Politics Gov. Ferguson’s top aide resigns amid staff workplace complaints Chief strategy officer Mike Webb, Ferguson’s longtime ally, quit after hostile workplace allegations, which he called “an unhelpful distraction.” by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / March 20, 2025
News What’s next after Washington passes pro-natural gas measure? Initiative 2066 aimed to keep gas as a utility option for consumers. But potential court challenges could complicate putting it into action. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / November 29, 2024
Politics Washington state lawmakers may get a 14% raise over next two years A citizen panel recommends the pay bump, which would push annual salaries over $70,000, to keep pace with growing duties and rising costs of living. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / October 15, 2024
Politics Washington public defenders say the strained system needs funding Too many cases, too few lawyers and too little money hurt local governments’ ability to provide effective counsel to those with financial constraints. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / February 2, 2024
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 WA lawmakers look to keep families together in foster care reform The legislation emerged from meetings of parents, agencies, advocates and others seeking to turn ‘foster care on its head.’ by Allegra Abramo InvestigateWest / April 9, 2021
Equity After leaving addiction treatment, young adults often face homelessness Washington state lawmakers have pledged to provide support for this at-risk group by the end of the year. by Allegra Abramo Youth Today / July 22, 2020
Equity Washington sees surge of foster kids placed in hotels while they wait for treatment The Legislature may boost funds requested by Gov. Jay Inslee to better address severe behavioral cases. by Allegra Abramo InvestigateWest / January 30, 2020 / Updated at 10:50 a.m.
Equity Head trauma, painful restraints: WA foster kids face abuse out of state The state removed foster kids from an Iowa facility following reports of abuse, but red flags abound at other group homes. by Allegra Abramo InvestigateWest / February 5, 2019
Politics Foster kids trapped as WA system collapses Washington kids are being warehoused in hotels and shipped out of state. by Allegra Abramo InvestigateWest / September 21, 2018