The End Of The Oregon University System

Oregon’s seven public universities enter a new era this July: No more Oregon University System, no more Board of Higher Education and no more OUS chancellor.  Instead Oregon state universities will be run by their own independent governing boards, as pioneered by the University of Oregon, Portland State and Oregon State University. Senate Bill 80, passed by both houses (not yet signed by governor as of this writing) will legally abolish the OUS.   Continue reading 

Should Oregonians Have A ‘Right-To-Try’?

In Oregon, the terminally ill can take advantage of our “right to die” (aka death with dignity) law. Should the terminally ill have access to experimental therapies? A “right to try,” as it were?  The federal government says no, but 22 states have passed laws that say yes. Oregon could be the next to do so this July as the Legislature winds to a close.  Continue reading 

State Debates Felony For Privacy Invasion

Social media and simple image sharing have strained and twisted modern privacy laws. Now, the Oregon Legislature might pass a privacy bill to establish the crime of “invasion of personal privacy” in the first degree as a felony in Oregon. The crime could be punished with up to five years imprisonment.  Continue reading 

State Considers Amendment To Expunge Marijuana Offenses

Oregonians convicted or arrested for marijuana offenses could have their records expunged this year if a recent amendment in the Oregon Legislature passes. Dense and lengthy House Bill 3400 is the Legislature’s catch-all bill for regulating Oregon’s burgeoning recreational pot industry and aligning it with the state’s already legal medical marijuana commerce and production.  Continue reading 

Oregon Looks To Ban Pet Debarking, Declawing

In the last five years, several states have taken up regulating or banning surgeries to declaw cats or devocalize dogs, also known as “debarking” or ventriculocordectomy. Now it’s Oregon’s turn to wrestle with the issue.   Debarking is illegal in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Several California cities, including Los Angeles, have banned declawing outright. Continue reading 

Tax Break May Help Habitat’s Houses

There’s no shortage of demand for good homes in Eugene these days, especially for those with low or little income. Now the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International has its fingers crossed that the nonprofit will be able to put up a few more houses every year if the Oregon Legislature passes House Bill 2690-1 this summer.  Continue reading 

Biking to Breweries

Oregon’s countryside offers beautiful views and brews

It’s no secret that beer has added to Oregon’s economy by billions of dollars — total economic impact from the beer industry is $2.83 billion in 2014, according to the Oregon Brewers Guild — but another local industry is picking up speed, as well. “Oregon is on the cusp of a big expansion in biking,” says Nick Meltzer, project manager for the Community Service Center at the University of Oregon. Continue reading 

Birds of a Feather

Lane County Audubon Society is alive and flapping

A Northern Flicker

In May, as the sun sets each evening, thousands of small birds swarm above the brown brick chimney of Agate Hall on the University of Oregon campus. They are Vaux’s swifts, newly arrived from Central America. When the light begins to die, the cloud flies together and spins into a funnel above the chimney mouth and the swifts dive down to roost for the night. Below in the parking lot, a dozen people watch the show, including Maeve Sowles, president of Lane County Audubon Society. Continue reading