Environment Washington-based U.S. Forest Service rangers reinstated — for now Ahead of the busiest season for outdoor recreation, staffing for trail clearing, search & rescue, toilet cleaning and other duties is still uncertain. by Dominick Bonny / March 7, 2025
Politics How redistricting changed WA’s 12th Legislative District Once considered a conservative stronghold, new boundaries extending into King and Snohomish counties are altering the political landscape. by Dominick Bonny / October 24, 2024
News WA misses deadline to bring foster kids back from out-of-state homes Following reports of abuse, the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families said it would bring back nearly 100 Washington youth by the end of September. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / December 2, 2020 / Updated Dec. 4 at 12:40 p.m.
Equity WA relying on hotels, state offices to house foster kids more than ever With nowhere else to go, the state’s most at-risk kids — and their caseworkers — are faced with limited options. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / September 7, 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
News Birth parents fight to visit kids in foster system during pandemic Seeing their children in person may put parents, as well as foster families and social workers, at risk, but can the state stop them? by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / April 22, 2020 / Updated on Friday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Politics New WA state budget won’t solve problem of foster kids in crisis The state Legislature approved nearly $16 million in new funding last week, but the effort may come up short in fixing an overwhelmed system. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / March 19, 2020
Politics Progress on WA climate bills could boost Inslee’s 2020 hopes After years of failure and frustration, Democrats are taking a piecemeal approach to climate legislation, and it appears to be working. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / April 16, 2019
Environment WA lawmakers pass on whale-watching ban aimed at helping orcas Orca Task Force members and Gov. Jay Inslee said the moratorium was needed to give the endangered whales a break from boat noise. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / April 8, 2019