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 Washington schools don't have to teach sex education. That could soon change Advocates hope legislation requiring comprehensive K-12 sexual health education will be successful in 2020. by Liz Brazile / December 13, 2019 / Updated December 17, 2019 at 12:44 p.m.
Equity Despite state policy changes, WA schools still disproportionately discipline students of color The latest data show that while public school discipline rates have been trending downward statewide, disparities persist in who is being punished. by Jen Dev & Liz Brazile / May 24, 2019 / Updated June 24, 2019 at 11:07 a.m.
Equity WA schools to make advanced classes more accessible to students — but will it close the opportunity gap? A new law will automatically enroll students who meet or exceed state standards in the classes. Advocates say it doesn’t go far enough. by Liz Brazile / May 16, 2019
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
