Environment Seattle’s canopy shrinks as ordinance protects the wrong trees Since 2023, the city has classified more than 2,000 trees as “protected” — without regard to whether they ever were threatened by development. by Robert McClure / InvestigateWest / February 3, 2025
News Forget banning books — a rural WA county may close its library After a fight over LGBTQ+ young-adult titles, a November ballot measure will decide the fate of the only library in Columbia County. by Meg Butterworth / August 9, 2023
Environment Lessons from a year of reporting on climate solutions in the PNW 11 steps Washington, Oregon and British Columbia can take to decarbonize the economy. by Robert McClure & Peter Fairley InvestigateWest / December 15, 2021
Equity WA schools catching up on Black history and ethnic studies The state is following in the steps of more progressive states that have led the way on making history classes reflect our diverse country. by Meg Butterworth / April 29, 2021
Environment How Cascadia’s climate activists fought off fossil fuels and succeeded During a decade when the region’s governments flouted their carbon emissions goals, activists who came together to stop exports surpassed their wildest expectations. by Robert McClure InvestigateWest / January 18, 2021
Politics WA voters to decide whether to mandate sex ed in schools Parents, advocates, candidates and religious groups debate what students should be taught about sex in WA public schools. by Meg Butterworth / October 15, 2020
News Pandemic pushes WA foster care group homes into lose-lose dilemmas With one group home losing a state contract after turning away infected youth, operators at other homes fear state retaliation. by Rachel Nielsen & Robert McClure InvestigateWest / August 14, 2020 / Updated at 5:53 p.m. Aug. 14
Opinion Seattle police respond too slowly. A 50% cut will make it worse Let's transform the Seattle Police Department by addressing both racial injustice and the enduring need for fair and effective policing. by Tim Burgess / July 23, 2020
Opinion We must reform our police. Here’s how We need more intentional policing, better discipline, a state investigatory agency and training that acknowledges the nuance of these times. by Tim Burgess & Bernard Melekian / June 23, 2020
Opinion $100B a month would be a small price to pay to save the economy Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s Paycheck Guarantee Act would preserve jobs and prevent long-term economic collapse. by Tim Burgess & Gladys Gillis & Jon Scholes / May 18, 2020