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 WA health officials throw away millions of pandemic supplies Masks, gowns, gloves and more: States are culling their expired stockpiles, but medical experts say the waste shows a system unprepared for disasters. by Brandon Block / February 23, 2024
Investigations WA mobile home tenants add health complaints to investigation Residents of parks owned by Port Orchard-based Hurst & Son have reported smelly tap water, E. coli outbreaks and raw sewage exposure to state agencies. by Farah Eltohamy / February 6, 2024
Investigations WA intercepts millions in child support for low-income families In 2022, the state took over $40 million meant for impoverished children. A bipartisan bill could redirect a portion of future payments to families. by Brandon Block / January 25, 2024
Investigations What tenant protections will WA lawmakers consider in 2024? Officials plan to reintroduce mobile home and renter rights bills involving rent stabilization, tax breaks and civil penalties against landlords. by Farah Eltohamy / December 22, 2023
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
Investigations Tumwater mobile home tenants lobby against rent hikes As manufactured home communities in Washington become less affordable, residents have increasingly organized to galvanize support and push policy. by Farah Eltohamy / December 1, 2023
Investigations Why have Washington eviction cases doubled in the past six months? Billions in federal pandemic aid masked dysfunction in the rental market. But that money is gone — along with some legal protections. by Brandon Block / November 28, 2023
Northwest Reports Podcast | Following the COVID small-business money Season 1 , Episode 41 / October 25, 2023 The Working Washington program aimed to get pandemic relief to small and “historically disadvantaged” business owners. Did it?
Investigations WA spent $500M to help small, minority businesses. Did it work? A Crosscut analysis of Working Washington grants found mixed results on equity initiatives and millions for large chains or franchises. by Brandon Block / October 18, 2023 / Updated at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2023
Investigations Washington AG calls for rent, fee rollbacks at Aberdeen mobile park After residents filed complaints, a state investigation alleges Port Orchard-based management company Hurst & Son violated tenant protection laws. by Farah Eltohamy / October 6, 2023 / Updated at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 16, 2023
Investigations WA mobile home communities organize against ‘economic eviction’ Port Orchard-based Hurst & Son LLC bought dozens of parks in recent years. Now residents say the company is raising rents and cutting services. by Farah Eltohamy & Mai Hoang / August 30, 2023
Investigations $1.1M in COVID relief steered to Auburn horse racing track State lawmakers earmarked some of Washington’s last pandemic funds to support Emerald Downs, bolstering the racing industry and drawing criticism. by Brandon Block / August 25, 2023
Investigations Federal aid is supercharging local WA police surveillance tech Pandemic relief funds are bankrolling new – and often unregulated – law enforcement tools such as license-plate readers, drones and AI video software. by Brandon Block / July 26, 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
Investigations Washington counties, tribes get more than $110M in federal land aid A small part of the American Rescue Plan provides direct, flexible dollars to compensate for untaxable national parks or other federally owned lands. by Brandon Block / June 13, 2023 / Updated at 12:15 p.m.