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Gov. Tina Kotek and state Sen. Christine Drazan duked it out Thursday at a gubernatorial debate in Eugene.
It was the first debate in this election cycle between Kotek, the Democratic incumbent, and Drazan, her Republican challenger.
If you missed it live, don’t despair. You can watch an archived version and decide how the candidates did.
We also have a story about the event.
Debate questions were put to the candidates by a panel including Lookout senior correspondent Ben Botkin, Nigel Jaquiss of Oregon Journalism Project and Bayla Orton of the University of Oregon.
The debate took place on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene. Lookout co-sponsored the debate alongside Oregon Journalism Project, KVAL TV, and the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.
OSH report finds retaliation concerns; opioid funding aids Florence clinicÂ
Oregon State Hospital report: The Marion County District Attorney’s office released a grand jury report on Oregon State Hospital, which documents widespread systemic concerns, including staff testimony about retaliation.
Opioid money to aid clinic: Lane County will get $1.3 million in opioid settlement money to build a drug addiction treatment center in Florence.Â
Lane County land use: Lane County commissioners overturned a hearings officer’s land-use decision. Here’s what commissioners said.Â
— Ben Botkin
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Inside Eugene City hall with Grace chinowsky
City eyes tax renewal: Eugene city leaders are laying the groundwork to decide the future of the Community Safety Payroll Tax, a dedicated revenue source powering dozens of positions across police, fire, court and shelter operations that is nearing expiration.
Averted strike: About 100 classified staff rallied outside Johnson Hall on Monday, Sept. 28, to celebrate a tentative bargaining agreement with Oregon’s seven public universities, including the University of Oregon.
Neighborhood group reactivation: The West University Neighborhood Association is reactivating and joining forces with the Downtown Neighborhood Association, a city official wrote in an email Sept. 28. The group has been inactive and represents the area just west of campus and east of downtown.Â
The combined associations will hold elections at City Hall’s Office of Equity and Community Engagement at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
Checking in on Springfield With Lillian Schrock-Clevenger
City hall contract: Springfield will reissue a request for proposals for a contractor to do millions of dollars in repairs at the downtown City Hall building after meeting with local contractors and incorporating their feedback into an updated process.
beyond lane county
Follow the money: The Oregon Journalism Project has a story about a $10 million mystery check that could shake up the money trail in Oregon’s governor’s race.
Hemp industry troubles: A new federal law ends the hemp industry, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reports.
Public Meetings this week
Monday
- Springfield City Council holds a work session at 6 p.m. to discuss the city’s code compliance program and funding to study 42nd Street intersections.
- Springfield City Council has a regular meeting at 7 p.m. for a public hearing on a supplemental budget, among other items.
Wednesday
- Eugene’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee meets to discuss the city’s legislative priorities at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Thursday
- Eugene’s Police Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at the Eugene Police Department headquarters and via Zoom to review its Fiscal Year 2026 annual report and discuss vehicle tows and inventories, as well as releasing impounded vehicles.
Do you have story ideas or tips? Send them our way: ben@lookoutlocal.com | grace@lookoutlocal.com | lilliansc@lookoutlocal.com
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