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 masked dental professional examines a seated patient in a clinic; on the right, an older man with white hair grimaces while holding his jaw in pain.

Millions of Rural Veterans Are Denied Dental Care They Earned

Most veterans don't qualify for VA dental benefits, and those who do often live hours from the nearest clinic. A new bipartisan bill aims to change that for rural veterans.

Millions of Rural Veterans Are Denied Dental Care They Earned

Most veterans don't qualify for VA dental benefits, and those who do often live hours from the nearest clinic. A new bipartisan bill aims to change that for rural veterans.

On the left, an elderly woman with glasses drinks from a glass of water; on the right, a brass spray nozzle mists liquid onto green garden foliage.

Hidden Safety Data Shows Paraquat Maker Withheld Key Records From EPA

Paraquat is banned in over 50 countries, yet it remains in widespread use on American farms. Now, litigation has forced internal safety records into the open that were never shared...

Hidden Safety Data Shows Paraquat Maker Withheld Key Records From EPA

Paraquat is banned in over 50 countries, yet it remains in widespread use on American farms. Now, litigation has forced internal safety records into the open that were never shared...

On the left, a hand holds a teal Nespresso coffee pod in front of an orange machine; on the right, a disposable coffee cup sits on a rocky beach.

Your Morning Coffee Contributes More Waste To The Environment Than You Think

Your morning coffee lasts a few minutes. Its packaging can linger much longer. An often-cited estimate puts as many as 29,000 coffee pods in landfills worldwide every minute, though the...

Your Morning Coffee Contributes More Waste To The Environment Than You Think

Your morning coffee lasts a few minutes. Its packaging can linger much longer. An often-cited estimate puts as many as 29,000 coffee pods in landfills worldwide every minute, though the...

On the left, a humpback whale breaches glacial turquoise waters before snow-capped mountains; on the right, vivid green and purple aurora borealis swirls above a snowy mountain landscape.

Alaska's Wild Salmon Could Pay the Price for Industrial Fish Farms

The federal government is moving to designate industrial fish farming zones in Alaska's waters. Scientists say the environmental review doesn't go nearly far enough to protect a critically stressed marine...

Alaska's Wild Salmon Could Pay the Price for Industrial Fish Farms

The federal government is moving to designate industrial fish farming zones in Alaska's waters. Scientists say the environmental review doesn't go nearly far enough to protect a critically stressed marine...

On the left, dramatic storm clouds frame a golden ocean sunset; on the right, a flooded urban street bears a red "Road Closed" sign amid standing water.

El Niño Is Swallowing America's Coastlines and Millions of Families Are Running Out of Time to Escape

Beaches from Malibu to San Diego are vanishing faster than communities can respond, as an El Niño gathering historic strength drives seas to levels not seen in living memory. Scientists...

El Niño Is Swallowing America's Coastlines and Millions of Families Are Running Out of Time to Escape

Beaches from Malibu to San Diego are vanishing faster than communities can respond, as an El Niño gathering historic strength drives seas to levels not seen in living memory. Scientists...

On the left, cooling towers emit steam over a reflective wetland at dusk; on the right, a rusted smokestack rises inside a massive concrete cooling tower.

EPA Repeals the Rules That Kept Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Pollution in Check

The EPA repealed federal greenhouse gas limits on fossil fuel power plants. The science warning of serious health risks has not changed.

EPA Repeals the Rules That Kept Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Pollution in Check

The EPA repealed federal greenhouse gas limits on fossil fuel power plants. The science warning of serious health risks has not changed.