Environment Washington’s gray wolf populations are making a strong comeback “Recovery is happening right before our eyes.” The species grew by 20% in WA last year, but advocates warn against declaring victory too early. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / April 26, 2024
News What WA leaders are watching for in the Manuel Ellis police trial Members of law enforcement, community organizers and more weigh in on the trial of three Tacoma officers charged in the 2020 death of Ellis. by Jerry Cornfield & Laurel Demkovich & Grace Deng & Bill Lucia Washington State Standard / October 4, 2023
Politics Housing, homelessness loom large in the minds of Washington voters Tacoma, Spokane and Bellingham each have ballot measures on these issues, and both voters and candidates have cited them as top priorities. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / October 31, 2023
News Is housing a form of health care? A Washington program says it is Apple Health and Homes has distributed $41M from Medicaid to shelter and support those with behavioral or other health issues. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / September 15, 2023
News ‘A partial solution’: A closer look at the new WA Cares Fund The long-term care tax program has already stoked controversy, with critics saying the $36,500 benefit is too small to be meaningful. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / November 23, 2023
Environment Washington cities, counties now required to plan for climate change Starting in 2025, local governments will need to consider emissions and natural disasters in their long-term planning. Some already do. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / August 8, 2023
Politics Social workers fleeing troubled foster care system Lousy pay, a toxic workplace and excessive workloads are driving away the people who serve vulnerable kids and their families. by Susanna Ray for InvestigateWest / December 7, 2016
Politics Foster parents abandoning troubled system Washington state lost nearly one in five foster homes between 2008 and 2015 amid complaints of discord and disarray. by Susanna Ray for InvestigateWest / October 27, 2016
Politics 4 fixes for Washington’s foster-care crisis Brandon Fogg, who has experience both as a foster child and foster parent, says foster care needs a celebrity champion. by Susanna Ray for InvestigateWest / September 21, 2016
Equity State’s foster system sets kids up for failure When foster children spend the night in a hotel or in a foster home that agrees to keep them for only one night at a time, they typically don’t make it to school the next day. by Susanna Ray for InvestigateWest / September 20, 2016