Indigenous Affairs Native nations lead salmon restoration efforts in Columbia Basin The number of returning adult salmon and steelhead has doubled since the 1990s, but is still only halfway to the NWPCC’s goal of 5 million. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore + ICT / February 10, 2025
Indigenous Affairs Cowlitz Tribe youth help lead this year’s First Salmon Ceremony “It’s what we do to thank the salmon for what they give,” said Lydia Hodges, 15, part of the new generation carrying on the sacred ritual. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore + ICT / June 24, 2024
Indigenous Affairs Yakama Nation’s new public safety campus gives justice room to grow The tribal court system, which had occupied a cluster of trailers since the ’50s, plans to add services like a mental health or a veterans court. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore News and ICT / January 9, 2024
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
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
News How Washington courts allow for private prosecutions A seldom-used state law allows vigilante criminal prosecutions — and the state Supreme Court just opted to leave it on the books. by Levi Pulkkinen / September 28, 2021
News Education benefit for active-duty military can be elusive The Pentagon promises opportunities for education as part of enlistment. But availability of college classes is spotty as the perk gets slashed. by Levi Pulkkinen The Hechinger Report / September 20, 2021
News Vaccine-hesitant Washingtonians open up about their fears Most attention goes to the committed anti-vaccine crowd but a quarter of those unvaccinated come from a more politically, racially diverse group. by Levi Pulkkinen / September 1, 2021
Environment The key to living with wildfire smoke? Preparation Some parts of Washington have so far avoided smoky air. But that could change. Here’s what you can do to be ready. by Levi Pulkkinen / July 29, 2021
Politics Washington Legislature charts ‘new beginning’ in climate change fight As the dust settles in Olympia, the state has finally embraced cap and trade, electric cars and environmental justice. by Levi Pulkkinen InvestigateWest / May 3, 2021 / Updated at 8:30 a.m. on May 4