Lauren Dake
Lauren Dake is a political reporter and producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Before OPB, Lauren spent nearly a decade working as a print reporter. She’s covered politics and rural issues in Oregon and Washington. She’s spent time in a maximum-security prison in Bogota, Colombia (for a story!) and sat in a sweat lodge on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
Send Lauren the best story ideas.
Latest Stories
Former Oregon foster youth sent out of state worries about bill to revive that practice
She was a foster kid sent out of state. Now, she reflects on lawmakers changing the law to allow other children to be sent across state lines.
‘OPB Politics Now’: Oregon legislative session is almost over — what have they done?
Oregon lawmakers have just a few weeks to go in the 2025 legislative session.
Oregon public defense leader reveals new plan to stem legal crisis
The state remains in the middle of a crisis — with thousands of people in the legal system with no attorney.
‘OPB Politics Now’: The rise, fall and return of cap and trade in Oregon
An environmental policy that once prompted a Republican walkout is back -- this time with GOP backing.
‘OPB Politics Now’: An inside look at how OPB covers the Oregon Capitol
The OPB podcast team travels to Salem.
Head of Oregon’s child welfare agency resigns
Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner announced on Tuesday that she was resigning after two years leading Oregon’s beleaguered child-welfare system.
Oregon governor testifies for controversial bill focusing on foster kids
The legislation would allow the state to send children in foster care out of state again, a practice Oregon stopped because of abuse
Former Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan apologizes and agrees to $3,600 civil fine in consulting scandal
“I know my actions were indefensible,” she told the state ethics commission.
Oregon ethics commission rejects $500 fine in Pappy Van Winkle bourbon scandal
The former executive director of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission had agreed to the deal, but ethics commissioners said the negotiated fine is not stiff enough.
More allegations of widespread sexual abuse at Oregon’s youth prison
More than 20 men have now come forward accusing Dr. Edward Gary Edwards of widespread abuse and top officials at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, Oregon, of ignoring the abuse and allowing it to continue.
