Lauren Dake
Lauren Dake is a political reporter and producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Before OPB, Lauren spent nearly a decade working as a print reporter. She’s covered politics and rural issues in Oregon and Washington. She’s spent time in a maximum-security prison in Bogota, Colombia (for a story!) and sat in a sweat lodge on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
Send Lauren the best story ideas.
Latest Stories
Kotek fires head of troubled Oregon public defense agency
Gov. Tina Kotek fired Jessica Kampfe, the head of the Oregon’s Public Defense Commission, Thursday morning.
Oregon lawmakers vote to limit rent increases for manufactured home owners
The legislation moved forward in the House with Democratic party approval.
Oregon lawmakers make it explicit: No garbage bags for kids in foster care
A bill moved out of the Oregon state Senate and onto the House for final approval.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Oregon’s legislative session hits the midway point
Salem lawmakers are halfway through the 160-day legislative session.
As Oregon’s legislative session hits the midway point, plenty of big issues remain
Salem lawmakers have yet to tackle the biggest items — such as passing a budget and debating a major transportation package.
Oregon’s ombudsmen are supposed to be independent. But are they?
A legislative hearing earlier this year highlighted that a child welfare watchdog doesn't have a ton of independence.
Oregon DHS opens sexual abuse investigation into former spokesman Gene Evans
The investigation comes days after OPB published an investigation into decades-old claims of sexual abuse against Evans, all from his time as a teacher at St. Helens High School in the 1980s.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Is the Pacific Northwest entering an era of dam removal?
We take stock of the conversations surrounding dam removals in the wake of the Klamath projects and discussions of the utility of several dams along the Willamette River.
'OPB Politics Now': Melissa Fireside’s sudden rise and downfall in Clackamas County
Clackamas County has seen dramatic swings on the board of commissioners in recent years.
Advocacy group alleges Oregon hid details of foster care child’s death
Disability Rights Oregon report accuses Oregon officials of failing to provide trained staff to monitor teen who was at risk for suicide.