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Democracy & Extremism

Idaho State Police warned InvestigateWest that publishing story about secret recording might violate Idaho law

We wrote about it anyway By Daniel Walters / InvestigateWest More than a week before…
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.…
Government

As ‘empowered’ cities ban them from public spaces, homeless people in WA scatter in search of refuge

Attorneys say bans could become more common following U.S. Supreme Court decision in June By…

Our Latest Investigations

Government

Oregon Secretary of State probing staff complaints about racism, mismanagement at early learning department

Auditors are exploring issues revealed in InvestigateWest reporting as possible risks to the department “getting…
Health

Staff at Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children sound alarm over shrinking space, families turned away

Oregon families of medically fragile children grapple with uncertain future of longtime Providence center By…
InvestigateWest Investigations

For six years, UW has wrestled with whether to revoke the Ph.D. of one of the Northwest’s most infamous child molesters 

Advocates and victims argue the university should do more to hold O’Donnell accountable    By…

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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

Idaho State Police warned InvestigateWest that publishing story about secret recording might violate Idaho law

We wrote about it anyway By Daniel Walters / InvestigateWest More than a week before…
Democracy & Extremism

Idaho House puts bill to redefine ‘terrorism’ on ice 

Previous InvestigateWest reporting revealed Bundy ranch militant was instrumental in crafting the bill  By Daniel…
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…

Environment

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…
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…

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

Government

Oregon Secretary of State probing staff complaints about racism, mismanagement at early learning department

Auditors are exploring issues revealed in InvestigateWest reporting as possible risks to the department “getting…
Health

Staff at Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children sound alarm over shrinking space, families turned away

Oregon families of medically fragile children grapple with uncertain future of longtime Providence center By…
Government

Idaho is losing OB-GYNs after strict abortion ban. But health exceptions unlikely this year.

Doctors, confused about how to practice medicine under Idaho’s abortion ban, pleaded with state legislators…

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

Tribes raise alarm as Supreme Court’s conservative justices signal they could undercut Native child welfare law

Law designed to protect Native American families By Orion Donovan-Smith / Spokesman-Review WASHINGTON – The…
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.…