Blair Best

Portland sober housing facilities are a crucial step for recovery, but a change in reimbursement rules has left providers struggling to secure funding. Meanwhile, dozens of people seeking care are being turned away daily as beds sit empty. My latest: https://t.co/8rVLhayBil

The Portland Diamond Project founder Craig Cheek tells me he believes the Major League Baseball commissioner will be “very intrigued and very motivated” to send an expansion team to Portland. Cheek is looking for $800M in state bond money to help build the stadium. @KGWNews https://t.co/aWyZMXf4f2

Our team has obtained text messages between Mult. Co. Chair Jessica Vega Pederson & Metro Council President Lynn Peterson, revealing friction between the two and an accusation of 'backroom dealing' of where tax money meant for homeless services is going. https://t.co/lKjaoXi5RA

On the House floor this week, Oregon representative Dwayne Yunker reads an explicit passage from a book he believes should be banned from school libraries. He was eventually told to stop and his presentation was called "lascivious and obscene." @KGWNews https://t.co/jCCjTOXy7A

Washington County DA Kevin Barton tells me the state's public defense crisis is "the single biggest public safety crisis facing Oregon." How he and the Multnomah County DA are proposing to fix it tonight at 6:30 on @KGWNews. https://t.co/UuYvgrI7ws

Multnomah County commissioner Shannon Singleton found $22M meant for homeless services is going to other departments. She tells me she was “surprised at some of the investments being made” and believes her findings could help lower the county’s budget gap. @KGWNews https://t.co/rvpBW9vSgJ

#BREAKING Clackamas County commissioner, Melissa Fireside resigned this morning after being indicted on 8 felony charges. "I recognize that for many, this decision is not soon enough, and I know how difficult and upsetting this situation has been." - Chair Craig Roberts

A Vancouver, WA drug trafficker pleaded guilty in federal court this morning for selling fentanyl that killed a Portland teen three years ago. Today in court, the judge said deportation is "extremely likely." @KGWNews https://t.co/A0XWZU2pjP

Portland city councilor Dan Ryan says “everyone knew this was coming” regarding one-time federal pandemic dollars that have run out adding to the city’s historic budget gap. Some are blaming the previous council for much of this deficit, which Ryan served on. @KGWNews https://t.co/jKApZTf9e0

"It is unbalanced and incomplete." - Portland city councilor @DanRyanPDX on the city's recommended budget and proposed cuts to fill a historic $93M gap. He joins me live tonight on 'The Story' at 6:30. @KGWNews https://t.co/4WeKVp0YAA

Governor Tina Kotek is "dismayed" at how the Multnomah County chair requested more state money to help fill part of the homeless services department's $104M budget gap. The head of that department, Dan Field, joins me live tonight at 6:30 on 'The Story' @KGWNews https://t.co/zs1aHz5Rta

Layoffs are looming in Portland as the city faces a $100M budget shortfall. Today I sat down with city administrator Michael Jordan. "It’s going to be very challenging to not take any cuts in public safety." My interview with Jordan tonight on 'The Story' at 6:30 on @KGWNews. https://t.co/ifdt59W4at

A new ordinance in a California Bay Area city criminalizes 'aiding and abetting' homeless encampments, leaving outreach workers and non-profits worried about what this could mean for them. "It made me feel sad and frustrated." Watch 'The Story' tonight at 6:30 on @KGWNews https://t.co/kINmH52MsA

Tonight we hit the streets of Portland as freezing temps continue to pierce the region. At 6:30 on @KGWNews Mult. Co.'s extended state of emergency plus what non-profits are doing to meet the cold weather demands. "We try to find ways to alleviate suffering." https://t.co/jggqttizf2

RT @Zaffino: We've got another clear cold day coming Wednesday. Then it gets snowy and icy on Thursday. Snow begins mid-day Thursday, trans…