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
Education
Shoreline Community College quietly updates hiring rules after sexual misconduct vetting failure
The president of the college said in an email that they are updating their policies following an investigation into former Everett high school teacher
These reforms could improve accountability for Washington teachers accused of sexual misconduct, experts say
Washington was the first to enact “Don’t Pass the Trash” legislation two decades ago
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
Former student files $13.4 million claim against Mercer Island School District over alleged teacher sexual abuse
School leaders received numerous reports that former high school English teacher Curtis Johnston was “dating” a student but failed to intervene, complaint says
These Washington educators have lost or surrendered their teaching license for alleged misconduct
A searchable teacher misconduct database compiled by InvestigateWest fills gaps in the state’s public-facing records
WA agency disciplined 160 teachers for sexual misconduct since 2015. Many cases are shielded from the public
An InvestigateWest analysis of the state’s educator misconduct database shows gaps allowing teachers to escape scrutiny
Investigation opened into former Mercer Island High School teacher accused of sexual misconduct
A different teacher has also been put on paid leave for potentially "failing to report"
‘I want people to know he’s done this’: Student alleges sexual misconduct by another Mercer Island teacher
High school English teacher Curtis Johnston, who abruptly retired in August, is the second teacher accused of sexual misconduct in recent months
Mercer Island schools assessing sexual abuse protocols after outcry
Superintendent to “analyze current practices” and “make improvements” for student safety following InvestigateWest and Mercer Island Reporter story
After Homeland Security ‘welfare check,’ Idaho school district says immigration requests will draw new scrutiny
Vallivue School District says school resource officers must now run any requests from immigration authorities past administrators
A beloved Mercer Island teacher was accused twice of sexual misconduct with students. The school district kept it quiet.
Gary "Chris" Twombley was put on administrative leave in December 2023
Homeland Security’s ‘welfare’ check on Idaho migrant students raises school privacy questions
In other parts of the country, the welfare checks have resulted in children being taken out of their homes and put back into government custody