In-depth investigative reporting holding government, agencies, and powerful institutions accountable across the Pacific Northwest. Fully sourced, document-driven journalism.
The Ferguson police fund was the cornerstone of Bob Ferguson’s 2024 campaign for governor. Specifically, he vowed to secure $100 million to hire more police officers in a state that ranks dead last in officers per capita. Furthermore, he kept that promise — securing the money through House Bill 2015 in 2025. The problem is…
The Seattle homeless industrial complex spends more than $600 million a year across overlapping city, county, and regional agencies. Specifically, Seattle’s Human Services Department alone runs a $421 million 2026 budget, and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority adds another $205 million. Furthermore, the region’s homeless population rose to more than 16,000 in the 2024…
The Sound Transit shortfall has reached $34.5 billion over the next two decades. Specifically, the agency cannot afford to build the full light rail system that Puget Sound voters approved in 2016. Furthermore, a plan headed for a May 28 board vote would defer the Ballard extension and delay other promised projects. The Ballard project…
The I-5 homeless industrial complex spans three West Coast metros connected by a single freeway. Specifically, the Portland metro spent over $700 million on homelessness in a single year. Seattle’s Human Services Department runs a $421 million 2026 budget. Furthermore, Los Angeles County approved a $908 million homeless services spending plan for 2025-26. That is…
The Live Nation antitrust case ended in a sweeping defeat for the company. Furthermore, a federal jury in Manhattan found on April 15, 2026 that Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated an illegal monopoly. Specifically, the jury found Live Nation overcharged American concert-goers by $1.72 per ticket across 20% of all tickets sold at major venues….
TL;DR: The Washington Supreme Court refused on May 5, 2026 to reinstate Senate Bill 5974 — the sweeping sheriff standards law that would have required elected sheriffs to meet the same eligibility criteria as appointed police chiefs. Specifically, a Thurston County Superior Court judge had blocked the law one day before it was set to…
Former Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers player Joel Rufus French was sentenced May 7, 2026 to 16 years and 4 months in federal prison for orchestrating a $197 million Medicare and CHAMPVA fraud scheme. Furthermore, the operation targeted some of America’s most vulnerable people — elderly Americans with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and the families…
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson agreed to a $4,000 ethics settlement after admitting he violated state ethics law by flying former adviser Mike Webb on a State Patrol aircraft. Furthermore, the same week the settlement was announced, Axios revealed a secret approval policy requiring most state agencies to clear press releases and reporter responses through the…
The Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled on May 4, 2026 that voters cannot block the new Washington millionaire’s tax through a referendum. Specifically, the court found that Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6346 is shielded from referendum because Democratic lawmakers attached a “necessity clause” declaring the tax essential to state government operations. The 9.9% tax on…
The dissolution moved from rhetoric to reality on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski formally introduced legislation to end the county’s participation in the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. Vice Chair Reagan Dunn co-sponsored. A companion Seattle measure from Councilmember Maritza Rivera is moving in parallel. The plan: a formal council vote…
