Hit hard by COVID's fifth wave, Washington veterans homes now brace for staffing shortages It was a challenging summer at Washington’s state-run homes for veterans. Two of the four homes experienced widespread COVID-19 outbreaks. Four veterans died. Now the homes are bracing for another challenge: the potential for a staffing shortage as the governor’s vaccine mandate kicks in. Austin Jenkins
We Asked Russia's 1980s Afghan War Vets To Judge The U.S. Exit. Here's What They Said Veterans of the Soviet Union's decade-long war in Afghanistan see parallels — and stark contrasts — with the U.S. experience and exit after two decades there. Charles Maynes
Lynnwood's Heroes' Cafe, a community for veterans by veterans Every last Tuesday of the month, dozens of military veterans gather at Heroes Café in Lynnwood. Despite the name, Heroes Café is not exactly a coffee shop. The veterans here can get coffee, but even more important, they get camaraderie. Ruby de Luna
Woman Who Murdered 7 Veterans In VA Hospital Gets Multiple Life Sentences The former nursing assistant pleaded guilty to intentionally using lethal doses of insulin to kill the elderly veterans who ranged in age from 81 to 96. Scott Neuman
White House Plan Breaks Taboo: A Focus On Guns And Veteran Suicide The Trump Administration's new suicide prevention strategy mentions the touchy subject of gun-safety. It will aim to fight the stigma around people seeking help during a mental health crisis. Quil Lawrence
11 Veterans Die At Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts Amid COVID-19 Outbreak More than 20 coronavirus cases have been confirmed at the facility, and officials are rushing to do more tests, hoping to learn the full extent of the exposure. Bill Chappell
47 States Call On Betsy Devos To Forgive Student Loans For Disabled Veterans Attorneys general from 47 states, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia have asked the Department of Education to make loan discharge for permanently disabled veterans automatic. Cat Schuknecht
Balancing Safety And Privacy When A Veteran Goes Missing Wisconsin created the Green Alert - a statewide call-out when family, friends or caregivers report a troubled veteran is missing. That may save lives, but it exposes a personal crisis to all. Quil Lawrence
Among False Claims, Trump Attacked McCain For Failing Veterans President Trump's attack on the late Senator John McCain included an inaccurate claim about McCain's role in reforming the VA. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) called Trump's remarks 'deplorable.' Quil Lawrence
VA Struggles To Unlock The Reasons Behind High Suicide Rates Among Older Veterans There's been an alarming rise in the suicide rate among younger veterans. But elderly veterans commit suicide at a rate higher than the non-veteran population. The VA wants to find out how to stop it. Steve Walsh
