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.
State begins rewriting landmark climate program derailed by gas lawsuit
During the next year, the statDepartment of Environmental Quality will work on a new program to limit climate emissions and help vulnerable communities.
Republican Sen. Brian Boquist, barred from running for Senate, seeks state treasurer job
Another Republican candidate, Nathan Sandvig, dropped out, leaving Boquist as the sole Republican contender.
Oregon’s legislative session ending without much-needed solutions to wildfire funding issues
Three proposals to boost wildfire funding this session have died, though one bill, to protect wildfire survivor settlements, is on its way to Gov. Kotek
Oregon homeowners face soaring premiums, few property insurance options over wildfires
Major insurers in central, southern and eastern Oregon have dramatically pulled back on wildfire coverage, forcing some homeowners to go to an insurer of last resort.
More than two dozen Oregon lobbyists work for both sides on climate change, report finds
Lobbyists working for gas companies also work for conservation groups that are trying to combat climate change, a watchdog group found.
Willamette Valley farmers spar over risks of expanding genetically modified canola crop
A proposal to expand the amount of canola grown in the Willamette Valley could hinge on whether growers can accept restrictions on GMO varieties.
Oregon students, faculty, unions say university governing system broken, call for investigation
Critics tell lawmakers Oregon’s seven independent university boards and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission have failed to deliver on promises.
Public invited to comment on revamped literacy standards for Oregon teacher colleges
Gov. Tina Kotek’s literacy council released six proposed literacy standards for universities to meet to prepare future teachers.
Lawmakers propose temporary summer school funding while pursuing long-term fix
Gov. Tina Kotek is backing a proposal to send school districts $50 million for summer programs after the Legislature failed to allocate funds last summer. Salem-Keizer leaders said the money would help expand offerings.
Oregon graduation rate holds steady for second year following slight COVID dip
The graduation rate for Oregon's class of 2023 was about 81%, the same as the class of 2022 but down slightly from a high of 85% pre-pandemic.