AltWeeklies Wire
How the National Death Panel Hysteria Spiraled Out from Little Old Oregonnew
It makes sense that the national "death panel" hysteria has its roots here in Portland. Oregonians have dealt with tricky end-of-life issues in the political arena for over a decade now.
The Portland Mercury |
Sarah Mirk |
08-28-2009 |
Politics
Killing Fields: Field Burning's Deadly Legacynew
The fiery death in 1988 of novelist William Wharton's daughter, her husband and baby girls is probably the grimmest reminder of the dangers of field burning smoke. Today the fight to ban the burn continues in Oregon.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
06-18-2009 |
Environment
Schoo's Out Forever At Two Oregon Jailsnew
Mount Hood Community College -- the community partner that has led GED classes at Inverness Jail and the Multnomah County Detention Center for nearly 10 years -- is ending its GED program as it grapples with a tight budget.
Willamette Week |
Beth Slovic |
06-17-2009 |
Crime & Justice
How Oregon's Largest Teachers Union Helped Shape Charter Schools Billnew
Online charter school supporters have obtained emails between a lobbyist for the state's teachers union and an Oregon Department of Education staff attorney. Those emails, they say, show that the lawyer for the ostensibly neutral state agency tinkered with a bill to serve the union's interests and contradicted written instructions from Oregon State Board of Education chairman Duncan Wyse.
Willamette Week |
Nigel Jaquiss |
06-17-2009 |
Education
Bank Sit-Downs Could Prevent Foreclosure Scamsnew
How can Oregon prevent 14,000 foreclosures? Sit-downs.
The Portland Mercury |
Sarah Mirk |
05-07-2009 |
Economy
Stop Sign Law Goes Back for Amendmentsnew
Oregon's proposed Idaho Stop Sign Law got its first hearing before the House Transportation Committee in Salem last week, and appears to be becoming a political lightning rod for tension between bicyclists and car drivers.
The Portland Mercury |
Matt Davis |
03-26-2009 |
Policy Issues
March Madmen: The NCAA Tournament Comes to Oregonnew
If you have no interest in teenage pituitary cases wearing baggy shorts, suck it up: This week you are outnumbered.
Willamette Week |
Aaron Mesh and Henry Stern |
03-18-2009 |
Sports
Oregonians Want Green Energy at Any Pricenew
There are a variety of explanations for the lack of outcry about Oregon's subsidies for wind farms. But perhaps most important, the idea of subsidizing renewable energy has the strong support of Gov. Ted Kulongoski, other political leaders and -- if polls are correct -- a large portion of Oregonians.
Willamette Week |
Nigel Jaquiss |
03-11-2009 |
Environment
A Well-Meaning Bill Would Strengthen Anti-Bullying Rules in Oregon Schoolsnew
A new bill in the Oregon Legislature would require that public schools report to state officials what groups of students are being targeted by bullies.
Willamette Week |
Beth Slovic |
02-25-2009 |
Education
Pigs Gone Wild: Feral Swine are Tearing it Up in Oregonnew
Call them swine, hogs, pigs or boars, call them what you want, but Oregon calls them an invasive species and has come up with a Feral Swine Action Plan to get rid of the porky pests.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
02-05-2009 |
Animal Issues
Oregon Budget Cuts Threaten Public Defendersnew
In a Multnomah County courtroom a translated slogan in Latin reads, "Justice delayed is justice denied." As Oregon faces serious budget cuts, this slogan could become a reality. The state's budget for public defenders, which is already chronically shortchanged, could be slashed even further.
The Portland Mercury |
Jake Thomas |
02-05-2009 |
Economy
Profiles In Caution: Half of Oregon's Democratic Lawmakers Bravely Have No Commentnew
After years complaining that the Bush administration instituted torture, lied its way into a war that killed more than 4,000 Americans, and generally treated the Constitution like toilet paper in a Taco Bell bathroom, senior Democrats now show little stomach to pursue criminal charges.
Willamette Week |
James Pitkin |
01-21-2009 |
Civil Liberties
Take Romance for a Hike: Love and Looking Good on the Trailnew
Here in the Pacific Northwest you're just as likely to have a guy or gal ask you out for a walk in the woods as you are to get asked for a dinner and a drink. With a little forethought, you can combine an outdoor adventure with a little romance and look good while you do it.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
12-18-2008 |
Recreation
Black Gold: West Coast Trufflesnew
With European truffles on the decline, a new breed of truffle hunters and growers comes to the fore on the West Coast.
North Bay Bohemian |
Alastair Bland |
12-04-2008 |
Food+Drink
Attacking Ecocrimes: Stomping Out Oregon's Pollutersnew
Oregon has a history of not enforcing its environmental laws, allowing industries to pollute its air and water with barely a slap on the wrist. There have been bigger penalties given for growing cannabis than for emitting toxic gases. Is Oregon's new attorney general going to change that?
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
11-26-2008 |
Environment
