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.
Spending on special education in Oregon needs a revamped formula, researchers find
Oregon is one of only seven states that caps funding for special education, and experts say that leaves schools underfunded.
Oregon Democrats in U.S. House, others warn that firings could mean dire wildfire season
Federal employees not only put out fires, they also manage prevention work, like controlled burns to clear out undergrowth that can fuel catastrophic blazes under dry, windy conditions.
Bill on wildfire prevention work could give utilities immunity from lawsuits
House Bill 3666 would set minimum standards for wildfire prevention work by utilities but lawyers say it also offers statutory immunity from lawsuits.
Federal hiring freeze, firings hindering Oregon endangered owl monitoring, protection
Regional monitoring for endangered owls, salmon and frogs is done by seasonal biologists who aren’t being hired now under a federal freeze, potentially delaying timber and wildfire logging projects.
Review of payrolls shows higher hourly pay but lower overall earnings under farmworker overtime law
An Oregon law passed in 2022 to phase in overtime pay for farmworkers has led to higher farmworker wages, but a new study shows hours are being scaled back to avoid overtime pay.
Bipartisan congressional group hopes to restore bill providing millions in rural school funding
Democratic and Republican U.S. legislators from Western states are joining forces to get the 20-years-old Secure Rural Schools bill reauthorized.
Lawmakers consider protecting residential utilities’ customers from yearly rate hikes in winter
An Oregon House Committee is considering a bill to limit how often, when and for what reasons private utilities can be approved for rate increases.
Gov. Kotek, Legislature want to pause action on wildfire hazard map to quell public frustration
Kotek directed the state forestry department to pause any further action based on the map until the Legislature decides to keep, update or repeal it.
Oregon spent millions to grow manufacturing, tech workforces. Educators say it’s their turn.
A new proposal being considered by the state Legislature would invest $20 million in early childhood educator workforce development.
NW Natural pushes back on bill that would require notifying customers about use of hydrogen
Representatives from the state’s largest gas utility claim that informing customers of its use of hydrogen in natural gas would be onerous and expensive.