table in the Welcome Center put up by Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest (AIDNW) outside the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, USA, on Fri., March 21, 2025. AIDNW serves as a first point of contact for immigrants released from the ICE detention facility. Volunteers with the organization and partners operate the Welcome Center outside the facility and provide assistance including food, clothing, and help with making travel arrangements. The Tacoma Northwest Detention Center is one of the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in the United States.
The Tacoma Northwest Detention Center (also known as the Northwest ICE Processing Center or NWIPC) is a privately-run detention facility run by GEO Group in partnership with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Tacoma, Washington, USA, on Mon., Jan. 27, 2025. The Washington State Legislature passed a law in 2021 banning private detention centers which aimed to close the Northwest Detention Center in 2025 when the GEO Group's current contract expires, but subsequent legal rulings seem to indicate the Detention Center will not close. The facility has 1575 beds in the prison, one of the largest such ICE facilities in the country.
Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest (AIDNW) operates a Welcome Center outside the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, USA, on Fri., March 21, 2025. AIDNW serves as a first point of contact for immigrants released from the ICE detention facility. Volunteers with the organization and partners operate the Welcome Center outside the facility and provide assistance including food, clothing, and help with making travel arrangements. The Tacoma Northwest Detention Center is one of the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in the United States.
A transportation bus arrives to the secure area of the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center (also known as the Northwest ICE Processing Center or NWIPC) is a privately-run detention facility run by GEO Group in partnership with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Tacoma, Washington, USA, on Mon., Jan. 27, 2025. The Washington State Legislature passed a law in 2021 banning private detention centers which aimed to close the Northwest Detention Center in 2025 when the GEO Group's current contract expires, but subsequent legal rulings seem to indicate the Detention Center will not close. The facility has 1575 beds in the prison, one of the largest such ICE facilities in the country.
Shoes and other clothing made available to newly released immigrants fill a room in the RV operated by Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest (AIDNW) outside the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, USA, on Fri., March 21, 2025. AIDNW serves as a first point of contact for immigrants released from the ICE detention facility. Volunteers with the organization and partners operate the Welcome Center outside the facility and provide assistance including food, clothing, and help with making travel arrangements. The Tacoma Northwest Detention Center is one of the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in the United States.

Contractor conmen now in jail after stealing more than $400,000 from one (anonymous) homeowner

A No Soliciting sign says that the last solicitors at this Shoreline house ended up in federal prison, in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Sat., March 15, 2025. David, 80, (last name withheld and photographed anonymously) paid $435,000 to two conmen posing as contractors starting in 2023. They knocked on his door and said they'd seen some holes in his roof that needed repair. Despite the roof being only about 2 years old, David agreed to let the men work and over the course of a few months kept giving them money. David's daughter Rebecca learned about the situation and eventually they were able to provide enough information to lead to the men's arrest and eventual convictions in 2024 after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The brothers are now serving 18-month prison sentences for this case and crimes involving other homeowners in the Pacific Northwest. David has received over $200,000 back. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
A view of the roof of David, 80, (last names withheld) who paid $435,000 to two conmen posing as contractors for unnecessary or poorly-done work on his home in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Sat., March 15, 2025. The men claimed David's roof needed work and also started work on an exterior paint job, wall patching, a concrete porch, and unneeded foundation work. David's daughter Rebecca learned about the situation and eventually they were able to provide enough information to lead to the men's arrest and eventual convictions in 2024 after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The brothers are now serving 18-month prison sentences for this case and crimes involving other homeowners in the Pacific Northwest. David has received over $200,000 back. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Partially patched woodpecker holes cover the exterior of the home of David, 80, (last name withheld and photographed anonymously) in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Sat., March 15, 2025. David paid $435,000 to two conmen posing as contractors starting in 2023. They knocked on his door and said they'd seen some holes in his roof that needed repair. Despite the roof being only about 2 years old, David agreed to let the men work and over the course of a few months kept giving them money for various repairs including these woodpeckers holes and the start of an exterior paint job, unneeded foundation work, and a poorly-poured concrete porch replacement. David's daughter Rebecca learned about the situation and eventually they were able to provide enough information to lead to the men's arrest and eventual convictions in 2024 after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The brothers are now serving 18-month prison sentences for this case and crimes involving other homeowners in the Pacific Northwest. David has received over $200,000 back. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
Partially patched woodpecker holes cover the exterior of the home of David, 80, (last name withheld and photographed anonymously) in Shoreline, Washington, USA, on Sat., March 15, 2025. David paid $435,000 to two conmen posing as contractors starting in 2023. They knocked on his door and said they'd seen some holes in his roof that needed repair. Despite the roof being only about 2 years old, David agreed to let the men work and over the course of a few months kept giving them money for various repairs including these woodpeckers holes and the start of an exterior paint job, unneeded foundation work, and a poorly-poured concrete porch replacement. David's daughter Rebecca learned about the situation and eventually they were able to provide enough information to lead to the men's arrest and eventual convictions in 2024 after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The brothers are now serving 18-month prison sentences for this case and crimes involving other homeowners in the Pacific Northwest. David has received over $200,000 back. (M. Scott Brauer / Cascade PBS)
]]> 13819