Graham Trainor recently became president of the Oregon AFL-CIO following years of union organizing and activisim (Oregon AFL-CIO photo) PORTLAND — Graham Trainor has taken the helm at one of the state’s largest labor groups at a time when workers in Oregon — already a strong union state — appear[Read More…]
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As civics education declines in Oregon, nonprofits and a state office try to fill the gap
(Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) As a social studies teacher at Amity Middle School, it falls on Jeff Geissler to teach students the importance of voting, paying taxes and how their government works. Now in his fourth year teaching social studies, Geissler recalls taking a training offered by the Classroom Law Project on[Read More…]
Uncategorized Font club, cavities and lots of data: reporter Rachel Alexander’s top stories of 2019
Reporter Rachel Alexander (Fred Joe/Special to Salem Reporter) Truth be told, I’ve had trouble sitting down to reflect on 2019 because I have so many stories I’m excited to report in the works that it’s hard to pull myself away from a enticing spreadsheet or some scribbled notes. But I’m[Read More…]
Uncategorized Thanks to Oregon students, dogs used in research get chance at second life
Dogs like this one rescued from an Eastern Oregon residence have been used for lab testing in Oregon and then euthanized. A new law taking effect in January requires labs to offer animals for adoption. (PMG file photo) Here’s some good news at the tail end of a particularly contentious[Read More…]
Uncategorized PHOTOS: Truck inspectors at Woodburn base hunt for bad brakes, loose loads that can be trouble on Oregon highways
Tom Avila of the Oregon Motor Carrier Transportation Division inspects a tire shown by the tire anomaly detection system to have a problem. The pilot program implemented at the Woodburn port of entry prevents accidents by notifying drivers when there’s an issue with a tire or axle, something that’s not[Read More…]
Mike Swaim, outspoken former Salem mayor, dies at 76
Salem city hall (Salem Reporter) Mike Swaim, a former Salem mayor known for positioning himself against development in the city, died Dec. 17. He was 76. His wife, Kellie Swaim, said Swaim suffered a severe stroke while undergoing heart surgery at Salem Health. He was then flown to Oregon Health[Read More…]
Uncategorized Guiding new agency directors puts state operations on better footing
Summer Warner (Courtesy photo) Summer Warner has one of those jobs crucial to state government, but rarely talked about. The Nebraska native is at the helm of one of the state’s most important projects: helping new directors get up to speed in the state agencies they’re chosen to lead. Warner[Read More…]
Uncategorized EVENTS: Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve firework. (Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons) Ring in the “Noon” Year with little ones during a kid-friendly party at Gilbert House Children’s Museum. There will be crafts, photo ops and a balloon drop at 12 p.m. The event starts at 10 a.m. Admission costs $8. Children under 1 are free.[Read More…]
Uncategorized Oregon inspectors home in on unsafe trucks, drivers to reduce highway deaths
Don McCloskey of the Oregon Motor Carrier Transportation Division inspects the brake systems from underneath a trailer hauling fuel from during a routine inspection at the Woodburn port of entry. (PMG photo/Sam Stites) WOODBURN – Truck inspections are the primary tool for preventing accidents that disrupt Oregon’s highways, hospitalize motorists[Read More…]
Uncategorized Spectacular truck crashes grab attention, but accident rate dropping, state data shows
Two commercial trucks burn on Interstate 5 near Woodburn in October 2019. A string of truck crashes on the freeway in recent months blocked commuters and commerce. (Oregon State Police photo) Gagandeep Singh was traveling south on Interstate 5 near Woodburn when smoke started boiling up from under his Volvo[Read More…]
