Merkley Critical Of U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal

Posted Yesterday At 6:17am by 24/7 News Source

(Washington, D.C.) -- Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is critical of President Trump's nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. It would allow the country to enrich uranium, which is a step toward making nuclear weapons. Merkley says the deal will trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. If Congress doesn't take action to stop the agreement, it takes effect in 90 days.

Judge Rules In Favor Of Oregon Recycling Law

Posted Yesterday At 6:17am by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- A federal judge in Portland has ruled the new Oregon recycling law does not violate the U.S. Constitution. It was challenged by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors after it was passed by the Legislature last year. It requires companies to pay fees based on the packaging they use to distribute products and then use the money to increase Oregon's recycling systems. The Association has not determined whether it will appeal the decision.

US DOJ Sues Oregon Over In-State Tuition For Non-Citizens

Posted Yesterday At 6:16am by 24/7 News Source

(Washington, DC) -- The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and New Mexico for allowing non-citizens to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities. The lawsuit claims the in-state tuition is in violation of a law that prohibits states from granting benefits to non-citizens that U.S. citizens can't receive. DOJ has now sued 21 states for granting in-state tuition to non-citizens.

Lam Research Breaks Ground On New Facility

Posted Yesterday At 6:16am by 24/7 News Source

(Tualatin, OR) -- Lam Research has broken ground on a major addition to its facilities in Tualatin. The company is making its biggest investment in the state to date. It's part of a three-billion-dollar investment in its global lab network. 400 jobs will be added. Lam plans to make the new facility one of its most advanced labs in the world. Lam makes computer chips and the new facility will focus on advanced AI chips.

Oregon Voter Registration

Posted Yesterday At 6:15am by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Radio stations across Oregon will air messages that encourage people to register for the November General election. The Oregon Secretary of State's Office teamed up with the Oregon Association of Broadcasters to record the public service messages. To register for the election, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Oregon, and at least 16 years old. You can't receive a ballot until you're 18. The deadline to register is October 13th.

Highway 26 Crash

Posted Yesterday At 6:14am by 24/7 News Source

(Clatsop County, OR) -- Oregon State Police have released more details about a crash Friday night on Highway 26 in the Coast Range. Five vehicles were involved. Investigators say a 77-year-old Portland man was eastbound when he crossed into oncoming traffic and sideswiped another vehicle before striking a pickup head-on. That man was flown to a Portland hospital, where he was pronounced dead. In an attempt to avoid the collision, a fourth car struck another pickup. One other driver was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and four passengers were also hurt.

Centennial Mills Building Cleanup

Posted Yesterday At 6:14am by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Cleanup continues at the site of the Centennial Mills building in Northwest Portland that was destroyed by fire. Nearby Fields Park remains closed, and debris continues to be removed from the park. A contractor has been going through the neighborhood picking up fire debris. There are concerns, because of asbestos in the building. The air near the building site tests safe. As debris is removed from the building site, the investigation into the cause of the fire continues. K9s have been sent inside, but no human remains have been located.

Phishing Incident Affects DCBS

Posted Yesterday At 6:13am by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services was the victim of an email phishing incident. It caused phishing emails to be sent from one DCBS email address to a number of internal and external recipients. Individuals and organizations were notified about how to handle it. No additional compromises have been identified. Employees will get additional phishing awareness training.

Fire Damages Warehouse And Historic Train Car

Posted Yesterday At 6:13am by 24/7 News Source

(Vancouver, WA) -- Fire damaged a warehouse in Vancouver and a historic railroad car Friday evening. Vancouver firefighters responded to a report of a dumpster fire against the Furniture World building on Northeast St. John's Road. They found flames spread to the building, there was a grass fire, and a railroad car behind the building was on fire. Employees in the building evacuated safely. The passenger railroad car belongs to the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad. The nonprofit railroad stores the car on the property. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Friends For Life Anti-Drug Program

Posted Yesterday At 6:12am by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- A new program is available to help young people prevent and respond to overdoses. It's called Friends for Life. The Oregon Health Authority and the Washington State Department of Health are making the resources available as kids head back to high school and college. While overdose deaths are down, fentanyl and methamphetamine are responsible for 90 percent of fatalities. Free toolkits include posters, wallet cards, rack cards and social media content. The website is orfriendsforlife-dot-com.

Fatal Plane Crash

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Parkdale, OR) -- Two people are dead following a plane crash Monday near Parkdale. The Hood River County Sheriff's Office received reports of a plane crash. The Sheriff's Office plane and Parkdale Fire Department crews searched the area and found the crash scene near an orchard. The pilot and passenger in the single-engine plane were both killed. They're identified as James Crain and Scott Perry, both of Hood River. The NTSB will investigate the cause of the crash.

Abducted Child Located

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Cave junction, OR) -- An abducted child in Josephine County was safely recovered Monday morning. An Amber Alert was issued for an eight-month-old infant who was taken by a noncustodial parent from a residence southwest of Cave Junction. The suspect was believed to be armed. A short time after the Amber Alert was issued, the child and suspect were found. The suspect was arrested without incident. The child was recovered without injury. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Wallace Marine Park Homicide Suspect Guilty

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Dallas, OR) -- A Polk County jury has found 37-year-old Joseph Wirkkala guilty in a shooting at Wallace Marine Park in West Salem that killed one person and wounded another. The jury deliberated for about two hours following a three-day trial before finding Wirkkala guilty of murder in the second degree and attempted murder. Wirkkala will be sentenced September 1st.

Hiker Rescued From Mt. Yoran

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Lane County, OR) -- A hiker trapped on a ledge at Mt. Yoran was rescued by the Lane County Sheriff's Office last week. Search and Rescue volunteers responded after the person reported they were unhurt but got stuck while trying to descend Wednesday. After an 11-hour operation, the person was off the mountain and safe.

Pitchfork-Armed Suspect Arrested

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Portland Police arrested a man armed with a pitchfork and hammer who forced his way into a home on Sunday. Inside of the home, the suspect grabbed a knife and the residents safely escaped outside. The suspect, Leefantinie Cole climbed out onto a roof and moved between several properties. Portland Fire used a ladder truck to reach the roof and a police officer who gained Cole's trust convinced him to come down. He was taken into custody. Before entering the home, he also caused damage inside of a bathroom at a church. He's charged with burglary, criminal mischief, and trespass.

Armed Man Shoots At Tree Workers

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Oregon City, OR) -- An armed man fired several shots at tree cutters in Oregon City on Saturday. More than 20 rounds were fired. The tree cutters weren't hurt. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office surrounded the suspect and launched a drone. The man was using a tractor to knock down trees to create a barricade. He shot at the drone. SWAT took 53-year-old Erik Shunn into custody. He's charged with Attempted Murder.

Hiker Killed In Fall

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Cascade Locks, OR) -- A hiker was killed in a fall Friday on the Horsetail Falls trail in the Columbia River Gorge. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office says two people were hiking the trail when a 70-year-old woman fell. He friend called for help. Emergency responders say the woman fell 400-feet and died at the scene.

Sex Abuse Investigation

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Amity, OR) -- A 63-year-old Amity man is accused of sexually assaulting a child, and there might be more victims. Detectives arrested Lloyd Rosenbalm, who also goes by "Jay." He's charged with six counts of sex abuse related to one child. But they worry there may be additional victims who haven't yet come forward. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit.

Oregon Lowers Emergency Level

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- As containment increases on Oregon wildfires, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management is lowering the emergency status to Level 4. The Emergency Coordination Center is demobilizing, but OEM will continue to support firefighting and recovery efforts. Conditions remain dry across the state and they're urging Oregonians to be careful to avoid starting new fires. OEM is also shifting focus to long-term recovery for communities that were damaged by wildfires. Oregon's Division of Financial Regulation also extended its moratorium on homeowner insurance cancellations until September 29th, for zip codes most affected by wildfires.

Financial Education Requirement

Posted Monday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon is bringing back a financial education requirement to graduate high school. Starting this fall, students will take a course that teaches banking, investing and saving, budgeting and money management, taxes, and maintaining financial wellbeing. Oregon cut the requirement more than 30 years ago. 95 percent of Oregon schools have added it to their curriculum. Some school districts were allowed a one-year delay.

Serial Robbery Suspect Pleads Guilty

Posted Monday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- A serial robbery suspect who stole from Portland area Plaid Pantry stores 39 times is pleading guilty. Court records show 55-year-old Timothy Jones entered the guilty plea last week. Prosecutors say Jones would walk behind the counter and fill bags with tobacco products. In several instances, he stole more than a thousand dollars in merchandise. He was arrested multiple times and continued robbing convenience stores. Under his plea deal, he'll spend more than six years in prison.

Family Planning Lawsuit

Posted Monday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon is joining 23 states in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration that challenges new conditions on reproductive healthcare funding known as Title Ten. According to the suit, a new federal policy blocks family planning funding for states and clinics unless they agree to a list of conditions, including steering people away from contraception. In 2026, the Oregon Health Authority received just under three-million dollars from Title Ten.

Chemical Tank Inspection Problems

Posted Monday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Longview, WA) -- A federal investigation has found the one-point-two-million-gallon chemical tank at a paper plant in Longview, Washington was in danger of failing. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found that a contractor hired by Nippon Dynawave determined the tank's wall was too thin to be in use and would likely fail. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of white liquor spilled from the tank during an implosion earlier this year, killing 11 workers.

Portland Plan Reduces Fentanyl Sales

Posted Monday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- The Portland Project is reducing fentanyl use in the area. Street level dealers are charged with federal drug crimes, which keeps them off the streets. U.S. Attorney for Oregon Scott Bradford says their first arrest was three years ago and it led to over 100 arrests, they seized 100 kilograms of fentanyl, seized 40 guns and one-point-two-million-dollars in cash. Bradford says Oregon law allows drug dealers to get back onto the streets fast. When they're charged federally, they're kept in jail. Bradford says there's a lot of work remaining, but it's making a positive difference.

Oregon Economic Forecast

Posted Monday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- The economic forecast for Oregon state government is improving slightly. The state's economist says revenue estimates are up 55-million-dollars. Corporate tax payments are lower, but personal tax payments are strong. Governor Tina Kotek says the forecast shows too many Oregonians are still struggling to make ends meet, and she blames President Trump's economic policies. Oregon House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer blames Governor Kotek's economic policies for stagnant growth.