Environment Washington’s ‘smoke season’ is back. Here’s how to stay safe. As wildfire risk increases, so does the frequency of hazy, hazardous days. Here are some tips on monitoring air quality – and your health. by Venice Buhain / August 23, 2023
Environment Are WA forests worth more as carbon sponges or timber harvests? ‘Working forests’ like state-run Tiger Mountain retain greenhouse gases — but logging is deeply entrenched in Northwest economies. by Ashli Blow / August 22, 2023 / Updated at 9:20 a.m. on Aug. 25
Politics Seattle city employees say low pay, safety contribute to vacancies 11 unions representing almost 6,000 city workers are bargaining for new three-year contracts. by Josh Cohen / August 21, 2023
Environment More art, less trash: Washington reuse centers promote upcycling Similar to thrift stores, the shops keep potential waste out of landfills by repurposing ‘stuff’ in new sustainable ways. by Scarlet Hansen / August 18, 2023
Politics WA senators just released more previously redacted records Leaders said they didn’t have more hidden information, but memos show blacked-out emails to cannabis lobbyists and texts with redacted bill names. by Joseph O'Sullivan / August 17, 2023
News Cyclists have a love/fear relationship with biking around Seattle Last month, Crosscut reported on Danny Roberts’ trek to ride every road in Seattle. Readers responded with stories of their own. by Nimra Ahmad / August 17, 2023 / Updated at 11:30 am on Aug. 17
Investigations WA’s $5M youth homelessness effort is ramping up. Is it working? Though the funds helped dozens of young people secure housing, delays and slow spending stalled some programs in their first year. by Elizabeth Whitman Youth Today / August 15, 2023
Equity Seattle therapist starts her own conference for clinicians of color Striving to counteract the whiteness of most mental health treatment, Ashley McGirt-Adair hopes “Reclaiming Wellness” will be an annual event. by Megan Burbank / August 14, 2023
Environment Some E-bike companies are pushing against right-to-repair laws Fires caused by rechargeable batteries spark controversy over whether e-bike owners should be allowed to make repairs themselves. by Maddie Stone Grist / August 14, 2023
News How the PAC-12 scramble will impact WSU’s athletics Already facing a $100M deficit, the Pullman-based sports program is now searching for a new conference to keep TV revenue rolling in. by Nicholas K. Geranios / August 11, 2023
News Washington state buys shuttered psychiatric hospital in Tukwila Cascade Behavioral Health’s parent company closed the 137-bed facility last month. Now the state hopes the acquisition will expand treatment options. by Joseph O'Sullivan / August 11, 2023
News WA foster parents say the state still hasn’t fixed its investigative system The state has been aware for years that fears of retaliation and frustration around investigations have driven away some otherwise willing foster parents. by Kaylee Tornay InvestigateWest / August 10, 2023
Politics 9 new ways Seattle could raise taxes to balance its budget The city’s “Revenue Stabilization Workgroup” was tasked with crafting progressive taxes. Here’s what they came up with. by Josh Cohen / August 9, 2023
News Forget banning books — a rural WA county may close its library After a fight over LGBTQ+ young-adult titles, a November ballot measure will decide the fate of the only library in Columbia County. by Meg Butterworth / August 9, 2023
News Podcast | Why one WA library could be voted out of existence Calls for censorship of LGTBQ+ young adult books in Columbia County mirror a national political debate. Meg Butterworth shares her reporting. by Sara Bernard / August 9, 2023