Tom Banse

Tom Banse is a regional correspondent for the Northwest News Network, covering business, environment, public policy, human interest and national news across the Northwest.

Tom has covered state government and the Washington Legislature for more than a decade. He got his start in radio at a public radio station in southern Minnesota, WCAL.

Reared in Seattle, Tom graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota with a degree in American Studies.

Tom enjoys exploring the Olympic Peninsula backcountry and cooking dinner with his wife and friends.

Recent Articles

local | Arts | NW Life | Business

3 Unusual Gifts From Northwest Businesses For The Person Who Has Everything

There are at least three Pacific Northwest companies who may come to your rescue.

News | local | Environment

The Big One, Times 2: Research Shows Cascadia Quakes Sometimes Trigger San Andreas Fault

New earthquake research to be presented by Oregon-based geologists next week shows a major quake from the offshore Cascadia fault zone could trigger California's famous San Andreas Fault.

News | Transportation | local

'That ID Won't Fly:' A Deadline Looms For Northwest Air Travelers

Next October, the Transportation Security Administration will stop accepting regular Washington and Oregon driver's licenses to pass through airport screening checkpoints.

News | Transportation | local | Nation | Business

Supersonic Jets Could Return To Inland Northwest Skies

It's been more than 15 years since a British Airways Concorde made its final landing in Seattle. Now, new companies are poised to bring back supersonic commercial flying back to the Northwest.

News | Transportation | local | Business

Another Multimillion Dollar Jury Verdict Against Amtrak Stemming From 2017 Derailment

Another passenger badly injured in the Amtrak train derailment south of Tacoma nearly two years ago will collect big-time damages.

News | Transportation | local | Politics | Business

Rail Advocates Still Pushing For Northwest Bullet Train Despite Anti-tax Mood

Pacific Northwest rail advocates are undeterred in pursuing their vision of a bullet train connection between Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C, after Washington's car tab vote.

News | Food | Environment | local | Business

Frozen Seafood Performs Better Than Fresh In OSU Taste Test

If consumers came to prefer frozen seafood over fresh, in line with Oregon State University research, it could help the industry become more environmentally friendly.

News | World | local | Politics | Nation

Don't Forget To Switch Your Clocks Back This Weekend — Even In The Northwest

The Washington and Oregon legislatures voted by wide margins to ditch the twice-yearly time switch. But it likely won't be the last time West Coast states and provinces adjust their clocks.

News | Transportation | local

Hunt Is On For Location For Additional Commercial Airport For Puget Sound Region

The hunt is on for a second major airport to serve the Puget Sound region after Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reaches capacity.

local

Missing your favorite TV channel? Some over-the-air signals just moved

Are you missing your favorite TV channel? Some over-the-air signals in Western Washington, greater Portland and the Tri-Cities region switched...

News | Transportation | local | Business

Northwest Rail Buffs Signal For Return Of Oregon Trail Amtrak Route To Boise

Pacific Northwest passenger rail buffs are gathering in La Grande, Oregon, this Saturday to drum up support to bring back part of a long ago canceled Amtrak route, the Pioneer.

News | Technology | local | Business

Amazon Expanding Data Centers In NE Oregon, Reaping Massive Tax Breaks

Amazon’s ever-expanding footprint in Seattle — and the polarizing growing pains that accompany it — contrast what’s currently happening in northeastern Oregon.

News | local | Environment | Health

How Oregon Coastal Hospitals Are Prepping For The Cascadia Megaquake

No hospitals on the Oregon coast could sustain operations after the Cascadia earthquake, according to a state prediction. Hospitals are on the move to improve.

Transportation | local

Boeing Jumbo Jet Returns To Central Washington To Become Flying Testbed

An iconic Boeing jet model nicknamed the Queen of the Skies swooped back into Moses Lake, Washington. AeroTEC will now modify the jumbo jet into a flying testbed for its new owner, Rolls-Royce.

Education | local | News | Sports | Politics | Business

More State Funding Sought As Eugene Prepares For 2021 World Track Championships

Public funding for big-time sports tends to generate static. So, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is building her case now for additional taxpayer support for the IAAF World Track and Field Championships, which are coming to Eugene in two years.

News | Technology | Transportation | local | Business

In The Skies Of Eastern Oregon, An Autonomous Robo Taxi Takes Flight

A drone air taxi designed by Airbus has successfully completed 114 test flights in Pacific Northwest skies.

Environment | Science | Animals | News | Pacific Ocean | local | Food | Water | Fish & Wildlife

Plastic In Your Seafood? Otters And Orcas Have The Same Problem.

Scientists from Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia are scrutinizing the marine food chain from top to bottom. Otters, oysters, rockfish and young salmon are all being analyzed for microplastics.

News | local | Environment | Science | Technology

Scientists Probe Pacific Northwest Lakes To Learn About Quakes Of The Past

Earthquake researchers are looking in what may seem like an unlikely place to learn about past Pacific Northwest quakes: lakes.

News | World | local | Politics | Health

Year-round Daylight Saving Movement Gets Another Nudge, This Time From Canada

The movement to “ditch the switch” just got a push from British Columbia, where residents signaled they are keen to join Washington state and Oregon on permanent daylight saving time. But in California, a new snag cropped up.

News | local | History

Jumpers Get Their Due Nearly 75 years After Wartime Missions Over Northwest

Pendleton has recognized the Triple Nickles, the first black paratroopers in the U.S., who also trained as smokejumpers to fight wildfires.