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$31 million earmarked for transportation upgrades in Lane, Washington counties
Lane and Washington counties have snagged $31 million for transportation upgrades from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The money, announced Thursday by four Democrats in Oregon’s congressional delegation, is part of $1 billion being distributed nationwide through a grant program dedicated to road, rail, transit and port improvements. The money is highly competitive: The government […]
Oregon’s child welfare director appointed to new job by the Biden Administration
Rebecca Jones Gaston, Oregon’s child welfare director, just received a big promotion: The Biden administration picked her to be its commissioner overseeing federal social services for children. The nomination comes two years after Jones Gaston took the reins at Oregon’s Child Welfare Division, a troubled agency with unstable management. She was the seventh division chief […]
Baker City feedlot hopes to expand operation to 15,000 cows
A Baker City feedlot that currently manages fewer than 3,000 head of cattle is seeking permission from the state to expand to 15,000. The expansion would require approval of a new Confined Animal Feeding Operation permit through the Oregon Department of Agriculture. CAFO permits specify the number of animals a company can have in one […]
Nurse shortage in Oregon impairing health care, advocates say
The workforce shortage among the state’s health care workers has become so dire that it is starting to affect the quality of care, advocates said Tuesday. Testifying during an informational meeting of the House Interim Committee on Health Care, Matt Calzia, a registered nurse and consultant with the Oregon Nurses Association, detailed what it’s like […]
Oregon aims to bolster mobile mental health crisis units
The Oregon Health Authority plans on bolstering mobile units of trained mental health professionals around the state to care for people when they’re in a mental health crisis. The plan is part of the country’s move next year to a new federal suicide prevention phone line to take the burden off 9-1-1 operators. “This could […]
Former Oregon Youth Authority employee accuses agency of fostering sexual harassment
A former Oregon Youth Authority employee has sued the agency, accusing it of fostering a toxic and misogynistic work environment and allowing sexual harassment against female employees. The lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Eugene, said that Amy Bailey was stalked outside her workplace at Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility by a male […]
Legislator again proposes early release of terminally ill prisoners in Oregon
Oregon lawmakers will get a new look at a proposal to release elderly or sick prisoners who have terminal illnesses. State Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, told a legislative committee on Monday that he plans to reintroduce a bill that failed in the 2021 Legislature. It wasn’t ready, he acknowledged, adding that a work group has […]
Suit over sacred tribal site on Mount Hood will be heard in Ninth Circuit on Tuesday
Two tribal leaders who’ve pursued a year’s long battle with the federal government over a patch of Mount Hood they consider sacred will get another chance to make their case in court. The leaders want the federal government to restore what they say is an ancestral religious location. They sued the Federal Highway Administration in […]
Advocates craft bills on bolstering children’s mental health services in Oregon
Advocates for the children’s mental health system hope to persuade legislators in their February session to do more to help providers who have struggled to stay afloat. Among the bills in the works is one that would send resources to rural areas to help officials find solutions for homeless youth. They often have the will, […]
Oregon will be flush in money to dramatically expand broadband – but that’s not happening soon
Oregon will reap at least $100 million to expand broadband services to homes and businesses throughout the state from the new infrastructure bill passed by Congress. The money has many people’s attention, including lawmakers, internet experts and local governments. “This is exciting stuff,” said Mallorie Roberts, legislative affairs manager for transportation and community development for […]
Grants in Oregon to tackle smoke threat to grapes, wild carrots invading fields, and more
Oregon’s wine industry, which has been hard hit by recent wildfires, might not have to worry so much about smoke spoiling grapes in the future. A plan is in the works to protect grapes from “smoke taint” that fouls the taste of wine. The research project by Oregon State University is among 15 projects that […]
CHILDREN IN CRISIS: Strained mental health system failing Oregon children
EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the most troubled children in Oregon are failing to get the care they need in Oregon. The reasons are complex but the impact is clear. This is a compilation of the four-part series reported by Deputy Editor Lynne Terry of Oregon Capital Chronicle. – Editor Les Zaitz PART 1: CHILDREN IN […]