Oregon DEQ under resourced to face enormity of climate change challenges, audit finds
Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality is significantly understaffed and underfunded, state auditors find
By Alex Baumhardt – Oregon Capital Chronicle
Alex Baumhardt has been a national radio producer focusing on education for American Public Media since 2017. She has reported from the Arctic to the Antarctic for national and international media, and from Minnesota and Oregon for The Washington Post. She previously worked in Iceland and Qatar and was a Fulbright scholar in Spain where she earned a master's degree in digital media. She's been a kayaking guide in Alaska, farmed on four continents and worked the night shift at several bakeries to support her reporting along the way.
Port of Morrow sees new fine for continuing pollution of groundwater
The state’s second largest port continues overspreading nitrogen-laced wastewater atop a contaminated aquifer despite a record fine.
Oregon graduation rate holds steady for second year
The graduation rate for the class of 2023 statewide was about 81%, the same as the class of 2022 but down slightly from a pre-pandemic high of 85%.
Behind schedule, over budget, state-backed rail projects costing $70 million sit idle
AROUND OREGON: Two freight-to-rail centers in the Willamette Valley and eastern Oregon have failed to fulfill a single promise of boosting agricultural exports and reducing emissions
Oregon’s Bentz endorses Trump for 2024 Republican presidential ticket
Congressman Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, announced Jan. 10 that he's backing former President Donald Trump for president, as he did in 2020.
Oregon needs more money to fight big wildfires. Who should pay for it?
AROUND OREGON: Two senators aim to boost funding to the state’s firefighting efforts, one funded by the public, the other by timber companies.
NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish, dams
OREGON NEWS: The Biden administration promises a total of $1 billion for renewable tribal energy production and work towards restoration of imperiled salmon.
Lawmakers, advocates ask state to investigate NW Natural for misleading claims
OREGON NEWS: A coalition is seeking a state investigation of NW Natural. It said the company should publicly disclose to consumers the health and climate risks of natural gas-burning appliances
Proposed agreement shows feds consider removing lower Snake River dams
The proposed agreement, leaked this week, indicates the feds are ready to move ahead with removing four dams on the lower Snake River to keep salmon species from extinction. The proposal has sparked strong concerns from GOP congressional representatives worried about impacts on power supply and agriculture.
Kotek names Shana McConville Radford as first director of tribal affairs
Gov. Tina Kotek announced that Shana McConville Radford will join her administration to foster positive relationships with Oregon-based tribes