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 young girl in a green plastic raincoat hugs a brown and white dog during a flood; on the right, a bearded worker in a red hard.

Millions of Americans Risk Their Lives to Stay With Pets During Disasters

When a disaster evacuation order comes, pet owners across America face a choice no family should have to make: leave their animal behind or stay in harm's way. It's a...

Millions of Americans Risk Their Lives to Stay With Pets During Disasters

When a disaster evacuation order comes, pet owners across America face a choice no family should have to make: leave their animal behind or stay in harm's way. It's a...

On the left, a bearded older veteran in a wheelchair wipes tears while reading a letter in a kitchen; on the right, a uniformed soldier sits pensively before a laptop.

Nearly $1 Million in Veterans' Benefits Stolen by the People Appointed to Guard It

Veterans with severe disabilities rely on VA-appointed fiduciaries to manage their benefits — people legally trusted to handle money these veterans cannot manage themselves. But documented cases show some of...

Nearly $1 Million in Veterans' Benefits Stolen by the People Appointed to Guard It

Veterans with severe disabilities rely on VA-appointed fiduciaries to manage their benefits — people legally trusted to handle money these veterans cannot manage themselves. But documented cases show some of...

On the left, a young woman in a wheelchair hugs a golden Labrador indoors; on the right, a man with prosthetic legs pets a small white dog on a sofa.

Federal Rollback Leaves Disabled Tenants Fighting To Keep Their Homes And Their Animals

A quiet federal policy shift at HUD is putting disabled renters in an impossible position: give up the assistance animal that is part of their medical care, or give up...

Federal Rollback Leaves Disabled Tenants Fighting To Keep Their Homes And Their Animals

A quiet federal policy shift at HUD is putting disabled renters in an impossible position: give up the assistance animal that is part of their medical care, or give up...

On the left, a dead branching coral rests on a sandy ocean floor beside a rock wall; on the right, an aerial view shows sargassum seaweed washing onto a tropical.

Americas Oceans Are Growing More Acidic and Federal Monitoring Cannot Keep Up

Since the Industrial Revolution, ocean acidity has increased by roughly 26 percent — and scientists say we have already crossed one of Earth's defined stability thresholds. Shellfish hatcheries are losing...

Americas Oceans Are Growing More Acidic and Federal Monitoring Cannot Keep Up

Since the Industrial Revolution, ocean acidity has increased by roughly 26 percent — and scientists say we have already crossed one of Earth's defined stability thresholds. Shellfish hatcheries are losing...

A massive tan sea lion named Chonkers sits upright on a wooden dock among a colony of resting sea lions.

A 2,000-Pound Sea Lion Named Chonkers Showed Up at San Francisco's Pier 39 and Broke the Internet

A one-ton Steller sea lion named Chonkers arrived at San Francisco's Pier 39 and refused to leave — drawing crowds, bending docks, and capturing hearts. His extended stay is rare...

A 2,000-Pound Sea Lion Named Chonkers Showed Up at San Francisco's Pier 39 and Broke the Internet

A one-ton Steller sea lion named Chonkers arrived at San Francisco's Pier 39 and refused to leave — drawing crowds, bending docks, and capturing hearts. His extended stay is rare...

On the left, a large livestock transport truck drives along a rural highway at sunset; on the right, young pigs crowd together in a metal cage.

Millions of Animals Are Shipped Every Year With No Temperature Rules to Protect Them

Every year, millions of companion animals are loaded into trucks and cargo holds with no federal minimum for temperature or ventilation. Livestock heat deaths during transport have rapidly increased. Pigs...

Millions of Animals Are Shipped Every Year With No Temperature Rules to Protect Them

Every year, millions of companion animals are loaded into trucks and cargo holds with no federal minimum for temperature or ventilation. Livestock heat deaths during transport have rapidly increased. Pigs...