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.
Two deputy directors at Oregon police certification agency are fired; third employee resigns
Officials decline to discuss the firings at the police certification agency. The agency recently largely cleared a training backlog that was hurting police offices statewide.
Planned Parenthood affiliates in Oregon map out long-term strategy
Planned Parenthood is planning to launch a new advocacy organization after the election to guide its public policy work expand access to abortions and other health services.
Oregon Department of Corrections plans mail changes to curb drugs in prisons
Advocates say changes would unfairly restrict the flow of mail between families and people in prison.
OHSU study finds prevalence of firearms is driving soaring gun deaths in U.S. – not mental illness
OHSU researchers compared the U.S. to 40 countries and found that Americans are 20 times more likely to die by firearms, even with a similar rate of mental health illness.
Majority of state attorneys general seek warnings for youth on social media
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum in Oregon is leading a push for Congress to require surgeon general warnings for youth on social media platforms.
Oregon opioid settlement dollars will help people stay off drugs
State officials are planning to fund prevention programs, recovery centers and treatment units in months ahead.
The next chapter in Oregon’s fight against fentanyl starts next week
The new programs to treat drug users will look different across Oregon counties as law enforcement officials and outreach providers map out local strategies with limited resources.
Federal inspectors flag problems in 2 deaths at Oregon State Hospital
After investigating, federal inspectors found Oregon's state-run psychiatric hospital could have done more to prevent two patient deaths.
Mother of deceased inmate sues Oregon corrections agency, alleging wrongdoing, possible coverup
The inmate, 35-year-old Jesse Banks, suffered from a mental health condition and died while in solitary confinement after hours without anyone checking on him, the lawsuit alleges.
Rep. Salinas pitches farmworker relief bill to her district’s agricultural community
U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, is backing a bill that would provide assistance to farmworkers when natural disasters limit their ability to earn a living.