Thomas Shults

1 month ago | kgw.com | Thomas Shults

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon legislators are making a last-minute push for summer school funding. House Bill 2007 would provide $35 million to schools statewide for each of the next two years, lawmakers said. Currently, Oregon students rank among the worst nationwide in reading scores. One of the best ways to catch up is through small group tutoring sessions, like summer school, experts said. Some school districts have prepared for the possibility of not receiving state funding.

1 month ago | kgw.com | Thomas Shults

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are backing a bill sponsored by Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego that would provide $30 million in grant funding to combat urban heat islands. Heat islands occur when urban areas face rising temperatures due to increased population density, a lack of shade or have large amounts of pavement due to roadways, parking lots and sidewalks. Merkley said areas with few trees, like East Portland, are dangerously exposed to extreme heat.

1 month ago | kgw.com | Thomas Shults

PORTLAND, Ore. — A judge sentenced Jamie Strahm to nearly two years in prison Friday morning, after she was convicted for starving her stepson. She was found guilty on two counts of criminal mistreatment. Under Strahm's care, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office said the boy weighed less than 40 pounds when he was 9 years old. The child was under Strahm's care for several years.

1 month ago | kgw.com | Alma McCarty |Thomas Shults

PORTLAND, Ore. — Jury deliberations have started in the case of a former Timbers player who is suing a team doctor for alleged medical malpractice. Attorneys gave closing arguments on Wednesday during the third week of the trial. Former Timbers goalie Jake Gleeson developed shin pain back in 2018 and was diagnosed with stress fractures. He was told he needed metal plates attached to both shin bones and one of the club physicians performed the surgery, Gleeson's attorneys said.

1 month ago | kgw.com | Thomas Shults

SALEM, Ore. — Rural communities across Oregon are dealing with fewer doctors. Last year, Adventist Health Tillamook closed clinics in Welches, Sheridan and Lincoln City. Now, legislators are proposing a bill that could improve rural health care and add jobs for immigrant doctors. “This is really (a) win-win situation,” Oregon State Senator Kayse Jama said. Senate Bill 476 would make it easier for foreign trained doctors to get limited medical licenses.