1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 07/08/2013 03:59 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/244
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The 2013 Oregon Legislative session is expected to wrap up today. Democratic Senate President Peter Courtney announced that the state Senate will meet this morning to take up a handful of remaining bills and House lawmakers are scheduled to convene in the evening. They advanced several bills yesterday, including legislation boosting penalties for texting while driving.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Senate has rejected a bill that would use driving records to automatically register people to vote. The bill failed in a 15-15 vote yesterday. Sen. Jackie Winters, the first African-American Republican to serve in the Legislature, said automating the voter registration system trivializes the act of voting. Democrats argued that the plan would eliminate barriers to voting.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – GED exams for Oregon residents who want an alternative way to earn a high school diploma are about to change. The Oregonian reports community groups in Portland are encouraging people to finish their studies before the GED test changes in January 2014. The new tests will be more difficult, in line with the Common Core Standards.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Portland restaurant is open again after a carbon monoxide leak forced it to evacuate about 80 people on Saturday. The Oregonian reports the leak was caused by a malfunctioning cooling unit at the Old Spaghetti Factory, which was able to re-open yesterday. Two employees were treated at the restaurant, but no one was taken to the hospital.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.