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

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

NW Charter Fishing Fleet Casts Wary Eye Toward Possible Cutbacks To Save Orcas

Pacific Northwesterners are undeniably fond of their endangered resident killer whales. Many locals are also fans of salmon fishing. But now there is a chance future fishing trips on the ocean could be curtailed to leave more food for the orcas.

local | Environment | News

Why Are Gray Whales Washing Up Dead On Northwest Beaches?

An unusually large number of gray whales are washing up dead on their northbound migration past the Oregon and Washington coasts this year.

local | Science | Environment | News

What The Northwest Can Learn From Indonesia's Deadly 2018 Quake

Two Oregon State and University of Washington professors who surveyed the aftermath of Indonesia's 2018 earthquake say the disaster should elevate attention to quake-induced landslide risks here at home in the Pacific Northwest.

local | Transportation | Science | Energy | Business | News | Environment

Is There Room For Hydrogen-Powered Cars In A Future That Looks Electric?

Fifteen years after the idea of a great "hydrogen highway" from Canada to Mexico was initially floated, it may finally be gaining steam.

local | Politics | Animals | News | Fish & Wildlife | Pacific Ocean | Environment

Washington Politicians Mull Options For Removing Competition For Orcas

Politicians and wildlife managers are engaged in a fresh debate about whether to intervene in nature to save an imperiled species.

local | Climate change | Renewable energy | Science | Energy | Business | News | Sustainability | Environment | Economy

Washington Utility Eager To Branch Into Hydrogen Fuel Production

It would be the first of a group of power companies in the Pacific Northwest to use their dams to make "renewable hydrogen."

local | History | Environment | News

This Ship Could Provide Relief After A Cascadia Megaquake

A former Navy landing ship commissioned during World War II could come to the rescue when a big Cascadia earthquake hits someday.

local | Technology | Education | Transportation | News

Pacific Northwest Schools Compete For Title Of Most Fuel-Efficient Car

Astonishing feats in automotive fuel efficiency will be tested in competition later this week by high school and university students from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

local | Nation | News

Sen. Patty Murray Says She'll Push For Daylight Saving Time Year-Round

Sen. Patty Murray said she is committed to helping West Coast states get the congressional OK to adopt year-round daylight saving time.

local | Arts | Economy

Specialty License Plates In The Pacific Northwest Are Growing

The options to share your fandom or your love of nature through your car license plate keep growing in Oregon and Washington.

local | Climate change | Politics | Transportation | Energy | Business | News | Economy

Incentives For Electric Car Buyers? Yes In Oregon, Maybe In Washington

Democrats in the Washington Legislature want to revive a tax break for buyers of electric cars. Meanwhile, a publicly-financed rebate for battery-powered cars in Oregon is finding thousands of takers.

local | Nation | Politics | News

Washington State Lawmakers Vote To Make Daylight Saving Time Year-Round

If you're annoyed by having to change the clocks this weekend, take heart. This could be one of the last times you have to go through the time change in Washington.

local | NW Life | Environment | News

Nearly 4,500 Brick Buildings In Washington Could Be Dangerous In A Quake, Report Says

The State of Washington has completed its first statewide inventory of buildings prone to crumble or collapse in an earthquake.

local | Land use | Renewable energy | Technology | Energy | Business | News | Sustainability | Environment | Economy

Cattle Grazing Gives Way To Big Solar Farm Leases In Central Washington

A Portland-based energy developer has signed property leases for a big solar farm in Klickitat County near the Columbia River. When completed, the solar project will be the largest in Washington.

local | Science | Environment | News

The Pacific Northwest Had Fewer Quakes This Last Decade

A new analysis published this week notes that major quakes in the region have gone on a puzzling hiatus over the last decade.

local

Public art installation beside Columbia River put on hold by Yakama Nation opposition

A large public art project proposed to be built beside the now-inundated great falls of the Columbia River has been put on indefinite hold by its...

local | Nation | Politics | Environment | News

Oregon's Grant County Gets To Keep Its UN Ban. And It's Not Done Fighting Big Government.

In 2002, Grant County, Oregon, banned the United Nations. Last month, a state court threw out a challenge to the ban. Now Grant County lawmakers may employ a new strategy to bring big government to heel.

local | Health | Politics | News

To Roll Back Or Not: Northwest Voters May Get To Decide On Region's Time

Oregon and Washington voters could get a say at the next general election on whether to adopt daylight saving time year-round — and thereby abolish the twice-yearly clock changes.

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

A 'Farm-To-Bottle' Movement Takes Off In The Pacific Northwest

In Oregon and Washington, distillers, brewers, farmers and university researchers are exploring if there is a way to highlight and sell the taste of the local "terroir."

Science | Technology | local | Business | News | Economy

Boeing Subsidiary's Self-Flying Air Taxi Makes First Flight

The Boeing Company announced that one of its subsidiaries on the East Coast successfully completed the first flight of a self-flying air taxi.