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Oregon gained 4,400 jobs in February, after January loss; unemployment rate edges up to 4.2%

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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 4,400 jobs in February, following a revised loss of 5,700 jobs in January, the Oregon Employment Department reported Wednesday. February’s gains were largest in professional and business services (+1,000 jobs) and in health care and social assistance (+900 jobs). Five other major industries each expanded by between

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Gov. Kotek addresses first meeting of State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council

2:48 pm

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek delivered remarks Tuesday at the first meeting of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, established by the Governor’s Executive Order 23-06. Governor Kotek created the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council in response to the growing role that generative artificial intelligence is playing in society. “Artificial intelligence

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Wash. man sentenced to federal prison for selling low-quality, Chinese-made bullet-proof gear to police, military

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) —A Vancouver, Washington man was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for knowingly and intentionally marketing and selling low-quality ballistic protective equipment produced in China to dozens of domestic law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military. Jeffrey Meining, 42, of Vancouver, Washington, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison

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Former guard at Sheridan federal prison sentenced to 15 months for bribery, contraband smuggling scheme

4:10 pm

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A former federal correctional officer in Oregon was sentenced to federal prison Monday for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband into a federal prison in exchange for money. Nickolas Carlos Herrera, 34, of McMinnville, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release, the U.S.

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Chavez-DeRemer cosponsors bill to improve police responses to behavioral health incidents

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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) has joined the Supporting the Health and Safety of Law Enforcement Act as a cosponsor. The bipartisan proposal, introduced by Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), would protect public safety by improving the effectiveness of responses to emergency situations involving behavioral health disorders. Specifically, the legislation seeks to match law

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Oregon lawmakers pass bill that ‘changes the landscape’ on debt collection

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Eric Tegethoff, Oregon News Service PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Consumer advocates in Oregon are praising recently passed legislation they say changes the landscape on debt collection. Senate Bill 1595, known as the Family Financial Protection Act, gained approval from lawmakers during this year’s short session. It provides a number of protections for consumers against debt collection

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State to launch homeowner assistance for Labor Day 2020 wildfire victims still needing help to rebuild or replace homes

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SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon Housing and Community Services will launch the intake phase of the Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program for survivors of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds on Monday, March 25. Phase 1 of HARP will help low- and moderate-income homeowners who still need assistance to repair, rebuild or replace their homes.   Beginning on

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Merkley, colleagues call on FAA to work on rules to let flight crews pump breastmilk aboard aircraft

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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Sen. Jeff Merkley led 19 senators in a letter to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker, calling attention to the continued need for clear and workable rules permitting members of flight crews to pump breastmilk aboard aircraft during non-critical phases of flight. Joining Merkley in this letter are U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders

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Oregon DEQ to reopen Clean Vehicle Rebate Program for 2-month window, April 3 to June 3

10:55 pm

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced Wednesday it will reopen the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program for a two-month window, from April 3 through June 3. Based on past program participation and limited funds, projections show the program will be oversubscribed and must close on June 4. Any vehicles purchased or leased either before

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Wyden urges NCSC to warn public about backdoor codes to commercial locks and safes

10:40 pm

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has urged National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director Michael Casey to alert the public to the possibility that the Chinese government may possess backdoor codes to electronic locks made in China, by updating public educational materials to recommend that businesses upgrade their safe locks to meet U.S. government

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OLCC set to launch first phase of new online cannabis and alcohol licensing system on Monday

10:08 pm

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission will launch the Cannabis and Alcohol Management Program (CAMP), a new online licensing system, on Monday. This first phase will transition Recreational Marijuana Program licensees from an online licensing system OLCC has had since 2016 into CAMP, with alcohol licensees following later this year. The

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Merkley, Wyden join colleagues in letter to postmaster general, demanding protection of USPS jobs, mail delivery

8:57 pm

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Oregon’s U.S. senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined a letter led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, urging him to stop any changes to United States Postal Service service standards that would result in job losses and further degrade mail delivery performance, especially in rural areas.  Joining Merkley, Wyden

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