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Government

Inflation has turned Washington state’s property tax cap into a county budget-killer

Frustrated county officials say state leaders have shunted the state’s financial burden onto local governments…
Government

Idaho Legislature commissions investigation of youth treatment homes, passes bills to increase oversight and regulations

Lawmakers cite InvestigateWest series that revealed abuse, neglect at youth facilities By Wilson Criscione /…
Government

New WA legislation prioritizes human trafficking prosecutions and support for child victims

Almost $700,000 was allocated to support child victims By Kelsey Turner / InvestigateWest Washington state…

Our Latest Investigations

Health

Most WA courts aren’t requiring convicted sex buyers to pay mandatory fees intended to address trafficking

Report finds $2.5 million in uncollected fees over last decade By Kelsey Turner / InvestigateWest…
Government

Bill enabling Oregon to crack down on child labor heads to Gov. Kotek’s desk

Republican critiques of increased penalties for child labor violations fails to slow momentum By Kaylee…
Washington State Legislature in Olympia, WA
Government

WA bill requiring clergy to report child abuse dies in House committee 

Committee rejected a compromise with Catholic lobbyists that survivors argued “protects abusers” By Wilson Criscione…

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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…
Democracy & Extremism

Bundy Ranch militant Eric Parker says he’s the driving force behind Idaho bill to narrow definition of ‘terrorism’

Critics argue the legislation “essentially guts” Idaho’s Terrorist Control Act By Daniel Walters / InvestigateWest…
Democracy & Extremism

How local Idaho prosecutors lost the case against Patriot Front’s white nationalist leader

Caught with a “little army” and plans to provoke confrontation at a gay pride event,…
Democracy & Extremism

Influential Idaho Freedom Foundation quietly hired alt-right propagandist to help shape messaging

Right-wing Idaho legislators stay silent on the group’s affiliation with Dave Reilly By Daniel Walters…
Environment

Idaho residents still seeing impacts of decades-old nuclear test fallout

‘The fight isn’t over’: Idaho downwinders persist after Congress cuts compensation for them. By Mia…
Environment

In an era of climate change, Alaska’s predators fall prey to politics

With Alaska's wildlife numbers declining, agencies are blaming — and culling — predators. The true…
Environment

Washington Law Attempts to Fill the Void in Federal Regulation of Hazardous Chemicals

With a years-long backlog in the U.S. government’s risk assessments of thousands of potentially hazardous…
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…
Government

How child care fared in this year’s Washington state legislative session

By Laurel Demkovich, Washington State Standard, March 14, 2024 Washington lawmakers this year funneled more…
Health

Most WA courts aren’t requiring convicted sex buyers to pay mandatory fees intended to address trafficking

Report finds $2.5 million in uncollected fees over last decade By Kelsey Turner / InvestigateWest…
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 /…
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…
Indian Country

On an Ancient Road, Tribal Elders Wage a Relentless Battle

The government bulldozed an Indigenous religious site along a busy Oregon highway, but tribal elders…
Indian Country

One tribe’s efforts to revive the native camas plant, and the ecosystems, knowledge, and sovereignty that once flourished around it.

By Claire Elise Thompson / Grist This story was originally published by Fix, Grist’s solutions lab.…
Indian Country

Federal Official Announces Funding for Upgrades to Columbia River Treaty Fishing Sites

Bryan Newland, the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, says the money will help begin…