Q&A with new state labor chief
When Gov. Ted Kulongoski tapped Brad Avakian to be the state’s labor commissioner, the former Democratic senator and one-time civil rights lawyer says he had one thought. more >
Startups: The beat goes on in Portland
The downturn, big or small, is here. The gloomy economic pronouncements are being made. And for a lot of tech startups in Silicon Forest, things couldn’t be better. more >
CH2M Hill wins $5.25 billion contract on Panama Canal
An engineering firm that started as a collaboration between an Oregon State University professor and three of his former students has won the contract of a lifetime: to manage the $5.25 billion redevelopment of the Panama Canal. more >
Finding treasure in The Dalles
What started out as a vast demolition project has turned into an impromptu treasure hunt. Not gold coins or lost royal jewels, but instead precious metals from what was considered mostly scrap and junk. more >
Gorge commission changes rules on development
In a few of its recent decisions, the Columbia River Gorge Commission has approved a home with solar panels, an outdoor light, and a zoning change that could allow an $80 million, 245-unit destination resort. more >
New FAA policy could threaten kit plane makers
A potential change in federal certification requirements has pitted Oregon’s kit airplane manufacturing industry and Sen. Ron Wyden against the Federal Aviation Administration. At issue is the so-called “51% rule.” more >
Ohio group wins oil and gas rights near Madras
Under the watchful eye of a regional conservation group, an out-of-state energy company hopes to be drilling for natural gas southeast of Madras by year’s end. more >
Salmon season sunk by total closure
In a move that surprised no one, a federal panel in April completely shut down this year’s commercial ocean Chinook salmon season, and placed massive limits on the Coho catch. more >
Feds fund job-training programs
Oregon education and job-training programs are getting money from the federal Department of Labor, including $1.6 million for the renewable wind energy program at Columbia Gorge Community College in Hood River County. more >
Local officials resign over ethics law
Across Oregon, dozens of small-town planning commissioners and city council members have been resigning their posts in protest over a state ethics law that now requires formerly exempt rural public officials to complete a statement of economic interest form. more >
Bend guitar-maker makes environmental commitment
Breedlove Guitar Co. will plant trees through-out the Northwest to compensate for those chop-ped down for its guitars. The type of trees to be planted, known as “tone” woods (such as California walnut and red spruce), won’t be ready for at least 100 years. more >
