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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Free online therapy for teens and young adults is coming to Seattle
City leaders announced a new partnership with Talkspace, an online behavioral health care company, on Tuesday. Those services are now available across Seattle, free of charge to anyone between the ages of 13 and 24.
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Cornish and Seattle U announce plans to merge as higher ed storm looms
Two of Seattle's private colleges are merging — Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts.
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Seattle Public Schools' budget woes continue
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Judge throws out attempted recall of Seattle School Board president
A King County Superior Court judge on Monday dismissed the attempted recall of Seattle School Board President Liza Rankin.
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Seattle Public Schools drops contentious closure plan following months of waffling amid backlash
Seattle Public Schools’ plan to shutter four schools next fall is dead — at least for now.
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Seattle may not close elementary schools, after all
In a stunning reversal, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said Tuesday he may not recommend closing schools, after all.
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SPS parents mount a recall effort against Seattle School Board President Liza Rankin
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'This is the worst.' Seattle parents, students react to school closure plans
Seattle Public Schools officials are trying to ease concerns about proposals to close four elementary schools. But it's a tough sell.
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Seattle School Board president faces recall effort over handling of school closures
As Seattle Public Schools faces continued public backlash over proposed school closures, a group of parents is attempting to recall board President Liza Rankin.
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What the election means for school funding in Washington state
As school districts across the state slash millions from their budgets and consider school closures, Washington voters signaled strong support for education funding in this week's election.