Latest Oregon state government News
Abortion ruling prompts variety of reactions from states
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, although the timing of those laws taking effect varies. Some Republican-led...
Democrats tap new nominee in Salem-area state Senate race
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Democrats have a new nominee for what’s expected to be a hard fought state Senate race. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that in a meeting Thursday, local party officials tapped attorney Rich Walsh over two other candidates seeking to represent Senate...
Interstate 84 closed in eastern Oregon due to wildfire smoke
ONTARIO, Ore. (AP) — Transportation officials said Tuesday evening that Interstate 84 is closed near the border of Oregon and Idaho because of wildfire smoke. The Oregon Department of Transportation said the interstate was closed westbound in Ontario and eastbound in Baker City...
I-84 reopens in Columbia River Gorge after crash, fuel spill
TROUTDALE, Ore. (AP) — State transportation officials closed Interstate 84 Monday between Troutdale and The Dalles in Oregon along the Columbia River for hours Monday because of a crash that resulted in a fire and fuel spill. The Oregon Department of Transportation said the...
'Biblical' insect swarms spur Oregon push to fight pests
ARLINGTON, Ore. (AP) — Driving down a windy canyon road in northern Oregon rangeland, Jordan Maley and April Aamodt are on the look out for Mormon crickets, giant insects that can ravage crops. “There’s one right there,” Aamodt says. They’re not hard to spot....
Oregon agency clarifies proposed child abuse probe change
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Human Services is clarifying a proposed rule change around child abuse investigations after the agency received blowback. Despite prior statements to the contrary, state agency officials said they are not trying to narrow the type of...
WA, OR leaders skeptical about pausing gas taxes
SEATTLE (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday urged Congress to suspend federal gasoline and diesel taxes for three months and urged states to do the same at the local level. But both the Democratic governors of Washington and Oregon indicated they were unlikely to pursue a...
Agency wants to make it harder to access records
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Officials at the Oregon Department of Human Services are considering a move that would make it harder for the public to access child abuse investigations. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports similar records in the past have helped reveal systemic child abuse. ...
Business groups sue over heat and smoke worker protections
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Some Oregon business groups are suing over the state’s new job site rules mandating that employers take steps to protect workers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Regulations adopted by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division mandate that...
Oregon hikes Port of Morrow water pollution fine to $2.1M
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has increased the Port of Morrow’s groundwater contamination fine to $2.1 million following additional wastewater violations. The agency added $800,000 to the Port’s original $1.3 million fine Friday for...
