Investigations Fake business loans land Yakima, Seattle entrepreneurs in prison An immigrant businesswoman and a Mariners ticket hawker faced sentencing this week over separate schemes to steal thousands in COVID-19 stimulus money. by Brandon Block / May 19, 2023
Culture Black Arts Legacies: Cheryl L. West stages the Black experience Seattle Rep’s most-produced playwright showcases intergenerational stories with empathy and poetry. by Jasmine Mahmoud / May 16, 2023
Investigations The WA ‘strike force’ chasing millions in COVID-19 relief fraud From a Spokane T-shirt scheme to a Nigerian unemployment scam, federal prosecutors are grappling with how to prioritize cases amid limited resources. by Brandon Block / May 3, 2023
Investigations Washington food banks brace for 'hunger cliff' amid SNAP cuts As food-stamp recipients see grocery budgets tighten, state proposals would shift money to already strained and short-staffed local services. by Brandon Block / February 28, 2023
Investigations Washington counties, tribes get more than $110M in federal land aid A small part of the American Rescue Plan provides direct, flexible dollars to compensate for untaxable national parks or other federally owned lands. by Brandon Block / June 13, 2023 / Updated at 12:15 p.m.
Culture Black Arts Legacies: Takiyah Ward’s art is aimed at social change The public artist, footwear designer, television host, entrepreneur, curator and connector believes you can “speak truth to power through art.” by Jasmine Mahmoud / June 13, 2023
Investigations Washington public agencies win $121M to extend rural broadband State administrators overruled or helped mediate telecom objections that have previously disqualified local governments from similar grant awards. by Brandon Block / May 30, 2023
Investigations WA’s $5M youth homelessness effort is ramping up. Is it working? Though the funds helped dozens of young people secure housing, delays and slow spending stalled some programs in their first year. by Elizabeth Whitman Youth Today / August 15, 2023
Investigations WA spent $500M to help small, minority businesses. Did it work? A Crosscut analysis of Working Washington grants found mixed results on equity initiatives and millions for large chains or franchises. by Brandon Block / October 18, 2023 / Updated at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2023
Investigations Washington’s new youth homelessness ‘Lifeline’ service lags The $750,000 pilot program has struggled to meet promises after state officials chose a lobbying firm to build the hotline service from scratch. by Elizabeth Whitman & Sam Leeds Youth Today / October 25, 2023