Author Profile

Kristen M. Clark

Kristen M. Clark

Kristen M. Clark is a staff reporter at Crosscut, covering the changing region of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Previously, she covered the Florida Legislature and state government in the Miami Herald’s Tallahassee bureau with the Tampa Bay Times. A Midwestern native and Michigan State alumna, Kristen also has reported on government and political issues for The Palm Beach Post, the Lansing State Journal and The Forum in Fargo, N.D. Follow her at @ByKristenMClark and email her at kristen.clark@crosscut.com.

Recent Work

In their own voices: Why Seattle’s youth marched

The many reasons some of the 50,000 Seattlelites joined the March For Our Lives protest Saturday.

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/ March 24, 2018

Katalia Alexander, 18, a senior at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines

When lockdowns are ‘normal,’ teens say it’s time to march

Seattle’s March For Our Lives could draw 50K on Saturday

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Kristen M. Clark

/ March 22, 2018

From Tumwater to Seattle, students unite in gun walkout

They’re from different communities, but high school students all over Washington joined in the national walkout

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/ March 14, 2018

Jodi Opitz, owner of Seattle Rehearsal, stands for a portrait in front of a “no parking” sign she keeps up on her building to make sure her business is accessible to herself and her customers 24/7 on Occidental Avenue South in Seattle's SODO neighborhood.

How growth ignited a $500K parking battle in SODO

Seattle’s parking apocalypse has paralyzed SODO — but the city won’t compromise

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Kristen M. Clark

/ March 8, 2018

Local and federal law enforcement officials gather around a podium for a press conference at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle.

Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein in Seattle as officials plea for public's help in '01 murder

Officials announced an increase in the financial reward, to solve Wales’ murder and bring his killer to justice.

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Kristen M. Clark

/ February 21, 2018

President and CEO of Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Marilyn Strickland. Credit: Courtesy of Seattle Metro Chamber

Seattle’s business community has a new face — and she’s from Tacoma

The new leader of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce says she will emphasize collaborations across the Puget Sound area.

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Kristen M. Clark

/ February 17, 2018

Single-family homes on Beacon Hill in Seattle, Feb. 13, 2018. Credit: Matt M. McKnight/Crosscut

As property taxes soar, will Seattleites stop being so generous?

While Seattle area residents have typically embraced various taxes for public services, some officials worry a reckoning is on the horizon.

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Kristen M. Clark

/ February 13, 2018

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best during 'Top Cops Talk Police Reform' at Crosscut Festival 2018 in Seattle on Feb. 3, 2018.

Seattle chief: ‘No one hates bad cops more than good cops’

Two current police chiefs and one former one shared their ideas for solutions during a panel at the inaugural Crosscut Festival.

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Kristen M. Clark

/ February 11, 2018

Julian Castro at the Crosscut Festival

Confronting a presidential hopeful — with an emotional story

A touching moment at the Crosscut Festival between Julián Castro and a Skagit Valley resident.

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Kristen M. Clark

/ February 7, 2018

Seven LimeBike bicycles are parked in a cluster near the corner of Bothell Way and Main Street in downtown Bothell on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. LimeBike said it initiated a "gradual roll-out" in Bothell in mid-January, the first time private bike-share has expanded into Seattle's suburbs. Credit: Kristen M. Clark/Crosscut

Bikeshare expands to the suburbs

In the latest example of Seattle's boom having a ripple effect on neighboring suburbs, Bothell will be the guinea pig for a new bikeshare expansion.

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Kristen M. Clark

/ February 4, 2018