Public News Service

A student at Portland Opportunities and Industrialization Center uses the organization's new self-measuring blood pressure cuff. (American Heart Association)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

First self-measuring blood pressure site sets up in OR community center

Self-measuring blood pressure sites are coming to the Northwest, starting with a community organization in Portland. The American Heart Association …

A plan to improve the U.S. Postal Service means Oregon mail must go through a processing center in Portland. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Plan to restructure USPS faces opposition as mail delivery slows

Criticism of a plan to restructure U.S. mail service is mounting. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's 10-year plan, called Delivering for America…

Wildfire smoke can be especially hard for people with preexisting respiratory conditions. (Cavan/Adobe Stock)

Tips for protecting homes during OR's wildfire season

Wildfires have burned across Oregon this year, but a few tips could help people protect themselves against their damaging impacts. Fires have …

While many Oregon high schools already have personal finance course requirements, the mandate will now be statewide, starting in 2027. (Adobe Stock)

OR high schools to require financial literacy class for graduation

Oregon high schoolers in the class of 2027 can expect a new financial literacy course on their schedules. The class on personal finance, along with …

Telehealth can cut down on the miles that folks in rural communities have to travel to see a doctor. (kalinichenkod/Adobe Stock)

Medicare telehealth policies need updating, reapproval, report says

Telehealth has been key to health care in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some of the flexibilities for this type of care for Medicare …

Agriculture accounts for nearly 85% of Oregon's water use. (Deyan Georgiev/Adobe Stock)

Oregon seeks public comment on large-scale farming regulations

Oregonians have until July 22 to submit comments on the implementation of new environmental restrictions for the state's largest farms. When the …

A dirty air filter can keep air conditioners from running optimally. (Kevin Brine/Adobe Stock)

Home cooling tips as hot summer days come to OR

As Oregon is seeing its first major heat event of the summer, some simple tips can help you keep your home cooler. Most of Oregon was under a heat …

United States Postal Service locations have been evaluating whether to move processing to larger hubs. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

Mail carriers celebrated on National Postal Workers Day

Today is National Postal Workers Day, a celebration of the job they do to deliver the mail. Postal workers provide a vital service, especially …

Oregon is set to receive $689 million from the federal government to connect all state residents to high speed internet. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

OR closer to receiving 'historic investment' in internet infrastructure

The stage is set for a massive investment in Oregon's plans to bring high-speed internet to everyone in the state. The second volume of Oregon's …

The Consumer Confidence Comic helps consumers get the best bang for their buck when purchasing a used car. (Oregon Consumer Justice)

Consumer advocates find colorful way to educate used-car buyers

Buying a used car can be a risky proposition, but a new consumer guide can help people avoid common pitfalls. The nonprofit Oregon Consumer Justice …

The federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program is distributing more than $42 billion to expand high-speed internet. (escapejaja/Adobe Stock)

Fed funding helps OR address barriers to internet access

Oregon is working to address the state's digital divide with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. Infrastructure presents the largest …

Starting in 2025, insulin prices cannot surpass $105 for a 90-day supply in Oregon. (Orawan/Adobe Stock)

OR lawmakers limit insulin costs, prohibit increases

Oregon lawmakers during the 2024 session took another step to further limit the price of insulin. Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill into law to cap out-…

Medical debt is a major source of financial strain across the U.S. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

OR lawmakers pass bill that 'changes landscape' on debt collection

Consumer advocates in Oregon are praising recently passed legislation they say changes the landscape on debt collection. Senate Bill 1595, known as …

A los legisladores de Oregon les quedan dos semanas de sesi�n para aprobar la financiaci�n del programa EBT de verano que ayuda a alimentar a los ni�os cuando no hay colegio. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Casi 300,000 niños de OR esperan aprobación para prestaciones alimentarias de Verano

Un programa que proporciona beneficios alimentarios a los niños durante el verano aún necesita la aprobación de fondos de la Legislatur…

Oregon lawmakers have two weeks left in the session to approve funding for the Summer EBT program that helps feed children when school's out. (Lindsay Trapnell/Oregon Food Bank)

Nearly 300,000 OR kids await approval of summer food benefits

A program that would provide food benefits to kids during the summer still needs funding approval from the Oregon Legislature. The state has …

The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program includes 26,000 trained volunteers, who help people nationwide file their income tax forms. (JohnKwan/Adobe Stock)

Tax-Aide program to the rescue in Oregon

A program to assist people with their taxes has gone live in Oregon. The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program has sites across the state to help people …

A loophole in Oregon law makes it hard to seek legal recourse if debt is attributed to the wrong person or for the wrong amount. (72 Images/Adobe Stock)

OR legislation aims to protect against debt collection practices

Oregon lawmakers could add greater safeguards for consumers from debt collectors this session. The Family Financial Protection Act of Oregon …

According to the Global E-waste Monitor, in 2019,

Will 2024 be the year for Oregon 'Right to Repair' law?

Oregon will join 24 other states with "right to repair" legislation coming up in the 2024 session. Five other states will have these laws in effect …

According to an after-action report by the Oregon Debris Management Task Force, the Labor Day wildfires that ravaged Oregon in 2020 engulfed more than 1.2 million acres of land, demolishing more than 5,000 homes and businesses, and claiming nine lives. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Advocates fight for consumer rights against major electricity provider in Oregon

Groups in Oregon are fighting for consumer rights in the face of what they call "a concerning request" from PacifiCorp, the state's second largest …

About 2.4 million Americans have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or colitis. (Rana/Adobe Stock)

Crohn's, Colitis Awareness Week puts focus on 'invisible disease'

This week is Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week, shedding light on what some call an invisible disease. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are …

An antitrust lawsuit against Amazon alleges the company is maintaining a monopoly at the expense of small businesses. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Oregon joins FTC lawsuit to break up Amazon

Oregon is one of 17 states to join the Federal Trade Commission in its lawsuit to break up the online retail giant Amazon. The FTC has brought an …

Oregon has more than 470,000 family caregivers. (AboutLife/Adobe Stock)

OR slips to 7th in long-term care scorecard

Oregon ranks in the top 10 in a recent analysis of long-term care systems across the country. The state comes in seventh on AARP's Long-Term …

More than four million Americans have signed up for the SAVE plan to make their loan repayment more manageable. (mnirat/Adobe Stock)

How to Navigate Student Loan Payment Restart and Potential Scams

The pause on student loan repayments is over, meaning people will have to start paying back their debts for the first time in three years, starting …

Phishing scams, in which message senders or callers pretend to be from a legitimate entity, have been the most prevalent crime in recent years. (MargJohnsonVA/Adobe Stock)

NW Credit Unions Push Back on Text Message Scammers

Oregon and Washington credit unions are working together to tackle text message scammers. Credit unions in the region have seen a sharp increase in …

Former President Harry Truman was present when President Lyndon Johnson enacted Medicare. (White House Press Office)

Proponents Celebrate 58th Anniversary of Medicare's Start

Nearly six decades after its creation, Medicare continues to provide a health-care safety net for older Americans. On July 30, 1965, President …

Kaiser Permanente operates 39 hospitals across the country. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

OR Kaiser Workers Hold Info Pickets as Union Negotiations Continue

Oregon workers for Kaiser Permanente are holding informational pickets this week to highlight their ongoing union negotiations with the hospital syste…

A new survey found 92% of respondents age 45 and older say staying physically healthy is important. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Financial Strains Top of Mind for Older Oregonians

A new survey found older Oregonians are concerned about the cost of living in many aspects of their lives. The Vital Voices research program from …

Medical debt is one of the leading reasons why people get caught in cycles of debt collection. (Valeri Luzina/Adobe Stock)

OR Bill Would Protect Against Poverty-Inducing Debt Collection

Predatory lending practices can leave people in a cycle of debt and even drive them into poverty. Legislation in Oregon would strengthen protections …

Around 11.5% of 2014 college graduates have loans in default, according to the U.S. Department of Education. (Adobe Stock)

Credit Union Pushes More Financial Literacy in Schools

A bill working its way through the state Legislature seeks to set students on a path toward higher education, career skills, and personal financial …

Federal and California state regulators stepped in after Silicon Valley Bank's collapse on March 10. (MichaelVi/Adobe Stock)

Bank Collapses Highlight Alternative Structure of Credit Unions

The collapse of two banks has put the U.S. financial sector into focus this week. Some are considering the alternative structures of institutions …

Scammers have been known to tell people to transfer their money to a

Slam the Scam Day: Tips for Avoiding Fraud

It's National Slam the Scam Day today, and fraud experts are advising people to keep their eyes open. Carmel Perez Snyder, director of community …

About 23 million businesses have fewer than 20 employees. (supamotion/Adobe Stock)

Locally Owned OR Shops Celebrate Small Business Saturday

Once the turkey feast is over, the shopping season for Christmas begins in earnest. But there's an alternative to Black Friday this weekend: Small …

The U.S. Secret Service has issued a warning about

Cybersecurity Month: Keep Eye Out for 'Smishing' Scams

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and one new scamming method people need to be on the lookout for is "smishing." The word smishing comes from…

Before the EPA's ban, Oregon had planned to phase out the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos by 2023. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

U.S. Pesticide Use Could Be on Docket in Trade Talks

As the United States enters into talks over a new trade framework with several nations, America's lax pesticide policy could be a sticking point for …

The Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time in two decades. (JohnBlottman/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act Paves Way for Lower Drug Prices

President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law Tuesday, providing a means for making prescription drug prices more affordable in the …

Rainbow flags have become ubiquitous among major brands in recent years during Pride Month. (xiao/Adobe Stock)

Organizations Call for Meaningful Corporate Support During Pride Month

June is Pride Month, and businesses are showing their support for the LGBTQ community in a number of ways. But some corporations are being called out …

Mercy Corps, an aid organization based in Oregon, is on the ground in Ukraine, Poland and Romania. (Michele Ursi/Adobe Stock)

OR Credit Unions Raise Relief Dollars for Ukraine

Ukrainians continue to suffer in their country from the Russian invasion - and in Oregon, credit unions have banded together to send aid to the …

A toxic class of chemicals is used in clothing to make it water and stain resistant. (Claudiu/Adobe Stock)

Grading Clothing Companies' Commitments to Eliminating 'Forever Chemicals'

A new report grades clothing companies based on their commitment to phasing out a toxic class of chemicals known as PFAS. Three of the companies …

The humanitarian aid organization Mercy Corps is headquartered in Portland, Ore. (DCasimiro/Adobe Stock)

Scammers Taking Advantage of Efforts to Support Ukraine

Many people are looking for ways to help Ukrainians affected by war. However, they should be on the lookout for scams. Lynn Heider - vice president …

Polling has shown the vast majority of Americans think prescription drug prices are too high. (kmiragaya/Adobe Stock)

Oregonians Call on Action from Congress on Prescription Drug Prices

Many Oregonians want Congress to act on the escalating prices of prescription drugs. More than 65,000 people from around the state have signed an …

Volunteers with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program are trained and IRS-certified to review and file income-tax returns. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

Tax-Aide Available to Oregonians, with Pandemic Alterations

Oregonians can get free help with their income taxes once again this year. However, as in recent years, the pandemic is changing what the assistance …

Fraud experts say if an online deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Protection from Scammers Trying to Steal Holiday Cheer

PORTLAND, Ore. - People are out and about, shopping for the holidays. Unfortunately, scammers are looking to take advantage of their good cheer…

The Providence R-N Medical Advice Line has been a valuable tool during the pandemic, where people can ask about COVID-19 symptoms. (Courtesy of Heidi Sweeney)

OR Nurse Advice Line Plagued by Understaffing

PORTLAND, Ore. - Nurses provide a range of care, and not all of it is delivered in person. The Providence RN Medical Advice Line is a phone number …

Ten years ago, marchers from Occupy Portland came to Trailhead Credit Union to transfer their money to the nonprofit institution. (Francis Storr/Flickr)

A Decade Ago, Many Americans Ditched Banks for Credit Unions

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Ten years ago today, tens of thousands of Americans decided to join credit unions. It's now known as Bank Transfer Day. On the …

The theme for this year's International Credit Union Day is

It's 73rd Annual International Credit Union Day

PORTLAND, Ore. - Millions of members around the world, including some Oregonians, are observing International Credit Union Day today. This year …

The U.S. Postal Service suggests, with the latest changes affecting first-class mail, plan ahead and send packages and correspondence early if you're on a deadline. (Adobe Stock)

USPS Changes Have OR Postal Workers Worried about Holidays

PORTLAND, Ore. - Ahead of the busiest season of the year for the U.S. Postal Service, some Oregon postal workers are voicing concerns about the …

The average student debt load of an Oregon graduate is about $27,500. (pogonici/Adobe Stock)

Overhaul to Loan-Forgiveness Program Aims to Help Graduates

PORTLAND, Ore. -- An overhaul of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program could bring relief to more than 550,000 student-loan borrowers …

Oregon's Latino workforce numbers 200,000, according to the organization Causa. (F8studio/Adobe Stock)

Initiative Shows How to Tackle Digital Divide for Latino Households

PORTLAND, Ore. - A growing slice of the workforce is Hispanic, but a disproportionate number of Hispanic households don't have regular access to the …

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