Associate Director Jason Alcorn. Photo: Sarah Stuteville.
For InvestigateWest's five-year anniversary party on June 19, we invited Peggy Watt to say a few words about InvestigateWest from her vantage point training young journalists, including several former IW interns. Watt chairs the journalism department at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. Here are her prepared remarks.
So you are five years old. I have been thinking a bit about 5-year-olds lately, because my grandson Spencer Glenn will be five on his next birthday. Here are the things I have been noticing about 5-year-olds....
They are inquisitive.
And InvestigateWest is certainly that, by keeping investigative reporting alive and well in the Pacific Northwest. I have enjoyed your work in environmental, health and political issues, and will be watching to see what you explore next.
Five-year-olds are energetic.
I’ve covered Silicon Valley startups, and I see the same vibe at InvestigateWest. Robert came to Western as a visiting professional in the company’s first year. We work our Visiting Pros pretty hard, scheduling them to speak to as many classes as possible during the day and partying with the faculty at night, but he kept up – and without caffeine. One of his stories to the students was how he moved to Seattle and gave up coffee. You’ll have to ask him about that one.
Five-year-olds are creative.
And InvestigateWest has been creative in presenting its journalism, using online presentations, galleries, solid long-form journalism, a range of reporting methods and presentation methods.
Our advanced reporting class has teamed with InvestigateWest a couple times to report on local environmental issues, notably the coal port. Beef up that CMS and we can help you do even more.
Five-year-olds are inspirational.
InvestigateWest has pushed to explore new means of storytelling, such as using interactive graphics that illustrate certain points more effectively than words, and tackling overlooked or forgotten topics of importance. And it’s an inspiration to watch you try to be a purposely nonprofit journalism organization in the first place.
Most five-year-olds are learning to share.
But InvestigateWest is already pretty good at sharing. I think you’ve hosted at least one intern each year from Western alone, and this is such a strong internship opportunity for our students that I hope you’ll have more. And the sharing doesn’t stop there; “Exhausted at School” and “Boeing’s Lobbying Campaign” both won first place awards from the Washington Press Association with the combined work of InvestigateWest writers and a Western intern, Liv Henry. What a great start to her career.
Finally...
Five-year-olds are still pretty new and full of potential. Five-year-olds are a promise. I love seeing Spencer grow. I promise to help you grow in any ways that I can.
The story you just read is only possible because readers like you support our mission to uncover truths that matter. If you value this reporting, help us continue producing high-impact investigations that drive real-world change. Your donation today ensures we can keep asking tough questions and bringing critical issues to light. Join us — because fearless, independent journalism depends on you!
In other parts of the country, the welfare checks have resulted in children being taken out of their homes and put back into government custody
Get the inside scoop in your inbox, free.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters and never miss an investigation.
Journalism that sparks change
Our work has inspired new state laws, exposed government failures and impacted local communities in powerful ways. These stories wouldn't be told without InvestigateWest, and we couldn't do it without our generous supporters.
