Matthew Russell

Matthew Russell

Matthew Russell is a West Michigan native and with a background in journalism, data analysis, cartography and design thinking. He likes to learn new things and solve old problems whenever possible, and enjoys bicycling, spending time with his daughters, and coffee.

Articles by Matthew Russell

On the left, a brown and white dog peers through a chain-link fence at an animal shelter; on the right, three kittens look out from behind metal cage bars.

Shelter Dogs and Cats Face Death as Screwworm Transport Ban Stalls Rescues

Thousands of healthy dogs and cats are stranded in overcrowded Texas shelters — not because they're sick, but because a livestock parasite has triggered sweeping transport restrictions that make no...

Shelter Dogs and Cats Face Death as Screwworm Transport Ban Stalls Rescues

Thousands of healthy dogs and cats are stranded in overcrowded Texas shelters — not because they're sick, but because a livestock parasite has triggered sweeping transport restrictions that make no...

On the left, a soldier in camouflage uniform walks hand-in-hand with two young girls across a grassy field; on the right, an elderly veteran wearing a decorated "Washington" military cap.

The VA Is Using AI to Decide Veterans' Disability Claims With Almost No Oversight

The VA is moving fast to use artificial intelligence in processing veterans' disability claims — but federal watchdogs, lawmakers, and accountability experts are sounding alarms. Concerns range from untested systems...

The VA Is Using AI to Decide Veterans' Disability Claims With Almost No Oversight

The VA is moving fast to use artificial intelligence in processing veterans' disability claims — but federal watchdogs, lawmakers, and accountability experts are sounding alarms. Concerns range from untested systems...

Pet Food Recalls Keep Coming and Families Keep Finding Out Too Late

Pet Food Recalls Keep Coming and Families Keep Finding Out Too Late

Dogs and cats across the U.S. have been getting sick from contaminated pet food — and in many cases, their families had no idea anything was wrong until after the...

Pet Food Recalls Keep Coming and Families Keep Finding Out Too Late

Dogs and cats across the U.S. have been getting sick from contaminated pet food — and in many cases, their families had no idea anything was wrong until after the...

A Police Bloodhound Named Blue Joined the Force as a Puppy and Died In His Handler's Car

A Police Bloodhound Named Blue Joined the Force as a Puppy and Died In His Handler's Car

K-9 Blue arrived at the Charlottesville Police Department as a four-month-old puppy and spent a year in dedicated training before earning the right to answer calls. He was found unresponsive...

A Police Bloodhound Named Blue Joined the Force as a Puppy and Died In His Handler's Car

K-9 Blue arrived at the Charlottesville Police Department as a four-month-old puppy and spent a year in dedicated training before earning the right to answer calls. He was found unresponsive...

On the left, a man in a butterfly-patterned shirt sings into a microphone on a lit stage; on the right, a man in a dark jacket grips a metal pole.

Robbie Williams Says His Autism Diagnosis Finally Explains a Lifetime of Feeling Desperately Uncomfortable in His Own Skin

Robbie Williams spent decades unable to explain why the world felt so persistently uncomfortable — even as millions of fans adored him from stadium floors. A new autism diagnosis, he...

Robbie Williams Says His Autism Diagnosis Finally Explains a Lifetime of Feeling Desperately Uncomfortable in His Own Skin

Robbie Williams spent decades unable to explain why the world felt so persistently uncomfortable — even as millions of fans adored him from stadium floors. A new autism diagnosis, he...

On the left, a gray and white Boston Terrier puppy peers through metal cage bars; on the right, several gray and brown pit bull puppies crowd together inside a black.

Puppy Mills Keep Breaking the Rules While Dogs Pay the Price

Federal inspectors have documented the same violations — overcrowding, untreated injuries, filthy conditions — at the same commercial breeding facilities, year after year.

Puppy Mills Keep Breaking the Rules While Dogs Pay the Price

Federal inspectors have documented the same violations — overcrowding, untreated injuries, filthy conditions — at the same commercial breeding facilities, year after year.