Politics Ballot measures: a Western anachronism and lazy democracy Conceived a century ago as a check on government power and corporate cronyism, initiatives and referenda have more often than not been co-opted by those in power. It's also an easy out for elected... by Ted Van Dyk / November 2, 2007
Politics Obama, Act I: a partisan stimulus plan Gov. Chris Gregoire and Sen. Barack Obama at KeyArena, along with Mayor Greg Nickels. (Hal O'Brien, Wikimedia Commons) by Ted Van Dyk / January 29, 2009
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.
Culture Festivities in Focus | The ritual baptism Timket returns to Seattle Thousands gathered on Sunday to mark the two-day Ethiopian Orthodox holiday after two years of the pandemic and the Tigray war. by Amanda Snyder / January 26, 2023
Culture Festivities in Focus | Celebrants dance, reflect through Kwanzaa A NAAM gathering on the fourth day of the secular pan-African holiday honored the principle of Ujamaa, or cooperative economics. by Amanda Snyder / January 2, 2023
Culture Festivities in Focus | Filipino Catholics gather for Simbang Gabi St. James's nine-day Advent Mass draws hundreds from all over Western Washington. by Amanda Snyder / December 13, 2022
Culture Festivities in Focus | Día de los Muertos celebrates life, death After a pandemic hiatus, the Day of the Dead event returned to Seattle's El Centro de la Raza. by Amanda Snyder / November 8, 2022