Latest Oregon state government News

Factory or farm? Oregon may alter land use for chipmakers
NORTH PLAINS, Ore. (AP) — Aaron Nichols walked past rows of kale growing on his farm, his knee-high brown rubber boots speckled with some of the richest soil on earth, and gazed with concern toward fields in the distance. Just over the horizon loomed a gigantic building of the semiconductor...

Oregon bill on abortion, gender-affirming care sparks debate
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon bill that would greatly expand access to reproductive health and gender-affirming care drew emotional testimony on Monday, mirroring the culture war debates over abortion, gender identity and parents' rights that are playing out in state legislatures across the...

With overdoses up, states look at harsher fentanyl penalties
RENO, Nev. (AP) — State lawmakers nationwide are responding to the deadliest overdose crisis in U.S. history by pushing harsher penalties for possessing fentanyl and other powerful lab-made opioids that are connected to about 70,000 deaths a year. Imposing longer prison sentences...
Oregon Legislature advances $200M housing package
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon House lawmakers advanced housing legislation Wednesday to build housing that is more affordable, spend money to support unsheltered children and help people on the verge of losing residences. The bills head next to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where...

Boston council passes proposal aimed at tackling rising rent
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston City Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a proposal from the mayor to cap rent prices as part of an effort to address rising housing costs and prevent homelessness. Under Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposal, known as a home rule petition, the maximum...
Amtrak restores full daily train service to Vancouver, B.C.
SEATTLE (AP) — Amtrak has restarted direct trips on its Cascades passenger-train service between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia, marking full restoration of daily service on the popular route. Effective Monday Amtrak Cascades customers can choose from multiple...
Today in History: FEB 25, Ali defeats Liston for world title
Today in History Today is Saturday, Feb. 25, the 56th day of 2023. There are 309 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 25, 1964, Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) became world heavyweight boxing champion as he defeated...
Oregon's tax revenue forecast exceeds expectations
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s tax revenue forecast has jumped again, potentially giving state lawmakers more money to spend in the next budget and driving up the likely state tax rebate that taxpayers could receive next year, the Oregonian/OregonLive reported Wednesday. State...

Supreme Court weighs liability shield for internet giants
WASHINGTON (AP) — Islamic State gunmen killed American college student Nohemi Gonzalez as she sat with friends in a Paris bistro in 2015, one of several attacks on a Friday night in the French capital that left 130 people dead. Her family's lawsuit claiming YouTube's...

Oregon, a hotbed of extremism, seeks to curb paramilitaries
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — An armed takeover of a federal wildlife refuge. Over 100 straight days of racial justice protests that turned downtown Portland into a battleground. A violent breach of the state Capitol. Clashes between gun-toting right-wingers and leftist militants. Over the...
