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.
Gov. Kotek launches ‘roundtable’ to create blueprint for universal pre-K in Oregon
A new group of early learning experts will offer recommendations for getting universal preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds in every Oregon county.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Shut out of campaign finance bill, good governance groups tell lawmakers to vote against it
A bill meant to provide technical tweaks to a 2024 campaign finance reform law is now full of changes that render contribution limits moot, campaign finance reform advocates say.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Bills are debated, dead or dying as Oregon 2026 legislative session hits midpoint
The legislative session started in early February with more than 260 proposals which have been whittled down. The session must end by March 8.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Oregon lawmakers reveal reworked plans to partially delay campaign finance law
State lawmakers are again trying to delay key portions of a law limiting campaign finance contributions before it takes effect.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Southern Oregon senator revives bill to make big oil pay for disasters driven by climate change
Ashland Sen. Jeff Golden is trying again to get the Legislature to create a fund to pay for natural disasters with damages collected from big oil.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Corporate profits, consumer spending reverse Oregon’s deficit but budget challenges remain
Lawmakers meeting at the Capitol will have significantly more money to work with than previously expected, state economists reported Wednesday.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Oregon Dems propose partial split from federal tax code to keep $291 million in taxes
A proposal to split from three provisions of the new federal tax code also includes new state tax credits for job creation and for low-income residents.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Roads funding, budget deficit, protecting Oregon’s immigrants top 2026 legislative priorities
Lawmakers will consider more than 250 bills in a five-week session meant to balance the state’s budget and tackle urgent issues.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Oregon’s high school graduation rate inches up to record high
The class of 2025 was the first since the pandemic to attend all four years of high school in person and a record 83% of students graduated on time.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Gov. Tina Kotek picks Nevada state forester as first woman to lead Oregon Forestry Department
Kacey KC would be the first permanent, female leader of the Oregon Department of Forestry in its 115-year history.
To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.