1st Northwest AP News Minute

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An American Muslim is alleging he was beaten with batons by prison interrogators while held in solitary confinement overseas for more than three months. Yonas Fikre (YOH’-nahs FEE’-kray) filed a lawsuit yesterday in U.S. District Court in Oregon against the FBI and State Department, claiming they ordered the torture he experienced in the United Arab Emirates. Fikre claims the FBI was angered when he refused to be an informant at Portland’s largest mosque.

EATONVILLE, Wash. (AP) – The pilot and passenger of a small plane flying from Oregon to Seattle only suffered minor injuries when the aircraft crashed into a home yesterday morning. An Eatonville, Wash., fire official says the two men encountered rough weather over Eatonville. Officials say the Cessna 172 landed in the yard of an unoccupied residence.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Republican lawmakers are keeping alive their demands for tougher cuts in pensions for retired government workers. GOP leaders released their latest pension proposal yesterday, which would save state and local governments about $1.4 billion over the next two years through steeper cuts to inflation adjustments. Some Republicans had initially fought for as much as $2 billion in cuts.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon lawmakers hoping to slash prison spending are trying to gain the support of police chiefs and sheriffs for their latest plan. Legislators said yesterday they’re hoping gain law enforcement approval of a bill that would remove mandatory minimum sentences for some property crimes established by Measure 57 in 2008.