Environment Whatcom County farmers blame Canada for Nooksack River bacteria The pollution poses a threat to the Portage Bay shellfish beds of the Lummi Nation and raises health concerns for valley residents. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / June 23, 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
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 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 ‘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
Environment Washington cities, counties now required to plan for climate change Starting in 2025, local governments will need to consider emissions and natural disasters in their long-term planning. Some already do. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / August 8, 2023
News How COVID-19 hurt Seattle's plan to strengthen its tree laws The city council passed legislation in 2008 that was supposed to be temporary, but stronger measures still haven’t taken root. by Jenny Cunningham InvestigateWest / July 9, 2020
Politics Can copper, gold save towns near Mount St. Helens? Morton, Wash., was once a booming logging town. by Eilís O'Neill for EarthFix / September 25, 2017
Environment First wildfire, now teens replenish a tribe's huckleberry harvests Tulalip teens are working to clear brush from a huckleberry field not far from the Skykomish River. Credit Eilís O'Neill/KUOW/EarthFix by Eilís O'Neill for EarthFix / August 22, 2017
Equity How feeding the homeless created a community -- and divided another The “Captain” and his fiancée, Michelle Nala are regulars at the supper. The couple lives nearby without a tent and without complaint. “Actually we could use a tent,” Nala says. (Photos by Jenny... by Jenny Cunningham / August 14, 2017