Local Politics

Politics Oregon bill would legalize medical pot retailers Oregon bill would legalize medical pot retailers
By Associated Press Published: May 17, 2013 at 11:30 AM PDT Last Updated: May 17, 2013 at 12:07 PM PDT
Oregon legislators are considering a bill to legalize and license medical marijuana retailers, calling it a step toward reining in abuses of the state's 15-year-old effort to allow people to use pot for therapy.
Politics Washington releases draft rules for growing, selling legal marijuana Washington releases draft rules for growing, selling legal marijuana
By Gene Johnson, Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 3:13 PM PDT Last Updated: May 17, 2013 at 2:30 PM PDT
The state released preliminary draft rules Thursday on the emerging recreational marijuana market, covering an array of topics ranging from how pot should be grown and tested for quality assurance to what types of security should be required at state-licensed pot businesses.
Politics Oregon lawmaker: Rule-breaking college coaches should pay Oregon lawmaker: Rule-breaking college coaches should pay
By Jonathan J. Cooper, Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 11:32 AM PDT
A state House committee heard brief testimony Wednesday but took no action on a bill that would make coaches personally liable for the university's legal fees and other costs if they "intentionally or recklessly" commit a major NCAA rules violation.
Politics Another gay wedding, another cake denied Another gay wedding, another cake denied (Video)
By Dan Cassuto KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: May 15, 2013 at 12:49 PM PDT
A wedding beneath towering Mount Hood, overlooking the swift blue water of the Columbia River in the Gorge, truly felt like a fairy tale for Erin Hanson and Katie Pugh. But when the couple went to find a baker for their wedding cake, they were turned away because they are lesbians.
Politics From bizarre to mundane: crime scene evidence yields important clues From bizarre to mundane: crime scene evidence yields important clues
By Anna Canzano, KATU News and KATU.com Staff Published: May 14, 2013 at 9:21 AM PDT Last Updated: May 14, 2013 at 10:44 AM PDT
A dog dress. A beer bottle in a bathtub. A mud-caked shovel. These bizarre items were all gathered and processed from crime scenes. As KATU learned from attending an evidence study course by the Oregon State Police in Salem, even these smallest clues help catch killers, rapists and thieves.
Politics Waldo Lake motor ban goes to Oregon governor Waldo Lake motor ban goes to Oregon governor (Photo Gallery)
By LAUREN GAMBINO, Associated Press Published: May 13, 2013 at 12:58 PM PDT
The bill puts into law a state Marine Board rule banning gas-powered motorboats on the lake in the Cascade Mountains of Central Oregon. It also would ban seaplanes, which are currently allowed limited access to Waldo Lake.