Politics Students close to getting voting power on WA education board A bill inspired by student outreach would give authority to two students. It passed out of both chambers of the Washington Legislature this session. by Mari Kanagy / March 10, 2022
Politics WA prison officials push back on bill to limit solitary confinement Lawmakers and the Department of Corrections agree that the practice is harmful, but the latter balked at the proposed regulations by Mari Kanagy / February 24, 2022
Politics WA proposed budget funds stipends to attract low-income board members $50,000 is allocated for constituents to help shape boards and commissions with their lived experiences. by Mari Kanagy / February 18, 2022
Politics Bill aims to boost incentives for filming in Washington If 'Twilight' is set in Washington, it should have been shot in Washington, legislators say. by Mari Kanagy / February 7, 2022
Politics Gov. Inslee's budget seeks to expand voting access in WA county jails The budget asks for more than half a million to go to helping remove barriers for people in jail who are otherwise eligible to vote. by Mari Kanagy / January 21, 2022
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