By Alex Baumhardt | Senior reporter
Morning all,
Following the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting in Bend, Oregon lawmakers across the political spectrum have shared their grief and their personal experiences with mass shootings and firearm violence. But the state’s Democratic and Republican leaders have split when it comes to approaching policy conversations following the Oct. 15 tragedy.
Democrats have largely demurred, saying its too soon, and too politicizing, to share specific policy ideas related to gun regulations or school safety. Republicans have meanwhile assailed Democrats for failing to pass several bills during the 2023 Legislative session that would have mandated metal detectors and security or police officers in Oregon schools.
At a press conference yesterday where Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency for the Bend-La Pine School District, freeing up state resources to ensure paid leave and mental health assistance are available for staff and families, she said she’d review Oregon’s gun laws, but did not propose any changes.
“I remain strongly committed to examining Oregon’s gun violence prevention laws and determining what more we can do to prevent firearm deaths,” she said.
Also in today's edition:
Half a million Oregon ballots are in a week ahead of election day.
Donations mount in last big money governor’s race before campaign finance law goes into effect.
Two Latina women vie for Oregon House seat in district targeted by immigration raids
News tips, feedback or questions? Email us at [email protected]
By Shaanth Nanguneri
Bend residents set up a memorial for three children and one teacher killed by a shooter at Silver Rail Elementary School. The teacher, Megan Lambert, was a Bend native and volleyball coach. (Photo by Sean Scully/States Newsroom)
Following the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting in Bend, Oregon lawmakers across the political spectrum have shared publicly their grief and their personal experiences with mass shootings and firearm violence.
But Oregon’s Democratic and Republican leaders have split when it comes to approaching policy conversations following the Oct. 15 tragedy that was caused by a teen gunman who killed three children and a teacher before being tackled by another teacher and fatally shot by a local parent who followed him into the school.
By Mia Maldonado
A voter turns in their ballot at a dropbox located at the Albany Public Library. (Photo by Mia Maldonado/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
More than half a million Oregon voters have returned their ballots as of Monday morning, about 16% of the state’s 3.1 million registered voters, according to unofficial ballot return data from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division. Voters statewide have just a week left to cast their ballots.
By Dirk Vanderhart (OPB)
Bend residents left chalk art, flowers and gifts at a makeshift memorial at Drake Park after a former student killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School. (Photo by Sean Scully/States Newsroom)
State agencies are fanning out to offer assistance in the wake of a tragic attack at a Bend elementary school this month, Gov Tina Kotek said Monday. Those efforts include helping teachers and others to access paid time off of work, speeding up background checks for substitute teachers, and potentially providing state funding to Bend-La Pine Schools while they await federal emergency money.
By Shaanth Nanguneri
Millions of dollars of political donations have poured into the race for Oregon governor, a rematch of the 2022 race between incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek and state Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby. (Stock photo via Getty Images)
Like many labor unions, trade associations and business groups, the Oregon-based chapter of the Associated General Contractors threw their support behind their candidate of choice for Oregon governor in the form of a six-figure check.
By Mia Maldonado
State Rep. Lesly Muñoz, a Democrat from Woodburn (left) and Republican Noemi Legaspi (right) compete to represent a stretch of the Willamette Valley that includes Woodburn, Gervais, parts of Salem and rural Marion County in the Oregon House of Representatives. (Photos courtesy of the candidates’ campaigns)
A Republican mental health clinician and a one-term Democratic House representative are both hoping their identities as the daughters of Mexican immigrants will appeal to voters in the Oregon House district with the highest share of Hispanic residents.
FROM OUR D.C. BUREAU AND NATIONAL REPORTERS
Trump DOJ’s demand for emergency order in California vote counting dismissed by appeals court | Jonathan Shorman
The percentage of people without health insurance is growing | Shalina Chatlani
OTHER OREGON NEWS Some stories may be behind paywalls.
For years they just toughed out the smoke. Now, an effort emerges to protect firefighters’ health. | Lookout Eugene-Springfield
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