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
News Washington ax-throwing venues want to be able to serve alcohol While ax-throwing bars are showing up in urban areas across the country, they’re not permitted to serve alcohol everywhere. by Nate Sanford / February 4, 2021
News WA is reopening but many essential workers aren’t vaccinated yet How the state chose who to inoculate first raises questions about equity — especially for restaurant, grocery and transit workers. by Nate Sanford / March 16, 2021
Politics Seattle City Council Position 8 race is more competitive than expected While incumbent Teresa Mosqueda went into her reelection bid with little known competition, the primary results changed the race. by Nate Sanford / September 22, 2021
News King County’s rise in gun violence doesn’t have an easy explanation As gun deaths rise, Seattle-area leaders hope peer pressure can break cycles of violence. by Nate Sanford / September 1, 2021