Tag STATE GOVERNMENT
Man convicted in 1994 murder of foster teen granted early release to Salem
The Oregon State Penitentiary (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) A man convicted of killing a teen in 1995 was released from prison into Salem earlier this month after Gov. Kate Brown granted him clemency April 15. Kyle Hedquist, 45, pleaded guilty when he was 18 to aggravated…
Years in the making, new trans student policies for Salem schools draw backlash
Three years ago, a transgender high school student approached leaders at the Salem-Keizer School District and told them they needed to do better. Julian, a nonbinary student who is now a senior, said the lack of consistent school or district policies led to teachers incorrectly…
Judge bars parole board from reconsidering sentences for youth offenders under governor’s plan
(Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) A Marion County Circuit Court judge Tuesday ordered the state’s parole board not to hold hearings to consider early release of dozens of Oregonians for crimes they committed as minors. The ruling is a setback for a plan Gov. Kate Brown announced…
Challenges persist for rural Marion, Polk county residents lacking broadband as state plans for federal funds still uncertain
Santiam Canyon (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Thousands of Marion and Polk county residents lacking high-speed internet continue to face barriers to education and their ability to earn a living, and whether a federal bill intended to expand broadband access will help remains unclear. Oregonians will see…
Oregon attorney general leads call to end Trump exemptions for religious schools
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and 18 other state attorney generals are seeking to eliminate Trump-era measures that relaxed anti-discrimination rules for religious schools. Three Oregon students are among the plaintiffs and one private university in Salem is intervening to defend the Trump rules. The…
Dozens convicted in Marion, Polk counties for crimes committed as minors may soon be out of prison
The Oregon State Penitentiary on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Dozens of Oregonians serving prison sentences for crimes committed as minors may soon be eligible for early release based on new criteria set by Gov. Kate Brown. About 36 people convicted in Marion…
State, SEIU agree on vaccine mandate for state employees with paid leave, exemptions
The State of Oregon and a union representing 22,000 of its employees reached an agreement Monday that gives workers paid time off to get a Covid vaccine before a state vaccination mandate goes into effect. The agreement with SEIU 503 comes nearly six weeks…
State workers demand to bargain over Gov. Brown’s vaccination mandate
Salem’s largest employer is requiring Covid vaccines – and getting pushback from unions representing tens of thousands of state employees. On Tuesday, Gov. Kate Brown said nearly all state employees, about 41,000 people, would be required to get a Covid vaccine to hold onto their…
Oregon Employment Department misses target for fixing phone wait times, blames worker shortage
Oregon Employment Department. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Oregon missed its midyear target for improving the employment department’s woeful phone system, but the state says it remains committed to resolving the issues by the end of the year. It was well-nigh impossible to reach the Oregon Employment…