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USDA will invest $52 million to help fishing industry on the West Coast
The struggling fisheries industry on the West Coast is getting a much-needed financial boost from the federal government. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will buy $52 million worth of Pacific groundfish for its food assistance programs. The money is the USDA’s third and biggest investment in the fish in as many years. “This […]
Merkley, Blumenauer optimistic about prospects of cannabis banking act
Over the past eight years, two Oregon congressional members have pushed Congress to pass a law encouraging banks to work with cannabis companies, considered illegal businesses under federal law. This year, they’re hopeful it will pass. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, both Oregon Democrats, said Wednesday in an online news briefing that […]
Oregon Capital Chronicle wins first place in national journalism awards
Oregon Capital Chronicle reporter Alex Baumhardt, with an assist from past interns Cole Sinanian and Jael Calloway, won a coveted first place prize in a nationwide journalism contest. The National Headliner Awards, which is one of the oldest and largest journalism awards in the country, announced Wednesday they had received first place in the online […]
Deputy takes over Secretary of State’s office
Shemia Fagan ended her nearly three-year tenure as Oregon’s 28th secretary of state at midday Monday, less than two hours after her staff released a statement endorsing her resignation and calling the agency “resilient.” Fagan’s deputy, Cheryl Myers, who earns more than double what Fagan was paid, took over as acting secretary of state. “Secretary […]
Bill to allow self-serve at gas stations advances
A bill that would allow Oregonians to pump their own gas anywhere in the state edged closer to passage this week with its second public hearing in the Legislature. The Senate Committee on Energy and the Environment held a public hearing for House Bill 2426 on Tuesday, and mainly drew support – from lawmakers, gas […]
Prepare for more extreme weather, report warns
It’s likely to be hot again this summer in Oregon, and that trend is likely to continue. An Oregon State University study on climate change released earlier this year estimates that temperatures will rise 5 degrees Fahrenheit by the 2050s, with more surges ahead. ”Heatwaves are becoming more frequent,” said Erica Fleishman, director of OSU’s […]
Distillers, recovery advocates clash over spirits marketing proposal
Oregon distillers clashed with recovery advocates during a legislative hearing on Tuesday over the creation of a marketing board. House Bill 2976 would establish the Oregon Spirits Board to promote whiskey, vodka, gin and other Oregon-crafted spirits outside the state starting Jan. 1, 2025. “It’s about economic development for the state and giving tools to […]
With Medicaid review underway, hundreds of callers a day give up on state’s helpline
Medicaid members have been calling the state’s helpline in recent weeks with questions about new eligibility requirements. The state has started to verify whether each of the 1.5 million members still qualify now that the COVID emergency is over and extra federal benefits have ended. This process started this month, and the state’s helpline is […]
With suicide rates high among farmers, ranchers, lawmakers consider a remedy
Surviving as a farmer takes grit. Profits are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, and a drought has persisted for years. Commodity prices fluctuate, while the costs of fertilizer and other supplies keep going up. And when those difficulties become overwhelming, agriculture workers don’t run to a therapist, experts say. They bear it alone. But that […]
New COVID surge expected as health officials urge vulnerable residents to get updated booster
Oregonians can expect another surge in COVID-19 cases in June, a top Oregon health official said Thursday. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the Oregon Health Authority’s chief epidemiologist, said two variants named XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.9 that are sweeping across other countries, especially India, have not yet turned up in DNA analyses of the virus in Oregon. But […]
Kotek declares drought emergencies in Harney, Wasco counties
Gov. Tina Kotek has declared two new drought emergencies in Harney and Wasco counties. These mark the fifth and sixth such emergencies this year. She declared drought emergencies in Jefferson and Crook counties in February and followed with declarations in Deschutes and Grant last month. The drought conditions in these areas are likely to affect […]
Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission considers doubling tax on hard alcohol
A month after lawmakers killed a bill that would have raised beer and wine taxes, state officials are considering increasing a tax on hard liquor. The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission marks up the cost of hard alcohol, about doubling the price for consumers. The markup includes a bottle surcharge of 50 cents. First imposed […]