Oregon State Hospital Largely Passed Recent Inspection But Violations Remain

Federal regulators found the state-run mental health hospital still has problems with medication, cleanliness and sanitation, and more.

State Plans To Increase Fees To Ease Public Defender Crisis

The Office of Public Defense Services developed a plan to allocate $10 million approved by the legislative Emergency Board last year.

Oregon Launches New Free Hotline For Abortion Legal Advice

The Oregon Department of Justice has launched a hotline to provide free legal advice to people with legal questions about abortions.

Lawmaker Proposes Legislation To Address Opioid Overdoses

Rep. Maxine Dexter's legislation would make naloxone more available to treat opioid overdoses as the epidemic ravages Oregon.

Oregon Senate Republicans Describe Hopes For Bipartisanship, Won't Stop Delaying Tactics

The Senate GOP's agenda includes some areas of bipartisan agreement, including expanding the semiconductor industry and building more homes.

Oregon Bill Would Expand State's Intoxicated Driving Law

Oregon is one of four states that fails to cover all drugs that can cause impaired driving.

SPECIAL REPORT: How Startup Took Advantage Of DEQ Program With Lax Oversight To Net $1.8 Million SPECIAL REPORT: How Startup Took Advant ...

They have been there since April and have never charged a single car.

Decades After Lobbying For Oregon Farm Bureau, Greg Addington Returns To Lead It

The new executive director of Oregon's largest agricultural advocacy and lobbying group wants to grow membership and shrink regulations.

Oregon Health Authority Slow To Help Thousands In Northeast Oregon With Polluted Drinking Water

“Oregon officials have effectively abandoned their responsibility to protect Oregon’s citizens,” they wrote in the 32-page document.

Schools Get New Guidance For Gender Inclusivity, Supporting Students, Safety

The Oregon Department of Education updated its guidance to schools on how to support and protect gender-expansive students.

SPECIAL REPORT: DEQ Steps Up Oversight After Discovery Of ‘Reckless' Reporting By Company

Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality has enforced stricter oversight of a clean energy program after issuing a $2.7 million fine.

Oregon Secretary Of State Didn't Investigate Residency Complaint Against New Rep. Hai Pham

Pham was sworn into office before state election officials finished looking into another complaint about the Democratic representative.

Oregon's Attorney General Focused On Consumer Privacy, Labor Trafficking, Crime Victims, Ghost Guns

Ellen Rosenblum released on Tuesday her legislative agenda, which stems in part from task forces on consumer privacy and labor trafficking.

Oregon Republican Representative Accused Of Sexual Abuse Stripped Of Committees

His removal means he will continue to represent the Columbia County district, but will not be able to take part in essential committee work.

Oregon Hospital Industry Group Floats Alternatives To Nurse Staffing Bill

The largest nurses union in Oregon wants the state to establish minimum patient-to-nurse ratios in law.

Federal, State Agencies Don't Track Sales Of Guns To Disqualified Buyers In Oregon

Under Oregon law, you have to be 18 to buy a firearm in Oregon, and you cannot have been convicted of a felony.

State Audit Calls On Health Authority To Fix Problems With Measure 110 Addiction Program

Oregon had the second-highest addiction rate in 2020 – more than 18% of Oregonians 12 and older were affected.

Lawmaker Concerned About ‘Dangerous' Conditions At OHSU Primate Center

Public records show workers are concerned about a “culture known to cut corners, deflect responsibility and lack accountability.”

Finalists Announced For Director Of Oregon Department Of Environmental Quality

Oregon's environmental agency will be run by either interim director Leah Feldon or former congressional candidate Jamie Mcleod-Skinner.

Oregon In A Good Position To Compete For Federal Semiconductor Money, Legislators Hear

The U.S. Commerce Department will begin accepting applications in February for the $280 billion from the CHIPS and Science Act.

More Federal Dollars Coming From Climate Law For Western Wildfire Management

The announcement came one year after Vilsack announced the first round of wildfire mitigation spending.

Warm Springs Gets $24 Million For Reliable Water Treatment Plant After Years Of Issues

Once built, it will offer a clean and consistent water supply to the reservation’s 3,800 residents for the first time since at least 2019.

Oregon's Former Agriculture Director Confirmed To Lead Foreign Trade For USDA

President Joe Biden appointed Alexis Taylor as undersecretary for trade and foreign agriculture affairs in May.

Harney County Judge Faces Decision On Firearms Ballot

A judge will decide by Jan. 3 if he'll allow or block a Measure 114 provision that closes a three-day loophole.

Laws Protecting Workers From Heat And Smoke Will Not Be Overturned, Judge Rules

At the hearing Tuesday, Judge Mark Clarke dismissed the industry groups’ claims that the rules were unconstitutional.

U.S. Attorney For Oregon Collects Nearly $33 Million In Fiscal Year 2022

The collections come from a range of criminal and civil actions and restitution payments.

Oregon Agrees To A Record $1.4 Billion In Public Health Settlements In 2022

The settlements will provide money to fight opioid addiction and repair environmental damage.

Environmental Enforcement Has Fallen Off Under Biden, Report Says

The administration blames budget cuts, staff shortages and the U.S. Senate's failure to confirm key leaders.

Huge $1.7 Trillion Spending Package Passes In U.S. Senate, Backed By Both Parties

The measure was the last Senate vote of the current Congress; lawmakers will reconvene in January.

Oregon GOP Hailed End To Democrats' ‘Supermajority' But Will That Matter Much?

Losing the three-fifths majorities in both chambers means Democrats will need Republican support to raise taxes.

Oregon's Overreliance On Tuition To Cover Rising College Costs Hurts The Economy, Report Finds

Oregon students pay disproportionately high tuition, hindering enrollment and depriving the economy of trained professionals in key sectors.

Harney County Judge Blocks Ban On Large-Capacity Firearms Magazine Sales

The preliminary injunction will stay in place while the case goes to trial.

Oregon Ethics Commission Says No To Knopp Hiring Son To Senate GOP Caucus Staff

Lawmakers still can hire family for state-paid jobs as legislative assistants.

Congress Clears One-Week Bill To Fund The Government, But Many Hurdles Remain

Negotiators have a few more days to finish a $1.7 trillion package.

Harney County Judge Extends Suspension Of Oregon's Firearms Law

A Harney County Circuit Court judge on Tuesday extended a restraining order on a gun control law to prevent Measure 114 from taking effect.

Scientists Announce A Fusion Breakthrough With Big Implications For Clean Energy

It could be years before a commercial application, such as a fusion power plant, might emerge.

Biden Signs Law Extending Marriage Protections To Same-Sex And Interracial Couples

Oregon U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz and six other Republican representatives voted for the bill in July but voted against it on Tuesday.

Here's Why Food Prices Remain Stubbornly High Even As Inflation Cools

The CPI shows inflation cooling but food prices — particularly for some holiday staples — remain high.

Oregon's Oldest State Forest Will No Longer Be Logged To Provide Funding For Schools

A vote from the State Land Board made the decision official Wednesday, following Legislative approval in February.

Oregon Unemployment Rate Ticked Up To 4.4% In November, Higher Than National Average

Oregon’s unemployment rate ticked up slightly from November to December, and it remains higher than the rest of the country.