Investigations Washington’s new youth homelessness ‘Lifeline’ service lags The $750,000 pilot program has struggled to meet promises after state officials chose a lobbying firm to build the hotline service from scratch. by Elizabeth Whitman & Sam Leeds Youth Today / October 25, 2023
Investigations Podcast | Following the COVID small-business money The Working Washington program aimed to get pandemic relief to small and “historically disadvantaged” business owners. Did it? by Maleeha Syed / October 25, 2023
Investigations WA spent $500M to help small, minority businesses. Did it work? A Crosscut analysis of Working Washington grants found mixed results on equity initiatives and millions for large chains or franchises. by Brandon Block / October 18, 2023 / Updated at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2023
Investigations Washington AG calls for rent, fee rollbacks at Aberdeen mobile park After residents filed complaints, a state investigation alleges Port Orchard-based management company Hurst & Son violated tenant protection laws. by Farah Eltohamy / October 6, 2023 / Updated at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 16, 2023
Investigations The effort to save SeaTac’s biggest forest amid airport expansion Community pressure and federal legislation could help protect a hard-won South King County park from long-term development. by Hannah Weinberger / September 28, 2023
News Tahoma superintendent resigns after child sex-abuse investigation Two board members have also stepped down after it was revealed the school district didn’t discipline an accused predator. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / September 25, 2023
Investigations With 3 recent wins, Starbucks union gains traction in Eastern WA Reduced hours and dwindling benefits spur baristas to action as a small Prosser cafe becomes the 27th in the state to vote to unionize. by Lizz Giordano / September 21, 2023
Investigations Podcast | After a takeover, mobile home tenants are fighting back Residents say that WA-based management company Hurst & Son LLC is responsible for price hikes, reduced services and other grievances. by Sara Bernard / September 6, 2023
Investigations WA mobile home communities organize against ‘economic eviction’ Port Orchard-based Hurst & Son LLC bought dozens of parks in recent years. Now residents say the company is raising rents and cutting services. by Farah Eltohamy & Mai Hoang / August 30, 2023
Investigations Amid heavy smoke, wildfire crews work without practical respirators 'There are times where you just don’t breathe, because you can’t.' by Hannah Weinberger / August 29, 2023
Investigations $1.1M in COVID relief steered to Auburn horse racing track State lawmakers earmarked some of Washington’s last pandemic funds to support Emerald Downs, bolstering the racing industry and drawing criticism. by Brandon Block / August 25, 2023
Investigations WA’s $5M youth homelessness effort is ramping up. Is it working? Though the funds helped dozens of young people secure housing, delays and slow spending stalled some programs in their first year. by Elizabeth Whitman Youth Today / August 15, 2023
Investigations What WA’s new wildfire smoke rules might mean for outdoor workers Washington could be the second state to impose permanent safety regulations, but employers and workplace advocates disagree on the proposal. by Hannah Weinberger & Farah Eltohamy / August 2, 2023
Investigations WA homelessness group exposed sensitive data on kids, young adults A Way Home Washington launched an internal investigation after health and safety information on hundreds of young clients was made public. by Elizabeth Whitman / July 27, 2023
Investigations Federal aid is supercharging local WA police surveillance tech Pandemic relief funds are bankrolling new – and often unregulated – law enforcement tools such as license-plate readers, drones and AI video software. by Brandon Block / July 26, 2023