Feds come for rule protecting wild forests

By Julia Shumway | Editor

For 25 years, the federal government has protected tens of millions of acres, mostly in Western forests, from new road construction, logging and mining. In Oregon, the Roadless Rule preserves pockets of wilderness on Iron Mountain in the Willamette National Forest, Joseph Canyon in Wallowa County, Tumalo Mountain in Central Oregon and Lookout Mountain in the Ochoco National Forest.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced yesterday that they’ll move to rescind the rule “in its entirety," opening up 45 millions acres mostly in Western states to development. They cited the need to protect communities from wildfire. But, as Alex Baumhardt reports, researchers found the vast majority of wildfires are sparked by humans and near roads.

Also in today's edition:

Report finds Oregon’s private equity health law seems to be working
Families, including Linn County woman’s mom, push states to do more to investigate domestic violence-related deaths
Violent crime in the U.S. fell in 2025

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Trump administration advances plan to rescind protections for nearly 45 million wild acres

By Alex Baumhardt

The Still Creek area in the Mt. Hood National Forest is part of 2 million acres of Oregon land protected by the federal Roadless Rule. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)

The Trump administration will move ahead with plans to end more than 25 years of sweeping protections for tens of millions of wild, federally managed acres across the U.S.

Oregon policy among state laws slowing private equity healthcare deals, report finds

By Shaanth Nanguneri

Medical supplies at a Portland clinic on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. A new report shines light on the impact of state laws restricting the corporate takeover of health care facilities. (Photo by Rian Dundon/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

An Oregon law passed more than a year ago is part of a cascade of similar state laws nationwide that are making it harder for private equity firms to take over services from health care facilities, according to a new industry report.

‘Hidden homicides’: Families push states for more scrutiny of domestic violence deaths

By Amanda Watford | Stateline

Dr. William Smock, medical director of the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, part of the Alliance for HOPE International, speaks to students about evidence and how to detect staged scenes during a mock crime scene exercise. This year, at least five states have considered “hidden homicide” legislation. (Photo courtesy of Gael Strack/Alliance for HOPE International)

Among those pushing for legislation is Kellee Harris of Oregon, whose daughter, Kelsey Harris, was found dead in her Linn County home in 2021 a week after she had reported that her boyfriend had strangled her.

Violent crime in US fell at record pace in 2025

By Amanda Watford | Stateline

Violent crime in the United States fell by an estimated 9.3% in 2025, marking the largest year-to-year decline in the national violent crime rate since the FBI began estimating crime in 1936, according to new national data.