Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Capital Chronicle is a nonprofit news organization that started in 2021. Our mission is to provide thorough and informative reporting on the state government, politics, and policy in Oregon. With a team of skilled journalists, we aim to help our readers grasp how government officials are using their power, what is happening with taxpayer money, and how citizens can become more involved in important decisions.

National

English

Non-profit

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#263761

United States

#57989

Law and Government/Government

#1121

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

More Oregon parents are asking for vaccine exemptions for their kids, data show

20 hours ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Mia Maldonado

Nearly one in 10 Oregon kindergartners aren’t fully vaccinated because their parents asked for nonmedical vaccine exemptions, setting a state record. In the 2024-25 school year, 9.7% of kindergartners received nonmedical exemptions from Oregon’s school vaccination requirements, according to new data from the Oregon Health Authority.
Child care providers, parents call on Oregon Legislature to support subsidy program

3 days ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Mia Maldonado

Victoria Mendoza opened up a child care business in Salem 16 years ago — a decision inspired by her own need to find child care for her sons while maintaining a job. With child care providers located too far from where she lived, the former farmworker and immigrant from Mexico obtained a license so she could care for her own children and others. Since then, she’s successfully managed her small business and watched hundreds of children in Salem.
Environmentalists argue PacifiCorp’s wildfire liability burden is fueled by coal-protecting bills

4 days ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Alixel Cabrera

When Berkshire Hathaway bought PacifiCorp — Rocky Mountain Power’s parent company — in 2005, stakeholders didn’t consider the losses future devastating wildfires in the West would bring. It was a mistake to keep PacifiCorp’s structure and not carve it up into the states that comprise the utility, Warren Buffett, CEO and chair of the conglomerate, said during an annual stakeholder meeting last weekend in Omaha.
Former Oregon Secretary of State ordered to pay $3,600 after ethics investigation

6 days ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Mia Maldonado

Former Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan must pay $3,600 in fines to the state over her decision to accept a lucrative side gig consulting for a marijuana company involved in an audit her office conducted.
Oregon’s mental health needs outweigh its ability to provide services, report shows

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Mia Maldonado

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting “988” or chatting online at http://988lifeline.org/. Oregon’s high behavioral health needs outpace the state’s availability to provide services, according to an audit report from the Secretary of State’s Office.
Oregon joins suit against federal transportation agencies for withholding EV charger funding

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Alex Baumhardt

Oregon’s attorney general is joining a lawsuit against the heads of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, who are withholding hundreds of millions in funding for electric vehicle chargers already approved by Congress and promised to states. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, is led by attorneys general in Washington, California and Colorado, along with 13 other Democratic attorneys general.
Oregon Rep. Courtney Neron appointed to Senate

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Julia Shumway

by Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle May 8, 2025 State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, will move to the Oregon Senate after county commissioners tapped her to finish the remainder of Sen. Aaron Woods’ term. Neron’s appointment, at the end of a nearly two-hour meeting with Clackamas, Washington and Yamhill county commissioners Wednesday evening, comes after Woods’ April death from cancer. It will trigger a new appointment process for someone who will finish her House term.
Autonomous in Oregon: A new spin on rural-urban divide

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Randy Stapilus |Julia Shumway

The idea of Greater Idaho — splitting off most of eastern Oregon to join with the state of Idaho — isn’t going to fly. It won’t happen. So here’s another idea:The Autonomous Area of Eastern Oregon. And Western too, for good measure. This concept was not invented in the deep recesses of a pundit’s mind. It comes from a recently introduced piece of legislation by a Republican lawmaker in the state of Washington. Washington has a regional dynamic similar to Oregon.
Oregon Caves chateau named one of nation's most endangered historic places • Oregon Capital Chronicle

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Julia Shumway

This is a developing story and will be updatedThe Depression-era chateau at the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, closed since 2018 for rehabilitation work, is one of the nation’s most at-risk historic sites, according to a national nonprofit dedicated to preserving America’s history. The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Wednesday listed the historic caves chateau as one of its 11 Most Endangered Historic Places of 2025.
Bills to regulate private utilities, curb gas and electric costs for Oregonians at a standstill

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Alex Baumhardt

Legislators are considering at least six bills this session aimed at curbing spending from private, investor-owned monopoly utilities and limiting how and when those utilities can recover costs from customers.