Oregon News & Current Events | Public News Service

Oregon's Latino workforce numbers 200,000, according to the organization Causa. (F8studio/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 20, 2021

Initiative Shows How to Tackle Digital Divide for Latino Households

PORTLAND, Ore. - A growing slice of the workforce is Hispanic, but a disproportionate number of Hispanic households don't have regular access to the …

A letter encourages Congress to raise taxes on wealthy people, including an additional tax on people with net assets of more than $50 million. (W.Scott McGill/Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 17, 2021

Wealthy Americans Encourage Congress to Raise Their Tax Rate

PORTLAND, Ore. - Wealthy Americans have a message for Congress: Tax us more. More than 200 high-income taxpayers and business owners have sent an …

Oregon's Hispanic population grew 30% from 2010 to 2020. (Gstudio/Adobe Stock)

Hispanic Heritage Month Offers Opportunity for Reflection

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Hispanic Heritage Month began this week, and will be celebrated through Oct. 15. Oregon has a rapidly growing Hispanic population…

More than 42 million Americans may experience food insecurity because of the pandemic, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Groups Fighting Hunger Call for Action This Month

PORTLAND, Ore. - Groups fighting hunger and poverty in Oregon are urging renewed action this month to ensure that everyone is fed. September is …

Members of Congress introduced bills in June banning use of facial-recognition technology by state and federal entities. (Electronic Frontier Foundation/Wikimedia Commons)

Portland's Facial-Recognition Ban Seen as Model for U.S.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A year ago today, Portland passed one of the most sweeping bans of facial-recognition technology in the country. The ban includes …

The Oregon Legislature released two different maps, with Plan A above, for how to draw its six congressional districts. (Oregonlegislature.gov)

Short Period for Public Input on OR Voting Maps Begins

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A small window for public input is open to discuss the Oregon Legislature's proposed voting maps. After receiving detailed census …

The Social Security program will only be able to make full payouts for the next 12 years, according to a new report. (larryhw/Adobe Stock)

Report: Pandemic Will Cause Social Security Funding Shortage

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The pandemic presents some future funding challenges to benefits for older Americans, according to the 2021 Social Security and …

Research has found one hour of cooking can produce nitrous oxide levels that would be illegal if found outside. (avirid/Adobe Stock)

Air Quality Faces Dual Threats from Wildfires, Gas Appliances

PORTLAND, Ore. - Wildfire season has obvious effects on air quality outside, but hidden impacts on air quality also are lurking inside some homes…

The Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton has a capacity of about 1,600 people. (tomas/Adobe Stock)

Despite Past Attempts, OR Not Among States to End Prison Gerrymandering

PORTLAND, Ore. - Local prison populations can affect how voting districts will be drawn. Eleven states, including Washington, have reconsidered …

A report on ecologically important rivers in Oregon highlights the Chetco River in the southwestern part of the state. (Zachary Collier/Flickr)

Research Pinpoints 'Best of the Best' Oregon Rivers to Conserve

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A new report identifies some of the most ecologically important rivers in Oregon. Conservation Science Partners looked at 54,000 …

Along with wage increases, Portland janitors are ensured more COVID-19 protections from their new contract. (SEIU Local 49)

On Pandemic Front Lines, Janitors Get Union Contract Victory

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Janitors have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than 2,000 in the Portland area have been rewarded with a …

About half of student parents and first-generation students are Pell Grant recipients. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

As College Cost Worries Grow, Campaign Urges Doubling Pell Grants

EUGENE, Ore. - Pell Grants are a lifeline for many students attending college, but the federal aid covers far less than it used to. That's why …

A new contract for 600 health-care workers guarantees a $2-3 pay raise immediately for many caregivers. (SEIU Local 49)

Victory for OR Hospital Workers' Union After Hard Year

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Nearly 600 health-care workers in the Willamette Valley are celebrating their success in negotiations with their employers…

More than a fifth of parents of children ages 5 to 12 reported worsening emotional and cognitive health since March 2020. (DanRentea/Adobe Stock)

Supportive Tips for OR Students as In-Person Learning Returns

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Students are set to return to the classroom in Oregon, fueling a mix of emotions. Health and education professionals have some …

U.S. Highway 20 runs through winter habitat for mule deer from Ontario to Burns, in eastern Oregon. (Jessica Sherry/Alita Films)

Solution to Wildlife Collisions Needed on OR Highway

VALE, Ore. - Eastern Oregonians are calling for a solution to wildlife collisions along a stretch of highway through the Malheur River Canyon…

The keynote topic for the Oregon Nurses Association is "health equity as a social-justice imperative." (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

OR Nurses Conference Explores Fairness in Health Outcomes

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon nurses are holding a conference today on an important topic facing the health industry: equitable outcomes for patients…

As the Northwest feels the summer heat, salmon are struggling to migrate hundreds of miles upstream. (Conrad Gowell/Columbia Riverkeeper)

Northwesterners to Rally to Support Threatened Salmon

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Rallies are taking place across the Northwest to support salmon, which face dire conditions in the Columbia River Basin. Saturday…

The disparity between Black and white youths in juvenile facilitied dropped by 13% between 2015 and 2019. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Racial Gap Narrows for Incarcerated OR Youth, But Work Remains

SALEM, Ore. - Young people of color are locked up at disproportionately high rates compared with their white peers, despite recent signs the gap is …

Effects of Oregon's Bootleg Fire stretch all the way to the East Coast, with smoke carried thousands of miles by high-level winds.(Clandestino/Pixabay)

Experts: More Logging Won't Stop Oregon's Wildfires

PORTLAND, Ore. -- As the Bootleg fire burns in southern Oregon, the U.S. Senate is considering an infrastructure package that environmental …

Workers at four Portland-area hospitals negotiated for 10 months before accepting a contract deal. (Alan Dubinsky)

Portland Health-Care Workers Celebrate “Groundbreaking” New Contract

CORRECTION: The eight-hour workday clause in the contract applies only to the housekeeping staff. (8:57 a.m. PST, July 23, 2021) PORTLAND, Ore…

Tillamook County on Oregon's coast is one of two counties in the state hosting an American Connection Corps fellow. (xiao/Adobe Stock)

Bridging the Digital Divide in OR

TILLAMOOK, Ore. -- Like other infrastructure needs, the widening gap in internet access is affecting people across the country. In the spirit of New …

An AARP study finds family caregivers spend an average of 26% of their income on caregiving activities. (verbaska/Adobe Stock)

Study: Taking Care of Family Costly for Caregivers

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Family caregiving is rewarding and challenging, and it can also put a big strain on people's wallets. A new study from AARP found …

Coastal Oregon communities like Yaquina Bay are in the process of updating their estuary management plans. (Jessica Miller/Oregon State University)

Eelgrass Research Could Help Guide OR Coastal Management

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A new study finds restoration of eelgrass, an important marine plant, depends mostly on where, rather than how. The findings could …

Historically, students of color have been less likely to receive postsecondary degrees than their white counterparts. A new Oregon legislative task force wants to change that. (Devin Allphin/Adobe Stock)

New OR Task Force to Support Underrepresented Students in Higher Ed

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon lawmakers want to ensure more underrepresented students are successful in higher education. At the end of the 2021 session…

Oregon has officially reopened in time for July 4th, likely leading to more public gatherings. But will all of them be peaceful? (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Concerns about Far-Right Activity, Veteran Recruitment on Rise

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Far-right groups could be active over the Independence Day weekend, prompting the Department of Homeland Security to release a …

The South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve near Coos Bay supports 65 jobs. (Werewombat/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Southern OR Coastal Reserve Has Big Local Impact

COOS BAY, Ore. -- A system of little-known public lands protecting sensitive coastal habitats generates big economic impacts for local communities…

The number of children living in poverty was nearly cut in half between 2010 and 2019, according to a new report. (Steve/Adobe Stock)

Report: OR Can 'Be Better' Than Middle of Pack on Child Well-Being

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Child well-being in Oregon was a mixed bag before the pandemic, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS …

The Oregon legislative session is scheduled to adjourn June 27. (ASP Inc/Adobe Stock)

OR Bill Would Overhaul Community Safety, Policing

UPDATE: HB 2002 has died in the Legislature. "This is a profoundly disappointing setback for Oregonians who value and have called for racial justice …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

SALEM, Ore. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both …

Portions of the Rogue River are among rivers currently protected as Wild and Scenic in Oregon. (Eric Tegethoff)

OR Breweries Give Cheers to Wyden, Merkley for River Protection Bill

PORTLAND, Ore. - Support is brimming from Oregon's craft breweries for a bill that would give nearly 4,700 miles of the state's rivers and streams …

New dads - and moms - have a lot to consider when it comes to financial wellness for their families. (Anatta_Tan/Adobe Stock)

Father's Day: Financial Checklist for New Dads

PORTLAND, Ore. - Father's Day is approaching and, for new dads, some financial tips can help set their families up for success. First, revising …

Janitors from SEIU Local 49 marched in the Portland area for Justice for Janitors Day. (SEIU Local 49)

Justice for Janitors Day: Workers Highlight Efforts During Pandemic

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Today is Justice for Janitors Day, and workers are marking it by highlighting their crucial efforts during the pandemic. Justice …

Juneteenth, which is celebrated June 19, is sometimes referred to as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

Oregon to Mark Juneteenth, US's 'Other Independence Day'

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon lawmakers have passed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Celebrated June 19, the holiday marks the day in 186…

This year, the entire state of Oregon is considered to be either in a drought or abnormally dry. (earagen/Adobe Stock)

Summer of Drought, Wildfires Could Devastate NW Salmon Species

PORTLAND, Ore. - There are signs this summer could be a bad one for the native salmon of the Northwest. Already, drought has gripped the region…

Only 5% of engineers were Black in 2019, and just 6% were Latinx, according to a new report. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

Report: Racial Equity Still Far Off in Engineering Field

PORTLAND, Ore. - At its current pace, racial equity in the field of engineering will take generations to achieve, according to a new report. A …

America Talks aims to start at least 10,000 conversations in these deeply divided times. (alexandra/Adobe Stock)

Helping Americans Talk Through Their Differences

PORTLAND, Ore. - Coming off a contentious election in 2020, the United States feels, to some, as divided as it has been in recent memory. But …

Supporters of the Double Up Food Bucks program hope lawmakers will fund its expansion into 25 grocery stores across Oregon. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Program Providing Fresh Food Hopes to 'Double Up' Impact

PORTLAND, Ore. - A program that helps Oregonians eat fresh food could expand with an assist from lawmakers. Double Up Food Bucks matches …

A RAND Corp. study found every $1 spent on educating people in prison ultimately saves taxpayers $4 to $5 in incarceration costs. (BillionPhotos.com/Adobe Stock)

More Students in Prison to Get 'Second Chance' Pell Grants

SALEM, Ore. - Getting higher education to people in prison is a struggle for many reasons - chief among them, cost. But Congress has made it easier …

Fishing is popular near the Bonneville Dam along the Columbia River. (Nathan K/Flickr)

Toxins in Columbia River Lead to Call for Superfund Listing

HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- Oregon, Washington and the Yakama Nation are asking the Biden administration to list one stretch of the Columbia River as a …

Workers picketed outside Samaritan Albany General Hospital this week, to call for more bargaining on their union contracts. (SEIU Local 49)

Burnt Out from Pandemic, OR Hospital Workers Call for Better Conditions

ALBANY, Ore. - A group of hospital workers in Oregon wants more from its employer after what the workers say has been an especially tough pandemic …

Julie Manuel, left, was the winner of the 2020 Andrus Award in Oregon. (Joyce DeMonnin/AARP Oregon)

Award to Honor OR Volunteer During 'Difficult Times'

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The call is out for Oregonians who are making a difference in their communities through volunteering. AARP has opened nominations …

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has relaxed its mask recommendations for vaccinated people, masks still are required in airports and on airplanes. (PaulMassiePhoto/Adobe Stock)

OR Health Expert: Vaccinations Will Make Summer Travel Safer, Easier

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Travel is expected to pick up this summer as vaccination rates increase and COVID-19 cases trend downward, but health experts are …

Three Forks is within an area the local advisory council has identified as having wilderness characteristics. (Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

Letter Calls for Reconsideration of OR Desert Plan

VALE, Ore. - A letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland urges her to preserve 1.2 million acres of southeastern Oregon, including parts of the Owyhee …

Three years in the making, the bargaining team for workers at Providence Milwaukie Hospital are celebrating their first contract. (SEIU Local 49)

Victory for Hospital Workers 3 Years After Forming Union

MILWAUKIE, Ore. -- After nearly three years of negotiations, workers at a Providence hospital in Oregon have settled their contract. About 170 …

The CDC recommends people wait until they're fully vaccinated before traveling domestically. (Fabio/Adobe Stock)

What Travelers Can Expect as Overdue Summer Plans Take Shape

PORTLAND, Ore. -- With vaccination rates increasing, people are making summer plans again. A webinar is offering Oregonians tips to keep in mind …

A car caravan to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, WA is supporting moms separated from their children. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

OR Groups Support Immigrant Moms Detained in NW

SALEM, Ore. -- A Northwest car caravan is heading to an immigration detention center this weekend to support mothers who've been detained there…

More than a million acres in Oregon burned during the 2020 wildfire season. (Larisa Bogardus/U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Wildfire Awareness Month: OR Prepares for Fire Season

PORTLAND, Ore. -- May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the western United States is preparing for an active year. Coming off a severe wildfire …

Apprenticeship programs based at community colleges have a number of advantages, including access to school resources. (BillionPhotos.com/Adobe Stock)

Biden Infrastructure Plan Could Boost Apprenticeship Programs

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Apprenticeship programs at community colleges are poised for a big investment under President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan…

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