Environment Inside the tumultuous debate behind Seattle’s tree ordinance The debate over more density or more tree canopy got personal as developers clashed with the city’s Urban Forestry Commission. by Eric Scigliano / September 1, 2023 / Updated at 9:40 a.m. on Sept. 3
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
Equity Foster parents say ‘retaliation’ by caseworkers means fewer families to help kids in need Records portray a culture of fear, even as Washington state attempts to respond to a flood of new cases. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / January 15, 2020
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.
Politics Washington state poised to ban guns at protests, Capitol grounds Despite opposition from Republicans and gun-rights activists, lawmakers in Olympia are working to deter ad hoc ‘patrols’ and armed protests. by Levi Pulkkinen & Katie Hayes InvestigateWest / April 9, 2021
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 laws banning private armies go unenforced before election As concerns grow over vigilante militias on Election Day, police say laws are too vague to invoke. by Katie Hayes InvestigateWest / November 2, 2020 / Updated 2:10 p.m. November 3
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.