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
Politics Gov. Inslee's budget seeks to expand voting access in WA county jails The budget asks for more than half a million to go to helping remove barriers for people in jail who are otherwise eligible to vote. by Mari Kanagy / January 21, 2022
Politics WA prison officials push back on bill to limit solitary confinement Lawmakers and the Department of Corrections agree that the practice is harmful, but the latter balked at the proposed regulations by Mari Kanagy / February 24, 2022
Politics WA proposed budget funds stipends to attract low-income board members $50,000 is allocated for constituents to help shape boards and commissions with their lived experiences. by Mari Kanagy / February 18, 2022
Politics Bill aims to boost incentives for filming in Washington If 'Twilight' is set in Washington, it should have been shot in Washington, legislators say. by Mari Kanagy / February 7, 2022
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