STATE GOVERNMENT
Oregon governor declares drought emergency in second county
Associated Press
Brown on Friday announced a drought emergency in Grant County because of low snowpack, lack of precipitation, low streamflows and warming temperatures.
Secretary of State touts ‘transparent’ elections
Portland Tribune
While Oregon was the first state to adopt the vote-by-mail system, Richardson said the title is somewhat of a misnomer. About 60 percent of Oregonians are now dropping off their paper ballots, not mailing them. “There are a number of states that jumped right into computer (voting) that are now going back to paper, because you can’t hack paper,” he commented. “To me, voting should be a nonpartisan issue.”
PUBLIC SAFETY
Lane County deputy fired amid sexual abuse allegations
Register-Guard
In the rape case filed last month, Hitson is accused of giving marijuana and alcohol to an 18-year-old woman. Prosecutors filed two first-degree rape charges under alternate theories. One alleges Hitson used “forcible compulsion” to rape the woman. The other accuses Hitson of raping the woman while she was “incapable of consent by reason of physical helplessness.”
EDUCATION
Central Oregon districts keep teacher shortage at bay
Bend Bulletin
Despite a teacher shortage around the country, school districts in Central Oregon have really only felt the pinch of a teacher shortage when trying to fill positions for math, science and special-education classes.
ECONOMY
Online sales tax at stake in Supreme Court case
Portland Business Journal
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday on whether states can charge sales taxes to online purchases from retailers that have no physical presence in their state.
LOCAL NEWS
Deschutes County again listed among fastest-growing in nation
Bend Bulletin
Between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017, the county’s population grew 3.4 percent from an estimated 180,675 to 186,875, according to the Census Bureau. The census report notes migration is the driving factor behind the population increases in the region.
Renewable biofuels plant to be built in Lakeview, Oregon
Albany Democrat-Herald
The Herald and News reports the facility in Lakeview is expected to annually convert 136,000 tons of woody biomass and forest bi-products into 15 million gallons of renewable fuels.
IMMIGRATION
Opposition to immigrant sanctuary spreading in California
Associated Press
Most of the local governments siding with the Trump administration are in Orange County, an area once considered a GOP stronghold but that voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. But it’s starting to spread.
NATIONAL NEWS
US To Announce New Economic Sanctions On Russia
Oregon Public Broadcasting
The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations is expected to announce a new round of economic sanctions against Russia for its backing of Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons.
Trump’s personal attorney also represents Fox News host Sean Hannity, lawyers reveal
The World Link
President Donald Trump’s personal attorney has been forced to reveal that another of his clients is Fox News host Sean Hannity.
OPINION
Editorial: Nation’s debt reaches new heights
Albany Democrat-Herald
But we need to hear this: By 2020, just two years from now, the nation’s annual federal deficit is due to surpass $1 trillion, according to projections released this month by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. That’s a big number.
Portland must do more to mitigate fossil fuel risks: Guest opinion
The Oregonian
Despite the glaring oversights and appalling safety issues highlighted in the 2012 report, the industries that make their home in Northwest Portland — many fossil fuel-oriented — have simply refused to make safety improvements. If the State of Oregon and fossil fuel industry refuse to take these risks seriously, local government must continue to utilize its legitimate authority and act to protect Portland’s residents.
Make a threat, expect consequences
The World Link
Following the shooting threat at North Bend School District last week, people to need to pay heed to law enforcement’s threat that there will be consequences.