Oregon News & Current Events | Public News Service

Grocery stores participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program in Oregon stretch from Astoria to Ontario. (olinchuk/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Some OR Farmers Markets Pack Up, But Fresh Food Program Still Available

As the weather gets cooler, some farmers markets in Oregon are winding down. But a program which incentivizes buying fresh fruits and vegetables is …

Before the EPA's ban, Oregon had planned to phase out the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos by 2023. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

U.S. Pesticide Use Could Be on Docket in Trade Talks

As the United States enters into talks over a new trade framework with several nations, America's lax pesticide policy could be a sticking point for …

Family caregiving can be a struggle if the caregiver has to be away from the workforce to do it. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Caregiving an Under-the-Radar Issue in OR Election

With the election a little over a month away, some say caregiving and long-term care are issues too big for candidates in Oregon to ignore. There …

Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River is located near the Oregon town of Cascade Locks. (RG/Adobe Stock)

After Superfund Listing, Hard Work of Columbia River Site Cleanup Starts

A popular fishing site on the Columbia River for members of the Yakama Nation has been listed as Superfund site by the federal government. Now comes …

The proposed Perennial Wind Chaser Station was a gas-fired power plant that would have generated 415 megawatts of power. (Ranimi/Adobe Stock)

OR Scraps Plans for Gas-Fired Power Plant

Oregon has officially axed a gas-fired power plant near the Columbia River. The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council terminated the site …

Crater Lake National Park covers more than 180,000 acres in southern Oregon. (aiisha/Adobe Stock)

Public Lands Day Celebrates 'Spectacular' Landmarks in OR, U.S.

Saturday is National Public Lands Day, a celebration of national parks in the United States. People will be able to access national park lands for …

Nearly every vehicle in the town of Wallowa, Ore., was affected by a hailstorm in August.(Marika Straw)

After Devastating Eastern OR Hailstorm, Neighbors Lend Support

After a devastating hailstorm in eastern Oregon, community members are lending each other a helping hand. In mid-August, a severe storm dropped …

In line with national numbers, 45% of Oregonians without college degrees say they need more education to advance in their careers. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Survey: U.S. Adults Want More Education – OR Has Options

Nearly half of Americans say they need more education to advance in their careers, according to recent research. The Strada Education Network and …

There are more than 600 food-assistance sites in Oregon and southwest Washington, according to the Oregon Food Finder website. (alhim/Adobe Stock)

Hunger Action Month Sheds Light on OR Families Still Struggling

September is National Hunger Action Month, highlighting the ways people can get involved to fight food insecurity. Susannah Morgan, CEO of Oregon …

Projects like expanding broadband in rural areas will be available to communities under the infrastructure package passed last year. (mitgirl/Adobe Stock)

OR Rural Economies Get Assist in CHIPS Act

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities in Oregon and elsewhere a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act…

People need two witnesses and a notary for a validly executed will. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Make-a-Will Month: End-of-Life 'Road Map' for Families, Friends

August is National National Make-a-Will Month, highlighting how important it is for everyone to make sure their affairs are in order when they pass …

The USDA says pollinators add more than $18 billion in revenue to crop production every year. The major U.S. crops pollinated by honey bees and other pollinators include almonds, non-citrus fruits, berries, melons and squash. (Milan/Adobe Stock)

Bee-Friendly "Pollinator Gardens" Put Food on Oregon Tables

A single bee can help produce more than 125 pounds of food every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Some Oregon groups are …

The Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time in two decades. (JohnBlottman/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act Paves Way for Lower Drug Prices

President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law Tuesday, providing a means for making prescription drug prices more affordable in the …

The J.H. Baxter Co.'s wood mill was closed earlier this year after complaints that it had dumped cancer-causing toxins into the air and soil in nearby neighborhoods. (Crag Law Center)

Oregon Communities Unite to Force Chronic Polluter to Shut Down

A coalition of community organizations teamed up in Oregon to force a chronic polluter out of business, and bring environmental justice to a nearby …

The percentage of children with health insurance in Oregon is higher than the national average.(Bob/Adobe Stock)

OR 'Middle of Pack' in Child Well-Being State Rankings

Oregon sits at 26th in a new ranking of states based on child well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its annual Kids Count data …

The pandemic has exacerbated stress and anxiety among college students. (mtrlin/Adobe Stock)

Advice for Parents: Explore Mental Health Supports at Kid's College

Many parents in Oregon and around the country will soon be bidding their children farewell as they head off to college for the first time, and a …

A grant from AARP Oregon is funding a 40-by-36-foot outdoor venue near Ashland Senior Center. (Isleen Glatt)

Grant Program Helps Create 'Age-Friendly Communities' in OR

Projects making communities more age-friendly in Oregon are getting support from the AARP. After six projects were chosen by AARP in June to receive …

The number of workers ages 55 and older has grown steadily in recent decades. (Panumas/Adobe Stock)

Older Oregonians Re-entering Workforce Get Training, Job Support

Older Oregonians looking to reenter the workforce face a number of barriers. An organization in the state is helping them with training and a network …

Electric bike sales outpaced electric cars sales in 2021. (aerogondo/Adobe Stock)

Local OR E-Bike Program Could Make for Easy Riding Across State

By Henry Houston for Eugene Weekly.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service with support from the Solutions Journalism Network It'…

Noise-canceling headphones can keep people from turning up the volume to drown out the noise around them. (serhio777/Adobe Stock)

Ear Protection: Docs Offer Advice That's Easy to Hear

Hearing loss is on the rise and - as people return to the loud places like the gym after pandemic-induced hiatuses - medical professionals are advisin…

Portland, Ore., has been working to curb an uptick in gun violence, but there are mixed views about the use of different types of surveillance systems. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Concerns Voiced About Gunshot Detection Technology for Portland

A police oversight group has formally recommended Portland adopt a technology known as "ShotSpotter" to help tackle gun violence, but the technology …

This month, the Charter Review Committee in Multnomah County recommended a measure for November's ballot that would allow non-U.S. citizens to vote. (MyPhotoBuddy/Adobe Stock)

OR County to Decide on Voting for Undocumented; Some Aim Higher

In Multnomah County, voters will decide in November whether the right to vote should extend to people who are not citizens. Some say all of Oregon …

Eugene Mural Brings New Attention to Native Oregon Plants

A new mural in Eugene depicts Kalapuya people harvesting native plants and preparing them as food and medicine. It is part of a larger project to …

Veterans are a greater part of the solar workforce than in any other energy industry. (hetmanstock2/Adobe Stock)

OR Elected Officials Urge Congressional Climate Action

Elected officials in Oregon and across the country are calling on Congress to speed up the transition to clean energy. At least 20 elected leaders in …

Mosier is a small Oregon town in the Columbia River Gorge with a population of about 700, according to the 2020 Census. (Ian Poellet)

Small OR Town Among Recipients of AARP Project Grant

AARP has selected six projects in Oregon to receive funds for its Community Challenge grant program. The largest grant, $20,000, is going to a …

The Yaquina River is located on the central Oregon coast, meeting the Pacific Ocean near Newport. (Bobby Hayden)

Update to Old Estuary Plans Starts in OR with Yaquina River

Oregon's estuaries - the wetlands where the ocean meets rivers and streams - are rich habitat for wildlife, and they even store carbon from the …

The United States celebrates Independence Day while Congress investigates the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Groups Follow Anti-Democratic Movements as US Celebrates July 4th

This July 4th marks nearly 250 years since the United States declared its independence, setting the country on a path to establishing its democracy…

Wildlife mapping efforts of species such as pronghorn reply on GPS radio collaring. (Stephen/Adobe Stock)

Western Migration Mapping Efforts Seek Congressional Funding

Mapping migration routes is important for conserving species such as pronghorn, so supporters hope Congress will fund mapping efforts. The United …

Workers who secured wages at a Lincoln City hospital this week include ER techs, phlebotomists and housekeepers. (SEIU Local 49)

OR Coast Hospital Workers' Union Secures Higher Wages

Workers at a hospital on the Oregon coast are citing a victory in contract negotiations with their employer. More than 100 members of SEIU Local 49 …

Rainbow flags have become ubiquitous among major brands in recent years during Pride Month. (xiao/Adobe Stock)

Organizations Call for Meaningful Corporate Support During Pride Month

June is Pride Month, and businesses are showing their support for the LGBTQ community in a number of ways. But some corporations are being called out …

The Ice Harbor dam in southeastern Washington is among those that could be breached to help Northwest salmon. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Public Comment Encouraged on Snake River Dams Removal Plan

A report from leaders in Washington state lays out how the services of four dams on the lower Snake River could be replaced in order to save ailing sa…

The Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at Portland Community College has a cohort of about 20 students, twice a year. (auremar/Adobe Stock)

OR College Aviation Program Could Set Technicians' Numbers Flying

A program in Oregon aims to ramp up the number of technicians in aviation just as the industry is predicting a major shortage. Over the next two …

Despite moving away from detention, arrest referrals for young people in Multnomah County have decreased drastically since 2011. (md3d/Adobe Stock)

Despite Scare, Data Shows Youth-Led Crime Down Sharply

Crime rates among young people has dropped dramatically in recent decades - despite media coverage pointing toward a supposed "crime wave" led by yout…

Rallies protesting gun violence in schools took place across the nation on Saturday. (Karney Hatch/Wikimedia Commons)

Health Workers, Too, Feel Impacts of Gun Violence

People across the nation are continuing to discuss gun violence in the wake of two prominent mass shootings in Texas and New York. The conversation …

The WIC program serves about 110,000 women, infants and children in Oregon, including with help buying baby formula. (ColleenMichaels/Adobe Stock)

Resources Available for Parents as Baby Formula Shortage Continues

Relief for a nationwide baby formula shortage could be coming soon, but in the meantime, bare shelves have become a scary sight for parents. The …

In February, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Algorithmic accountability Act in Congress. (maciek905/Adobe Stock)

OR Child Services Algorithm Axed Over Discrimination Concerns

Child-welfare services in Oregon will no longer use an algorithm which helped social workers decide which families to investigate. The Oregon …

The Rogue River was one of the original eight to receive federal protections when the Wild and Scenic Rivers act was passed in 1968. (Eric Tegethoff)

National Rivers Month: More Protections for OR Waters

June is National Rivers Month and a proposal in Congress would protect more of Oregon's rivers. Currently about 2% of Oregon's 110,000 miles of …

Health-care workers rallied in North Lincoln, Ore., calling for union contract negotiations with Samaritan hospital to restart. (Alan Dubinksy/SEIU Local 49)

Short Staffing Pushes OR Hospital Workers to Demand Action

Health care workers at an Oregon hospital are calling for more support as short staffing takes its toll. More than 100 members of SEIU Local 49 at …

The national average of students to counselors in the last school year was 415-to-1. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

School Counselors: Crucial Support During Difficult Times

Students' mental health has been strained, from the pandemic to the tragic school shooting in Texas last week. Counselors can be a lifeline for kids …

Hood River, Ore., is a popular Columbia Gorge spot for water sports during the summer. (Adam Jones, PhD/Wikimedia Commons)

Clean Water at Columbia River Beaches? There's an App for That

Ready to make a splash this summer? An app is helping direct Northwesterners to spots along the Columbia River where it is safe to play. "Swim …

Dioxins are called persistent organic pollutants (POPs), meaning they take a long time to break down once they are in the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

OR Activists Seek Dioxin-Contamination Accountability in Low-Income Eugene

As a West Eugene wood-treatment facility continues the process of reducing operations, activists are seeking accountability for contamination that …

A recent study ranked Oregon as having the highest prevalence of mental illness in the country. (sewcream/Adobe Stock)

Peer Support Helps Reduce Stigma of Mental-Health Care

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there are many stressors for people right now, from the pandemic to the economy. There is a high …

A recent survey finds 84% of Asian Oregonians did not report race-based incidents or crimes after they happened. (Xavier Lorenzo/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Hate Incidents Strain Asian Oregonian Communities

There has been an alarming rise in racist incidents against Asian residents in Oregon, and it is changing how community members behave. The Oregon …

A plan to update the Coos Bay port could make it among the top ten busiest in the country. (mdurson/Adobe Stock)

Infrastructure Funds for Port Could Boost Rural OR Community

Funding from the infrastructure measure Congress passed last year could benefit a struggling rural community in Oregon. Lawmakers in the state have …

The state of the economy is dominating voters priorities ahead of the November midterms. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)

Survey: 'Reliable, Consistent' Bloc of Women Voters 50+ Shouldn't be Ignored

Women ages 50 and over cast a big chunk of ballots, with a big impact in American elections, and a new poll looked at what they want. Findings in …

About a quarter of Oregon's population is a race or ethnicity other than white, according to the Census Bureau. (niyazz/Adobe Stock)

Ties Between Systemic Racism, Hunger on Ballot as Oregonians Vote

Oregon's primary election is today, and one of the issues affecting voters is systemic racism. Black, Indigenous and people of color suffer from …

Parts of Oregon are considered child-care deserts because of the lack of access to care. (Irina Schmidt/Adobe Stock)

Crisis of Child Care Affordability Affects OR Voters

Oregonians are casting their ballots for Tuesday's primary election. One issue affecting many voters is access to child care. Courtney Helstein…

Overtime pay will be phased in for farmworkers in Oregon over the next five years. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Farmworkers Rights a Ballot Issue as OR Primary Approaches

Ballots are due for Oregon's primary election on Tuesday, and one key issue for voters is the rights of workers who grow the state's food. …

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