Politics Can Catholic lobbyists agree to a child abuse reporting law? In Washington, clergy are not mandated reporters. After a similar bill died last year, new language would offer exemptions for sacramental confessions. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / January 29, 2024
Environment Federal affirmative action ruling may impact WA cap-and-trade Allocating funds from the carbon plan to minority communities most affected by pollution could draw legal battles based on the new SCOTUS decision. by Alex Brown Stateline / September 8, 2023
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
Politics State Rep. Rob Chase's re-election effort is full of conspiracies From election fraud to QAnon, Chase — a recruit of former state Rep. Matt Shea — is trying to mainstream dangerous lies. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / October 14, 2022
Politics WA bills propose initiatives to bring special-ed students back home State lawmakers hope to increase oversight of kids with disabilities sent out of state and prohibit or limit the use of isolation and restraint. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / February 6, 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
Environment Skip the woodchipper: Salvaged city trees are the new lumber From Seattle to Baltimore, cities are recycling felled urban trees into furniture, construction projects and guitars. by Alex Brown Stateline / December 20, 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 Washington is shipping more disabled students out of state Disability advocates accuse state lawmakers of shortchanging special education, splitting up families and costing taxpayers millions. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / February 15, 2022