Equity Native American drivers are more likely to be searched by Washington State Patrol While the searches occur at five times the rate for white drivers, they are less likely to turn up drugs or other contraband. by Jason Buch & Joy Borkholder Investigate West / December 19, 2019
How wildfires in the American West hurt the entire country As smoke travels, it can cause illness and economic hardship thousands of miles away. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / October 1, 2020
As wildfires break records, firefighters face growing health risks Emerging scientific evidence shows they may be at risk of respiratory and heart illness, and maybe even cancer. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 28, 2020
How British Columbia protects its people from wildfire smoke The Canadian province is well ahead of Washington and Oregon in protecting people’s health from wildfires. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 22, 2020
Wildfire smoke’s health impacts have only just begun A growing body of evidence shows smoke sickens and can even kill. Is the government doing enough to protect residents? by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 21, 2020
News Measuring the toll of a broken child care system Almost half the workforce can't leave the house with kids at home and few feasible options. by Joy Borkholder InvestigateWest / November 22, 2021
News The real costs of child care in America In Washington state and across the country, the financial realities of child care are like mismatched puzzle pieces jammed together. by Joy Borkholder InvestigateWest / November 9, 2021
Politics Investigation finds Latino ballots in WA more likely to be rejected Latino signatures are more likely to be questioned and less likely to be fixed during Washington state elections. by Joy Borkholder InvestigateWest / February 15, 2021 / Updated at 4:20 p.m. on Feb. 15
During wildfires, West Coast farmworkers forced to put harvest over health Little is done to protect the workers’ health, and many feel powerless to hold employers accountable. by Mara Kardas-Nelson & Jess Alvarenga & Rosa Amanda Tuirán InvestigateWest / October 6, 2020
News Labor shortages, heat bring tough tides for WA shellfish farm At Taylor Shellfish Farms, hiring is increasingly a challenge as skyrocketing housing costs and difficult working conditions make it hard to recruit. by Mara Kardas-Nelson High Country News / October 17, 2022