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Oregon News
Criminal charges must be dismissed if defendant can’t get a lawyer, Oregon Supreme Court rules
OPB | By Conrad Wilson, Lauren Dake
Oregonians charged with crime who cannot get timely legal representation from the state must have their charges dismissed, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that a defendant’s criminal charges must be dismissed if the state has failed to provide a defense attorney at any point for 60 consecutive days in a misdemeanor case or 90 consecutive days in a felony case, after the defendant’s first court appearance.
The number of Oregonians charged with a crime and do not have an attorney has been decreasing recently, but there are still about 2,500 people without representation, according to the Oregon Judicial Department.
Tillamook school district cancels classes after threats on social media
KGW | By John Tanet
"At this time, there is not enough information to determine that the reported threat is credible. However, out of an abundance of caution and with the safety and well-being of our students, staff and community as our top priority, Tillamook School District 9 will be canceling school," the district said in a letter to parents.
POLITICS
Farmland or tourist attraction? Oregon lawmakers weigh bill on farm stores, revenue limits
KGW | By Evan Watson
Oregon lawmakers are considering a new bipartisan bill that would loosen regulations for 'agritourism' operations across the state, sparking debate over whether the changes would support farmers' livelihoods or threaten the agriculture industry.
Kotek backs bill to speed up permitting, boost Oregon businesses
Statesman Journal
Gov. Tina Kotek spoke to lawmakers Feb. 4 in favor of a bill intended to speed up and streamline permitting to boost business in Oregon.
House Bill 4084 was promised as part of Kotek's "Prosperity Roadmap" business and economic growth initiative.
Oregon bill would expand protections for access to abortion and gender-affirming care
The Oregonian | By Kristine de Leon
Oregon lawmakers are weighing a bill that would strengthen protections for people who receive, provide or help others obtain reproductive health care including abortions or gender-affirming treatment in the state.
House Bill 4088 comes amid an increasingly fragmented national legal landscape, where some states have moved to restrict access to abortions and gender-affirming care — which include puberty blockers, hormone therapies and surgical interventions — while Oregon and others have sought to protect it.
Oregon committee clears bill to eliminate costs for cervical cancer screenings
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Mia Maldonado
A bill in the Oregon Legislature would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for cervical cancer screenings and procedures for Oregonians.
Rep. Annessa Hartman, D-Gladstone, presented Senate Bill 1527 to the Senate Health Care committee Wednesday afternoon, sharing her story of going through four rounds of radiation treatment after being diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer in November.
Oregon lawmakers revive effort to streamline compensation for wrongfully convicted
Oregon Capital Chronicle | By Shaanth Nanguneri
Less than a year after a bipartisan bill to streamline the payout process for exonerated Oregonians stalled, Oregon lawmakers are trying their hand at a narrower piece of legislation.
With fears rising about ICE keeping students home, Oregon weighs school alert system
The Oregonian | By Julia Silverman
Shaken by reports from Minnesota that masked federal immigration agents have been pulling over school buses and using school parking lots as staging grounds, Democratic lawmakers in Oregon say they want to pass a new law governing how the state’s 197 school districts, 17 community colleges and seven public universities should respond to similar incursions.
Oregon, a staunch Democratic stronghold, has been a target of the Trump administration’s ramped up immigration enforcement campaign, but so far incidents on school property have been very limited.
Oregon open primary proposal would change how voters pick candidates
KATU | By Vasili Varlamos
Oregon voters could soon be asked to approve a sweeping change to the way the state runs primary elections.
House Joint Resolution 201 would amend the Oregon Constitution to create an open, “top-two” primary system for most major federal and state offices.
Advocates say Oregon hunger worsening, urge lawmakers to invest
Statesman Journal | By Dianne Lugo
The Oregon Food Bank and other advocates are urging lawmakers to invest in an "Anti-Hunger Package" during the 2026 session, which includes a renewed effort to expand free school meals and funding to support hundreds of Oregonians facing worsening food insecurity across the state.
ICE agents can't make warrantless arrests in Oregon unless there's a risk of escape, US judge rules
Associated Press | By Claire Rush
U.S. immigration agents in Oregon must stop arresting people without warrants unless there's a likelihood of escape, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
31 Oregon mayors, Kotek demand 'immediate halt' to immigration actions
Statesman Journal | By Dianne Lugo
Gov. Tina Kotek and 31 Oregon mayors sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan on Feb. 5 demanding an "immediate halt" to federal immigration enforcement actions in Oregon until use-of-force incidents are thoroughly investigated.
Oregon lawmakers want to fend off Trump from deploying National Guard again
The Oregonian | By Aimee Green
A group of 24 Democratic state legislators are pushing a bill that would make it tougher for President Donald Trump to once again order National Guard troops into Portland — or any part of Oregon — as part of an immigration crackdown or to quell crime.
Oregon single mother survived years of abuse, then ICE arrested her on her way to work
The Oregonian | By Yesenia Amaro
A Congress member from Oregon and an immigration attorney are pushing for the release of a victim of domestic violence and single mother who has been detained in Tacoma since last summer when federal agents arrested her and others on their way to pick berries.
Oregon families desperately need affordable child care. The state’s early childhood agency left $67M for free preschool unspent
The Oregonian | By Betsy Hammond
Oregon’s child care agency left unspent $66.6 million intended to provide free preschool to needy children in 2025, the agency’s leaders acknowledged Tuesday.
One of Oregon’s most iconic waterfalls is up for sale, putting public access at risk
The Oregonian | By Jamie Hale
You don’t see real estate listings like this every day.
Abiqua Falls, one of Oregon’s most iconic waterfalls (and that’s saying a lot) is suddenly up for sale.
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