Rachel Sun, Author at Northwest Public Broadcasting

Lewiston-based insurance company pulled Asotin MedAdvantage plans, citing growing financial pressure

By Rachel Sun April 15, 2025

In Asotin County, Washington, just over a quarter of the population is 65 or older. This year, a locally based insurance provider pulled its Medicare Advantage plans in the county. Read More

In one Idaho town, nurse-midwives stepping up as hospital struggles to recruit obstetricians

By Rachel Sun April 9, 2025

Rural communities are struggling to bring in obstetricians. Nurse-midwives are helping to fill the gap, but more is still needed to ensure long-term health care accessRead More

Washington, Idaho rank high for public health emergency preparedness

By Rachel Sun April 3, 2025

Both states saw steady or increased funding for public health, but Idaho still among lowest for vaccinations.Read More

Whitman County reports first flu-related death of the season

By Rachel Sun April 1, 2025

Hospitalman Yenifer Gutierrez, left, and Hospitalman Brashea Ojeda treat COVID patients in the ICU Aboard USNS Comfort in April of 2020. Influenza deaths surpassed COVID-19 deaths for this first time […]Read More

Frustrated Idaho constituents say they fear for Social Security at Lewiston town hall

By Rachel Sun March 26, 2025

A large group of people are seated indoors at a town hall.

A Lewiston town hall hosted by former United States Congressmen drew roughly 200 attendees on March 22nd. N-W-P-B’s Rachel Sun reports. Read More

Washington state reports 7-year peak in influenza-related deaths

By Rachel Sun March 24, 2025

The Washington state Department of Health reported on March 20th that influenza activity reached its highest levels in seven years, with the most flu-related deaths since the 2017-2018 flu season.Read More

COVID-19, 5 years later: Reflections on the scars we carry, and resilience in unprecedented times

By Rachel Sun March 20, 2025

NWPB caught up with local residents and doctors to talk about how they’ve moved forward following the COVID-19 pandemic. They spoke about how the experience changed them and wisdom they’ve gleaned along the way. These are their reflections. Read More

Blood banks are looking for donors

By Rachel Sun February 27, 2025

Vitalant in Lewiston, Idaho is one of several regional locations that collects blood donations. (Courtesy: Vitalant) Listen (Runtime 1:00) Read Blood banks in the Northwest reported a drop in blood […]Read More

Idaho bill could shutter medical education program

By Rachel Sun February 21, 2025

A new bill could put an end to a more than 50-year-old medical training program in Idaho. On Friday, people gathered in Boise to rally against those changes.Read More

Smart Transit director says he’s working to improve vehicle maintenance, customer communication

By Rachel Sun February 19, 2025

A row of small, white buses are parked outside in a parking lot. There is snow on the ground.

Smart Transit buses are parked on Tuesday at the Moscow Intermodal Transit Center. (Credit: Liesbeth Powers / The Moscow-Pullman Daily News) Listen (Runtime 1:16) Read A three-day service outage earlier […]Read More

Prison education program is giving incarcerated people in Idaho a second chance

By Rachel Sun February 14, 2025

A man in a blue shirt stands in front of a dark purple wall. The wall has college pennants displayed on it.

A newly approved prison education program is helping inmates in Orofino, Pocatello and Boise prepare gain confidence and prepare for life after they’ve served timeRead More

Washington State University Regents appoint incoming WSU president

By Rachel Sun February 7, 2025

Lisa Keohokalole Schauer, left, Washington State University Board of Regents chair, listens to Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell speak as the newly appointed WSU president Thursday at a regents meeting in Pullman. […]Read More

Regence patients could lose coverage at local hospitals, cancer clinic

By Rachel Sun February 6, 2025

An exterior shot of Clearwater Valley Health. The sky is gray and there is snow on the ground.

Two hospitals serving mostly rural areas in Idaho could become more expensive for patients with a major health insurance provider. Read More

Final cohort of Idaho firefighters homebound after two weeks in California

By Rachel Sun January 28, 2025

Idaho Task Force Four poses for a photo near the ocean at the end of their two-week service in Los Angeles, California. (Courtesy: Billy Monahan) Listen (Runtime 1:03) Read The […]Read More

Research says walkable neighborhoods can help you stay active — making them work requires delight

By Rachel Sun January 27, 2025

A person walks by a tan, brick building. The sign outside the building reads "Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream."

Living in a walkable neighborhood could help you stay active. That’s according to a new twin study by researchers at Washington State University.Read More

Man sentenced for crash that killed 3 women, 2 from Washington state

By Rachel Sun January 22, 2025

A man who killed three people while driving drunk, including two from the eastern Washington town of Clarkston, will serve 22 years in prison. Read More

Northwest sees a rise in flu-like illnesses

By Rachel Sun January 7, 2025

The Northwest is seeing a rise in influenza-like illnessesRead More

Saving bighorns for a collective future

By Rachel Sun December 20, 2024

a red helicopter slings bighorn sheep in the air

A helicopter, owned and operated by Jim Pope, transports bighorn ewes in Hells Canyon on Dec. 8, where wildlife biologists and volunteers with the Hells Canyon Initiative collar them and […]Read More

‘It’s a crisis’: How the shortage of counselors is affecting the rural Northwest

By Rachel Sun December 10, 2024

A creek and walking path with green grass and a dark sky.

In small towns, such as Walla Walla, Washington, behavioral health care providers can be hard to come by. (Credit: Susan Shain / NWPB) watch Listen (Runtime 3:49) Read By Rachel […]Read More

US Supreme Court will consider petition for stay in COVID-19 free speech case

By Rachel Sun December 6, 2024

The U.S. Supreme Court will review an application for a stay in a federal lawsuit involving local retired eye doctor Richard Eggleston.Read More

Group representing retired Clarkston ophthalmologist asks US Supreme Court for injunctive relief

By Rachel Sun December 3, 2024

A copy of an injunction is pictured on a table.

A retired Clarkston eye doctor is part of a group asking the U-S Supreme Court to grant an injunction in a lawsuit against Washington state officials.Read More

El kratom: ¿Suplemento herbal o droga peligrosa?

By Rachel Sun November 25, 2024

Una máquina utilizada para cerrar cápsulas de Kratom en Kratom Kings en Moscow. (Crédito: Liesbeth Powers / Moscow-Pullman Daily News).

El kratom se puede encontrar en tiendas naturistas, estaciones de gasolina y lugares especializados en productos para fumadores. Mientras unos le atribuyen beneficios, otros piensan que puede generar dependencia. Read More

Nursing union at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center votes to ratify updated contract after months of bargaining

By Rachel Sun November 21, 2024

A group of people gather on the side of the road. They are holding purple signs that read "St. Joseph nurses deserve a fair contract."

Nurses at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston have voted to ratify a new union contract, the hospital announced this month. Read More

University of Idaho polling location sees Election Day difficulty

By Rachel Sun November 19, 2024

A person wearing a plaid shirt and jeans enters a building with a "vote here today sign" outside.

Huge voter turnout and same-day registration caused long delays at UI Student Rec CenterRead More

Pertussis on the rise in the Northwest

By Rachel Sun November 15, 2024

A infographic displays incidence rates of pertussis by county in Washington state.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is on the rise throughout Washington state, Oregon and Idaho this year.Read More

Helpful supplement or dangerous drug? Doctors discuss use and risks of kratom

By Rachel Sun November 8, 2024

Kratom, marketed as an herbal supplement, is touted as a natural remedy for help with energy, mood, pain and sleep. But it’s not without risks. Read More

Washington state working to recruit diversity of behavioral health care providers

By Rachel Sun November 7, 2024

A woman stands behind a podium. She is speaking, and holding a microphone.

Washington state is trying to recruit more providers for several roles in behavioral health care Read More

Ghosts stir town business

By Rachel Sun October 31, 2024

A hallway in an old hospital is pictured. The end of the hallway is dark.

Tours of an allegedly haunted hospital first helped to breathe new life into Colfax’s downtown nine years ago. Now, ghost hunters’ curiosity about the hospital’s residents beyond the grave are helping to save the historic building Read More

Environmental group calls for fossil fuel divestment at WSU

By Rachel Sun October 25, 2024

A group of people are walking, carrying brightly colored signs. Some of them read "Cougs demand cash out of carbon" and "Support WSU's fossil fuel divestment."

Students at Washington State University held a protest on Wednesday to call for the university to financially divest from fossil fuel companies. Read More

Ruiz shares immigrant laborer stories in ‘We Had Our Reasons’

By Rachel Sun October 16, 2024

Award-winning poet Ricardo Ruiz focuses on telling the stories of his community, for his community. NWPB’s Rachel Sun interviewed Ruiz about that work, and his approach to collaborative storytelling through poetry.Read More

Ricardo Ruiz comparte historias de trabajadores inmigrantes en ‘Teníamos nuestras razones’

By Rachel Sun October 16, 2024

El galardonado poeta Ricardo Ruiz se centra en contar las historias de su comunidad, para su comunidad. Read More

Students, Pullmanites gather in support of Palestine

By Rachel Sun October 15, 2024

Students and Pullman community members gathered Monday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and issue statements of support for Palestinian people. Read More

Whitman County reports 18 cases of pertussis

By Rachel Sun October 10, 2024

Students walk through a space with cement pathways and green trees on the WSU campus. The sky is blue.

Whitman County Public Health announced there are now 18 confirmed cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in the student population at Washington State University.Read More

LCSC to host award-winning poet for reading of ‘We Had Our Reasons’

By Rachel Sun October 10, 2024

Award-winning poet Ricardo Ruiz will do a reading from his poetry book, “We Had Our Reasons,” this Friday in Lewiston.Read More

WSU laboratory identifies plague in Idaho mule deer

By Rachel Sun October 4, 2024

Pathologists at Washington State University have identified Idaho’s first documented case of a deer with the plagueRead More

Whitman County reports additional pertussis cases

By Rachel Sun October 3, 2024

At least five people on the Palouse have been diagnosed with pertussis as of Tuesday. Read More

Experts say get vaccinated now for influenza

By Rachel Sun October 1, 2024

A woman administers a vaccine to another person.

Flu season is just around the corner, and health officials say now is a great time to get your flu shot.Read More

Views from East Moscow Mountain

By Rachel Sun October 1, 2024

The northwest is full of recreational opportunities. One of those spots is the East Moscow Mountain trail. NWPB’s Rachel Sun takes us with her during an excursion this summer. Read More

Gritman takes over Lewis-Clark State College clinic for students and staff

By Rachel Sun September 27, 2024

Gritman Medical Center will now serve more people in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley after taking over a student clinic.Read More

Whitman County reports two cases of pertussis

By Rachel Sun September 27, 2024

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is circulating across Washington, with two cases reported in the student population at Washington State University on Tuesday.Read More

Becoming a political symbol: Transgender Idahoans talk about the realities of anti-trans health care laws

By Rachel Sun September 23, 2024

A vial of testosterone enanthate, with a needle behind it, sits on a table.

A vial of testosterone enanthate, a drug used in gender-affirming hormone therapy. (Credit: James Ronin / Pixabay) watch Listen (Runtime 3:49) Read Julia Keleher had spent about a decade helping […]Read More

Washington State University researcher finds Harris may have edge in energizing supporters

By Rachel Sun September 13, 2024

A large blue ring is on a person's finger. The ring is lit up, and is glowing.

A research study at Washington State University that monitored audiences’ live reactions to the Tuesday presidential debate showed a bigger emotional response from Democratic voters than Republicans.Read More

WSU researcher to study live reactions to presidential debate

By Rachel Sun September 6, 2024

A combination of photos shows Vice President Kamala Harris on the left and former President Donald Trump on the right.

A Washington State University researcher is recruiting study participants across the political spectrum with the hopes of improving political discourse.Read More

Clarkston business owner on road to recovery after summer mountain biking crash

By Rachel Sun September 4, 2024

A Clarkston landscaper is on the road to recovery after a near-fatal mountain biking incident.Read More

Dancing provides camaraderie, exercise for brain and body at senior center

By Rachel Sun August 29, 2024

Seven people, divided into two lines, practice a line dance routine.

As people get older, staying social and getting exercise can be difficult. A group of line dancers in Clarkston, Washington are finding a way to address both of those challenges.Read More

University of Idaho researcher investigating correlation vs. causation in breast milk benefits

By Rachel Sun August 21, 2024

A black-and-white image of an infant being breastfed.

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and many moms will have heard the term “breast is best” when it comes to nursing babies. But the truth could be more complicated. Read More

Pullman celebrates 35th annual National Lentil Festival

By Rachel Sun August 19, 2024

Pullman celebrates its 35th annual national lentil festival, drawing thousands of attendees. Read More

Health care providers race the clock to care for aging population

By Rachel Sun August 16, 2024

A woman and two men sit at a table with water glasses in front of them. The state flags of Idaho and Washington are behind them.

As more people age, health care leaders in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley say they’re preparing for health care needs to increase, particularly in primary and specialty care. NWPB’s Rachel Sun reports.Read More

Nimiipuu Health staff honored with awards by Indian Health Service

By Rachel Sun August 9, 2024

Roberta José-Bisbee stands for a portrait in front of a mural.

Staff at the Nez Perce Tribe’s Nimiipuu Health Center were recently honored for their outstanding contributions in health care by the Indian Health Service. NWPB’s Rachel Sun has more. Read More

‘Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’ invites guests to engage in new ways

By Rachel Sun August 8, 2024

Two girls with virtual reality headsets are in a dark room. One of them is looking up towards the ceiling.

A new immersive art gallery in Spokane allows visitors to engage with Vincent Van Gogh’s art in new ways using digital technology. NWPB’s Rachel Sun reports.Read More

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