Investigations Impact 2024: A year investigating labor safety, housing insecurity Cascade PBS’s reporting drew Congressional attention, informed new policy discussions and sparked the resignation of one Seattle director. by Jacob Jones / December 19, 2024
Environment Should WA’s foresters harvest timber or sell it for carbon credits? Small farmers and policy makers work to balance the environment and timber jobs as the emphasis shifts to preserving trees for carbon sequestration. by Ashli Blow / August 30, 2024 / Updated September 3, 2024
Environment King County’s landfill is scrambling to solve its methane problem Cedar Hills in Maple Valley is ranked among the top 50 methane-producing landfills in the country. But new science and policy breakthroughs could help. by Ashli Blow / August 1, 2024
Investigations Audit finds more problems with how WA spent federal COVID aid A new report found 86 issues, a record number, with how state agencies spent funds, listing documentation deficiencies and $1.17B in questioned costs. by Jacob Jones / June 12, 2024
Investigations A review of 2023’s WA worker safety, COVID relief investigations Crosscut published more than 40 stories on job safety, housing instability, police and business aid. Read our top and most impactful reporting. by Jacob Jones / December 18, 2023
Environment Are WA forests worth more as carbon sponges or timber harvests? ‘Working forests’ like state-run Tiger Mountain retain greenhouse gases — but logging is deeply entrenched in Northwest economies. by Ashli Blow / August 22, 2023 / Updated at 9:20 a.m. on Aug. 25
Investigations WA auditors flag $1.2B in federal aid over incomplete records State agencies said most dollars are accounted for, but unclear guidance on pandemic relief made complying with reporting rules difficult. by Jacob Jones / July 11, 2023
Investigations Auditors flag half of Washington counties over COVID-19 aid Findings of fraud or misuse remained rare despite short deadlines set for local governments to spend billions in emergency relief. by Jacob Jones / March 23, 2023
Environment Washington’s first carbon auction sold pollution for $300 million Under the Climate Commitment Act, the money will go toward funding climate solutions and investing in communities that face environmental injustice. by Ashli Blow / March 16, 2023
Inside Cascade PBS Crosscut’s Recovery Watch project wins WashCOG’s Bunting Award The Washington Coalition for Open Government recognized records and data reporting that helps readers learn about local pandemic relief spending. by Jacob Jones / February 6, 2023