Local Politics

Politics Wash. state eyes 1st abortion insurance mandate in U.S.

By JONATHAN KAMINSKY, Associated Press Published: Mar 24, 2013 at 6:43 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 25, 2013 at 12:31 PM PDT

With 21 states having adopted bans or severe restrictions on insurance companies from paying for abortions, Washington is alone in seriously considering legislation mandating the opposite.

Politics Foster kids press lawmakers for 'Bill of Rights' (Video)

By Dan Tilkin KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: Mar 22, 2013 at 11:12 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:47 PM PDT

A KATU On Your Side Investigation exposed problems with the foster care system in January when the state removed two children from their foster home of several years.

Politics Dozens protest postal service changes at downtown office (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Jessica Porter, KVAL News Published: Mar 25, 2013 at 5:00 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 24, 2013 at 9:02 PM PDT

Employees with the United States Postal Service across the nation spent Sunday rallying to keep the six-day service week after a recent decision would cut weekend mail delivery from the budget. Dozens joined the national effort by staging a protest at the downtown post office.

Politics Lawmakers weigh bills on genetically modified food (Photo Gallery)

By LAUREN GAMBINO, Associated Press Published: Mar 21, 2013 at 2:29 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 21, 2013 at 2:29 PM PDT

Oregon lawmakers heard testimony Thursday on several bills to require labels on genetically modified food and prohibit importing genetically modified fish.

Politics Ruling a win for timber industry, group to keep fighting it (Photo Gallery)

By JEFF BARNARD, AP Environmental Writer Published: Mar 21, 2013 at 10:37 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 21, 2013 at 10:37 AM PDT

A conservation group said Wednesday it will keep pushing federal authorities to more closely regulate muddy logging roads, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday that sided with the timber industry on the issue.

Politics Enthusiasts worry drone bill could shoot down their hobby (Video)

By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: Mar 21, 2013 at 10:02 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 21, 2013 at 10:42 AM PDT

Model airplane enthusiasts from around Oregon — some with their planes in tow— showed up at a legislative hearing Wednesday to ask that any legislation passed to regulate drones not force them to give up their hobby.

Politics Interview: Death row inmate says governor wasn't truthful with voters (Video)

By Anna Canzano KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: Mar 21, 2013 at 10:01 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 21, 2013 at 10:01 AM PDT

During a phone interview from death row, Gary Haugen took issue with Gov. John Kitzhaber, the man who blocked his execution in 2011.

Politics Immigrant tuition bill clears Ore. Senate panel

By The Associated Press Published: Mar 20, 2013 at 3:16 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 3:16 PM PDT

A state Senate committee voted to allow young illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at Oregon universities if they were brought to the U.S. as children.

Politics Commission split on how to handle county business

By Ricky Maranon KCBY News Published: Mar 20, 2013 at 9:50 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 12:20 PM PDT

Coos County commissioners are considering a change to the way county business is handled.

Politics Oregon lawmakers weigh drone use vs. citizen privacy

By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: Mar 20, 2013 at 9:29 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

As the nation debates the use of drones to hunt terrorism suspects abroad, Oregon lawmakers are considering legislation that would regulate how drones could be used here.

Politics Legal pot means big changes for Washington's drug-sniffing dogs

By Michael Harthorne Published: Mar 20, 2013 at 9:28 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:05 PM PDT

With the passage of I-502, many law-enforcement agencies around the state, including the Seattle Police Department and Washington State Patrol, will no longer be training their drug-sniffing dogs to alert for marijuana.

Politics Group says Vietnam veteran memorial is 'unconstitutional' (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Wesleigh Ogle KCBY News Published: Mar 19, 2013 at 5:31 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 4:34 PM PDT

Should a Vietnam Veteran's memorial be removed from a Coos Bay park? One group thinks it should, due to the cross on top of it.

Politics Oregon Senate takes up teen indoor tanning ban

By Emily Sinovic, KATU News Published: Mar 19, 2013 at 4:23 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 19, 2013 at 4:23 PM PDT

Oregon lawmakers are considering banning children younger than 18 from using tanning beds.

Politics Bill lets Ore. school districts leave regional ESD

By The Associated Press Published: Mar 19, 2013 at 7:50 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 19, 2013 at 7:50 AM PDT

The Oregon Legislature has voted to allow all school districts to withdraw from regional educational service districts.

Politics Ore. state senator calls smoking with kids bill 'nonsense'

By Dee Dee Gatton KPIC News Published: Mar 18, 2013 at 4:35 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 18, 2013 at 4:35 PM PDT

The state senate has proposed a measure that would make it a traffic violation to smoke in a car with a minor. One Oregon lawmaker from Roseburg thinks the bill is nonsense.