By Salem Reporter
A key bill would give cities a lifeline on homelessness. But one provision has some worried
People camp downtown, along the former home of Nordstrom. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Oregon cities struggling with homelessness are expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries under legislation sponsored by House Speaker Tina Kotek. But not every city official fully…
Salem Cinema shines a light on homelessness with documentary screening and discussion
Salem photographer Diane Beals has been making portraits of homeless residents around the city (Courtesy/Diane Beals) When tents pop up downtown with homeless occupants, some people look down as they walk past and others cross to the other side of…
Legislature week 2: What’s still moving, what’s been spiked
The Oregon State Capitol. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) SALEM —The first major deadline of this year’s legislative session hit the Capitol on Friday, Feb. 7. Legislation that hadn’t been scheduled by that day for a committee vote was headed for the…
Wanting more input, lawmakers drop legislation concerning threats to churches and schools
Students at memorial fence following the 1998 shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) The Oregon Legislature has abandoned a bill that would create the new crime of threatening a school or house of worship. In response…
Audit: State tourism agency should be more transparent about managers’ pay, strengthen contracting controls
Oregon Caves Cascade, one of Oregon’s many tourist destinations. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) SALEM — The semi-independent Oregon agency overseeing tourism initiatives should be more transparent about managers’ pay and strengthen controls on contracting, Secretary of State Bev Clarno said in an…
New amendments to cap and trade bill borrow from Republicans, Timber Unity
SALEM — Lawmakers revealed on Wednesday changes to the plan to cut back on the state’s greenhouse gas emissions that would ease the impact on rural Oregon and adopt elements proposed by Timber Unity. The revisions are part of the…
Court of Appeals overturns lower court decision on forestry measures
Secretary of State’s office. (Caleb Wolf/Special to Salem Reporter) SALEM — The Oregon Court of Appeals said Wednesday, Feb. 12 that Secretary of State Bev Clarno incorrectly asserted that a slate of prospective ballot measures didn’t comply with the state’s…
Why one bill seeks to put more state troopers on Oregon’s highways
An Oregon State Police car (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons). Parts of Oregon with sparse police presence could see more state troopers on the highway under a bill advancing through the Legislature. If passed, Senate Bill 1545 would put hundreds more state troopers…
Climate activists will rally, march Tuesday at state Capitol
Young people hold signs during a climate strike at the state Capitol last year. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) SALEM — An Oregon environmental group expects about 1,000 people to descend on the Capitol Tuesday, Feb. 11, to urge lawmakers to pass…
Speakers tell Salem crowd of work bringing Oregon’s black history out of shadows
Willie Richardson and Gwen Carr of Oregon Black Pioneers tell of their work to explore and recover black history in Oregon. They addressed the Salem City Club on Friday, Feb. 7. (Casey Chaffin – Special to Salem Reporter) Leaders of…