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
News Washington psychologist accused of $125K in wage theft Synergia CEO Philip Hirsch has a decades-old history of allegedly shortchanging workers, who say part of the problem was a lack of oversight. by Kaylee Tornay InvestigateWest / May 15, 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
Environment As crypto mines aim for climate action, critics call greenwashing Environmentalists are skeptical that the energy-hungry industry can achieve its ambitious goals. by Kaylee Tornay InvestigateWest / February 24, 2023
News WA telehealth business closes after wage theft investigation The shutdown came a month after multiple workers detailed their experiences for InvestigateWest. by Kaylee Tornay InvestigateWest / June 22, 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.
News Military families battling mold, rodents in Washington base housing The Defense Department underwent reforms in 2019 after unsafe conditions were found on U.S. bases, but residents say there are still problems. by Kaylee Tornay InvestigateWest / June 12, 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 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