Investigations WA homeless youth program closes after contractor ‘misspent’ $330K Officials ordered a lobbying firm to pay back money meant for a state-funded Lifeline pilot hotline that connects at-risk young people to services. by Elizabeth Whitman / April 16, 2024
Culture Made There: A Yakima printmaker crafts impressions of unsung labor Drawing on traditional Mexican design, artist Christie Tirado spotlights Washington’s agricultural workers and those who perform essential services. by Sarah Hall / July 7, 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 ‘Home was never a place’: One woman’s life in WA foster care Now 30, Janell Braxton says she continues to reckon with the separations and instability stemming from her time in the foster system. by Elizabeth Whitman & Sam Leeds Youth Today / November 21, 2023
Investigations Researchers team up with court staff to help WA homeless youth H-SYNC — Housing Stability for Youth in Courts — has piloted using evidence-based surveys to identify teenagers in need of support services. by Elizabeth Whitman & Sam Leeds Youth Today / November 14, 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
Investigations Podcast | It’s a Youth Today News takeover The third episode of the investigative series co-produced with Crosscut focuses on one woman’s experience with foster care and homelessness in WA. by Elizabeth Whitman / January 3, 2024
Culture Made There: Harvesting fleece on a Yakima Valley alpaca farm Jennifer and John Ely of Sage Bluff Alpacas employ kindness, hard work and enthusiasm to produce prized luxury fiber for yarn and garments. by Sarah Hall / August 25, 2023
Culture Made There: A WWII airfield turned winery in the Yakima Valley The historic property has been passed through one family since the 1920s. Now it’s used as a vineyard and facility for Airfield Estates. by Sarah Hall / August 18, 2023
Culture Made There: The origins of the Northwest’s iconic Chukar Cherries Pam Montgomery took a chance on a Prosser orchard 35 years ago — and pioneered sweet success in the form of a fruity chocolate drop. by Sarah Hall / August 11, 2023