Michael Richard

50s; G-d; family; friends

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Courtney Bangs says Clatsop County wasn’t at the table when state forest decisions were negotiated, yet the impact could reach $8M. When 64% of timber revenue supports counties, setting aside half the land hits local budgets hard.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

After a 90% reduction in federal logging, Mike McLane says spotted owl numbers kept falling. Courtney Bangs argues the issue is barred owl predation — while ODF still sets aside Clatsop lands for owl circles that have been vacant for years.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Angela Plowhead says Oregon has pushed parents out of major health decisions for minors, creating contradictions: teenagers can make serious medical choices, while lawmakers still restrict tanning beds and contact lenses. She says parents must be brought back in.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Angela Plowhead says Oregon ranks 51 out of 51 for mental illness and substance-use prevalence, with youth mental health especially alarming. Her warning: Oregon lacks enough providers, and parents are being pushed out of the process.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Ben McLane says no one can know for sure whether this fire season is the “new normal.” The better question: what do we lose by preparing as if it is — and what do we risk if Oregon doesn’t?

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Ben McLane argues Oregon’s wildfire problem was built over nearly 100 years of full suppression and fuel buildup. Off-season fuel work matters, but he says it’s “drops in a bucket” compared with what’s needed.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Ben McLane saw the Paradise Fire up close. His warning for Oregon: we’re not there yet, but the facts on the ground show we have the potential. Fire seasons are changing, and preparation can’t wait until the smoke is already in the air.

[Oregon Journalism Project @OregonJournProj]

Spotlight: State Rep. Mark Owens

The Harney County Republican’s district covers 37% of Oregon. Much of it is burning this summer.

Read our latest:
https://t.co/qa4kOAdCOV

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Ben McLane explains when wildfire gets too intense for direct attack. At certain flame lengths, crews shift from Pulaskis to dozers, aviation, indirect lines — and when pyrocumulus clouds build, the mission becomes evacuation and point protection.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Gov. Kotek set a goal of 36,000 new homes a year. Oregon permitted 17,697 in 2023 and 14,621 in 2024. The warning is that missed housing targets affect affordability, business growth, and Oregon’s future tax base.

[Shelly Boshart Davis @BoshartDavisAg]

ICYMI

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Oregon’s EFU rules can label lava rock and sagebrush as “exclusive farm use” even where land has never been farmed and has no irrigation. Mike McLane argues common-sense development shouldn’t be fought for 20 years.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Christine Drazan says Oregon schools should stop shaping activists and start centering students: no screens K–3, third-grade reading, tutoring, testing, and families back in the conversation. Struggle leads to strength.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Christine Drazan says Oregon lowered the bar instead of fixing the system. A diploma should prove students are ready for work, college, and life — not just present. Standards matter because kids deserve real opportunity.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Oregon’s education failures are no joke. When the state ranks near the bottom, kids pay the price every day. This clip argues the problem isn’t reputation — it’s incompetence, and it should make Oregonians angry enough to demand change.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Christine Drazan says too many Oregon teachers don’t have authority to manage disruptive classrooms. When one student triggers a room clear, every other student loses learning time,  and teachers feel abandoned.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

Christine Drazan says Oregon’s State Board of Education needs replacing, arguing the focus has shifted from reading, writing, math, science, and civics to politics and red tape. Fire the failed system.

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

IP 28 sounds simple: “end animal cruelty.” But critics warn the fine print could threaten hunting, fishing, ranching, chickens, and food choice in Oregon. Don’t sign a slogan. Read what it actually does.

[Jeff Eager @Jeff_Eager]

PacificSource pulled out as Lane County Medicaid insurer, Tina Kotek’s OR Health Authority replaced it with Trillium, forcing 96k to join Trillium.

Trillium’s parent co gave Kotek’s campaign $50k two months later.

OR AG (D) said in ‘22 Trillium parent co gave Kotek’s”took advantage of OR” by overcharging state for drugs, leading to $17M settlement.

This is all public record thx to our exclusive reporting, which is available to all news outlets, including the O, to run for free.

Full story in reply 👇

[Oregon Discussion @ORDiscussion]

A lot of voters follow national politics, red, blue, back and forth. But Oregon hasn’t worked that way for a long time. Christine Drazan says many Oregonians are just now connecting years of one-party control to the results they see every day: high costs, poor services.