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Salem sues U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over planned Detroit Reservoir drawdown
The city of Salem filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday, July 8, against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a deep drawdown of the Detroit reservoir scheduled for the fall. The drawdown is meant to facilitate young salmon migration, but city leaders say it will temporarily overwhelm the sand filters that clean the city’s drinking water.
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More rural Republicans call on Smith to resign House seat
Republicans in rural Sherman County say “enough is enough” and that state Rep. Greg Smith should resign. House Republican leaders have given him $5,000 for his reelection campaign and Smith said state troopers are backing his return for another term.
Oregon bill would require home insurers to consider wildfire prevention efforts
The proposal comes in light of rising property insurance premiums and policy cancellations or non-renewals across the country and much of the West.
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Oregon Department of Transportation director will retire
With new budget secured, ODOT Director Kris Strickler said it is time for new leadership. He's led the agency since 2019.
Lawmakers passed slate of bills meant to address state’s ‘woefully short’ housing supply
The state Legislature passed at least a dozen bills meant to protect renter security deposits, boost housing production and ensure access to homeless shelters statewide.
Slate of bills to modernize Oregon water laws await votes in final month of session
Bills from Gov. Tina Kotek and a bipartisan duo of representatives would streamline water rights transfers and impose new environmental reviews.
Across nation, rideshare drivers win more benefits, protections despite industry pushback
A pending Oregon bill would set a minimum wage for rideshare drivers and require a "just cause" for deactivating driver accounts.
Salem Reporter editor honored with state’s top journalism award for Greg Smith reporting
Les Zaitz, a journalist in Oregon for more than 50 years, has been awarded his sixth Bruce Baer Award, considered the state’s top investigative reporting honor.
Man charged with arson in fire at Washington Elementary School
Investigators say that Javier J. Venegas-Quinones, 27, lit a towel and placed it at the corner of the elementary school on July 9, causing thousands of dollars in damage to the building.