News What’s next after Washington passes pro-natural gas measure? Initiative 2066 aimed to keep gas as a utility option for consumers. But potential court challenges could complicate putting it into action. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / November 29, 2024
Politics Washington state lawmakers may get a 14% raise over next two years A citizen panel recommends the pay bump, which would push annual salaries over $70,000, to keep pace with growing duties and rising costs of living. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / October 15, 2024
News State audit says WA police seizures require more transparency Though the report said agencies are complying with the law, they could do better at helping people reclaim seized property and tracking demographic data. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / April 19, 2024
Politics Washington public defenders say the strained system needs funding Too many cases, too few lawyers and too little money hurt local governments’ ability to provide effective counsel to those with financial constraints. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / February 2, 2024
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
News Labor shortages, heat bring tough tides for WA shellfish farm At Taylor Shellfish Farms, hiring is increasingly a challenge as skyrocketing housing costs and difficult working conditions make it hard to recruit. by Mara Kardas-Nelson High Country News / October 17, 2022
During wildfires, West Coast farmworkers forced to put harvest over health Little is done to protect the workers’ health, and many feel powerless to hold employers accountable. by Mara Kardas-Nelson & Jess Alvarenga & Rosa Amanda Tuirán InvestigateWest / October 6, 2020
How wildfires in the American West hurt the entire country As smoke travels, it can cause illness and economic hardship thousands of miles away. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / October 1, 2020
As wildfires break records, firefighters face growing health risks Emerging scientific evidence shows they may be at risk of respiratory and heart illness, and maybe even cancer. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 28, 2020
How British Columbia protects its people from wildfire smoke The Canadian province is well ahead of Washington and Oregon in protecting people’s health from wildfires. by Mara Kardas-Nelson InvestigateWest / September 22, 2020