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Oregon News
POLITICS
Oregon FFA could see $1.1 million eliminated in state budget cuts
Capital Press | By Kyle Odegard
A budget shortfall could eliminate nearly $1.1 million in state funding for Oregon FFA next fiscal year, said Kjer Kizer, the organization’s CEO.
All Oregon agencies are planning for potential fiscal cuts. The Oregon FFA funding falls under the Oregon Department of Education.
Budget packages will be considered during the Oregon Legislature’s upcoming short session.
Why fatalities are going up in construction zones in Oregon
Statesman Journal | By Bill Poehler
State law doubles fines in construction zones. Construction groups say police presence is helpful, but it is difficult to have law enforcement at each work zone because they are short staffed. The Oregon Legislature in 2025 failed to pass legislation that would allow the state to use photo radar to enforce speed limits in work zones.
Lawmakers push for hemp regulation as ban on THC-infused products looms
KOIN 6 | By Maddie Biertempful
Certain hemp-derived products, like THC drinks and gummies, could be off the shelves by late next year.
That’s after lawmakers banned products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC in the latest government funding bill.
Merkley and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) are supporting a bill they say will regulate the hemp industry rather than ban it. Merkley is hoping it passes before the measure takes effect next November.
The man who helped remake Portland’s government is leaving with a stark warning about its future
The Oregonian | By Shane Dixon Kavanaugh
The Oregonian/OregonLive recently sat down with Jordan, who talked about a fiscal “perfect storm” on Portland’s horizon, friction between the city’s new branches of government and why the next three or four years could either make or break a revamped City Hall.
Portland city council staff unionize
OPB | By Alex Zielinski
Portland’s city council staffers have unionized, one year after a major overhaul to the city’s system of government.
HOMELESSNESS
Homeless youth say they need more from schools, social services
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Robbie Sequeira
As more cities impose bans, fines or jail time for adults living on the streets, young people who have been homeless say they face unique problems that could have been addressed earlier. Through more than 400 interviews and survey responses, young people across the country recently told researchers how earlier guidance and intervention might have made a difference for them. The research suggests the country is missing its biggest opportunity to prevent youth homelessness — by intervening well before a young person reaches a shelter and years before they are chronically homeless.
Blanchet House executive director leaves role
KOIN 6 | By Andrew Foran
After six years with Blanchet House, Executive Director Scott Kerman has left his role, the nonprofit announced in a press release Tuesday.
In the release, Blanchet House said Kerman has left a lasting impact on Blanchet House with his commitment to helping those experiencing hunger, homelessness and addiction.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
Grand jury highlights safety, well-being issues at McLaren Youth Correctional Facility
KATU
A grand jury inquiry found systemic challenges at Oregon’s MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility that created "cascading failures" impacting the safety and well-being for both the youth and staff members.
The jury also issued ten criminal indictments related to the inquiry.
HEALTH CARE
Oregon County Group and State Strike Major Deal on Mental Health Care
Willamette Week | By Andrew Schwartz
The old contracts are set to expire in days, and individual counties must still approve the new agreements. It remains unclear how Multnomah County will proceed.
Oregon updates agreements with counties to oversee behavioral health funding
KPTV
Oregon is replacing a decades-old system for how the state gives behavioral health funding to counties, updating agreements that set expectations for how money is spent on mental health and addiction services.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Oregon Central Coast to receive $2.2 million to restore tidal wetlands
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Mia Maldonado
A nonprofit dedicated to restoration projects along Oregon’s Central Coast will receive $2.2 million to restore tidal habitats threatened by erosion, flooding and drought.
Morrow County water emergency: Former commissioner leads fight against nitrate contamination
KPTV | By Payton Romans
Morrow County is in the midst of a water emergency after extremely high levels of nitrates were found in well water used by community members.
With big industry powerhouses setting up in Morrow County, including 30 Amazon data centers, well users have been drinking from 5-gallon jugs delivered from the state. One former county commissioner is determined to do more.
Between running his cow farm and serving as a Morrow County commissioner, Jim Doherty would be approached by his constituents with stories of loved ones getting cancer or having miscarriages.
He brought these stories up at a commissioner meeting and suggested testing well water.
“Is anybody gone out and check the faucets to find out, you know, what it’s like outside of the known plume? And they looked at me like I had a third eye,” Doherty said. “The next day I went out and got six sample bottles. I sent it off to the lab in the Tri-Cities, and I said, just email me the results. And they said, well, we’re duty bound. If it’s an immediate health hazard to call you. I said, which sample? And they said, all six.”
He then went back to sample 70 more wells for nitrates around the county, and was called by the lab on 68 of them. Doherty was seeing tests of up to 63 milligrams per liter – over 6 times more than the legal limit of 10.
Oregon to get $2.56M from Mercedes-Benz in diesel emissions fraud settlement
The Oregonian | By Kristine de Leon
Oregon is set to receive about $2.56 million under a nationwide settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and its parent company, Daimler AG, over allegations that the automaker cheated on diesel emissions tests and misled consumers.
TRUMP ADMIN VS. OREGON
Anticipating early 2026 opening, Oregon seeks to block potential Newport ICE facility
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newport’s airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block construction.
Oregon couple deported, forced to leave toddler behind
The Oregonian | By Gosia Wozniacka
It was a typical weekday before dawn when Miguel Garcia Pazaran drove his wife, Dulce Maria Trejo Segura, from their apartment in Hillsboro to her job at a snack production plant in Forest Grove.
That’s when immigration agents pulled them over – Garcia Pazaran still in his pajamas and house slippers – and detained them both.
Oregon trade workers suspect occupational profiling by immigration agents
The Oregonian | By Yesenia Amaro
It was shortly after 7 a.m. on a late November morning when Jacqueline Chavez, owner of a painting business and a U.S. citizen, saw police lights flashing from unmarked cars behind her as she drove through Salem.
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