Alex Baumhardt - Oregon Capital Chronicle
Alex Baumhardt has been a national radio producer focusing on education for American Public Media since 2017. She has reported from the Arctic to the Antarctic for national and international media, and from Minnesota and Oregon for The Washington Post. She previously worked in Iceland and Qatar and was a Fulbright scholar in Spain where she earned a master's degree in digital media. She's been a kayaking guide in Alaska, farmed on four continents and worked the night shift at several bakeries to support her reporting along the way.
Climate change a growing public health threat in Oregon, but state adapting, report finds
More Oregonians are visiting emergency rooms because of the impacts of excessive heat and poor quality from wildfires. Rural and elderly Oregonians and Oregonains of color are hit hardest.
Gov. Kotek proposes changes to Oregon school funding and half billion dollar boost in next budget
The proposal aims to narrow district funding gaps caused by rising costs and an end of extra federal funding in September.
New Oregon water boss targets difficult task of rapidly modernizing outdated laws
Ivan Gall is taking over the Oregon Water Resources Department at a time when the state’s water supply is lower than ever and demand has never been higher.
New wildfire hazard map will be released with few changes after yearlong makeover
An assessment of wildfire hazards across Oregon landscapes is getting a new name after drawing the ire of property owners previously identified as high risk.
State council proposes new literacy requirements for teacher training and licensing
Gov. Tina Kotek’s Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council released final recommendations for improving reading and writing instruction.
Despite mild fire season forecast, agencies tell Oregon leaders they need to invest in workforce
Agency officials said firefighters are hard to hire and retain, and are often left to sleep in their trucks or camp on the job due to a lack of housing.
No longer considered predators, Oregon beavers get new protections from state
A state law change means private landowners can no longer kill beavers at will starting July 1.
Oregon ranks middle among states for child well-being in new report
Oregon is in the top 25% of states for supporting child health but ranks near the bottom in education, according to a newly released report.
Northwest leaders try again for more federal money for prescribed burns to prevent wildfire
Sen. Ron Wyden is seeking a third to direct hundreds of millions of federal dollars for prescribed burning to the Forest Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Senate approves controversial appointments to Oregon water department, forestry board
An agency insider will lead the Oregon Water Resources Department despite calls for change and a timber executive will serve on the Board of Forestry.