Local Politics

Politics Rodman to North Korea: 'Do me a solid' and free former UO student

By KVAL News and The Associated Press Published: May 7, 2013 at 11:55 AM PDT Last Updated: May 8, 2013 at 10:26 PM PDT

Dennis Rodman sent a tweet calling on North Korea to release former University of Oregon student Kenneth Bae, who was sentenced to 15 years hard labor on accusations of plotting to overthrow the government.

Politics ODOT@100: 'Roads in Oregon were simply improved paths' (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Tom Adams KVAL News with KVAL.com staff Published: May 7, 2013 at 9:23 AM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 3:41 PM PDT

The first horseless carriage arrived in Oregon in 1899. Early motorists shared the dirt roads with horse-drawn buggies and pack animals. So in 1913, out of the mud came the Oregon State Highway Department, later renamed ODOT in 1969.

Politics Oregon gun-control bills lack support in Senate

By The Associated Press Published: May 6, 2013 at 11:50 PM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 11:50 PM PDT

Senate President Peter Courtney said Monday the bills won't get a vote on the Senate floor because there isn't enough support for them to pass.

Politics Seattle PD loosens pot, tattoo rules for new recruits

By Michael Harthorne Published: May 6, 2013 at 3:46 PM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 10:26 AM PDT

While you probably won't see officers with Mike-Tyson facial tattoos smoking joints while on bike patrol, the Seattle Police Department has loosened some of its regulations for new recruits in an effort to employ officers who better reflect the community they serve.

Politics Immigrants cheer signing of driver's card bill (Photo Gallery)

By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: May 1, 2013 at 3:50 PM PDT Last Updated: May 2, 2013 at 12:48 AM PDT

Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed a bill that will let people living in Oregon without documentation obtain driver's licenses and he was cheered on by a large crowd of immigrants.

Politics Kitzhaber to sign immigrant driver's card bill

By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: Apr 30, 2013 at 4:47 PM PDT Last Updated: May 1, 2013 at 12:31 AM PDT

The Oregon House has given final approval to a bill that would grant driver's licenses to immigrants living in the country illegally.

Politics Plastic bag ban extends beyond grocery stores (Video)

By Jessica Porter KVAL News with KVAL.com staff Published: Apr 30, 2013 at 4:37 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 6:37 PM PDT

The plastic bag ban starts Wednesday, and it's going to change more than just grocery shopping.

Politics American held by North Korea attended UO (Video)

By Lauren Lee KVAL News with KVAL.com staff Published: Apr 30, 2013 at 4:21 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 6:35 PM PDT

An American accused by North Korea of plotting to overthrow the government attended the University of Oregon in the late 1980s.

Politics Seattle police, anarchists busy prepping for May Day events (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Joel Moreno Published: Apr 30, 2013 at 10:02 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 10:02 AM PDT

Seattle police don't want to see a repeat of last year's May Day riots, and they plan to set the tone early to fight any mayhem on Wednesday.

Politics Woman claims she was fired for inhaling second-hand pot smoke (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Matt Markovich Published: Apr 30, 2013 at 9:59 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 10:19 AM PDT

You can't get drunk if the person next to you is overdoing it with the booze. But what if they were smoking pot? The consequences of breathing their second-hand smoke could lead to your firing or even a DUI.

Politics Plastic bag ban takes effect Wednesday

By Lindsey Riley Published: Apr 29, 2013 at 4:58 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 29, 2013 at 4:58 PM PDT

Paper or plastic? Soon, you won't have that option. The bag ban officially goes into effect Wednesday, May 1.

Politics Four things to watch this week in the Ore. Legislature

By Associated Press Published: Apr 28, 2013 at 7:40 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 29, 2013 at 6:51 AM PDT

Here are four things to watch this week in the Oregon Legislature.

Politics LaneCo proposes $466M budget

By KVAL News Published: Apr 26, 2013 at 4:15 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 4:37 PM PDT

The proposed fiscal year 2013-2014 budget is $34 million less than the current fiscal year.

Politics Students protest rising price of college tuition (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Noah Gurevich, Oregon NewsLab Published: Apr 26, 2013 at 3:58 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 4:09 PM PDT

Students from universities and community colleges across Oregon gathered in front of the Oregon State Capitol on Thursday to voice their concerns over the rising cost of tuition.

Politics Draft rule ends federal protections for gray wolves (Photo Gallery)

By JOHN FLESHER and MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press Published: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:35 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:52 PM PDT

Federal wildlife officials have drafted plans to lift protections for gray wolves across the Lower 48 states, a move that could end a decades-long recovery effort that has restored the animals but only in parts of their historic range.