Washington is fighting to limit its duty to protect vulnerable adults
At the same time, Adult Protective Services workers say they’re under growing pressure to close investigations quickly.
Criminal Justice
An Everett teacher resigned over a relationship with a student. Shoreline Community College hired him months later.
Loopholes and failed investigations allowed a former Henry M. Jackson High School teacher to skirt accountability
Idaho Legislature passes bill to expand prison sex abuse law
The bill, inspired by InvestigateWest reporting, was signed into law by Gov. Brad Little
Washington courts rarely discipline guardians ad litem accused of misconduct in custody cases
Minimal oversight of court investigators makes it difficult for parents to challenge flawed reports without risking damage to their cases
Idaho lawmakers order investigation of sexual assault in women’s prisons
The independent probe will look into “systemic failures” detailed in InvestigateWest series
Idaho lawmakers move to close gap in prison sex abuse law
The proposal would expand the definition of illegal sexual contact between prison staff and an inmate to include kissing, groping
Bill to establish statewide oversight of jails in Washington dies in Legislature
Washington is one of 12 states without enforceable state standards or oversight — that won’t change in 2026
Idaho records exposed officer misconduct. Then the state decided to conceal them.
State agencies will no longer release information about whether an officer retired, resigned or was fired
Two Colville women were booked into a rural Washington jail. It became a death sentence
Critics say WA jails are letting opioid users suffer from withdrawals, leading to preventable deaths
Lawsuit alleges Bureau of Indian Affairs officers “executed” unarmed Shoshone-Paiute man in Idaho
The lawsuit claims Bureau of Indian Affairs officers lacked jurisdiction when they pursued, killed Cody Whiterock
Two Idaho prison guards sexually assaulted her, witnesses said. Neither was charged
Investigative files reveal allegations from several women that weren’t enough for criminal consequences
Complaint against WA Rep. Tarra Simmons alleges misuse of $30,000 in campaign funds
It’s the third ethics complaint filed against her in recent months
WA crime victim orgs call for state help as falling federal funding has them at a ‘breaking point’
Nonprofits say temporary state dollars haven’t been enough to stave off cuts to sexual abuse and domestic violence programs