More Native American tribes are buying back their ancestral lands
As one example, the Klamath Tribes of southern Oregon purchased a 1,705-acre patchwork of meadows, wetlands, and timberland that had once belonged to them.
Oregon
Oregon is known for its forests, coastline, and cities balancing growth with conservation. This archive tracks progress stories from across the state, covering environmental wins, community health, economic equity, and more.
Oregon becomes the first state in the U.S. to legalize access to magic mushrooms
Measure 109 apart it distinct from decriminalization efforts in that it offers a legal pathway to psilocybin therapy. It will establish a state-regulated program for using and obtaining them. In essence, accessing psilocybin as an adult in Oregon would be about as easy as signing up for counseling.
Oregon closes state’s last coal plant in favor of green energy
The last plant in Oregon, which opened in 1977, was pushed to close by a lawsuit filed against General Electric for air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions concerns.
Oregon to officially vote on legalizing psychedelic psilocybin therapy
The state of Oregon will officially vote on legalizing psilocybin psychotherapy in the upcoming November election, after well over 150,000 signatures were collected to secure the landmark ballot measure.
The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative debuts a bottle that can be cleaned, refilled, and resold without being broken down
It’s the first such system in the country, according to the report, and could vastly decrease the environmental impact of beverage sales.
Oregon lawmakers pass gun-control bill; first since Florida shooting
Fueled by anguished voices in the aftermath of the Florida high school shooting, Oregon's Legislature on Thursday banned people convicted of stalking and domestic violence or under restraining orders from buying or owning firearms and ammunition.
Oregon’s new motor voter law is registering more young people
Since registered voters skew older, Oregon’s automatic voter registration law is correcting the age bias and giving people of all ages access to the ballot.
Portland, OR commits to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050
Leaders from the City of Portland and Multnomah County have committed to 100 percent clean energy by the year 2050.
Oregon voters elect Kate Brown as the first openly bisexual U.S. governor
In November 2016, Oregon voters elected Kate Brown governor, making her the first openly LGBT person — and first openly bisexual person — elected governor of any U.S. state. Brown had already spent decades in Oregon politics, winning the Secretary of State race in 2008. Her victory offered lasting proof that identity alone would not disqualify a candidate at the highest levels.
Bill Bowerman’s waffle iron experiment gives running shoes a new sole
Nike’s Waffle Trainer started with a breakfast appliance. One Sunday in Eugene, Oregon, track coach Bill Bowerman poured liquid urethane into his wife’s waffle iron, chasing a lighter, grippier sole for his runners. The shoe reached stores in 1974, and its grid of independent rubber nodes still shapes how performance footwear is designed today.