Guadalupe Martinez, of Boardman, says a reverse-osmosis filter installed under the sink doesn’t work properly, and the whole-house filter behind her has been broken for years. (Kathy Aney/Oregon Capital Chronicle) In response to the groundwater nitrate emergency in Morrow County, a coalition of food processors, an industrial dairy and an[Read More…]

Greg Smith, Malheur County economic development director, discusses the Treasure Valley Reload Center at a Nyssa meeting on May 17. Beside him is his aide, Ryan Bailey. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL) VALE – Greg Smith, Malheur County Economic Development director, notified county officials Tuesday, June 28, he will resign from his[Read More…]

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, June 24, reversed Roe v. Wade in a long-anticipated decision. (Les Zaitz/Oregon Capital Chronicle) The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a nearly 50-year-old right to abortion has little immediate impact in Oregon, where the state Constitution guarantees reproductive rights, including free abortions, that[Read More…]

A sign at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany directs attendees to a Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 18. The annual celebration of the end of slavery is a state holiday in Oregon for the first time this year. (JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle) A national celebration of the end of slavery[Read More…]

Eric Simon expects to start construction on this property this summer to raise 3.4 million chickens a year for Foster Farms. (Kendra Kimbirauskas) The Oregon Department of Agriculture has approved a controversial industrial chicken farm in Linn County, provided it meets a few conditions. The department said plans for J-S[Read More…]

Democrats in Oregon’s Congressional delegation vow action on gun safety legislation following a deadly Texas school shooting. (Les Zaitz/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Democrats in Oregon’s congressional delegation renewed calls for Congress to take up federal gun control legislation following a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, while the[Read More…]

The Port of Morrow was fined $1.3 million in January for repeatedly pumping too much nitrate-laced water onto farmland. (Port of Morrow) The state’s chief environmental agency knowingly let the Port of Morrow pollute year after year, contributing to drinking water contamination for thousands, an investigation by the Capital Chronicle[Read More…]

Oregon’s top agriculture official is leaving to return to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Malheur Enterprise) Alexis Taylor, Oregon’s Agriculture Department director, has been nominated by the Biden White House to serve in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An announcement by the White House of nine nominees said Taylor had[Read More…]

A parent questions state officials about how they will conduct an investigation that reaches out to all families participating in the Migrant Education Program at the Nyssa School District. The state met with parents in Nyssa on Thursday, May 5. (Malheur Enterprise) NYSSA ­– State officials are investigating the Migrant[Read More…]

Guadalupe Martinez, of Boardman, says a reverse-osmosis filter installed under the sink doesn’t work properly, and the whole-house filter behind her has been broken for years. Her family drinks bottled water to protect themselves from nitrate-tainted groundwater. (Kathy Aney/Oregon Capital Chronicle) BOARDMAN – Guadalupe Martinez points to a 24-pack of[Read More…]