Universal free school meals, child tax credits and food assistance aid are sunsetting as relief funding dries up.

Yakima was the only Washington county to have rent assistance funds forcibly reallocated under the federal 'use it or lose it' approach.

Justice reform advocates have been disappointed by choices to spend flexible federal recovery funds on items such as tasers and new police cruisers.

Federal relief money often requires complex reporting and upfront costs that disproportionately strain rural or BIPOC-led organizations.

Evidence suggests fraud in federal rent relief programs is rare. But in some states, fraud fears have kept tenants from getting help.

The Small Business Administration doled out $918 million statewide, but the largest awards went to Puget Sound eateries.

The state Public Works Board is considering changes after private internet companies successfully objected to local government initiatives.

Politics were not a factor in refusing federal money, officials from the cities say.

The Washington county's public utility district is taking advantage of federal dollars and a new state law to deliver broadband internet straight to its residents.