Category Politics
Salem protest on Saturday draws 1,000 over ICE killing
A crowd approaching 1,000 people gathered Saturday in Salem at the north end of the Oregon State Capitol grounds, near the intersection of Northeast Center Street and Summer Street. Protesters in Salem, and across the nation, came out largely in response to a Minneapolis ICE shooting that killed a 37-year-old woman.
Salem lawmakers want to change Cherriots board, require mediation over health insurance contracts
State Rep. Kevin Mannix and state Sen. Deb Patterson previewed their proposals for the 2026 legislative short session in a Thursday presentation to the Salem City Club.
Salem protest planned for Saturday in response to Minneapolis ICE shooting
Salem Region Indivisible, which organized previous protests against the Trump administration, is planning a demonstration in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. It will begin at the Oregon State Capitol at noon on Saturday, Jan. 10.
Rep. Greg Smith admits ethics violation, fails to disclose business client
AROUND OREGON: A state legislator facing multiple ethics investigations in the past year agreed to a state sanction in a second case. State Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, still has two other ethics cases pending at the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
Ethics commission said Bethell’s vote benefitted her son’s employer
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission found that Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell likely violated Oregon law when she voted to amend contracts with a company that employs her son. The agreements increased the company’s budget by about $2 million for a water project.
Marion County commissioner running for governor faces ethics investigations
A Marion County sheriff's deputy is accusing Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell of unethical conduct after he stopped her daughter for traffic violations. The state ethics commission has decided to investigate more deeply.
East Oregon board deceived by Rep. Greg Smith’s illegal pay raise considers rehiring him
The board of the Columbia Development Authority proposed a $294,000 a year contract to Smith to stay on as executive director through 2028.
Petition against Oregon transportation law pauses gas tax and fee hikes
Funding uncertainty comes as Oregon needs road maintenance from landslides.
Oregon House speaker troubled by Smith findings as Republicans stay silent
Leading Republicans in the Oregon House are staying quiet about the conclusion of ethics investigators that state Rep. Greg Smith repeatedly violated the law at his publicly-paid job. The Oregon House speaker has issued a statement.