The architect of Oregon’s vaccine lottery on using games for social good
Oregon turned to a gamification expert to help boost vaccine numbers. Should more social programs come equipped with prize winnings?
In The News
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Joseph Canyon fire explodes in Northeast Oregon, Southeast Washington
High winds more than tripled the size of Oregon’s largest blaze overnight.
Video appears to show Rep. Mike Nearman explaining how he’ll open the Oregon Capitol ahead of protests
In the video from days before he allowed right-wing demonstrators into the locked state Capitol, Nearman talks about "Operation Hall Pass."
Life after COVID: It’s been a long haul
June 3 marked a year since COVID-19 blasted through reporter Anna King's immune system. Her recovery has come in fits and starts. But mostly it's just been incredibly, snail-slow.
Lawmakers deadlock on consequences for harassing texts by Rep. Brad Witt
Democrats and Republicans on the House Conduct Committee agreed Witt should receive more than just training, but they could not agree on what.
Oregon’s face mask requirements to be drastically eased as COVID-19 threat wanes for most residents
It’s the biggest shift away from the pandemic’s restrictions yet. But health risks remain for those not yet vaccinated.
Oregon COVID-19 cases
Source for all charts: Oregon Health Authority
Created by Jacob Fenton
Oregon hospital capacity
Depending on staffing, Oregon has between 600 and 800 adult ICU beds and between 4,000 and 7,000 regular beds.
Oregon vaccinations
Line does not distinguish between first and second doses. Researchers estimate Oregon will reach herd immunity when around 6 million doses have been distributed.
Politics
Trump’s grievances cloud Republican agenda heading into 2022
"I’m unaware of a GOP agenda. I would love to see one,” said Texas-based conservative activist and former tea party leader Mark Meckler.
Meghan and Harry welcome second child, Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana
The second baby for Prince Harry and Meghan is officially here: a healthy girl
A guide to gender identity terms
How do I make sure I use the right pronouns for someone? And what if I mess up? Language can change quickly. Here's a guide to talking gender in its complexity.
Monuments and teams have changed names as America reckons with racism. Birds are next
As America tries to come to terms with its complicated racial past, efforts are underway to remove all eponymous bird names and to "decolonize the birding experience" to include more Black people.
The USDA is set to give Black farmers debt relief. They’ve heard that one before
The U.S. Agriculture Department is sending aid for debt relief to struggling farmers of color beginning this month. But many Black farmers distrust the department after decades of failed promises.
Culture
On ‘Arrows,’ metal band Red Fang continues a quest to find the ‘most enormous sound imaginable’
From Japanese katana sword stunts to drumming in swimming pools, the Portland outfit goes to great lengths to blow your mind.
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Culture
Esperanza Spalding’s newest project: a sanctuary for artists of color
Grammy-winning musician and composer Esperanza Spalding is gathering funds to build an artist sanctuary in Portland, Oregon.
‘OPB Politics Now’: An update on unsafe work environment investigations in the state Capitol
In this episode, we discuss two state lawmakers who have been accused of creating an unsafe work environment in the Oregon capitol. Separate investigations have been launched. Lawmakers are reviewing the findings and considering possible punishments.