Ben Botkin

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

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 Oregonians’ public meetings law, Susan Myers. @SPJOregon, @OPB and others strongly oppose #orleg #orpol #foia

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.

“The 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,” FPF's Adam Rose told @lookout-es.bsky.social's @bbotkin.bsky.social.

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...

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 Hospital  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...
#orleg #orpol

‘I want to be treated fairly’: 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: ‘I want to be treated fairly’: Loveall opens up about his frustrations lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

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, administrator  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

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 taxes  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orleg #tourism

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

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 accountable  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orleg

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. Oregon’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...

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

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...

After care and safety violations, state psychiatric hospital returns to ‘substantial compliance,’ 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 ‘substantial compliance,’ feds say   lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

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...

Merkley, Hoyle warn against Trump’s ‘authoritarian takeover’ 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 Trump’s ‘authoritarian takeover’ of the government  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

.@jeff-merkley.bsky.social and @repvalhoyle.bsky.social are starting a town hall for constituents in Springfield today. Details to come.

Amid ICE fears, Eugene city leaders seek to reassure an alarmed community The mayor, police chief and independent police auditor called out “unaccountable, reckless behavior.” 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

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 address  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest...

County OKs deal with state to help 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 help fund mental health services  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...
#orleg

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 chair  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

Loveall says government isn’t the answer to Lane County’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 isn’t the answer to Lane County’s challenges lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...

Lane County closes out first full year of drug ‘deflection’ 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 ‘deflection’ program  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/health...

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...

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 projects  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #recycling

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...

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...

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...

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 74  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern... #orleg #orpol

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 business  lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/govern...