Washington has few paths to early prison release. Advocates fear Gov. Ferguson has closed off a critical one
Gov. Bob Ferguson has rejected everyone the state board recommended for commutation
Government
Three Decades of Well Water Pollution in Rural Oregon Sees Almost No Government Action
Community organizers band together to tackle pollution from food processors and industrial farming.
Lobbying email from Oregon secretary of state’s office raises eyebrows in Salem
The email to customers asked them to support the office’s budget request
Investigation finds racism, gender bias against worker at Oregon Employment Department
A 110-page investigative report documents a hostile work environment experienced by a female attorney of color in the agency’s new paid family leave program.
Idaho renters face bigger shortage of affordable homes, national housing report shows
According to 2023 report, Idaho has 38 affordable rental homes for every 100 households with extremely low incomes — a decrease from 42 units in 2022
Auditors flag half of Washington counties over COVID-19 aid
Findings of fraud or misuse remained rare despite short deadlines set for local governments to spend billions in emergency relief.
EPA and a Montana mining company promise action after InvestigateWest report exposes public health concerns
Previous reporting showed how regulators and the mine teamed up to rebut independent researchers
State caregivers in Oregon group homes reach crisis
Staffing shortages, low pay and safety concerns burn out a Department of Human Services unit that cares for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
How auditing giant KPMG became a global sustainability leader while serving companies accused of forest destruction
The firm vouched for an Indonesian company with a supply chain beset by deforestation allegations and a project in Canada that led to an Indigenous forest’s “death by a thousand cuts”
Vancouver Public Schools continued to use prohibited restraints on students after state ban
A review of hundreds of pages of records show security guards at Vancouver Public Schools have used banned restraints more than a year after the state outlawed them.
WA's government transparency committee is ready to call it quits
As their fight for government transparency becomes increasingly difficult, the Washington Sunshine Committee is considering disbanding.
Oregon bill aims to crack down on paramilitary activity
House Bill 2572 would provide the state with new tools to prevent paramilitary activity, which has been unlawful in all 50 states, including Oregon, for decades.