AROUND OREGON: Facing concerns over cuts to federal health insurance, Dr. Mehmet Oz on Friday, March 14, wouldn’t answer directly whether he opposes such cuts. He did tell U.S. senators that if confirmed as a federal official, he would visit Malheur County within 60 days.

PHOTOS: Despite gloom skies and blossoms still days away, Salem residents turned out for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in front of the Capitol on Saturday, March 15. Lanterns adorning the trees will be on display through the month.

About 500 people joined a veterans protest in Salem, one of many nationwide Friday against President Donald Trump’s planned cuts to the federal workforce and VA.

Salem-Keizer Superintendent Andrea Castañeda is among the school district leaders who say an ambitious state education accountability effort needs significant changes to work as intended.

Local public defenders say Marion County Judges will soon start appointing them to new cases which they are too overloaded to take on, a move intended to reduce the number of criminal defendants without an attorney.

Salem’s Community Police Academy was canceled for the year due to a city cost-cutting request. The request led to cuts in the department’s nonessential overtime work, including police attendance at neighborhood association meetings.

A state program created in 2022 helped more than 14,000 low income taxpayers file last year, many earning refunds or credits they otherwise would not have.

Construction will start in 2026 to make Salem’s Center Street Bridge earthquake-safe after years of planning and funding changes. The project, which will happen in two phases, is estimated to be finished by 2029.

A group of 21 Democratic attorneys general sued the Trump administration Thursday over the U.S. Education Department’s efforts this week to cut more than 1,300 employees.

Local birder and natural history author Harry Fuller explains what recent federal environmental policy shifts mean for birds.

Just after noon Thursday, much of downtown Salem lost power after a short thunderstorm hit the area, bringing lightning and hail. According to Portland General Electric, around 200 customers in the area are without power.

Members of two public advisory groups focused on the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport said critical information regarding the removal, rebuilding, or renovation of the airport’s secondary runway was withheld from council. Pilots told city councilors Monday that removing the runway would make aviation for smaller aircraft in Salem less safe and suggested the city consider alternatives….

New Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read on Wednesday withdrew the scandal-marred audit of the state’s liquor and cannabis commission that ended a predecessor’s political career.  “My team and I concluded that the selection of the audit, the framework for the audit, and potential predetermination of its conclusions imperiled the audit from the outset,” Read…

On March 21, the McKay High School Chamber Orchestra will play alongside Oregon Symphony violists to raise money for private lessons, instrument repairs and an upcoming trip to play in Chicago.

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF MARION Case No. 25CV03788 DANIEL R. LASSEN, IN HIS CAPACITY AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF LARRY L. LASSEN, Plaintiff, v. KALI ANNE LEINENBACH, an individual; and ALL PERSONS OR PARTIES UNKNOWN CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, TITLE, LIEN, OR…

School board members will also vote Tuesday on statements supporting city of Salem and Chemeketa Community College property tax measures in the May election.

Events in Salem this week include the unveiling of a new unicorn at Riverfront Carousel, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol and a scavenger hunt for a prize.

The Keizer City Council provided its community engagement committee a list of possible new names recently. The Community Diversity Engagement Committee voted to leave its name alone.

City officials have agreed to settle a 2022 lawsuit alleging Salem police officer Nathan Bush used excessive force when he shot and killed Arcadio Castillo III, 23, in July 2021. Castillo’s mother alleged in the suit that he was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time.

Oregon’s second-highest court affirmed Wednesday that the voter-approved gun control law Measure 114 is constitutional, potentially clearing the way for the law to take effect after being on hold for years because of a Harney County judge’s ruling. Voters in 2022 narrowly approved Measure 114 to limit sales of some ammunition magazines and require a…

Pilots who use Salem’s airport voiced concern about the proposed company floated for new aircraft landing and parking fee collection leading up to and during Monday’s Salem City Council Meeting. Salem city councilors voted unanimously to approve the aircraft fees which the airport needs to generate much needed revenues to reduce reliance on the city’s…