Whitman County Watch published dozens of independently reported stories on government agencies, official accountability and commercial development throughout 2019. We also published guides on public records and local candidates.
To end the year, we wanted to share a look back at our work and provide some additional background for transparency.
Whitman County Watch has published 45 individual stories, many offering in-depth or exclusive coverage on matters of broad community interest. We also published 21 other guide pages featuring local candidate profiles, reader surveys and public records tips.
Our coverage drew more than 19,700 unique readers to our website since Jan. 1, according to analytic data. Those readers added up to approximately 39,700 pageviews.
TOP-FIVE STORIES OF 2019
Analytic data lists our most-read stories of the year as:
1. Records show hand washing, food temp controls top restaurant inspection failures
2. Data shows Colfax pharmacy moved most painkillers, offers context for opioid lawsuit
3. Pullman police files show neglect of duty, sexual harassment among other misconduct
4. Colfax City Hall called ‘dysfunction junction’ amid allegations of lying, mismanagement
5. County deputies to again answer some Colfax police calls after officer resigns
LOCAL IMPACT
Open government: Much of our work remains rooted in public records and liberating those documents for community benefit. We filed scores of records requests with state and local agencies in 2019. Our public records guide can help you do the same. We have also offered direct guidance and support to readers or other local reporters to help answer their questions on obtaining records.
After we asked the county Health Department for its restaurant inspection records in February, they responded by posting those inspection scores publicly. They also made it easier to find meeting info.
We have also provided feedback on transparency and usability to both Whitman County and the City of Pullman as they have worked to overhaul their official websites. Pullman just launched its new site Wednesday.
Earlier this year, we met in-person with State Auditor Pat McCarthy and her staff to learn more about the office’s accountability efforts and its resources for local transparency. We routinely share local audit reports on our social media pages.
Elections and voting rights: Considering the county’s recent history of election mishaps, we have sought to provide consistent, in-depth coverage of voter issues and the election process.
Our review of countywide candidate filing data found 80 percent of local races go uncontested. We also tracked voter registration system changes and rejected ballots.
And we published independent questionnaires with candidates in contested races throughout the county. We also provided a detailed breakdown of the Pullman Regional Hospital’s proposed bond. Analytics showed hundreds of readers accessing our Fall 2019 Voters Guide during the election period.
Police accountability: Our investigations into police misconduct provided an unprecedented look at the Pullman Police Department’s disciplinary record. The Hargraves case ended in mistrial while recent lawsuits resulted in settlements. We also explored how the department uses drone surveillance and how Pullman officer video has helped fuel a massive anonymous YouTube channel.
In Colfax, we provide ongoing coverage of the dispute between the city and its police chief — from his termination to reinstatement to the longstanding culture of mistrust.
Housing and development: As developers have pursued multiple new projects in Pullman, we have looked at a proposed student housing tower and a resort-style development.
We also compiled our own data set to show at least 80 Pullman residents, including local leaders, were operating AirBnbs in violation of city code.
Breaking news: When water overran the banks of Missouri Flat Creek in April, we provided breaking coverage of the flooding along Grand Avenue. When the Moscow-Pullman Daily News and the Lewiston Tribune could not get a photographer to the city, they asked to run our photos in their print editions.
We also regularly share timely government meeting, emergency or weather hazard information via social media.
FEEDBACK AND SUPPORT
Throughout the past year, we have received numerous messages of support, as well as good-faith constructive criticism. We are grateful for the time readers and colleagues have taken to reach out with news tips or questions. You can reach us here.
We also deeply appreciate the support of our paying subscribers. Since January, we have received $717 (before taxes) from about 20 subscribers via Patreon. This funding helps offset the public records costs, gas, childcare and labor that goes into reporting.
You can find more subscription information here.
On social media, we have shared public records, state audit reports or breaking news updates that do not always turn into complete stories on our website, so please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We have also sought to share and highlight other local media coverage when it seemed relevant to our mission and audience.
Much of our work would not be possible without the daily coverage and historical records of the Daily Evergreen, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Pullman Radio News, the Whitman County Gazette, the Lewiston Tribune, KLEW, the Inlander and the Spokesman-Review.
Please continue to support your local journalists.