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Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon Democrats praise Biden, welcome his decision to drop out
Minutes within the announcement that President Joe Biden is withdrawing from the presidential campaign, Democratic leaders in Oregon reacted to the news. Comments came from U.S. congressional members, candidates for congress, the governor and local leaders in emailed statements and on social media. They sounded a chorus of praise for Biden’s leadership and legacy and […] The post Oregon Democrats praise Biden, welcome his decision to drop out appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
States strike out on their own on AI, privacy regulation
As congressional sessions have passed without any new federal artificial intelligence laws, state legislators are striking out on their own to regulate the technologies in the meantime. Colorado just signed into effect one of the most sweeping regulatory laws in the country, which sets guardrails for companies that develop and use AI. Its focus is mitigating consumer […] The post States strike out on their own on AI, privacy regulation appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Elevated wildfire risk this weekend as Oregon wildfire season off to ‘aggressive start’
Heat, lightning and wind have conspired to create high-risk conditions for wildfire across southern, central and eastern Oregon far earlier in the summer than state officials anticipated. “We are fighting fire like it’s August 19, not July 19,” said Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon’s state fire marshal, at a news conference Friday. The wildfire season in the […] The post Elevated wildfire risk this weekend as Oregon wildfire season off to ‘aggressive start’ appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Oregon counties plan new recovery programs amid funding concerns
HILLSBORO – Oregon counties are mapping out new diversion programs to combat the state’s fentanyl crisis, an undertaking facing short- and long-term challenges to make it a success. In Washington County, Oregon’s second most populous, officials plan to start the new program on Sept. 1, when House Bill 4002 takes effect and puts in place […] The post Oregon counties plan new recovery programs amid funding concerns appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Gov. Kotek proposes changes to Oregon school funding and half billion dollar boost in next budget
With Oregon’s public schools staring down a fiscal cliff this school year as the historic federal investment from the last few years expires, Gov. Tina Kotek is proposing changes. She’d like to help schools keep up with rising costs in the years ahead by updating the way schools are funded. She estimates that those changes […] The post Gov. Kotek proposes changes to Oregon school funding and half billion dollar boost in next budget appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Anti-abortion researchers back riskier procedures when pregnancy termination is needed, experts say
The day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the medical board that certifies OB-GYNs in America released a statement calling legal pregnancy termination and knowledge of abortion procedures “essential to reproductive health care.” But a small number of influential anti-abortion doctors have spent the last two years trying to change the reproductive health […] The post Anti-abortion researchers back riskier procedures when pregnancy termination is needed, experts say appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Oregon’s measles outbreak, biggest in five years, expands to six people
After only one measles case in Oregon last year, it now has six and could very well have more in the next few weeks. The outbreak comes amid others also involving a preventable disease – pertussis or whooping cough – which has infected more than 350 people in just over a dozen counties this year. […] The post Oregon’s measles outbreak, biggest in five years, expands to six people appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Proposed first-ever federal standards for maternal care met with mixed response from hospitals
As part of President Joe Biden’s initiative to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve health outcomes in underserved communities, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced new policy proposals that would require hospitals to adhere to more rigorous maternal care standards or risk losing their ability to participate in the federal programs. According to […] The post Proposed first-ever federal standards for maternal care met with mixed response from hospitals appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Oregon Democrats lead in fundraising for competitive congressional districts
Democrats running in Oregon’s three competitive congressional districts blew past their Republican opponents in fundraising in May and June, according to newly released campaign finance records. The post Oregon Democrats lead in fundraising for competitive congressional districts appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
A Portland State University study upends assumptions about Measure 110 impacts
A Portland State University report about the impact of Measure 110 challenges assumptions about law enforcement and the role police officers play as they interact with people with a drug addiction. A key takeaway: Police officers can only reach so many people – even with the power to search and arrest them. The report coincides […] The post A Portland State University study upends assumptions about Measure 110 impacts appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Feds grant Oregon counties $30 million for their tax-exempt federal land
The federal government has awarded more than $30 million to Oregon counties in compensation for serving tax-exempt federal land within their borders. The U.S. Department of the Interior distributed the money last month as part of its Payments in Lieu of Taxes program, which compensates counties for money they spend on roads, police and other […] The post Feds grant Oregon counties $30 million for their tax-exempt federal land appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Legislation on homelessness should start with cities
The widespread take on the June 28 U.S. Supreme Court decision sustaining Grants Pass restrictions on public camping was widely interpreted as kicking the issue, as it did with abortion in the Dobbs decision, to the states. In many states, few of which have state laws on the subject, that may be the effect. Oregon, […] The post Legislation on homelessness should start with cities appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Washington faces shortfall of qualified special education teachers, audit finds
Washington lacks qualified special education teachers and teachers’ aides, but the state doesn’t know how bad the problem really is — just that at least 1.5% of the teachers aren’t qualified for their jobs. That’s according to a new state audit, which found that alongside high vacancy rates in special education, a “significant number of […] The post Washington faces shortfall of qualified special education teachers, audit finds appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Former Senate President Peter Courtney, Oregon’s longest-serving lawmaker, dies at 81
Peter Courtney, the longest serving lawmaker in Oregon history and former president of the Senate, died Tuesday morning in his home in Salem at the age of 81. Gov. Tina Kotek announced his death in a statement, saying he died from complications related to cancer and was surrounded by family. “It is with incredible sadness […] The post Former Senate President Peter Courtney, Oregon’s longest-serving lawmaker, dies at 81 appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Oregon State Police investigating flow of harmful drugs to Oregon State Hospital patients
Oregon State Police are investigating the flow of illicit drugs into Oregon State Hospital after two patients at the state-run psychiatric facility tested positive for drugs that hospital officials suspect arrived in the mail. Dr. Sara Walker, interim superintendent of Oregon State Hospital, notified staff on Friday that preliminary drug screens for “multiple patients” found […] The post Oregon State Police investigating flow of harmful drugs to Oregon State Hospital patients appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Coast, Columbia River at risk of flooding from climate change, sea level rise, scientists find
Hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure and services along the Oregon Coast and in parts of the Columbia River Gorge are at risk of repeat flooding if nothing is done to rapidly curb greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change, scientists find. An analysis of flood risks around the U.S. under various climate change scenarios was […] The post Coast, Columbia River at risk of flooding from climate change, sea level rise, scientists find appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Former President Trump taps Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as running mate in 2024
A little more than three years ago, J.D. Vance was just an author and conservative commentator. Now he might be next in line for the White House. It’s a dizzying political ascent for the 39-year-old man from Middletown, Ohio. Presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump announced Monday during the first day of the Republican […] The post Former President Trump taps Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as running mate in 2024 appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Breaking: Former President Trump taps Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as running mate in 2024
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Donald Trump announced Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate Monday during the first day of the Republican National Convention, capping off months of speculation about who would get the nod as his vice presidential pick. Vance has not been a member of Congress long, having less than two years […] The post Breaking: Former President Trump taps Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as running mate in 2024 appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Oregon Health Authority needs more language and behavioral health services, report says
The Oregon Health Authority needs to step up efforts to provide health care for Oregonians who speak different languages and expand access to behavioral health care treatment, a new state report found. The report, released this week by the authority’s Ombuds Program, scrutinizes shortcomings in the state’s Medicaid program, which provides medical, dental and behavioral […] The post Oregon Health Authority needs more language and behavioral health services, report says appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
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The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a professional, nonprofit news organization. We focus on deep and useful reporting on Oregon state government, politics and policy. Staffed by experienced journalists, the Capital Chronicle helps readers understand how those in government are using – or abusing – their power, what’s happening to taxpayer dollars, and how citizens can stake a bigger role in big decisions. Our journalists believe in fair, honest reporting that is also fearless. We are here to serve only the interests of Oregonians – no party, no business power, no private beneficiary. We are accountable to our readers for our performance. We strive for accuracy, but Oregon Capital Chronicle also is honest about its mistakes and promptly corrects them. As a nonprofit, the generosity of donors guides the future of Oregon Capital Chronicle. Support through tax-deductible donations allows us to retain our independence – and to grow to serve Oregon with even more important journalism that otherwise is disappearing too fast. Oregon Capital Chronicle is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Capital Chronicle retains full editorial independence, meaning decisions about news and coverage are made by Oregonians for Oregonians.
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