As a nonprofit, collaborative newsroom, InvestigateWest’s mission is to produce high-impact journalism that holds power accountable, exposes injustice and empowers underserved communities across the Pacific Northwest: https://www.investigatewest.org/https://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mlvtlvr53c2jIdaho's incarceration rate is rising. As state prisons are running out of room, they've sent some women to "the hole" for temporary housing. https://www.investigatewest.org/overflowing-idaho-prisons-are-sending-women-with-good-behavior-to-the-hole/15 May 2026 17:17 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvtlvr53c2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mltj6ujut22dOregon prosecutors said she didn’t protect her baby. She says she was surviving abuse. https://www.investigatewest.org/prosecutors-said-failure-to-protect-she-said-abuse/14 May 2026 19:06 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltj6ujut22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mlqsvww32k2hWhen a child caught in a custody battle said she was raped, the court-appointed investigator didn’t believe her. Though a Washington judge later found the investigator failed at her job, by then, the child’s mother said, the damage had already been done. https://www.investigatewest.org/a-girl-caught-in-a-custody-battle-said-she-was-raped-the-court-appointed-investigator-didnt-believe-her/13 May 2026 17:22 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqsvww32k2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mlbly3bldk2nAs Idaho prisons run out of room, some inmates with good behavior have been sent to segregated housing - small cells that are usually reserved as punishment. “They’re treating us like we’re in trouble when we haven’t done anything." https://www.investigatewest.org/overflowing-idaho-prisons-are-sending-women-with-good-behavior-to-the-hole/07 May 2026 16:08 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbly3bldk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3ml26copnf22wA review of thousands of text messages and investigation documents shows how school leaders and law enforcement failed to recognize and properly investigate common sexual grooming behaviors as the teacher grew closer and closer to the student. https://www.investigatewest.org/an-everett-teacher-resigned-over-a-relationship-with-a-student-shoreline-community-college-hired-him-months-later/04 May 2026 17:14 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml26copnf22whttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mkv7ssbznc2uText messages and investigation documents show how Everett Public Schools leaders and law enforcement failed to recognize and properly investigate common sexual grooming behaviors as the teacher grew closer and closer to the student. https://www.investigatewest.org/an-everett-teacher-resigned-over-a-relationship-with-a-student-shoreline-community-college-hired-him-months-later/02 May 2026 17:58 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkv7ssbznc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mkq52dud3k2mOwyhee County, Idaho is among hundreds of local law enforcement agencies getting paid by the Department of Homeland Security to help enforce immigration law - https://www.investigatewest.org/rural-idaho-sheriffs-office-got-at-least-116-000-for-helping-ice/30 Apr 2026 17:25 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkq52dud3k2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mjzazuequ22kIdaho law previously only protected inmates if the abuse included genital contact. https://www.investigatewest.org/idaho-legislature-passes-bill-to-expand-prison-sex-abuse-law/21 Apr 2026 15:05 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzazuequ22khttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mjpi2xl4pk2yWashington courts appointed guardians ad litem to 7,000+ family law cases since 2020 to investigate how domestic violence and other issues impact kids. But there’s little independent oversight of the role: https://www.investigatewest.org/washington-courts-rarely-discipline-guardians-ad-litem-accused-of-misconduct/17 Apr 2026 17:44 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjpi2xl4pk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mjnhnwbf4k2cThe new law expands the definition of unlawful sexual contact between prison staff and inmates, after InvestigateWest reported on how the previous state law made it difficult to punish prison guards for sexual abuse. https://www.investigatewest.org/idaho-legislature-passes-bill-to-expand-prison-sex-abuse-law/16 Apr 2026 22:32 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjnhnwbf4k2chttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mjmwxsoizs22How effective are Portland’s sanctuary city policies when ICE can track and surveil immigrant communities with ease? @fi2w.org reports - https://www.investigatewest.org/surveilled-and-sold-privacy-and-sanctuary-in-portland/16 Apr 2026 17:33 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjmwxsoizs22https://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mjkj37ig7225Immigration attorneys, like Jennifer Ibañez Whitlock of @nilc.org, say they've seen detention derail what would otherwise be straightforward asylum cases — and even push people to give up their cases to avoid lengthy stays in detention centers. https://www.investigatewest.org/i-was-trying-to-follow-the-rules-wa-asylum-seekers-detained-over-questionable-violations/15 Apr 2026 18:19 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjkj37ig7225https://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mjde6k7cbc2mThe reforms come roughly 2 ½ years after InvestigateWest’s “Cruelest Lie” series exposed child abuse and neglect at youth residential facilities. https://www.investigatewest.org/idaho-passes-law-youth-home-oversight/12 Apr 2026 22:03 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjde6k7cbc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mj3wi4tvck2tThe Franklin County Sheriff is the second sheriff in the state to sign up for an ICE task force agreement - the most involved and controversial cooperative agreement because it allows local police to stop people to check their immigration status. https://www.investigatewest.org/franklin-sheriff-help-enforce-immigration-law/09 Apr 2026 23:09 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3wi4tvck2thttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mj3kvj44e22eInvestigateWest reporters bring high-impact watchdog journalism to the Pacific Northwest and collaborate with other newsrooms to bring you stories that might otherwise go untold. On this inaugural Local News Day, show your support: www.investigatewest.org/donate09 Apr 2026 19:42 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3kvj44e22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3miyplllpjk2gIn many Washington counties, these family court investigators have limited training, aren’t required to have a professional license and have little independent oversight. But these reforms could help. https://www.investigatewest.org/washington-could-implement-these-guardian-ad-litem-reforms/08 Apr 2026 16:28 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3miyplllpjk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mihijj757s2sFormer residents of an Oregon homeless encampment said when they called the Forest Service to reclaim belongings, their calls went unanswered, appointments never happened or they weren't given enough time to gather belongings. https://www.investigatewest.org/oregon-homeless-forest-service-property/01 Apr 2026 20:06 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihijj757s2shttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mhw2qmwvys2fA bill that would make it easier for prosecutors to charge prison staff accused of sexually abusing inmates passed the Idaho Senate on Tuesday and is now awaiting final approval from Gov. Brad Little. https://www.investigatewest.org/idaho-legislature-passes-bill-to-expand-prison-sex-abuse-law/25 Mar 2026 21:44 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhw2qmwvys2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mhqfo2i7o22pWashington courts appoint guardians ad litem to look out for kids' interests in custody cases, especially when abuse or domestic violence is alleged. But there’s little independent oversight of these court investigators, and discipline is rare. https://www.investigatewest.org/washington-courts-rarely-discipline-guardians-ad-litem-accused-of-misconduct/23 Mar 2026 15:44 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhqfo2i7o22phttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mhnsrnb7fx2vAsylum seekers whose cases are before an immigration court can’t be deported until their case has been decided. But a growing number of asylum seekers are being detained for allegedly missing immigration check-ins - often without evidence of those violations. https://ow.ly/krcq50Yx6np22 Mar 2026 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhnsrnb7fx2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mhluovzdyh2cIdaho lawmakers ordered an independent probe into how the state handles allegations of sexual abuse by Idaho prison staff. It comes after InvestigateWest exposed misconduct allegations against dozens of women's prison guards. https://ow.ly/YLYh50Yx6mc21 Mar 2026 20:29 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhluovzdyh2chttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mhh4j42rps2mWilfredo Castillo was detained at what he thought was a routine appointment for his asylum case. During the 11 months he spent in detention, Castillo was stabbed by another detainee and struggled to collect evidence to back his asylum claims. https://www.investigatewest.org/i-was-trying-to-follow-the-rules-wa-asylum-seekers-detained-over-questionable-violations/19 Mar 2026 23:06 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhh4j42rps2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mheow4qtgs2kICE is now increasingly detaining asylum seekers for allegedly missing required appointments and check-ins on a phone app — often without providing evidence, according to lawyers and a review of federal court rulings. https://www.investigatewest.org/i-was-trying-to-follow-the-rules-wa-asylum-seekers-detained-over-questionable-violations/18 Mar 2026 23:57 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mheow4qtgs2khttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mhchakueo22cLawmakers ordered the audit after InvestigateWest uncovered sexual misconduct allegations against dozens of women’s prison guards that were inconsistently tracked, frequently dismissed without a thorough investigation and rarely prosecuted. https://www.investigatewest.org/idaho-lawmakers-order-investigation-of-sexual-assault-in-womens-prisons/18 Mar 2026 02:35 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhchakueo22chttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mgdw6poo3c2cSchool leaders received numerous reports that former high school English teacher Curtis Johnston was “dating” a student but failed to intervene, complaint says https://www.investigatewest.org/former-student-files-13-4-million-claim-against-mercer-island-school-district-over-alleged-teacher-sexual-abuse/05 Mar 2026 23:10 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgdw6poo3c2chttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mgd7z3k7cs2jFormer prosecutors say Idaho’s narrow definition of illegal sexual contact between prison staff and inmates is partly why accountability for guards accused of sexual abuse — even when a guard seemingly confesses to it — remains rare. https://www.investigatewest.org/idaho-lawmakers-move-to-close-gap-in-prison-sex-abuse-law/05 Mar 2026 16:33 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgd7z3k7cs2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/investigatewest.bsky.social/post/3mg6opxl77s2tToday's the start of our spring fundraising campaign! In 2026, we’re working as hard as ever to meet the growing needs of underserved communities. How do we do more? Only with your help. Your gift today sets us up strong for another year of telling truth to power. www.investigatewest.org/donate https://www.investigatewest.org/donate03 Mar 2026 21:13 +0000at://did:plc:xuvxpkgsvsqquaotmdm4bj5d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg6opxl77s2t