Oregon Capital Chronicle
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We're a nonprofit Oregon newsroom focused on state government, agencies and policies. We keep our eye on your tax dollars. Find us at OregonCapitalChronicle.com [email protected].
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At a library in suburban West Linn, nursing students, millennial parents and recent high school graduates told their congresswoman they are struggling to reach a slate of traditional educational, professional and personal milestones due to a multi-generational affordability crisis.
Oregon’s U.S. Rep. Bynum pitches patchwork ‘K-30’ plan to tackle generational affordability issues • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Bynum’s policy package is meant to address high housing costs, high student debt burdens and wage stagnation shouldered by young Oregonians.
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January 27, 2026 at 12:44 AM
At a library in suburban West Linn, nursing students, millennial parents and recent high school graduates told their congresswoman they are struggling to reach a slate of traditional educational, professional and personal milestones due to a multi-generational affordability crisis.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday urged Senate Democrats to advance the government funding package that must become law before the weekend to avoid a partial shutdown, rejecting their proposal to remove the Homeland Security funding bill.
Congress hurtles toward partial shutdown after Alex Pretti killing in Minneapolis • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday urged Senate Democrats to advance the government funding package that must become law before the weekend to avoid a partial shutdown,...
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January 26, 2026 at 11:33 PM
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday urged Senate Democrats to advance the government funding package that must become law before the weekend to avoid a partial shutdown, rejecting their proposal to remove the Homeland Security funding bill.
Oregon's Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Republican President Donald Trump don't agree on much, but they've both expressed support for limiting corporate homeownership.
Rare Merkley, Trump agreement on housing investments • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Bet you couldn’t come up with a controversial topic which finds President Donald Trump and Oregon’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley on the same side. Well, more or less. And not only one, but one...
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January 26, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Oregon's Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Republican President Donald Trump don't agree on much, but they've both expressed support for limiting corporate homeownership.
Oregon's northern neighbor is preparing for an immigration crackdown.
WA leaders prepare for possibility of immigration crackdown • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown didn’t rule out the National Guard or state or local law enforcement ending up at odds with federal agents.
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January 26, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Oregon's northern neighbor is preparing for an immigration crackdown.
Chris Dudley, the ex-Portland Trail Blazer who came closer than any Republican in decades to winning an Oregon governor’s race, said Monday that he will run for the position once again, entering an increasingly crowded field for the upcoming May primary. buff.ly/RCGZaGe
Chris Dudley says he will run for Oregon governor, growing GOP field • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Dudley’s tone on Monday stood in contrast to the searing criticism of Oregon’s Democratic leaders delivered by some of his fellow contenders.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Chris Dudley, the ex-Portland Trail Blazer who came closer than any Republican in decades to winning an Oregon governor’s race, said Monday that he will run for the position once again, entering an increasingly crowded field for the upcoming May primary. buff.ly/RCGZaGe
Several U.S. Senate Democrats, including Oregon's Jeff Merkley, launched an investigation into how the Trump administration’s child care funding cuts and policy changes are affecting rural families. buff.ly/V4Fe5jA
US Senate Dems probe effect of Trump administration child care cutbacks on rural families • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — Several U.S. Senate Democrats launched an investigation into how the Trump administration’s child care funding cuts and policy changes are affecting rural families, in a Sunday letter…
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Several U.S. Senate Democrats, including Oregon's Jeff Merkley, launched an investigation into how the Trump administration’s child care funding cuts and policy changes are affecting rural families. buff.ly/V4Fe5jA
Federal immigration officers shot a third Minnesotan in as many weeks, the @minnesotareformer.com reports.
Another Minnesotan shot and killed by feds • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Over 10 shots can be heard in the video, but it’s unclear if more than one agent fired a weapon.
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January 24, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Federal immigration officers shot a third Minnesotan in as many weeks, the @minnesotareformer.com reports.
Federal immigration agents in Portland detained a 7-year-old girl and her parents last week on their way to the hospital, according to a GoFundMe page in Spanish created by family relatives. buff.ly/G3AbO70
Immigration agents detain family taking 7-year-old child to Portland hospital • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Para leer en español, haga clic aquí. Federal immigration agents in Portland detained a 7-year-old girl and her parents last week on their way to the hospital, according to a GoFundMe page in…
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Federal immigration agents in Portland detained a 7-year-old girl and her parents last week on their way to the hospital, according to a GoFundMe page in Spanish created by family relatives. buff.ly/G3AbO70
The Trump administration plans to expand a policy that blocks foreign aid dollars from going to organizations that discuss, refer or perform abortions to also include groups that address transgender health care or have policies on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Trump to block foreign aid for transgender care, Vance tells anti-abortion rally • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration plans to expand a policy that blocks foreign aid dollars from going to organizations that discuss, refer or perform abortions to also include groups that address…
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January 23, 2026 at 10:22 PM
The Trump administration plans to expand a policy that blocks foreign aid dollars from going to organizations that discuss, refer or perform abortions to also include groups that address transgender health care or have policies on diversity, equity and inclusion.
8 weeks under siege: A special report from @minnesotareformer.com.
8 weeks under siege in Minnesota • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Frank has a hard time explaining to his 8-year-old daughter why they rarely leave their home in the Twin Cities. Why she can’t go to school, and why he can’t work. “The only thing we tell her is that…
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January 23, 2026 at 9:23 PM
8 weeks under siege: A special report from @minnesotareformer.com.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Friday chose one of the state’s most experienced criminal justice analysts to take full control over the Public Defense Commission as the state moves closer to stemming its shortage of public defense attorneys.
Gov. Kotek taps interim Oregon public defense head for permanent position • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The governor in April fired the public defense commission’s previous executive director amid about the state's shortage of counsel.
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January 23, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Friday chose one of the state’s most experienced criminal justice analysts to take full control over the Public Defense Commission as the state moves closer to stemming its shortage of public defense attorneys.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek kicked off her plan to jump-start Oregon’s economy alongside some of the state’s top business and industry leaders as the state continues to battle unemployment and slow economic growth. buff.ly/JdXlYwX
'Just a start': Kotek, industry leaders inch closer to reforms for Oregon business climate • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The 16 members of Kotek’s “Prosperity Council” represent different Oregon regions and sectors such as labor, technology and construction.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek kicked off her plan to jump-start Oregon’s economy alongside some of the state’s top business and industry leaders as the state continues to battle unemployment and slow economic growth. buff.ly/JdXlYwX
The House Thursday passed four appropriations bills to fund the government and avert a partial shutdown, but Democrats largely objected to spending on the Department of Homeland Security amid aggressive immigration enforcement in communities across the country.
Many Dems refuse to vote to fund ICE as US House passes 4 spending bills • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — The House Thursday passed four appropriations bills to fund the government and avert a partial shutdown, but Democrats largely objected to spending on the Department of Homeland Security…
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January 22, 2026 at 11:33 PM
The House Thursday passed four appropriations bills to fund the government and avert a partial shutdown, but Democrats largely objected to spending on the Department of Homeland Security amid aggressive immigration enforcement in communities across the country.
Five Democratic attorneys general who have waged high-profile legal battles against the federal government had a clear message on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming midterm elections: The fight against President Donald Trump’s administration has only just begun. buff.ly/SvKBxC0
Democratic attorneys general in Oregon hint at election integrity fight ahead of 2026 midterms • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The event came a year after Oregon participated in its first federal lawsuit against the Trump administration.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Five Democratic attorneys general who have waged high-profile legal battles against the federal government had a clear message on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming midterm elections: The fight against President Donald Trump’s administration has only just begun. buff.ly/SvKBxC0
Democratic leaders in the Oregon Legislature want to move a statewide vote on transportation taxes from November to May.
Oregon Democratic leaders push to move transportation referendum to May • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Democratic leaders in the Oregon Legislature want to move a statewide vote on transportation taxes from November to May.
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January 22, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Democratic leaders in the Oregon Legislature want to move a statewide vote on transportation taxes from November to May.
After a year-long search, Gov. Tina Kotek has chosen Nevada’s state forester to take the helm of the Oregon Department of Forestry
Gov. Tina Kotek picks Nevada state forester as first woman to lead Oregon Forestry Department • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Kacey KC would be the first permanent, female leader of the Oregon Department of Forestry in its 115-year history.
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January 22, 2026 at 5:45 PM
After a year-long search, Gov. Tina Kotek has chosen Nevada’s state forester to take the helm of the Oregon Department of Forestry
Our @miamaldonado.bsky.social was in Stayton tonight to see Republican Rep. Ed Diehl launch his campaign for governor. More: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/21/r...
Republican transportation referendum leader announces bid for Oregon governor • Oregon Capital Chronicle
One of the leaders behind the effort to block increases to Oregon’s gas tax has entered the race for governor.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Our @miamaldonado.bsky.social was in Stayton tonight to see Republican Rep. Ed Diehl launch his campaign for governor. More: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/21/r...
On the side of a rural highway in north central Oregon sandwiched between rolling hills of volcanic rock and high desert dotted with livestock, solar and wind farms, about two dozen members of Oregon unions came together to launch a new labor coalition.
New labor coalition hopes to spur job growth to meet Oregon’s clean energy targets • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Ten construction industry unions, federations formed Climate Jobs Oregon to spur investment, training for clean energy jobs.
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January 21, 2026 at 11:33 PM
On the side of a rural highway in north central Oregon sandwiched between rolling hills of volcanic rock and high desert dotted with livestock, solar and wind farms, about two dozen members of Oregon unions came together to launch a new labor coalition.
One of the leaders behind the effort to block increases to Oregon’s gas tax has entered the race for governor. buff.ly/3nlH5s0 by @miamaldonado.bsky.social
Republican transportation referendum leader announces bid for governor • Oregon Capital Chronicle
One of the leaders behind the effort to block increases to Oregon’s gas tax has entered the race for governor. Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, made the announcement Wednesday afternoon ahead of an evening…
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:11 PM
One of the leaders behind the effort to block increases to Oregon’s gas tax has entered the race for governor. buff.ly/3nlH5s0 by @miamaldonado.bsky.social
President Donald Trump took his case for acquiring Greenland to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Wednesday, urging European leaders to begin negotiations while appearing to rule out a military takeover of the Arctic island.
Trump at Davos pitches US acquisition of Greenland, while claiming he 'won’t use force' • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump took his case for acquiring Greenland to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Wednesday, urging European leaders to begin negotiations while appearing to…
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January 21, 2026 at 7:11 PM
President Donald Trump took his case for acquiring Greenland to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Wednesday, urging European leaders to begin negotiations while appearing to rule out a military takeover of the Arctic island.
Reposted by Oregon Capital Chronicle
I’ll be at AG Rayfield’s town hall with other Democratic attorney generals for @oregoncapitalchronicle.com tomorrow. Do say hi!
Oregon’s top legal officer and four Democratic attorney generals from other states will gather for a town hall in Portland on Wednesday, the anniversary of their first lawsuit against the Trump administration.
Oregon attorney general to host Portland town hall alongside Democratic AGs • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon's top legal officer will host a town hall on Wednesday in Portland to discuss efforts to challenge executive federal overreach.
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January 21, 2026 at 1:34 AM
I’ll be at AG Rayfield’s town hall with other Democratic attorney generals for @oregoncapitalchronicle.com tomorrow. Do say hi!
In a win for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, a recent court ruling has cleared the way for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to resume using states’ Medicaid data to find people who are in the country illegally. buff.ly/g8uewE3
ICE is using Medicaid data to find out where immigrants live • Oregon Capital Chronicle
In a win for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, a recent court ruling has cleared the way for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to resume using states’ Medicaid data to find…
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:24 PM
In a win for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, a recent court ruling has cleared the way for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to resume using states’ Medicaid data to find people who are in the country illegally. buff.ly/g8uewE3
The factory farm industry has long benefited from special treatment and governments allowing these facilities to pollute our water without meaningful oversight, commentator Tarah Heinzen writes.
Oregon factory farm permits can't fall short • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Late last year, the Oregon Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Quality proposed the long-overdue renewal of a permit that regulates how hundreds of the state’s factory farms manage their…
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January 20, 2026 at 11:33 PM
The factory farm industry has long benefited from special treatment and governments allowing these facilities to pollute our water without meaningful oversight, commentator Tarah Heinzen writes.
A Department of Homeland Security policy that barred unannounced visits for lawmakers seeking to conduct oversight at facilities that hold immigrants will remain in place, as ordered by a federal judge Monday.
DHS policy to block unannounced lawmaker visits upheld, for now, on technical grounds • Oregon Capital Chronicle
A Department of Homeland Security policy that barred unannounced visits for lawmakers seeking to conduct oversight at facilities that hold immigrants will remain in place.
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January 20, 2026 at 10:22 PM
A Department of Homeland Security policy that barred unannounced visits for lawmakers seeking to conduct oversight at facilities that hold immigrants will remain in place, as ordered by a federal judge Monday.
Oregon’s top legal officer and four Democratic attorney generals from other states will gather for a town hall in Portland on Wednesday, the anniversary of their first lawsuit against the Trump administration.
Oregon attorney general to host Portland town hall alongside Democratic AGs • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon's top legal officer will host a town hall on Wednesday in Portland to discuss efforts to challenge executive federal overreach.
buff.ly
January 20, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Oregon’s top legal officer and four Democratic attorney generals from other states will gather for a town hall in Portland on Wednesday, the anniversary of their first lawsuit against the Trump administration.