Investigations Washington legislature considers strengthening youth labor laws A state rep and labor unions push for tougher regulations after Cascade PBS reported on a teen who lost both legs in a school work program. by Lizz Giordano / February 10, 2025
Politics Competitive field for open U.S. House seat in WA’s 6th District Support among Democrats is split between a state senator and the Lands Commissioner, while a Republican challenger thinks he can flip the seat. by Lizz Giordano / July 17, 2024
Investigations Legislators are shaping their staff’s collective bargaining rights But workers it would affect can’t weigh in. Ethics rules prevent them from lobbying on bills — even ones that would define their ability to unionize. by Lizz Giordano / January 24, 2024
Investigations Over a third of WA’s job safety fines are reduced after appeals One company negotiated a $1.3M reduction with the state’s safety agency after a worker’s hand was crushed, following multiple other violations. by Lizz Giordano / January 5, 2024
News Washington experiments with guaranteed basic income A handful of programs across the state are piloting efforts to give families a regular check to help them make ends meet. by Lizz Giordano / June 7, 2022
News Hyperlocal community councils pack a lot of power As Puget Sound becomes denser, some community groups have unusual authority to veto land-use decisions within their neighborhoods, but won't for long. by Lizz Giordano / May 24, 2022
Politics No increased WA gas tax in 'unprecedented' $16.8B transportation budget As vehicles change and with more available money, lawmakers look for other ways to fund transportation improvements. by Lizz Giordano / March 3, 2022
News Will enough Seattle workers return to commuting by bus? Those who have been working from home during the pandemic have a decision to make, and it will have a profound impact on public transit in the region. by Lizz Giordano / June 8, 2021
News More Black and Latinx people in Washington are getting vaccines A Crosscut reader asked: How does the state track vaccines by race? By asking patients and providers, which means the data can be incomplete. by Lilly Fowler / March 23, 2021
Inside Cascade PBS WA immigration advocates want to do more than erase the Trump years Immigrants and activists argue the Biden administration isn’t moving fast enough on processing asylum seekers and reuniting migrant families. by Lilly Fowler / February 9, 2021