News
The latest clash over managing Washington’s wolves
Eleven conservation groups are asking Washington state to tighten its guidelines for when wolves that attack livestock can be killed. The groups are concerned too many wolves are dying needlessly under the current system. Their petition to Washington’s Fish and Wildlife Commission describes the existing standards the state uses to authorize lethal action against the […]
Advocacy group seeks court order to limit use of solitary confinement
An advocacy group for inmates is seeking a court order to prevent Oregon prisons from holding people in solitary confinement for more than 15 days. The Oregon Justice Resource Center is asking the state appeals court to prohibit the state Department of Corrections, saying the practice amounts to cruel and unusual punishment and is therefore […]
Shutdown inches closer as U.S. House GOP fails to pass defense bill, lawmakers exit D.C.
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans were unable for a third time Thursday to begin debate on the defense funding bill, throwing another wrench into Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s leadership tenure. The 212-216 vote that rejected the rule for the $826 billion defense spending measure was unexpected, coming less than a day after House GOP lawmakers gathered […]
Breese-Iverson stepping down as Oregon House GOP leader
House Minority Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson is stepping down as leader of the Republican caucus after almost two years. Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, announced her resignation Thursday, a few days before lawmakers return to the Capitol for the first time since the legislative session ended in June. She didn’t immediately return a call about the decision, but said […]
Health officials urge Oregonians to get vaccinated against COVID, flu, RSV
As the latest COVID boosters dribble into Oregon, state health officials urged residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves against an expected rise in respiratory infections in the months ahead. Dr. Paul Cieslak of the Oregon Health Authority and Dr. Katie Sharff of Kaiser Permanente Northwest urged residents to protect themselves in a news conference […]
Bonamici introduces bill to advance fentanyl awareness curriculum to schools
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici wants to see school districts across the country have a fentanyl awareness curriculum that will help children and youth avoid the lethal, addictive drug that is cheap and easy to find. Bonamici, a Democrat who represents Oregon’s 1st Congressional District, introduced a bill on Thursday that would provide $50 million in […]
Clackamas Democrats on edge after two vandalism incidents in past month
Clackamas County Democrats are on edge after the second attack on their county headquarters in less than a month. On Monday night, someone shattered the Oregon City building’s front door and shot seven holes in its windows. The attack came just weeks after someone threw a brick through another window in late August. Oregon City […]
Assessment tests show little student improvement over last four years
Most Oregon students have not regained ground in key subjects following the COVID pandemic, but steep declines in English language arts, math and science proficiency that occurred during the pandemic are beginning to level off, according to the latest results from statewide assessment tests. Gov. Tina Kotek said in a news release that the latest […]
U.S. Senate panel grapples with how to ensure access to water amid Western drought
Decades of drought in the West has made water quality and quantity a major issue requiring government funding and innovation to fix, members of a U.S. Senate panel said Wednesday. Demand for water in growing municipalities is stretching agricultural and tribal communities, while shrinking availability is leading to higher water prices, witnesses told the Senate […]
Oregon auditors flag millions in misspent money in state agencies
Oregon Secretary of State auditors unearthed millions of misappropriated dollars and a lack of oversight and accountability in four state agencies, according to an audit released Wednesday. In all, state auditors flagged $35.2 million of questionable spending within the Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Housing and Community Services and Higher Education […]
A ‘disaster’ nears: Millions of federal workers’ paychecks would be on hold in a shutdown
WASHINGTON — More than 3.5 million federal employees and military personnel — many in the Washington, D.C., area but also scattered across the states and around the globe — are bracing for another partial government shutdown, as U.S. House Republicans struggle to produce a short-term plan to fund the government past the end of the […]
Oregon State Hospital will keep vehicle keys secure, add barriers to prevent escapes
The state’s psychiatric hospital changed its patient transportation policies after a federal inspector ordered “immediate” fixes following the escape of a dangerous patient. More than two weeks ago, an “extremely dangerous” patient facing felony charges escaped from Oregon State Hospital and careened down Interstate 5 in a state-owned van – all on his first day […]