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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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U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday detailed the “common sense” changes they want to implement for federal immigration enforcement, saying reforms must be added to a funding package that needs to become law before the weekend to avoid a partial government shutdown.
US Senate Dems demand mask ban, body camera requirement, IDs for immigration agents • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday detailed the “common sense” changes they want to implement for federal immigration enforcement, saying reforms must be added to a funding package that…
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January 29, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Tina Kotek have less than one month to pass a bill if they want to move a transportation funding referendum from November to May, according to Oregon’s top election officer. buff.ly/BbZmWq5 by @miamaldonado.bsky.social
Oregon lawmakers can move transportation referendum date under conditions, SOS says • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Democratic lawmakers have less than one month to pass a bill if they want to move a transportation funding referendum from November to May.
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January 29, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Reposted by Oregon Capital Chronicle
UPDATE: An ICE official wrote in a Tuesday court declaration that the agency has no plan or intention to begin construction or open an ICE facility in Newport from now until May 1, 2026. It was looking into a temp. processing center, but halted in early December when rescue helicopter was returned.
January 28, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Oregon, Nevada and many midwestern states saw lower than average income growth in the past 50 years, census data shows.
These are the states where incomes grew the most, least in recent decades • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Household incomes grew in all but one state over the past 50 years, but a new study concludes that growth has been uneven across the country.
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January 28, 2026 at 11:33 PM
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is implementing temporary rule changes for Dungeness crab fishers in the 2025-26 season to restrict gear and areas where fishing can occur.
Oregon implements new rules for crab fishers to reduce whale deaths • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The changes follow a petition conservation groups filed asking the state to adopt measures to reduce whale and sea turtle entanglements.
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January 28, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Family, friends and colleagues described Alex Pretti, the nurse killed by federal agents this weekend, as a "kindhearted soul" who spent his short life trying to help everyone he could.
Alex Pretti 'had a way of lighting up every room he walked into' • Oregon Capital Chronicle
His parents described him as “a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans” he cared for as a nurse.
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January 28, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Attack on US Rep. Ilhan Omar follows major uptick in threats against members of Congress
Attack on US Rep. Ilhan Omar follows major uptick in threats against members of Congress • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police investigated a drastic increase in threats against members of Congress and their staffs last year, looking into nearly 15,000 statements, behaviors and communications....
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January 28, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Thousands fewer people are receiving health care through a Medicaid-like Oregon program that’s open to income-eligible people regardless of immigration status than were six months ago, state data shows.
Fewer immigrants are seeking Oregon health care benefits under Trump • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Healthier Oregon enrollment dropped to 97,000 people in January, according to Oregon Health Authority data.
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January 28, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Gov. Tina Kotek's goal of getting Oregon on CNBC’s Top 10 States for Business is misguided, commentator Juan Carlos Ordoñez writes.
Governor’s goal of getting Oregon on CNBC’s Top 10 States for Business is misguided • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Not only are the CNBC rankings irrelevant, the goal could serve as a pretext for giving corporate lobbyists what they’re always after: tax cuts.
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January 28, 2026 at 12:44 AM
All five Democratic members of Oregon's congressional delegation want to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Here’s the list of US House Democrats who want to impeach Kristi Noem • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — A growing number of U.S. House Democrats are pushing for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s impeachment after another fatal shooting of an American citizen by federal immigration…
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January 27, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly’s lawyers on Monday urged a federal judge to block the Defense Department from downgrading his retirement rank as a Navy captain and his pay for telling U.S. troops they aren’t required to follow illegal orders.
US Sen. Mark Kelly’s lawyers say Pentagon attempting to violate his constitutional rights • Oregon Capital Chronicle
WASHINGTON — Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly’s lawyers on Monday urged a federal judge to block the Defense Department from downgrading his retirement rank as a Navy captain and his pay for telling...
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January 27, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Over the past year, AGs have emerged as unlikely rock stars of legal resistance to President Donald Trump, who has made broad use of presidential authority on immigration enforcement and a wide range of other issues, unchecked by the majority-Republican Congress.
Democratic AGs stress importance of citizen-generated evidence in challenging ICE • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Cellphone video has emerged as a powerful rebuttal to the Trump administration’s version of immigration enforcement incidents.
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January 27, 2026 at 5:55 PM
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
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
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 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
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.
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January 26, 2026 at 8:54 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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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