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
Government
WA auditors flag $1.2B in federal aid over incomplete records
State agencies said most dollars are accounted for, but unclear guidance on pandemic relief made complying with reporting rules difficult.
Idaho awards $1.2 billion contract for behavioral health. Both losing bidders sue.
New managed care organization to oversee mental health, substance abuse treatment for 425,000 Idahoans
How local laws restrict the location of subsidized housing
New research looks at how zoning policies push these homes into pockets of the Puget Sound region where jobs and services are lacking compared to wealthier areas.
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
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
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 implementation
How WA cities’ lobbying muscle shapes housing, public records bills
Lobbyists for the Association of Washington Cities flex the group’s influence in Olympia — including the ability to draft policy themselves.
Oregon Legislature passes ‘ghost gun’ ban
More gun safety provisions were stripped from the legislation as part of a deal to end the Senate Republican walkout last week.
At WA military base, families battle mold, rodents and more despite promised reforms
Military families say reforms adopted in 2019 have done little to improve housing conditions
SPECIAL REPORT: Oregon fails to turn page on reading: $250 million spent in 25 years
Many Oregon kids still struggle to read because they are taught using ineffective methods
Housing restrictions are leaving more Northwest sex offenders homeless
Researchers say sex offender registration and notification laws can be counterproductive for public safety by keeping registrants on the streets
‘It’s crazy out there’: The reasons behind Oregon’s deepening drug crisis
Fueled by fentanyl, the number of overdose deaths in Oregon has soared since 2019. And while the surge in overdoses is part of a national problem, the state’s underfunded treatment system is struggling to provide local solutions