Kelsey Turner, InvestigateWest

Spokane County has seen a surge in domestic violence cases being declined, the office’s data shows. While the prosecuting attorney, Spokane police and survivor advocates point to differing reasons for the case refusals, they agree that the county’s criminal justice system is at capacity.

The process to collect the guns is straightforward in theory. But people lie, and many Washington communities still rely largely on the accused abuser’s word.

Current Washington state law provides no clear instructions in cases where both parents exhibit concerning behaviors that could harm the child, like domestic violence, substance use or mental illness. Rep. Jamila Taylor says her bill will help that situation, but not all survivors and advocates agree.

Washington lacks regulations that exist in other states to prevent excessive fees

Teen’s disappearance — highlighted in recent InvestigateWest report — among the first cases taken by new state investigative unit

School, police and state CPS officials all received warnings that teen was unsafe.