Oregon Journalism Project

13/08/2026

The 374,000 acres of the Rowe Creek Complex conflagration, which forced thousands in Central Oregon to flee for their safety, are only a fraction of the record-breaking wildfires raging in Oregon this summer.

As of Aug. 10, more than 1,400 fires of all sizes have consumed more than 2.3 million acres across the state–an area far larger than the once-record 2024 fire season at its completion. That is more acres than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

Read more using the link in our bio🔗

12/08/2026

What will be the fate of Sheriff John Ward, Curry County’s top lawman for the past 12 years?

Ward, 68, has been accused of lining his own pockets with public dollars and is facing a range of allegations.

For 10 months, Ward has defied a court order to share his agency’s financial and administrative records with the Curry County Board of Commissioners.

The question the county now faces is what to do when a top cop thinks he’s above the law.

Ward’s case is extreme, but it illustrates a structural problem across Oregon: County sheriffs are independently elected, answerable only to voters who often reelect them by default.

They are also largely immune from oversight by the boards of commissioners that set their budgets.

11/08/2026

The city of Portland’s spending has increased an average of 2.8% every year since 2016.

Our latest accessible data set was created to better explain government spending in Oregon.

This public information is brought to you by our data analysts and investigative reporters.

We encourage anyone interested in understanding their city’s spending to check out Civic Ledger.

You can find it using the link in our bio or visit www.civicledger.oregonjournalismproject.org!

06/08/2026

Regular Attendance at Oregon Schools Jumped by 7,000 Students This Past School Year

The state still has far to climb just to reach the national average.

Read our latest:

Regular Attendance at Oregon Schools Jumped by 7,000 Students This Past School Year The state still has far to climb just to reach the national average. By Khushboo RathoreAugust 6, 2026 New data shows that over 7,000 more students in grades K–12 regularly attended classes in Oregon this past scho...

05/08/2026

16 Democratic Lawmakers Press Treasurer Steiner for a Full Audit of Retirement Fund Risks

They told Steiner they’re concerned about the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund’s overreliance on private equity to boost returns.

Read our latest:

State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner (center) at an August 2025 meeting of the Oregon Investment Council (Courtesy of the Oregon State Treasury) 16 Democratic Lawmakers Press Treasurer Steiner for a Full Audit of Retirement Fund Risks They told Steiner, a fellow Democrat, they’re concerned about the ...

31/07/2026

Splinter Group of Multnomah County Democrats Calls for U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum’s Resignation

A faction within the party objects to her alleged support for ICE and preference for capitalism over socialism.

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A local resolution for U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.) to resign was resoundingly defeated (Courtesy of Janelle Bynum). Splinter Group of Multnomah County Democrats Calls for U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum’s Resignation A faction within the party objects to her alleged support for ICE and preference for...

30/07/2026

Oregon Is the Top-Ranked State for Breastfeeding Right After Birth

All 36 counties surpass the national average, with Hood River the highest and Clatsop the lowest, a new study shows.

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22/07/2026

10/07/2026

DEQ Makes Long-Awaited Announcement on Controversial Climate Program

The agency selected a California nonprofit to distribute what industry sources expect will be billions of dollars in carbon taxes.

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Oregon businesses that burn fossil fuels, like Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas, will see costs increase as Oregon’s Climate Protection Program is implemented (Laura Tesler) DEQ Makes Long-Awaited Announcement on Controversial Climate Program The agency selected a California nonprofit to distribute what...

08/07/2026

Massive Prison Payout Highlights Dismal Financial Picture for State Insurance Fund

Escalating liabilities soar faster than lawmakers appropriate money to pay settlements.

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An aging prison population is one driver of the poor financial health of Oregon’s state insurance fund (Courtesy of Oregon Department of Corrections) Massive Prison Payout Highlights Dismal Financial Picture for State Insurance Fund Escalating liabilities soar faster than lawmakers appropriate mon...