Outgoing Oregon governor reflects on turbulent final term
January 6, 2023 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's Democratic Gov. Kate Brown faced unprecedented challenges in her final term: COVID-19, a surge in homelessness and street battles between police, racial justice protesters and right-wing extremists.
Judge: Nevada can’t yet consider death sentence commutations
December 20, 2022 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada’s pardons board will not be able to consider a last-minute request from outgoing Gov. Steve Sisolak to commute the sentences of all 57 of the state’s death row prisoners, a judge ordered Monday evening.
Mixed reactions to Oregon governor commuting death row
December 15, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's decision to commute all of the state's 17 death sentences and dismantle the state's execution chamber has some, including a former prison superintendent-turned-abolitionist, lauding the move as the humane choice.
Oregon governor commutes all 17 of state’s death sentences
December 14, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Tuesday that she is commuting the sentences of all of the state's 17 inmates awaiting execution, saying their death sentences will be changed to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Tribal, federal leaders cheer Klamath River dam removals
December 8, 2022 GMTHORNBROOK, Calif. (AP) — Tribal, state and federal officials on Thursday cheered a plan for the largest dam removal in U.S.
Gov. extends emergency order as respiratory illnesses surge
December 8, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is extending a state of emergency as a surge of respiratory illnesses in adults and children — including RSV, the flu and COVID-19 — strains hospitals.
The executive order issued Wednesday calls for the Oregon Health Authority and other state agencies to deploy emergency volunteer health care workers and designate emergency health centers.
Oregon’s governor pardons thousands for pot convictions
November 21, 2022 GMTOregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Monday she is pardoning an estimated 45,000 people convicted of simple possession of marijuana, a month after President Joe Biden did the same under federal law.
Oregon Gov. Brown tests positive for COVID-19
November 19, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Saturday she and her husband Dan have tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from Vietnam.
“We are recuperating at home and, while this changes our Thanksgiving plans, we are grateful for effective vaccines and boosters that are helping ensure our symptoms don’t become serious,” she said Saturday afternoon on Twitter
Why AP called the Oregon governor race for Tina Kotek
November 11, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — There were no signs that Republican Christina Drazan was improving on her vote totals over recent days that would have enabled her to overtake Democrat Tina Kotek in the Oregon governor's race.
Oregon’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Walters to retire
October 19, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Martha Walters said Tuesday that she’ll retire at the end of the year.
Walters, who became the first woman to serve as chief justice of the Supreme Court in 2018, is the second justice this month to announce a retirement, giving Democrat Gov.
Oregon labor union gives added $1M to Dem governor candidate
October 12, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s largest labor union is contributing an additional $1 million to Democratic candidate for governor Tina Kotek as the race appears to be one of the closest in years.
Felisa Hagins, political director for SEIU Local 49, told Oregon Public Broadcasting about the donation on Wednesday.
Brown sends state resources to second NE Oregon fire
September 6, 2022 GMTJOSEPH, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Monday night invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for a second fire burning northeast Oregon’s remote Wallowa County after it grew exponentially in size on Monday.
Oregon fire spreads, governor declares statewide emergency
August 28, 2022 GMTMERLIN, Ore. (AP) — A wildfire in remote southwest Oregon continued its rapid spread through a rural area and destroyed several structures, authorities said Sunday, as the threat of more blazes prompted the governor to sign a statewide emergency declaration.
Oregon fire quadruples in size; governor declares emergency
August 27, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — A wildfire in remote southwest Oregon almost quadrupled in size overnight Saturday, forcing evacuations and prompting the governor to invoke an emergency act that allows the state fire marshal to take command of suppression efforts.
Court sides with Oregon governor over early prison releases
August 10, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Gov. Kate Brown was within her authority to grant clemency during the coronavirus pandemic to nearly 1,000 people convicted of crimes.
Gov. declares conflagration for wildfire south of The Dalles
August 3, 2022 GMTMAUPIN, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in order to get resources to a fire burning south of The Dalles in Wasco County.
The Miller Road/Dodge Fire sparked Tuesday afternoon near the community of Juniper Flats and is burning in grass, brush, and juniper.
Kotek wins Democratic nod in Oregon governor’s race
May 18, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Former Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek on Tuesday won the Democratic gubernatorial primary, beating state Treasurer Tobias Read in a victory for the party’s progressive wing.
GOP hopes to end 35-year Oregon gubernatorial losing streak
May 13, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — It’s been 35 years since there was a GOP governor in Oregon, but political experts say this year the party has a rare opportunity to possibly win the state’s highest elected position.
Oregon Gov. Brown signs farmworker overtime pay bill
April 19, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill into law that phases out the state’s agricultural overtime pay exemption.
Judge grants class-action status to COVID-sickened prisoners
April 5, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has certified a class-action lawsuit in Oregon over state leaders’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic inside its prisons.
A group of adults in custody who contracted COVID-19 first sued the state in April 2020, alleging culpability by Gov.
Nike co-founder gives Oregon gubernatorial candidate $750K
April 4, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Nike co-founder Phil Knight made another large contribution — $750,000 — to the Oregon independent gubernatorial campaign of Betsy Johnson.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Knight's donations to Johnson's campaign now total $1 million, according to state campaign finance records.
Oregon Legislature approves overtime pay for farmworkers
March 4, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Farmworkers in Oregon would earn overtime pay under a bill that the Legislature approved on Thursday, after more than 1,000 people submitted testimony, including farmworkers who felt they have been taken advantage of for too long for their important labor.
Washington state senator apologizes to Oregon governor
February 26, 2022 GMTEVERETT, Wash. (AP) — Washington state Sen. Marko Liias has apologized to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown for disparaging her in a radio interview.
“I lost my temper … and made some intemperate and disrespectful remarks,” the Democrat from Everett, Washington, wrote in an email to the governor Thursday night.
Oregon’s COVID emergency declaration to be lifted in April
February 25, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Thursday she will rescind her statewide COVID-19 emergency declaration on April 1.
In addition, Oregon’s mask requirement for indoor public places and schools will be lifted on March 19, officials said.
Bill to help disabled OR students won’t pass this session
February 24, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — A measure that sought to help students with disabilities get an adequate public education in Oregon won't advance during this year's Legislature.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reports state Sen.
Proposed tax on WA fuel exports angers neighboring states
February 23, 2022 GMTOLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Three states that would be affected by a proposed 6-cent per gallon tax on fuel exported from Washington state are pushing back on the plan, and threatening to retaliate if it is signed into law.
OR lawmakers have hundreds of millions of extra dollars
February 10, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — As Oregon lawmakers barrel ahead in this year's short legislative session, state economists presented another sunny revenue forecast Wednesday — which included an unexpected and additional $800 million of tax revenue.
Oregon Gov. Brown delivers final State of the State address
February 4, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown outlined her legislative agenda and priorities for her final year in office during her annual State of the State address on Thursday.
The Democrat, who cannot run for governor again due to term limits, said that her priorities in 2022 include preserving and creating affordable housing, preparing for and recovering from climate-related disasters, bolstering the state’s workforce and providing accessible child care.
Oregon Health Authority director hospitalized after fall
January 25, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Health Authority director and a leader of the state’s COVID-19 response has been hospitalized after a serious fall.
Patrick Allen was taken to a hospital early Sunday morning, the agency said in a Tuesday news release.
DeHoog appointed to Oregon Supreme Court
January 21, 2022 GMTBEND, Ore. (AP) — A former Deschutes County Circuit judge serving on the state Court of Appeals has been named to Oregon Supreme Court.
Roger J. DeHoog’s appointment, effective immediately, was announced this week by Gov.
Lawsuit: Governor unlawfully commuting prison sentences
January 20, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Two Oregon district attorneys and the relatives of three homicide victims have filed a lawsuit accusing Gov. Kate Brown of unlawfully freeing nearly 1,000 incarcerated people.
Gov. Kate Brown has $200 million workforce development plan
January 12, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is proposing a a $200 million legislative package to bolster the state’s workforce during the pandemic.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the program, titled “Future Ready Oregon,” aims to prioritize key populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and existing disparities.
Kotek stepping down as Speaker to focus on governor’s race
January 6, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek announced Thursday she will resign from the Legislature to focus on her gubernatorial run.
The last day for the longest-tenured speaker in state history will be Jan.
Oregon governor extends COVID state of emergency declaration
December 21, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday extended Oregon’s declaration of a state of emergency as health officials prepare for an expected surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the coming weeks.
Sen. Betsy Johnson to resign to focus on Oregon governor run
December 15, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon state Sen. Betsy Johnson announced Tuesday she will be resigning this week to focus on running for governor.
In a video statement, Johnson said she will officially step down from the Legislature Wednesday.
Special session: Lawmakers to address OR’s illegal pot boom
December 10, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — With lawmakers returning to the Oregon state Capitol for a special session on Monday, Gov. Kate Brown said eviction protections and rental assistance won’t be the only topics of discussion.
Oregon governor calls for special session to protect renters
December 1, 2021 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — With winter coming and federal funds drying up, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Tuesday she'll call a special session of the Legislature Dec. 13 to approve state funding for rental assistance and extend eviction protections issued because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Betsy Johnson raises $1.8M for Oregon governor campaign
November 19, 2021 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — State Sen. Betsy Johnson has raised $1.8 million in cash contributions in her campaign to become Oregon’s next governor, campaign finance records showed Thursday.
Johnson, a 20-year veteran of the Oregon Legislature and one of its most moderate Democrats, is running as an independent for the seat held by term-limited Gov.
Brown commutes juvenile sentences of more than 70 offenders
October 21, 2021 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Gov. Kate Brown has commuted the sentences of more than 70 people convicted of felonies while juveniles, but the action doesn’t automatically mean they are about to be released.
Federal judge rejects bid to block Oregon vaccine mandate
October 19, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday denied a last-minute bid by more than three dozen state employees, health care providers and school staff to temporarily stop the state’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
Oregon illegal pot grows: More calls to send National Guard
October 19, 2021 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — On the same day last week that a southern Oregon county declared a state of emergency amid a sharp increase in illegal cannabis farms, police raided a site that had about 2 tons of processed marijuana and 17,500 pot plants.
Oregon gov. seeks disaster relief for salmon industry
October 7, 2021 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is requesting disaster relief from the federal government for the state’s strained commercial salmon industry.
The governor submitted the formal aid request this week to the U.S.
Brown calls special session for Oregon redistricting
September 10, 2021 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Gov. Kate Brown says the Oregon Legislature will return to the Capitol Sept. 20 for a special session to adopt new congressional and legislative district maps.
The state Constitution does not allow the governor to limit the length of a special session, but Brown on Friday asked that lawmakers act “expeditiously.”
Multnomah County law enforcement exempt from vaccine mandate
September 9, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Officials from Oregon's most populous county — Multnomah — joined Portland on Thursday in exempting law enforcement from a COVID-19 vaccine order after county officials say a vaccination requirement for local officers is now legally dubious due to new guidance from the state health authority.
Police may be exempt from employee vaccine mandate
September 8, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland city officials because of new guidance may need to exempt the police bureau from an order that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk losing their jobs.
Police, firefighters sue Gov. Brown over vaccination mandate
September 4, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A coalition of police and firefighters are suing Gov. Kate Brown over her mandate requiring COVID-19 vaccination for state workers.
Oregon House Speaker Kotek announces run for governor
September 1, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Tina Kotek, the Speaker of the Oregon House, announced Thursday she is running for governor.
Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat like Kotek, cannot run for re-election in 2022 due to term limits.
‘Crisis teams’ sent to hard-hit COVID hospitals in Oregon
August 25, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon will deploy “crisis teams” of hundreds of nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedics and nursing assistants to regions of the state hardest hit by a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations that have stretched hospitals to the limit, Gov.
Masks to be required in Oregon’s outdoor public settings
August 25, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — People in Oregon, regardless of vaccination status, will once again be required to wear masks in most public outdoor settings — including large outdoor events where physical distancing is not possible — beginning Friday.
Oregon requires COVID-19 vaccination for teachers, staff
August 20, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday that Oregon is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine requirement to include all teachers, educators, support staff and volunteers in K-12 schools.
COVID-stricken Oregon deploys National Guard to hospitals
August 14, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon’s governor said Friday she will send up to 1,500 National Guard troops to hospitals around the state to assist healthcare workers who are being pushed to the brink by a surge of COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant.
New Oregon law suspends graduation testing requirement
August 13, 2021 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — A new Oregon law that suspends a requirement for a basic-skills test in math, reading and writing to graduate high school is being praised by advocates as a way to rethink education standards and sharply criticized by others as a misguided effort that will hurt children’s learning in the long run.
COVID: Oregon governor warns hospitals could be overwhelmed
August 11, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday announced a statewide indoor mask requirement in Oregon as coronavirus hospitalizations and cases reach record high numbers in the state and health care systems are overwhelmed.
Oregon health care workers to get COVID vaccine or be tested
August 4, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon health care workers will be required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing, Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday.
Officials say the new rule will apply beginning Sept.
Drive to charge packagers for recycling, but industry fights
July 31, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — States across the U.S. are looking to adopt new recycling regimes that require producers of packaging to pay for its inevitable disposal — but industry is digging in to try to halt the movement.
Oregon to require masks indoors for K-12 schools
July 29, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The state of Oregon will require students and staff in K-12 schools to wear masks indoors this fall, Gov. Kate Brown announced Thursday.
The decision follows this week’s updated national masking guidelines and a spike in COVID-19 cases in Oregon, due to the highly transmissible delta variant.
Oregon governor signs ambitious clean energy bill
July 27, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's clean energy bill, which sets one of the most ambitious timelines in the country for moving to 100% clean electricity sources, was signed by Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday.
Biden relaunches council of governors with bipartisan group
July 8, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday will relaunch the council of governors, an advisory board of governors and a number of key Cabinet secretaries and top administration officials focused on strengthening federal and state collaboration on major national security issues.
State heat deaths top 100; Brown orders emergency heat rules
July 7, 2021 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's death toll from a record-smashing heat wave last weekend topped 100 on Tuesday while Gov. Kate Brown issued heat-related directives meant to protect people from extreme heat in the future.
Governor: Heat death toll at least 95 in Oregon alone
July 4, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Pacific Northwest heat wave has killed at least 95 people in Oregon alone, a number that state's governor called “absolutely unacceptable."
“Following events like this we always do reviews and see what we can do better next time,” Democratic Gov.