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Oregon News
See photos as Oregon State Capitol welcomes holidays with tree lighting
Statesman Journal | By Kevin Neri
The tree is lit up at the Oregon State Capitol on Dec. 2 in Salem.
2026 ELECTION
Eastern Oregon rancher who called for action on water pollution to run for state House
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
Jim Doherty, a rancher and former Morrow County Commissioner, will run as a Republican and hopes to fill the seat currently held by state Rep. Greg Smith.
POLITICS
Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s ready to tackle Oregon’s lousy business reputation
OPB | By Dirk VanderHart
Kotek has yet to formally announce reelection plans, but is widely expected to do so soon. She may face a rematch with state Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, who has repeatedly hammered Kotek on her economic record.
Drazan wasted no time doing so again on Tuesday.
“Tina Kotek should have been the ‘Chief Prosperity Officer’ for Oregon this entire time,” Drazan said in a statement. “She has failed us.”
Gov. Tina Kotek lays out 'prosperity roadmap' to grow Oregon economy
Statesman Journal | By Dianne Lugo
Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, who is running for governor, released a statement shortly after Kotek's announcement criticizing Kotek. She referred to Kotek as the same leader who drove the economy into decline.
"Tina Kotek should have been the ‘Chief Prosperity Officer’ for Oregon this entire time. She has failed us," Drazan said. "Oregonians deserve a governor who will hold the line on taxes, stop the mandates, and actually work with employers instead of driving them out of our state.”
Oregon governor targets permitting reform, global trade in new ‘prosperity roadmap’
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Alex Baumhardt
State Sen. Christine Drazan, a Republican who lost to Kotek in 2022 and recently announced plans to run again, slammed Kotek in a statement provided by a Senate GOP spokesperson.
“If the governor is serious about fixing Oregon’s economy, the first thing she needs to do is stop making things worse,” Drazan said. “Her weak leadership is sinking our state. Oregonians deserve a governor who will hold the line on taxes, stop the mandates and actually work with employers instead of driving them out of our state.”
Oregon’s governor unveiled a ‘roadmap’ to business prosperity. Here’s what’s at stake
The Oregonian | By Carlos Fuentes
Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday unveiled a plan to boost Oregon’s economy and make the state more business friendly as it faces sluggish population growth, high housing costs and other faltering economic indicators.
Gov. Tina Kotek lays out ‘Prosperity Roadmap’ for 2026
KOIN 6 | By Tim Steele
With the legislative short session set for February and Oregon’s economy showing “hints of pickup,” Gov. Tina Kotek laid out 3 goals to focus on in what she called a “Prosperity Roadmap.”
Gov. Kotek unveils roadmap to boost Oregon's economy
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
She announced her Prosperity Roadmap, outlining a comprehensive strategy to boost Oregon's economic development.
Oregon Gov. Kotek debuts 'Prosperity Roadmap' to spur economic growth
Portland Business Journal | By Elizabeth Hayes
Kotek also announced a new senior position, Chief Prosperity Officer, to lead the effort to make the state more business friendly and spur job creation.
Lawmaker wants Oregonians to sign waivers to ski, raft and work out
OPB | By Bryce Dole
A Democratic lawmaker wants Oregonians to sign liability waivers before they work out at a gym, hop on a ski lift or use other fitness and recreation facilities.
State Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone, says he is proposing a bill for the upcoming short legislative session that would have Oregon recognize such waivers. Signing one means an adult cannot sue an establishment for negligence.
Oregon Lottery sends over $887 million back to the state in 2025
KOIN 6 | By Andrew Foran
Over $887 million from the Oregon Lottery is going to the state to fund local schools and parks in 2025.
‘The soul of our city’: Portland’s 1803 fund reveals details for revitalization
OPB | By Lauren Dake
The fund purchased $70 million worth of real estate in inner North Portland.
HOMELESSNESS
Former home of shuttered Southeast Portland brewery becomes host to a homeless camp
KGW | By Blair Best
Assembly Brewing's location on Southeast Foster Road shut down in May. More recently, the property has become the site of a burgeoning homeless camp.
Multnomah County Gets More Bang for Homeless Bucks Relative to Other Metro Counties
Willamette Week | By Anthony Effinger
It also shoulders much more of the burden because supply of cash, not demand for services, determined funding ratios.
HEALTH CARE
Legacy Health advance practice providers on strike amid contract disputes
KATU
Dozens of advanced practice providers at Legacy Health, including nurse practitioners, physician associates, and clinical specialists, are on strike.
EDUCATION
Cascade superintendent to leave post while district investigates teacher’s alleged abuse
OPB | By Rob Manning
Lawsuit from former students alleges Superintendent Darin Drill was aware of teacher’s abusive conduct and failed to respond.
In a tense meeting, Portland school board approves $61 million contract for Texas firm
The Oregonian | By Julia Silverman
Portland Public School Board members voted 5-2 Tuesday to award a contract worth up to $61 million to a Texas-based firm that will oversee the modernization of three high schools and the planned Center for Black Student Excellence over the next five years.
TRUMP ADMIN VS. OREGON
Afghans in Oregon on edge as Trump vows immigration crackdown after D.C. attack
The Oregonian | By Tatum Todd, Ted Sickinger
Oregon is home to as many as 10,000 Afghan refugees, and advocates say they are living in fear and deep uncertainty as the Trump administration vows an immigration crackdown on Afghans following last Wednesday’s fatal shooting of a West Virginia National Guard member near the White House.
Trump administration threatens to yank food stamps funding from Democratic-led states
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Jacob Fischler
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin next week to block nutrition assistance funding for states led by Democrats that have not provided data on fraud in the program, Secretary Brooke Rollins told President Donald Trump at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday.
Oregon struggles to land federal counterterrorism money over immigration
OPB | By Tony Schick
A quiet battle has played out in court over money that “sanctuary” states say is needed to fight true extremist threats from both ends of the political spectrum.
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