Regional Correspondent, Northwest News Network
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
News | History | local
A Sunken Ship From The PNW's Past And The Search To Find It
The first American steamship to provide regular service among Puget Sound ports arrived in 1853. Today, an Oregon-based group wants to find the historic remains of that little steamer.
local | Fish & Wildlife | News | Environment | Animals
Veterinarians Grapple With How To Save A Starving Orca
An emaciated orca from the Pacific Northwest’s critically-endangered resident killer whale population could get a pole injection of medicine under the latest preferred option of an emergency response team.
local | News | Environment | Politics | Fish & Wildlife
Senate To Vote On Salmon Protection Bill Allowing Killing Of More Sea Lions
In a clash of protected species, Pacific Northwest members of Congress are coming down in favor of salmon.
Technology | News | Environment | local
Military Reconnaissance Plane Enlisted In Northwest Wildfire Fight
For the third year in a row, a military reconnaissance aircraft is joining the battle against Pacific Northwest wildfires. This specialized plane can locate new fires from many miles away.
News | local | Business | Health
'Critical' Shortage Of Blood At Northwest Blood Banks
Seattle-based Bloodworks Northwest said its supply of some blood types has dwindled to a critical low of fewer than one days' worth.
World | local | Politics | News | Water | Nation | Land | Energy | Environment
Columbia River Treaty Negotiators Ask For Patience Ahead Of Further Talks
The 54-year-old treaty provides flood protection to Portland and smoothes out Northwest hydropower production.
Technology | News | local | Agriculture
Western Farmers Put On Laser Shows To Shoo Away Thieving Birds
This berry-picking season, some Pacific Northwest farmers are trying something new and high tech to scare away thieving birds.
History | News | Entertainment | local
Were We Looking For D.B. Cooper In The Wrong Place All Along?
The legend and theorizing about Northwest skyjacker D.B. Cooper just won’t die. A new documentary about the unsolved 1971 hijacking introduces a new twist to the tale.
News | Environment | local
Aerial Surveys Find Reintroduced NW Fishers Dispersing, Possibly Reproducing
Fisher reintroduction in Washington began in Olympic National Park. That worked, so now the focus is on returning the fisher to its historical range in the Cascade Mountains.
News | local | Animals
Sloths Seized From Oregon-Based Center Turning Into Courtroom Saga
The Olympia city prosecutor's office confirmed to public radio Thursday that it will file animal neglect charges in the next day or two against the owner of an Oregon-based sloth sanctuary.
News | local | Animals
Volunteers Come Together To Help Pets In Case Disaster Strikes
In Cannon Beach, Oregon, an all-volunteer team is assembling resources to provide support to pets and their owners in case of a natural disaster.
News | Climate change | Water | Environment | local
Coastal Erosion Gnaws At 1 Of Washington's Most Popular State Parks
Coastal erosion is threatening the main campground and other amenities at Cape Disappointment State Park, which has the second most camper visits in the Washington State Park system.
local
New Hope For Stopping Seemingly Unstoppable Shoreline Erosion
A stretch of shore in Pacific County, Washington, has long suffered from the most extreme coastal erosion along West Coast. Now, a relatively low-cost defense is raising hopes among property owners.
Transportation | Technology | Science | local | Business | News | Politics
Meet The Companies Testing Self-Driving Vehicles In The Pacific Northwest
A mixture of big tech companies and startups are expanding test programs to the Pacific Northwest. The list includes Waymo, NVIDIA, Intel and Torc Robotics.
Transportation | Politics | local | News | Energy | Environment
A Tax Break For Electric Car Buyers In Washington Ends May 31
Washington drivers who are thinking about buying an electric car would be wise to get down to a dealership in the next two weeks. That's because a...
local | News | Environment | Renewable energy | Agriculture
Commercial Solar Arrays On Farmland Cropping Up Bountifully — And Stirring Opposition
From the Willamette Valley to the Kittitas Valley and east to Idaho, energy developers are implementing commercial solar arrays. But a surge in utility-scale solar farm applications is generating pushback.
News | Environment | Politics | local
Portland Council Postpones Mandatory Quake Fixes For Old Buildings
Portland may become the first city in the Pacific Northwest to require all owners of old brick buildings to make earthquake safety upgrades. But not right now.
NW Life | Politics | History | local | Oregon History
175 Years After Oregon Territory Vote, Some NW Issues Remain The Same
Early settlers and pioneers voted to form a provisional territorial government 175 years ago this week. The vote was close and featured arguments that may sound surprisingly familiar today.
News | local | Animals
Sloth Seizure Sends Olympia Sanctuary Into Wild Court Battle
Officers seized six sloths, two tortoises, an African anteater, three armadillos, an Asian water monitor, a variety of other lizards and some smaller critters.
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