Indigenous Affairs Yakama Nation’s new public safety campus gives justice room to grow The tribal court system, which had occupied a cluster of trailers since the ’50s, plans to add services like a mental health or a veterans court. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore News and ICT / January 9, 2024
Equity Snoqualmie Tribe starts land protection sales tax at Salish Lodge The 2% tax will preserve ancestral sites such as Snoqualmie Falls, and could be a model for other Indigenous nations. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore/ICT / July 17, 2023
News The Washington mental health lifeline made for and by Native people The Native and Strong Lifeline provides connection and culturally specific care to callers in crisis. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Indian Country Today and Underscore News / June 19, 2023
News Vaccine-hesitant Washingtonians open up about their fears Most attention goes to the committed anti-vaccine crowd but a quarter of those unvaccinated come from a more politically, racially diverse group. by Levi Pulkkinen / September 1, 2021
Politics Washington Legislature charts ‘new beginning’ in climate change fight As the dust settles in Olympia, the state has finally embraced cap and trade, electric cars and environmental justice. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / May 3, 2021 / Updated at 8:30 a.m. on May 4
Politics Inside Washington’s $328M push to prevent disastrous wildfires The state Legislature is considering a massive investment to step up firefighting, improve forests and secure communities near the fire lines. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / April 16, 2021 / Updated at 4:20 a.m. on April 20
Politics Strong environmental justice mandates stripped out of HEAL Act The environmental proposal in the state Legislature was designed to protect communities of color, but will it make a difference? by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / April 2, 2021
Politics WA lawmakers look to fix climate while solving the housing crisis Efforts to expand the state’s green building rules would, among other things, phase out gas heat and appliances in most homes and businesses. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / February 19, 2021 / Updated at 8:30 a.m., Feb. 21
Politics WA lawmakers consider expanding Medicaid in pandemic’s wake Use of Medicaid insurance has grown during COVID-19, but budget shortfalls make it harder for many to get this free care. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / February 12, 2021
Politics State must protect foster children from abuse, court rules In a 5-4 ruling, the Washington state Supreme Court sided with the five former foster children who had been abused. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / November 1, 2018
