News WA housing discrimination complaints dip, bucking national trend Allegations are down by over 50% in the state, with most coming from people with disabilities. But claims are at an all-time high nationally. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / July 22, 2024
News WA spent $5B over past decade on homelessness, housing programs The money has helped accelerate housing construction in the state, but there’s still only one affordable home for every five households that need one. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / May 27, 2024
News ‘A partial solution’: A closer look at the new WA Cares Fund The long-term care tax program has already stoked controversy, with critics saying the $36,500 benefit is too small to be meaningful. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / November 23, 2023
Politics Housing, homelessness loom large in the minds of Washington voters Tacoma, Spokane and Bellingham each have ballot measures on these issues, and both voters and candidates have cited them as top priorities. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / October 31, 2023
News What WA leaders are watching for in the Manuel Ellis police trial Members of law enforcement, community organizers and more weigh in on the trial of three Tacoma officers charged in the 2020 death of Ellis. by Jerry Cornfield & Laurel Demkovich & Grace Deng & Bill Lucia Washington State Standard / October 4, 2023
Environment Washington cities, counties now required to plan for climate change Starting in 2025, local governments will need to consider emissions and natural disasters in their long-term planning. Some already do. by Laurel Demkovich Washington State Standard / August 8, 2023
Politics WA may end mandatory sentencing points based on juvenile convictions HB 1324 hopes to remedy the harm of the racist 'superpredator' myth, which has lengthened the sentences for mostly Indigenous and Black youth. by Luna Reyna / April 18, 2023 / Updated on 2:10 on April 20
News Gov. Inslee won't lift WA's vaccine mandate for state employees yet The governor told a Crosscut Festival audience that the restrictions have saved about 19,000 lives in Washington state. by Luna Reyna / May 9, 2022
News ‘I’m not a token': Seattle council president Debora Juarez opens up Juarez shares her history of advocacy, hopes for collective healing and conviction that Indigenous people must have a seat at the table. by Luna Reyna / March 17, 2022 / Updated at 5:56 on March 17, 2022
Equity WA is working on an Amber Alert for missing Indigenous people State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Rep. Debra Lekanoff are proposing a bill that would disseminate critical information more quickly and effectively. by Luna Reyna / February 3, 2022