Politics A WA bill protecting name change privacy was just signed into law As of July 23, people who are trans or queer, those escaping domestic violence, and refugees will be able to change their name confidentially. by Crosscut Staff / April 21, 2023
Politics Washington lawmakers loosen restrictions on police chases The House and Senate agreed that pursuit is allowable when there's reasonable suspicion a violent offense has occurred, or could. by Joseph O'Sullivan / April 18, 2023
Politics WA may end mandatory sentencing points based on juvenile convictions HB 1324 hopes to remedy the harm of the racist 'superpredator' myth, which has lengthened the sentences for mostly Indigenous and Black youth. by Luna Reyna / April 18, 2023 / Updated on 2:10 on April 20
Investigations King County prosecutor’s office accused of ‘self-dealing’ promotion An investigation found no hiring policies were violated but noted there is no consistent process for filling leadership positions. by Lizz Giordano / April 13, 2023
Northwest Reports Podcast | The effort to reform Washington prison culture Season 1 , Episode 11 / February 14, 2023 Reporter Joseph O’Sullivan visited one of the state penitentiaries that is trying to change the relationship between guards and prisoners.
Politics All former WA prisoners can now vote. So far, few have Of the 24,000 residents with felony records now able to vote, just 414 did so last fall. Advocates hope to increase registration and voter education. by Brandon Block / February 13, 2023
Politics Can Washington prisons change the culture of corrections? Officials are trying a new program inspired by Norway to improve quality of life. The challenge is convincing officers to change their approach. by Joseph O'Sullivan / February 1, 2023
News A proposed WA law requires clergy to report child abuse, neglect Washington is one of a handful of states that exempt clergy from reporting suspected abuse. Some lawmakers are trying to change that. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / January 23, 2023
Equity Two lawsuits could threaten the sovereignty of Indigenous nations Plaintiffs claim the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act are racially discriminatory – against non-Indigenous people. by Karina Brown Underscore News / January 10, 2023
Equity A decade after 'I do,' we revisit WA's first legally wed gay couples With the U.S. House and Senate voting to protect same-sex marriages, those involved in King County’s early celebrations remember the historic moment. by Andrew Engelson / December 6, 2022 / Updated on Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Politics Shelved since 2018, this WA gun law may finally be implemented soon State officials have decided to push forward a voter-approved measure requiring annual background checks of pistol and semiautomatic rifle owners. by Joseph O'Sullivan / December 5, 2022
Politics Right-wing "constitutional sheriffs" on the ballot in WA Nearly half of those surveyed by The Marshall Project said they believe their power outranks the government's. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / November 7, 2022
News Why aren't clergy members obligated to report abuse in WA? Since 2003, there has been bipartisan support among legislators to patch the state's mandatory-reporter law exemption. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / October 26, 2022
News Jehovah's Witness church covered up child sex abuse, survivors say Washington's mandatory-reporter law, which has exempted clergy members since 1975, enabled the crimes for decades. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / October 18, 2022
Equity Incarcerated Natives gather for first powwow in three years Families reunited to revive the tradition at the Washington State Penitentiary, the first of 22 powwows scheduled in the state prison system. by Karina Brown Underscore News / October 13, 2022