Toxic Labor

by Janelle Retka, Samantha McCabe, Jiahui Huang and María Inés Zamudio for The Center for Public Integrity, Futuro Media and Latino USA

Janelle led science and ground reporting for the project, which received an Edward R. Murrow investigative reporting award, an SPJ Sigma Delta Chi Societal Inequality Reporting award, a SABEW Climate Reporting award, and the SPJ Sunshine State best series award.

Read the investigation here, listen to the podcast and explore other articles in the series. Learn about our reporting techniques and takeaways via Columbia Journalism Review.

By Janelle Retka and Leng Len for the Southeast Asia Globe. Photography by Thomas Cristofoletti

Read the article here, explore parts two and three of the series on the true cost of development in Cambodia and see more of Janelle’s business and environment reporting for the Globe.

How sand dredging bled a fishing community dry

The Growth Gap

By Janelle Retka for the Yakima Herald-Republic

Janelle created, reported and led this six-month series with support from the Education Writers Association fellowship.

Read a leading piece from the project, which explored how efforts to improve quality of child care in Washington state drove providers out of the system and cost historically underserved children crucial learning access. Explore the full series, unpack early brain development through this infographic, or hear about the reporting process in this Education Writers Association podcast episode.

Find more education, environment, health and politics reporting for the Herald by Janelle here.

Washington’s 134,000 English learners depend on support from teachers. That didn’t translate online.

By Janelle Retka for The Seattle Times and Yakima Herald-Republic

Read the SPJ Western Washington award-winning piece or more from Janelle’s regular contribution to The Seattle Times.