Razor clam harvest closed coastwide after domoic acid detected
Oregon has closed razor clam harvesting coastwide effective Oct. 2 after detecting domoic acid, a marine biotoxin, at unsafe levels in recent samples, the state Department of Agriculture and
Oregon lifts health advisory for Sunset Bay State Park beach
The Oregon Health Authority lifted a public health advisory for the ocean water at Sunset Bay State Park Beach in Coos County on October 2, after follow-up water tests showed bacterial levels had
Groundbreaking held for 16-bed youth mental health facility in Redmond
Oregon health officials and community partners held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 29 for a new 16-bed residential treatment facility for youth experiencing behavioral health crises in
Oregon Treasury expands climate investment tracking for pension fund
The Oregon State Treasury announced it is expanding its ability to collect greenhouse gas emissions data and engage with companies globally on environmental, social and governance issues,
Oregon closes Eagle Creek fishing to protect threatened salmon
Oregon has closed fishing on the lowest reach of Eagle Creek in the Clackamas basin from October 2 through December 31 to protect threatened coho salmon during low water conditions. The closure
Oregon reports highest measles cases since 1991 as virus season begins
Oregon Health Authority officials warned Monday of rising flu activity and record measles cases as the state's respiratory virus season began. The state has recorded 58 measles cases, the highest
Oregon fines six businesses $184,387 for environmental violations
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued $184,387 in penalties against six companies in August for environmental violations. Fines ranged from $9,674 to $64,771. According to the
Prineville Reservoir advisory downgraded after water tests
The Oregon Health Authority downgraded its recreational use advisory for Prineville Reservoir in Crook County to a precaution, the agency announced. Water monitoring confirmed that cyanotoxin levels
Oregon launches fleet electrification network
The Oregon Department of Energy has launched the Oregon Electric Fleet Network, a collaborative initiative bringing together public agencies and commercial fleet operators to accelerate the adoption
Oregon launches expanded disease monitoring as hunting season opens
Oregon is expanding Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) monitoring as Any Legal Weapon deer seasons begin statewide on October 3, with new check stations operating during opening weekend. The Oregon
Salem I-5 project finishes ahead of schedule and under budget
A major interstate widening project in South Salem is wrapping up significantly ahead of schedule and approximately $1 million under budget, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. The
Seventeen Oregon educators named 2026-27 regional teachers of the year
The Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Lottery announced the 17 regional teachers of the year for 2026-27. The educators were honored in their communities with surprise announcements and
Oregon awards $913,000 to support building energy efficiency planning
The Oregon Department of Energy awarded $913,000 in incentives to 63 building owners to support planning for compliance with the state's Building Performance Standard, the department announced. The
Oregon test scores show continued improvement
Oregon's statewide test scores increased across all three major subject areas for the second consecutive year, the Oregon Department of Education said. Math proficiency rose by 1.4 percentage points,
Oregon opens expanded salmon fishing season on Columbia River
Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington approved expanded recreational salmon fishing on the mainstem Columbia River following a joint state hearing. The new openings include Chinook salmon
Oregon DMV opens first in-office Express Kiosk in Grants Pass
Oregon's Department of Transportation installed the state's first Express Kiosk inside a DMV office at 162 NE Beacon Drive in Grants Pass, allowing drivers to renew vehicle registration without
Oregon charts path to strengthen school success program oversight
Oregon's Department of Education is committing to strengthen oversight and evaluation practices for its High School Success program following an audit by the Secretary of State, the agency said. The
Oregon Tightens Snake River Fishing Limits to Protect Salmon and Steelhead
Oregon reduced fishing bag limits on the Snake River beginning Sept. 23 to protect declining salmon and steelhead populations, the Department of Fish and Wildlife announced. For Chinook salmon,
Oregon opens contractor enrollment for home energy rebate programs
Oregon is opening contractor enrollment for two new home energy rebate programs starting Oct. 12, 2026, the Oregon Department of Energy announced. The Home Efficiency Rebates Program, also known as
Oregon reverses proposed fee increases for psilocybin program
Oregon Health Authority said it will not proceed with proposed fee increases for psilocybin licensees and will not adopt final rules from its current rulemaking process. The decision came after
Oregon commission adopts 2027 hunting regulations with cougar target area
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted 2027 big game hunting regulations at a meeting in La Grande, approving seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, cougar, bighorn sheep, and Rocky
Oregon prepares Medicaid members for new federal work requirements
Oregon Health Plan members will face new work requirements beginning January 1, 2027, the state's health authority announced this month. About 600,000 members are receiving notices of the changes,
Oregon offers $100 bonus for opening child education savings accounts
Oregon is offering families a $100 contribution to encourage them to begin saving for their children's education, with state treasury officials and early learning leaders highlighting the program at
Oregon recommends 12 transportation projects for state funding
Oregon has recommended 12 rail, marine, and air transportation projects for funding through the state's Connect Oregon grant program, the Department of Transportation announced. The Final Review
Health advisory issued for Cullaby Lake due to toxic algae bloom
The Oregon Health Authority issued a recreational use health advisory for Cullaby Lake in Clatsop County due to cyanotoxins exceeding safe levels for recreation. Cyanotoxins pose a health risk
Oregon cuts homeless camp cleanup costs by 70% with new management approach
The Oregon Department of Transportation cut costs for managing homeless encampments in highway right-of-way by nearly 70 percent in two years by shifting to a more proactive strategy centered on a
I-84 lanes reopen at McCord Creek Bridge after replacement
All travel lanes on Interstate 84 have reopened at McCord Creek Bridge, just west of Bonneville Dam, marking a major milestone for the McCord Creek Bridge Replacement Project. The new eastbound
Oregon lifts health advisory for Thief Valley Reservoir
Oregon Health Authority has lifted the recreational use health advisory for Thief Valley Reservoir in Baker and Union Counties. The advisory, originally issued July 2, was lifted after water
Oregon downgrades health alert for cyanobacteria at Agency Lake
Oregon Health Authority has downgraded the recreational use advisory for Agency Lake in Klamath County from a health advisory to a precaution. The agency issued the initial advisory on July 1 after
Oregon Proposes 2.1% Workers' Compensation Rate Increase for 2027
Oregon employers will pay an average of 92 cents per $100 of payroll for workers' compensation coverage in 2027 under a proposal announced by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.
Oregon begins clearing debris from hiking trail closed since December
The Oregon Department of Transportation is beginning work to remove debris from the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail between Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks, the agency said. The trail has
Disease detected in Oregon's largest bighorn sheep herd for first time
Several California bighorn sheep in Oregon's John Day River have tested positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M.ovi), a respiratory pathogen associated with pneumonia outbreaks in wild sheep. The
Oregon opens 12-bed youth behavioral health facility
A new 12-bed secure inpatient treatment facility opened in Eugene, expanding Oregon's capacity to serve youth requiring intensive psychiatric care, the Oregon Health Authority said. The facility
Oregon grant program faces $49 million transportation funding shortfall
The Oregon Department of Transportation received 35 applications for its Connect Oregon grant program requesting a collective $79 million for transportation projects. The program has approximately
Oregon allows vaccine providers to administer updated COVID-19 vaccines
The Oregon Health Authority has issued a standing order allowing vaccine providers statewide to begin administering updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season starting this
Oregon opens new mental health treatment facility in Portland
Cascadia Health opened Mountain View, a new 10-bed secure residential treatment facility in Southeast Portland, in collaboration with Multnomah County and the Oregon Health Authority. The facility,
Oregon lifts beach bacteria advisory after retesting
The Oregon Health Authority lifted a public health advisory on September 4 for contact with ocean water at Mill Beach in Curry County, one day after issuing the warning. The health authority issued
Oregon DMV resumes CDL testing after five-year pause
The Medford DMV is again offering Commercial Driver License skills testing after a five-year pause, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced. The office at 987 Medford Center Drive is
Oregon health officials warn of unsafe bacteria levels at Siletz Bay
Oregon Health Authority issued a public health advisory for Siletz Bay in Lincoln County after detecting unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters there. The agency advised people to avoid
Measles exposure reported at Portland-area medical office
Oregon health officials warned the public about a measles exposure at Kaiser Permanente Mt. Talbert Medical Office in Clackamas on August 29, according to the Oregon Health Authority and Clackamas
Toxin warning halts clam harvesting in Oregon bay
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended that people avoid harvesting and consuming softshell and bay clams from Alsea Bay estuary after the Oregon Health Authority issued a
Oregon pension fund adopts new investment strategy targeting higher returns
The Oregon Investment Council adopted new long-term asset allocation targets for the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund at its September 2 meeting, concluding a multi-year study of the pension
Oregon issues health advisory for unsafe bacteria at Oceanside Beach
The Oregon Health Authority issued a public health advisory September 2 for Oceanside Beach in Tillamook County due to unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters. People should avoid direct
Oregon DEQ issues $430,292 in environmental penalties in July enforcement action
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 12 civil penalties totaling $430,292 in July for various environmental violations across the state. Fines ranged from $6,800 to
Oregon deploys app to speed truck inspections and enhance safety
The Oregon Department of Transportation has expanded deployment of the PrePass Bypass Mobile App, allowing qualified trucking carriers to bypass participating weigh stations at highway speed while
Measles Exposures Reported at Portland-Area Medical Facilities
Oregon health officials warned the public of potential measles exposures at three healthcare facilities in the Portland area, according to the Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County health
Bears descend on Oregon town early, driven by poor berry crop
Mountain bears are appearing in Ashland, Oregon neighborhoods weeks earlier than typical, driven by a lack of natural food sources. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says the early
Oregon extends insurance pause for wildfire-affected customers
Oregon's insurance commissioner extended an emergency order that prevents insurance companies from canceling or declining to renew policies for customers in areas affected by the state's
Federal Court Upholds Oregon's Landmark Recycling Law
The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ruled this week that the state's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act is constitutional, allowing Oregon to continue implementing the
Oregon hunters sought to donate bird specimens for wildlife research
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking successful forest grouse and mountain quail hunters to donate a wing and tail from harvested birds to support biological research. Hunters can