An Oregon wood treater kept polluting a town’s water source with a now-banned chemical — but regulators didn’t stop it
Nearby tribe calls on state, federal agencies to end a “decade-long pattern of reckless violations”
Retired docs earn millions examining injured Washington workers
'This is a wonderful way to make six figures saying no,' said one attorney about Independent Medical Examiners' role in evaluating workers' comp claims.
WA’s workers’ compensation system ensnarls some hurt on the job
A “grand bargain” under L&I can force injured employees to navigate multiple appeals or turn to costly litigation to get the care they need.
As teen employment rises in WA, so do youth labor violations
Between 2014 and 2022, complaints about working conditions for minors doubled — and one expert thinks this might be just the tip of the iceberg.
Filipino fishermen left in WA marina allege abandonment, lost pay
Fishing companies say long waits between seasons can be common, but labor experts say offshore foreign workers are “uniquely unprotected” under U.S. policies.
A WA worker’s death reveals the limits of safety enforcement
A fatal trench collapse in 2016 set precedent for holding employers criminally liable, but officials still struggle to head off repeat violations.
Everett shelter got $3M in COVID relief despite complaints
Local officials signed new contracts with The Hand Up Project after two residents died last year and former employees alleged financial mismanagement.
King County prosecutor’s office accused of 'self-dealing’ promotion
An investigation found no hiring policies were violated but noted there is no consistent process for filling leadership positions.
Where the Starbucks union stands after rallies, proposed audit
As a new CEO takes over, employees of the Seattle-based coffee giant are taking their demands to the street: Stop union-busting and bargain in good faith.
New rules put Puget Sound's urban trees in private hands
Because the majority of the region's trees are in residential neighborhoods, responsibility for maintaining canopy coverage is shifting to homeowners.
Expansion of electric vehicle grid hits roadblocks in rural WA
A new statewide plan would use federal dollars to build chargers every 50 miles, upgrading rural utilities and combating 'range anxiety.'
