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The Crosscut Investigates newsletter connects readers and regional newsrooms directly with our accountability reporting process.

We also seek feedback, amplify impactful watchdog coverage and share resources for accessing public information such as records or open data.

• Federal recovery money has made its way to local governments and community relief programs via a convoluted mix of grants, state and federal legislation, contracts and loans. Some money has gone out to individuals as rent assistance or unemployment benefits. Loans and grants went to private businesses for economic development. And billions went to hospitals and health districts to respond to the pandemic. Our Follow the Funds guide can help you figure out where federal dollars are going in your community.
• In August, we asked WashCOG to partner with us on a public workshop to help readers and fellow reporters explore newly released data on American Rescue Plan Act spending in cities and counties across the state. WashCOG board member and attorney Hannah Marcley also offered her expertise on seeking records and data on local spending. You can watch a recording of that hour-long discussion to learn more about that data, public records and other tools.

We hope to continue building upon these shared resources to identify insightful questions and collaborate with other newsrooms on impactful community reporting. We will use this space to share new data or resources we find as well as related accountability coverage from regional outlets.

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