Obama Administration Statement on Standing Rock is Worth a Read

The Obama Administration's statement on Standing Rock, issued Sept. 9, shortly after a federal judge ruled progress on the Dakota Access oil pipeline could proceed, is worth a read in its entirety. From stopping construction, to acknowledging the peaceful protests and First Amendment rights, to recognizing there needs to be "nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes’ views on these types of infrastructure project," this is impressive. Continue reading 

Breaking News: Lane County Calls a Temporary Halt to Controversial Changes to Initiative Petition Process

The Lane County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 today, Aug. 30, to call a six-month halt on its efforts to change its initiative petition process, Commissioner Pete Sorenson tells EW.  The iniative petition process allows the public to collect signatures and get measures on the ballots, such as efforts to ban aerial sprays of pesticides or genetically modified crops.  Continue reading 

Know Your Rights tonight (and get ice water and Gatorade to beat the heat) at Kesey Square

  The Civil Liberties Defense Center is hosting a Know Your Rights information booth at Kesey Square today, Thursday, Aug. 18, 7:30 pm-9 pm at Kesey Square (10th & Broadway). The Eugene Police Department recently increased its presence downtown with its Community OutReach Team (CORT). EPD says in its press release that "Trespass, drug and alcohol use, drug sales, prostitution, robbery and serious assaults typically increase in the downtown area during the spring and summer, as the weather improves." Continue reading 

Downtown Conman?

“The ultimate con artist,” “The master of impersonations.” In Eugene? Eugene’s Downtown Athletic Club recently severed its relationship with its general manager Carlo DiMaria. According to an email sent to DAC members on Aug. 2 from DAC owner Rob Bennett, “We were made aware that Carlo intentionally misstated experience on his resume.” Continue reading 

Gov. Brown endorses Measure 97

After getting flak from all sides of the political spectrum for her neturality on Measure 97, formerly Initative Petition 28, Gov. Kate Brown officially endorsed the measure on Aug. 4. The measure proposes a 2.5 percent tax on corporations with annual Oregon sales of more than $25 million. The revenue from that would go toward bolstering Oregon's underfunded school system as well as supporting senior services and health care. From her campaign website: Continue reading 

Racism and Homophobia at Shakespeare Festival

We were deeply troubled today when we received the letter below detailing incidents of racism and homophobia towards our friends at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. As evidenced by this and the recent cancellation of the Festival of Eugene due to an incident of racism, it's becoming more and more apparent that these are not isloated incidents but evidence of an alarming national trend.  An Open Letter to Our Community Continue reading