Oregon Opioid Settlement Board approves $17 million to fight addiction crisis
Oregon will put $17 million from opioid settlement money toward efforts to research, prevent and treat addiction and provide free supplies to community organizations that help people reverse overdoses and avoid diseases, state officials announced Friday. The money will be dispersed during the next two years. Oregon is receiving millions from multistate settlements in 2022 that involve pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies and distributors involved in the production, sales or distribution of opioids. The decision is the first of many as more settlement money rolls in. The state will get an estimated $149.7 million through 2038. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capitol Chronicle)
Reducing Oregon’s juniper population to help save water
Oregon lawmakers are considering a proposal to spend $9 million on removing juniper trees in parts of the state that are challenged by drought. Junipers are evergreens, meaning they use water year-round. According to the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, areas with more than a 50% cover of juniper will see the trees consuming roughly half of the water available from precipitation. Supporters of the bill say thinning out junipers will help areas with lower-than-normal rainfall. Opponents of the bill expressed a concern for a lack of oversight, citing the necessity of ecological standards, resource agency supervision and protection for old growth juniper. (Jasmine Lewin/KLCC)
14 governors ask US pharmacies to clarify distribution plans for abortion medication
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and 12 other U.S. governors want major pharmacies to clarify whether they’ll distribute abortion medication, specifically mifepristone. An anti-abortion group has sued to ban the drug, which was approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago. Earlier this month, Walgreens announced it would not be selling mifepristone in 20 states, due to legal pressure. The 14 governors sent a letter Tuesday to the CEOs of CVS, Rite-Aid, Walmart, Safeway, Kroger, Costco and Health Mart. They’re asking the pharmacy chains to disclose their plans for dispensing the medication, as well as any other plans they have for safeguarding access to reproductive health care. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he’s already withdrawing state contracts with Walgreens. (OPB staff)
Investigation into Cottage Grove police chief, captain found ‘extremely unacceptable behavior’
Newly obtained documents provide details about an investigation last year into Cottage Grove Police Chief Scott Shepherd and Capt. Conrad Gagner. Both resigned in October, days after receiving notice that findings in a preliminary investigation indicated “extremely unacceptable behavior and a total lack of control and leadership.” The findings of wrongdoing in the investigation included sexual harassment and the use of homophobic and racial slurs in the workplace. (Megan Banta/Eugene Register-Guard)
Architect Thomas Hacker, known for designs of Oregon civic buildings, has died
Thomas Hacker, the founder of Portland-based Hacker Architects, died Feb. 27 at the age of 81. Hacker was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and a former teacher for 14 years at the University of Oregon, where he influenced many architects still designing in Oregon. Hacker founded his architecture firm in 1983 in Portland. Hacker designed civic, museum, library and educational buildings throughout Oregon, including the High Desert Museum, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, Portland State University’s Urban Center, and a series of libraries, including Beaverton Central Library and Multnomah County Library’s Woodstock branch. (Jules Rogers/Portland Tribune)
