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Happy Friday,
Well, it was a busy day here in the newsroom.
Ahead of tomorrow’s “No Kings 2” protest in Eugene, Grace Chinowsky spoke with members of the broad coalition of local activists who have been organizing the event.
PacificSource notified the state that it plans to lay off 56 Springfield-based employees. The health insurer is in the process of stepping away from its contract covering Lane County residents who are on the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program.
On the heels of the debate over Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office has signed a contract for 22 Flock cameras, though they have not yet been installed. Jaime Adame reports.
Ben Botkin reports how the governor’s office questioned plans for a press release to be issued as a federal inquiry began into a patient death at the Oregon State Hospital — over concerns of too much bad news. Officials at the Oregon Health Authority, which oversees the hospital, had drafted a release and pushed for “transparency” but ended up withholding the release.
A University of Oregon football player charged in a hit and run had asked the Oregon Supreme Court to dismiss his case, but the court has denied the motion. No trial date is on the calendar yet.
It’s that time of year when the Springfield History Museum turns itself into a spooky alternate universe known as “Screamfield.” They’ll have Halloween-themed events going on this weekend and next, for kids and adults.
Photographer Isaac Wasserman has a new slice-of-life image from the Unified Soccer Jamboree, a Special Olympics event.
We have three letters to the editor today, weighing in on Flock cameras, the No Kings rally, and the investigation about whether Springfield school district is complying with state curriculum standards.
You can send us a letter to the editor, too (350 words or less, please): lte@lookoutlocal.com
Or if you have a news tip on something we should cover: newsroom@lookoutlocal.com
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DAILY DIGEST
Inside the activist coalition powering Eugene’s ‘No Kings 2’ rally
By Grace Chinowsky
The group ranges from union retirees to socialists to clergy, who are working together to organize Saturday’s protest against the Trump administration.
Lane County Sheriff has contract with Flock for license-plate recognition cameras
By Jaime Adame
None of the 22 cameras are installed, and Sheriff Carl Wilkerson says the plan is to try the technology and then decide if it “meets expectations” for the sheriff’s office and the community.
PacificSource notifies state about planned layoffs in Lane County
By Ben Botkin
As PacificSource wraps up its role in providing Medicaid coverage for Lane County residents, the insurer has notified the state that it intends to lay off 56 employees who work at its Springfield site.
Governor’s aide gripes of ‘tough news cycles’; agency withholds press release about fallout from patient death
By Ben Botkin
In emails, aides for the governor’s office and Oregon Health Authority debated a planned press release and the need for transparency after a patient at Oregon State Hospital died. Then the health authority redacted the email exchange.
Oregon Supreme Court denies dismissal of UO football player’s fatal hit-and-run case
By Jaime Adame
The state’s highest court on Thursday, Oct. 16, denied a motion by a University of Oregon football player alleging prosecutorial misconduct in front of a grand jury. Daylen Austin, 20, previously had a trial date of Aug. 14 before he filed the motion to the Oregon Supreme Court. A stay was granted pending review of […]
Greetings from ‘Screamfield’: Springfield History Museum opens its annual haunted house
By Lillian Schrock-Clevenger
The downtown museum turns into a haunted house each year to raise money for its exhibits and programs. Visit “Fright! at the Museum” this weekend and next, with special events — including costume contests and a pumpkin derby.
‘Flock cameras solve crimes … Don’t make the rest of us sacrifice our safety’ | Letter to the editor
By Letters to the Editor
No Kings protesters ‘are gathering because we love our country’ | Letter to the editor
By Letters to the Editor
‘We need the Springfield School District … to support students by following (state) mandates’ | Letter to the editor
By Letters to the Editor
Enjoy your evening,
Bob
