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
Environment Fixing culverts could save the orcas — but who will pay? Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Washington Legislature must find the funding to rebuild the salmon-blocking structures. by Brad Shannon InvestigateWest / March 12, 2019
Politics Private utilities want more time to meet green goals Washington's Legislature could implement the state's first carbon fee in 2030. Some say that's still too fast. by Brad Shannon & Robert McClure Investigate West / February 26, 2019 / Updated at 3:30 p.m.
Environment Building a seawall? These 'fish cops' might come knocking If passed by the Legislature, the new law would help save small fish and, by way of the food chain, orcas. by Brad Shannon & Robert McClure Investigate West / April 2, 2019
Environment Big Oil is fighting taxes to help clean up toxic waste sites Senate Democrats are considering a bill that would nearly double the state's hazardous substances tax to pay for the projects, but they may need Republican help to pass it. by Brad Shannon Investigate West / April 25, 2019