Featured Stories

Government

WA prisoners pay millions in fees to the state. Most of the money isn’t being used

Family members who have loved ones behind bars are supposed to provide input into how…
Child Care In Crisis

Budget cuts for Idaho Child Care Program compounds financial troubles for parents, providers

With high employee turnover, Idaho’s financially struggling child care industry braces for subsidy program cuts…
Environment

Energy demand from data centers growing faster than West can supply, experts say

In a webinar hosted by regional transmission authorities, data centers were called a “major challenge”…

Our Latest Investigations

Democracy & Extremism

‘Devolving into a democracy’: What’s behind the Washington GOP’s messy, inconsistent stand against American democracy 

GOP resolution fuels concerns about threats to democracy; state party leader dismisses criticisms as “hair-on-fire…
Democracy & Extremism

WA GOP chairman says party ‘lost a lot of talent’ to sanctions and infighting

Jim Walsh decries actions against lawmakers accused of “domestic terrorism,” sexual harassment and other misbehavior…
InvestigateWest Investigations

Feds open investigation into Idaho anti-trafficking nonprofit after InvestigateWest exposes potential fraud

Investigative reporting prompts action from oversight agency and attorney general as accusations of fraud and…

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Cruelest Lie

Health

Idaho youth treatment home exposed in InvestigateWest investigation closes down

Advocates express relief but push for greater oversight of facilities statewide By Wilson Criscione /…
The Cruelest Lie

Idaho investigators repeatedly found kids in danger. Youth treatment programs faced few consequences 

An InvestigateWest analysis reveals a lack of disciplinary action against troubled programs By Wilson Criscione…
The Cruelest Lie

Public records show 10 years of child abuse, neglect allegations at Idaho’s troubled teen facilities

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare currently oversees 28 children’s residential care facilities. These…

State of Democracy

Democracy & Extremism

WA GOP chairman says party ‘lost a lot of talent’ to sanctions and infighting

Jim Walsh decries actions against lawmakers accused of “domestic terrorism,” sexual harassment and other misbehavior…
Democracy & Extremism

What Idaho’s Republican Primary Tells Us About America’s Culture Wars

The heavily Republican state booted 15 incumbents across the party’s ideological spectrum. While the election…
Democracy & Extremism

Secret recording shows how a right-wing Idaho lobbyist tried to keep a legislator in lockstep

Freedom Caucus Network power broker Maria Nate blasted controversial state Rep. Heather Scott for support…

Environment

Environment

A tale of two workers: Heat deaths on the job provoke differing responses in Oregon, Idaho

One state adopted worker protections and saw deaths drop, while the other took no action…
Climate

State Agency Met with Oil-by-Rail Firm in Private Ahead of Permit Application

A 2023 DeSmog investigation uncovered a “backroom deal” between Portland city officials and Zenith Energy.…
Climate

Oregon begins rewriting landmark climate program derailed by gas lawsuit

During the next year, the Department of Environmental Quality will work on a new program…

Gender-Based Violence

Investigative Reports

Why many judges in WA won’t order abusers to turn in guns

State and federal court decisions threaten to override Washington’s firearm surrender law By Kelsey Turner…
Investigative Reports

In Eastern Washington, victims seeking protection steer clear of a judge accused of domestic violence himself

Attorneys say there’s little accountability for judges who may show bias against victims By Wilson…
Investigative Reports

Low-income domestic violence survivors face uphill battle in obtaining court-ordered protections 

Advocates urge more funding for housing, shelters and legal services as well as consistent policy…

Public Health

Health

Report lays bare stark disparities in health care outcomes for Native Americans in Washington 

Health system performance scorecard shows shorter life spans, higher rates of death before 75 from…
Environment

A tale of two workers: Heat deaths on the job provoke differing responses in Oregon, Idaho

One state adopted worker protections and saw deaths drop, while the other took no action…
Government

Audit of Oregon early learning department highlights ongoing need for equity training, oversight 

Findings align with concerns from current and former staff in recent InvestigateWest report By Kaylee…

Wildfires

Environment

Amid heavy smoke, wildfire crews work without practical respirators

'There are times where you just don’t breathe, because you can’t.' By Hannah Weinberger /…
Climate

What WA’s new wildfire smoke rules might mean for outdoor workers

Washington could be the second state to impose permanent safety regulations, but employers and workplace…
Climate

An Oregon town is buying surrounding forests to confront wildfires

A logger, forester and former mayor have joined forces to help Butte Falls protect its…

Indigenous Affairs

Indian Country

An Indigenous teen in Washington disappeared amid clear signs of danger. It took more than a year before police started investigating 

School, police and state CPS officials all received warnings that teen was unsafe By Kelsey…
Environment

Tribes call for feds to ban chemical in car tires that is linked to salmon deaths

So far, a more environmentally-friendly alternative to keep tire rubber from degrading hasn’t emerged. By…
Indian Country

One WA tribe tests waters for locally sourced, traditional foods

The Lummi Nation in northwest Washington is part of a push to give Native Americans…