PORTLAND NEEDS WILLAMETTE WEEK. NOW WW NEEDS YOU. The need for strong, independent local journalism is more urgent than ever. Our readers rely on our comprehensive news reporting. However, COVID-19 has eliminated most of the revenue that funds our work. Please support the city we love by joining Friends of Willamette Week. Oregon kids and parents are preparing for distance learning this fall, with few signs that a return to classrooms is imminent. In the past two weeks, the most high-profile symbols of student life—high school and college football—surrendered to the pandemic, with the...…PORTLAND NEEDS WILLAMETTE WEEK. NOW WW NEEDS YOU. The need for strong, independent local journalism is more urgent than ever. Our readers rely on our comprehensive news reporting. However, COVID-19 has eliminated most of the revenue that funds our work. Please support the city we love by joining Friends of Willamette Week. Oregon kids and parents are preparing for distance learning this fall, with few signs that a return to classrooms is imminent. In the past two weeks, the most high-profile symbols of student life—high school and college football—surrendered to the pandemic, with the...WW…

Every week since July 14, the White House Coronavirus Task Force has made specific recommendations to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown that included closing bars and gyms in three counties hammered by COVID-19: Umatilla, Morrow and Malheur.On July 31, Brown returned Umatilla County to a stay-at-home order, effectively following through on the White House recommendation. But she hasn't done the same in Morrow and Malheur counties.Those decisions show Brown's continued aversion to conflict in the deep red counties ravaged by the virus at Oregon's eastern border—even when the White House suggests...…Every week since July 14, the White House Coronavirus Task Force has made specific recommendations to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown that included closing bars and gyms in three counties hammered by COVID-19: Umatilla, Morrow and Malheur.On July 31, Brown returned Umatilla County to a stay-at-home order, effectively following through on the White House recommendation. But she hasn't done the same in Morrow and Malheur counties.Those decisions show Brown's continued aversion to conflict in the deep red counties ravaged by the virus at Oregon's eastern border—even when the White House suggests...WW…

Oregon is a state choked by COVID-19.Since July 1, the state has seen 3,800 new cases of the virus, more infections than in the entire month of May. According to a variety of experts, the gradual resumption of economic and social routines in this state is responsible for the virus's swift resurgence, from Portland to Pendleton."Economics is driving some of the risk we are exposing people to," says Carlos Crespo, vice provost at Portland State University and a professor of public health. "When we increased the speed limit from 55 to 65, we could tell you exactly how many people were...…Oregon is a state choked by COVID-19.Since July 1, the state has seen 3,800 new cases of the virus, more infections than in the entire month of May. According to a variety of experts, the gradual resumption of economic and social routines in this state is responsible for the virus's swift resurgence, from Portland to Pendleton."Economics is driving some of the risk we are exposing people to," says Carlos Crespo, vice provost at Portland State University and a professor of public health. "When we increased the speed limit from 55 to 65, we could tell you exactly how many people were...WW…

Four measures are likely to appear on the ballots of all Oregonians this November.July 2 was the deadline to turn in voter signatures for measures on the November ballot. Two initiative petitions appear to have sufficient signatures to qualify, and another two were referred to voters by the Oregon Legislature.Here are the four issues voters should expect to weigh. The measures won't have numbers until they're officially approved by the Oregon secretary of state this month.House Bill 2270: Increase the tobacco taxWhat would it do? Add a $2-a-pack tax on cigarettes and establish the state's...…Four measures are likely to appear on the ballots of all Oregonians this November.July 2 was the deadline to turn in voter signatures for measures on the November ballot. Two initiative petitions appear to have sufficient signatures to qualify, and another two were referred to voters by the Oregon Legislature.Here are the four issues voters should expect to weigh. The measures won't have numbers until they're officially approved by the Oregon secretary of state this month.House Bill 2270: Increase the tobacco taxWhat would it do? Add a $2-a-pack tax on cigarettes and establish the state's...WW…

A Portland freelance reporter has penned an account of being beaten and pepper-sprayed by police officers while trying to film them making an arrest last night.Video taken from a helicopter by WW's news partner KATU-TV around 11:45 pm on June 6 shows a person filming police in Chapman Square, until an officer turns to him, hits him with a baton and twice pepper-sprays him in the face.Donovan Farley, a longtime contributor to WW's Arts & Culture section who has also written for national publications such as Playboy and Rolling Stone, says he was that person. His...…A Portland freelance reporter has penned an account of being beaten and pepper-sprayed by police officers while trying to film them making an arrest last night.Video taken from a helicopter by WW's news partner KATU-TV around 11:45 pm on June 6 shows a person filming police in Chapman Square, until an officer turns to him, hits him with a baton and twice pepper-sprays him in the face.Donovan Farley, a longtime contributor to WW's Arts & Culture section who has also written for national publications such as Playboy and Rolling Stone, says he was that person. His...WW…

People who live or work in assisted living and other long-term care institutions account for at least 24 of Oregon's 51 deaths from COVID-19, according to data released by state officials today amid media pressure.The tally does not include adult foster homes and only includes the nine institutions that have had five or more cases. (In all, 32 facilities around the state, including adult foster homes, have reported at least one case of COVID-19 among staff or residents, according to the Department of Human Services.)The fact that nearly half of Oregon's coronavirus deaths—at a...…People who live or work in assisted living and other long-term care institutions account for at least 24 of Oregon's 51 deaths from COVID-19, according to data released by state officials today amid media pressure.The tally does not include adult foster homes and only includes the nine institutions that have had five or more cases. (In all, 32 facilities around the state, including adult foster homes, have reported at least one case of COVID-19 among staff or residents, according to the Department of Human Services.)The fact that nearly half of Oregon's coronavirus deaths—at a...WW…

In early March, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown faced an outcry from public health experts and her Democratic allies when she hesitated to close schools and order people home in the face of a pandemic.Now she's again moving gingerly in deciding when to reopen the state. But this time, her caution is winning better reviews.Experts who spoke with WW mostly praise Brown's approach—and say she's following best practices while other U.S. governors rush headlong into catastrophe."She has outlined really sensible criteria," says David Bangsberg, dean of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. "Whether we're...…In early March, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown faced an outcry from public health experts and her Democratic allies when she hesitated to close schools and order people home in the face of a pandemic.Now she's again moving gingerly in deciding when to reopen the state. But this time, her caution is winning better reviews.Experts who spoke with WW mostly praise Brown's approach—and say she's following best practices while other U.S. governors rush headlong into catastrophe."She has outlined really sensible criteria," says David Bangsberg, dean of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. "Whether we're...WW…

Nursing homes and hospitals have asked Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to use her executive orders to protect them from potential lawsuits resulting from COVID-19 deaths.In a  dated April 3, obtained exclusively by WW, the health care groups and businesses argue the governor has the power without legislative action to shield them from legal liability.“This crisis, involving a pandemic, limited supplies and equipment, and rapidly evolving state and federal guidance, regulations, and law is forcing change in how care is being delivered,” the letter states. “The health care...…Nursing homes and hospitals have asked Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to use her executive orders to protect them from potential lawsuits resulting from COVID-19 deaths.In a  dated April 3, obtained exclusively by WW, the health care groups and businesses argue the governor has the power without legislative action to shield them from legal liability.“This crisis, involving a pandemic, limited supplies and equipment, and rapidly evolving state and federal guidance, regulations, and law is forcing change in how care is being delivered,” the letter states. “The health care...WW…