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 ‘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
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 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
Equity A division on foster care in Olympia Whose voice should count most in legal decisions about the future of kids removed from their homes because of suspected abuse or neglect? by Allegra Abramo for InvestigateWest / January 23, 2018
Equity How programs for homeless youth pivoted in the pandemic Upended by COVID-19, some service providers went online, took to the road or otherwise found new ways to aid homeless youth and young adults. by Allegra Abramo & Sam Leeds Youth Today / February 7, 2022
Equity Head trauma, painful restraints: WA foster kids face abuse out of state The state removed foster kids from an Iowa facility following reports of abuse, but red flags abound at other group homes. by Allegra Abramo InvestigateWest / February 5, 2019
Politics Foster kids trapped as WA system collapses Washington kids are being warehoused in hotels and shipped out of state. by Allegra Abramo InvestigateWest / September 21, 2018
Equity As kinship caregivers struggle, Washington’s foster care system benefits A crisis festers while family members who care for neglected kids receive little support from the state. by Allegra Abramo Investigate West / August 10, 2018
Politics Using tech to fight opioid addiction About 600 Washingtonians die each year from overdosing on prescription opioids or heroin, according to the state Health Department. by Allegra Abramo for InvestigateWest / March 3, 2016