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1 week ago | 
kgw.com | Evan Watson |Colten Weekley
PORTLAND, Ore. — Since voters approved it back in 2020, the Metro Supportive Housing Services tax has become absolutely key to expanding homeless services in the tri-county area — funding everything from mental health care and addiction treatment to shelter beds and outreach. But there are signs that voters may be running out of patience and running out of trust the SHS tax will deliver the results they expected.
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3 weeks ago | 
kgw.com | Amy-Xiaoshi DePaola |Colten Weekley
GRESHAM, Ore. — After pushback from the community, Multnomah County has pumped the brakes, at least for now, on opening a permanent homeless shelter in Gresham.
Multnomah County had been planning to invest $8 million into Cook Plaza off Southeast Stark Street, which they have owned for about three years, turning it into a permanent day center and shelter pod village for up to 42 people, with room for up to 90 during severe weather; onsite staff would be there 24/7.
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3 weeks ago | 
kgw.com | Amy-Xiaoshi DePaola |Colten Weekley
PORTLAND, Ore. — At 16 years old, Jupiter started camping along a busy stretch of road atop a Portland hillside, between Southwest 13th Avenue and Interstate 405. Known as "Block 13," the camp has been there in some form for years, surviving countless sweeps. It's across the street from Outside In, what Jupiter calls just OI, a medical clinic and center that helps connect homeless youth with services.
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Feb 25, 2024 | 
ktvb.com | Jamie Parfitt |Colten Weekley
SALEM, Ore. — Democrats and Republicans on a special legislative committee charged with overhauling Oregon's drug policies appeared to be nearing a deal Friday on a bill with bipartisan support, one that would see drug possession recriminalized amid a backlash to Measure 110.
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Feb 23, 2024 | 
kgw.com | Colten Weekley
PORTLAND, Ore. — Earlier this month, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to change city code to expedite the process for graffiti cleanup. The amendment was introduced by City Commissioner Carmen Rubio, who oversees the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, which is in charge of the graffiti program.
Here's how it will work: Property owners all across Portland now have 10 days to remove graffiti.
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Feb 23, 2024 | 
kgw.com | Jamie Parfitt |Colten Weekley
SALEM, Ore. — Democrats and Republicans on a special legislative committee charged with overhauling Oregon's drug policies appeared to be nearing a deal Friday on a bill with bipartisan support, one that would see drug possession recriminalized amid a backlash to Measure 110.
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Feb 16, 2024 | 
kgw.com | Colten Weekley
SALEM, Ore. — In less than a month, a majority of Americans will lose an hour of sleep as we shift to daylight saving time. But for how much longer? During this year's short legislative session, Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill to end the biannual clock change and establish a permanent standard time.
This is the newest approach to stop the practice, and could signal a sea change from where previous efforts ended up.
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Nov 10, 2023 | 
kgw.com | Jamie Parfitt |Colten Weekley
SALEM, Ore. — As Oregon continues to grapple with a shortage of public defenders, it's also making changes that may make it easier for aspiring attorneys to begin practicing. After a unanimous decision this week at the Oregon Supreme Court, the bar exam will no longer be the only way for law school graduates to become licensed.
Beginning in May of next year, a program called the "Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination" will become accessible to aspiring attorneys.
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Nov 10, 2023 | 
abc10.com | Jamie Parfitt |Colten Weekley
SALEM, Ore. — As Oregon continues to grapple with a shortage of public defenders, it's also making changes that may make it easier for aspiring attorneys to begin practicing. After a unanimous decision this week at the Oregon Supreme Court, the bar exam will no longer be the only way for law school graduates to become licensed.
Beginning in May of next year, a program called the "Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination" will become accessible to aspiring attorneys.
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Aug 30, 2023 | 
ktvb.com | Jamie Parfitt |Colten Weekley
PORTLAND, Ore. — In November 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 110, the "Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act" — and the outcome wasn't particularly close. Over 58% of voters said yes, less than 42% said no. When it became law, the measure decriminalized user amounts of drugs and started the gradual process of putting cannabis tax dollars toward drug treatment organizations.
