Environment A federal program could fix Washington’s salmon-killing culverts It would cost the state about $7.5 billion to repair culverts that violate Indigenous fishing rights, but millions from the U.S. government could help. by Ben Goldfarb Hakai Magazine / April 22, 2024
Politics 'Free' casino apps prey on addiction, users say, and WA lawmakers are considering a crackdown Several ongoing lawsuits allege that mobile casino games, as well as games that let players buy ‘loot boxes,’ amount to illegal online gambling. by Melissa Santos / February 7, 2020
Politics Iowa caucus chaos has Washington Democrats feeling 'brilliant' for switching to a primary For the first time this year, the state's Democrats won't use neighborhood caucus meetings to help choose a presidential nominee. by Melissa Santos / February 4, 2020 / Updated 1:08 p.m., Feb. 5, 2020
Politics State proposal would let King County tax large businesses to pay for homelessness and housing The measure, aimed at companies with highly paid workers, could allow the county to raise up to $120 million a year. by Melissa Santos & David Kroman / January 29, 2020 / Updated Jan. 29 at 5:58 pm
Politics 'It's a fairness thing': Testing positive for pot wouldn't disqualify you from most WA jobs under new bill Weed use has been legal in Washington state since 2012, but so has refusing to hire adults who lawfully consume the drug. by Melissa Santos / January 29, 2020
Politics WA could test its own version of Andrew Yang's universal basic income A proposed pilot program would give 500 low-income Washingtonians $500 a month. by Melissa Santos / January 27, 2020
Politics Lawmakers are going paperless in Olympia, but it’s not really about saving trees Confusion over the Public Records Act has Washington lawmakers adopting new practices that may or may not have anything to do with the actual law. by Melissa Santos / January 24, 2020 / Updated 1:35 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24
Politics Washington voters support limits on high-capacity gun magazines — but lawmakers still may not act About two-thirds of respondents in the latest Crosscut/Elway Poll support restricting access to firearm magazines capable of holding dozens of rounds. by Melissa Santos / January 16, 2020
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 'It's a crisis right now:' Bills would let Washington cities raise more money to combat homelessness But some think cities and counties should have to clear encampments and ban safe injection sites as part of the deal. by Melissa Santos / January 15, 2020