Lauren Dake

Gov. Tina Kotek speaks to the media during a Jan. 16, 2025 press availability about the upcoming legislative session. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Governor testifies for controversial bill revising rules for foster children: ‘Status quo is unacceptable’

Bill would permit some foster children to be placed out of state, amend rules about use of restraints and isolation

May 15

Abortion access is settled law in Oregon. So why are advocates worried?

Oregon has positioned itself to serve as a reproductive health care sanctuary for those in states with strict abortion bans. But advocates are still concerned that access might be chipped away.

Oct 24, 2024

Clinic staff listen as Gov. Kate Brown held a joint press conference with Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, reaffirming Oregon’s commitment to abortion access, Aug. 25, 2022, at the Hillman East Portland Health Center. | KRISTYNA WENTZ-GRAFF / OPB

Oregon’s Planned Parenthood affiliates move forward with creating a new political organization

They plan to create a new, more integrated advocacy arm and promise the move will not only help them bolster their political efforts but also ensure sustainability for their health care clinics

Sep 17, 2024

SHUTTERSTOCK

More than a dozen cities will ask their voters if they want to ban psilocybin

Despite national interest in Oregon's first-in-the-nation law legalizing the supervised use of psilocybin, sixteen local jurisdictions spread across the state are contemplating either permanent or temporary bans on the use of the naturally occurring psychedelic

Sep 12, 2024

PIXABAY

Heat waves are hitting Oregon’s oldest population the hardest

A heat wave that struck Oregon in July caused the deaths of at least 16 Oregonians, according to the state medical examiner's office. All but two of those people were over the age of 50.

Aug 20, 2024

The silhouette of two children under a mister in the evening.

CHILDREN COOL UNDER A MISTING STATION DURING NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AT BEAVERTON CITY PARK. PHOTO COPYRIGHT: PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP/JAIME VALDEZ (USED WITH PERMISSION)

5 suspected heat-related deaths reported across western Oregon

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office reported Monday that it’s looking into four possible heat-related deaths between Friday and Sunday. Another suspected heat death has been reported in Coos County

Jul 9, 2024

Protesters gather at the U.S. Supreme Court on May 3, 2022, after a report that the court will overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Advocates push constitutional amendment to protect same-sex marriage, gender-affirming care and abortion access

If advocates collect enough signatures, Oregonians would consider the change in 2026

Jun 25, 2024

Ki Soon “Harmony” Hyun during a visit to the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Ore., in an undated photo provided by family. Hyun, 83, who had dementia, died after wandering from the Mt. Hood Senior Living care facility in Sandy, Ore., in December 2023, after the staff failed to lock and secure the doors. | COURTESY OF FAMILY

Family of woman who died near Sandy memory care facility sues state, facility for $10 million

Oregon’s long-term care ombudsman highlighted significant issues at the facility in a report released earlier this month

Apr 18, 2024

SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon regulators missed ‘red flags’ leading to senior’s death in Sandy care facility, ombudsman says

Ki Soon “Harmony” Hyun died after she wandered away from the facility. The state’s licensing officials waited nearly one month after to enter the facility, where they found a range of concerns, a watchdog found.

Apr 9, 2024