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

Split image showing an orange cat overlooking a seaside village on the left and a cat walking along a beach on the right.

Greek Island Lets Cat Lovers Stay Free While Caring for Strays

A Greek island is offering animal lovers something that sounds almost impossible: a place to stay in exchange for helping care for stray and rescued cats.

Greek Island Lets Cat Lovers Stay Free While Caring for Strays

A Greek island is offering animal lovers something that sounds almost impossible: a place to stay in exchange for helping care for stray and rescued cats.

Split image showing a distant coyote walking through a dry field on the left and a close-up of a red fox’s face on the right.

Deadly Fox Tapeworm Found In Washington Coyotes Raises New Fears For Pets And Families

A dangerous parasite once unseen in Pacific Northwest wildlife has now been found in Washington coyotes. It can spread through animal feces, infect dogs, and in rare cases cause a...

Deadly Fox Tapeworm Found In Washington Coyotes Raises New Fears For Pets And Families

A dangerous parasite once unseen in Pacific Northwest wildlife has now been found in Washington coyotes. It can spread through animal feces, infect dogs, and in rare cases cause a...

Left: Close-up of a black dog lying on grass, with visible marks and injuries on its face. Right: Close-up of a brown dog being gently held under the chin, looking calm and relaxed.

Deputies Find Starving Animals After Dog Is Found With Mouth Taped Shut

A dog named Cooper was found hiding under a wheelchair ramp with duct tape wrapped around his muzzle. The person who found him cut the tape away. Deputies later traced Cooper...

Deputies Find Starving Animals After Dog Is Found With Mouth Taped Shut

A dog named Cooper was found hiding under a wheelchair ramp with duct tape wrapped around his muzzle. The person who found him cut the tape away. Deputies later traced Cooper...

A person sitting on steps beside a black bag with a cardboard sign reading “HELP,” wearing worn boots and wrapped in a blanket.

Veterans Risk Losing Homes Without Clear Access To VA Foreclosure Help

A veteran who falls behind on a mortgage may still have options to save their home. But those options can fail when the information arrives too late, comes from the...

Veterans Risk Losing Homes Without Clear Access To VA Foreclosure Help

A veteran who falls behind on a mortgage may still have options to save their home. But those options can fail when the information arrives too late, comes from the...

Split image of a child and white dog under a bed and a person holding a small puppy over their shoulder indoors.

Emergency Housing Rules Can Force Survivors To Leave Pets Behind

People fleeing domestic violence or emergency housing crises may face an impossible choice: leave a pet behind or stay in danger. Shelter rules, pet deposits, boarding bills, and transport costs...

Emergency Housing Rules Can Force Survivors To Leave Pets Behind

People fleeing domestic violence or emergency housing crises may face an impossible choice: leave a pet behind or stay in danger. Shelter rules, pet deposits, boarding bills, and transport costs...

Split image of a sea turtle swimming over coral reef and discarded fishing net trapping marine life on the ocean floor.

Pacific Heat Waves Put Loggerheads In Gillnet Danger

Endangered loggerhead sea turtles cross the Pacific from Japan and can appear off Southern California during warm-water events. NOAA has closed key waters to large-mesh drift gillnets for summer 2026,...

Pacific Heat Waves Put Loggerheads In Gillnet Danger

Endangered loggerhead sea turtles cross the Pacific from Japan and can appear off Southern California during warm-water events. NOAA has closed key waters to large-mesh drift gillnets for summer 2026,...