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 fluffy seal pup waves a flipper while resting on a sandy beach; on the right, a scarred adult seal reclines amid a large colony on shore.

Wild Seals and Sea Lions Are Being Harassed on American Beaches

A teen kicked a sea lion on a California beach in broad daylight — and pleaded guilty to a federal crime. Less than a year before that, another man received...

Wild Seals and Sea Lions Are Being Harassed on American Beaches

A teen kicked a sea lion on a California beach in broad daylight — and pleaded guilty to a federal crime. Less than a year before that, another man received...

On the left, a monkey peers through metal cage bars with cardboard blocking the lower half; on the right, colorful lovebirds are crowded together in a wooden wire crate.

Endangered Animals Are Being Sold Openly on Social Media

Illegal wildlife trafficking isn't hiding on the dark web. It's happening on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and major e-commerce sites — and research shows platform algorithms are actively making it worse...

Endangered Animals Are Being Sold Openly on Social Media

Illegal wildlife trafficking isn't hiding on the dark web. It's happening on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and major e-commerce sites — and research shows platform algorithms are actively making it worse...

On the left, a red-haired woman in military camouflage sits in a wheelchair holding pills; on the right, a man in camouflage lies on a couch with his hand on.

Delayed Suicide Reviews Leave Veterans Without Help When They Need It Most

VA Vet Centers exist to support veterans at some of their most vulnerable moments. But federal inspectors have repeatedly found delayed suicide reviews, gaps in high-risk documentation, and problems with...

Delayed Suicide Reviews Leave Veterans Without Help When They Need It Most

VA Vet Centers exist to support veterans at some of their most vulnerable moments. But federal inspectors have repeatedly found delayed suicide reviews, gaps in high-risk documentation, and problems with...

On the left, a woman with voluminous blonde hair and hoop earrings in a denim shirt poses in black and white; on the right, a smiling blonde woman performs on.

Country Music Queen Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After a Life Spent Lifting Up Children and the World

Dolly Parton built one of the greatest careers in American music history and then quietly turned her fame into something even bigger — a program that has placed more than...

Country Music Queen Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After a Life Spent Lifting Up Children and the World

Dolly Parton built one of the greatest careers in American music history and then quietly turned her fame into something even bigger — a program that has placed more than...

On the left, a gloved researcher injects a white lab mouse held upright in a laboratory setting; on the right, a gloved veterinary worker examines a small tabby kitten with.

Research Labs Are Killing Animals in Ways That Were Never Supposed to Happen

Animals in federally regulated research labs are dying — not from the research itself, but from preventable procedural failures, wrong euthanasia methods, and inadequate training.

Research Labs Are Killing Animals in Ways That Were Never Supposed to Happen

Animals in federally regulated research labs are dying — not from the research itself, but from preventable procedural failures, wrong euthanasia methods, and inadequate training.

On the left, a tiny wrinkled newborn puppy is cradled in a person's hand against a blue background; on the right, several young pit bull puppies crowd together.

Commercial Breeders Are Using Fake Rescues to Keep Puppy Mills Alive

When you adopt from a rescue, you expect to be saving a dog who truly needed help. But a growing number of so-called rescue organizations are paying commercial breeders for...

Commercial Breeders Are Using Fake Rescues to Keep Puppy Mills Alive

When you adopt from a rescue, you expect to be saving a dog who truly needed help. But a growing number of so-called rescue organizations are paying commercial breeders for...