Category Archives: OPB – Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Lawmakers Mull Big Changes To Death Penalty, No Election Required

Oregon lawmakers and death penalty opponents are considering a roundabout approach at gutting the state’s capital punishment law — without sending it to voters. Since 1984, the death penalty has been enshrined in the Oregon Constitution, meaning it can only be removed by a vote of the people. Source: Oregon Lawmakers Mull Big Changes To […]
Read More »

Hearing At Capitol Shows How Difficult Changing Salem’s Culture Will Be

In the midst of the #MeToo movement, Oregon’s legislative leadership said they were committed to changing the culture of the statehouse in Salem. A hearing at the state Capitol on Thursday provided a glimpse into how difficult that might be. Source: Hearing At Capitol Shows How Difficult Changing Salem’s Culture Will Be

Federal Judge Orders Stronger Cold-Water Fish Protections In Oregon Rivers

A federal judge has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to rewrite its pollution cleanup plans for Oregon rivers. U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernández rejected water quality standards that were submitted to the EPA by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Source: Federal Judge Orders Stronger Cold-Water Fish Protections In Oregon Rivers

West Coast Fishery Rebounds After Years Of Conservation Efforts

Federal fishery managers are increasing the catch limits for several West Coast species that were overfished and severely restricted for years. Surveys show depleted populations of yellow eye and bocaccio rockfish, cow cod and ocean perch — all classified as groundfish — are rebounding decades ahead of schedule. Source: West Coast Fishery Rebounds After Years […]
Read More »

Oregon’s Unique Bike Tax Is Pulling In Far Less Than Expected

The $15 flat tax on bicycle sales over $200 in Oregon is on track to bring in less than half of what economists predicted. Source: Oregon’s Unique Bike Tax Is Pulling In Far Less Than Expected

Deadline Looming For Oregonians To Sign Up For Health Care

The window for Oregonians to enroll in new health insurance closes Saturday night. So far more than 73,000 people have signed-up. Source: Deadline Looming For Oregonians To Sign Up For Health Care

Oregon’s Public Defense System ‘Is Not Constitutional’ Report Finds

A draft report obtained by OPB concludes that Oregon’s public defense system is so bureaucratic and structurally flawed that it can’t guarantee clients are getting the defense they’re owed. Source: Oregon’s Public Defense System ‘Is Not Constitutional’ Report Finds

Farm Bill Contains Familiar Fight Over Wildfire Management

Congress passed a new Farm Bill on Wednesday that also contains several provisions aimed at reducing the severity of Western wildfires. Source: Farm Bill Contains Familiar Fight Over Wildfire Management

‘Rethinking The Past’ In The Aftermath Of California’s Deadly Wildfires

Last month’s deadly Camp Fire has become a turning point in the debate over how western forests should be managed. From the air, the scale of the devastation in and around Paradise, Calif., is, simply put, alarming. Whole neighborhoods and commercial districts are completely decimated, turned to rubble amidst the tall, orange-singed pine trees with blackened […]
Read More »

Nursing Shortage | Methanol Plant – OPB’s Think Out Loud

  Oregon is experiencing a nursing shortage, which is not unique to the state. Part of the problem is the increasing demand for nurses across the healthcare industry. But a lesser known factor is the shortage of nursing faculty in programs around Oregon. We’ll hear from Susan Bakewell-Sachs, dean of the OHSU School of Nursing. The […]
Read More »