Environment How politics have stalled tsunami prep efforts on the WA coast It’s not a matter of if but when the tsunami comes. Whether Washington is prepared depends a lot on the will of voters. by Eric Scigliano / May 26, 2022 / Updated at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 16
Politics New WA state budget won’t solve problem of foster kids in crisis The state Legislature approved nearly $16 million in new funding last week, but the effort may come up short in fixing an overwhelmed system. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / March 19, 2020
News WA advocates call for freezing foster care ‘age-out’ during pandemic Young adults aging out of foster care face unique challenges in normal times, say advocates. Now, they face even greater risks. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / June 3, 2020
News Birth parents fight to visit kids in foster system during pandemic Seeing their children in person may put parents, as well as foster families and social workers, at risk, but can the state stop them? by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / April 22, 2020 / Updated on Friday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m.
News Pandemic pushes WA foster care group homes into lose-lose dilemmas With one group home losing a state contract after turning away infected youth, operators at other homes fear state retaliation. by Rachel Nielsen & Robert McClure InvestigateWest / August 14, 2020 / Updated at 5:53 p.m. Aug. 14
News WA misses deadline to bring foster kids back from out-of-state homes Following reports of abuse, the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families said it would bring back nearly 100 Washington youth by the end of September. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / December 2, 2020 / Updated Dec. 4 at 12:40 p.m.
Equity WA relying on hotels, state offices to house foster kids more than ever With nowhere else to go, the state’s most at-risk kids — and their caseworkers — are faced with limited options. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / September 7, 2020
News In WA, a ‘black box’ of practices hides civil forfeiture from oversight The state ranks near worst in the nation for constraints on civil asset forfeiture. by Eric Scigliano / July 14, 2021
News The strange, failed fight to rein in civil forfeiture in Washington Washington police sell or use millions of dollars’ worth of seized property each year. Legislators haven’t managed to change the rules. by Eric Scigliano / July 13, 2021
News WA civil forfeiture law turns minor drug offenses into major losses Even as Washington winds down its drug war, police still seize homes and cash from low-level suspects. by Eric Scigliano / July 12, 2021