Investigations
'The whole thing is broken': Temp staffing costs strain WA hospitals
Amid a retention crisis, rural hospitals turned to pricey travel-nurse agencies with little oversight or transparency. Now they need a way forward.
Joy Borkholder
Joy Borkholder is a Seattle-based freelance journalist whose work has also appeared in InvestigateWest, the South Seattle Emerald and palabra. She has won awards for reporting on civil rights, voting
Latest work
News
Kirkland hospital uses COVID aid to trigger $1.9M in admin bonuses
In a legal gray area, EvergreenHealth commissioners approved including pandemic relief funds in the hospital's financial performance.
News
WA wants to secure housing for youth exiting state care
The state has renewed efforts to keep kids released from foster care and detention centers from becoming homeless.
News
Pandemic relief funds may mask budget crises at rural WA hospitals
Federal recovery dollars 'saved' some critical access hospitals — but many small facilities still struggle with staffing and rising costs.
News
Ways to fix the child care system in Washington state
Federal and state programs continue to push for more funds to support families and child care