Molly Solomon

Molly Solomon is a reporter and producer covering Southwest Washington for Oregon Public Broadcasting. 

She was previously a general assignment reporter for Hawaii Public Radio in Honolulu where she produced award-winning stories on a variety of topics, including homelessness, native Hawaiian issues and even an active lava flow. Her work has appeared on "Marketplace," NPR’s "Morning Edition," "All Things Considered," "Here and Now" and "Science Friday." 

Molly has won three national Edward R. Murrow awards for her work along with awards from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists and PRNDI. Most recently, a series on the closure of Hawaii’s final sugar plantation won her a 2017 national award from the Asian American Journalists Association.

Recent Articles

Business | News | local | Environment

Washington Ecology Officials Pause Methanol Plant Review, Ask For More Information

The decision to approve a proposed methanol plant in southwest Washington is on hold, as the Washington Department of Ecology pushes for more information.

News | local

1 Person Dead, 2 Injured In Shooting At Vancouver Apartment

One person died and at least another two were injured in shooting at a senior living facility in downtown Vancouver, Washington, Thursday.

News | local

Hundreds Mourn Cowlitz Fire Veteran 'Loved By Many, Respected By All'

The service to remember Battalion Chief Mickel Zainfeld, a 25-year firefighting veteran, closed with the sounding of the bells, a firefighting tradition that signals the start of a day and the extinguishing of a fire.

Business | News | local

Journalists At The Columbian Newspaper Launch Union Effort

Journalists at the Vancouver-based newspaper The Columbian have launched an effort to unionize.

Energy | News | local | Environment

Cowlitz County Affirms Methanol Plant Following Environmental Study

A proposed methanol plant in southwest Washington is one step closer to state approval. In a letter sent Wednesday, Cowlitz County affirmed its decision to grant shoreline permits to the project. 

News | local

Vancouver Residents Weigh In On Police Use Of Force

The review comes after a string of four Vancouver police shootings in February and March. Three were fatal and a majority involved people of color.

Education | News | local

Clark College Board Finds Case Violated School's Discrimination Policy

The Clark College Board of Trustees revealed an investigation into four reports of discrimination at the Vancouver community college. They say in at least one case, Clark’s nondiscrimination policy was violated.

News | local

Vancouver Police Officer Cleared In February Shooting Of 16 Year-Old

The Clark County prosecuting attorney’s office said Officer Roger Evans “acted lawfully” when he shot Clayton Joseph outside an apartment complex on the night of Feb. 19, 2019.

News | local | Health

Vancouver Opens New Housing For Homeless Youth, Teens Aging Out Of Foster Care

The 28-unit rent-subsidized building is a first for the Vancouver Housing Authority. It caters to young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 who are aging out of foster care or experiencing homelessness.

Politics | News | local

Vancouver City Council Visits Potential Development Sites For $30M Tax Package

Vancouver city councilors got a different perspective on an expansive investment plan Monday night. Instead of a typical workshop at City Hall, councilors boarded a bus in downtown Vancouver and took their meeting on the road.

Politics | News | local | Election

Southwest Washington Primary Election Results Roll In

Initial returns for Washington’s primary election Tuesday night narrowed races for city, county, and local school board positions in southwest Washington.

Business | News | local | Health

NW Kaiser Permanente Workers Picket As Possible Strike Looms

The unions that represent 4,500 Kaiser Permanente employees in Oregon and Washington could strike. 

Education | NW Life | local | Flora and Fauna | News | Science

Corpse Flower Unleashes Big Stink In Vancouver

Thousands of people endured the hourlong wait Tuesday to get up close and personal with Titan VanCoug, an 18-year-old corpse flower in bloom for the first time.

Education | News | local | Environment | NW Life

Rare Corpse Flower To Unleash Stench In Southwest Washington

The stinky flower is expected to bloom in the coming days, emitting a remarkable odor — but only briefly. 

Politics | News | Nation | local

Democrat Carolyn Long Seeks Rematch Against Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler

Democrat Carolyn Long announced Monday she’s waging a second challenge against Republican incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler for southwest Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.

Recreation | News | local | Health

Clark County Votes To Lift Cannabis Ban

By a 3-2 vote, the Clark County Council lifted its moratorium on recreational marijuana, paving the way for cannabis production and sales in unincorporated areas, including Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek and Felida.

Business | Politics | News | local

Clark County May Soon Lift Ban On Recreational Cannabis Sales

Clark County banned recreational cannabis sales in unincorporated parts of the county in 2014. The County Council, however, is on the verge of overturning that ban.

Business | local | Transportation | News | Energy | Environment

Port Of Vancouver Says No To New Fossil Fuel Projects

Port of Vancouver commissioners passed a significant energy policy shift that shuts the door on any future bulk fossil fuel terminals. 

Business | Agriculture | Sustainability | local | News | Animals | Fish & Wildlife | Water | Environment | Pacific Ocean

Willapa Bay Oyster Farmers Struggle As Shrimp Population Booms

The booming population of a native species of Northwest shrimp threatens the oyster beds of Washington's Willapa Bay and a coastal way of life.

News | local | Environment

Port Of Kalama: Methanol Refinery Can’t Export For Fuel

Port of Kalama commissioners unanimously passed a lease amendment with a controversial methanol facility Wednesday night that prohibits the company from exporting its product for fuel.