By Salem Reporter
Oregon officials taking emergency actions to contain coronavirus outbreak
Gov. Kate Brown Oregon health officials are taking emergency steps to confront the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state as new cases emerged over the weekend. Testing is focused on determining the extent of the outbreak across Oregon…
A taste of Japan feted at opening of new Salem exhibit
Mayor Chuck Bennett and Takashi Teraoka, consul general for Japan in Oregon, attend the opening of the “Windows to Japan” exhibit on Wednesday, March 4, at the World Beat Gallery. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter) The World Beat Gallery…
Governor turns to executive order to advance Oregon climate change program
SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown is preparing an executive order to cut the state’s climate impacts on her own authority, after a second failure to get legislators to approve such a plan. The governor’s office “is having conversations with the…
Here are the top 10 sources of consumer complaints in Oregon
Ellen Rosenblum, Oregon attorney general Telecommunications companies, imposters as well as auto sales and repair companies topped the list of consumer complaints filed with the Oregon Department of Justice. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has released the department’s annual Top…
What can state government do if the coronavirus outbreak gets worse?
Staffers work together at the Oregon Heath Authority’s Agency Operations Center in response to Coronavirus cases occurring in the state.(Jonathan House/Pamplin Media Group) Here’s some good news about the coronavirus in Oregon: it’s not an emergency — at least not…
Senate, House go dark as 2020 session shuts down in burst of acrimony
House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney speak to reporters on Thursday in the Capitol as they closed down the Legislature over missing Republicans. (Sam Stites/Oregon Capital Bureau) SALEM — In an extraordinary move, Democratic legislators on Thursday…
Oregon Democrats end “failed short session” following Republican boycott
Oregon State Capitol, Legislature (Salem Reporter/file) SALEM — In an extraordinary move, Democratic legislators on Thursday effectively ended the contentious and gridlocked 2020 Legislature, killing key legislation and taking with it the hotly debated climate change legislation that Republicans fought.…
The only two Republican legislators in the Capitol say their voters want them to stick around
State Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, was the only one of 12 Republican senators to show up for a floor session of the Oregon Senate. The other 11 senators boycotted the session over fierce opposition to pending climate change legislation. (Claire…
Motley assortment of Steampunk fans raise money for people with disabilities
Brennan Kline (Salem Stilt Man) attends the Steampunk Ball iii. (Mary Louise Van Natta/Special to Salem Reporter) Walking around downtown Salem on the night of Feb. 29, you may have noticed people with Victorian-era clothing bearing fantastical mechanical devices. While…
Gov. Kate Brown is worried about rural hospitals, protective equipment and money as the state responds to the coronavirus
Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday wrote federal authorities, asking for money and equipment to deal with cornavirus. (Oregon Capital Bureau) Oregon could face a shortage of equipment used to protect health care providers from the coronavirus and rural hospitals could…