By Salem Reporter
Oregon joins 16 states in appeal to protect Affordable Care Act
Oregon joined California and 15 other states Thursday in an effort to protect the Affordable Care Act. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, leader of the 17-state coalition, filed a notice of appeal Thursday to a Northern District Court of Texas…
State investigation determines legislative leadership ignored sexual harassment claims
SALEM — A five-month state investigation found that Democratic leaders in the Oregon Legislature knew legislative employees in the Capitol worked in a “hostile” environment amid pervasive sexual harassment but did little about it. A 52-page report released Thursday by…
Wildlife enthusiasts devote their time to saving injured animals
Jessy Gill shows the songbird habitat at the Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) Jessy Gill was raised taking in injured animals. She watched as people brought over birds and small mammals with broken bones and other ailments for…
When the calendar requires the release of insanity defendants in Oregon, harms often follows
(Illustration special to the Enterprise by Katherine Lam) After Sean Rieschel punched a woman at a laundromat for refusing to give him $3.50, he was found “guilty except for insanity” in 2010 and sent to the Oregon State Hospital. There,…
In 15 years, Salem Dream Center has grown to help hundreds of kids through its mentor program
Renee Oviatt helps a Salem Dream Center youth swing from a rope at The Rock Boxx Climbing Gym. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) Fifteen years ago, Craig Oviatt wanted to help children born into poverty escape things like food insecurity, a lack…
Shifting political climate inspires local activist
When former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was fired in November, Pam McCollum quickly mobilized about 400 people to a rally in downtown Salem to show their concern for President Donald Trump’s use of executive power. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) Pam McCollum…
He once wrote the laws. Now, he helps decide their meaning
The Oregon Court of Appeals judge who authored the opinion upholding the state law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation has been appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court. Chris Garrett, a former Lake Oswego lawmaker, was appointed Christmas Eve by…
How much wiggle room will polluters get if Oregon taxes carbon emissions?
A graph from a presentation Gov. Kate Brown’s staff made to the legislative committee overseeing cap and trade shows how the policy is projected to impact pollution levels. In two generations, Oregonians might drive along freeways and not see a…
Legislators push to get guns locked up but some worry safety would be compromised
A few days after Liam Mankins was born in September 2016, his father posted a photo on Facebook of his son wearing oversized sunglasses. “Future’s so bright gotta wear sunglasses,” a friend commented. “Yes, yes, it is,” Liam’s father replied.…
As wildfires get larger and more expensive, Gov. Brown looks to a new advisory council
A plane drops retardant over the Canyon Fire in 2015. (Oregon Department of Forestry Flickr) SALEM — Oregonians saw $62 million in private grazing and timberland go up in flames this fire season. Such seasons continue to grow worse, longer…