Government
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For the first time in 36 years, Portland has a race for city auditor
A public sector auditor and a certified public accountant battle to be Portland’s next auditor.
When Oregon’s State Capitol burned to the ground
On April 25, 1935, Oregon's State Capitol burned to the ground. It was the state's second capitol building destroyed by fire.
White House to extend student loan pause through August
The Biden administration plans to freeze federal student loan payments through Aug. 31, extending a moratorium that has allowed millions of Americans to postpone payments during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Federal leaders face Indigenous schools’ tragic past for first-of-its-kind report
In an initiative by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the federal government will encounter big challenges and heavy emotions for work on a report on the nation's Native American boarding schools.

Tribes seek more inclusion, action from federal officials
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland vowed on her first day on the job to ensure Native American tribes have opportunities to speak with her and the agencies she oversees.

Portland voters could consider dramatic changes in city government
A group considering sweeping changes to Portland’s unusual form of government took its most significant step yet on Thursday night. It could result in a much larger City Council, district representation and ranked-choice voting, among other changes.
Biden tapping oil reserve for 6 months to control gas prices
President Joe Biden is ordering the release of 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve for six months in a bid to control energy prices
Oregon lawmakers scrap plan to clear some past nonunanimous jury convictions
In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Oregon's nonunanimous jury system was unconstitutional as well as rooted in racism and discrimination. Senate Bill 1511, now dead, would have extended the court's ruling retroactively to some such convictions.
Oregon Department of Transportation dismisses committee member for racist and sexist remarks
ODOT is refusing to name the person dismissed after they left inflammatory comments on an internal survey shared among members of a committee focused on advancing equity in how the state contracts with transportation construction firms.

More than half of Portland voters support changing the city’s form of government, poll finds
More than half of Portland voters would support changing the city’s form of government as frustration with city leaders mounts, according to an annual poll released on Monday by the region’s largest chamber of commerce.