2nd Oregon News Minute from the AP

AP-OR–2nd NewsMinute,269
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The director of a new health insurance
marketplace for individuals and small businesses says the federal
government lobbed “a grenade” into the plan this month. But
Oregon Health Insurance Exchange director Rocky King says he will
still deliver a business plan for state lawmakers to consider early
next year. The Obama administration announced this month that it
will give states broad leeway to pick the benefits offered under
the 2010 health care overhaul. King says that’s good news for
Oregon, but it will make things tough for planners.

BAKER CITY, Ore. (AP) – Baker County officials have restored
nearly 100 record books that were damaged in a flood. County Clerk
Tami Green says some of the restored documents date as far back as
the 1880s. Freezing temperatures caused a plumbing system failure
at the Baker County Courthouse over Thanksgiving weekend in 2010.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A newsmagazine that served Portland’s gay
community is shutting down. A brief note posted on the website for
Just Out says, “Three years of recession have taken their toll.”
Publisher Marty Davis confirmed the closure in an email and said
there are no plans to continue the publication online.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – At one Oregon shopping center, the day
after Christmas wasn’t just about exchanging ugly clothes and
cashing in gift cards. Woodburn Company Stores south of Portland is
trying to keep the holiday shopping season busy by luring Canadians
on Boxing Day. The Oregonian reports that about a dozen Canadian
tour buses began rolling in yesterday and a line quickly formed
outside a Coach designer handbag store.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-12-27-11 0929EST