Politics State must protect foster children from abuse, court rules In a 5-4 ruling, the Washington state Supreme Court sided with the five former foster children who had been abused. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / November 1, 2018
Politics Washington Legislature charts ‘new beginning’ in climate change fight As the dust settles in Olympia, the state has finally embraced cap and trade, electric cars and environmental justice. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / May 3, 2021 / Updated at 8:30 a.m. on May 4
Politics Inside Washington’s $328M push to prevent disastrous wildfires The state Legislature is considering a massive investment to step up firefighting, improve forests and secure communities near the fire lines. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / April 16, 2021 / Updated at 4:20 a.m. on April 20
Politics Washington state poised to ban guns at protests, Capitol grounds Despite opposition from Republicans and gun-rights activists, lawmakers in Olympia are working to deter ad hoc ‘patrols’ and armed protests. by Levi Pulkkinen & Katie Hayes InvestigateWest / April 9, 2021
Politics WA lawmakers consider expanding Medicaid in pandemic’s wake Use of Medicaid insurance has grown during COVID-19, but budget shortfalls make it harder for many to get this free care. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / February 12, 2021
Politics To build up urban forests, WA cities could get help from the state A bill sponsored by a forestry veteran would pay for guidance, grant money and other resources to help cities interested in improving urban forests. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / January 26, 2021
Politics Pandemic makes Washington voters political in a new way ‘Country club’ Republicans adrift. Rural Democrats bolting the party. Seattle liberals fired up. It’s very 2020. by Levi Pulkkinen / October 26, 2020
Intentional burns, key to preventing megafires, slow to start in WA Even as the consensus for prescribed fires has grown, the number of acres actually burned each year is shrinking. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / October 19, 2020
News Deaths in WA prisons draw scrutiny from state Legislature Inmate death rates are rising even as prison populations shrink. State lawmakers are taking a closer look at the data and potential solutions. by Levi Pulkkinen / August 6, 2020
News Cancer treatment in WA prisons often too little, too late Public records and interviews with officials and advocates reveal why cancer is a growing cause of death for an aging prison population. by Levi Pulkkinen / August 5, 2020