Oregon Capital Chronicle

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Alex Baumhardt

Oregon schools will soon have something they’ve never had before: more than a year to plan for summer school with the promise of consistent funding from the state Legislature. But it comes with one condition: The money should be spent on programs that get students reading and writing at grade level.

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

by Randy Stapilus, Oregon Capital Chronicle April 17, 2025 What do you do with legislation that cuts into the middle of how Oregonians live their lives, when most people want it but many are sharply opposed? The short answer: Test it, when that’s possible. Launch a suggested solution, but keep specifics general enough that details emerge through trial and error. That can mean requiring local governments to act but encouraging them to become the laboratories where we learn what works well or not.

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Alex Baumhardt

Portland-based clothing company Wildfang received a shipment from China right before President Donald Trump announced a 152.5% tariff on all Chinese goods. If that order had gone through just 48 hours later than it did, it would have cost Wildfang nearly $180,000 extra because of Trump’s tariffs, CEO Emma Mcilroy told Gov. Tina Kotek during a roundtable at Salem’s Chemeketa Community College on Wednesday. “We believe manufacturers our size are going to go under,” Mcilroy said.

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Alex Baumhardt

Fred Cuozzo barely made it out of the South Obenchain Fire that burned through his home, barn, pumphouse and garage in Eagle Point, north of Medford, on Sept. 8, 2020. Three years later, PacifiCorp — owner of Oregon private utility Pacific Power — was found by a jury to have been reckless and negligent in causing that fire and three others.

1 week ago | oregoncapitalchronicle.com | Monica Samayoa

This article was originally published by Oregon Public Broadcasting. Environmental and climate advocates are looking to revamp the state’s popular electric vehicle rebate program by lowering the rebate amount and allowing only qualified low-income residents to participate. But some say these changes could impact overall EV sales throughout the state. House Bill 3597 aims to overhaul the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program.