EXCLUSIVE: A CALIFORNIA WINEMAKER IS FIGHTING TO ROLL BACK GORGE PROTECTIONS. AND WINNING
A battle between conservation and commerce is underway in the National Scenic Area. At stake is the Gorge’s future
Columbia Insight
March 4, 2026
NOT SO FAST: CELEBRATIONS OVER DELISTING ENDANGERED PLANTS MIGHT BE PREMATURE
Validating local botanists’ concerns, rare PNW plants have experienced steep declines since removal of federal protections
Columbia Insight
February 12, 2026
EXCLUSIVE: FOREST SERVICE PLANS TO REPLACE TREE PAINTING WITH BROAD GUIDELINES FOR LOGGERS
The federal agency change will give timber companies more control over deciding which trees get cut down and which get saved
Columbia Insight
June 12, 2025
A FUEL BREAK PROJECT NEAR MOUNT HOOD COULD REMOVE OLD-GROWTH, CRITICS SAY
Lack of hi-res data is at the core of a challenge to a logging project conservationists say could cause unnecessary damage
Columbia Insight
February 13, 2025
THE FOREST SERVICE IS USING THE THREAT OF WILDFIRES TO MEET TIMBER TARGETS
The agency has sought to minimize environmental oversight and used authorities critics say incentivize the logging of older trees
Columbia Insight
February 6, 2025
SHOULD THE GOLDEN PAINTBRUSH HAVE BEEN DELISTED AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES?
Key scientists who worked on the plant’s assessment say no, and they could have the numbers to prove it
Columbia Insight
June 13, 2024
State of Oregon keeps reasons for salmon policy change under wraps
State claims attorney-client privilege protects release of records regarding what one critic calls “a bizarre effort to distort the science”
Columbia Insight
August 31, 2023
Data center on Columbia River would nearly double town’s energy consumption
The Bonneville Power Administration has confirmed Cascade Locks mayor’s concerns about proposed new construction
Columbia Insight
March 20, 2023
EXCLUSIVE: BUSINESSMAN PROPOSING DATA CENTER ON BANKS OF COLUMBIA RIVER HAS HISTORY OF TROUBLED DEALS
City mayor says “things aren’t adding up” with deal being pursued by Port of Cascade Locks and tech startup
Columbia Insight
May 9, 2023
Nathan Gilles 