Investigations 'The whole thing is broken': Temp staffing costs strain WA hospitals Amid a retention crisis, rural hospitals turned to pricey travel-nurse agencies with little oversight or transparency. Now they need a way forward. by Joy Borkholder / January 13, 2023
News Kirkland hospital uses COVID aid to trigger $1.9M in admin bonuses In a legal gray area, EvergreenHealth commissioners approved including pandemic relief funds in the hospital's financial performance. by Joy Borkholder / November 22, 2022
News This tiny Eastern WA town could become a bitcoin mining hub California investors hope to strike it rich by building a huge crypto operation in the remote town of Usk. But the community isn't so sure. by Zachariah Bryan InvestigateWest / November 17, 2022
Politics Signature checking is WA's safeguard against election fraud Over the years, officials have identified just a handful of ballots that might have been fraudulently cast — out of several million votes tallied across the state. by Zachariah Bryan InvestigateWest / November 8, 2022
News Labor shortages, heat bring tough tides for WA shellfish farm At Taylor Shellfish Farms, hiring is increasingly a challenge as skyrocketing housing costs and difficult working conditions make it hard to recruit. by Mara Kardas-Nelson High Country News / October 17, 2022
News WA battery maker faces accusations of providing U.S. tech to China Mukilteo-based UniEnergy absorbed millions of taxpayer dollars. Hazardous waste, geopolitical chaos and corporate implosion ensued. by Zachariah Bryan InvestigateWest / September 26, 2022
News WA wants to secure housing for youth exiting state care The state has renewed efforts to keep kids released from foster care and detention centers from becoming homeless. by Joy Borkholder Youth Today / August 22, 2022
News Pandemic relief funds may mask budget crises at rural WA hospitals Federal recovery dollars 'saved' some critical access hospitals — but many small facilities still struggle with staffing and rising costs. by Joy Borkholder / July 6, 2022
News Ways to fix the child care system in Washington state Federal and state programs continue to push for more funds to support families and child care by Joy Borkholder InvestigateWest / January 18, 2022
News Why child care in the U.S. lags behind much of the world Ideological differences make more of a difference than financial resources in keeping U.S. child care behind. by Joy Borkholder InvestigateWest / January 5, 2022