Shaanth Nanguneri - Oregon Capital Chronicle
Shaanth Kodialam Nanguneri is a reporter based in Salem, Oregon covering Gov. Tina Kotek and the Oregon Legislature. He grew up in the Bay Area, California and went on to study at UCLA, reporting for the Daily Bruin until graduating in March 2025. Previously, he was a reporting intern covering criminal justice and health for CalMatters in Sacramento, California. He is always eager to tell stories that illuminate how complex and intricate policies from state government can help shape the lives of everyday Oregonians.
Oregon gave millions in erroneous benefits for state health plan, audit says
A free Oregon health care program for adults who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid could have improperly given out $15 million in payments related to benefits for recipients, according to a recent audit of state-managed federal programs.
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Trump administration pushed Oregon to end its LGBTQ+ foster policy. The state ignored it
The federal agency has yet to announce any funds being withheld to Oregon over the state's policy of requiring foster parents affirm a child’s potential LGBTQ+ identity.
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Acting ICE director says feds not ‘currently’ planning new Oregon detention centers
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has no current plans to build new detention facilities or expand existing ICE locations in the state of Oregon, a top ICE official said, tempering months of speculation that a new facility could be coming to the Oregon Coast.
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Oregon Supreme Court reverses child sex abuse conviction on privacy grounds
The Oregon Supreme Court on Thursday, March 26, overturned a Lane County man’s conviction for encouraging child sex abuse, ruling that local authorities subjected him to a warrantless search when monitoring his use of a restaurant’s free wireless internet network.
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Oregonians take to streets to protest Trump as part of third No Kings day of rallies
A crowd of thousands in Salem listened to speeches from U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, during the third No Kings protest.
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Oregon business leaders urge Gov. Kotek to think bigger with prosperity council effort
“For decades, Oregon’s central economic question was how to manage growth. Today the question is whether we can generate it at all," the Oregon Business Council wrote in a letter to the governor.
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Republican gov hopefuls among Oregon lawmakers who missed more than one-third of session votes
Two Republican state representatives missed roughly half of the 183 floor votes House members took at the Capitol in Salem.
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Oregon lawmakers proposed hundreds of bills in the short session. Many failed to pass
Dozens of proposals meant to address issues such as immigration, public health, education and economic issues died in committees lacking support, time or both.
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Judge blocks Portland ICE facility agents from using tear gas leaking into nearby apartments
Members of 30 Oregon labor unions organized a march against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement near an ICE facility in Portland on Jan. 31, 2026. The march ended at the facility, where federal officers shot tear gas, pepper balls and rubber bullets at the crowd, which included children. (ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
After walkouts, budget woes and tensions over Trump, Oregon lawmakers wrap for 2026 session
The 2026 short session that began in early February ended on Friday, March 6, in a flurry of final votes that will impact Oregonians in every corner of the state.