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Oregon legislative Democrats join governor, Republicans in opposing rebate ballot measure
Democratic leaders in the Oregon House and Senate have come out swinging against a November ballot measure that would hike taxes on corporations to send checks to every Oregonian. Top Democrats in the House and Senate joined their Republican colleagues and Gov. Tina Kotek in opposing Measure 118, also referred to as the Oregon Rebate. The ballot measure, one of five statewide questions that will appear on the November ballot, would increase by 3% the corporate minimum tax on sales above $25 million and distribute...
Environmental regulators say NW Natural misleading customers about Oregon's climate credit program
Oregon environmental regulators are concerned that the state’s largest natural gas utility is misinforming customers about a key climate change policy aimed to reduce greenhouse gases. NW Natural, which provides natural gas to more than 2 million people in Oregon and southwest Washington, told its customers in a newsletter this month that the state is proposing a carbon crediting program that might not lead to direct greenhouse gas emission cuts. ...
There’s No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
The late Portland icon Tom Peterson famously declared, “Free is a very good price.”. But the new freebie offered up by schools around the Northwest comes at a price too great to measure. Government-run schools in Oregon and Washington fail students miserably, with reading and math scores steadily declining...
Opera singer Marian Anderson, denied Washington, D.C., stage, was welcomed at this southern Oregon theater
A sold-out recital in March 1940 forever changed the story of downtown Medford’s Holly Theatre. Classical singer and Black civil rights activist Marian Anderson, who was denied performing in the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Constitution Hall in segregated Washington, D.C., a year earlier, stood on the Holly stage and faced the audience of 1,200 people, about 10% of Medford’s population at the time.
Jackson County Commissioners talk future of Bear Creek Greenway
MEDFORD, Ore. – The future of the Bear Creek Greenway was front and center at the recent Jackson County Commissioners’ work session. Mike Sellinger from Alta Planning and Design presented survey results and recommendations on the 22.4 mile paved trail linking Ashland to Central Point. Of the 3,000+ people surveyed, many of them were concerned with the Greenway’s safety and maintenance.
A new art installation in the Boivin Hall of Oregon Tech
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.- A new art installation can be found inside the Boivin Hall of Oregon Tech. According to the Oregon Arts Commission, Kana Tanaka’s “Shoal of Returning Hope” is a suspended structure of over 700 dichroic glass fish. Tanaka’s other work also features art with glass...
Oregon wildfires likely to last until fall rains arrive
Crook County residents tired of wildfire smoke better hope for an early fall and lots of rain. Fire Managers in the Pacific Northwest are predicting that many wildfires currently burning in Washington and Oregon, and potentially new ones, will persist until the region experiences significant rain or snow this fall. “It is likely that wildfires currently burning in Crook County and Central Oregon, such as the Crazy Creek Fire, will...
Oregon failed to track $80M meant to diversify behavioral health workforce, audit finds
The Oregon Health Authority failed to effectively track whether $80 million in pandemic relief funds it spent to help diversify Oregon’s behavioral health workforce actually did so, an internal agency audit found. Amid staffing churn and a rush to get the funds out the door, the agency failed to...
Washington County DA calls for changes to Oregon's sanctuary law after problems extraditing suspects
HILLSBORO, Ore. — After many months of trying to negotiate with the federal government to extradite three suspects to Washington County to be tried for crimes of aggravated murder and child sex abuse, District Attorney Kevin Barton said Oregon's Sanctuary Promise Law has hindered his ability to seek justice for victims and families.
PRIVATE BASKETBALL COACH ARRESTED FOR LURING A MINOR, DETECTIVES LOOKING FOR OTHER VICTIMS
GOLD HILL, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives arrested a local private basketball coach yesterday, August 12, for inappropriate contact with an underage child. The suspect, Geordan Victor Sanchez Edmond, 29, of Gold Hill, is charged with one count of luring a minor and is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
Good Morning, News: Grifols Doesn't Want Your Gay Blood, Portland Kids Get Free School Lunch, and Harris and Trump Both Want You To Keep All Your Tips
Lunch will be free for every student during the upcoming school year at several districts in the state, including Portland Public Schools (PPS). The Oregon Department of Education and PPS announced the change Monday, to a (mostly) appreciative public and a few lowlifes complaining about children being fed. Pickathon has...
Seasons of smoke: As research probes long-term impacts, here's how to ease exposure
Summer in the West is becoming a season of house arrest, as smoke from wildfires chokes the skies and experts say the best way to avoid it is to stay indoors. In 2020, wildfires in Oregon created some of the worst air quality in the nation. Last year was a milder wildfire season. But this summer, the smoke is back — earlier and thicker, focusing fresh attention about what impact it has for the ...
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