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

Aerial view of a curved irrigation canal near green fields and a solar-covered structure.

California Turns Sunlight Into Water Savings With First Solar Power Generating Canal

California just launched a world-first innovation — a solar-covered canal that both powers homes and protects precious water.

California Turns Sunlight Into Water Savings With First Solar Power Generating Canal

California just launched a world-first innovation — a solar-covered canal that both powers homes and protects precious water.

Person in a neon shirt tending to a green rooftop garden.

Boston Turns Bus Stops Into Living Shields Against Deadly Heat

What if your bus stop cooled the street, fed bees, and trapped stormwater before it hit the harbor? Boston just planted green roofs on 30 shelters along one of the...

Boston Turns Bus Stops Into Living Shields Against Deadly Heat

What if your bus stop cooled the street, fed bees, and trapped stormwater before it hit the harbor? Boston just planted green roofs on 30 shelters along one of the...

A rider on a gray horse gallops across a grassy field during an equestrian event.

FEI’s Blood Rule Rollback Turns Show Jumping Into A Blood Sport

Blood in a horse’s mouth or nose used to mean one thing—stop. Now a proposed rule would let some horses keep going, with a quick wipe and a warning.

FEI’s Blood Rule Rollback Turns Show Jumping Into A Blood Sport

Blood in a horse’s mouth or nose used to mean one thing—stop. Now a proposed rule would let some horses keep going, with a quick wipe and a warning.

A rider in a blue jacket and helmet jumps a horse over an obstacle.

Irish Town Panics as “Lion” Roaming Woods Turns Out to Be Dog Named Mouse

Panic spread through a quiet Irish village after footage showed what looked like a lion slipping into the woods. Families stayed inside. Theories flew. Had a big cat escaped from...

Irish Town Panics as “Lion” Roaming Woods Turns Out to Be Dog Named Mouse

Panic spread through a quiet Irish village after footage showed what looked like a lion slipping into the woods. Families stayed inside. Theories flew. Had a big cat escaped from...

Stack of books in front of a military uniform and American flag background.

GI Bill Students Face Rent And Tuition Chaos As Shutdown Cuts Lifelines

When the government shut down, student veterans and survivors expected benefits to keep flowing. Instead, hotlines went dark, offices closed, and a tech rollout collided with rent due dates.

GI Bill Students Face Rent And Tuition Chaos As Shutdown Cuts Lifelines

When the government shut down, student veterans and survivors expected benefits to keep flowing. Instead, hotlines went dark, offices closed, and a tech rollout collided with rent due dates.

Two volunteers sitting with a dog against a neutral backdrop.

A Blanket Ban Is Leaving Vulnerable Dogs Stranded And Canadians Heartbroken

Canada’s 2022 ban on “commercial” dogs from high-risk rabies countries didn’t just close a loophole—it closed the door on rescue. Families ready to adopt are told no.

A Blanket Ban Is Leaving Vulnerable Dogs Stranded And Canadians Heartbroken

Canada’s 2022 ban on “commercial” dogs from high-risk rabies countries didn’t just close a loophole—it closed the door on rescue. Families ready to adopt are told no.