Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
42 results for "washington state"
Washington state's electric vehicle rebate program ran out of $45 million in funding after just three months because buyers loved getting cash off at the dealership. The overwhelming success proved that everyday families want electric cars when they can actually afford them.
A new $7.5 million solar farm just broke ground in Connell, Washington, bringing clean summer energy to thousands of homes while sheep graze beneath the panels. It's the first utility-scale solar project for Franklin County, proving rural communities can embrace renewable energy without sacrificing farmland.
A high school senior working at KFC thought she was running a simple errand—instead, she walked into a life-changing surprise. Krystal Salmeron just became one of only 11 KFC employees nationwide to win the company's top scholarship award.
Scientists at Washington State University created solar-powered tags weighing less than a raindrop that finally solve the decade-long mystery of where Idaho's monarch butterflies migrate. The tiny transmitters turn every smartphone into a butterfly tracking station.
Travel icon Rick Steves is publicly praising Washington's new millionaires tax that will cost him over $100,000 annually. His heartfelt message about fairness and community is changing how people think about wealth and responsibility.
A tiny lionhead rabbit named Henry is back home after beating a life-threatening chest tumor with radiation therapy at Washington State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The 10-year-old bunny received groundbreaking treatment just in time to celebrate Easter with his devoted family.
Washington State just became the first in the nation to require repeat reckless drivers to use technology that physically prevents them from speeding. The groundbreaking law could save thousands of lives and inspire similar measures nationwide.
Volunteers across all 50 states are delivering 250 truckloads of food to families in need as part of America's 250th birthday celebration. The massive effort has already brought 40,000 pounds of food to Washington state communities.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F65%2F1e%2F651e7a00-2459-4cd9-b0bf-73d22729a386%2Fcrf-smithsonian-250719-090.jpg)
A wildlife photographer has documented nearly all 50 known Cascade red foxes in existence, helping Washington State list them as endangered in 2022. Her stunning photos are raising awareness for a species so elusive that even expert biologists rarely see them.
A bald eagle with a broken wing stretches toward recovery at Washington's PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, where dedicated staff help thousands of injured animals return to the wild. From hummingbirds to black bears, this team turns human-caused injuries into second chances.
Washington just made electric vehicles easier to buy and more affordable for families who need help the most. A new bipartisan law opens direct sales from EV makers while funding instant rebates for lower-income buyers.
A new Washington law removes red tape that kept clean energy projects from getting local tax breaks. The Tri-Cities region could see major job growth from advanced nuclear and renewable energy investments.
Five electric vehicles in Washington state are proving they can do double duty as home batteries and grid helpers. The pilot could slash power bills while keeping the lights on during outages.
Nine teachers across Washington's Mid-Columbia region just received one of education's most prestigious honors, along with $1,500 each to celebrate their life-changing work. The 28th annual Crystal Apple Awards also honored a late career education champion who transformed thousands of lives.
Washington state just became the first to cover ElliQ, an AI companion that fights loneliness in older adults, through Medicaid. Thousands of seniors can now get the technology for free as part of their care plans.
Washington state is about to let two more electric vehicle makers sell cars directly to customers, breaking Tesla's decade-long monopoly on showroom sales. The bipartisan bill sailed through the legislature and could soon let buyers test drive and purchase Rivian and Lucid vehicles without visiting a traditional dealership.
A Seattle entrepreneur has diverted over three million diapers from landfills by turning bamboo diapers into biochar fertilizer. Her innovation required convincing regulators to approve a process never before permitted in Washington State. #
A Washington state grant program is helping 13 landfills slash methane emissions with technology that adjusts itself every few hours instead of once a month. Real results are already showing up in year one.
Just eight days after losing his father and coach to cancer, high school senior Adrik Jenkin led his team to an undefeated championship season with a stunning 33-point performance. The Colfax Bulldogs won the Washington Class 2B state title as the grieving son honored his father's final words: "Go be great for me."
Local governments in Washington are recouping millions of dollars on clean energy projects through a free state program that helps them claim federal tax credits. King County alone has received $4.9 million back on solar panels and battery storage systems.
Showing 20 of 42