Category Government
Gov. Kotek signals she’ll veto bill changing Oregon public meetings law criticized by journalists
Salem city councilors had endorsed a bill changing the state's public meetings law after a majority of the current council was ensnared in an ethics investigation over a chain conversation about the former city manager.
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Bethell, running for governor, draws backlash for remarks on public defenders
Gubernatorial candidate Danielle Bethell, a Marion County commissioner, is facing criticism after mocking public defenders. Legal leaders say her comments undermine efforts to address attorney shortages. She suggested reopening prisons that the state corrections agency no longer owns.
City budget proposal calls for new police to focus on downtown, drug trafficking
A city manager budget proposal released Friday, April 10, would continue Salem’s pilot programs for homeless camp outreach and clean-ups, as well as a fire department crisis team.
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How Salem’s representative in Congress works with families impacted by ICE
Families impacted by federal immigration enforcement are often told to call their congressional representatives for help. Rep. Andrea Salinas and her deputy district director shared what happens in their office after they pick up the phone.
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Oregon governor signs slew of bills protecting immigrants amid federal crackdown
Democratic lawmakers in the 2026 legislative session pushed for the ‘immigrant justice package’ in response to Trump immigration enforcement in Oregon.
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Keizer Sen. Kim Thatcher’s ‘cool adventure’ coming to close
In 2026 Kim Thatcher wraps up 20-plus years as a legislator representing Keizer, first as a state representative and now a senator. Her Senate district includes north Salem.
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Report on alleged ethics violations by Rep. Greg Smith could be delayed until after primary
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission won't consider the findings of an investigation into a long-serving state representative until at least May 8 after his attorney received a time waiver to explore a possible settlement.
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WHAT’S AT STAKE: How Salem city council races could impact local homeless policy
Every candidate for city council and mayor is pledging to address homelessness, which Salem residents for years have listed as a top issue in the community. As progressives and conservatives diverge on how to respond to public camping, proposed solutions will likely run up against budget constraints at the local, state and federal level.
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Oregon DOJ probe into sanctuary law compliance at Salem courthouse faces legal hurdles
Oregon's sanctuary law empowers individuals, not the Oregon attorney general or state prosecutors, to enforce its protections for immigrants.
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