Date: 12/11/2014 03:59 AM
AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/248
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon health insurers are urging state lawmakers to act quickly in dissolving Cover Oregon and transferring its authority to other state agencies. Gov. John Kitzhaber and legislative leaders have backed a plan to transfer Cover Oregon’s powers to the state Department of Consumer and Business Services. If Oregon cedes all control to Washington, insurers worry that consumers might lose subsidies due to a pending U.S. Supreme Court case.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A new study shows two dozen of Oregon’s most significant invasive noxious weeds cause an estimated annual loss of about $83.5 million to the state’s economy. Losses include livestock deaths, reduced cattle foraging and wildlife grazing, and smaller crop yields. Two weeds – Scotch broom and Armenian blackberry – contribute nearly $80 million of the losses.
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – The U.S. Coast Guard helicopter base in Newport will remain open for the next year. Democratic members of the Oregon delegation announced that they were able to attach a provision to the Coast Guard authorization bill requiring them to keep the base operating through Jan. 1, 2016. The base had been slated for closure to save $6 million a year.
ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) – A police affidavit alleges that the owner of an Ashland pizza parlor conspired to blow up the building. Police say the plot didn’t work. A trial this week was canceled. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for January for 51-year-old Mark McAlister of Medford.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
