For community. For Democracy. KUOW Impact Update - January 1 - March 31, 2021

From the Chief Content Officer

We're living through an extraordinary moment. The first days of 2021 were defined by a rapid succession of enormously significant events: an insurrection, an impeachment and an inauguration. Locally, history was happening as well. The first shipments of vaccines were finding their way into more and more arms — in a process characterized by relief and joy, but also confusion and inequities. We marked the anniversary of the first Covid-19 cases in our community and the start of a surreal and dangerous year. Families prepared to send their children back to school, with both excitement and trepidation. And today, as our state pushes towards reopening, the race between vaccines and variants continues.

We'll remember the start of this year as one of enormous significance — both for our democracy and for our local community. As we navigate what's happened and what's yet to come, KUOW and NPR will be here for you with trusted, reliable information and context.

Today, I'm proud to share a look at KUOW's recent work and its impact. You make this work possible. Thank you for your support and your trust. We take neither for granted.
Jennifer Strachan 
Chief Content Officer

Stories With Impact

An informed public makes our community stronger. Here's a look at some of KUOW's recent local reporting and the impact it has had on our community — whether it's driven policy change, helped our community navigate important events, or amplified voices previously unheard.

Sounding the alarm on treatment of students with disabilities  

In August, KUOW's Ann Dornfeld reported on the lack of special education services for students during the pandemic, including teachers specifically being instructed not to tailor remote lessons to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The report sounded an alarm throughout the community, and in January, the U.S. Department of Education launched a federal probe into Seattle Public Schools, citing Dornfeld’s reporting. In recent months, KUOW has reported extensively on the push to reopen schools in Washington state — and what being back in-person will look like for students and teachers. 
KUOW Photo / Megan Farmer

Documenting the complexities of Washington’s vaccine roll-out 

In a roll-out riddled with confusion and misinformation, KUOW’s vaccine reporting brought clarity and accountability to a crucial and complicated process. Our coverage included Anna Boiko-Weyrauch's report on how Washington’s PhaseFinder tool was not achieving vaccine equity and also how communities of color are doing unpaid work to fix it; Eilis O’Neil’s story on people jumping the vaccine line, and Deborah Wang’s February write-up on how to find a vaccine. In recent weeks, KUOW's photojournalist Megan Farmer documented the opening of the new mass vaccination site at Lumen field, as Washington prepares to make the vaccine available to everyone over 16 on April 15. 
KUOW Photo / Megan Farmer

Investigating an oil train derailment in Whatcom County 

In late December, a train carrying crude oil derailed and caught fire 80 miles north of Seattle. While the FBI and other agencies investigate the cause of the accident, KUOW reporter John Ryan was able to piece together a portrait of what happened that morning through interviews, statements of union, government and BNSF Railway officials, as well as photos, videos, public records and scanner traffic from the disaster site. KUOW also investigated possible causes of the disaster and questions investigators are pursuing in a second piece. Disclosure: BNSF Railway is a financial supporter of KUOW.
Photo Courtesy of Whatcom County Councilmember Ben Elenbaas
 

Amplifying your stories from a dangerous year 

In 2020, KUOW met with community members to record their experiences of life during a global pandemic. Now one year in, reporter Joshua McNichols brought these stories together in a one-hour special. You'll hear from nurses, patients; you'll hear from the isolated Makah tribe and from a man who whisked his elderly mother away to a remote cabin to keep her safe. You'll also hear from a struggling student trying to learn English, a grief-stricken pastor, and from people finding community by singing across vast distances. You'll hear from people who must work driving buses and delivering food, and from people who've changed careers or changed themselves.  
KUOW Photo / Megan Farmer

Reflecting on 10 years of stories told by Washington teens

KUOW's RadioActive Youth Media program kicked off 2021 with a new miniseries called Snapshots. Every Thursday, youth hosts Ardo Hersi and Mimansa Dogra revisit a story from the RadioActive archives, share updates from the producers, and discuss what has changed (and what hasn't) since the story was first published. Through their stories, listeners of all ages can gain a deeper understanding of young people whose voices are rarely heard by the greater public. You can listen to the Snapshots series online or by searching for RadioActive wherever you get your podcasts.
KUOW Graphic / Melissa Takai
 

Stories That Spurred Discussion

When we think about impact, we're also thinking about stories that broaden conversations and deepen understanding. Here are three recent stories that sparked dialogue, both on and offline.

Whitewashing of Asian students and a report that launched a reckoning

By Kristin Leong
KUOW Photo / Kristin Leong
A week after publishing this story, KUOW hosted a virtual audience discussion with KUOW's Kristin Leong,  Zaki Hamid and Isolde Raftery and student Christina Joo, who is featured in the story.

"Thank you for using this platform to share your voice, raise awareness and spark discourse." – Eric, LinkedIn

Re:Building Democracy State-Wide Broadcast

Moderated by Ross Reynolds, Featuring Eric Liu, Kim Wyman & Jennifer Sherman
KUOW Graphic / Teodora Popescu
KUOW joined Washington public media organizations for a collaborative reporting project on revitalizing our democracy, culminating with a state-wide broadcast, featuring voices and comments from listeners across the state. 

"Panelists were excellent and the themes of empathy and humanizing one another resonated well with me." - Anonymous Attendee, Survey

With marriage and a gender transition behind them, they dined at Canlis

By Lisa Jaffe, Maura Hubbell & Kristin Leong
KUOW Photo / Kristin Leong

Seattle Story Project is a series of bold first-person reflections on life and resilience in the Puget Sound Region. Lisa and Maura's story was one of our most viewed web stories this quarter.

"What a lovely, honest look at the evolution of love for these individuals. I wish them continued good will towards one another, and thank them for sharing their story with us." – Jennifer, Facebook 
 

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