Sami West
Online Editor/Reporter
About
Sami West joined KUOW’s web team as an Online Editor/Reporter in 2025.
Before that, she spent over two years covering education at KUOW, reporting extensively on mounting financial challenges in Seattle Public Schools and districts across Washington state. Her coverage also focused on growing concerns about violence in and around schools, teacher shortages, the youth mental health crisis, and the countless ways Covid continues to affect schools and families, among other topics.
Previously, she wrote about education for Chalkbeat in Memphis, Tennessee, and two newspapers in Wisconsin.
A Midwesterner at heart, Sami originally hails from Minnesota and holds degrees in journalism and English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Education Writers Association
Stories
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When will UW's cherry blossoms bloom in 2026?
Arguably the most magical time of the year in Western Washington is almost here: cherry blossom season.
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Washington joins 24-state lawsuit seeking to block Trump's latest tariffs
Washington is one of 24 states suing the Trump administration over its latest attempt to impose worldwide tariffs without congressional approval.
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Mount Rainier National Park ditches timed entry reservations
Timed entry reservations will not be required to visit Mount Rainier National Park this year.
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December's record flooding caused $182M in WA infrastructure damage, Ferguson says
Washington state will be claiming $182 million in infrastructure damage after devastating floods swept the region in December, Gov. Bob Ferguson said on Tuesday.
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Can new superintendent Shuldiner the burden of Seattle Public Schools?
Ben Shuldiner has officially taken the reins of Seattle Public Schools and he has big plans for Washington state’s largest public school district.
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'Mourn today, act tomorrow.' New Seattle Schools superintendent emphasizes safety following fatal shooting near South Shore
It’s safe to say Ben Shuldiner’s first day as superintendent of Seattle Public Schools wasn’t what he’d expected.
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'If you hear something, say something.' After ICE scare, Seattle Public Schools updates guidance
Seattle Public Schools officials are taking steps to improve how the district responds to reports of immigration enforcement activity near schools.
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After unconfirmed ICE reports prompt sheltering in place, Seattle schools pledges ‘more centralized decision-making’
Seattle teachers, parents, and students remain on edge after unconfirmed reports swirled earlier this week that immigration enforcement officers were operating near several schools.
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Conozca sus derechos: ¿qué pasa si se encuentra con ICE?
Hay mucha confusión sobre los derechos que tienen las personas al encontrarse con funcionarios de inmigración. Para aclarar lo que se puede y no hacer si se encuentra con ICE, KUOW conversó con Henry Hwang, abogado director del Proyecto de Derechos de los Inmigrantes del Noroeste.
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Know your rights: How to navigate an ICE encounter
Federal immigration enforcement activity is escalating across the U.S., including in Seattle.
