Ben Botkin - Oregon Capital Chronicle
Ben Botkin covers justice, health and social services issues for the Oregon Capital Chronicle. He has been a reporter since 2003, when he drove from his Midwest locale to Idaho for his first journalism job. He has written extensively about politics and state agencies in Idaho, Nevada and Oregon. Most recently, he covered health care and the Oregon Legislature for The Lund Report. Botkin has won multiple journalism awards for his investigative and enterprise reporting, including on education, state budgets and criminal justice.
Oregon advocates see overreach in local camping restrictions for homeless after court ruling
Around the state, advocates are concerned that unhoused people will face increasingly harsher environments.
Oregon AG rolls out sanctuary information for immigrants before Trump takes office
New state websites offer information and resources for those seeking to understand Oregon’s sanctuary laws and immigration rights.
Fatal drug overdoses in Oregon reached record levels in 2023
Oregon Health Authority releases finalized drug overdose figures for last year, which show a trend of rising fatalities every year since 2019.
Oregon’s experiment in tackling drug crisis starts with about 220 people in deflection
Officials from Washington to Malheur counties told lawmakers they’ve slowly rolled out deflection programs following the recriminalization of low-level drug possession.
Two health officials at Oregon Department of Corrections placed on leave amid investigation
The corrections agency has an open investigation into its head doctor and assistant health services director.
Strong earthquake strikes off California coast, triggering tsunami warning in southern Oregon
A strong earthquake struck off the northern California coast this morning, triggering an unusual tsunami warning for northern California and southern Oregon and an evacuation of local residents and visitors. The National Tsunami Warning Center, which is based in Alaska,…
Oregon group home workers launch vote of no confidence against agency director
The union representing about 650 workers in the Oregons Stabilization and Crisis Unit, has started a vote of no confidence against Oregon Department of Human Services Director Fariborz Pakseresht.
OHSU study sheds light on the role housing and other needs play in health care
A national survey of low-income households that receive Medicaid finds improved health outcomes when housing and food needs are met in clinic visits.
Oregon confirms first human case of bird flu out of Clackamas County
Public health authorities said there's no evidence of bird flu spreading between people, and the risk to the public is low.
Democratic attorneys general prep for role as last line of defense in Trump era
Incoming Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield says he can learn from the past experiences of Democratic attorneys general, including Ellen Rosenblum, who successfully fought Trump policies in court.