Latest news with #Oregonians
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Heartbreaking': Authorities warn of gold bar scam after Oregon woman loses $600K
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Oregon Department of Justice issued a warning on Friday about a fast-growing scam spreading nationwide that led to an Eastern Oregon woman to lose $600,000, accounting for nearly all her life savings. The scammers posed as federal agents and convinced the woman that her financial accounts were at risk of being frozen or hacked, ODOJ said, explaining the scammers told her the only way she could protect her assets was to convert them to gold bars and turn them over for safekeeping. The woman followed their instructions, giving the scammers over $600,000 worth of gold. 'Gut punch': Hood River County Sheriff cuts services amid funding slump Officials said the woman mentioned her plans to give the scammers another $300,000, leading her sister to call the ODOJ Consumer Hotline. Local law enforcement intervened 'just in time' to stop the woman from handing over the additional savings. 'This is a heartbreaking example of how sophisticated and predatory these scams have become,' said Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield. 'No one—especially not a government agency—will ever ask you to buy gold or hand over your money to a stranger. If something feels off, trust your gut. It could save your life savings.' According to ODOJ, gold bar scams have been on the rise nationwide. Adults-only pinball space and social club is Vancouver's latest addition The scams typically unfold with scammers calling, emailing or texting potential victims, while posing as a government agency, a bank or a technology company. Then, the scammers provide a sense of false urgency, officials warn, explaining that scammers create panic by telling potential victims that their financial accounts are hacked or under investigation. Victims are then told to withdraw large amounts of money and convert it into gold or other valuables to protect' the assets. From there, a courier is sent to the victim's home to collect the gold and promises to safely store it, officials explained. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now After the gold is handed over, 'it's gone,' ODOJ said, warning that the scammers disappear and leave the victims with nothing. To avoid these scams, ODOJ reminds Oregonians that government agencies will never ask others to buy gold and will never send someone to their home to collect money. If approached by these scammers, ODOJ recommends hanging up the phone immediately if someone pressures you to transfer money. Then, ODOJ recommends reporting the scam to local law enforcement. Kohr Explores: Family friendly snack shack opening on Hayden Island Officials also recommend never giving out personal information to someone you don't know and to verify claims by calling the bank or government agency directly using their official contact information. Suspicious activity can also be reported to the ODOJ Consumer Hotline and to the Federal Trade Commission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kotek declares state of emergency in Oregon due to imminent threat of wildfire
Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in Oregon on July 16 that will last through the end of the year due to the imminent threat of wildfire. Multiple large wildfires have already exploded this year, largely east of the Cascade Range, including the growing Cram Fire, which roared to more than 60,000 acres by July 16 and is spreading smoke across central Oregon. The Rowena Fire burned 63 homes in The Dalles in June. 'Oregon is already experiencing a devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences. The summer is only getting hotter, drier, and more dangerous – we have to be prepared for worsening conditions,' Kotek said in a news release. Oregon's wildfire danger is forecast to remain above normal through summer — remaining high in every part of the state in July, August and September — the first time in recent history that's happened. The declaration directs all state agencies, including the National Guard, to help support efforts to alleviate or respond to wildfire impacts, and support the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State Fire Marshal. 'All Oregonians should follow local instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions,' Kotek said in the news release. Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@ or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Gov Tina Kotek declares state of emergency in Oregon for wildfires
Buzz Feed
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
FEMA Officials Slam Noem's Texas Flood Response
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is in increasingly hot water as Democrats demand answers about her response to last week's deadly Texas floods and emergency officials sound the alarm on policies they say stopped them from quickly providing relief. Noem's DHS, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is defending its approach after four FEMA officials told CNN that a new cost-cutting measure requiring her personal sign-off on any contract or grant over $100,000 impeded on the agency's ability to swiftly respond in Central Texas, where around 120 people have died and more than 160 remain missing following flash floods. 'We were operating under a clear set of guidance: lean forward, be prepared, anticipate what the state needs, and be ready to deliver it,' a longtime FEMA employee told the network. 'That is not as clear of an intent for us at the moment.' The officials told CNN that Noem's new policy stopped them from quickly deploying Urban Search and Rescue teams, which Noem didn't authorize until Monday, more than 72 hours after the flooding began and when more than 100 people were confirmed dead. Documents reviewed by CNN also found that by Monday night, a mere 86 FEMA staffers had been deployed to Texas. The FEMA employees also said the new policy stopped them from quickly providing Texas officials with aerial imagery in the flood area and bringing in additional support staff at disaster call centers. When reached for comment on those officials' concerns, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department has taken an 'all-hands-on-deck' approach to recovery efforts, saying the department has deployed 'extensive' staff and a liaison officer to Kerrville, Texas, though she did not provide any specific numbers when asked. Much of McLaughlin's response focused on the Trump administration's efforts to scale back FEMA, an agency Noem and Trump have said they want to shut down entirely while leaving disaster response to the states. 'FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades,' McLaughlin said. DHS did not immediately respond when asked to name specific failures. 'DHS is rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, and is reprioritizing appropriated dollars. Secretary Noem is delivering accountability to the US taxpayer, which Washington bureaucrats have ignored for decades at the expense of American citizens,' McLaughlin's statement continued. Democratic Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden's takeaway from the CNN report was blunt. 'Kids in Texas died as a direct result of Kristi Noem's negligence. She should be removed from office before her incompetence gets Oregonians killed in a wildfire,' he wrote on social media. Another major question mark in DHS's response is the whereabouts of FEMA Administrator David Richardson, who has not issued any public statements about the floods and does not appear to have visited Texas. When HuffPost asked FEMA on Tuesday where he was, the agency said any information about his travel would be 'released through official channels' and did not respond to any follow-up questions. When asked again on Thursday to comment on his plans to visit Texas, DHS again did not respond. His absence is not normal, former FEMA officials told Politico, and indicates to local leaders that they can't rely on him. On Wednesday, a group of Democratic lawmakers sent Richardson a letter questioning whether he was fulfilling his job duties, demanding more specific details on how many FEMA personnel have been deployed to Texas and asking about plans to fill vacancies at the National Weather Service. The Democrats ― which include Reps. Rick Larsen (Wash.), Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), Greg Stanton (Ariz.), and Gabe Amo (R.I.) ― noted that a key NWS position in San Antonio hadn't been filled. 'How was critical information communicated to Texas emergency management and public safety officials?' they asked in light of the vacancy. 'It would be unconscionable to face the next extreme weather event with a FEMA and NWS that are anything less than fully resourced to respond from the earliest forecast through the last delivery of relief,' they wrote.
The Hill
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley confirms he will run for reelection
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) confirmed he will run for a fourth term in office next year despite some speculation that he may retire. The progressive senator, who has served since 2009, announced his decision in a Thursday post on the social platform X, saying the country is in 'a critical moment for our rights, our democracy, and a future where every American can thrive.' He said in a video accompanying the post that he chose to run for reelection to fight for Oregonians and help defend the country. 'I'm running for a better vision of America, not Trump's vision of 'families lose and billionaires win,' but the vision of 'families thrive and billionaires, they pay their fair share,'' he said. Merkley said he's also running to oppose President Trump's 'authoritarian strongman state' and save the Constitution's system of checks and balances. Some speculated that Merkley, who will turn 70 just weeks before Election Day 2026, might retire rather than seek another term, which would have set up a competitive primary to replace him. Oregon Democratic Reps. Andrea Salinas and Janelle Bynum both received some attention as possible candidates in the event Merkley chose not to run. But Merkley's decision should likely ensure his renomination in the Democratic primary and reelection to another term in the solidly Democratic-leaning state. Oregon hasn't had a Republican senator since Merkley first took office. Merkley's campaign website states that some of his top priorities include ending gerrymandering and the influence of big money in politics, reversing the effects of climate change and enacting Medicare for All.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon lawmakers regulate guns, public defense, while crime victim, exoneree funding stall
Bills meant to reform and direct more money to the state's criminal justice system had a mixed bag this 2025 Legislative Session. (Photo by Ron Cooper/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Bills meant to reform and direct more money to the state's criminal justice system had some major wins and some major losses during the 2025 Legislative Session. Much needed funding for public defense lawyers, new gun control measures and new civil liberties protections overcame budgetary challenges and some strong opposition, while efforts to ensure financial compensation for victims of crime, and those who say they've been wrongfully incarcerated, remain in limbo. Addressing the state's ongoing public defender shortage was among the most pressing issues for lawmakers during the six-month session. The matter reached a fever-pitch in April, when Gov. Tina Kotek fired and replaced the head of the Oregon Public Defense Commission, calling it 'unacceptable' for thousands of Oregonians to go through the justice system without a lawyer. Under House Bill 2614, she will be allowed to fire the commission's executive director for 'just cause.' Lawmakers sought to expand the capacity for experienced lawyers' to take on cases by allocating in House Bill 5031 a nearly 15% funding increase to the commission's more than $700 million budget. But missing is more money to be used directly to support hiring more trial attorneys statewide, as Kotek requested in June. Perhaps the biggest blow to justice reform advocates was the failure of lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 1007, which would have streamlined the payout process to Oregonians found innocent after being wrongfully convicted and serving time in prison. The bill's passage would've likely called into question the state's handling of dozens of cases, and its failure 'only further harms exonerees and their families,' according to Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Gun control also rose to the top of Democrats' agenda by the end of the session. They passed Senate Bill 243, banning bump stocks and rapid-fire devices, and allowing local governments to ban the concealed carry of guns in public buildings. But, House Bill 2076, seeking to create a statewide gun licensing program, died in the House Revenue Committee in the face of staunch Republican opposition during the last week of the session. A bill to increase pay for state judges — House Bill 2712 — passed, but another — House Bill 2469 — that would have given them more discretion to lower penalties for some minor offenses, turning some misdemeanor crimes instead into 'violations,' failed. Oregonians who plead guilty to crimes on the grounds of insanity will navigate new legal guidelines under House Bill 2471, which clarifies circumstances under which a mental disorder can be used to absolve a defendant of full responsibility for committing a crime. District attorneys advocating for the bill argued that the clarity is needed in the wake of ongoing legal debates around using insanity pleas. The safety of public officials gained urgency in the wake of the fatal shootings of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman at their home June 16, and the near-fatal shootings of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their home the same morning. A day before the politically-motivated attack by 57-year-old Vance Boelter, Oregon lawmakers voted in favor of a bill that would conceal their home addresses from the public, as well as other candidates for office, Senate Bill 224. Another bill that would have made it an official crime to threaten a public official, Senate Bill 473, passed in the Oregon Senate but did not make it through the House. The Oregon Legislature passed several bills meant to offer justice to victims of abuse and sexual assault. Senate Bill 180 confers greater protections from defamation lawsuits for victims of sexual assault. Advocates say such suits can have a chilling effect on victims' willingness to bring criminal charges against perpetrators. House Bill 2975 restores courts' ability to impose distinct sentences for acts of violence like assault and strangulation that have been committed in the context of domestic violence. But when it comes to funding agencies that work with sexual assault victims, lawmakers came up short. House Bill 3196 would have allocated $18.5 million to the Oregon Department of Justice for awarding grants to nonprofits that help victims of abuse find safety and access shelters. House Bill 3070 would have allocated an additional $400,000 for the Attorney General's Sexual Assault Task Force, which certifies sexual assault nurse examiners. Neither effort advanced out of the powerful budgeting Joint Committee on Ways and Means. The act of doxxing has now become a misdemeanor under Senate Bill 1121, building on a previous law that empowered victims to sue. It is also now a misdemeanor to distribute AI-generated nude images under House Bill 2299, which prohibits sharing such images. To curb illicit sex trafficking in spas and massage parlors in the state, Kotek signed House Bill 3819 which raises fines for operating facilities that violate state trafficking laws, and allows the State Board of Massage Therapists to post signs on businesses that violate such laws. But in amendments, the bill was scrubbed of language empowering district attorneys to prosecute businesses based on testimony from victimized women who grow reluctant to share that testimony in court later on, a change that critics worry gives the law now less teeth. A bill conferring new rights for foster kids — Senate Bill 875 — hit unexpected speedbumps when Kotek vetoed it after raising concerns that the bill did not clearly define perpetrators, abuse and the definition of custody and a child in care of the state. The bill would have required a court order from a foster parent seeking to block or limit contact among foster children and their siblings, and provided kids in the foster care system with a public attorney. The bill also guaranteed them access to personal belongings when being moved between new foster placements, and required they be given appropriate luggage to carry their belongings. The Senate moved to override Kotek's veto of the bill, but the House opted to concur with Kotek after she raised concerns about the bill's specificity. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
