Oregon Public Broadcasting

A group of rural Boardman residents assembled in a garage to speak with U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley about nitrates in Boardman, Ore. in January 2023. Advocates have been seeking to address a regional nitrate crisis for years. On Friday, Oregon agencies released an eight-year plan. | ANTONIO SIERRA/OPB

State agencies pledge action on Eastern Oregon nitrates crisis — eventually

A plan released Friday maps out steps to reduce groundwater contaminants linked to cancer and thyroid disease

Sep 26

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

A view of downtown Heppner in Morrow County, Ore. on July 17, 2024. | ANTONIO SIERRA/OPB

Nurses and staff at Oregon’s smallest rural hospital unionize in Morrow County

Workers seek higher staffing levels and more consistent disciplinary policy at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Heppner

Aug 15

PIXABAY

Death toll from Oregon heat wave continues to climb

The suspected death toll of the July 2024 heat wave in Oregon has grown to 16

Jul 16

Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem is a maximum-security prison. | COURTESY OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

Oregon Department of Corrections ends practice of charging prisoners for medical devices

The change comes as a result of a 2021 class-action lawsuit that resulted in refunding $77,041 to 870 people currently in prison

Jun 19

The OHSU Center for Health & Healing Building 2 in the South Waterfront neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, on July 25, 2020. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Health & Science University to lay off hundreds of workers

OHSU leaders said they’ll provide significant updates as soon as possible as part of their “commitment to transparency”

Jun 10

A pair of dairy cows. | WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Oregon officials warn against drinking raw milk as bird flu outbreak spreads in dairy cows

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed over 50 dairy herds across several states have tested positive for bird flu, and health officials say the virus could be more widespread than current testing suggests

May 27

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

SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon study: COVID-19 vaccine not associated with cardiac deaths in healthy young people

A new study found no evidence of a potential complication of the COVID-19 vaccine — myocarditis — in cardiac deaths in the state

Apr 16

BRUNO/PIXABAY

New Portland heat map shows where to plant trees and remove pavement for a cooler city

Health officials in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties have mapped hot spots to guide measures intended to avoid deaths during the next excessive heat wave

Apr 4