Mercer Island School District settles sex abuse claim for $1.5M
A former student alleged district administrators failed to intervene and protect her from being sexually abused by an English teacher
As nonprofit takeover looms, Spokesman-Review union rebukes plan to keep embattled editor Rob Curley
Despite concerns newsroom staffers shared with InvestigateWest and RANGE, the nonprofit taking over Spokane’s daily paper plans to keep Curley in a leadership role
Mercer Island School District settles sex abuse claim for $1.5M
A former student alleged district administrators failed to intervene and protect her from being sexually abused by an English teacher
A ‘constitutional sheriff’ divided this Washington county. Will the next sheriff keep his ideas alive?
As Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer retires, candidates have distanced themselves from some — not all — of Songer's most controversial positions
Prison overcrowding is keeping Idaho women behind bars even after they’re granted parole
State agencies don’t know how many inmates face more prison time because they couldn’t access programs prescribed by parole commissioners
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While other states offer more pathways for early release, Washington abolished its parole system in 1984 for most prisoners and restricted earned “good time,” while other resentencing reforms meant to address harsh or excessive prison sentences are limited. Clemency has become a small yet critical relief valve for those behind bars — one that Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has thus far shut off entirely.
When Cyndy Piez's son overdosed, she took the bottle of pills she found in his bedroom and drove to the hospital.
In most states, Cyndy’s effort to help doctors understand what her son had taken might have ended with treatment. But this was Idaho — one of at least nine states that automatically treat fentanyl possession above a certain threshold as trafficking, stripping people who seek help for an overdose of protection from criminal punishment.
"Guarded by Predators" is a series by InvestigateWest exposing rape and abuse by Idaho’s prison guards and the system that shields them. The series launched on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at investigatewest.org.
Through court records, survivor accounts, and months of reporting, we uncover how Idaho’s broken system shields abusers and hides their crimes from the public. Until now.
Stories with Impact
Washington schools chief seeks policy changes after teacher sexual misconduct reporting
The changes, which would expand the state’s investigatory abilities, still need approval from the governor-appointed Professional Educator Standards Board
Award Winners
Idaho immigrants detained in raid moved far from home — and from their attorneys
Many undocumented immigrants arrested at an Idaho racetrack are being detained in Nevada and other states, making it harder for attorneys and family to find them
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Education
Mercer Island School District settles sex abuse claim for $1.5M
A former student alleged district administrators failed to intervene and protect her from being sexually abused by an English teacher
Climate
Guarded by Predators
More Guarded by Predators
Spokane prosecutors are suddenly declining to charge more felony domestic violence cases, citing staffing issues
As Washington reduces public defender caseloads, prosecutors say that's forced difficult charging decisions
Immigration
Idaho county’s probation office compiles ‘foreign born list’ for ICE
Emails show how Canyon County probation officers are helping immigration authorities — including making a list of foreign-born individuals
Indigenous Affairs
Public Health
State of Democracy
As nonprofit takeover looms, Spokesman-Review union rebukes plan to keep embattled editor Rob Curley
Despite concerns newsroom staffers shared with InvestigateWest and RANGE, the nonprofit taking over Spokane’s daily paper plans to keep Curley in a leadership role
Human Trafficking
Criminal Justice
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