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
News Calls, texts to helplines surge amid COVID-19 Over the course of the stay-at-home order, the federal Disaster Distress Hotline alone has seen calls from Washington state increase sevenfold. by Dean Russell & Jamie Smith Hopkins & Sally Deneen InvestigateWest / April 24, 2020
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
Mental health support can't keep up with wildfires or hurricanes As climate change drives more and more disasters, mental health support is in greater need than ever. America is not ready. by Dean Russell & Jamie Smith Hopkins & Molly Taft & Sally Deneen Columbia Journalism Investigations, Center for Public Integrity and InvestigateWest / September 23, 2020
Culture Best of 2018: Renovation unearths Seattle Prohibition-era jazz club art Murals that date back to Seattle's Prohibition Era jazz scene have been unearthed inside a stairwell at the old Louisa Hotel. by Karen Ducey / December 24, 2018
Culture They’ll make dance here: The Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center opens its doors Dancers participate in a free West African dance class during the grand opening of the Tacoma Urban Performing Center (T.U.P.A.C.) on July 8, 2017 in Tacoma, WA. Kabby Mitchell, founder of T.U.P.A.C... by Karen Ducey / July 11, 2017