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Ben Botkin

@bbotkin.bsky.social

Journalist at Lookout Eugene-Springfield, dog owner and traveler of the West. I like to dig deep and find fun stories. Past stops: Idaho, Las Vegas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Tips: ben@lookoutlocal.com

2,284 Followers  |  581 Following  |  207 Posts  |  Joined: 01.05.2023  |  1.6563

Latest posts by bbotkin.bsky.social on Bluesky


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Lawmakers press PeaceHealth, ApolloMD for business details of ER switch Oregon lawmakers want more information from PeaceHealth as the organization shifts to a different emergency medical care provider.

Oregon lawmakers press PeaceHealth, ApolloMD for business details of ER switch lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health...
#orleg

25.02.2026 22:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Bill could enable secret government talks, Oregon ethics chief warns A section that would provide broad exceptions to the public meetings law 'gives me heartburn,' said Susan Myers, executive director of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.

A bill is advancing in Salem that would blow a hole in the public's right to know, according to the top official who protects Oregoniansโ€™ public meetings law, Susan Myers. @SPJOregon, @OPB and others strongly oppose #orleg #orpol #foia

20.02.2026 23:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Officials investigating how Lookout obtained report on Oregon State Hospital Oregon state officials are investigating a leak of Oregon State Hospital records to Lookout that showed problems with patient care.

โ€œThe hunting of whistleblowers is wrong because it is failing to address the actual problem, which is the reason they blow the whistle in the first place,โ€ FPF's Adam Rose told @lookout-es.bsky.social's @bbotkin.bsky.social.

19.02.2026 15:05 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 35    ๐Ÿ” 15    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Loveall offers fierce defense as fellow commissioners determine next steps Lane County Commissioner David Loveall's colleagues want him to apologize. By March 3, the public will know if he plans to do so.

My latest: Lane County's Loveall offers fierce defense as fellow commissioners determine next steps lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/develo...

18.02.2026 21:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Officials investigating how Lookout obtained report on Oregon State Hospital Oregon state officials are investigating a leak of Oregon State Hospital records to Lookout that showed problems with patient care.

So this happened: Officials investigating how Lookout obtained report on Oregon State Hospitalย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...
#orleg #orpol

18.02.2026 16:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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โ€˜I want to be treated fairlyโ€™: Loveall opens up about his frustrations Lane County Commissioner David Loveall wants a fair shake. On Wednesday, his fellow commissioners will decide whether to punish him.

My latest: โ€˜I want to be treated fairlyโ€™: Loveall opens up about his frustrations lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

13.02.2026 15:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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County investigation finds Loveall retaliated against employees, administrator Lane County rebuked Commissioner David Loveall in an investigation released Tuesday into complaints about his behavior.

My latest: Lane County outside investigation finds Loveall retaliated against employees, administratorย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

11.02.2026 17:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Tourism officials, local governments at odds over bill divvying up lodging taxes Cities and counties would have more flexibility to use transient lodging tax revenues for local services under a legislative proposal.

My latest: Tourism officials, local governments at odds over bill divvying up lodging taxesย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orleg #tourism

10.02.2026 02:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Bill would shift oversight of some local mental health, drug recovery programs Lane County officials are backing a bill that would put accountability into a program that spends millions on behavioral health services.

Bill would shift oversight of some local mental health, drug recovery program funding lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orleg

05.02.2026 21:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Prozanski, colleagues seek to hold federal law enforcement accountable Oregon lawmakers want to hold federal law enforcement accountable, following immigration enforcement activities deemed illegal in the courts.

My latest: Prozanski, colleagues seek to hold federal law enforcement accountableย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orleg

03.02.2026 17:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Kotek, Eugene mayor urge peaceful protests as Trump puts Eugene in national spotlight President Donald Trump highlighted Eugene in a social media post about protecting federal buildings. Oregonโ€™s state and local leaders say peaceful protests are the key to avoiding a stronger federal p...

My latest: Kotek, Eugene mayor urge peaceful protests as Trump puts Eugene in national spotlight lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest...

01.02.2026 21:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
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Fast timeline, tight budgets, federal worries: Legislators launch short session Oregon lawmakers will start a fast and furious legislative session Monday that tackles federal issues and the state budget.

Fast timeline, tight budgets, federal worries: Legislators launch short session lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orleg

01.02.2026 17:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Day of Action updates: Caravan, fairgrounds rally wraps up; Eugene police nearby federal building protest As a protest against federal immigration enforcement, organizers were asking local businesses to close and for workers and students to stay home. Demonstrations were planned as well. Follow our live c...

Day of Action updates: Caravan, fairgrounds rally wraps up; Eugene police nearby federal building protest lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/develo...

31.01.2026 02:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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After care and safety violations, state psychiatric hospital returns to โ€˜substantial compliance,โ€™ feds say Oregon State Hospital has returned to substantial compliance after a patient death and violations that inspectors uncovered, officials said.

After care and safety violations, state psychiatric hospital returns to โ€˜substantial compliance,โ€™ feds sayย ย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

29.01.2026 01:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Agents pepper-spray protesters during altercation at federal building Witnesses said at least one person, possibly two, were detained after agents in tactical gear emerged from the building and a conflict developed with protesters.

Our latest: Agents pepper-spray protesters during altercation at federal building lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/develo...

27.01.2026 22:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Merkley, Hoyle warn against Trumpโ€™s โ€˜authoritarian takeoverโ€™ of the government U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley warned that fascism is on the rise as the Trump administration's playbook for an authoritarian takeover continues.

My day today: Merkley, Hoyle warn against Trumpโ€™s โ€˜authoritarian takeoverโ€™ of the governmentย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

19.01.2026 03:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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.@jeff-merkley.bsky.social and @repvalhoyle.bsky.social are starting a town hall for constituents in Springfield today. Details to come.

18.01.2026 19:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Amid ICE fears, Eugene city leaders seek to reassure an alarmed community The mayor, police chief and independent police auditor called out โ€œunaccountable, reckless behavior.โ€ They urge peaceful community engagement, not vigilantism, after a federal immigration officer shot...

My latest: Amid ICE fears, Eugene city leaders seek to reassure an alarmed community lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/justic...
#immigration

17.01.2026 19:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Eugene mayor lays out challenges for 2026 in annual State of the City address Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson is leaning on regional and state partnerships amid the uncertainty at the federal level.

Eugene mayor lays out challenges for 2026 in annual State of the City addressย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest...

13.01.2026 05:11 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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County OKs deal with state to helpย fund mental health services Lane County officials approved a funding agreement with the state for behavioral health services, capping a period of disagreements.

My latest: Lane County OKs deal with Oregon Health Authority to helpย fund mental health servicesย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...
#orleg

07.01.2026 17:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Lane County commissioners tap Ceniga to succeed Loveall as chair Lane County Commissioner Ryan Ceniga became chair of the five-member board of commissioners Tuesday for a one-year term.

My latest: Lane County commissioners tap Ceniga to succeed Loveall as chairย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

06.01.2026 22:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Loveall says government isnโ€™t the answer to Lane Countyโ€™s challenges Lane County Commission Chair David Loveall urged county residents to dig deeply for solutions to the problems burdening the county.

My latest: Loveall says government isnโ€™t the answer to Lane Countyโ€™s challenges lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

06.01.2026 13:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Lane County closes out first full year of drug โ€˜deflectionโ€™ program Lane County's deflection program that steers people into recovery from drug addiction offers emergency housing, which aids its success.

Lane County closes out first full year of drug โ€˜deflectionโ€™ programย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health...

02.01.2026 18:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Shortfall will need fixing as Lane County begins budget planning, officials say Lane County officials are preparing for a tight budget ahead, one with few options amid state mandates and limits on property taxes.

Shortfall will need fixing as Lane County begins budget planning, officials say lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

18.12.2025 22:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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County commissioners open to new CleanLane site, OK other waste projects Lane County officials are considering a new location for CleanLane and moving forward with new technology to process methane at the landfill.

My latest: Lane County commissioners open to new CleanLane site, OK other waste projectsย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #recycling

17.12.2025 17:48 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Lane County seeks fees from Sanipac over trash hauled to Medford area Waste Connections, which runs Sanipac, has told the county it is not required to pay fees on Springfield trash collections that are taken to a dump in southern Oregon. The county disagrees.

Lane County seeks fees from Sanipac over trash hauled to Medford area lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest...

16.12.2025 21:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Lane County commissioners weigh options for recycling facility and landfill Lane County officials are considering two sites for a planned recycling facility that would raise the county's recycling rate.

My latest: Lane County commissioners weigh options for recycling facility and landfill lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

11.12.2025 16:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Nonprofit that aids homeless is raising money for building remodel Community Supported Shelters has launched a capital campaign to renovate its new office building for workers.

Nonprofit that aids homeless is raising money for building remodel in Eugene lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/busine...

09.12.2025 17:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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James Edmunson, a towering Oregon political figure and Eugene attorney, dies at 74 James Edmunson, an Oregon politician and former state legislator, died at the age of 74.

My latest: James Edmunson, a towering Oregon political figure and Eugene attorney, dies at 74ย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orleg #orpol

02.12.2025 17:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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During visit to Eugene, Merkley hears about impact of tariffs on local business The Trump administration's tariffs are hurting a Eugene business that sells bicycle trailers manufactured overseas.

My latest: During visit to Eugene, Merkley hears about impact of tariffs on local businessย  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

25.11.2025 17:24 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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