Economy
Urban hospitals in Oregon lose hundreds of employees over mandate but largely adjust
Oregon’s urban hospitals have lost hundreds of employees and some have consolidated services over the state’s vaccine mandate but they’re continuing to admit patients, perform necessary surgeries and conduct lab tests, they reported on Monday. Rural hospitals, which play a bigger role in their communities, have dealt with the mandate by largely accepting claims from […]
Oregon’s vaccine mandate is likely to cause longer waits for health care
Health care workers in Oregon, who were among the first to be vaccinated against Covid-19, have some of the highest vaccination rates ahead of the mandate taking effect Monday. Dentists are out in front: 98% are inoculated. Medical doctors, psychologists and physical therapists all have rates above 90%. But chiropractors are near the bottom: Only […]
2020 was a banner year for nurseries but the value of wine grapes plummeted
As people hunkered down at home last year, trying to avoid becoming a pandemic statistic, Oregon’s nursery industry pulled in great numbers. The value of nursery plants grown in Oregon last year surpassed $1 billion for the second year in a row, and cherry and hazelnut growers also enjoyed a banner year. But the value […]
Oregon tenants risk expiration of eviction safe harbor before they can get rent help
Three months ago, most legislators agreed to let the state’s eviction moratorium expire but provide a 60-day grace period as landlords and tenants waited on bureaucrats to process rental assistance claims. There were hundreds of millions of dollars in federal rent assistance available, Covid cases were decreasing and more than 2 million Oregonians had already […]
Oregon Department of Agriculture names insider to top role
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has named a new deputy director from within its own ranks. The appointment of Lauren Henderson was effective on Sept. 29. He has worked for the agency for 22 years. “I can’t think of a better person for the position,” Alexis Taylor, the department’s director, said in a statement. “He […]
Oregon safety officials field avalanche of mask-related complaints
In one month, Oregonians filed nearly 3,000 complaints against employers alleging violations of Gov. Kate Brown’s latest indoor mask mandate, but less than 1% has faced inspection. Oregon Occupational Safety & Health, which investigates workplace violations, is scrambling to keep up with an avalanche of complaints related to COVID-19. The new mandate went into effect […]