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 of two rabbits: a close-up brown rabbit with upright ears on the left, and a brown lop-eared rabbit chewing a leaf in green grass on the right.

The World’s Smallest Rabbit Is Waiting For Protection

Pygmy rabbits are small enough to fit in a human hand, but their problem is enormous. They depend on sagebrush habitat that is being lost to fire, invasive grasses, grazing,...

The World’s Smallest Rabbit Is Waiting For Protection

Pygmy rabbits are small enough to fit in a human hand, but their problem is enormous. They depend on sagebrush habitat that is being lost to fire, invasive grasses, grazing,...

Split image showing a heavily damaged naval ship in dry dock on the left and a vivid red carnation placed against engraved names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall on the right.

The Pentagon Is Keeping 74 Fallen Navy Sailors Off The Vietnam Wall

When families visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, they expected to find the names of the sailors they had lost. Instead, 74 names were missing. The USS Frank E. Evans...

The Pentagon Is Keeping 74 Fallen Navy Sailors Off The Vietnam Wall

When families visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, they expected to find the names of the sailors they had lost. Instead, 74 names were missing. The USS Frank E. Evans...

Split image showing fish entangled in ghost net and an abandoned net underwater over reef.

Deadly Seafood Imports Put Marine Mammals At Risk

Whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals can drown or suffer for days after becoming trapped in fishing gear. U.S. law can block seafood imports from foreign fisheries that fail...

Deadly Seafood Imports Put Marine Mammals At Risk

Whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals can drown or suffer for days after becoming trapped in fishing gear. U.S. law can block seafood imports from foreign fisheries that fail...

Split image of traffic emitting heavy exhaust on one side and a masked woman covering her face outdoors on the other.

Many Communities Could Pay For EPA’s Climate Rollback

EPA has repealed the finding that supports major federal climate pollution rules and eliminated vehicle greenhouse gas standards. Young Americans and public health groups are now fighting the rollback in...

Many Communities Could Pay For EPA’s Climate Rollback

EPA has repealed the finding that supports major federal climate pollution rules and eliminated vehicle greenhouse gas standards. Young Americans and public health groups are now fighting the rollback in...

Split image of a rehab session with a man in a wheelchair lifting weights and a doctor shaking hands with a service member in a clinic.

VA Doctor Shortages Put Veterans Care At Risk

VA already has authority to pay certain doctors more when needed to recruit and retain critical health care providers. Lawmakers say that power is not being used, even as staffing...

VA Doctor Shortages Put Veterans Care At Risk

VA already has authority to pay certain doctors more when needed to recruit and retain critical health care providers. Lawmakers say that power is not being used, even as staffing...

Side-by-side blurry video stills showing a woman beside a parked black car with a fluffy light-colored dog near the curb on a sunny residential street.

Prosecutors Charge Pet Sitter After Video Shows Ruthless Dog Beating

Frankie’s owner thought he was safe with a pet sitter she had trusted before. Then a friend sent her a video that changed everything. Police opened an investigation, prosecutors filed...

Prosecutors Charge Pet Sitter After Video Shows Ruthless Dog Beating

Frankie’s owner thought he was safe with a pet sitter she had trusted before. Then a friend sent her a video that changed everything. Police opened an investigation, prosecutors filed...