Environment At the U.S.-Canada border, an "extinct" tribe hunts for recognition To prove that his Arrow Lakes Band exists, Rick Desautel defied Canadian law to shoot an elk across the border. His case will be heard by their Supreme Court. by Anna V. Smith High Country News / November 1, 2019
News Calls, texts to helplines surge amid COVID-19 Over the course of the stay-at-home order, the federal Disaster Distress Hotline alone has seen calls from Washington state increase sevenfold. by Dean Russell & Jamie Smith Hopkins & Sally Deneen InvestigateWest / April 24, 2020
Environment Tribes can hunt on ancestral lands north of U.S. border, Canada says After 10 years of legal battles, the Sinixt tribe won recognition and hunting rights in their traditional homelands across the Canadian border. by Anna V. Smith High Country News / May 11, 2021
Environment The Chinook Indian Nation’s 120-year fight for sovereignty Federal recognition provides tribes with critical health care and education. But there are nations the U.S. refuses to recognize. by Anna V. Smith High Country News / April 7, 2021
Mental health support can't keep up with wildfires or hurricanes As climate change drives more and more disasters, mental health support is in greater need than ever. America is not ready. by Dean Russell & Jamie Smith Hopkins & Molly Taft & Sally Deneen Columbia Journalism Investigations, Center for Public Integrity and InvestigateWest / September 23, 2020
Environment A tale of restored tribal lands turns bittersweet in the wake of an Oregon wildfire Tribes who've reclaimed federal lands are learning that the U.S. was a less-than-ideal steward — which puts them at risk for catastrophic wildfires. by Anna V. Smith High Country News / August 21, 2019
Equity Seattle school for refugees, immigrants: a dumping ground for problem principal? Despite poor past performance and cultural competency complaints, the district hired principal Oksana Britsova at Seattle World School. by Lilly Fowler & Anna Minard / July 9, 2018
Politics Starting small: Washington centrists find themselves a candidate A new centrist group is endorsing a legislative candidate against a Republican in Eastern Washington. by Anna Minard / March 1, 2018
Politics As time runs out, will lawmakers pass a historic carbon tax this year? The chances of the carbon tax passing are looking better than they ever have. by Sally Deneen InvestigateWest / February 28, 2018
Politics Is the sixth time the charm for Inslee's carbon tax? The 2018 Legislative session is nearing its final two weeks with some key environmental issues still undecided. by Sally Deneen for InvestigateWest / February 20, 2018