Investigations Audit finds more problems with how WA spent federal COVID aid A new report found 86 issues, a record number, with how state agencies spent funds, listing documentation deficiencies and $1.17B in questioned costs. by Jacob Jones / June 12, 2024
Investigations A review of 2023’s WA worker safety, COVID relief investigations Crosscut published more than 40 stories on job safety, housing instability, police and business aid. Read our top and most impactful reporting. by Jacob Jones / December 18, 2023
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
Investigations WA auditors flag $1.2B in federal aid over incomplete records State agencies said most dollars are accounted for, but unclear guidance on pandemic relief made complying with reporting rules difficult. by Jacob Jones / July 11, 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
Investigations Auditors flag half of Washington counties over COVID-19 aid Findings of fraud or misuse remained rare despite short deadlines set for local governments to spend billions in emergency relief. by Jacob Jones / March 23, 2023
Investigations A year of Crosscut investigations into federal pandemic aid WA Recovery Watch published over 30 stories on funding delays, disparities and unspent aid. Here's what came from that reporting — and what's next. by Jacob Jones / December 20, 2022
News Data gaps make relief payments to WA officials hard to trace Learn how to match public officials and candidates to billions in federal relief dollars, and why watchdogs say financial disclosure rules need improvement. by Jacob Jones / October 10, 2022
News WA state agencies fall short on federal relief reporting Officials say staffing and spending deadlines impacted their ability to comply with federal aid monitoring rules. by Jacob Jones / August 16, 2022
News Why some WA nonprofits face high barriers to federal relief Federal relief money often requires complex reporting and upfront costs that disproportionately strain rural or BIPOC-led organizations. by Jacob Jones / May 16, 2022