Politics Should cops be involved in all Washington human trafficking cases? Some advocates say that legislation requiring law enforcement endangers survivors at risk of retaliation. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / January 22, 2024
Indigenous Affairs Washington State University earns $15M a year on stolen land A Grist report reveals that over the past 150 years, WSU has collected at least $1B in profit from land taken from 21 Indigenous nations. by Venice Buhain / February 7, 2024
Indigenous Affairs How the case of a missing Indigenous teen fell through the cracks No one was looking for Kit Nelson-Mora, despite warning signs, until a friend contacted police over a year after their disappearance in Omak. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / February 14, 2024
News Over half of WA school bond measures get majority vote, but fail Only seven of 21 school bonds statewide got supermajority votes, but 91% of school operations levies, which require only a simple majority, passed. by Venice Buhain / February 20, 2024
News WA school districts aren’t following up on their truant students Laws on unexcused absences are meant to keep kids safe, but a lack of resources and fear of court have kept districts from completing necessary steps. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / March 5, 2024
News WA courts are meant to fine convicted sex buyers. Most don’t Courts could have collected over $2.5 million in fees in the past decade, which would have gone to programs to alleviate trafficking. Why didn’t they? by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / March 25, 2024
Politics The progressive case against Jim McDermott U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle. by Don Glickstein / July 7, 2008
Politics WA lawmaker moves to fix system for child sex trafficking victims A 2020 law was supposed to create two trauma-informed treatment centers for exploited children. They still haven’t opened. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / October 26, 2023
News Why convictions lag compared to sex trafficking reports in the PNW While Washington has some of the toughest trafficking laws in the nation, law enforcement in Seattle and Portland struggle to put policy into practice. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / December 8, 2023
News Enrollment woes leave Washington school closures on the table Bellevue, Seattle and Olympia districts say drops in student numbers could lead to budget pressure and further consolidations. by Venice Buhain / December 12, 2023